You can use Roblox Ohio codes to earn in-game currency like Cash and Weapons, giving you a competitive advantage over other players and allowing you to survive the harsh streets of Ohio. Cash and Weapons are the two most important currencies in Roblox Ohio, so you should jump at any chance to earn them for free. Here are all Roblox Ohio codes you can redeem for free Cash and Weapons.
We have provided you with an easy-to-browse list of working and expired codes and instructions on redeeming them. You will be earning free Cash and Weapons in no time!
Follow the instructions below to redeem codes in Roblox Ohio.
The easiest way to get more Roblox Ohio codes is to check this guide at the beginning of every month. We will update new codes as they appear, so you are always up to date. Additionally, you can join the DevvGames Discord Server and follow @DevvGamesRblx on Twitter.
Your Roblox Ohio codes may not work because they expired or were mistyped into the text box during the redemption process. Please verify that the code you are trying to redeem isn’t expired and that it was typed correctly into the text box.
You can earn an easy $5,000 by liking the gaming and joining the DevvGames Roblox group. You must also brave the mean streets of Ohio and complete criminal activities to earn additional cash and weapons.
Roblox Ohio is a popular Roblox game that turns the streets of Ohio into a fun version of Grand Theft Auto. You will fight gangs, destroy robots, protect the streets of Ohio from aliens, and much more. Roblox Ohio is exceptionally violent and bloody compared to most Roblox games, so player discretion is advised.
]]>The film has been a resounding success, making a whopping 172 million yen (1.06 million USD) with over 137,000 admissions.
On his official X account, Hideo Kojima noted that he found Look Back to be, “one of the most remarkable anime of the last decade.” He offered additional commentary, saying: “I was shaken to my core! The tenderness, the kindness, the strength! Such rich expressions and sensitivity, surpassing even a live-action film! I was moved by the present and future of entertainment! Anime is truly incredible. I’ve already ordered Tatsuki Fujimoto’s original manga and can’t wait to “look back” on it.”
Fans have taken notice of Kojima’s adoration for the film, too, with one popular tweet saying the following:
A recent cosplay by alice_kelstkaya on Reddit’s r/cosplay board proves this, bringing one of the game’s most popular characters to life in a stunning photoshoot.
Not only is the cosplayer’s costume on-point, wearing an outfit that is 1:1 with Futaba’s overworld appearance for a majority of the game, the cosplayer is posed perfectly in front of a slick gaming setup, reminiscent of when Joker and the rest of the party first encounter Futaba in-game.
Despite Persona 5 rapidly approaching its 10-year anniversary, the title still has a devoted fanbase that celebrate everything from the characters, world-building, and combat system. Cosplayers like this, that hold so much love for the cast after all this time, exemplify Persona 5‘s staying power in the modern gaming landscape.
]]>Madoka Magica, an anime series known for popularizing a darker take on the magical girl genre, is no stranger to game adaptations. The series has seen a few Japan-exclusive console releases, as well as a mobile game that expanded the greater lore and explored alternate timelines titles called Magia Record that was available globally for fans of the series. The latest installment in Madoka games, however, has made one major change that fans can’t stop talking about.
Madoka Magica Magia Exedra‘s official Steam page is loaded with incredible details about the upcoming title, and something fans noted right away from the promotional screenshots is how is similar the combat encounters look when compared to Honkai Star Rail.
While they certainly aren’t 1:1, it’s obvious that the game’s developers, Pokelabo and f4samurai were by the Chinese studio’s success. From the official Steam page, Madoka Magica Magia Exedra is described as follows:
“Characters from the hit anime series “Puella Magi Madoka Magica” come together!
Featuring an all-new story setting and characters from the original ideas of Gekidan Inu Curry (Doroinu), experience the action alongside Magical Girl memories in this battle RPG!
Now go. Unveil the memories of these Magical Girls.
◆ Enter a Realm of Magical Memories! ◆
A place where the memories of Magical Girls illuminate the dark…
The Lighthouse.
Now a girl who’s lost everything has wandered into its sanctum.
Who am I…?
How did I get here…?
She will relive key moments of countless Magical Girls by opening windows into their memories…
Trusting she’ll one day find her own lost light of remembrance.”
Developers taking inspiration from other properties is a slippery slope, especially when certain mechanics are so glaringly inspired from whatever the new game is being inspired by. However, gaming fans have seen practices like this time and time again, whether it be with the ever evolving landscape of JRPGs, “Metroidvania” titles, and the entirety of the “Souls-like” genre. While gacha games can be predatory just in the way they’re constructed, it’s also exciting to imagine what a true RPG experience with the cast of Madoka Magica could look like.
Plus, Aniplex has already announced that the game will release far more global support compared to Magia Record, which is good enough news for fans of the franchise that nothing else really matters at this point in time. While there’s no official release date for Magia Exedra at this time, Magia Record is stille available on app stores, and Madoka Magica is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
]]>While many fans of the series consider the manga a masterclass in storytelling and an absolute must-read, other adaptations of Sui Ishida’s work are far less favorable, and somehow, fans keep getting disappointed whenever Tokyo Ghoul tries to branch out its franchising opportunities.
To celebrate the series’ 10th anniversary, the official X account for Tokyo Ghoul began posting a cryptic countdown for a “big announcement”. Everyone’s mind went to the same place, obviously: Tokyo Ghoul would finally get the Brotherhood treatment. Unfortunately for many, instead of a new anime, Tokyo Ghoul will be celebrating the big “10” with an art exhibit.
While fans, especially those in the West, are understandably heartbroken to get their hopes dashed for a proper anime adaptation of such a beloved series; perhaps too many of us were putting faith in something that wasn’t even teased to be true. Plus, Sui Ishida’s latest series, Choujin X would be a far more interesting pick for a new anime.
]]>So what do you need to do to get the Free Coins and Spins? Simply head to the buttons below while you’ve got the Coin Master game open on your phone and it will instantly be transferred to your game. Each code that we post has been tested for safety and is taken directly from the developers of Coin Master who dispense these codes on various social media channels.
Each day we’ll post new codes, but don’t be afraid to try previous days codes as from time to time they do still work later. If you run out of free code links and still need some more ideas to get spins and coins, you can check out our checklist at the bottom of this article that reveals some alternative ways to getting free spins and coins in Coin Master.
Below you’ll find each day’s group of Coin Master Free Spin and Coin links below the date. The more recent the links, the more likely they are to work. Feel free to let us know on social media if you find that a link is no longer working and good luck in your village building quest.
Updated: July 3, 2024
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Gamers hoping to find themselves engaged in high-octane combat with some JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure flare should look into the Roblox experience Sakura Stands as quickly as possible. Alongside plenty of combat to partake in against NPC’s and other players, gamers also have the chance to get plenty of experience to level themselves up.
Are there any codes for Sakura Stands that will give players a bit of a boost, or will they find themselves at the mercy of Killer Queen? Let’s get ready to live out our lives in this new world, and prepare ourselves for the ultimate form of combat.
Players will find all of the currently available codes for Sakura Stand below, alongside some questions asked by players of this experience.
Players hoping to redeem a few codes in Sakura Stands may be confused about how to actually redeem the codes that are available to them, and it is easy to understand why. The Code Redemption Menu is hidden away, but follow these steps and you’ll be ready to redeem in no time.
Players will want to ensure that they’ve typed the codes in exactly as they were typed on this page, and make sure to follow the capitalization. If a code is expired, this experience will let you know that it is no longer valid, but if it says the code isn’t working, there could be a small typo preventing you from claiming your bonuses.
The developer of this experience is not very active on Social Media, so joining the Sakura Stand Discord Community is likely to be the easiest way to claim some new codes as soon as they go live for this particular game. Also, make sure that you have bookmarked this page, as we will be checking for new codes quite often.
Sakura Stands is an action game, based loosely on the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure franchise. Players will be able to power themselves up, as well as earn plenty of unique and powerful allies from not only this franchise, but others such as Jujutsu Kaisen and more. Players can also partake in PVP battles, either in a group or via 1 on 1 battle that can be prompted at any time.
Those searching for a new action title that have tired from other experiences, such as Blox Fruits may fall in love with this title. It offers quite a competitive nature, and plenty of things to do, such as side quests and a story to follow alongside.
Roblox is available now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Mobile Devices, and PC.
]]>While its narrative is relatively short compared to epic-length shonen franchises like Naruto and One Piece, Demon Slayer excels through its beautifully illustrated fight scenes and easily recognizable character designs.
While there has been some mixed reception following the Hashira Training Arc anime adaptation, fans are more than excited to see what exactly an Infinity Castle anime adaptation means for the franchise. As previously mentioned, Demon Slayer‘s story is short, and it wears its themes and ideas on its sleeves – and while the other seasons and anime adaptations have been well produced, many believe that Ufotable is dragging the story out much longer than it needs to be.
While there is no release dates in place for the trilogy just yet, it has already been confirmed that Crunchyroll and Sony will have distribution rights; meaning that fans should expect a wide theater release in the US, as this has been the case for all previous Demon Slayer feature films.
]]>The series is no stranger to collaborations, with perhaps the most notable before the fast food collab being a crossover with the online game Fortnite, adding characters and abilities from the series to the game for players to select.
The sauce, officially dubbed “Special Grade Garlic” by the fast food chain is actually a dipping option that’s been available at McDonald’s Japanese locations in the past that’s finally being brought overseas for American customers. It’s described as having a sweet and tangy soy-garlic flavor, and according to the chain, “… [the] first EVER garlic sauce to hit the menus at McDonald’s USA.”
The campaign will begin on July 9, 2024, and every customer who gets the sauce will also receive a 30-day free trial to the streaming service that hosts Jujutsu Kaisen, Crunchyroll, so fans of the sauce can binge the anime with their nuggets.
]]>As with other services, HIDIVE is ready to start streaming their Summer 2024 lineup, and while we can’t wait to watch some of the obvious heavy-hitters, like Oshi no Ko Season 2, they have plenty of other new shows worth checking out.
Here’s every new anime that HIDIVE will air to kick off the summer anime season:
Oshi no Ko Season 2 | Produced by Doga Kobo | Airs on July 3 |
Plus-sized Elf | Produced by Elias | Airs on July 6 |
I Parry Everything | Produced by OLM Team Masuda | Airs on July 4 |
2.5 Dimensional Seduction | Produced by J.C. Staff | Airs on July 5 |
Dungeon People | Produced by OLM | Airs on July 5 |
While their list of new anime may seem a little short, it’s filled with everything anime fans will need to enjoy this year’s seasonal summer lineup. With the comeback of one of the most sensational anime in the last year, Oshi no Ko, the streaming service has also licensed the hilarious ecchi comedy Plus-sized Elf; a series filled with cute fantasy-inspired girls trying and failing to work out, as well as 2.5 Dimensional Seduction, a romance series focusing on cosplay.
