T5W#585-Top 5 Most Unexpected Otakon 2026 Cosplays

Well it’s that time again Dear Readers.  With Halloween just around the corner it’s time to jump back in time a few months to highlight some more awesome cosplays from my favorite con of the year.  This year, however, we’re doing something a bit different.  A lot of the cosplays that make my lists come not just from how well they’re crafted but how they stand out, how out of left field the choices are.  Ergo, the more obscure the better.  And this year, the obscure was everywhere.  I didn’t get a photo but when I learned someone was doing a photoshoot as a character from Code Lyoko of all things, I had no idea that wasn’t even the tip of the iceberg.  So for this years Cosplay Halloween centric Top 5 Wednesday, I’m looking at the wildest, most eye popping cosplays of characters from things you would never expect to see at a con, much less Otakon.  These are my Top 5 Most Unexpected Otakon 2026 Cosplays.

Street Fighter (2026)

Ryu and Ken Masters.  Once inseparable brothers of the fist, now sent on different paths after the death of their Master.  Those paths have reunited them at the Second World Warrior Tournament, hosted by the maniacal M. Bison.  For some, it’s a matter of honor.  For others, it’s a matter of proving who is the strongest.  For Ken and Ryu, it’s about settling old scores and confronting the past that drove them apart.  Together, they answer the call to see who will be crowned the world champion Street Fighter.

Something about the way the new Street Fighter movie was marketed got me right away.  It didn’t look like a generic but goofy 90s action vehicle for Jean Claude Van Damme or a far too serious to be taken seriously Dark Knight wanna be with a terrible Chun Li.  The trailers looked colorful, humorous and unafraid to embrace the craziness of Capcoms’ legendary fighter.  The end product certainly is all of that and when you switch your brain off, it is a great time.  Putting it up against most recent Video Game adaptations though, you can tell Street Fighters heart and energy is in the right place.  It’s just a shame the script is in desperate need of a few rewrites that keep it from a perfect Round 1.

FIF#268-Lord of Mysteries

Suddenly plucked from his world, young Zhou Mingrui finds himself transported into the body of the recently deceased Klien Moretti, who has been resurrected thanks to Zhou’s arrival.  In this world, those who hold power to rival the Gods are called Beyonders.  As Klien, Zhou discovers he might be one of these all powerful beings and is at the center of a race to prevent the return of forces the Beyonders have been struggling to battle against for ages.  To return home, Zhou must unravel of the mystery of Kleins tragic demise and unlock a power greater than either could ever have imagined.

 
Oh boy. Won’t lie, I picked this one a random with zero knowledge of what it was about.  And it’s rare that I say this but I think coming out of the first episode I now know less than I already did…which was nothing.  What looked like a cool, bloody, horror centric action romp proves to be something almost as intimidating and impenetrable as Fate/Stay Night.  That said, Fate/Stay Night at least can explain the rules of its world and how it works in basic terms that allow viewers to jump in and try to keep up.  Can’t say the same about Lord of Mysteries.  The name of it’s game is in the title and it is not a fun mystery at all.
 

T5W#584-Top 5 Hottest Sailor Moon Villainesses

Usagi Tuskino and her fellow Sailor Senshi may be some of the most glamorous Magical Girls in all of Anime but some of the Monsters and major Villains they face off with aren’t slouches either.  For every fang bearing demon from Hell, there’s a gorgeous as all get out deceptress who can more than easily tempt any soul to the dark side.  With Halloween just around the corner, this weeks Top 5 Wednesday is looking at the alluring Witches, Temptresses and Sirens who can haunt our dreams any time of day from the wide world of Sailor Moon.  These are the Top 5 Hottest Sailor Moon Villainesses.

Street Fighter IV: The Ties that Bind

The peace brought about by the fall of Shadaloo quickly disappears when several powerful fighters from around the world begin to vanish without a trace.  Chun Li, Guile and Cammy’s search for answers leads them to an inevitable conclusion: Ryu is the primary target of this series of abductions.  A new evil is rising to take Shadaloo’s place and Ryu’s dark powers are the key to their success.  Once more, Ryu, Ken and their allies step into the ring to test their strength against this threat.  But this is only the beginning.

Street Fighter IV: The Ties that Bind is a special bonus feature that came with Special Editions of the SFIV Video Game at launch and is meant to be an animated prequel to the games main story.  Why these couldn’t have just been integrated into the game as Anime cutscenes, I don’t know.  At the same time though, even though I haven’t played a lot of SFIV, I’m glad these aren’t in the game.  The Ties that Bind is an absolutely boring, tedious and lackluster primer for a game that just lets you get to the nitty, gritty, right away like any proper fighting game should.  Seriously, if you never got a copy of the game with this with it, you’re not missing much.
 

FIF#267-Hades Project Zeorymer

15 years ago, the Tekkoryu created eight giant robots called Hakkeshu, as instruments for their plans of world domination.  On the verge of victory, a traitor destroyed most of the Hakkeshu and stole an unfinished model: Zeorymer of the Heavens.  Now, the Tekkoryu have repaired their mechanized army and are hellbent on revenge and seeing their dreams of conquest fulfilled.  Only Masato Akitsu and Miku Himuro, stand in their way, destined to pilot the Zeorymer together in the ultimate battle for the fate of planet Earth.

 
Zeorymer seems like one of those edgy, late 80s mecha titles that would fit right at home on a Blockbuster Anime shelf with a “Not for Kids” sticker on the front cover.  Heck, the only reason I even discovered it was because I was wandering a local store and found the complete collection in the Anime section and thought “Well I haven’t bought anything new in a while and together it’s only like $20 so why not?”  It looks like a run of the mill Mecha Anime during arguably the genre’s golden age of the late 80s/early 90s, complete with all that excess and extremeness fans love to see in OVAs like this.  So, is the first episode any good? 
 

