I want to like Guayota, but it won’t let me. From never knowing when to stop the exposition to tossing me to an entirely different area when I’ve spent minutes working on a puzzle, Guayota actively does what it can to prevent me from having a good time.

Presentation

The game starts well, with a charming art style and a soft-spoken narrator. There’s an air of mystery that sets up the adventure quite well at first. Sadly, the game goes from mysterious and evocative to boring really fast.

The narrator won’t stop talking, and by the time I get to the Island, it’s hard to remember everything that was said or why it even matters. Without any emotional connection with anything that is going on, it becomes hard to care about the plot.

When you finally get to control the main character, the first NPC greets you with walls of text. By that point, I was starting to wonder if I’d ever get to play the game.

What makes this all the more disappointing is the game’s intriguing backdrop, rooted in the mythology of the Canary Islands. Guayota introduces players to the rich lore of the Guanche people, which is a refreshing break from the more common mythologies explored in games.

Unfortunately, this cultural depth is overshadowed by the game’s excessive exposition, making it hard to appreciate the unique setting.

The sad part is that the voice acting is not bad. In fact, the art of the game is great. The animation and cutscenes are charming, and the beach itself looks great and invites exploration, but they lose all their charm rather quickly considering how they overstay their welcome at the beginning of the game.

Exploring the beach teleports you to a frozen mountain, making me feel like I skipped a section of the game. From there, you’ll get into ancient buildings where the puzzles are located, and all the colors seem to be sucked out of the screen.

This sudden shift in the environment—from a vibrant beach or jungle to a bleak, color-drained temple—mirrors the game’s tonal inconsistency. While the visual contrast is likely intentional, it often feels more jarring than atmospheric.

The darker environments, though fitting for the game’s themes, can also make navigation frustrating and significantly detract from the vibrant visuals of the island. It doesn’t take long for dark corridors and stone walls to feel old.

The Game

When it comes to gameplay, Guayota is a puzzle game that mixes problem-solving based on position and pure logic with precision-based challenges that don’t seem to match very well. The puzzles can be fun, and I was enjoying myself at first, but they did start feeling repetitive after a while.

More often than not, I’m confused by what Guayota wants me to experience. The game introduces me to a dash command that is used to go through static walls. The dash mechanic feels out of place, with no urgency or precision required, making it just one example of the game’s many issues.

To make things worse, the game’s dual-realm system transports you to a completely different challenge. Failing in the light world forces you into the dark world to complete a different version of the puzzle.

While this concept could add depth, it often feels disjointed, interrupting the flow and making progress feel more like a chore than a challenge. Instead of enhancing the puzzle-solving experience, this mechanic frequently disrupts it, leading to frustration rather than satisfaction.

As mentioned previously, this is the main theme of my experience with Guayota. I always felt like the game consistently got in the way of the fun, whether through excessive exposition or disruptive mechanics.

This is particularly disappointing because there were moments when I genuinely enjoyed solving puzzles and exploring. Unfortunately, the puzzles and the scenery started feeling repetitive, and every time I got caught enough times by a trap while trying to figure out a puzzle, the game would prevent me from trying again by tossing me into the dark world.

The Verdict

Guayota has all the elements of a great puzzle adventure—a unique mythological setting, charming visuals, and a variety of brain teasers—but it squanders much of its potential through frustrating mechanics and poor pacing. The game frequently interrupts your progress with unnecessary exposition and disjointed transitions, making it difficult to stay engaged.

While there were moments I genuinely enjoyed solving Guayota’s puzzles, these are often overshadowed by design choices that end up hindering fun instead fostering it. Ultimately, Guayota leaves you feeling more frustrated than fulfilled, despite its intriguing premise and occasional flashes of brilliance.

After a decade of serialization and a sucessful ongoing anime, My Hero Academia officially came to a close. Kohei Horikoshi’s legacy has been cemented with the conclusion of the series, with the mangaka’s colleagues and fans singing his praises from the moment the final chapter dropped on Augest 5, 2024.