HIDIVE will also be airing a number of new English dubs for series they’ve already aired, such as Helck.
]]>As announced by TMS Entertainment on their official social media accounts, the classic series will be getting a brand-new anime adaptation to celebrate its 30th anniversary, a massive milestone for any series. While details are sparse at this time, TMS has released a gorgeous key visual depicting the three leads wielding their iconic blades.
Surprisingly to new fans, Rayearth is one of the earliest examples of a series that falls under the “isekai” genre, following three girls – Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji – after being called by the mysterious Princess Emeraude to Cephiro to save her world.
]]>The Summer 2024 anime season is no different, with the platform boasting a massive catalogue of shows for anime fans to keep up with.
Here’s every anime that Crunchyroll will be streaming during the Summer 2024 anime season:
Case Closed | Produced by TMS | Ongoing |
Chibi Maruko-chan | Produced by Nippon Animation | Ongoing |
Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction | Produced by Production +h | Ongoing |
My Hero Academia Season 7 | Produced by Studio Bones | Ongoing |
One Piece | Produced by Toei Animation | Ongoing |
Spice & Wolf (2nd cour) | Produced by Studio Passione | Airs on July 2 |
The Cafe Terrace and Its Goddesses Season 2 | Produced by Tezuka Productions | Airs on July 4 |
NieR: Automata Ver1.1a (2nd cour) | Produced by A-1 Pictures | Airs on July 5 |
MONOGATARI: OFF & MONSTER Season | Produced by Studio Shaft | Airs on July 6 |
Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World Season 2 | Produced by Silver Link | Airs on July 10 |
SHY Season 2 | Produced by Eight Bit | Airs on July 1 |
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 (2nd cour) | Produced by Eight Bit | Airs on July 5 |
Wonderful Precure! (continuing) | Produced by Toei Animation | Airs on July 7 |
Journey Through Another World: Raising Kids While Adventuring | Produced by EMT Squared | Airs on July 7 |
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings In Russian | Produced by Doga Kobo | Airs on July 3 |
Atri -My Dear Moments- | Produced by TROYCA | Airs on July 14 |
Bye Bye, Earth | Produced by Liden Films | Airs on July 12 |
Days With My Stepsister | Produced by Studio Deen | Airs on July 4 |
Delico’s Nursery | Produced by J.C. Staff | Airs on Aug. 8 |
Love Is Indivisible By Twins | Produced by ROLL2 | Airs on July 10 |
Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! | Produced by A-1 Pictures | Airs on July 14 |
Mayonaka Punch | Produced by P.A. Works | Airs on July 8 |
Nanare Hananare -Cheer For You!- | Produced by P.A. Works | Airs on July 7 |
No Longer Allowed In Another World | Produced by Atelier Pontdarc | Airs on July 9 |
Pseudo Harem | Produced by Pony Canyon | Airs on July 5 |
Quality Assurance In Another World | Produced by 100Studio | Airs on July 6 |
Sengoku Youko Part 2 | Produced by White Fox | Airs on July 18 |
Senpai is an Otonoko | Produced by Project No. 9 | Airs on July 5 |
Shoshimin: How To Become Ordinary | Produced by Lapin Track | Airs on July 7 |
Tasuketsu -Fate of the Majority- | Produced by Satelight | Airs on July 2 |
The Ossan Newbie Adventurer | Produced by Yumeta Company | Airs on July 2 |
The Strongest Magician In the Demon Lord’s Army Was a Human | Produced by Studio A-Cat | Airs on July 3 |
Twilight Out Of Focus | Produced by Studio Deen | Airs on July 4 |
VTuber Legend: How I Went Viral After Forgetting To Turn Off My Stream | Produced by TNK | Airs on July 7 |
Why Does Nobody Remember Me In This World? | Produced by Project No. 9 | Airs on July 13 |
Wistoria: Wand & Sword | Produced by Actas | Airs on July 7 |
Boasting well over 30 new and returning series this summer, Crunchyroll has truly outdone themselves by having an immense amount of variety in this year’s catalogue.
Some of the new series we’re most excited to watch this season include Wistoria: Wand & Sword, Delico’s Nursery, and Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings In Russian, a romance slice-of-life series produced by the same studio behind the electrifying Oshi no Ko.
]]>Right off the heels of the series’ grand finale, Crunchyroll announced that Kaiju No. 8 will be getting a sequel. While there’s no release date just yet, Production I.G. and Crunchyroll did offer some other exciting news regarding the 2nd season.
In addition to the official season 2 announcement, Crunchyroll has confirmed that Koki Uchiyama will be joining the Kaiju No. 8 cast going forward as the voice of Gen Harumi. Uchiyama has an incredible list of characters he’s voiced in the past, including Roxas and Ventus from Kingdom Hearts, V in Devil May Cry 5, and Neku in The World Ends With You. The VA’s inherent talents and recognizable voice will be an exciting addition to the cast, especially considering he was recently added to the cast of the new hit delinquent anime Wind Breaker.
]]>Updated: July 1, 2024
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Whenever I get nostalgic about PE classes, Blade Ball makes me feel that familiar adrenaline rush that used to accompany every dodgeball match. Well, back in the day, we didn’t have cool features such as customizable swords and explosions in our regular boring dodgeball games—features that make this Roblox experience incredibly addictive and fun.
Just like in the real deal, mastering gameplay in Blade Ball is somewhat challenging at first, particularly when your opponents have powerful skills such as Wind Cloak and Freeze and you don’t. The game offers a ton of features to unlock but never enough coins. Thankfully, with some help from Blade Ball codes, you will get your hands on some of that sweet currency and other exclusive Skins and Swords.
And if you don’t want the fun to end just yet, check out our Roblox Fireworks Playground Codes for more free rewards in that game as well.
Related: Roblox Pixel Piece Codes
To redeem codes in Blade Ball, follow the instructions below:
If you want to look for codes on your own and get new updates directly from the developer, join the Blade Ball Discord Server. Devs occasionally release codes on their X account (@Blade_Ball), so feel free to give them a follow. The official YouTube channel (@Blade-Ball) exists, but the developers are not very active on there at the moment.
However, the easiest way to catch the latest codes is to bookmark this page and visit it occasionally. We are constantly looking for and collecting new codes in one place, so you don’t have to waste your time and energy.
If you tried redeeming codes manually, you probably met Roblox players’ number one enemy—typos. Always double-check the spelling of your codes and be careful with the details, such as capitalization. Copying and pasting codes directly into the game is an excellent way to avoid this problem.
It’s also possible that the code you’re trying to redeem has expired. Developers often don’t specify expiration dates for every code, so an expired one can overstay its welcome on our Working list. If you find a code that no longer works, let us know in the comments, and we’ll investigate the issue.
The more rounds you play, the more freebies you’ll get. If you click the Quests button on the left side of the screen, you’ll open a menu with three Daily Quests. That way, you can claim some extra Coins simply by progressing through the game. Tasks are usually pretty straightforward, such as completing a certain amount of matches.
You can get even more Coins and Wheel Spins by playing the game for a particular amount of time. Press the Extra button in the top left corner of the screen, then click on Playtime Awards in the drop-down menu to claim your rewards.
Blade Ball is Roblox’s unique twist on dodgeball, where players can dive into competitive multiplayer matches using special abilities. The goal is simple: hit and block the ball and be the last player eliminated from the Arena. Focus and timing are the key if you want to rise through the ranks. Unlock new abilities and find the ones that most suit your game style.
In need of more Roblox codes? Check out our Roblox Codes section for more free goodies in the most popular experiences across all genres!
]]>Her latest song, aptly titled “Otaku Hot Girl”, became instantly iconic for not only being unabashedly open about her love for the medium, but by sampling audio from one of her favorites, Jujutsu Kaisen.
The new song, which samples voice lines from Yuji Itadori’s English dub voice actor, as well as the anime adaptation’s OST. The song features a number of iconic lines about the series, including: “Fightin’ demons in my head like I’m Itadori,” and “Can’t touch me like Gojo.”
The song also includes a few hilarious lines that explicitly poke fun at the anime community on social media, like “I’m not finna argue with a Sasuke avi; Incel mad, I’m a weeb and a hottie.” Paired alongside Megan’s recent Hatsune Miku cosplay to help promote Amazon‘s Prime Day event, the musician is truly living every weeb’s dream life.
]]>With the series being set in a fantastically reimagined regency England, colorful fashions, and heart-pounding romance sequences, there are plenty of anime, manga, and light novels that matches Bridgerton‘s energy and then some.
Technically situating itself as an isekai, Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion begins with the death of a young woman named Rinko, who is reborn as Raeliana – a beloved character from a novel. But Rinko is more than familiar with the source material she’s been reincarnated into: she’s destined to be murdered by her fiance. Using her knowledge of the original story, Raeliana comes up with a scheme to ensure her survival by seducing a duke with a devilish personality.
Clearly, for fans of Simon and Daphne’s relationship in Bridgerton‘s first season, Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion is a no-brainer for binge-watching. While many would think it a fairy tale to be reborn into their favorite novel, audiences get to see a different side of the coin wherein Raeliana is constantly fighting for her survival, all the while missing out on the duke falling deeply in love with her.
For those who like Bridgerton‘s fantastical take on the regency era and Shondaland’s unique approach to adapting fashion trends from the time, they may find themselves at home with The Rose of Versailles. Originally created by Riyoko Ikeda in 1972, The Rose of Versailles is a fictionalized retelling of Marie Antionette’s life during the French Revolution, but later shifts its focus to follow Oscar Francois de Jarjayes, the daughter of a French military commander who grows up to succeed his role.
While heavily fictionalized, The Rose of Versailles is intensely beautiful, and follows two very different experiences in womanhood and fighting for personal freedoms all while making commentary on social and economic disparity.
Leaning far more into fantasy when compared to Bridgerton, Snow White With the Red Hair follows Shirayuki, an herbalist who resides in Tanbarun. Compared to the other citizens in the kingdom – her striking red hair. As she gets older, the first prince of the kingdom, Prince Raj, learns of her beautiful and unique trait; demanding that she become his concubine. Standing strong, Shirayuki reuses him, cutting her hair short and abandoning her home to travel to the neighboring kingdom of Clarines.