T5W#583-Top 5 Best Lines from Street Fighter 1994

Well the legends were true on this one: Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li really is one of the worst video game adaptations of all time.  It’s wants people to take it way too seriously, critically miscasts usually (mostly) good actors and worst of all, it isnt fun in the slightest.  Now, the same cant be said for the 1994 Jean Claude Van Damme action classic.  Oh it’s still a terrible movie but it’s one that can truly be classified as “so bad, it’s good”.  Part of the reason for this is the dialogue.  Whether played straight or fully acknowledging the silliness of how it sounds, the 94 movie has so many quotable lines that it helps make up for the lack of faithfulness to the source material or any kind of Street Fighting.  With the new movie about to drop this weekend (the review will be up at the end of the month), today on Top 5 Wednesday, I’m cherry picking my picks for the Top 5 Best Lines from Street Fighter 1994.  How many of them will be M. Bison quotes? Read on to find out.

 

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li

After witnessing the destruction of her family at the hands of the villainous M. Bison, Martial Arts prodigy Chun Li begins a mission of revenge.  It is a journey that will take her into the heart of an international conspiracy, bring her face to face with mystic arts and legends, and see her battle ferocious enemies all looking to claim her head.  At the end of this road is Bison himself.  This is where the Legend begins.

Of all the characters in the Street Fighter pantheon, Chun Li is easily one of the most obvious to build a solo movie around.  This beautiful warrior Goddess has been one of the greatest and most recognizable gaming icons in history, beloved by gamers and non gamers worldwide.  Given her rich history and extensive combat resume, the kinds of crazy adventures and fight scenes you could pull off could be amazing.  But clearly no one was thinking about any of that when it came to Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li.  They just thought, “Hey let’s use Chun Li” and that was it.  I may not be as up on my Street Fighter lore as I am Mortal Kombat but this is not how you should be handling a Chun Li led movie.  In fact it’s not how you should be handling any movie at all…like ever.
 

FIF#266-Street Fighter: The Animated Series

When the evil organization Shadaloo threatens world peace, that’s when they are called upon.  Led by the valiant Col. Guile, they are a hand picked group of the greatest fighters from across the globe.  Different fighting styles, different philosophies, same dedication to protecting the planet from the evil plans of Dictator M. Bison.  When the world is in danger, the world turns to them, the elite fighting peace keeping unit known as Street Fighter.

 
Back in the 90s, the new video game boom from NES to SNES to Sega meant that a new generation of animated series based on popular titles was a must.  Mario, Mega Man, Donkey Kong, there was no shortage of choices…and most of them weren’t great or at the bare minimum were simply shows for kids.  Case in point, today’s FIF on Street Fighter: The Animated Series which came out in the wake of the 94 movie.  You probably know this one from the famous M. Bison meme where he goes “YES!!!” But oh man, there’s so much more badness abound in the first episode alone.  There’s very good reasons why you don’t hear about this one talked about in the Street Fighter community.
 

T5W#582-Top 5 Biggest Takeaways from the Season 3 Premiere of The Apothecary Diaries

Well it is about damn time.  It really has felt like almost a year and a half since we last saw everyones sassy, logical and all around bad ass Apothecary, Maomao.  But the wait is finally over: Season 3 of The Apothecary Diaries has begun.  And it has wasted no time teeing up things for a bigger season that is actually going to be split in half with Part 1 airing this Fall and Part 2 airing in the Spring, with the Apothecary Diaries Movie releasing in between them at Christmas.  In the here and now, the Third Season Premiere has a lot of questions and notable status quo changes, not to mention some lingering after effects from the end of Season Two.  Today on Top 5 Wednesday, we’re gonna get into some of the Season Premeire’s finer details as we look at the Top 5 Biggest Takeaways from the Season 3 Premiere of The Apothecary Diaries.

Street Fighter (1994)

The world is in peril as Dictator M. Bison and his warriors prepare for the ultimate conquest.  Standing in their way is a team of underdog fighters from all corners of the Earth.  Each have their own unique way of fighting and each has been drawn into the war to stop Bison.  Leading them, Elite Special Forces Colonel Guile, who has his own score to settle with Bison.  The stage is set.  The players have been chosen.  The ultimate battle to save the world begins.

In the hallowed halls of Live Action Video Game Adaptations, you have your true legends like the Sonic the Hedgehog Movies and the Mortal Kombat reboot.  Then you have your bottom barrel dregs like Super Mario Bros and any Uwe Boll movie.  Street Fighter lies in a bit of a middle ground.  As an adaptation, it’s flat out terrible.  However, if you’re looking for an unintentionally hilarious action comedy, it might just hit the spot.  Because despite it’s lack of understanding of the source material, woeful misrepresentations of an iconic cast and not very well choreographed action lies a so bad its good gem that somehow overcomes its shortcomings to be a good time if youre ok with turning your brain off.
 

FIF#265-Stellvia

2356 A.D. Almost 200 years have passed since a phenomena from space devastated the Earth, wiping out over 10% of t’s population.  Shima Katase, born in the aftermath, longs to see the stars and sets off for the one place where her dreams can come true: the Foundation Space Station Stellvia.  But she’s arriving at a time when tensions are high as the chance of another interstellar calamity is nigh.  It soon falls to Shima and the next generation of young space fairing pilots to ensure the Earth survives into the future.

 
Stellvia is an interesting and rare case for a First Impression candidate.  I’d heard neither hide nor hair of this one though maybe I’d seen a visual in a magazine back in the day and just never paid any attention to it.  No this one is getting an episode today because a friend of mine used the opening theme in a random post and HOLY CRAP it sounds amazing.  It’s not the first time I’ve taken a chance on a show based on a banger of an opening and we’ll likely be looking at another in the same vein next week.  For right now, does Stellvia set itself up as a show worthy of such masterful vocal work from Angela (the group behind the theme song)?
 