Horikoshi has taken notice, of course, to the compliments being thrown his way, and has responded by speaking out to his supporters.

After the series originally ended, Horikoshi delivered a brief message as his final author’s note in Weekly Shonen Jump, which read:

“I was so glad to be in Jump! I’m so glad for everyone who read my series. Thank you so much!”

Kohei Horikoshi

The author recently came back on his X (formerly Twitter) to deliver another new message, telling fans:

The manga My Hero Academia has concluded in this week’s issue of Jump! I’ve been exhausted for a long time, but I managed to make it to the end! Thank you to everyone who read it!!!!!!

I will never forget the joy and weight of being able to battle with so many interesting manga in the coveted Jump. And above all, the fact Deku was entrusted by Luffy’s side, even if only for a short time, even if it was just luck!

I’m still drawing Deku and the others for the comics, the anime is still airing, the movie is in theaters, the games are still ongoing, the spin-off manga is still being serialized, there are events, and so many other people are keeping My Hero Academia going, so it doesn’t feel like it’s over at all.

Please continue to support My Hero Academia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Plus Ultra

While it’s still a bittersweet feeling to see the series go, it is an absolute delight to see how much love is being sent Horikoshi’s way to celebrate its big finale.

Despite initial delays, Patch 7 for Baldur’s Gate 3 is right around the corner, and for players that enjoy veering on the dark side and working alongside the Absolute, Larian has provided a number of brand-new evil endings.

Larian Studios recently posted on their X (formerly Twitter) account for Baldur’s Gate 3 a sneak peak at one of the new evil endings that will be available once Patch 7 finally drops.

The New Ending Tricks Baldurian Citizens Into Living In Total Bliss

While details are still sparse regarding how these evil endings will be triggered by players, the clip Larian chose to tease chose what looks like a crowd of Baldurian citizens being controlled by the same aberrant mind powers that Mind Flayers & the tadpoles possess to fill their heads with lofty daydreams about their day-to-day.

While the closed beta for Patch 7 was initially delayed due to some internal coding issues, it looks like the release of the massive patch is back on track for an early Fall 2024 release date.

With the successful release of Deadpool & Wolverine, fans of the infamous anti-hero may be wanting to find more adventures featuring Wayne, and Sanshiro Kasama, the mangaka behind Deadpool Samurai, is here to deliver.

Though relatively underrated, Deadpool Samurai is a spin on the Merc with a Mouth by taking him on various adventures, some of which feature icons of Shonen Jump manga, like All Might from My Hero Academia. While it seemed as though the manga was over, Deadpool made an unexpected appearance in a brand-new Jump Plus manga.

The Merc With a Mouth’s Return To Manga

Initially announced as a project completely unrelated to the popular Marvel character, Viz Media announced that Sanshiro Kasama would be launching a new series on their online service titled Secret Steward, a relatively standard rom-com following a girl and her butler. When the series finally launched, though, it majorly deviated from what potential fans might have expected.

At the end of Secret Steward‘s debut chapter, the main character is struck by a giant truck in classic isekai intro style, instantly killing him. The driver who committed this heinous and gorey act is no stranger, though, with Deadpool proudly sitting behind the wheel, announcing the return of Deadpool Samurai to the manga reading service.

While unexpected, the twist was insanely clever – and was even partially set up, with Secret Steward‘s description being “Love hits you when you least expect it!” This type of return is rare, too, with many manga series returning without playing any sort of tricks on their readers. Regardless, it was the most Deadpool approach possible, and gave the anti-hero the opportunity to garner some new fans, too – if they weren’t too put off by the gore.

Creating a Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the most intimidating things for beginners that aren’t familiar with Dungeons & Dragons because there are so many Domains and Deities to choose from. While Domains are more important – since they act as your subclass – your chosen Deity is still essential for roleplaying purposes and interactions with other companions and NPCs throughout the game.

All Baldur’s Gate 3 Cleric Domains, Explained

There are 7 Domains to choose from in Baldur’s Gate 3. Each comes with its own list of spells and abilities that will be awarded as you level up. For starters, the BG3 Tempest Cleric Domain is a fan favorite.