Later, she meets another prince named Zen Wistaria and his two aides, Mitsuhide and Kiki. Referencing it’s title – the infamous apple from the original fairy tale makes an appearance, and Prince Zen becomes poisoned. Shirayuki manages to cure him with her past herbalist experience, and begins to train in the palace to hone her skills for the royal family. Back in Tanbarun, Prince Raj realizes that he has real romantic feelings for Shirayuki, and begins to try and change his ways to win her favor; all the while, Zen and Shirayuki begin to fall hopelessly in love with one another.
One of the more charming “villainess reincarnation” series to be released after My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead To Doom!‘s unexpected success, 7th Time Loop follows a headstrong young woman named Rishe, whose life always starts out the same way – her getting rejected by her fiance, becoming exiled or running away to start fresh in a new occupation, only to be killed by a mysterious prince, or in the crossfire of a war that said prince starts.
In her latest and seventh life, Rishe abandons her fiance only to come face-to-face with with the man himself – Prince Arnold of the Galkhein kingdom. Arnold is taken by Rishe’s brash and determined personality, as well as her quick-with and dextrous timing with a blade. Because of this, he insists that Rishe marry him, instead, and takes her to Galkhein to make her his bride. Serving as an almost one-sided enemies to lovers story, 7th Time Loop is an intriguing story that makes its male lead perfectly mysterious in an “I can fix him” sort of way that’s hard to pull yourself away from.
Taking place in 16th century Florence, Arte is an underrated period piece that follows Arte, the only daughter to the noble Spalletti house. From childhood, Arte has had an immense talent and love for painting, but when her father unexpectedly passes away, her mother tries to push her to give up her pursuit of the arts and marry well to ensure her future – something that fans of Bridgerton have seen explored time and time again in its female characters’ storylines.
Arte doesn’t want to give up her dreams, however, opting to try and find a solution to her marriage dilemma. She begins working under a master painter named Leo to hone her craft, and as time goes on, even though she tries her best to fight it, Arte begins to fall head-over-heels in love with her mentor.
]]>Jujutsu Kaisen releases weekly on Sundays and is available on Manga Plus and the VIZ Media Jujutsu Kaisen portal, with occasional hiatuses. Aside from the usual holiday breaks for Weekly Shonen Jump series like New Years, Golden Week, Obon, and Christmas, I will keep you posted on any developments.
Please, note that the Jutusu Kaisen chapter release date schedule might change due to unforeseen circumstances regarding the author’s condition and problems with the magazine. If that happens, the data here will be updated to bring you the most accurate release schedule. As of early June 2024, Gege Akutami, the mangaka behind Jujutsu Kaisen, has announced that he will be taking a three week break as he deals with a series of health issues.
Given that Gege doesn’t take any breaks after he returns at the end of this month, Jujutsu Kaisen‘s schedule in 2024 should go as follows:
Chapter | Release Date |
---|---|
247 | January 5, 2024 |
248 | January 21, 2024 |
249 | February 4, 2024 |
250 | February 11, 2024 |
251 | February 18, 2024 |
252 | March 3, 2024 |
253 | March 10, 2024 |
254 | March 24, 2024 |
255 | March 31, 2024 |
256 | April 7, 2024 |
257 | April 21, 2024 |
258 | April 28, 2024 |
259 | May 12, 2024 |
260 | May 19, 2024 |
261 | May 26, 2024 |
262 | June 9, 2024 |
263 | June 30, 2024 |
264 | July 7, 2024 |
265 | July 14, 2024 |
266 | July 21, 2024 |
267 | July 28, 2024 |
268 | August 4, 2024 |
269 | August 11, 2024 |
270 | August 18, 2024 |
271 | August 25, 2024 |
272 | September 1, 2024 |
273 | September 8, 2024 |
274 | September 15, 2024 |
275 | September 22, 2024 |
276 | September 29, 2024 |
277 | October 6, 2024 |
278 | October 13, 2024 |
279 | October 20, 2024 |
280 | October 27, 2024 |
281 | November 3, 2024 |
282 | November 10, 2024 |
283 | November 17, 2024 |
284 | November 24, 2024 |
285 | December 1, 2024 |
286 | December 8, 2024 |
287 | December 15, 2024 |
288 | December 22, 2024 |
289 | December 29, 2024 |
290 | January 5, 2025 |
Fans will want to buckle up – it seems as though, with current events in the series, that Jujutsu Kaisen is ramping up for its grand finale.
Below you can find our previously-covered 2023 schedule! As you might have guessed, several unexpected hiatuses happened, but some explosive moments followed too!
Chapter | Release Date |
---|---|
209 | January 6, 2023 |
210 | January 22, 2023 |
211 | January 29, 2023 |
212 | February 5, 2023 |
213 | February 12, 2023 |
214 | February 26, 2023 |
215 | March 5, 2023 |
216 | March 12, 2023 |
217 | March 19, 2023 |
218 | April 2, 2023 |
219 | April 9, 2023 |
220 | April 16, 2023 |
221 | April 23, 2023 |
222 | May 14, 2023 |
223 | May 21, 2023 |
224 | May 28, 2023 |
225 | June 11, 2023 |
226 | June 18, 2023 |
227 | July 2, 2023 |
228 | July 9, 2023 |
229 | July 16, 2023 |
230 | July 30, 2023 |
231 | August 6, 2023 |
232 | August 20, 2023 |
233 | August 27, 2023 |
234 | September 3, 2023 |
235 | September 10, 2023 |
236 | September 24, 2023 |
237 | October 1, 2023 |
238 | October 8, 2023 |
239 | October 22, 2023 |
240 | October 29, 2023 |
241 | November 5, 2023 |
242 | November 19, 2023 |
243 | November 26, 2023 |
244 | December 3, 2023 |
245 | December 17, 2023 |
246 | December 24, 2023 |
It’s bittersweet to imagine the Dark Trio soon losing its second pillar, but the series has had a spectacular run! However, Chainsaw Man has lately been bringing up the rear with some crazy chapters of its own.
]]>Spy x Family does not run in Weekly Shonen Jump despite its mass appeal, but rather through the online service Shonen Jump+, and has been its most successful manga since its release date in 2019. Spy x Family releases on a bi-weekly schedule, releasing one manga chapter every other Sunday, with Chapter 100 being 2024’s latest installment released on June 23, 2024.
Below you can see the anticipated Spy x Family release date schedule for 2024. While the mangaka has taken a couple of unexpected breaks throughout the year, if everything stays on track, this should be a definitive guide to keeping up with the Forgers for the rest of 2024.
Chapter | Release Date |
---|---|
93 | January 7, 2024 |
94 | January 21, 2024 |
95 | March 3, 2024 |
96 | March 17, 2024 |
97 | April 28, 2024 |
98 | May 12, 2024 |
99 | June 9, 2024 |
100 | June 23, 2024 |
101 | July 7, 2024 |
102 | July 21, 2024 |
103 | August 4, 2024 |
104 | August 28, 2024 |
105 | September 11, 2024 |
106 | September 25, 2024 |
107 | October 9, 2024 |
108 | October 23, 2024 |
109 | November 6, 2024 |
110 | November 20, 2024 |
111 | December 4, 2024 |
112 | December 18, 2024 |
113 | January 1, 2025 |
As you can see, this biweekly format is anticipated to carry through much of the year, and the only currently foreseen conflict is at the end of April, Golden Week, a set of consecutive holidays in Japan. This is a fairly similar pattern to that of One Piece’s release schedule from 2024.
With two seasonal anime seasons, a smash-hit feature-length film and the manga still being far enough ahead of season 3, there’s plenty to enjoy this calendar year with Loid and the rest of the Forgers.
We have provided an anticipated release schedule, with small adjustments predicting a similar pattern to 2022’s releases, accounting for any holidays that overlap throughout the year.
Spy x Family Chapter | Release Date |
---|---|
74 | January 22, 2023 |
75 | February 5, 2023 |
76 | March 5, 2023 |
77 | March 19, 2023 |
78 | April 2, 2023 |
78.1 | April 16, 2023 |
79 | April 30, 2023 |
80 | May 14, 2023 |
81 | May 28, 2023 |
82 | June 11, 2023 |
83 | June 25, 2023 |
84 | July 9, 2023 |
85 | July 23, 2023 |
86 | August 6, 2023 |
87 | September 3, 2023 |
88 | October 15, 2023 |
89 | October 29, 2023 |
90 | November 12, 2023 |
90.1 | November 26, 2023 |
91 | December 10, 2023 |
92 | December 24, 2023 |
You can read these chapters through the Viz Shonen Jump portal or through the Shonen Jump manga reader app.
Spy x Family released on Shonen Jump+ on March 25, 2019. It also has received an anime tv series, as well as an upcoming anime film.
]]>Perhaps surprisingly, there are a number of anime and manga that share similar themes, world-building sensibilities, and character writing that fans of the sensational television series would have a hard time ignoring if they new what they were missing out on.
While not nearly as popular in the West as it should be due to a lack of localization and publication in English, Kingdom is a fictionalized take on real historical events in China. Taking place in the Warring States Period, the story follows to orphans, Shin and Hyou, who reside in Qin. Hyou is eventually taken to the palace and barely escapes alive, while meets a young man that resembles Hyou, named Ei Sei.
While it may seem a bit slow on the surface, Kingdom is an epic story that has several characters based on real historical figures, and gives a unique take on one of the biggest foundational periods in Chinese history. What it lacks in dragons, magic, and other high fantasy staples it more than makes up for in political drama and exciting battles.
Code Geass is far from a traditional high fantasy anime – taking place in an alternate-reality dystopian future, but it does contain all the political intrigue, backstabbing, and drama that fans of House of Dragon can’t get enough of.
As previously mentioned, Code Geass takes place in Japan years after being conquered by the Holy Empire of Britannia, now called Area 11. The Empire has stripped the citizens of their rights and refer to them as “Elevens”, keeping them in check with a militaristic government and deadly, high tech weaponry. The series’ protagonist, Lelouch, is an ambitious young man that gains the ability to use a “Geass” – a mysterious power that allows him to completely take control of other people, hoping to build a new world following his political ideals.
