The anime Akane-banashi has just been released! It’s based on the popular manga of the same name, which has been featured in Shonen Jump since 2022 and has received a lot of positive feedback. Many fans predict it will become a hit this season, potentially reaching the same level of popularity as shows like One Piece or JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
Lots of anime series have become popular in Western countries, but some haven’t had the same luck. There are several huge anime in Japan that either aren’t very well-known here, or are almost completely unknown to most anime fans. You might be surprised by how much more popular they are in Japan!
When the Nintendo Switch 2 launched, Mario Kart World was available right away. Just over a month later, Donkey Kong Bananza, a critically praised game nominated for Game of the Year, was released. Over the following months, more games exclusive to the Switch 2 came out, including Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and Kirby Air Riders, both of which generally received good reviews. In 2026, Switch 2 owners enjoyed games like Mario Tennis Fever and the hugely popular Pokemon Pokopia, which is considered the highest-rated Pokemon game of all time and one of the system’s best-selling titles.
It’s been a long wait for fans of the Star Fox series! The last major Star Fox game, Star Fox Zero, came out on the Wii U in 2016. While the previously unreleased Star Fox 2 was eventually made available in 2017 with the Super NES Classic Edition, that game was originally created over 30 years ago, meaning the most recent Star Fox content has very old roots.
Buggy shares a close, brotherly bond with Shanks and grew up with him aboard the ship of the legendary Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. Currently, Buggy is one of the most powerful pirates in the world, ruling as one of the Four Emperors, and his strength is bolstered by having skilled allies like Mihawk and Crocodile serving under him.
The story of Bloodborne reveals that Cainhurst Castle was once home to powerful nobles who regularly traded with the city of Yharnam. However, their customs clashed with the Healing Church, ultimately leading to their destruction at the hands of the Executioners. Abandoned and forgotten, the castle crumbled, and the road leading to it was lost. By the time of the game, you can’t reach Cainhurst on foot, although a hidden path still allows access.
Although there weren’t many Psychic-type Pokémon in the original FireRed and LeafGreen games, even a few can really help you succeed. Catching one early on can make the first few Gym battles much easier, and with some training, a strong Psychic-type Pokémon could even help you defeat Giovanni and challenge the Elite Four later in the game.
If you don’t know Zach Cregger, he began his career with the comedy group Whitest Kids U’Know. Now, he’s quickly become a standout director in the horror genre. It’s actually a common path – many successful horror directors, like Jordan Peele and the team behind Talk to Me (Danny and Michael Philippou), started out in comedy. While Peele or the Philippou brothers could have done a good job with a new Resident Evil movie, Zach Cregger is the perfect choice to direct it.
These games were all important in shaping the strategy genre and introduced many features we now expect. Thankfully, because they prioritize strong gameplay over fancy graphics, many strategy games from the past are still enjoyable today. These classic titles have truly stood the test of time and are worth playing even now.
Rescue arcs are always thrilling, and Bleach delivers a fantastic one in the Soul Society arc. This arc puts Rukia at the heart of the story and features some of the series’ biggest battles, including clashes with Gotei 13. Many fans consider the Soul Society arc the best in Bleach because it’s crucial for Ichigo’s development and introduces truly memorable villains. The arc’s plot builds to a point where Aizen becomes an even greater threat, making the whole story incredibly compelling.