• Life Domain
• Light Domain
• Trickery Domain
• Knowledge Domain
• Nature Domain
• Tempest Domain
• War Domain

While some Domains are commonly associated with certain Deities (the Life Domain is usually associated with good Deities, for example) you can mix and match as you please.

Best Cleric Domain in Baldur’s Gate 3

If you ask me, the best Domain to choose for your Cleric is either the Life Domain or the War Domain. The former is the stereotypical choice for a Cleric, but with good reason, since it allows players to heal and buff allies on the field. Conversely, the latter is excellent for Clerics who don’t want to be shoehorned into a support role. The Tempest Domain also works for this purpose if you prefer lightning magic instead of traditional swordplay.

Life Domain

The Life Domain is associated with many good Deities. It focuses on protective and restorative spells, making it perfect for a support-oriented Cleric. In addition to Heavy Armor Proficiency, this Domain starts with Disciple of Life, which permanently buffs all healing spells by 2 HP.

Here’s what you’ll learn as you level up if you choose this Domain.

• Level 1 – Domain Spells (Bless, Cure Wounds)
• Level 1 – Disciple of Life (Subclass Feature)
• Level 1 – Heavy Armour Proficiency (Subclass Feature)
• Level 2 – Preserve Life (Action)
• Level 3 – Domain Spells (Lesser Restoration, Aid)
• Level 5 – Domain Spells (Revivify, Beacon of Hope)
• Level 6 – Blessed Healer (Subclass Feature)
• Level 7 – Domain Spells (Death Ward, Guardian of Faith)
• Level 8 – Divine Strike: Life (Action)
• Level 9 – Domain Spells (Mass Cure Wounds, Greater Restoration)

Related: Karmic Dice May Be Messing Up Your Baldur’s Gate 3 Rolls

Light Domain

According to the official in-game description, the Light Domain is centered around Deities of justice, majesty, and primordial flame. This Domain utilizes spells that can dispel darkness and are effective against undead creatures, which makes sense given the name. Warding Flare, this Domain’s unique spell, lets you force a Disadvantage on attackers.

Here’s what progression looks like for a Light Domain Cleric.

• Level 1 – Domain Spells (Faerie Fire, Burning Hands)
• Level 1 – Warding Flare (Subclass Feature)
• Level 1 – Light (Subclass Feature, Cantrip)
• Level 2 – Radiance of the Dawn (Action)
• Level 3 – Domain Spells (Flaming Sphere, Scorching Ray)
• Level 5 – Domain Spells (Daylight, Fireball)
• Level 6 – Improved Warding Flare (Subclass Feature)
• Level 7 – Domain Spells (Wall of Fire, Guardian of Faith)
• Level 8 – Potent Spellcasting (Subclass Feature)
• Level 9 – Domain Spells (Flame Strike, Destructive Wave)

Trickery Domain

The Trickery Domain is home to mischievous and chaotic Deities, perfect for Clerics who really wish they could play a Rogue or Bard. Their unique action is Blessing of the Trickster, which gives an Advantage on Stealth checks. Plus, they start out with Disguise Self and Charm Person too.

Here’s what you’ll learn as you level up as a Trickery Domain Cleric.

• Level 1 – Domain Spells (Disguise Self, Charm Person)
• Level 1 – Blessing of the Trickster (Action)
• Level 2 – Invoke Duplicity (Action)
• Level 3 – Domain Spells (Mirror Image, Pass Without Trace)
• Level 5 – Domain Spells (Bestow Curse, Fear)
• Level 7 – Domain Spells (Polymorph, Dimension Door)
• Level 8 – Divine Strike: Poison (Action)
• Level 9 – Domain Spells (Dominate Person, Seeming)

Knowledge Domain

The Knowledge Domain is the nerdiest of them all, designed for Clerics who wish to be proficient in language and academic skills. Blessings of Knowledge is its unique feature, letting you learn two additional languages at the start of the game. Plus, you can choose to be proficient in two of the following: Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion. Your proficiency bonus will be doubled to +4 for any skill checks that use your chosen two!

