T5W#542-Top 5 Best Titles I’ve Reviewed in 2025

Today we bid farewell to 2025 and this year has seen the Gundam Anime Corner take on some interesting challenges and titles eh?  This summer we revisited a library of Mecha classics (some worthy of being called such and others make me question plenty of tastes).  We got super raunchy with Shimoneta, down with the funk with Ya Boi Kongming and had three megahit animation titles get their time in the review spotlight.  The question I ask as always ask after looking back on all of these highs and lows: which ones made the End of the Year cut?  Well that’s what we’re tackling with todays Top 5 Wednesday, which just so happens to be the last one of 2025 as I reveal my Top 5 Best Titles I’ve Reviewed in 2025.

Hazbin Hotel (Season 2)

After saving Hell from another Angelic extermination, the Hazbin Hotel’s popularity has skyrocketed…for all the wrong reasons.  As new guests arrive hoping to learn how to kill Angels, the Entertainment Demon Vox plots to use the Hotel’s newfound fame to his advantage, pressing for a complete overhaul of both Heaven and Hell.  And with Charlie Morningstar too overwhelmed by her own ambitious and demands of the hotel, Vox has little standing in his way.  The Hazbin Hotel may have saved Hell once but if they cant band together once again they might just be the downfall of Heaven and Hell.

Hazbin Hotel was a massive hit when it dropped in 2024 and many of my friends wanted me to cover it on the blog.  Sure enough, I loved Season One so much it ended up on my Top 5 Best Reviewed Titles of that year.  Heck it was so good I’m relaxing my usual “wait til the shows run is done to review it” rule to continue looking at Season Two.  Given how much Season One succeeded, Season Two’s hype and expectations is through the roof.  And for the most part, it manages to accomplish what the First Season did and improve in various ways when it comes to the characters, music and scale of the rising conflict.  In fact, it kind of says a lot about how well Hazbin Hotel Season 2 is that it’s weakest component is it’s main character, Charlie.
 

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX Part 4 Episodes 10-12

Chaos envelopes the Earth Sphere as Kycillia enacts her Coup d’etat to seize total control of Zeon from her family and finish the Earth once and for all.  Unaware of the destruction she’s causing, Nyaan continues to obey Kycillia, desperate to find Shuji. Standing in her way is Machu, who is determined to save the Lalah from another world any way she can.  As the former friends cross swords, their mutual wishes are on the verge of being granted…though doing so may bring about the end of their world.

By the time we get to the final moments of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX my biggest question is: Why?  Why is this show so short?  Why is it so poorly written?  Why were any of the creative choices given a greenlight and, amongst so many others, Why is this the result of a team up between Studio Sunrise and Studio Khara?  Most of last weeks penultimate episodes felt like a soft reboot of the shows status quo with a lot of potential for Nyaan and even Machu…ok maybe not Machu but maybe for the new UC at large.  However that might’ve meant something and could have resulted in a Gundam ZZ type of creative comeback…if this wasn’t twelve episodes long.  The only thing that would make this mess of a finale more poetic is if we had that clip of the main cast running in the intro and just have them trip and collapse over one another, it’s the most fitting image of GQuuuuuX in general.
 

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX Part 3 Episodes 7-9

Following a disaster in Side 6, Shuji is missing and Machu and Nyaan are on separate sides of a growing conflict.  Nyaan finds herself in the care of Kycillia Zabi herself.  With renewed purpose and a Gundam of her own, Nyaan hopes she can find the missing Shuji.  Meanwhile, Machu flies to Earth in the GQuuuuux, secretly pursued by Chalia Bull and his unit.  Here, she meets the mysterious Lalah Sune only to learn there’s more to her story and the end goals of everyone around her than she could have ever imagined.

Ok.  I’ve said this a couple of times but it bears asking once again (and in all caps this time):  WHY IS THIS SHOW ONLY 12 EPISODES LONG!!!???  And I’m not saying that because I’m liking what I’m watching.  No I’m practically screaming it because the structure of Gundam GQuuuuuX is all over the place, filled with ideas that don’t have time to breathe, characters who are just characters without character, and one of the worst pacing problems I’ve ever seen not just in Gundam but in Anime in a while.  This is the penultimate set of episodes for the entire series and yet it wants to act like it successfully crammed…let’s say 9 or so episodes into 3…and it sucks.  Whoever greenlit this approach should have been told flat out, to quote the great Benoit Blanc from Glass Onion, “NO!!! It’s just dumb.”
 

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX Part 2 Episodes 4-6

Now a full fledged member of the Pomeranians, Machu continues to develop as a Mobile Suit pilot in Clan Battle.  The deeper she gets into it though, the tougher it is to keep her secret and push herself to be as ruthless as her opponents.  But all hell is about break loose when Zeon leader Kycillia Zabi pays a visit to the colony with a secret Federation Black Ops unit ready to take her out.  Machu might be able to hack it in Clan Battle but is she ready for real combat against actual soldiers still fighting a long lost war?

When I was originally considering reviewing GQuuuuuuX a major hurdle became timing: just how long was this series planning on running?  Realizing it was gonna wrap after only 12 episodes signaled problems and those problems begin rearing their ugly heads in this sophomore set of episodes.  GQuuuuuX is sort of suffering an identity crisis as well as not really being able to handle the weight of lofty expectations, trying to be new but not really knowing how or why in general.  From the characters to the pacing to the constant teases that I don’t know will even pay off, the second part of our Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX coverage is not in the best shape.
 

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX Part 1 Episodes 1-3

Universal Century 0085.  Five years have passed since the One Year War ended in victory for the Principality of Zeon.  In the neutral space colony of Side 6, Amate “Machu” Yuzuriha dreams of seeing the oceans of Earth with her own eyes.  The road to her wish coming true begins when she comes into possession of a prototype Zeon Gundam unit, the GQuuuuuX and begins to partake in Mobile Suit Clan Battles.  Fighting by her side is Suji, a mysterious and ethereal young man piloting a Gundam of his own, one colored red and once belonging to the infamous Zeon ace, Char Aznable.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE FROM THE GUNDAM ANIME CORNER!!!!  

