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When initially announced that J Balvin would be doing the voice of Tusk in the English version of Solo Leveling, fans were worried. The globally renowned reggaeton artist had never done voice acting for anime previously, so his casting was unexpected. While the promotional push behind his involvement suggested it was going to be a major selling point, the reality of his performance told a different story.

A scene from Solo Leveling Season 2. | Credit: A-1 Pictures

Some of the fans struggled even to understand the lines of Tusk in the dub, leading to widespread complaints. Even some of the experienced dub watchers had to put on closed captions. Rather than raising the dub, J Balvin’s performance turned out to be one of its greatest flaws, leading to discussions about how Solo Leveling‘s English version could recover from the damage.

Aleks Le: Can he save Solo Leveling‘s dub reputation?...

Fan of Sai Pallavi or Naga Chaitanya? Then, your eyes must have enjoyed the starter: Thandel’s trailer and must be eagerly waiting for the whole buffet to come out, right? Well, no need to take any stress of it anymore because Thandel is all ready to hit the silver screens on February 7, 2025. But before this, let’s take the insights from the movie’s screening?

During the film’s trailer launch event, the well-known Bollywood star, Aamir Khan has already made the prediction of Thandel getting on a surefire hit with record breaking success.

Overview of the Thandel

Administered under the direction of Chandoo Mondeti, Thandel, is a soon-to-be-released Indian Telugu language movie starring Sai Pallavi and Naga Chaitanya. This romantic thriller isn’t just penned down by Chandoo Mondeti, but he has also directed this masterpiece. The production of the movie was looked after by Bunny Vasu under...

It’s no surprise that with David Lynch‘s passing earlier this month, filmmakers have been coming out of the woodwork to celebrate the man and his talent for the surreal, and being a source of inspiration for many. It wasn’t just filmmakers that were taking the time to talk about Lynch, however. Game developers such as Sam Lake to Hideo Kojima were also giving thanks for the man who inspired them.

As a result, there are several titles that have drawn inspiration from Lynch’s works, many of which are common knowledge, while some are lesser known. Regardless, once you dive into them, the light goes on and you realize yourself that Lynch himself could very well have made the crossover to video games at some point.

And really, who can forget that iconic PlayStation 2 commercial?

But enough rambling. Here’s a selection of titles that have roots...

Taito Milestones 3 is a fascinating collection of ten arcade gaming titles emphasizing the value of preserving old arcade gaming history. These games represent a distinct era in which gameplay mechanics and player experience are intertwined, even though they lack the complexity of current RPGs.

In Bubble Bobble and Rainbow Islands, cooperative mechanics allow players to work together to complete tasks on a single screen. This focus on teamwork enhances the gameplay experience, adds depth to the narrative, and resonates with both casual and experienced gamers.

On the other hand, Cadash adds RPG features by letting you experience character growth and exploration. The combat and narrative lines are affected by the classes that players choose. However, the effects of these decisions may not feel as significant as they do in more recent titles, as they lack the emotional weight found in games like Undertale.

The combat in this collection is very different,...

2023 saw the very first edition of the Bam Smack Pow Comic Book Awards, where we celebrated some of the very best comic books. Batman/Superman: World’s Finest won best ongoing series, Saga won the Most Promising Comic Book, and Comic Book Couple of the Year was Deadpool and Valentine Vuong. For one reason or another, none of them won this time around.

2024 was an incredible year for comic book fans. No matter what you’re into, there’s something for you to read. And you don’t have to stay within Marvel and DC Comics either. Plenty of independent comic book companies cater to various people so everyone can find something they love. That's why the list of awards here isn't just Marvel and DC.

With that said, let's get to the best of the year in various categories and a wide range of comic book companies.

Comic Book...

Edward Berger’s Conclave and Jon M. Chu’s Wicked lead the nominations for the 30th Critics Choice Awards with 11 each.

Scroll down for full list of nominations

Both features are nominated in best picture, best director and best adapted screenplay. Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rosellini pick up acting nods in best actor and supporting actress while Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are nominated in best and supporting actress, respectively.

Following closely behind is Dune: Part Two and Emilia Perez which scored 10 nominations each. All four films compete in best picture against A Complete Unknown, Anora, The Brutalist,Nickel Boys, Sing Sing and The Substance.

The nominations are not unlike...

Bloober Team’s rendition of Silent Hill 2 is nothing short of remarkable, a project that has taken one of the greatest horror games of all time, recreated its characters, atmosphere, and narrative, and modernized the whole package for both newcomers and veterans of the series.