Here’s what progression looks like for the Knowledge Domain.

• Level 1 – Domain Spells (Command, Sleep)
• Level 2 – Knowledge of the Ages (Action)
• Level 3 – Domain Spells (Calm Emotions, Hold Person)
• Level 5 – Domain Spells (Speak with Dead, Slow)
• Level 7 – Domain Spells (Confusion, Otiluke’s Resilient Sphere)
• Level 8 – Potent Spellcasting (Subclass Feature)
• Level 9 – Domain Spells (Dominate Person, Telekinesis)

Nature Domain

The Nature Domain is self-explanatory, letting you channel your inner Druid to focus on the great outdoors. Nature Domain Clerics are proficient with Heavy Armor, just like Life Domain Clerics, and their unique feature — Acolyte of Nature — lets them learn any Druid cantrip of their choosing and gain proficiency in Animal Handling, Nature, or Survival.

Here’s what the progression path looks like for a Nature Domain Cleric.

• Level 1 – Domain Spells (Speak with Animals, Animal Friendship)
• Level 1 – Acolyte of Nature (Subclass Feature)
• Level 1 – Shillelagh (Cantrip)
• Level 2 – Charm Animals and Plants (Action)
• Level 3 – Domain Spells (Spike Growth, Barkskin)
• Level 5 – Domain Spells (Plant Growth, Sleet Storm)
• Level 7 – Domain Spells (Dominate Beast, Grasping Vine)
• Level 8 – Divine Strike: Elemental Fury (Action)
• Level 9 – Domain Spells (Insect Plague, Wall of Stone)

Related: Here’s an Easy Way to Clear Up Inventory Space in Baldur’s Gate 3

Tempest Domain

The BG3 Tempest Cleric Domain is centered around lightning, thunder, and storms. It’s mainly an offensive Domain that provides proficiency with Martial Weapons and Heavy Armor, so it’s perfect for Clerics who want to be on the front lines and deal massive damage. Its unique feature is Wrath of the Storm, a spell that strikes a foe and deals 2-16 Lightning damage (or half of that on a failed Saving Throw). I found the Wrath of the Storm feature to help me the most in the game’s brutal battles, so I highly recommend it.

Here are all the spells that a Tempest Domain Cleric learns as they level up.

• Level 1 – Domain Spells (Thunderwave, Fog Cloud)
• Level 1 – Heavy Armour Proficiency (Subclass Feature)
• Level 1 – Martial Weapon Proficiency (Subclass Feature)
• Level 1 – Wrath of the Storm (Subclass Feature)
• Level 2 – Destructive Wrath (Subclass Feature)
• Level 3 – Domain Spells (Shatter, Gust of Wind)
• Level 5 – Domain Spells (Call Lightning, Sleet Storm)
• Level 6 – Thunderous Strike (Subclass Feature)
• Level 7 – Domain Spells (Ice Storm, Freedom of Movement)
• Level 8 – Divine Strike: Tempest (Action)
• Level 9 – Domain Spells (Insect Plague, Destructive Wave)

Related: Which Paladin Oath Should You Choose in Baldur’s Gate 3?

War Domain

Last but certainly not least, the War Domain is designed for Clerics who want to smite evildoers with holy powers. Choosing this Domain will make you proficient with Heavy Armor and Martial Weapons and grant you the War Priest ability, which grants you War Priest charges that can be spent to make additional attacks during your turn.

Here’s what progression looks like for the War Domain.