And do I have a special gift for you.  Starting today and for the next couple of days to close out 2025, we’ll be looking at the latest chapter of the Mobile Suit Gundam saga, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM GQUUUUUX.  Originally I was planning to launch this one next year to possibly kick off the Blog’s 13^th Season.  But then I figured, with the Slayers Event running a bit short and I always want to have at least one special review for Christmas Day, this felt like a good compromise.  Plus I get to review brand new Gundam the same year it came out?  Feels like a no brainer.  Anyway enough of that long winded Happy Holidays intro.  Let’s suit up and get to the review proper.
 
The announcement of a new Gundam project of any kind is going to get plenty of attention.  41 years in, it’s still one of the most popular Mecha Anime franchises of all time and still going relatively strong after the last couple of years with The Witch from Mercury and SEED Freedom.  But Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX has a whole other level of expectation behind it.  I base this soley on the fact that this is a joint collaboration between Studio Sunrise and Studio Khara, aka the studio behind the Rebuild of Evangelion series.  Yep, the forces behind TWO of Anime’s biggest Mecha legends unite to unleash a whole new breed of Gundam upon the world.  We’re in for an interesting ride with this one but right now, how’s does the initial launch go?
 

T5W#541-Top 5 Thoughts on the Street Fighter (2026) Reveal Trailer

2026 is shaping up to be a big year for Video Game Adaptations on the big screen.  April sees Mario and friends take to the stars in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and May will finally see the stupidly delayed sequel Mortal Kombat II tear up the screen (Bring on Kitana and Karl Urban as Johnny Cage).  Later in the year though, another recognizable franchise is getting another shot at the silver screen: Street Fighter.  Like Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter has had similar ups and downs with it’s two previous movies: the flawed but incredibly campy and fun 1994 film and the so-bad-no-one-even-talks-about it…like ever The Legend of Chun Li.  The Game Awards a couple weeks back revealed the first look the new movie and…wow, both head scratchingly wow and HOLY FRAK wow.  Is this the Live Action Street Fighter movie we’ve all been waiting for?  We’ve still got less than a year to wait but on today’s Top 5 Wednesday, I’m sharing my Top 5 Thoughts on the Street Fighter (2026) Reveal Trailer. 

 

Slayers Premium

Lina Inverse and her partner, Gourry Gabriev have come to the town of Acassi to sample it’s famous Octopus dishes.  Sadly, much like with any adventure, they’ve arrived at the worst time.  The townspeople are falling victim to a curse where they can only speak the language of the Octopus, and Gourry has just been cursed too.  Together with Zelgadis, Amelia and Xellos, it’s up to Lina to find a cure and stop the oncoming invasion of Octupus seeking revenge against the people of Acassi.  But they picked the wrong time.  No one disturbs Lina Inverse’s meal and lives to tell the tale.

Slayers Premium marks a major milestone for the Slayers Film Series as it’s the only entry not a prequel to the TV Series like the others.  And yet the notion that Lina is heading into chaos with her usual group of misfits doesn’t make the experience any more meaningful because Slayers Premium isnt so much a movie as it is a run of the mill episode of the TV Series and even then, it’s just an ok one at best.  It’s not long enough to be boring like the Slayers Excellent OVA but too short to be anything special.  In fact, that’s probably the best word to describe Slayers Premium, it’s a TV Special and if this was meant to relaunch interest in the franchise after Slayers Try ended in 1997 (Premium came out in 2001), well I can see why they waited a few more years to give us Slayers Revolution and Evolution-R.
 

Slayers Excellent

There has never been a menace, monster or force of Evil Lina Inverse hasn’t been able to handle…until now.  When a busty and scantily dressed Sorceress called Naga the Serpent appears and declares herself Lina’s greatest rival, Lina’s world is turned upside down forever.  Now she cant seem to escape this walking time bomb whose laugh hails her appearance.  And Lina’s got all manner of jobs and missions driving her crazy as well.  How the heck did Lina and Naga survive their first encounter?  This is where the Legend begins.

Slayers Excellent marks our final feature with Lina and Naga as the main stars and it does set itself up with quite the hook: the very first meeting of our two sexy Sorceress frenemies.  However, while their first encounter goes exactly as you might imagine for these two danger magnets, the rest of Slayers Excellent falls far short of the bar set by their previous feature films and the Slayers Special OVA.  I dare even say this might be the most dull and bored I’ve been watching anything Slayers.  Honestly, it’s so much of a letdown that even Lina and Naga cant salvage a lot of it, mostly because the OVA wont even let them try.
 

Slayers Special

It seems to be a guarantee that no matter where they go, trouble is never far behind for Lina Inverse and Naga the Serpent.  Even if said trouble involves mirror doppelgangers, over protective mothers and Lina’s worst nightmare: an army of Naga clones, where there’s money to be made, the Slayers will be there.  Bring on the danger and bring on the adventure.

Having spent most of the last few weeks hanging out with Lina and Naga in more adventures, I think Slayers Special, released stateside as Slayers: The Book of Spells (not sure why), is further evidence there could have been a Slayers Season Zero (SLAYERS ZERO!!!) dedicated to just the two of them.  It looks fantastic, has some great jokes and makes it clear to me that not only am I not tired of Lina and Naga’s escapades…I kind of don’t miss the OG Slayers crew either (yikes that is a scary notion).  However, as I said, Slayers Special presents a good case for a TV Season and that includes the good and the bad. There’s a lot to like but one story in particular gets annoying fast and the other tales are going to depend on your tolerance for the main duo, especially Naga.
 

T5W#540-Top 5 Studio Gainax Titles

Last week, the world officially bid farewell to one of the most important and influential Anime studios of all time: Gainax.  Personally, I hadn’t kept up with the drama that had fallen upon the studio in recent years, preventing it from producing more titles.  But whoa boy, Hideaki Anno shared all and…wow yeah it was, it was bad. But we’re not here to talk about that.  On today’s Top 5 Wednesday I’m looking through this studio’s impressive catalogue and looking for five titles that led to some of Anime biggest success stories and even the founding of successor studios like Khara and Trigger.  These are my Top 5 Studio Gainax Titles.