Gundam Anime Corner-Fall 2026 Update

Greetings.  Been a minute since I’ve done one of these but this summer has been a tumultuous slough to get through (and honestly Fall isnt looking to get any easier).  Still, when I have some free time and I’m not gaming or sleeping, I’m chugging away at new ideas and plans for the remainder of 2026 and 2027 for the Anime Corner.  The rest of this year is pretty much locked in save for maybe Halloween but I’ve still got a month to clear that hurdle with anything special.  Speaking of which, here’s what we’ve got coming up for October and November 2026 over at the Gundam Anime Corner.

 

T5W#581-Top 5 Legendary Moments from Akira

It is a legend of Anime, a title without boundaries.  You know it’s name…and you know…what it’s capable of.  Ok, that dramatic reenactment of one of my favorite trailer bits from Rambo 4 not withstanding: AKIRA.  The name, the myth, the legend.  What can be said about it that hasn’t been said thousands of times over in the last 38 years…holy s*** I just realized Akira turns 40 in two years.  It’s the title that is still one of the most synonymous with Anime as a whole: a film that broke boundaries at the right time and shouted to the world that Animation isn’t just a Disney kids game.  And like so many other films in 2026, it got a 4K restoration that had a brief theatrical release.  I didn’t get a chance to see it personally, though I did sneak in a teeny bit after seeing Transformers: The Movie in the neighboring theater, and man did it look as gorgeous as you’d expect cause it’s one of the most incredible looking pieces of Animation in the history of the medium.  So what the hey, for todays Top 5 Wednesday I’m citing the scenes that make this movie stand the test of time and keep us long time Anime fans coming back for more, equally eager to introduce it to a new age of Anime newcomers.  There are the Top 5 Legendary Moments from Akira.

KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World! Part 4 Episodes 10-12

The town of Axel: the hub city for beginning adventurers of all types and classes.  Megumin has fought tooth and nail to get here and start her legendary career…except no one wants her on their party because she only knows one attack.  She’s also happened to arrive at a time when a powerful demon presence has begun to stalk the outskirts of the city, a Demon Megumin and Yunyun might be familiar with.  If Megumin can take this monster down, perhaps she’ll get the recognition she deserves and find the party she longs to join…unaware that some future miscreants just like her are lurking around town trying to start their own party as well. 

The Megumin origin story reaches the conclusion it was always aiming but does it do so in spectacular Crimson Demon fashion?  The short answer is: not really.  While there are a few good moments here and there, most of the Series Finale dances around what we all know is coming but the show doesn’t want to just let happen already.  The result are three episodes that could have been either two or, probably better, one 45 minute wrap up.  Not exactly the most exciting and overly dramatic finish befitting a Crimson Demon prodigy like Megumin.
 

FIF#264-Red River

Yuri Suzuki just confessed her feelings to the love her life when suddenly she is snatched and pulled through time.  Now she’s stranded in Hattsua, the capital of the Hittite Empire in Anatolia, thousands of years in the past, with no way to return home.  Suddenly the target of a maniacal Queen seeking to end an empire through dark, mystical means, Yuri’s only hope for survival lies in the hands of the handsome Prince Kail.  Little does Yuri know, she has a greater destiny waiting for one, one that will impact and change the history of Hattsua forever.

 
Today’s First Impression is a suggestion from a friend while hanging out at Otakon.  Red River may have a simple name but it’s premise is anything but.  Actually this is a pretty unique title that involves time travel rather than usual Isekai tropes and a few other touches to make it stand out.  What I find most curious about Red River from the premiere is its timing.  This doesn’t feel like an Anime thriving in the new age of endless Isekai’s and visual splendor.  Rather it feels like something you would have seen almost 20-25 years ago when the Manga was still ongoing.  Is this all most fascinating than the first episode itself?  Well, yes but Red River’s debut isnt bad by any stretch.
 

T5W#580-Top 5 Worst Resident Evil Movies

Well I’ll be damned.  Despite my continued skepticism, Zack Cregger’s Resident Evil reboot made a splash at the box office this past weekend and scored the highest ratings of any Resident Evil film released to date.  I guess I’ll have to get around to seeing if this movie is worth the praise and money’s it’s netted at some point but clearly, it’s not nearly as bad as some of the many stinkers in the various Resident Evil film series.  Be they canonically animated or live action, the Resident Evil franchise may be the highest grossing Video Game Adapted series on record but they can hardly be called masterworks and even the best can only be passable.  Anyway, a few years back in preparation for my playthrough of Resident Evil 4 Remake, I did a Top 5 on the Best Resident Evil Movies and initially had this ready as a follow up, only for it to fall by the wayside into stand by mode.  Well, stand by mode disengaged as we look at the Top 5 Worst Resident Evil Movies on today’s Top 5 Wednesday.

KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World! Part 3 Episodes 7-9

Megumin’s grand adventure isn’t off to the best start.  Short on money and stuck in Arcanretia, the prodigy of the Crimson Demons finds herself in a tug of war between two warring churches and a diabolical mystery surrounding the towns beloved hot springs.  To make things worse, Arnes is still searching for her supposed Demonic mistress who may or may not be Megumin’s pet cat, Chomusuke…who has also shown up with Yunyun in tow.  But Megumin’s determined to get to Axel and begin her adventures with a party of her choosing and she will get there…no matter what terrible deed or despicable tactic she needs to use to get there.

Schools out and its onto the open road for the penultimate chapter of Megumin’s explosive origin story.  As sort of sad as it is to leave the classroom setting (and the wacky teachers) behind, it’s nice to see Megumin have some actual adventures before her inevitable meet up with Kazuma and the gang.  Said adventures included returning to one of my favorite spots from the original series and a caravan under constant demon attack.  It feels a bit too familiar at times but I’m still enjoying the ride and the change in the status quo.
 