While not as political as other fantasy series fans of House of Dragon might be expecting, Tales of Earthsea still has many strong attributes to make it worth adding to their watchlists. Tales of Earthsea takes place in the eponymous fantasy nation, threatened by a mysterious force that could plunge humanity into chaos. The film primarily follows a wizard named Sparrowhawk seeking to find a solution to this problem, and along the way, meet a young priestess and a runaway prince.
An adventure film at its core, Tales of Earthsea is a unique fantasy film from Studio Ghibli with a dedicated cult following. Its lush world and fantastical setting make it feel like a storybook to life, which, while not nearly as gritty as the drama in House of Dragon, can still be a nice break for fans wishing that they could see more of the world in the series.
While many anime fans think that the shojo demographic exclusively caters to those looking for heart-stopping romance series – this couldn’t be farther from the truth. While Yona of the Dawn has some romantic elements, at its core, the series is a politically-driven high fantasy that’s perfect for House of the Dragon fans to add to their watchlists.
Yona of the Dawn follows the titular Yona, the sole princess of Kouka, who lives a sheltered life as royalty; kept safe from the grim reality hiding just beyond the Crimson Dragon Castle she resides in. Despite her cozy lifestyle – Kouka is on the verge of ruin, and Yona is none the wiser. On the eve of her 16th birthday, Yona’s crush of over 10 years, Su-on, visits with her father to declare his intentions. After being turned away, Yona attempts to talk to her father, the king, to change his mind, only to find Su-on assassinating him. Yona and her bodyguard are forced out of the castle as fugitives, and she embarks on a journey to find a way to earn the throne.
While far from being the same type of story as House of the Dragon on the surface, Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms is an exceptional fantasy film that blends political intrigue and family drama just as effortlessly as the aforementioned television series. Maquia‘s world-building is incredibly lush for being a stand-alone film, and all its main characters are easy to get attached to and sympathize with by the time the film unveils its heart-wrenching ending.
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms follows the people of Iolph, a notable race of people known for their eternally youthful appearances and their pacifism – living peaceful lives weaving tapestries. Other humans believe that the people’s blood is a font of youth, leading to their society being invaded and thrust into chaos. One of the survivors, Maquia, begins to wander aimlessly until she comes across an orphaned boy. The child gives her life a new purpose, and the rest of the film watches Maquia raising the boy from a rambunctious child into a soldier.
]]>In addition to feature films like My Hero Academia: You’re Next, Kimi no Iro, and the return of the Monogatari series with the animated adaptation of Off & Monster Season, here’s every Summer 2024 series we can’t wait to watch.
Finally returning a whole decade after season 2 concluded, Kimi ni Todoke‘s anime adaptation is returning in full swing during the Summer 2024 anime season. With the original cast reprising their roles and Production I.G. picking up where they left off with the previous adaptation, there’s plenty for shojo fans to be excited about with this upcoming season.
While new fans unfamiliar with the anime’s original release may have a harder time diving into the series by having to watch the first two seasons, longtime fans have been looking forward to season 3 since it was originally announced by Netflix in September of 2023. Following Sawako, a teenage girl that’s mocked by her classmates for looking like the ghoulish horror icon “Sadako”, hopes to find new friends amid rumors about her, and ends up discovering much more in the process.
One of the most popular manhwa to hit the mainstream with an impeccable anime adaptation, Tower of God fans were left with no updates regarding a secon season for quite some time, but thankfully, this summer will finally unveil what Sola Entertainment has been working so hard on.
Instead of focusing on the previous season’s protagonist, Bam, Tower of God instead puts a spotlight on Ja Wangnan – a young man struggling to make it past the tower’s 20th floor. In his struggles, he encounters the mysterious Viole. The two begin traveling together, taking on the otherworldy struggles of the tower together as they ascend.
While WIT studio is well renowned for their work on series like Attack on Titan, Spy x Family, and Vinland Saga, the studio has begun to expand into more eccentric territory by adapting the slapstick deer-girl series My Deer Friend Nokotan. The anime has already gone viral thanks to its over-the-top marketing and ear-bug of an opening theme, and its likely to stick around once the anime finally begins to air.
My Deer Friend Nokotan follows Torako Koshi, an upstanding high school student who rescues a strange deer-human hybrid on her way home from school. The girl later transfers to Torako’s school, and begins following her around. Even worse – Shikanoko, the mysterious deer girl – somehow knows that Torako used to be a delinquent, and Torako is the only person who seems to know there’s something off about her new classmate.
In addition to tackling eccentric comedies like My Deer Friend Nokotan, WIT Studio will also be working alongside DC comics to produce Suicide Squad Isekai. While the concept is admittedly out there, the idea of putting of some of DC’s most iconic characters in an oversaturated anime genre is interesting.
Suicide Squad Isekai follows the eponymous super-villain group as they’re sent on a mission by A.R.G.U.S. through a portal to a fantasy realm filled with orcs, dragons, and other fantastical threats roam free. As soon as the group make it to the fantasy realm, they get arrested, and after a discussion with Queen Aldora are sent on a quest to conquer her enemies. The premise sounds outlandish, even by Suicide Squad standards, but the animation quality from the trailers looks infectiously fun, making the series one to keep an eye on.
One of the most sensational anime in the last decade, Oshi no Ko, is returning with its second season this summer. From the marketing materials, it seems as though the anime will be covering the Movie arc, one of the most popular in the manga, and will begin exploring many of the deeper psychological components in the series’ main character, Aqua. Doga Kobo will be returning to produce the new season, and with a live action adaptation on the way as well, 2024 will likely be dominated by Oshi no Ko.
The murder mystery series has a penchant for making poignant commentary on Japan’s entertainment industry, especially the treatment of idols and idol culture, which has made the series a stand-out hit for anime fans familiar with the culture, and has introduced other fans to the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry. While Oshi no Ko does have a lingering supernatural element to its storytelling, the narrative feels raw and is loaded with surprisingly heavy themes for a series that, on the surface, appears of colorful.
]]>For fans of the series that are already knee-deep in the DLC, or for those who haven’t quite had the time to dive in just yet, there’s no better time to build on hype surrounding the Shadow of Erdtree release by watching and reading anime and manga that situate themselves in the dark fantasy genre.
While Hellsing doesn’t take place in a medieval fantasy setting, it does have all the grime and gore that fans of Elden Ring‘s brutal battles can’t get enough of. Hellsing follows an elusive organization that investigates a variety of supernatural threats. After being called in to look into a vampire terrorizing the village of Cheddar and turning the townsfolk into ghouls. The organization dispatches their most valuable member to look into the threat: a vampire called Alucard.
Hellsing is such a unique spin on dark fantasy in the way that it combines post-modern politics and social commentary in with a grisly, bloody story. Plus, for anime fans that love delving deep into franchises they love, Hellsing is an early example of a series that received the “Brotherhood” treatment. The original Hellsing anime only follows the manga up to a certain point before diverting slightly, while Hellsing Ultimate follows the manga’s story much more closely.
Action-packed with just the right amount of self-awareness to be fun and occasionally campy, 2022’s Bastard!!, based on the original manga by Kazushi Hagiwara and produced by Liden Films, embraces every eccentricity the series has to offer.
After an apocalyptic event caused by a demon named Anthrasax who was subsequently slain by the Dragon Knight, Earth is sent spiraling into a dark age. In the present day, a kingdom known as Metallicana is invaded by the “Dark Rebel Army”, who aim to bring the demon back to life. These events lead the the kingdom’s high priest requesting that his daughter reawaken Dark Schnieder, the leader of the Dark Rebels, who reincarnates in a young man named Lucien. While the story can be campy, with all the flashy designs and humor that comes from a series that originally released in the late 80s, it’s infectiously fun.
Based on Osamu Tezuka’s manga of the same name, 2019’s adaptation of Dororo by Tezuka Productions and MAPPA is a haunting blend of historical fiction and dark fantasy. The story follows Hyakkimaru, who, when he was born, had his organs and limbs sacrificed to twelve demon gods by a feudal lord in exchange for his people’s prosperity. He’s later adopted by a doctor named Jukai, who gives him his name and raises him as his own.
As Hyakkimaru becomes a teen, he is attacked by demons, but develops the idea to see their silhouettes and fights back. He reigns victorious, and regains the ability to feel pain. His adoptive father sends him on a journey to regain his body, and on his way meets a young child named Dororo. The two begin traveling together, learning many of the harsh realities of the world around them, and more importantly: what it means to be a human being.
Perhaps one of the most iconic high fantasy manga ever written, Claymore, created by Norihiro Yagi, takes place in a traditional medieval setting where humanity is being ravaged by beings called “Yoma”, shape-shifters that feed on humans. A group known only as “The Organization” maufactures Yoma-hybrids to fight back against this threat. Referred to as “Claymores” or “Silver-Eyed Witches” by the public, this elite force of female warriors are powered by demonic energy that gives them superhuman strength, similar to that of the Yoma.
Claymore‘s world is incredibly vast, and Norihiro’s artstyle is nothing short of breathtaking. The illustrations of the Yoma seems to loom off the page, and the fight sequences between the Claymores and their otherworldy prey are heartstoppingly intense. For fans of Elden Ring’s unique world and visually impressive monsters, Claymore is an instant favorite that diehard fans of the games shouldn’t go overlooking.
While it may seem like the obvious choice, for the uninitiated, Berserk is hands-down the best manga that fans of Elden Ring should be reading. In addition to the games constant nods and references to Miura’s legendary dark fantasy manga, Berserk is nothing short of a horrifying, gorgeous adventure story.
The manga follows Guts, a swordsman who, in the beginning, is a lone wolf; and Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries called the Band of the Hawk. The two eventually bond – but the story doesn’t end happily with the pair becoming some sort of adventuring party. Quite the contrary, with Griffith later betraying Guts and his crew, sacrificing them to a powerful demonic being. After this cataclysmic event, Guts journeys onward to seek revenge on Griffith. While there’s plenty of details being left out of such a simplified synopsis, Berserk is a legendary fantasy franchise, and while the series struggles to be adapted into an animated medium, it still stands as one of the most influential pieces of dark fantasy fiction to ever be released.
]]>Interestingly, Studio Bones latest series, slated to release during the Summer 2024 anime season, feels like a stark contrast from some of the studio’s recent work. Adapted from the original series created by the late Cocoa Fujiwara, The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used To Be Archenemies is an interesting choice, given the original series was never properly finished when the mangaka passed in 2015.