James standing by the Observation Deck in Silent Hill 2 – Image Credit: Bloober Team Sa.

Now, though, as most continue to explore James’ personal hell and unearth all the remake’s secrets, some have started to think beyond the fog-filled streets of the town. Given the audience overlap between Silent Hill and Alan Wake 2, many are now dreaming of a crossover between these two iconic horror franchises.

A Silent Hill 2 X Alan Wake 2 Is All That Fans of Horror Gaming Now Desire James fighting a Lying Figure in Silent Hill 2 – Image Credit: Bloober Team Sa.

Let’s get the obvious out of...

Fans have been desperately waiting for a new season of Dragon Ball Super, and it's easy to see why. The series was able to take the original Dragon Ball Z format and mix it with modern flourishes to create something that retained the original's spark while giving modern fans the things they expect. However, if Dragon Ball Super does come back for a second season, there is one detail that it needs to bring over from the first part of the series: playing into the inherent existential horror of the multiverse and the gods.

Making its debut on July 5th, 2015, Dragon Ball Super is set in the ten-year time skip between the end of Dragon Ball Z's Majin Buu saga and the start of the Peaceful World saga that acts as Dragon Ball Z's epilogue. This series sends Goku and his friends on a new set of adventures...

X-Men comic books dominated this week's new releases but they aren't the only issues to check out. There are also tie-ins to the DC Comics event Absolute Power, Skybound/Image Comics releases another Universal Monster mini-series, and more.

Let’s get right into the pick-of-the-week and end with an older comic to read.

Nyx (pick of the week)Writers: Collin Kelly, Jackson LanzingArtist: Francesco Mortarino

Someone is kidnapping the forgotten mutants off the streets of New York and Wolverine (Laura Kinney) is hunting them down. The person in charge is someone called Local. Who are they, what is their plan, and are these the mutants who came from the new Krakoa?

Green Arrow No. 15Writer: Joshua WilliamsonArtist: Amancay Nahuelpan

At the end of Absolute Power No. 2, Oliver Queen finds a time-traveling tool to fight back against Amanda Waller. Will this come into play in Green Arrow No. 15? Meanwhile, Professor Ivo...

Marvel Comics Blood Hunt concludes, DC Comics Absolute Power could take a turn, why Grim and Saga are must-reads, and more comic books you should grab this week!

Saga No. 67

The last week of new comic books for July is producing important stories. The Marvel Comics crossover Blood Hunt is wrapping up. A new comic book from X-Men: From the Ashes debuts and adds more depth to a classic character's mutant powers. And one of the best comic books ever returns. Plus, the last section gives you a “not new” comic book to check out.

Let’s not waste any time and get right into things.

Pick Of The Week!

Writer: Brian K. VaughanArtist: Fiona StaplesBlood Hunt No. 5Writer: Jed MacKayArtist: Pepe Larraz

This is where we find out if Blood Hunt was good or not. So far, it’s been a fun ride with violence and blood throughout. However,...

Every story or narrative needs inspiration that could help its creators in forming a base for the story. Something similar happened with one of the biggest dark fantasy mangas, Berserk. While Berserk offers a plot that was never seen before, there were some things within the series that Kentaro Miura borrowed from other popular manga series.

Mangaka Kentaro Miura’s Berserk | Studio Gaga

In an interview once, Miura confessed that he had used three legendary manga stories for Berserk’s reference, and all three of these have played a different role in designing one of the best dark fantasy narratives of all time. These were some of his favorite works before he entered the industry.

These references and inspirations can be deemed Miura’s way of honoring the works that persuaded him to become a mangaka, and those who have read them can clearly spot the influence in the story.

"The Final Draft" is a New Game Plus mode for Alan Wake 2 that adds new lore, narrative changes, and new endings. Players must complete a playthrough to unlock "The Final Draft," which includes new videos, manuscript pages, and altered narration. Weapons and upgrades carry over to assist with the increased Nightmare mode's challenges.

A New Game Plus mode for Remedy's highly acclaimed survival horror game, Alan Wake 2, was released on December 11, 2023, titled The Final Draft. New Game Plus is a feature expected in many story-driven titles as a way to revisit a game's narrative without having to restart progression entirely, and while The Final Draft certainly has this feature, there are plenty more additions to the mode that are sure to make players want to revisit Alan and Saga's entangled story.

[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Alan Wake 2's ending and epilogue.]Alan Wake 2's story takes place 13 years after the events of Alan Wake and continues the titular author's story,...

The progressive rock cruise fest Cruise to the Edge has unveiled its 2025 lineup.