FIF#263-Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia

Young slave Sitara was welcomed into a home of learning, acceptance and love.  But when the Mongolian Empire came, they tore down her home, her family and her future.  Sitara survives and now finds herself serving in the heart of the Empire that took everything from her.  But Sitara isn’t an ordinary girl.  She has a knack for learning and might just be able to study her enemies close enough to be their ultimate downfall.  It will take time but Sitara isnt about to let the lessons imparted to her go to waste.

 
Today’s FIF comes as a recommendation from a friend and I’ll be honest, I’m surprised this one isn’t getting a lot of buzz this season.  This is the first of two Anime that are set in a very not Japan region of the world we’ll be looking at over the next couple of weeks and really, I wish more Anime were taking advantage of that.  Jaadugar not only looks to have a very compelling story to tell but it also shown off in one of the most beautiful artstyles I’ve ever seen, proving that Science Saru is not a studio to ever be underestimated. 
 

T5W#579-Top 5 Reasons Why Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You is the Feel Good Anime of 2026

2026 has not been a slouch when it comes to mega entertaining Anime titles (though maybe not quite as on par with the cultural zeitgeist that was a Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man movie breaking box office records left, right and center).  Jujutsu Kaisen made it’s triumphant return.  Bleach is actually closing in on it’s proper finale.  And the newest iteration of Ghost in the Shell has gotten some of the most positive buzz the franchise has had in a long time.  However, there is one title that is standing out amongst the rest, not for its spectacle or action but for its more down to Earth realism, honesty and, above all, genuine kindness while enjoying a favorite pastime.  I’m talk about Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You.  Somehow a show with a premise so simple (the title mostly covers it) has become one of the most talked about and widely praised of the year.  Heck it’s one of the few I’m personally keeping up with as close to when new episodes air as I can.  So today on Top 5 Wednesday, we’re gonna chill a little bit and talk about the Top 5 Reasons Why Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You is the Feel Good Anime of 2026.

 

KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World! Part 2 Episodes 4-6

As graduation draws near, Megumin and Yunyun find themselves with just enough points to attain their magical dreams.  That could be a problem though with Dark God Monsters stepping up their attacks on their village.  When Komekko and Yunyun find themselves in trouble, Megumin sees the chance to seize her destiny and release the power within: the power of Explosion magic.  Soon the demons of the world (and her village) will feel her fury.  This is where Megumin’s legend truly begins.

The second week of the KonoSuba Megumin Prequel covered a lot of ground this week, a surprising amount actually.  I mean In know this is only supposed to be 12 episodes but wow you’d think things were wrapping up after only 6, which is both a good and not 100% bad thing.  I’m happy we still have time left to spend with Megumin’s origins but I’ve gotta say, seeing everything come together and seeing Megumin take her first major steps towards the maniac mad bomber Kazuma somehow relies on put a huge smile on my face.
 

FIF#262-Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan (The Special)

The assassination of a prominent world leader brings her daughter and heir to Japan, where she’ll unknowingly cross paths with two iconic figures.  One is the greatest thief in the world.  The other is a genius detective trapped in the form of a child.  Normally they’d be at odds with each other but if this Princess is to survive another attempt on her life, can Lupin the Third and Detective Conan put aside their differences long enough to save the day?

 
The Gentlemen Thief and the Teen Detective stuck in the body of a child and refuses to get unstuck for whatever reason.  On paper matching these two up is pretty interesting.  Conan’s a genius investigator and Lupin is the genius thief who’s skill and wit can help him out of any situation. It’s quite the match and thanks to a short snippet I checked out at Otakon a few weeks back, I can say it might just work better than I thought, especially coming from a guy who hasn’t been super big into either of these characters or their franchises.
 

T5W#578-Top 5 Ways King Ghidorah Could Return in Godzilla Minus Zero

Ohhhhhh this just got so good.  In what could very well be the last trailer before the movie drops in November, Godzilla Minus Zero revealed one of its biggest surprises for the much anticipated sequel.  Sure there were some red herring splintered in throughout all the chaos.  But then the screen cut to black and a very familiar creature sound was heard…followed by Godzilla being dropped from the sky to the ground.  That’s right folks: KING GHIDORAH IS BACK!!!!!  Godzilla’s most famous rival returns to challenge for the right to be called King on November 6^th in what will be their first true on screen Japan  showdown since…well I guess either 2001 with GMK or 2004 with Final Wars though technically that was Kaiser Ghidorah (and we’re not counting Legendary’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters cause that’s on the US side).  The question I’m sure is on everyones mind, including my own is, well, how is the Three Headed Monster being folded into this new iteration of Godzilla’s story.  Well in todays Top 5 Wednesday Dear Readers, that’s what we’re gonna chat about.  These are my theories for the Top 5 Ways King Ghidorah Could Return in Godzilla Minus Zero.  Full Disclosure: Some of these will be very farfetched and mostly just excuses to talk about how Ghidorah has been presented in the past.  I put nothing past Takashi Yamazaki, especially if he can integrate it into the narrative as well as anything in Godzilla Minus One.

 

KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World! Part 1 Episodes 1-3

When she was just a small girl, Megumin of the Crimson Demons witnessed a feat of magic so incredible, it’s all she wants to have.  Now, Megumin has come to the Red Prison Magical Academy.  Here she will meet friends who want to be rivals, out of control teachers, and group of classmates who think that Explosion Magic is a joke.  But it’s no joke to Megumin and there’s no one who can stop her from learning the spell that will become her claim to fame.

It’s been a minute since we’ve visited the wacky world of KonoSuba.  While we wait for the announced Season 4 of the home series, this month we’ll be looking at the only (so far) franchise spin off focusing on everyones overdramatic goddess of destruction: Megumin.  Incase you didn’t tell from the synopsis, this is a Megumin origin story centered on how she came to acquire explosion magic and become the megaton delivering maniac she is.  KonoSuba spin offs aren’t a bad idea, especially when you pick the right character to follow in their own adventure.  The question here is: can Megumin handle her own tale without the back up of her fellow adventurers?  That’s what we’re going to find out this month as we begin KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World!
 