• Level 1 – Domain Spells (Divine Favour, Shield of Faith)
• Level 1 – Heavy Armour Proficiency (Subclass Feature)
• Level 1 – Martial Weapon Proficiency (Subclass Feature)
• Level 1 – War Priest (Subclass Feature)
• Level 2 – Guided Strike (Action)
• Level 3 – Domain Spells (Magic Weapon, Spiritual Weapon)
• Level 5 – Domain Spells (Spirit Guardians, Crusader’s Mantle)
• Level 6 – War God’s Blessing (Subclass Feature)
• Level 7 – Domain Spells (Stoneskin, Freedom of Movement)
• Level 8 – Divine Strike: Warmaster (Action)
• Level 9 – Domain Spells (Flame Strike, Hold Monster)

What Does a Cleric Deity Do in Baldur’s Gate 3?

There are a whopping 21 Deities to choose from when creating a Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3. This choice doesn’t affect anything related to gameplay or combat but will affect your relationship with certain NPCs and your available dialogue options in specific scenarios. This is purely a roleplaying decision, so try to choose the one that sounds the coolest to you. My personal favorite is the BG3 Tempus Cleric Deity.

Related: Avoid Baldur’s Gate 3’s Frustrating Traps System Using This Simple Command

Here’s a list of all 21 Baldur’s Gate 3 Deities with a brief summary of each.

• Selune: Goddess of the Moon, Stars, and Navigation
• Bahamut: Dragon God of Justice
• Tempus: Lord of Battles
• Tyr: Blind God of Law and Justice
• Helm: The Watcher, Eternal Sentry Among the Gods
• Ilmater: Crying God of the Oppressed and Persecuted
• Mystra: Mother of All Magic
• Oghma: God of Inspiration and Invention
• Kelemvor: Guides the Undead to the Afterlife
• Moradin: Dwarven God of Smiths, Artisans, and Miners
• Corellon Larethian: Creator of Elves and Overseer of Elven Pantheon, God of Art, Magic, and Nature
• Garl Glittergold: King of the Gnomish Gods, Deity of Humor, Gem-Cutting, Protection, and Trickery
• Yondalla: Mother of the Halfling Pantheon, Goddess of Home, Hearth, and Nature
• Lolth: Matriarch of the Drow Pantheon, Goddess of Spiders and the Underdark, seeks to corrupt all Drow and turn them into cultists.
• Gruumsh: Patron Deity of Orcs, God of War, Conquest, and Victory
• Tiamat: Dragon God of Greed
• Eilistraee: Goddess of Good Drow, Beauty, Song, and Freedom
• Lathander: God of Dawn and Spring, Birth and New Beginnings
• Talos: Uncaring and Destructive Force of Nature
• Tymora: Goddess of Fortune and Gambling
• Mielikki: Goddess of Forests

While most of these Deities can be chosen without affecting your character that much, be wary of selecting Deities like Lolth, who are reviled throughout Faerun. Lolth, for example, wishes to turn every Drow into a mindless servant. In addition, Tiamat is described as a “roiling mass of avarice and hate that is currently trapped within the Nine Hells.”

Openly worshiping some of these Deities might make some NPCs think less of you. However, nobody’s really going to care if you serve Garl Glittergold on the other hand. If you want to deepen your relationship with everyone’s favorite Wizard, Gale, you should choose Mystra to unlock some unique dialogue options with him at camp. Meanwhile, if you want NPCs to associate you with war and battles, select the BG3 Tempus Cleric Deity.

Speaking of deepening your relationship with Gale, check out our Gale romance guide for BG3.

Which Cleric Deity is Best in Baldur’s Gate 3?

As mentioned, choosing a Cleric Deity isn’t the most crucial decision in Baldur’s Gate 3, as they only change dialogue options. That said, it is recommended to pick one that can deepen a relationship with a party member or one that aligns well with the Clerics role.

For example, as stated in the last section, choosing Mystra, described as “Mother of all Magic,” will deepen your relationship with the Wizard Gale. Another great pick is Bahamut, described as the “Dragon God of Justice,” who is well regarded and looked at for their healing capabilities, which aligns well with the Cleric class.

Do Deities Matter in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Deities only matter if you care about the story of Baldur’s Gate 3. In other words, it depends on what you are trying to get out of the game. For example, deities don’t change how combat turns out or the game’s overall difficulty, but they do change the roleplaying nature of the game. You will get different dialogue options depending on the Deity you choose, so it’s smart to choose wisely if dialogue options are an important factor to you.