The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used To Be Archenemies follows exactly what the title suggests – a magical girl named Byakuya Mimori and the leader of an evil organization called Mira are sworn archenemies, but when they finally face off against one another, something unexpected happens that leads Mira into falling in love with Mimori. Enemies to lovers is an extremely popular archetype in popular literature, and seeing it play out in a story with a magical girl at the center is even more exciting.
Because of the author passing with only 21 chapters of the manga released – the story is unfinished. Plus, with the project releasing almost a decade since the mangaka’s passing, the timing feels bittersweet. While its unclear if content will be added to give the series a definitive anime-only ending, fans of the series and of Fujiwara’s work have high hopes for the series due to the staff working on the project. Not only will the two voice actors from the manga’s drama CD adaptation (Ono Yuuki as Mira and Nakahara Mai as Mimori) be returning to reprise their roles as the main characters, Akiyo Ohashi (The Stranger by the Beach, Given -on the other hand) will be directing andYuniko Ayana (The Apothecary Diaries, Given) writing the series’ script, it seems as though the anime will be a labor of love.
]]>One of the biggest series using cosplay as its core theme is My Dress Up Darling, originally created by Shinichi Fukuda and adapted into a televised anime by CloverWorks in 2022. The series followed a young man named Gojo Wakana, who grew up with his grandfather, a professional Japanese doll maker. Gojo took a shine to the meticulous craftsmanship needed to make these dolls, but feels ashamed that his hobby isn’t traditionally masculine. His perspective begins to shift when he becomes friends with the bubly Marin, a popular girl in school who loves anime and gaming. She discovers his secret, and eventually requests his help sewing her cosplay outfits, leading the two into an unlikely friendship.
2.5 Dimensional Seduction follows a high school student named Masamune Okumura, a second-year student who runs the (and is the only member of) their school’s manga club. Claiming he has no interest in “real girls” and has an undying obsession toward a fictional character named Liliel. Out of nowhere, a passionate underclassman who loves cosplay, Lilysa Amano, joins the manga club alongside him and convinces Okumura to be her photographer. Through this, he learns that she, too, is a huge fan of Liliel, and romantic undertones begin to develop between the two.
From the synopsis alone, there’s quite a few key differences between the two series. While My Dress Up Darling definitely has elements of a slice-of-life romance and even that of an ecchi series, the series also contains a lot of information regarding the popularity of cosplay as a hobby, the importance many cosplayers place on accuracy when cosplaying certain characters, and the importance of bonding with other cosplayers in the community and working together to share in the love that one has for their favorite characters.
While 2.5 Dimensional Seduction has some of these themes as well, the series leans much more into its rom-com and ecchi influences, going out of its way to put its female characters in scandalous positions, and even veering into harem territory. Despite My Dress Up Darling having other female characters in its cast, they never serve as rivals to Marin, but in 2.5 Dimensional Seduction, the other girls in the manga club do seem to serve as some kind of competition to the female lead.
While 2.5 Dimensional Seduction and My Dress Up Darling are both classified as being targeted at a male demographic – shonen and seinen, respectively, 2.5 Dimensional Seduction will likely struggle to garner the same level of mainstream attention and adoration as My Dress Up Darling. While My Dress Up Darling does possess scandalous content, the series’ unique approach to showcasing the love and dedication fans feel toward their hobbies, as well as the hard work and craftsmanship that cosplayers put in to bring their favorite characters to life.
Comparatively, 2.5 Dimensional Seduction focuses much more on ecchi humor and the dynamic between its male lead and his harem of nerdy girls. While cosplay and hobby culture are still a core theme, its less about the love of the hobby and far more about using cosplay as a narrative device to put its female characters in cute outfits. There is nothing wrong with this, of course, but in the current animanga landscape, this could lead to 2.5 Dimensional Seduction not having the same mainstream appeal as My Dress Up Darling, making it difficult for the new series to leave its target audience.
]]>
Gachiakuta follows Rudo – a tribesfolk, or individual that has descended from criminals that have been exiled from society. Rudo detests the upper class for dumping trash where the other tribesfolk live, in a massive dump site known only as “The Pit”. As a child, Rudo was told by his adoptive father, a man named Regto, that his biological father was thrown into The Pit for committing a crime before Rudo was born. After rummaging through the site the next day, Rudo returns home to fine Regto killed – and he’s the primary suspect.
While the shonen demographic is no stranger to grunge and grime, Gachiakuta stands out in how it handles topics like wealth and class disparity, the justice system, and other timely sociopolitical topics. Aside from its poignancy, Gaciakuta is filled with high-stakes action. After the lead protagonist is thrown into The Pit, he’s give the opportunity to work as a Cleaner, a unique role given to “Givers” – something that Rudo awakens in himself, and fight alongside an exclusive group of individuals that hunt and destroy trash beasts.
For anime fans that enjoyed the highly underrated Dorohedoro, or other eccentric series like Soul Eater will easily latch on to Gachiakuta‘s unique artstyle and modes of story telling. For those that can’t wait to see the series animated, the manga serializes in Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine, and is available in both English print and digital editions through retailers like Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and Books-A-Million
]]>Oshi no Ko follows a doctor named Gorou Amamiya as he treats Ai Hoshino, a popular idol that he’s a massive fan of and happens to be pregnant with twins. While Ai is recovering, Gorou is murdered by a stalker of Ai’s, and is reincarnated as the idol’s son. Now named Aquamarine (or Aqua) he and his new twin sister discover that both of them are reincarnated fans of the idol. When the two are toddlers, Ai is mysteriously murdered at their front door, and the two young children vow to avenge her.
The live action adaptation of Oshi no Ko has confirmed that the upcoming episode will have eight episodes, and is scheduled to be released exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on November 28, 2024 worldwide. The live action film doesn’t have a Western release date just yet, but it will have a theatrical run in Japan beginning on December 20, 2024.
In addition to the release date being revealed, additional staff details has also been announced. Aqua will be played by Kaito Sakurai, Ai Hoshino will be played by Asuka Saito of Nogisaka 46, Ruby Hoshino will be played by Nagisa Saito of =LOVE member, Kana Arima will be played by Nanoka Hara, the voice of Suzume in Suzume; Akane Kurokawa will be played by Mizuki Kayashima, and Mem-cho will be played by ano.
]]>Having originally begun serialization in 2006 in Square Enix’s shonen manga magazine Monthly GFantasy, Black Butler has become a classic around the globe, having 35 million copies in circulation at time of writing, multiple anime adaptations covering arcs from the manga, live stage plays, and even a Nintendo DS game.
At this time, there’s no word on when Yana Toboso will be returning from her break and get back to work on Black Butler. As announced by the official X account for Monthly GFantasy, the mangaka will be taking a trip to England in order to conduct further research and prepare for the manga’s final story arc as well as taking a much needed break from writing.
With 34 collected volumes and nearly two decades of build up under its belt, fans of the series are both anxious and devastated to hear that the series will be entering its final stretch, but, as the iconic demon butler Sebastian might say, it’s certainly been one hell of an adventure.
]]>The latest episode of My Hero Academia will finally be adapting the fight against Dabi and Shoto Todoroki – a battle that beautifully defines everything that the series has been building up to with both character’s individual arcs.
My Hero Academia season 7, episode 8 will be released on Crunchyroll on June 22, 2024 at 2:30 am PST, 4:30 am CST, 5:30 am EST, and 10:30 GST; shortly after the new episode airs in Japan.
The battle between Todoroki and his estranged older brother is one that fans have been waiting for since the original chapters of the manga released. Based on the episode trailer alone, it seems as though this will be a fight that studio Bones pours their heart and soul into – teasing some of the most fluid animation quality the anime has ever seen.
]]>After running for the better part of the last decade after beginning serialization in 2014, My Hero Academia has spawned an incredibly successful anime adaptation, video games, spin-off manga, and so much more. While the manga may be publishing its final pages, the production team behind the anime adaptation aren’t finished giving fans more of their favorite heroes just yet.
Alongside a stunning new trailer featuring the film’s main theme, “Homunculus” by Vaundy, it’s official that My Hero Academia: You’re Next will release in Japan on August 2, 2024. While there’s no confirmation yet on when the film will make it overseas, this is still exciting news for fans looking forward to the latest lineup in My Hero Academia movies.
Taking place after season 6 and before the beginning of season 7, My Hero Academia: You’re Next introduces a mysterious new antagonist known as Dark Might who – both visually and metaphorically – seems to be the complete opposite of the world’s “Number 1 Hero”, All Might. Kohei Horikoshi is working as a supervisor on the new film, and has even provided brand-new character designs that will be prominently featured in the film. Until further updates are revealed regarding the film’s English release, My Hero fans can tide themselves over with My Hero Academia season 7, which is currently airing on Crunchyroll.
]]>Delicious in Dungeon follows Laios, Marcille, Chilchuck, and Senshi – an adventuring party delving deep into the dungeons to rescue Falin, Laios’ sister, after being eaten by a terrifying red dragon. While the series initially seems to be a relatively light-hearted rescue-mission begins to unravel and explore deeper themes related to human connection, and the importance of sharing a meal with the ones you love.
Announced by the show’s official X page, studio Trigger officially announced that season 2 is currently in production. This exciting announcement was paired with an adorable illustration of Laios’ party, and on Kadokawa’s official YouTube channel, a brand-new teaser for the series was released.
The new teaser gives hints at which story arcs the new season will cover, and considering season 1 ended with Laios’ party seemingly joining forces with other adventurers that viewers were introduced to to once again consume pieces of dragon to attempt to save Falin from her curse. For anxious fans that can’t wait to see what happens next, they can always read ahead thanks to Delicious in Dungeon’s manga being officially licensed by Yen Press; available for purchase through retailers like Walmart, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million.
]]>Despite initial quality concerns, fans have loved Konosuba season 3. As bittersweet as it is, though, all good things must come to an end, and Konosuba is no exception. Season 3 adapted volumes 6 and 7 of the original light novel written by Natsume Akatsuki and Kurone Mishima, and follows Kazuma’s troupe as they return to Axel, traumatized after their run-in with the Demon General.
Konosuba season 3’s finale will officially air on June 19, 2024 at 11:30 pm JST in Japan, and 2:30 pm GMT 10:30 am EST, 9:30 am CST, and 7:30 am PST for international fans. The episode is titled “Blessings For This Unchanging Daily Life!” and will follow Aqua and Kazuma crashing Alderp and Darkness’ wedding – just as the two are preparing to exchange vows.