FIF#261-Clevatees

The Four Beast Kings: Monsters of unfathomable power, borderline invincible foes.  Alicia Glenfall learned this the hard way when she fell in battle along with other brave souls at the hands of Clevatees.  Alicia did not expect to be resurrected to assist the Demon with an unexpected task: raising a baby named Luna.  Neither know of the childs true destiny and where the path of this experiment in human understanding leads, even Clevatees himself does not know.

 
I’ve never been one for Dark Fantasy.  Between growing up hearing just how nightmare inducing the final of the original Berserk was to how unsettling the first episode of Goblin Slayer surprised everyone, I’m cool with letting others enjoy them, even if they are beloved tales (a la Berserk).  I’m not sure what about Clevatees gravitated me to it but go figure, it might have something to offer thanks to the titular beast himself. 
 

T5W#577-Top 5 Best Peter Cullen Toonami Promos

We’ve sadly lost a lot of popular icons within the span of seemingly days and the losses aren’t getting any easier.  While the loss of Tim Curry and Dolly Parton still feels unreal, for me, the most heart wrenching departure of a famous and beloved human being is still Peter Cullen.  For many of us, he is forever immortalized as the voice of one of the greatest heroes in science fiction: Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots in the Transformers franchise. But for those of us who didn’t grow up with his awesomeness as a voice actor in the 80s, the Toonami age saw Cullen’s vocal talents brought to a whole new generation.  Alongside Steve Blum’s Tom, Cullen provided the hype for virtually every single show on Toonami’s line up in dozens of promos across Toonami’s ongoing lifespan.  It’s just not going to be the same hearing him announce the arrival of a new title or remind us when an awesome show like Bleach or Naruto is coming up next.  Heck, how many Anime did Cullen bring to our attention in the same way he narrarated the epic opening for Voltron?  Well today that’s how I’m going to honor a hero whose loss did as much a number on me as losing Leonard Nimoy.  Today on Top 5 Wednesday, we honor the voice of multiple generations with the Top 5 Best Peter Cullen Toonami Promos.  Rest well in The Matrix old friend, Til all are one. 

 

Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match

Before he was a champion of Earthrealm, Johnny Cage was still trying to make it big in the action movie business.  When his costar on his latest project goes missing, Johnny is on the case, not realizing he’s about to be pulled into a dangerous web of satanic cults, demon warriors and beautiful women.  It’s a fight for the City of Angels itself and now Johnny must step up and become the bad ass he’s always played on screen. This isn’t a movie though.  This is Mortal Kombat.

At last we’ve come to the (at the moment) last entry in the Mortal Kombat Legends series and it’s the one I’ve been looking forward to the least.  This iteration of Johnny Cage has been the weakest aspect of Legends overall for me.  But whether by intention or by popular fan demand, Warner Bros Animation decided to give Johnny his own solo film, a prequel no less.  Now yes, like Snow Blind this is more in line from what I expected from Legends overall and Johnny Cage is a good fit for his own movie…just not this version of him and certainly not this movie itself.
 

FIF#260-Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You

For hapless business worker Sakaki, all he has in life to cheer him up are his smokes and the pretty check out girl, Yamada, at his local Supermarket.  When he arrives one night and Yamada isn’t there, Sakaki despairs.  That is until he is summoned behind the Supermarket Yamada’s beautiful coworker, Tayama, to share a smoke.  Completely unaware of her true identity, Sakaki starts up an unlikely friendship with this blunt but well meaning beauty as they continue to smoke behind the supermarket together.

 
I’m not a smoker but damn if Anime doesn’t somehow make it look cool and appealing, from Spike Spiegel to Revy and the Lagoon Company.  And then this title pops up on my Crunchyroll feed.  I don’t know what it’s about, I mean the title couldn’t be that on the nose, could it?  All I know is there’s a really cute Anime girl having a smoke with a guy and they look pretty chill.  Is that really all this show needs to be successful?  The answer after the first episode is…well…yeah maybe.
 

T5W#576-Top 5 Big Titles Coming Fall 2026

2026 has seen yet another incredibly showing of Anime for the world to enjoy.  From the return of Jujutsu Kaisen and Ghost in the Shell to newcomer champions like Daemons of the Shadow Realm & Marriagetoxin, there’s no shortage of favorites to peruse this year. With Summer 2026 winding down, all eyes look to the new titans of the Fall to take the stage and show us what they’ve got.  Old friends return, new stories begin and new iconic characters make their way to the big screen.  And just what am I looking forward to in the next couple of months?  Let’s find out on todays Top 5 Wednesday as I count down my Top 5 Big Titles Coming Fall 2026.

Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind

In a desolate land where hope is but a memory and the Wastelands are ruled with an iron fist by King Kano and the Black Dragons.  No one dares oppose him, save for one.  Blinded by betrayal, a young warrior named Kenshi must learn to harness new skills and powers under the tutelage of the last of the Lin Kuei, Kai Liang, formerly known as Sub Zero.  Together, they will seek justice and redemption against, braving a storm of brutal battles and impossible truths to restore hope to the future. 

When I first heard about Mortal Kombat Legends and heard the first title was “Scorpion’s Revenge” I naturally believed these animated features would be hyper violent stand alone stories, origin or otherwise, centered on a singular MK character with maybe an appearance or two from others.  Unfortunatley, as good as it was, Scorpions Revenge wasn’t a Scorpion focused tale and Battle of the Realms only had a couple of good character moments and awesome fight scenes to stop it from ending up on the same level as Mortal Kombat: Annihilation.  With the third entry of the Mortal Kombat Legends series I’m finally getting what I was hoping/expecting from these animated films and it’s easily the best of the three so far, even if it does tap into some unexpected corners of the MK universe that, to my knowledge, no ones really a fan of.
 