Considering Baldur’s Gate 3 is at its absolute best when role-playing and discovering the lore the game includes, I recommend you pick the Deity that sounds the coolest to you. You will find that BG3 can get incredibly in-depth regarding relationships with other characters, and each Deity can significantly impact how things pan out. 

If you are unsure which one to choose, you can save before selecting the Deity and then load the game later if you get bored of your current pick. For example, I first selected the Bahamut Deity and didn’t like it, so I reloaded the save game and went with BG3 Tempest Deity instead, which was more my speed.

Which is the Best Race for a Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3?

The best race to choose for the Cleric class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the Duegar. The Duegar is the best for a couple of reasons: they get a boost in proficiency with bludgeoning weapons and gain an advantage against being paralyzed or charmed. These two status effects can turn the tide in combat, so having a Duegar cleric can help counter this.

Baldur’s Gate 3 has a lot of merchants for players to stumble across on their quest, and it’s easy to miss talking to many of them before finishing the game, which can cause players to miss out on some truly incredible gear for their builds.

Where to Find All Merchants in Baldur’s Gate 3

Act 1

Although there are many merchants in Act 1, most of them are relatively easy to come across. The most important merchants you’ll want to talk to, of course, in the first map are Dammon, who is directly tied to Karlach’s questline, and the Zhentarim merhcants you can help save from the Gnolls near the Risen Road which can offer players with some of the better early magic weapons, and an optional encounter with a spectator.

Act 2

When you reach the Shadow-Cursed Lands and take on Ketheric Thorm and the Sharran Gauntlet, there are plenty of NPCs to interact with that offer powerful new items to aid in your impending face-off with Myrkul’s chosen.

Act 3

Act 3 has even more merchants than Act 1. There are way too many places to visit, and way too many things to buy. Boney sells scrolls, which are always useful for those playing a Wizard, and Danthelon’s Dancing Axe has good weapons and it’s fairly easy to find.

Carmen and Figaro have many clothing and dye options for players, Vicar Humbletoes and Nansi Gretta have scrolls, and Dammon will be back with weapons and armor. Make sure to visit Lorroakan’s Projection at Sorcerous Sundries since he has rare scrolls and good magic items.

Spice and Wolf, based on the original light novel by Isuna Hasekura has a long-standing history with anime fans from the 2000s, however, the original anime adaptation, produced by Imagin and Brainbase fell into the same trap many other series from this era did – deviating from its source material and taking on a brand-new narrative.

The latest anime adaptation of the series, handled by Studio Passione, which began airing in April, 2024, has chosen to stay faithful to the source, and has officially entered a story arc that fans of the original anime haven’t experienced before.

Studio Passione Will Be Adapting an Arc the Original Anime Skipped

Skipped over in the original anime adaptation due to the production team not believing that the arc would be relevant, the upcoming story arc that will be adapted in 2024’s Spice and Wolf becomes crucial in the plot of the original novels. The official synopsis of the story arc from Spice and Wolf‘s English publisher, Yen Press, reads as follows:

“Continuing their journey north, Lawrence and Holo stop in the village of Tereo in hopes of finding a local abbey where they might uncover more information regarding the fate of Holo’s ancient home, Yoitsu. Soon after their arrival, though, the companions are caught up in a local dispute between Tereo and the neighboring town of Enberch that could cost Lawrence and Holo both their fortunes and their lives! With the Wisewolf’s help, can Lawrence devise a way to save an entire town from ruin – and his skin and that of his traveling companion in the process?”

The character’s that appear in this arc reappear later in the series, and serve as a pseudo-constant in Holo and Lawrence’s journey.

While some fans of Spice and Wolf are still mixed on their feelings toward the new adaptation, with many mourning the nostalgia of the original series, Studio Passione has made an effort to cut the filler from the original anime and tell a more direct, faithful story for fans of the light novels, and returning fans who are only familiar with the 2008 anime.