 

Slayers Gorgeous

In a town besieged daily by Dragons, Lina Inverse and Naga the Serpent find themselves on opposite sides of a family squabble.  Little do they and their employers know, something dark and ancient is waiting to take advantage of the situation and it has the power to control the very Dragons under Marlene’s command.  Unfortunately for them, the one thing Dragons fear more than anything is Lina Inverse and she’s not going to let anything stop her from getting a big payday.

Slayers Gorgeous marks a turning point for the Slayers franchise as it’s the last original film and overall featuring Lina and Naga together as the main characters.  We’ll be touching on their OVA adventures soon enough but when it comes to finales, Slayers Gorgeous is a fun and hilarious send off for this era of the Saga of Lina Inverse.  We get Dragons, large scale showdowns and a redo of the Lina vs. Naga fight promised in Slayers Great that didn’t feel earned but here it’s one of the many highlights of Slayers Gorgeous.  That already makes is better than Slayers Great (even without adorable Golems) but does Gorgeous rise to the rank of Best of the Slayers Movies?
 

T5W#539-Top 5 Questions that Need to be Answered in Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game (Part 1)

This past weekend, fans of Jujutsu Kaisen’s long awaited third season got a special sneak peak when Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution dropped in theaters.  Acting in the same vein as what Demon Slayer has done in the past Execution is a Compilation Preview film featuring the last episode of The Shibuya Incident (aka Season 2) followed by the first two episodes of The Culling Game (Part 1) (aka Season 3).  It’s been a little over two years since the battle that left an Akira sized hole where Shinjuku used to be and the entire status quo of JJK has been changed forever. A lot of character fates and plot threads have been hanging for fans (who haven’t read the Manga) to mull over and on todays Top 5 Wednesday, I’m sharing my own set of questions I’d like to see answered when Jujutsu Kaisen returns in January 2026.  These are my Top 5 Questions that Need to be Answered in Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game (Part 1). 

 
BTW Spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen: The Shibuya Incident and Execution will be discussed.
 

Slayers Great

When Lina Inverse and Naga the Serpent save the life of a girl from a living Golem, they have no idea what kind of trouble theyre about to find themselves in.  Two warring factions seeking control of the town of Stoner each request the aid of a skilled Golem maker.  Making things more complicated, each Maker wants Lina and Naga to be their muses for their latest creations.  It’s Lina vs. Naga.  Slayer vs. Slayer.  Golem vs. Golem.  Will their friendship survive this ordeal and will anyone involved with this conflict realize they’ve made a mistake bringing the Slayers into their personal grudge match?

Slayers Great’s trailers offered a pretty interesting setup, the notion of Lina and Naga being on opposite sides and forced to fight each other.  Judging from the looks on their faces, it didn’t look like either was fully on board with the idea, showing they’re more than just bickering rivals.  It was both heartbreaking and exciting…and then I watched the actual movie and we don’t get any of that.  However, while Slayers Great doesn’t deliver the potential dramatic goods, it more than delivers on Slayers trademark humor and maybe, just maybe, made me laugh harder than any Slayers story so far. 
 

T5W#538-Top 5 Seasons of Slayers

Lina Inverse is at last back here at the Gundam Anime Corner for the Slayers 30^th Anniversary Celebration Event.  It’s a long overdue reunion for sure and we’ll be spending much of it in Lina’s pre TV Series adventures running around with her best frenemy Naga the Serpent.  But don’t worry, I haven’t fully forgotten about Lina’s other Slayers companions: Gourry, Zelgadis, Amelia and Xellos.  We’ll be seeing them again later this month but for todays Top 5 Wednesday, we’re revisiting their previous adventures from my 2018-2019 reviews of the Slayers TV Series.  That’s right, we’re ranking the entire TV run with the Top 5 Seasons of Slayers. 

 

Slayers Return

Legend tells of an ancient treasure buried by a tribe of Elves, one of unimaginable wealth.  It also happens to be hidden in a village under siege by an evil organization.  Their only salvation may end up being their destruction as a young girl recruits the destructive duo of Lina Inverse and Naga the Serpent to save the day.  But when a simple job spirals out of control really fast, The Slayers find themselves in over their heads once more and even their magic might not be enough to save the day.

Man, oh man.  It is good to be back in the world of Slayers.  Specifically, it’s good to be back in the pre series days with Lina and Naga again.  I’ve been waiting to watch and review the rest of the Slayers Movies and OVAs for a really long time and I have to say, Slayers Return might have just set the bar for the other features to follow.  What starts off kind of simple more than improves on everything from Slayers: The Motion Picture in just about every way (which despite its flaws I still love a great deal).  So, is the titular Return of Lina Inverse and Naga the Serpent really that awesome?
 

FIF#253-Gachiakuta

In a world where a wall separates the wealthy from the degenerates, there’s a punishment for those who even the dirtiest fear to live alongside: the Pit.  No one knows what it is, only that’s its where human are discarded with all the worlds trash.  When he’s wrongfully accused of a crime, Rudo Surebrec is sent to this Hell.  Once there he learns the Pit isnt all that it seems, a realm where Monsters made of pure trash roam and the only force against them is the mysteriously powered Cleaners.  Despite this, Rudo only has one single goal in mind: return to the society that wronged him and bring all the trash they fear back with him.

 
When I first saw the trailer for Gachiakuta earlier this year, I assumed we might be looking at another Chainsaw Man, another high octane, uber violent dystopian Anime that excites the senses and pulverizes the soul at the same time.  Wouldn’t you know it, the first couple of episodes proved me wrong in a couple of ways, good ways.  Not only do we have a very proven Anime studio handling another Shonen Anime adaptation in Studio Bones (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood), but the premise of a vengeful boy seeing only red…well by the end of the first episode I kinda sympathize with Rudo and man do I want to see his vengeance come to fruition…oh and the rest of what I saw is cool too.
 