FIF#259-Daemons of the Shadow Realm

The peaceful life of young villager Yuru is shattered when a special ops unit from another time storms his home and slaughters the inhabitants.  Rescued by unknown forces, Yuru learns the life he’s been living is a lie and this his village is hidden behind a sheild that hides it from the modern day.  Thrust into a new world, Yuru begins a quest to find his long lost sister, Asa, discover the secrets behind his lifelong deception, and learn to master the power of otherworldly beings known as Daemons.

 
Daemons of the Shadow Realm probably didn’t show up to the Anime scene looking to answer a particular question but it did anyway: What if M. Night Shamylan’s The Village was actually good and delivered on that infamous twist ending (and maybe added a pinch of Rahxephon for good measure)?  The answer is one of the best debut episodes of an Anime in recent memory thanks to an explosive opening that raises so many questions, makes you squirm at the carnage and keeps your eyes open to spot which character design from a certain beloved Anime classic you might spot next.
 

T5W#575-Top 5 Thoughts on the Kingdom Hearts IV D23 Updates

Disney’s D23 event took place this past weekend and brought some major announcements and previews for upcoming…well everything from the announcement of the cast for the MCU X-Men movie to the first trailers for Star Wars: Ahsoka Season 2 and Frozen III.  However, I doubt anyone expected Kingdom Hearts IV to get such a substantial amount of attention.  Director Tetsuya Nomura and several key developers and voice actors, including Haley Joel Osment (Sora) and David Gallagher (Riku) took to the stage to drop some new updates for the highly anticipated sequel.  Though my relationship with Kingdom Hearts is kinda strained after KHIII, I’m willing to eventually dive back in and get caught up much like I have with Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth (finally finished the latter btw, what a game).  So on today’s Top 5 Wednesday, I’ll be sharing my Top 5 Thoughts on the Kingdom Hearts IV D23 Updates. 
 
Before we get started though, I’d like to dedicate today’s Top 5 Wednesday to the memory of actress Hayden Panittiere, who sadly passed away last weekend.  Whether you knew her from Heroes, Nashville or Kingdom Hearts’ Kairi, hers is a talent that will be forever missed.  We raise our Keyblade high in her memory.

 

Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms

Furious over Outworld’s loss in Mortal Kombat, Emperor Shao Kahn declares war on Earthrealm.  The only way to stop the invasion will see Liu Kang and his allies travel to Outworld itself for a new Mortal Kombat.  Here, they face enemies far more dangerous and bloodthirsty than before in a land soaked in death and chaos.  Should they fail, Earthrealm will fall and Shao Kahn will be unstoppable.  Once again, the fate of all existence shall be decided as it always has been…in MORTAL KOMBAT!!!!

When any movie project becomes a hit, it can be easy to jump the gun on the sequel and include everything and anything it wants because it feels it can do no wrong.  That’s how we ended up with Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and, ironically, that’s the same feeling I get with Battle of the Realms.  As a direct sequel to the pretty awesome Scorpion’s Revenge, Realms decides to ratchet up everything from characters to plots to scope to violence to just about everything.  The end result is an absolute mess of a feature that, unlike Annihilation, isn’t without its strong points.  But woof, this is when you think fan service and overabundance will save the day and it does not here.
 

FIF#258-Yoroi-Shinden Samurai Troopers

It’s been decades since five young warriors dawned magical Samurai Armor and stopped a demonic invasion of the Human World.  Now Tokyo waits with baited breath, training new generations of Samurai Troopers for the day when the evil would return, and this time, they’d be ready.  But they aren’t ready enough.  When demons begin pouring into the streets and the chosen team fails horribly, the true successors to the Samurai Armor must unite and stand on the frontlines of a new war against insurmountable odds just like the warriors of old.

 
When I heard that there was a new Ronin Warriors series on the way late last year, I was hesitant but still a bit excited.  The original series still stands as one of the seminal titles that got me into Anime.  Hell I still remember watching it in a rare syndication run years before the show arrives on Toonami in the late 90s/early 2000s.  So what was the new project going to be I wonder: a remake with new animation?  Given the new lease on life classic titles have gotten like Rurouni Kenshin, that’d be cool.  Oh wait…it’s a sequel?  Well that could be…oh wait…no.  After the first episode I have some serious doubts about this one, very serious doubts.
 

T5W#574-Top 5 Times Motoko’s Gone Full Beast Mode in Ghost in the Shell

Major Motoko Kusinagi.  She is a pinnacle of the entire Cyberpunk subgenre of science fiction and one of the most iconic heroines in all of Anime.  How could you not love her?  She’s the total package: drop dead gorgeous, a dedicated military woman, second to none hacker and an expert on all things guns and martial arts.  While we’re getting a new, more playful side to the legendary Major in The Ghost in the Shell, when pushed too far in any series, Motoko wont just throw down, she will wreck you so badly you’ll need a new body as a result.  Today on Top 5 Wednesday we look at those hella intense moments aka the Top 5 Times Motoko’s Gone Full Beast Mode in Ghost in the Shell.

 

Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge

When honored warrior Hanzo Hasashi dies, unable to save his family, his soul is sent to Netherworld, where a demon of vengeance is born.  Under the guidance of the sorcerer Quan Chi, Hanzo is offered a chance at revenge against the man who killed his family by participating in a fighting tournament with the fate of multiple worlds hanging in the balance.  Some have come to defend their worlds.  Other for glory or greed.  One has come to burn his enemies to the ground no matter who gets in his way.  Hanzo Hasashi is dead.  Scorpion is coming.