As revealed by voice actress Veronica Taylor (who plays Ash in the Pokémon anime), on Monday, August 12, 2024, iconic voice actress Rachel Lillis has passed away at 46 years-old after a battle with breast cancer.

Many other talents from the animated shared their condolences, and it has been announced that there will be a memorial service held at a later date.

Rachel Lillis had an extremely successful voice acting career, taking on a number of roles in the Pokémon franchise, including Misty and Jessie. Her repertoire extended beyond Pokémon, playing the titular Utena Tenjo in Revolutionary Girl Utena and Nagi Kirima in Boogiepop Phantom.

Naruto is full of its fair share of quotes as one of the best, most iconic shonen manga and anime. Its cast of beloved characters is loaded with quirks and distinct personalities. Some lines are generic, tropey shonen fare, but many words spoken by them will be remembered forever.

The all-time favorite series of many anime fans, and even after two decades, it still feels so familiar and comfortable. There are moments of sage wisdom and inspiration, along with potent themes like processing grief, overcoming isolation, and embracing love in all its forms.

10. “Those Who Break the Rules Are Scum, But Those Who Abandon Their Friends Are Worse Than Scum.” – Obito Uchiha

Obito Uchiha was a bit of a black sheep compared to the rest of the Uchiha clan. He was brash, incompetent, and didn’t show much promise. But what he had was a lot of heart that reminds us a lot of Naruto Uzumaki, and this potent line was enough to break through Kakashi Hatake’s walls and leave a lasting impression.

Well, if you’re just starting in the series, you might have thought this was originally a Kakashi quote. He may have said it the first time in the series, but Obito was responsible for reminding Kakashi that he could be an elite shinobi while still protecting his comrades. It’s something he’d impart on Team 7, and so forth from there.

9. “If you don’t like your destiny, don’t accept it. Instead, have the courage to change it the way you want it to be!” – Naruto Uzumaki

Naruto made a ton of profound speeches in his youth that would resonate with others around him, and it was quotes like these that would win over far more respected peers of his. Whether it was humbling Neji Hyuga, or convincing Gaara that he deserved to live like anybody else, Naruto’s endless optimism is a product of him refusing to be isolated as an orphan or an outcast.

8. “People Call Me a Failure…I’ll Prove Them Wrong!” – Naruto Uzumaki

Speaking of humbling Neji, this one goes out to the underachievers and those who weren’t nurtured for their strengths. This scene from the Chunin Exams Arc is among the many that cemented Naruto as one of my top Shonen manga, and seeing it brought to life in anime was gratifying as well.

It was so interesting that in the original series, he didn’t have an ounce of self-doubt, and in many ways left the strongest lasting impressions on major characters that rippled through the franchise. He won the respect of one of the most brilliant fellow genin of his generation in the moments that followed this line, to the point of him being followed into battle years later.

7. “If I Could, If I Were Able, I Would Want to Go to the Same Place on the Other Side As You.” – Zabuza Momochi

The afterlife is a tricky subject depending on who you ask, but for Zabuza Momochi, the first monstrously strong opponent Naruto and Team 7 would encounter, it was all but a given. This character left a strong impression on me, and it clicked many years later: aesthetically he had the tiniest hints of Guts from Berserk in him. He was ferocious, bloodthirsty, and wielded a giant sword, but most relevant to this discussion, he was a mentor to his comrade, Haku, and he loved him like a son.

Disarmed by Kakashi, injured and brought to death’s door, and able to take out one last act of defiance against Gato, he laid down next to his apprentice. Knowing that while he is likely destined for hell, all he cares about is seeing Haku again in the afterlife. I use the manga panel from Chapter 33 here because this arc endeared me to Naruto forever, and I still have that issue of Shonen Jump to this day.

6. “To Be a Parent Is to Have Undying Faith in One’s Child.” – Minato Namikaze

The Pain Arc is peak Naruto, and this ranks among the top individual moments. When Naruto met Minato, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. It was seemingly impossible, but Minato left just enough of him behind after he died to guide Naruto past the lowest point in his life. The demon sealed inside him was wreaking havoc when he fell prey to his grief, and in this moment he ignited Naruto’s Will of Fire.