Slayers 30th Anniversary Celebration Announcement

Way back in 2019 (well starting with Season 1 in mid 2018), I took on the epic challenge of reviewing every season of the legendary Fantasy Action Comedy: Slayers.  Back then, I only had the entire series plus the very first movie to look at and I’d hoped beyond hope I’d find the remainder of the films and OVAs in time to make it for the year long project.  Obviously, that didn’t happen.  However, this year, I finally found them.  Thanks to a dearly departed friend which this upcoming event is partly dedicated to, I managed to do something I thought impossible years ago.  And after accomplishing that…the inevitable was set in motion.

 
That’s right folks, LINA INVERSE AND NAGA THE SERPENT ARE BACK BABY!!!!
 

T5W#537-Top 6 Millenium Era Godzilla Movies

Been doing Godzilla Month events for the last couple of years now, they’ve become sort of an annual Anime Corner tradition since I revived it back in 2023 for the arrival of the franchises 70^th Anniversary.   Well Godzilla Month IV has just concluded on a major milestone.  With the review of Godzilla vs. Megagirus, I’ve finally reviewed all six movies in the Godzilla Millenium Era Series.  That’s one series down, two to go (the Reiwa Era that began with 2016’s Shin Godzilla is still ongoing so I don’t count that yet…even though I am technically caught up on that one too).  Anyway, what better time to do a ranking than now at the conclusion of Godzilla Month IV.  So, onto today’s Special Top 6 list for Top 5 Wendesday, the Top 6 Millenium Era Godzilla Movies.

 

Godzilla vs. Megagirus

In order to stop Godzilla’s recurring rampages, the Godzilla Defense Force, G Grasper, develops an experimental and dangerous Black Hole Cannon.  However, a test firing of this weapon opens a dimensional hole that unleashes a new kind of enemy on Japan: the Meganula.  As the G Graspers scramble to deal with both threats, Godzilla soon comes face to face with the Meganula Queen, Megagirus, and only one of these royal titans will be left standing when the dust settles.

With Godzilla 2000 kicking off a brand new era for the franchise in 1999, Godzilla vs. Megagirus at first looks to emulate the creative strategies of Hesei Era, at least when it comes to inventing an original new foe for Godzilla to face (granted Orga also filled that role in Godzilla 2000).  But while Godzilla vs. Biollante had the advantages of continuity and a thought provoking central plot, GvM doesn’t have nearly as much going for it from a lack luster monster to one note humans to the plain simple fact that its just boring.
 

FIF#252-The Mighty Nein

The theft of a powerful relic called The Beacon sends sparks across two kingdoms.  A long simmering war is about to burst if the wrong is not rectified.  To stop the escalating conflict, a team of adventures, thieves, wizards and warriors is assembled to find the Beacon.  They’re hardly the stuff of legends: down on their luck scoundrels with sordid pasts and not so bright futures.  But the fate of several nations rests on their shoulders.  This is where the legend of the Mighty Nein begins.

 
With The Legend of Vox Machina starting to wind down (Season 4 starts early next year and Season 5 has been confirmed as the Final Season), it seems like the right time for Critical Role to launch an animated adaptation of the groups second campaign, The Mighty Nein.  Like Vox Machina, I had no idea what to expect going in outside of recognizing a couple of very often cosplayed characters and that this was done by the same group of table top gaming Voice Actors, who like Vox Machina take on the roles of their real game characters once again.  What I wasn’t expecting was, well a lot.  The Mighty Nein is a very different campaign and story from Vox Machina, in both positive and negative ways, as I took away from the first episode.
 

T5W#536-Top 5 Favorite Cristina Vee Roles

From the moment I first met her during my first Otakon back in 2010, doing the Hare Hare Yuki Dance from Haruhi Suzumiya, Cristina Valenzuela, aka Cristina Vee, has been one of my all time favorite Voice Actresses.  I’ve had the pleasure of getting to meet her a few times over the last fifteen years, including this past weekend at Stellar Con and I even got to show her a pic of us from Otakon 2011 and she asked me if I could send it to her.  Cristina is such a ball of energy and positivity and she brings all of that and more to all the roles she takes on and man does she have a resume from bubbly to dramatic to totally insane.  Seeing as how, as I said, I’ve gotten to meet her once more (trying to think of when I did last see her before this, my first Katsu back in 2015?  Anyway not important atm.), we’re pausing our Godzilla Month IV Top 5’s so I can share my Top 5 Favorite Cristina Vee Roles.

 

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah

A mysterious ship flies to Tokyo, revealing a crew of Humans from the future who hope to save the past from the threat of Godzilla once and for all.  It seems too good to be true…and it is.  While it seems as if Godzilla is at last gone, a new menace has been birthed to take his place: the three headed Dragon, King Ghidorah.  Against this unstoppable foe, Humanity has only one chance: it must find a way to resurrect the King of the Monsters, it must find a way to bring back Godzilla. 

 
While Godzilla vs. Biollante is hailed as one of the best Godzilla films ever made, when it was released in 1989 it suffered low box office due to the release of another highly anticipated sequel: Back to the Future Part II.  Apparently Toho decided that if time travel worked for one hugely successful franchise, it could work for theirs.  Hence, Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, a wacky Showa Era style romp with an excellent Hesei Era coat of paint.  Does the return of Godzilla’s arch nemesis for an epic rematch make it better than his last bout with a plant creature no one cared about? (Box office wise anyway).
 

FIF#251-Last Samurai Standing

950 years after the first Samurai appeared in Japan, their time has come to a brutal end with the dawn of the Meiji Era.  Former Samurai warrior, Shujiro Saga, agrees to join a secret tournament with 292 other participants for the chance of an enormous cash prize.  To get said prize, Shujiro and his fellow combatants must seize each others wooden tags…by any means necessary, and make it safely to Tokyo.  For Shujiro, this prize could save his wife, child and entire village from a deadly illness.  But he’ll have to slice his way through almost 300 desperate and dangerous warriors to see his wish come true.

 
The trailers for this new Netflix Series looked cool as heck from the get go.  I mean if you’re a fan of the fast paced action of the Rurouni Kenshin films and some possible slow burn political intrigue featured in FX’s Shogun, then Last Samurai Standing should be a slam dunk right?  Well after checking out the first episode, not sure I’d go that far but there’s definitely more than enough of the aforementioned high octane/bloody action and shadowy mystery that got me locked in.  Is this really the Hunger Games/Battle Royale with Samurai that the trailers promised?
 