You know, given how tough it’s been for Hollywood to crack a live action adaptation of Mortal Kombat until recently, the animation route seems like a bit of a no brainer.  Through the medium you can get away with a lot more than a forced PG13 or even an R rating can afford and deliver the most authentic Mortal Kombat experience.  The Mortal Kombat Legends series seeks to prove that very point beginning with Scorpion’s Revenge and…I’ll just get this out of the way, that’s the wrong title for this movie.  If you’ve come expecting a film centered on one of MK’s most iconic poster characters, you might be a little disappointed on that front.  However, if you’re here for what happens to be a pretty decent adaptation of an actual Mortal Kombat game, you’ll be plenty entertained and even impressed.
 

The Transformers: The Movie

It is the Year 2005.  The war between the Autobots and Decepticons enters a new era when a planet devouring monstrosity known as Unicron begins inching its way towards Cybertron.  With one of the most devastating battles in history claiming many of the Autobots greatest heroes, a new team must rise to face this threat unlike any other.  It’s a race against time across an entire galaxy filled with enemies old and new as the final battle between Autobots and Decepticons approaches.

I was born at the tail end of the 80s, so when it comes to The Transformers, my first introduction to them came from the reskinned Transformers: Generation 2 toyline and the re-airing of the TV Series under that title (no knowing it was just Generation 1 all over again with new transitions).  So Transformers: The Movie ended up being my first pure exposure to classic Transformers and when it comes to films featuring the Robots in Disgiuse in general, it might very well be the best of the bunch, even if it doesn’t work on every level and downright tries its hardest to destroy the hearts of hardcore Transformers fans.  Yes, I still think it’s a fun movie regardless.  Why is that?
 

FIF#257-Marriagetoxin

Hikaru Gero is the best assassin of the Poison Clan.  When he learns his sister may be forced to give up her love life to sire an heir to the clan, Gero selflessly offers to take her place.  Now all he has to do is find the perfect partner to marry and for a guy who is good at killing but is bad at small talk, that might be a problem.  Thankfully, Gero just spared an intended target named Mei Kinosaki, who just so happens to be an expert cross dressing Marriage Swindler.  Under Mei’s tutelage, Gero undertakes a mission more dangerous and difficult than any target he’s ever faced…the world of dating. 

 
This is one of those times where I was looking for First Impression suggestions and this just so happened to be the first thing that popped up on Crunchyroll.  With a title that nifty and a visual card of the two cool and cute looking leads, something like Marriagetoxin is bound to attract some curiosity: case in point my own.  And, as it just so happens, the show has a unique and funny enough premise it could possibly make a name for itself, maybe even be the big Shonen to watch out for in 2026. 
 

FIF#256-The Ghost in the Shell

In a future where the line between humanity and cybernetics is become more blurred with each passing day, a new kind of terror is born.  Those with the ability to enter any facility, hack any network, corrupt any individual with one keyboard stroke.  That’s where they come in.  They’re Public Security Section 9, a rag tag group of mercenaries and hackers led by the beautiful Major Motoko Kusinagi.  Their methods and attitude may be unorthodox and borderline crazy.  But for this new breed of cybercriminal menacing the net, they’re the right vaccine for the job.

 
Whenever a new Ghost in the Shell project is greenlit, it’s got my immediate attention.  But nothing, maybe save for the first trailer for the Live Action Film, got me more excited than the announcement in 2024 that not only was a new GitS on the way, it would be a direct adaptation of the original Manga by Shirow Masamune.  That comes with it’s own share of challenges, mostly because the Manga has a much more laid back attitude to Section 9’s adventures and a very lazy but loveable version of Motoko Kusinagi.  Would fans who’ve never read the Manga and know GitS mainly through the far more serious Animes of the past be up for it?  As a Manga reader, I was hyped and I knew that once First Impression Fridays started back up, it had to kick off the new season.  So...how is it?
 

T5W#573-Top 5 Otakon 2026 Moments

I’ve been noticing a pattern with the Cons I go to over the last few years.  There’s an old notion among the Star Trek community that, for a long time anyway, the even number movies were the best ones (Star Trek II, IV, VI, First Contact), and the odd ones were either “Meh” or just plain bad (Star Trek III, V, Generations, Insurrection).  I bring this up cause I feel like the odd number Otakon years have been amazing while the even years are either “Ok”, “Not as good as the previous year” or sometimes straight up bad.  Otakon 2026 falls into the middle of that bunch.  I had a great time overall and was happy to be there.  It just didn’t quite hit the same heights as 2025 and there was some hotel drama that’s probably circling the message boards too.  Me personally, this one maybe isnt in my Top 5 Best Otakons ever HOWEVER there were some of the best moments from any Otakon I’ve ever been to that came from it.  Alright enough yakking.  Time for Top 5 Wednesdays annual Otakon After Action with my Top 5 Otakon 2026 Moments.

 

T5W#572-Top 5 Biggest Story Changes in The Rose of Versailles 2025 (SPOILERS, DUH)

It may not be as perfect as the late 70’s masterpiece but the 2025 musical version of The Rose of Versailles is still a pretty darn good adaptation.  While I was expecting a lot of truncated storytelling and important plot points to be omitted, there was one thing I never expected the movie to do at all: add or change key events from the TV Series that actually strengthen and I dare say better the central journeys of both Marie Antoinette and Oscar (more so Oscar actually).  And these changes rank as some of the best moments of the film as a whole, more than the fun musical numbers and gorgeous animation.  Well now that the movie has been reviewed, todays Top 5 Wednesday is a bit of a bonus look at what was added to make The Rose of Versailles better than before (still not a perfect 10 but if these had all been inserted into the TV Series, that 10 would be assured).  Anyway, these are the Top 5 Biggest Story Changes in The Rose of Versailles 2025. 