While it’s sad to see the series be sent off once again, based on the previous episode, “Blessings For This Selfish Bride!” It seems as though season 3’s finale will be a surprisingly rich episode; as, despite the series’ goofy humor, will highlight the friendship between Kazuma and the rest of the cast.
]]>Seluvis’s secret room can be found beneath some illusory flooring in between Renna and Ranni’s Rise in the Three Sisters section of Caria Manor. Attacking the pavement in question will open up access to players, letting them travel downward into the basement.
Players will know they are at the correct location of Seluvis’s secret room if they’ve spotted aristocrats wielding staffs nearby. They are not exactly difficult enemies, and appearing in an area that is mostly void of enemies serves more as a tell as opposed to being obstacles in the player’s way. I found it easy to defeat these enemies with a few swings of my sword.
Check out the image below for the exact location of Seluvis’s basement.
Make sure to avoid the giant dragon in the area unless you dare to fight it. I made the mistake of getting too close and having to start over from the last Site of Grace after dying.
After venturing into Seluvis’s secret room, players should immediately be able to ascertain why exactly it is that Seluvis has entrusted them with the duties of delivering potions to other individuals and the potential consequence of such deeds. Littered about the grounds of Seluvis’s basement are motionless husks of test subjects Seluvis has conducted experimented upon. This matter is only made more apparent by the illusionary wall at the end of Seluvis’s secret room, depicting the outcome of the player’s decision regarding their potion delivery quest.
Now that players are made aware of the goings-on beneath the ground of the Three Sisters, they’re free to use that knowledge as leverage. Head into Seluvis’s Rise and converse with Seluvis; a new dialogue option should have opened up that would allow players to inquire why Seluvis’s secret room even exists. Seluvis, upon hearing such inquiries, will scold the player for their breach of personal privacy but will acquiesce to the player’s demands for a puppet if asked.
Seluvis will give players the option to pick from his collection freely. The choices available include Finger Maiden Therolina Puppet, Jarwight Puppet, and Dolores the Sleeping Arrow Puppet. I recommend picking Jarwight Puppet, which I found to be the strongest out of the options.
Players don’t have to contemplate their choices too much if they’ve collected starlight shards during their exploration of the Lands Between, since the remaining puppets will be made available to the player later down the line, with starlight shards being the trading currency.
It is important to note that this opportunity to confront Seluvis about his puppet room will become void after substantial progression is made through Ranni’s storyline. If the player’s already acquired the secret treasure of Nokron as Ranni desired, Seluvis will be found dead at his tower, with his corpse lootable for the Preceptor Set and his Bell Bearing containing the sorceries you’ve yet to purchase. After the fact, his corpse can still be interacted with as a way for players to obtain puppets, again, using starlight shards. Players should also check up on Pidia, as there’s some event that’s also occurred on his end.
Aside from Seluvis’s shop and secret shop, players can also find the following items:
Here are the tables with items you can buy from Seluvis’s shop and his secret shop:
Item | Type | Requirements | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Carian Phalanx | Sorceries | None | 12000 runes |
Carian Retaliation | Sorceries | None | 9000 runes |
Glintstone Icecrag | Sorceries | None | 7500 runes |
Freezing Mist | Sorceries | None | 6000 runes |
Glintblade Phalanx | Sorceries | Royal House Scroll | 2500 runes |
Carian Slicer | Sorceries | Royal House Scroll | 1500 runes |
Great Glintstone Shard | Sorceries | Academy Scroll | 2000 runes |
Swift Glintstone Shard | Sorceries | Academy Scroll | 600 runes |
Glintstone Cometshard | Sorceries | Conspectus Scroll | 12000 runes |
Star Shower | Sorceries | Conspectus Scroll | 10000 runes |
Item | Type | Requirements | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Finger Maiden Therolina Puppet | Ashes | None | 2 Starlight Shards |
Jarwight Puppet | Ashes | None | 3 Starlight Shards |
Dolores the Sleeping Arrow Puppet | Ashes | Give Seluvis’s Potion to Nepheli Loux | 5 Starlight Shards |
Dung Eater Puppet | Ashes | Give Seluvis’s Potion to Dung Eater | 5 Starlight Shards |
Preceptor Seluvis is a mysterious figure in Elden Ring, serving Ranni the Witch. Although this sorcerer will help you by providing Ashes and Sorceries, he is anything but thrilled by his mistress’s decision to enlist “a Tarnished like you”.
]]>You should tell her what the blacksmith said. This will set Roderika on the path to becoming a Spirit-Tuner, which is essential for upgrading your best Spirit Ashes and starts a quest later in the game concerning the Blacksmith. There’s no downside to this choice.
If you try to return to the shack you found her at and give her the item, you will notice that she is missing. This is because she has taken up residence in the Roundtable Hold and should be your first clue that there is more to this NPC than meets the eye.
After you give her the item, you may notice a new option appears when talking to the Blacksmith to talk about Roderkia. Asking him about it will make him tell you that she has great power from his perspective.
He says she has the ability to become a Spirit-Tuner, something that has not been talked about by any other NPC at this point. From here you have two options, You can either tell Roderika about what the Blacksmith said and have her start down the path to become a Spirit-Tuner, or let her keep standing around the Roundtable hold doing nothing.
Obviously, as mentioned before, you will want to tell her about what the Blacksmith said and get her started down the Spirit-Tuner path. There is no real downside to telling her about this, it is the only way to upgrade your Spirit Ashes and it begins a quest later in the game concerning the Blacksmith.
A lot of things in Elden Ring can seem really confusing about what you should do. But when it comes to this choice, there really is no choice. You should always tell Roderika about what the Blacksmith says.
It’s not because you should tell her what the blacksmith said that you should always do everything an NPC says in Elden Ring, especially if you want them to stay alive. But in this one situation, nothing bad can happen. If you need any more help with Elden Ring make sure to check out our other guides.
Roderika is initially found in a shack on the way to Stormveil Castle. She appears fragile and scared, speaking about her fear of being grafted onto a spider monster. Her transformation into a Spirit-Tuner, facilitated by your intervention and the blacksmith’s guidance, allows you to upgrade your Spirit Ashes, enhancing your combat capabilities significantly.
Elden Ring is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
]]>Here are all current Pokémon Scarlet and Violet mystery gift codes available:
Mystery Gift Code | Gift | Expiration Date |
NA1CTR1CKR00M | Nils Dunlop’s Porygon2 | N/A |
F1ARR0W23MASTER | Violet Talonflame | June 2, 2024 |
D0T1STPARTNER | Dot’s Quaxly | November 30, 2024 |
GYARAD0S2023SG | Gyarados | June 30, 2024 |
987W1THSPECS | Flutter Mane | May 7, 2024 |
Code is sent to the email of guidebook purchasers | 100 x Potions | None |
Code is sent to the email of guidebook purchasers | 100 x Rare Candy S | None |
Automatically given to Double Pack purchasers | 200 x Poké Balls | None |
Get via Internet, available to all players | Adventure Set | |
Code is sent to the email of eShop purchasers | Special Pikachu |
We will update the above table as new Mystery Gift codes become available.
The first thing you need to do is unlock the ability to access the Mystery Gift Codes menu, which you can accomplish by reaching a Pokémon center. This will take you about 90-minutes of playtime. Once you have reached the first Pokémon center, you will gain access to the Poké Portal on the menu screen. From here, you have several options to redeem content. Here are the various options you have available to you:
The Get via Internet option will search for available gifts you can download. You can only download one gift at a time. This option is available for all players and is what you want to use to get the Adventure Set gift.
The Get with Code/Password option allows you to enter a mystery gift code. Once the code has been entered and verified, the gift will download to your game. For example, you want this option to get a Special Pikachu gift using the Mystery Gift code you received via email.
The Check Mystery Gifts option will display a list of all Mystery Gifts you have obtained using either of the above methods.
The Check Poké Portal News option will provide you with up-to-date news from Nintendo on anything Mystery Gift related, so check back often!
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are available now on Nintendo Switch.
]]>All the following weapons work with the best Overkill build in The Land Beneath Us, but I recommend you to try your best to get at least one with a healing property.
Weapon | Attack Description | Overkill Effect |
---|---|---|
Longinus | Hits all enemies within 2 tiles | Heals 3 HP |
Death Scythe | Hits all enemies in a width of 3 tiles | Roundslash deals 6 damage, then heals 2 per enemy hit |
Lance of Nicleation | Hits all enemies within 2 tiles; Assault: Beam deals 1 critical DMG to a random enemy (+1 per stack) | Gain 1 stack |
Overkill Spear | Hits all enemies within 2 tiles | The next attack deals 17 DMG instead |
Bloody Edge | Hits an enemy 1 tile away | Gain 1 stack; each 20 stacks adds +2 DMG to the weapon |
Overkill Blade | Hits an enemy 1 tile away | Heals 3 HP |
Overkill Pistol | Fires a shot 3 tiles away | Shoots a beam that deals 9 DMG to all enemies within 4 tiles |
You need at least Fork and Dish for this build to really come online. Try your best to visit event rooms to upgrade your Relics since this is what really makes this build come online.
Relic | Base Effect | Enhanced Effect |
---|---|---|
Fork | When activating Overkill, you have a 25% chance to apply 1 Shield to self | The chance of applying shield increases to 50% |
Guard Up | On starting a room, apply 1 Shield to self | The first damage taken in a room will heal you instead |
Dish | When activating Overkill, activate Overkill once again | When you activate Overkill, activate Overkill from all weapons |
The core idea of this build is to use at least one weapon that heals you when you trigger Overkill and to utilize only weapons with the Overkill property. A weapon’s Overkill is triggered every time you defeat an enemy with that weapon. However, the most crucial part of the build is the relics that make Overkill truly overpowered.
The rest is flexible, but I recommend Guard Up since it always adds a shield when starting a room and can heal you when you take damage if enhanced. Shield is a cumulative resource that can stack up to 10. When you have Shield and are hit by an attack, you lose 1 Shield instead of taking damage.
]]>The visuals of The Land Beneath Us are not necessarily original, but they get the job done. The game has that same minimalist pixel art style without outlines that we’ve seen in many indie games lately, but combined with simple 3D platforms and a modern-looking UI. Other games pulled out the combination of retro and modern elements, but here I feel like it makes the game look like it’s struggling to find an identity. It doesn’t look bad, but it doesn’t look entirely cohesive either.