T5W#535-Top 5 Monsterverse Fights

While we’re focusing on Godzilla’s home movies from Japan for Godzilla Month IV, today’s Top 5 Wednesday is looking at some of the big moments from Godzilla’s American adventures in the Monsterverse.  Last year, the little Kaiju Universe that could celebrated its 10^th Anniversary with Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, the 5^th entry in a series that includes Godzilla (2014), Kong: Skull Island (2017), Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) and Godzilla vs. Kong (2021), plus the ongoing Monarch: Legacy of Monsters TV Series.  The Monsterverse has come a long way from the original plans for an American Godzilla Saga that crashed and burned with Godzilla ’98.  But from those ashes rose a franchise that’s delivering all the goods of Kaiju throwdowns and out of this world adventures. And you know what we always come to any of these flicks for, the fights.  So today we’re counting down the Top 5 Monsterverse Fights. 

 
Special Note: To qualify, these have to be clashes that we see play out on screen for extended periods of time.  Yes there’s cutting to human characters but most of the focus is on the Kaiju throwdowns.  That said, I know this might upset some people, but don’t expect to see anything from the 2014 Godzilla on this list.  Yes the atomic breath is a crowd pleaser but I also didn’t pay to see a movie where Aaron Taylor Johnson runs from all the cool stuff we really wanna see.  Anyway, that little tirade out of the way, onto the Top 5.
 

Godzilla vs. Biollante

Five years after Godzilla’s return, a grieving scientist uses some of the Kaiju’s cells to prolong the last living gift from his daughter.  To his and the rest of the worlds horror, this gives birth to a new breed of plant like monster, Biollante.  And this couldn’t come at a worse time as Godzilla finally awakens to resume his relentless assault on Japan.  But Biollante calls to the King of the Monsters, born of the same cells.  An battle is imminent and the fate of the world hangs in the balance once more.

1985’s Return of Godzilla reminded the world just what kind of a force of destructive nature the King of the Monsters can really be.  For his second adventure in the Hesei Era, it’s time to remind the world of the other thing he does best: kicking fellow Kaiju ass.  Godzilla vs. Biollante actually goes a bit beyond that with a story that actually continues on from Return of Godzilla, building the world up and actually using Human characters who aren’t annoying when on screen.  Many Godzilla fans cite this one as one of the very best in the series…but is it really?
 

FIF#250-Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Frozen Teardrop

Over two decades after mankind began it’s expansion to the planet Mars, Martian Leader Zechs Merquise is assassinated, leading to a surge in uprisings across the Red Planet.  In response, the Earth Sphere Unified Nations Preventors revives legendary Gundam Pilot Heero Yuy from suspended animation.  His newest mission takes him to Mars where he reunites with old comrades and joins a new generation of Gundam Pilots against this rebellion.  The real reason for Heero’s reawakening is soon revealed as the Mars Resistances newest figurehead reveals themselves as the woman Heero has sworn to but never been able to kill: Relena Peacecraft.

 
It’s crazy to think about the kind of year Mobile Suit Gundam Wing has had.  2025 has marked it’s 30^th Anniversary and it’s gotten so much love all across the world from rereleases of the Theatrical Cut of Endless Waltz to a crazy good panel at this years San Diego Comic Con featuring the English Voice Actors of Heero, Duo and Quatre.  Oh and we got that wickedly good anniversary video that featured the first ever Anime footage of what we’re looking at today for our 250^th Episode of First Impression Friday.  Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Frozen Teardrop is an odd entry to the Wing subseries and was originally released as a novel series between 2010 and 2015 and is the more or less official sequel to the original series.  So far, it’s only ever seen the light of day in those novels (and more recently the aforementioned 30^th Anniversary Video).  However, that’s not entirely true.  As part of the Gundam Wing Ultimate Blu Ray set, a Picture Drama of Frozen Teardrop, titled “The Next War: Epyon Ares” was released as a bonus feature available only to that box set.  It’s a bit odd to look at something like this for a First Impression.  But with the very thin chance this sequel could get an Anime adaptation one day, I figured it’s worth a look.  So, how is this follow up to one of the still most popular entries in the entire Gundam Saga?
 

T5W#534-Top 5 Theories about Godzilla Minus Zero

It’s fitting we’ve kicked off Godzilla Month right after this years Godzilla Day Celebrations, which brought big news for the Godzilla fandom. The highly anticipated sequel to Godzilla Minus One finally has a title: Godzilla Minus Zero.  It’s not much but it’s huge nonetheless and there’s plenty to speculate on until we get more intel, not to mention a potential release date.  And on todays Top 5 Wednesday, I’m gonna share my own Top 5 Theories about Godzilla Minus Zero.  Is this a title that can at least match it’s Award Winning predecessor?  Man, Toho couldntve given us a release window too?  I digress, let’s get to it.

Godzilla vs. Hedorah

The massive pollution of Tokyo Bay gives birth to a new kind of horror: Herdorah, the Smog Monster.  Born of mankinds negligence, this beast begins to turn the city and waters around it into a toxic paradise lethal to humans.  Only one force stands in his way: Godzilla.  But can the King of the Monsters withstand a seemingly deadlier force of nature greater than himself?

Godzilla vs. Hedorah is a special movie as it’s the very first Godzilla movie I ever saw a kid on the SciFi Channel.  A lot of the deeper themes, messages and even grosser elements were kind of lost on me at that age.  Cause let’s face it, when your under 10 seeing Godzilla fight a rival Kaiju for the first time, it’s all you care about.  Rewatching this movie as both an adult and seasoned Godzilla veteran, has my opinion changed about this kind of divisive entry in the franchise or is it as awe inspiring as I remember?
 

Star Wars: Visions 3

The Animated adventures of souls all across a Galaxy Far, Far Away return with 9 brand new tales from the most prominent powers in the world of Japanese Animation.  New chapters in the ongoing sagas of familiar tales are written alongside the beginnings of a new generation of heroes across the stars.  From youthful pilots to jaded Bounty Hunters to the never ending war between Jedi and Sith, the Visions grow stronger than ever before as Star Wars and Anime join forces once again.