 
Kind of goes without saying but SPOILERS…duh

The Rose of Versailles (2025)

Oscar Francois de Jarjayes, born a woman but raised as a man and soldier.  Marie Antoinette, born a noblewoman but destined to rule a nation.  As France inches towards a bloody revolution, the friendship between these two will face awaken personal challenges that will forever alter their fates.  Love, honor, duty and the wish to be free of them all will drive these women to opposite ends of a conflict that will change the course of a nations history forever.

Considering the time period where it takes place and the overall focus on romance in wartime, The Rose of Versailles lends itself quite well to being turned into a musical.  After all, there have been more than a few musical iterations going as far back as the 70s and there’s an OVA compilation of the original series that came out in 1987.  I guess with the sudden resurgence of classic Anime titles like Rurouni Kenshin and Ranma ½, it was only a matter of time before someone thought to resurrect The Rose of Versailles for a new age and this time combine the Animated Film and Musical avenues together.  The end result is a film that is just as much a music laden compilation film as much as it surprisingly improves on and enhances a lot from the TV Series.  It’s a mixed bag but in an overall good or bad way?
 

The Rose of Versailles Part 8 Episodes 36-40

The day Oscar has feared has come: a full on Revolution has erupted in the streets of Paris.  As ordinary citizens and military clash for the future of a nation, Oscar must decide what side she is on while also confronting her feelings for Andre.  On the eve of the Storming of the Bastille, Oscar and Andre take their rightful pages in the history.  What will be their fate and that of the monarchy locked in the sights of the people they have neglected for so long?  The French Revolution has begun but what comes after might arguably be worse than anyone ever dreamed.

Took em long enough eh?  After almost 38 episodes of build up, The French Revolution finally arrived in the Series Finale of The Rose of Versailles.  This was the ending promised from the get go and true to any historical account of the event and its aftermath, none of it was pretty.  Heroes rose and fell.  Enemies were punished and slain.  And the age of Versailles came to a cataclysmic yet inevitable end.  But how was this blood soaked finale for The Rose of Versailles as a whole?  Overall, mostly solid though even it’s finest moments did highlight some curious storytelling missteps in the back half of the series.
 

Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender

Aang, the Avatar, did the impossible and ended a century long conflict, bringing peace back to the world.  But scars still linger, most of all Aang’s own position as the worlds Last Airbender.  That is until the search for a powerful artifact reawakens a long buried Airbender named Tagah.  What should be a glorious reunion turns dangerous when two very different visions of Airbender legacy collide, threatening to burn the world Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph and Zuko fought long and hard to create.  Once more, maybe more than ever, the fate of the world and the potential resurrection of the Airbenders rests in the hands of Avatar Aang.

Special Note: Ever since I started doing them in 2015, Extended Summer Series Reviews have always had one unspoken rule about them: when they start, they run uninterrupted til they (and whatever bonus movie might come with them) are done.  Eleven years later, I’m breaking that rule for this special occasion.  Today, July 25^th, marks what would have been my Dads 75^th Birthday.  And one of the shows he loved dearly and helped me get into was Avatar: The Last Airbender.  So when I heard that the long awaited Avatar Movie wasn’t just getting released but was being released on his birthday of all times?  Well some rules are meant to be broken here and then right?  So yeah, we’re briefly interrupting my Extended Summer Series Review of The Rose of Versailles to take a look at a movie I think Dad would have loved as much as he loved the show.  Anyway, onto the review and…Happy Birthday Dad.
 
What can really be said about Avatar: The Last Airbender that hasn’t been said already other than it’s basically perfect?  I guess one thing you could always say, or rather ask, is: when are we getting a sequel?  And I’m not talking about something like The Legend of Korra or the forthcoming Seven Havens.  I mean when are we getting a brand new Avatar adventure with the OG Team Avatar?  Well folks, that day has finally come.  Somehow, despite a very public near termination by Paramount itself, Aang and the team are back in an adventure a long time coming for both viewers and for Aang himself.  And it’s a good thing too because if you love the series, this is one feature film continuation that takes the entire Avatar experience to the next level in mostly good ways but not without a few Toph placed stumble blocks. 
 

The Rose of Versailles Part 7 Episodes 31-35

For the first time in centuries, the Etats-Generaux has been called: a meeting of the three ruling bodies of France.  But what should be a chance to better the lives of all living in Paris becomes a power keg ready to explode as Nobles and Rebels alike threaten to damage the conference for their own nefarious ends.  Oscar and Company B find themselves in an impossible situation.  Will they obey orders to put down any resistance by any means necessary?  Or will Oscar be forced to take a stand against the very Nobility she has served without hesitation?

After Monday’s…questionable storytelling choices, The Rose of Versailles re-righted itself by doing what it arguably does best: turning up the heat with its depiction of historical drama.  And yes, even Oscar and Andre found ways back to their more familiar selves, settling into new roles and even making some interesting discoveries themselves (nothing we didn’t already know on Andre’s end though).  Honestly, it’s just good to get away from all the romantic drama and back to the steady escalation towards the French Revolution.  Which does make me wonder: how much of the show is going to cover that event?  That’s a mini discussion/rant I can get into later.  For now, only the start of the final 10 episodes.
 

T5W#571-Top 5 Anime Series That Failed to Live Up to the Hype

The first official (full) trailer for Avengers: Doomsday dropped this week to much fanfare.  For me though, it didn’t have nearly the same impact on me as the teaser trailer for Avengers: Infinity War back in the day.  While I do still love the MCU, it’s hard to deny it’s in a rough place right now and it’s attempt to build hype with a mega fanservice cast could backfire on it (especially with its commitment to it’s December release date going toe to toe with Dune: Part 3 but that’s a chat for another time).  Idk, it makes me think of Anime series that had similar aspirations of greatness with a lot of anticipation heading into their premieres, only to see them crash hard and either become so bad theyre good or just plain bad.  On todays Top 5 Wednesday, I’m looking at five such titles with the Top 5 Anime Series That Failed to Live Up to the Hype