King Crimson’s Robert Fripp and his longtime manager and collaborator David Singleton will be headlining the cruise along with Yes keyboard maestro Rick Wakeman and legendary prog guitarist Steve Hackett (ex-Genesis).

The cruise — named after the iconic Yes album Close to the Edge — will set sail from Miami aboard the Norwegian Gem on April 4th and remain at sea through April 9th. The itinerary includes stops at ports of call in Puerto Plata and Great Stirrup Cay.

Certainly a destination event for prog heads, the cruise lineup also includes instrumental trio The Aristocrats, Iq, the Von Hertzen Bros., Leprous, Caligula’s Horse, Beardfish, Trifecta, Karmakanic, Temic, Lari Basilio, Pure Reason Revolution, and The Beggs Sisters.

Other returning cruise favorites include Big Big Train, Riverside, Haken, Saga, Pendragon, Gazpacho, Moon Safari, Magic Pie, Thank You Scientist,...

Ani-May is finally here and we’re kicking the party off with exclusives, a new clothing collab, and more. But first… What is Ani-May? It’s a month-long celebration for fans of everything that makes anime great. You can look forward to new releases from Kaiju No. 8 , Solo Leveling , Jujutsu Kaisen and plenty more. What about Chainsaw Man ? Refresh Your Wardrobe I’m glad you asked. Indulge yourself this magical season with premium threads from the Dim Mak x Chainsaw Man Collab . Find your perfect fit with T-shirts, hoodies, caps and more that feature art and logos from the series. Knowing Denji’s day gig, all clothing is machine-washable and made from 100% cotton. Hunting devils leaves little time for dry cleaning. The Devil You Know Great news for you Kitsune-lovers. That’s right! Our very own Crunchyroll-Hime is taking part in the Ani-May party with her own pin...

The year 2023 turned out to be a good one for Remedy. The credit for this goes to the release of Alan Wake 2. It was one of the most-awaited titles of last year. We got to see the sequel of Alan Wake almost after waiting for thirteen long years. The game was a success at launch and didn’t disappoint us.

Alan Wake 2

Alan Wake 2 as a game is full of puzzles. It leaves a lot of things to the player’s imagination. Players search for these answers through the game, and some of them are solved during the final chapters. However, there are still many questions in the game that haven’t been answered yet.

Alan Wake 2 fan theory regarding the Warlin Door

One such unsolved mystery in the game is related to the Warlin Door. For the unknown, the Warlin Door is also known as Mr. Door. It is...

The ending of Alan Wake 2 reveals Mr. Scratch's true identity. The final boss battle involves Saga using lights to burn out the darkness and lock Scratch in a cell, after which he escapes. Saga escapes the Mind Place and meets Alan, and the two work together to defeat Scratch by including a specific detail in the final chapter of Alan's manuscript. The epilogue hints at a sequel or Dlc where Alice guides Alan towards a final answer.

This article contains mentions of suicide, grief, and trauma.

Alan Wake 2's ending raises as many questions as it answers. A direct sequel, it continues the titular world-famous writer's story, which previously culminated in his disappearance from Bright Falls into the mysterious Dark Place at the end of the original Alan Wake. Just as its release date comes 13 years after the first game's, so does its setting. Now, there are a new string...

Alan Wake II is a sequel 13 years in the making. A lot of expectation comes with a wait of that caliber. Developer Remedy has attempted to make the long-awaited sequel numerous times over the past decade, from the spin-off Alan Wake’s American Nightmare to their Xbox exclusive game Quantum Break that began production as an Alan Wake sequel. Alan Wake II has clearly been on Remedy’s mind as much as it’s been on ours, and that labor of love and passion come through in the final product.

Alan Wake II is an absolute enigma of a game. At times it feels like a direct continuation of that story that ended 13 years ago, at times it feels like an absolute reboot that detaches itself for long enough to tell a standalone story, and still other times it feels like one of the most frightening horror games I’ve ever played.

Alan Wake 2 will have improved graphics, with support for both 1080p and 4K resolutions, as well as a potential steady 60 Fps on more powerful systems. The game will feature a new protagonist, Saga Anderson, and a different story set 13 years after the events of the first game. Gameplay in Alan Wake 2 will expand on the original, introducing new enemy types, reducing combat quantity, and implementing new mechanics.

Alan Wake 2 is undeniably different from its predecessor. Some of those differences are no doubt borne out of necessity; it's been a full 13 years and two console generations since the first game's release, and a lot has changed in the interim. Player tastes, platform exclusivity, and even console and PC specifications have come a long way since 2010, and Alan Wake 2 needs to adapt in order to keep up with the times.