For it’s third outing, the Star Wars Visions Anthology Series returns to its roots with the concept that started it all: Star Wars plus Anime.  Not that this is ever a bad thing but it has to be said that returning to a strictly Anime line up of shorts does immediately lessen to substantial impact made to the series by opening the doors to the rest of the Animation world for Visions 2.  Not only that but several of these new offerings feel either underwhelming, incomplete, or just inferior to what’s come before.  Not that there isnt plenty to enjoy but Visions 3 is nevertheless the weakest of the three seasons thus far.
 

FIF#249-Disney Twisted Wonderland: The Animation

Suddenly snatched from his own world, High School student Yu finds himself forcibly enrolled in Night Raven College.  It’s a school for the most elite of magic users, only Yu has no idea how to use any magic.  His arrival triggers an avalanche of confusion and rage amongst the student bodies most top tier of users. And if they don’t kill him first, Yu will have to survive the Monsters, Ghouls, Ghosts and other dark magics waiting for him in this Twisted Neverland.

 
After years of hosting and distributing Anime films (mostly from the Studio Ghibli catalogue), the House of Mouse seems looking to jump onto the Anime bandwagon with their first Original Anime Series.  And wouldn’t you know it, it’s based on a Mobile Game.  Yes, Disney Twisted Wonderland was released in Japan back in 2020 and localized in the US in 2022.  From the looks of it, the game involves Anime-ifications of some of Disney’s most legendary villains including The Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Scar from The Lion King, Hades from Hercules and Jafar from Aladdin, just to name a few…and they’re all super attractive bishonen boys.  Ok, sounds Anime enough but how is the actual premiere of the Anime?  Is it a good jumping on point or is this a bit more Fate/GO and confusing as heck?
 

Kpop Demon Hunters

Rumi, Mira and Zoe are Huntr/x, the latest in a long line of Demon Hunters who sing as well as they slay.  For years their music has protected the barrier separating Humanity from an all out Demon invasion.  But now they’re about to face their most dangerous foes: The Saja Boys, a five member Demon Boy Band.  It’s a battle of beats, words and wills as Huntr/x goes head to head with these handsome imposters who are hellbent on using their music to ensnare their fans.  Not if Huntr/x has anything to say about it.

Considering how big of a worldwide phenomenon Kpop has become thanks to the successes of bands like BlackPink, Twice and BTS, you’d think some kind of animation or even live action about hot pop idols kicking some kind of ass would have arrived way before Kpop Demon Hunters (the closest we’ve probably gotten is League of Legends’ K/DA group).  The wait for such a project to emerge has been well worth it as Kpop Demon Hunters delivers on all fronts with stellar animation from the studio behind the Spider Man Spiderverse saga, a bunch of unforgettable characters and a soundtrack that isnt leaving your head well after you’ve heard it.  I might have one or two little issues with it but that isnt stopping me from naming Kpop Demon Hunters as one of the Best Films of 2025.
 

Chainsaw Man: The Movie-Reze Arc

Just when Denji didn’t think his bizarre life could get any crazier, he meets Reze: a beautiful girl who seems truly interested in him.  But fate conspires against Denji once more as the truth of Reze is revealed: She is the Bomb Devil, as powerful and brutal as she is beautiful and she’s after the heart of the Chainsaw Demon’s heart.  Fueled by fury and heartache, Denji engages in his biggest and craziest battle yet.  Hell hath no fury like a Chainsaw Devil scorned.

2025’s proven to be an exciting year for Anime Feature Films, especially the Shonen ones.  Just after Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle took the rest of the world by storm, Chainsaw Man makes its triumphant return after a very long, three year wait.  While I don’t expect it to make Demon Slayer level dollars here in the States, the film adaptation of the Reze Arc might just end up being better than the first part of Infinity Castle, and this is coming from a guy who mostly likes Demon Slayer more than Chainsaw Man. This is thanks to a greater focus on the core story and characters while also allowing MAPPA to let itself off the leash and remind us why despite theyre one of the most in demand Anime studios today.  In short, the Chainsaw Man movie is well worth the wait. 
 

T5W#533-Top 5 Otakon 2025 Cosplays

Well folks Halloween is only a couple of days away and you know the Top 5 I usually save for just this occasion.  Last week, we took a look at the best cosplays I saw at Katsucon 2025.  Today, we’re looking at the best standouts from Otakon 2025.  It was the year where Kpop Demon Hunters and Apothecary Diaries took the convention cosplay scene by storm in some of the biggest photoshoot turnouts I’ve ever seen.  And yet in that sea, some real gems shined and I’m spotlighting them on todays’ Top 5 Wednesday as I count down the Top 5 Otakon 2025 Cosplays.  As always, if I know the cosplayers in question, I’ll let you know where you can find more of their cosplay works.

 

Predator: Killer of Killers

Throughout all of human history, warriors are born through conflict, trial by fire.  And in those moments, secret battles are waged between these champions and a race of Alien Predators known as the Yautja.  Their objective, their drive, to hunt the greatest killers, face them and become the ultimate Hunters themselves.  Those who survive to tell the tale face an uncertain fate.  In the end, only one can be called The Killer of Killers.

Much like many of it’s 80s action era brethren, Predator is another franchise ripe for the Anime or Animation treatment and it’s astounding it took us this long to get this kind of feature.  Coming to us from the same creative team behind the smash hit Predator prequel, Prey, including Prey Director Dan Tractenberg, Predator: Killer of Killers is an animated anthology feature that doubles down on what made that much needed breath of fresh air for the franchise so vital.  It enhances what we’ve come to expect from the titular hunters and strives to really make the viewers care about their new prey despite the short length of their respective tales.  Most of all, it shows we really need more of these kinds of stories from the Predator universe and then some.
 

FIF#248-Lazarus

2049.  Dr. Skinner creates the ultimate feel good drug, Hapna, relieving all users of any kind of pain.  After disappearing from the public eye for three years, Skinner returns and announces that in 30 days time, whoever has taken Hapna will die.  The race is on for a cure but only Skinner might have the only one in existence.  To this end, the government assembles a group of criminals with various skills to hunt down the illusive doctor before the 30 day time limit is up.