This is sad because mixing retro and modern visual elements often lead to very unique looking games, but the problem might be the lack of variation and personality in the floors you explore. I wish the game had more distinct scenarios and made more use of this pixel art and 3D blend to provide more distinct backgrounds and environmental storytelling instead of another red or blue room with random monsters.
Speaking of monsters, I didn’t really feel any sense of coherence or belonging to the creatures I was facing. More often than not, they seemed to be there only so I could kill them and move on. Although there’s nothing wrong with it, it does contrast with the game’s initial effort to provide so much lore and context to what you’re doing.
Generally speaking, the art is functional, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with it, but for a game that spends so much of your time with a long lore exposition dump before it lets you play, I was expecting a bit more.
In The Land Beneath Us, you play as Sven, a Soul Harvester summoned by an odd AI in a weird sci-fi lab. As Sven, you must rescue The Creator so the world can go back to harvesting Soul Energy, the ultimate solution to a very troubling energy crisis. As you advance, you will meet new characters, learn more about your past, and the AI’s true intentions.
Frankly, I didn’t care much about the plot. Sven is cool, and I love his design, but I felt like the quirky AI is trying too hard to be funny with references and tropes that are decades old by now. I get the idea of making a Claptrap-like character who can deliver some jokes from time to time, and I do believe it can work no matter how many times it has been done, but I still feel like it could have been toned down a bit. I also feel very disturbed by the one pixel in Sven’s helmet that makes it look crocked for some reason.
That said, it’s not like I hate the writing or the characters in this game. There’s a lot to be admired here. Whether you agree or not with the message that the game is trying to pass, or how it is ultimately delivered, it’s very clear that the team had a clear vision of what the game’s plot was meant to be.
The Land Beneath Us uses absurd fantasy and sci-fi concepts to make the player think about the consequences of going too far, the value of life, the sense of self, and other ethical dilemmas. As I said, there is a message that the developers were trying to pass, but although I severely dislike preaching in games, I feel like The Land Beneath Us presents its themes in a way that makes the players think critically about it more than hammering down a message into their heads, and I commend the writers for it.
The gameplay is by far the best and most original part of The Land Beneath Us and the main reason you will play this game. I was very impressed by the way that FairPlay Studios Co. was able to provide an experience that reminds me of Crown Trick while being its own thing.
This game is a turn-based tactical game on a square grid, but not in the way you think. The weird thing about turns in this game is that they all happen at the same time. Every time you take your turn, all the enemies on the map do too. So, how does it work? You can see where you can move, the range and reach of your weapons, and the enemies’ attack trajectory on the grid.
Enemies don’t necessarily attack every turn, but they will always telegraph their attacks, and if you move into one of those squares or stay there, you will take damage. Each weapon you find must be equipped in one of your four slots. Each slot represents a direction: up, down, left, or right. These weapons only attack in that direction. If you have a spear in your down slot and a gun in your left slot, neither weapon will ever attack enemies above you or to your right.
I know it sounds odd and complicated, but it is the core of the tactical aspect of The Land Beneath Us. To make it even better, the game doesn’t have any sort of timer. It won’t rush you, so you have all the time in the world to make the best decision. After a while, you will get used to the enemies and their attack patterns, making you speed through the first floors of the dungeon while always having the option of carefully considering the best next move when things get more complicated.
Weapons might have special properties, like reaching 3 squares afar, attacking two enemies in a 2-squares long line, or healing you when an enemy is defeated. There are many weapons, and you’ll most likely find some more interesting than others. Although I’m not a fan of the weapon allocation system, I won’t hold it against the game because it is a very creative, very unique tactical battle system, and I have nothing but good things to say about it.
As soon as the game started, I was hooked by the battle system, but the rest of the game made me wish that more care was put into the rest of it. Enemies feel a bit bland and over-simplistic at first. The game does have a slow start and waits too long before letting you use its more fun mechanics. Unlocking new weapons should be interesting, but it only makes upgrading them much harder since you need to get the same weapon from a chest to upgrade the ones you have.
There’s also the problem of overpowered abilities or builds that are significantly abusable. Don’t get me wrong, the game is good and worth trying, and I do love the battle system of The Land Beneath Us, but I believe that some minor tweaks could have made this game so, so much better.
Although I was never compelled to listen to the annoying AI and understand Sven’s true purpose, The Land Beneath Us does put good effort into providing a good plot and charismatic characters. As for the gameplay, I was shocked by how much better this game is than Fallen Knight, FairPlay Studios’s previous game released on Steam.
I find it undeniable that The Land Beneath Us is a fun game worthy of its price tag, but I can’t get rid of that feeling that this title is a few balance patches away from greatness. That said, I still recommend it to Roguelite fans and players who enjoy a slower, tactical game. If you like both, this game will feel like it was tailor-made for you.
]]>The First Descendant is scheduled for summer 2024. Sadly, the exact release date has not been announced yet. However, there’s a good chance that we will know more about the launch date on June 7, as Lee Beam-Jun, the game’s producer, recently teased us with that date in a blog post. What makes the announcement of a release date more likely is the fact that there will be no more beta access before the game is released.
This is not bad news, though, since Nexon doesn’t want to announce the game’s launch before they are sure it is ready to be played. Being such a high-profile third-person shooter aRPG, it’s probably a good idea to polish the game as much as possible before its release.
Fortunately, as far as we know, the game has not been delayed. The First Descendant is on track, and we should be able to play it this year before the summer is over.
The First Descendant will be available on many platforms. As far as we know, it has been confirmed for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S and X. Being such a good-looking game, it makes sense that it won’t be available on Switch.
On top of that, The First Descendant is going to be a free-to-play game, so almost all gamers will have access to it on their preferred platform. Although this may be good news, one can only hope that the monetization in this game is not predatory.
]]>Made by a small team, Horizon Chase 2 is a game created with a clear vision, which I admire. It wasn’t trying to do anything except provide a good experience that mixes the exciting gameplay of titles like Top Gear and Lotus Turbo Challenge. Like the first game, Horizon Chase 2 has simple graphics that look retro. However, the game looks much better than its predecessor and appears more stylized and less dated. While I have nothing against the original look, I love the new visuals, and they are very fitting for a sequel.
As for the music, you get exactly what you expect. The music matches the aesthetics of the game perfectly. The upbeat songs have catchy melodies and give me a nostalgic feeling that makes me feel relaxed and happy while driving a car dangerously fast under the sun in a California beach city. Barry Leitch is really good at what he does, and it shows. Horizon Chase 2 has one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard in a retro indie game.
Like any good game of the genre, Horizon Chase 2 trades realism for speed. The fast-paced gameplay and frenetic feel of the game keep you on your toes and force you to release the gas pedal while never really slowing down much. So, most of the time, you’ll be speeding up and dodging other racers, but sometimes you’ll have to release the accelerator for a bit just so you won’t be thrown off the road during a curve.
There’s something relaxing about being over 200 km/h and knowing that you have absolute control of your car. The arcade aspects of Horizon Chase 2 kept me always feeling like the best driver ever, seeing the houses and trees disappear as fast as they appear while I dodge the cars of other racers who are not good enough to keep up with me.
In Horizon Chase 2’s World Tour mode, you will compete in eight different countries on over 80 tracks all over the world. But that’s not the only way to experience the game since there is a Tournament mode with different difficulty settings.
Horizon Chase 2 has a Multiplayer mode that allows you to compete against other players both locally and online and is by far one of my favorite couch games right now.
While this game only has 10 cars for players to choose from, you can customize and upgrade your vehicles. Also, I felt that the cars are more distinct from one another this time around. Hitting other cars while driving a pickup truck felt way less punishing than with smaller cars, and I really like that. That said, it does feel odd that the number of cars available for the players has been significantly reduced.
The one thing that might disappoint some players is how repetitive the game can feel after a while. There are not many mechanics in Horizon Chase 2, so after hearing all the songs and racing on 20 different tracks, I don’t doubt that some players might feel the game is repetitive. That said, I doubt this will be an issue for most fans of the genre since this is not any different from what you’d get in any arcade racer from the 90s. Besides, the many different tracks and locations more than make up for it.
Horizon Chase 2 is an outstanding arcade racing game. Although it has only 10 cars, it has customization options, over 80 tracks, a captivating art style, and improves upon virtually everything else compared to its predecessor. The game feels more polished, the art direction is much more realized, and the gameplay is just as fun. While I still feel there was room for more improvements, Horizon Chase 2 looks better, feels more polished, and has more identity than its predecessor, despite the similarities between the two games.
]]>This fast-paced first-person retro shooter is something else. It’s a game created with love and care, packed with references to a bygone era that will make you feel nostalgic. It hooks you with a system that criticizes our dependency on dopamine while simultaneously using it to keep you playing. It’s pretty genius, honestly.
Mullet Mad Jack has a straightforward concept that, while not necessarily original, is executed brilliantly. You only have 10 seconds to live, and each enemy you kill adds a few more seconds to your timer, allowing you to keep pushing forward. The objective is to advance while performing stylish skills to keep yourself alive. When you reach the end of a stage, you can select an upgrade in a robust roguelite style, which you keep for the next stage.
Each phase is divided into 10 sections, culminating in a boss fight. After defeating the boss, you lose all upgrades and start over, but with additional mechanics introduced. As the game progresses, it increases in complexity and difficulty, but not in a way that feels overwhelming or frustrating.
The upgrades feel a bit unbalanced, but there might be builds I’m not using correctly. You have melee weapons, shotguns, and my favorite, the SMG, which is as strong as a pistol but allows you to hold the trigger while aiming for the robots’ heads.
I particularly like the idea of wasting a few seconds to look around and see if there’s a better way to clear the room. Instead of rushing in and shooting all bots on sight. It’s a risk-reward system that can be incredibly rewarding.
For instance, realizing that a red barrel will kill all the robots in the room can instantly restore all the seconds you’ve lost, rather than picking off each enemy one by one, which can be risky and lead to your death.
However, if you spend too much time looking for something like explosive barrels or items to grant you more seconds, you might waste precious time and end up with nothing. It’s a delicate balance that adds depth to the gameplay.
It took me a while to understand why Mullet Mad Jack is fun, but once I got the hang of it and the rhythm of the game, I was hooked. It’s a very clever game in its design, from its visual feedback to the length of each section, and it cleverly breaks the pace with boss battles that let your brain rest for a bit.