But still, Alan Wake 2 is a sequel, and a direct sequel at that.

Quick Links The Power Of The Written Word Intense & Well Developed Gameplay Alan & Saga, Cause & Effect Final Thoughts and Review Score

It's been 13 years since Alan sank to the depths of the lake that's not a lake, but an ocean made of darkness that he'd hoped he could contain. On the surface, the town of Bright Falls seemed to return to normal thanks to Alan's sacrifice, but something sinister was coming to life in the woods of Cauldron Lake. To immediately establish the horror focus of this sequel, Alan Wake 2 opens with a mysterious ritualistic murder in the woods surrounding Cauldron Lake. The identity of the murders and their reason for the murder is nothing short of a shocking mystery, one so mysterious that FBI Agents Saga Anderson and Alex Casey have come to investigate the strange developments of the seemingly quiet town.

Developer Remedy Entertainment has come a long...

In the cosmic universe of Saint Seiya, the Gold Saints stand as the perfect example of might and virtue. They each represent one of the twelve signs of the zodiac and are the guardians of Athena. Residing within the sacred grounds of Sanctuary, they each protect one of the Twelve Houses of the Zodiac.

With their unparalleled power and unwavering loyalty, the Gold Saints don't just defend against the threats of the Gods, they are the pillars that hold the cosmos in balance. The Gold Saints are always ready to lay down their lives in the service of Athena and the Grand Pope. Ultimately, they are the final line of defense in a universe filled with chaos and contention.

Related: Saint Seiya: Saint Ranks, Explained

Mu: Aries Gold Saint

Mu, the Aries Gold Saint, is one of the most loyal of the Gold Saints. He is known as "the Cloth...

As a special treat for horror fans this Halloween season, Crunchyroll will have a wide variety of horror-themed anime to stream for free (with ads) throughout October, including Junji Ito Collection, Mieruko-chan, Hellsing, and many more!

You can check out the full list of free (with ads) anime streaming on Crunchyroll this October, and to learn more about the streaming service, visit:

https://www.crunchyroll.com/

Press Release: Culver City, California – Crunchyroll has harvested a bounty of treats to fulfill anime fans’ needs for something chilling this Halloween. Beginning on October 1 and only through the rest of the month, select titles across the spooky spectrum will be free to watch with ads for anyone who has signed up for a free user account with Crunchyroll. Those titles include Tokyo Ghoul, Zombie Land Saga, Mieruko-chan, Blue Exorcist, this year’s new breakout hit from studio Mappa Hell’s Paradise, and more.

See...

Years have passed since the first Alan Wake game was released, but the story never ended there; it's continued in Remedy Entertainment's now-connected universe of games, including the studio's previous release, Control, and soon, Alan Wake 2 will expand on it in so many new ways. Whether by purpose or happenstance, Remedy specializes in mind-trippy narratives and gameplay, frequently throwing players into extravagant stories that somehow feel grounded, eerie, and mesmerizing all the same - Alan Wake 2 is no different so far.

It was previously revealed that Alan Wake wouldn't be the only focus of the sequel, but there's more to it: there's a brand-new character in the game named Saga Anderson, an FBI agent investigating a series of murders in the city of Bright Falls, Washington. Her journey is one that players will play through alongside playing as Alan Wake, which makes this sequel feel twice as big as fans would've hoped for.

Famed comic book artist Joe Madureira has finally announced a continuation of his hit series Battle Chasers, with issue #10 set to release this June from Image Comics. While the creator is known for the long interim periods between books, the wait period will have been nearly 22 years from issue #9. With a hiatus like that, not even Saga's three-and-a-half year hiatus can hold a candle.

Battle Chasers first released in 1998 from WildStorm Productions, which was still under indie management in the period before it was bought by DC the following year. Centered around a band of quirky magical questers, including Gully, a young girl who has inherited a set of magic gauntlets, a polite and helpful war golem named Calibretto whose very existence is outlawed, and brooding loner Garrison, who desires to be left alone. Being pursued by wizards, werewolves and all manner of magical menaces, this seemingly quaint concept...

Extra! Extra! Prime Video just released brand new images and release details for their upcoming ’80s-set adventure sci-fi series “Paper Girls.” “Paper Girls” is an adaptation of Brian K. Vaughan (Saga, Ex Machina) and Cliff Chiang‘s best-selling, Eisner-winning comic series, which ran from 2015 to 2019. The series’ official Twitter Page introduced previously the […]

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