 
It cant be easy being Shinichio Watanabe.  After playing a key role in the production of Macross Plus then hitting it out of the universe with Cowboy Bebop, every time a new project is greenlit with him at the helm is going to have serious expectations.  Samurai Champloo.  Carole and Tuesday.  Space Dandy.  I’ve only seen 2/3 but nothing has ever quite reached Bebops level of perfection.  I bring this up because when I saw Lazarus being advertised on HBO Max I didn’t pay it much mind until a friend requested a First Impression and told me he was the Director.  So do the first two episodes surpass the pressure?
 

T5W#532-Top 5 Katsucon 2025 Cosplays

It’s that time of year again folks.  And while Halloween may be just around the corner, for Cosplayers, every day and every opportunity is a chance to give the Holiday the spotlight.  As is tradition here at the Gundam Anime Corner, this is the time of year I look back at my two biggest conventions of the year and sift through a sea of neverending options to pick my favorites from each major con.  It’s never easy and this year for Otakon and Katsucon, it was no different.  Katsu continues to be one of the major Cosplay centers of the East Coast Con scene and it’s where some of the best cosplayers in the world bring out their best.  Suffice to say, tough calls as always but still, here are my Top 5 Katsucon 2025 Cosplays.  As always, if I know the cosplayers or follow them on social media, I’ll link them in their entries below.

 

Devil May Cry: The Animated Series Part 3 Episodes 9-12

For a while now, it seems like something has been watching Dante from the shadows, benefiting from his most recent jobs.  Now the puppet masters plans come to light and the whole world is on the brink.  What’s worse, Patty’s long lost Mom is used as bait to lure Dante’s young friend into a dangerous trap.  Together with Lady, Trish and Morrison, Dante must brave a city’s worth of Demons to rescue Patty and put a stop to the Monster who’s been playing him all along.  Even if there’s no money involved, the world needs saving, and Devils need to cry.

Devil May Cry 2 is widely seen as the black sheep, if not the worst, of the franchise.  One of the main criticisms is the change to Dante’s personality.  He’s a lot more serious and less prone to one liners than in his debut game (though he does get a solid one on the final boss at the end of the game).  While it’s an inexcusable approach to try and make Dante more mature, his change in tone and personality makes sense when you realize he’s had to deal with a crappy 12 episode Anime series filled with boring villains, insufferable kid characters, and the feeling that Devil May Cry was having both hands tied behind its back the whole time and was unable to let loose like it should…yeah I’d be depressed and pissed off so much I’d be a bit grumpy going into DMC2.
 

FIF#247-The Rose of Versailles

1755.  When General François Augustin Regnier de Jarjayes learns that his new born baby is another girl, he declares she will become the son he never had, naming her Oscar.  Fourteen Years Later, Oscar accepts the role of Commander of the Royal Guard at the Palace of Versailles.  Her primary mission: to safeguard the wellbeing of Marie Antoinette.  Little does Oscar know, the history of France is about to take a dark and violent turn and she is about to take a central role in its ever changing political landscape.

 
When the new Rose of Versailles Anime movie popped up a few months back, I’ll admit I’d totally forgotten about this title but I remember it seeing a bit of a resurgence in the mid 2000s(?).  And since I’m steadily finding out friends are big fans, I decided to check out the first episode of this beautiful 70 period piece and if the premiere is anything to go by, this could be one history lesson done by Anime worth paying attention to.
 

T5W#531-Top 5 Kpop Demon Hunter Characters Everyone’s Gonna Cosplay for Halloween

Suffice to say Kpop Demon Hunters is the biggest Animated anything on the planet this year (even bigger than Demon Slayers Worldwide Box Office Dominance).  Heck, the three real life voices of Rumi, Mira and Zoe: Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami respectively, just made their live performance debut on SNL and Jimmy Fallon last week AND we given the news that the Kpop Demon Hunters soundtrack has gone freaking Platinum.  Obviously, we haven’t fallen out of love with this Animated Musical Epic and since we’re a couple of weeks out from Halloween, you can bet these characters are going to be all over the place.  Originally I was going to do a list of the top titles big in the cosplay scene right now…but let’s face it, after what I saw at Otakon 2025, Kpop Demon Hunters wins.  So let’s break down which individual Hunter, Demon or Creature who would be the most spotted this spooky season with my the Top 5 Kpop Demon Hunter Characters Everyone’s Gonna Cosplay for Halloween.

 

Devil May Cry: The Animated Series Part 2 Episodes 5-8

For Dante, the life of a Devil Hunter is hardly dull.  But even the new jobs he’s taking on are becoming more and more surreal even for him.  From tortured souls to demon prisons to obsessed stalkers, everything and everyone seems to be hurling themselves into Dante’s path.  Thankfully Dante’s still as sharp as ever and is in desperate need of money for his endless string of debt.  All the while, someone seems to be pulling the strings from the darkness, someone with plans for Dante or maybe worse.

It should really be a crime to make Devil May Cry so dull and boring you don’t want to watch it.  I already had a bad enough feeling after the first four episodes that I was in trouble with this one.  But four more episodes in, it kind of clinches it.  I cant believe this series actually is part of the official cannon AND some of it was even written by the head series writer, Bingo Morihashi, himself.  And just how does Part 2 of this supposed DMC series somehow end up worse than Part 1?  Simple: They haven’t fixed a single thing and there’s no signs of that happening anytime soon.
 

FIF#246-The Dinner Table Detective

Reiko Hosho may look like a beautiful socialite, the daughter of a world famous business group.  But beneath that façade, Reiko is a investigator working for the city police department and she’s determined to keep her true self a secret so she doesn’t get treated any differently.  But that’s tough when her partner is a super self obsessed heir and her butler is a no nonsense, often blunt mystery with a penchant for solving cases on his own.