The game evokes the crazy retro-futuristic aesthetics of 90s’ cartoons while using an art style reminiscent of anime from that decade. The main character is your typical tough guy of that era, who looks suspiciously like Kurt Russell, and he has to save a green-haired influencer that looks just like any hot girl from a 90s’ manga.
The visuals are well complemented by the synthwave music playing in the background as you blast robots’ heads, creating a good marriage of art styles. The soundtrack and sound effects make the game feel good to play. However, the colorful corridors, enemies, and explosions can be very confusing at times, making it hard to understand what’s going on. But I guess that’s the price to pay for such a colorful and identifiable art style.
You are “The Moderator,” a guy who will kill robots for a pair of shoes, doing so during a live stream to keep the audience entertained. If they lose interest for 10 seconds, you die. This seems to be a critique of Twitch or any other streaming platform, where you need to keep the audience engaged with stylish kills to earn more seconds and stay alive.
The story is as silly as it sounds, filled with 90s tropes about how corporations control everything and you exist only to consume and be a slave. While there’s some truth to that, the game could have toned down the preaching a bit, as it gets annoying after a while. Thankfully, it doesn’t dwell too long on these themes, allowing you to enjoy the game without too much distraction.
If you’re looking for a game that you can beat in about four hours, Mullet Mad Jack is certainly worth its price tag. It’s a fun game that can be played casually and offers different difficulty settings for those who don’t want to deal with its unforgiving nature. However, if you get really good at it, the higher difficulties are available for those who seek a greater challenge. While the highest difficulty feels impossible to me, I’m sure some players will love the torture of battling mobster androids.
Given that this game combines genres I’m not particularly fond of, and I still had a lot of fun, I can confidently say that if you like retro shooters and roguelikes, you’re going to enjoy your time with Mullet Mad Jack.
]]>Stellar Blade is a decent enough action game, though, and its great combat system does a lot to carry the experience. It initially comes across as more of a Soulslike than it actually is, placing great emphasis on perfectly-timed dodges and parries that open up enemies for a barrage of strikes. As you level up and unlock new abilities for Eve, however, Stellar Blade’s action game roots start to rise to the surface.
You’ll start out afraid of most enemies that you encounter, but after just a few hours you’ll be dancing around crowds of enemies and making quick work of even the toughest boss battles. The game’s skill tree goes a long way in making the combat feel more fluid and responsive, widening parry and perfect dodge windows so you can focus more on flashy combos and high-damage skills. Stellar Blade exists in a strange middle ground between Dark Souls and Devil May Cry, and while I definitely started the game wishing it leaned much harder one way or the other, the combat finally clicked after a few hours of upgrades.
Upgrades are surprisingly one of the most satisfying things about Stellar Blade, too. The game’s levels aren’t as straightforward as they appear, and there are chests, combination codes, and challenging foes hidden around quite literally every corner. Exploring every nook and cranny of Stellar Blade’s world can easily add hours to your playthrough, and the developers know exactly how many rewards to place around every corner to keep you traveling along their tightly-designed trail of breadcrumbs.
There’s also a decent amount of flexibility when it comes to building Eve’s kit and abilities. The game hands you skill points so fast that you’ll be able to unlock one or two new skills every time you come across a safe zone, and the sheer variety of skills means that your Eve can look a lot different than someone else’s. Both perfect dodges and perfect parries are viable for combat, and you can focus on stringing long combo attacks together or barraging enemies with quick slashes to build up energy for your skills.
Equipment also plays a large role in this, with Eve able to equip various Nano Suits and other gear that have big stat boosts associated with them. I found myself focusing on raising Eve’s crit rate so I could spam light attacks and not get stuck in lengthy attack animations in case I needed to parry an incoming attack. Stellar Blade’s skill tree catered to this perfectly, letting me unlock passive abilities that increased my energy recharge rate with every successful strike. Others will play the game in completely different ways, which is why Stellar Blade’s progression system is so great.
Unfortunately, the other aspects of Stellar Blade fall short of the competition. The story is the biggest miss here, and a genuinely interesting premise and setup devolve into been-there-done-that sci-fi tropes that countless other series have handled much better. The excellent character designs and environmental work deserve a better storyline than what we got.
The world that you explore in Stellar Blade is interesting enough, at least, but the worldbuilding is paper-thin and leaves you wanting so much more. There are several corpses strewn about each zone with notes and letters attached to them, but they always contain just a few sentences of some of the most generic sci-fi stuff you’ve ever read. It’s usually a mixture of “do we really know what’s going on” or “these monsters are really scary,” neither of which is particularly compelling.
At the very least, Stellar Blade’s story and worldbuilding don’t get in the way of the action. Cutscenes are brief and most exposition happens while you’re exploring, so it’s easy to tune everything out if you want to. That won’t save you from the stilted voice performances, though. Outside of a select few cutscenes, you’ll get used to hearing bland line reads from Eve, her partner Adam, and the rest of the cast.
Despite those drawbacks, though, it’s surprisingly easy to lose hours to Stellar Blade before you’ve even realized it. I’ve already mentioned the breadcrumb trail of collectibles and upgrades, but every swing of the sword feels impactful and every special burst skill feels weightier than the last. Slicing through a crowd with a charged slice or smashing a shield with Eve’s shield breaker ability never gets old. It’s just one of those games that tries way too hard to put the fun in front of everything else, no matter what suffers as a result.
Even something as simple as the sound that items make when you pick them up just scratches my brain in the best way. Plus, Shift Up turns the DualSense’s haptic feedback to 11 with just about every possible action making the controller vibrate in a deeply satisfying manner. A lot of games hype up their DualSense integration, but Stellar Blade’s implementation reminds me of a great arcade machine where every input has a tactile feel and an addicting response.
That’s the main thing about Stellar Blade. At its core, Stellar Blade is a game obsessed with instant gratification and intense dopamine rushes. The flashy combat is one thing, but developer Shift Up really knows how to keep the hamster wheel spinning and suck you into the game until you don’t realize how much time has passed.
Ultimately, Stellar Blade is a solid action game that blends rewarding exploration and mesmerizing visuals to create an enjoyable experience, even if the story and world leave a lot to be desired. As long as you can put up with stilted dialogue and bland worldbuilding, the flashy combat system feels excellent in motion after getting a few upgrades under your belt. It doesn’t overstay its welcome, and a relatively brief, tightly designed action game is always welcome in my book.
]]>Though Fortnite offers an unparalleled gaming experience with various game modes like LEGO Fortnite, the fun doesn’t have to stop when you log off. The world of Fortnite extends far beyond the screen as there are licensed merchandise and gifts that will delight any fan.
Whether you’re looking for a way to rep your favorite game, level up your setup with themed gear, or find the perfect present for a fellow Fortnite superfan, there’s something for everyone in our compiled list of the best Fortnite merch to consider purchasing this year.
Most themed Monopoly games are quite close to the original, but that’s not the case for the Fortnite variant. Forget about boring old money in this version since it features Health Point chips instead. While playing the Fortnite-themed version of Monopoly, you’ll get to battle over iconic locations from the game, like Tilted Towers and Retail Row, and use your favorite Fortnite characters to strategize your way to victory while avoiding the Storm in the process.
The NERF Fortnite 6-SH Dart Blaster – Camo Pulse Wrap allows Fortnite fans to bring the action into real life. This replica blaster is modeled after the one in the game and features a cool Camo Pulse Wrap design.
A Fortnite fan who unwraps this gift is likely to unleash a storm of darts on their friends and relatives, so you can expect some epic NERF wars in your backyard.
PowerA Advantage is an officially licensed controller featuring a sleek design inspired by the popular Midas character. In addition to its impressive looks, this controller features mappable buttons, adjustable triggers, and immersive features like dual rumble motors.
This classic baseball cap design is available in a variety of colors and features the iconic Fortnite logo. If you know a Fortnite fan who also likes spending quality time under the sun, this cap could be a safe gift—if you’re set on not buying any more V-Bucks.
This Funko Pop is an adorable vinyl figure that captures the essence of everyone’s favorite feline Fortnite friend, Meowscles, in a cartoonish chibi style. Meowscles instantly became a Fortnite classic upon its his release and there are multiple variants of the original skin in the game, making him one of the most known characters from the game in recent times.
The Fortnite Micro Legendary Series set features six highly detailed, 2.5-inch figures of iconic Fortnite characters like Love Ranger, Red Knight, and Zoey. Each figure comes equipped with its own signature weapon, allowing you to mix and match and create your dream squad.
When it comes to collectibles, it’s hard to beat this adorable 8″ Lil Whip Plush. Made with high-quality materials, this huggable plushie can be both an in-house accessory, a collectible, or a fun toy.
The battle bus is one of the more memorable elements of Fortnite, making it the perfect gift for any fan. This battle bus replica comes with an inflatable balloon, lights, sounds, and exclusive figures featuring some of the game’s most popular characters.
Fishstick is a lovable Fortnite character and it makes a great plushie. This soft plushie can double as a toy or an accessory, making it quite a versatile choice while gift shopping.
Sleep feels better after achieving those victory royales, but it’ll be sweeter when Fortnite accompanies you to dreamland. This comfy twin bed set features a vibrant design showcasing the Battle Bus soaring across the Fortnite island. The set includes a comforter, fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases all decked out with Fortnite motives.
This highly detailed figure boasts over 20 points of articulation, allowing you to pose it in countless ways and recreate your favorite Fortnite emotes. The Punk figure comes complete with harvesting tools and back bling, making it the perfect addition to any Fortnite display.
This officially licensed controller features a bright and colorful design inspired by the popular Peely Fortnite character. With wireless connectivity, mappable buttons, and a long-lasting battery, this controller is built for extended play sessions and ultimate comfort on Nintendo Switch.
This adorable vinyl figure captures the iconic Loot Llama in all its glory, making it the perfect way to add a touch of Fortnite fun to your desk or display shelf, and is sure to spark conversation among fellow Fortnite fans.
Just like you or your lucky giftee, I’m a huge Fortnite fan. I keep up with the latest skins and emotes while staying in touch with the latest gameplay trends to ensure I get my fair share of victory royales during my gaming sessions.
However, my passion for finding the perfect Fortnite gifts goes deeper. My birthday presents as kids weren’t always slam dunks. Those questionable gift experiences fueled my desire to curate a list that’s bursting with awesome Fortnite merch and presents guaranteed to spark joy.
This list combines my Fortnite fandom with gift-giving know-how, which should cater to every kind of player, from casual battlers to hardcore builders.
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