 
I guess I’ve been on a bit of a cute Detective kick on FIF this back half of the Season.  There was Maomao (who’s still the gold standard of female Sherlock Homles types imho).  Then there was the disturbingly similar to Haruhi Suzumiya Ameku M.D.  The Dinner Table Detective’s Reiko Hosho falls in the middle of those two and I’ll explain why when I get into the First Impression properly.  Anyway, this popped up on my Amazon recommendations and I’m a sucker for a cute brunette in a red dress.  Plus if she specializes in high profile, upper class murder cases, that’s pretty unique right?  Too bad The Dinner Table Detective only seems to have aesthetic going for it cause under the good looks hides a slew of problems that wouldn’t take a detective to figure out why it wouldn’t work.
 

T5W#530-Top 5 Changes Hellsing (2001) Made from it’s Manga (Episodes 1-7 Only)

Recently Retcon 404, a YouTube Anime Vlogger who does a lot of Gundam content, did a full series retrospective on the first Anime adaptation of Hellsing from 2001.  I put the title on in the background while working on Gunpla and it occurred to me just how different this version was from both the Manga and the more faithfully adapted Hellsing Ultimate.  A lot of this has to do with the fact that by the time it was released (or even initially worked on), the Hellsing Manga only had 2 volumes completed.  Ergo, it went the Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) route of making a brand new story arc for its second half.  Well for todays Top 5 Wednesday, we’re gonna look back at the first half of this iconic action/horror classic to identify the Top 5 Changes Hellsing (2001) Made from it’s Manga (Episodes 1-7 Only).

 
Special Thanks to Retcon 404 for giving me this idea.  If you love Mecha and especially Gundam, his retrospectives are pretty damn awesome and you can check them all out here: https://youtube.com/@retcon404?si=yPlHzIdG1brkTNgv

Devil May Cry: The Animated Series Part 1 Episodes 1-4

Dante is the offspring of a powerful Demon and a mortal human woman.  He’s a Demon Hunter, one of the most feared around.  There isnt a job this unstoppable bad ass cant handle…until he’s tasked with protecting a young heiress from Demons on the hunt for her inheritance.  A simple job is only getting bigger and more dangerous.  Thankfully Dante’s got the right tools for sending monsters back to Hell on a regular basis.

Devil May Cry’s Anime inspirations are pretty obvious unless you’re blind or oblivious.  From the razor sharp swordplay to the use of slow mo to the endless amounts of bullets and one liners, playing a DMC game is one of the best instances of playing your own Anime adventure.  So yeah, Devil May Cry is tailor made for the genre if you get the right creative team and studio to bring the unchained wild card action to life.  Sadly, while I know a lot of people have their gripes about the new Netflix series, this first shot at a Devil May Cry Anime feels less like its namesake and more like a diet version of the first run of Hellsing back in 2001.  It’s not off to a good start and here’s why.
 

FIF#245-Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song

Diva, or Vivy, is the first autonomous AI, programmed with one single directive: Make people happy with her music.  With her idol inspired look and beautiful voice, Vivy aims to take the main stage at NiaLand Park, where she songs can reach hundreds.  However, when a hyperactive AI Teddy Bear appears before Vivy, everything changes.  Bearing a warning of a dark future for mankind, Matsumoto seeks Vivy’s help in averting an AI caused catastrophe set to occur in the next 100 years.

 
I forget how I found out about Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song.  Maybe I saw one of the posters or key visuals somewhere and thought it looked intriguing.  Before going into the first episode, I was just expecting a dramatic song filled Anime about an AI and a dream, nothing more or less.  And then I saw the first couple of minutes and JESUS CHRIST!!!  I am going to talk about spoilers in this one but let me say, if you think you know what you’re getting with Vivy without watching any trailers or sneak peaks, boy are you wrong.  And truth be told, I don’t know if that means this is an Anime for me.  Why’s that?  Well lets break it down.
 

T5W#529-Top 5 Best Moments from Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba): The Movie-Infinity Castle (Part 1)

Hoooof I’ve been waiting to do this list for weeks now.  Honestly I wanted to post it right after I saw the movie but it didn’t feel right to do so til I actually reviewed the thing.  But hey, kept ya waiting huh?  And in the time since Demon Slayer’s latest big screen adventure dropped, the film has skyrocketed past one milestone after another.  It’s already crossed the $100 Million marker, making it the undisputed Highest Grossing Anime Film in the US and the 5^th Highest Grossing Film Worldwide of 2025 (as of this writing anyway), beating out major Hollywood blockbusters like Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.  The movies holding on pretty strong in the Top 10 to and right now it seems like I’m gushing over it’s financial achievements more than the movie itself…and I am (I’m a box office nerd too).  But the movie would be doing nearly as well as it is if Demon Slayer wasn’t delivering the crowd pleasing goods.  And now that the review is up, I can head into Spoiler Alert Territory breaking down my Top 5 Best Moments from Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba): The Movie-Infinity Castle (Part 1) on todays Top 5 Wednesday.

Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba): The Movie-Infinity Caste (Part 1-Akaza Returns)

Just when it seemed as if victory was in the Demon Slayer Corps grasp, Muzan Kibutsuji opened the doors to his realm and dragged everyone with him.  Now Tanjiro and his allies are on his turf, surrounded by Demons in an infinite setting changing by the minute.  The strongest of Muzan’s elite lie in wait and the Hashira aren’t leaving without Muzan’s head.  The long awaited final battle begins with a rematch between Tanjiro and the Upper Rank who killed one of his beloved mentors, Akaza. 

Demon Slayer has enjoyed quite the success over the last few years, becoming one of the most beloved Anime by fans worldwide.  The announcement that the Infinity Castle arc, aka the final arc of the original Manga, getting a trilogy of films instead of a fifth season is a bit headscratching but you cant fault Ufotable for wanting to unleash their animation mastery on the big screen for the grand finale.  And while Infinity Castle Part 1 dials up all the spectacle and heartache that was inevitable with the showdown with Muzan’s forces, a lot of what’s hampered the storytelling of the Swordsmith Village and Hashira Training Arcs still persists.  I’m not saying this movie isnt mostly a blast to watch cause clearly Ufotable’s been holding a lot in reserve for this occasion.  It’s just got a bit holding it back from being the absolute best Demon Slayer experience since the Entertainment District Arc.