Naruto had plenty of doubt left in himself. His mentor was killed by his strongest opponent yet, and loved ones were mercilessly massacred all around him in this story. But Minato, in a moment where he’s confirmed as Naruto’s father and the Fourth Hokage, reminded his son of their mutual ability to be sanguine in the worst of times. Naruto needed that, just as much as he needed a father all these years.

5. “For You Are a Distinguished Student of One of the Legendary Sannin; Acknowledged by the Great Jiraiya Himself.” – Iruka Umino

Most of these quotes are total tearjerkers to play even now. The context is key here: Iruka was one of the first teachers to believe in Naruto, giving him the time of day when nobody else would. Cut to the present, when Iruka is saying this the night after Naruto learns Jiraiya was killed in battle, wandering at night, holding a popsicle he would normally split with his mentor.

It’s heartbreaking to think about even now. But Iruka did what he always did, reminding Naruto he is not alone and has accomplished a lot. The final kicker of this moment was when Iruka broke the popsicle in half and offered it to Naruto, mimicking how the late sage would do the same. Saccharine, yet fitting.

4. “As For Friends, I Have Lots of Good Ones. I Wish You Could Have Met Them. There’s One That I’m Not Getting Along With Though.” – Naruto Uzumaki

This one felt like a total gut punch that nobody talks about. Naruto has come so far and won over so many hardened, traumatized fellow ninja and improved their lives by being himself. So when he finally got a chance to tell his late mother beyond the grave about this, it was a reminder of his personal growth.

It’s also a reminder of how stubborn he was with the last part of that line. It’s loaded with subtext about his fraught friendship with Sasuke, who thoroughly betrayed all of Konoha multiple times. It was also foreshadowing how he’d never give up on trying to win back his friend. The moment he said it was also endearing for the fact that Kushina Uzumaki is a wonderful character and a charming mother figure.

3. “Rejection Is a Part of Any Man’s Life. If You Can’t Accept and Move Past Rejection, or at Least Use It As Writing Material — You’re Not A Real Man.” – Jiraiya

This one is a precious lesson for any adolescent males reading this, which is good because that’s the primary target audience of Naruto, and this is one of the best, most timeless quotes. I’d argue that it’s a lesson that can be transferred to any gender though. Jiraiya carved a niche for himself as not being able to practice what he preached in many ways (do NOT make him an idol) this speech should be mounted on a plaque in any father’s study that he can point to when lecturing his child.

2. “Because You Fail, You Have the Strength to Face Your Failure…I Think That’s Real Strength.” – Hinata Hyuga

Hinata Hyuga’s demure demeanor was adorable the first time fans were introduced to her. But in how she idolized Naruto, yet cheered him on and loved him from afar, she helped reassure him of his self-worth. The courage to embrace failure is what helps us grow, and Naruto certainly had his share of those in the series.

The story of their love made fans glad, not only because it deviated from a problematic pairing like him and Sakura (even if her pairing with Sasuke has some issues) but because they were perfect for each other. They were both looked down upon and found strength in being each others’ better angels.

1. “I’ll Pick Up Your Pieces.” – Shikaku Nara

For those unfamiliar, Shikamaru Nara’s favorite pastime is Shogi, aka Japanese Chess. The quote in question here has extra meaning as it caps off a potently delivered line by his father, Shikaku, seconds after Shikamaru tosses aside the board and all the pieces they’re using the play together. This one is a fantastic moment for the anime-only viewers in the audience.

It’s only fitting that one of the best arcs of the Naruto Shippuden anime would also get one of its best quotes. Shikamaru recently lost his mentor Asuma Sarutobi, and after a devastating scene at the beginning of the episode where he broke the news to Kurenai, Asuma’s lover, and mother of Asuma’s unborn child, Shikamaru went quiet.

But Shikaku did what any father should at this moment. He sat and played, coaxing Shikamaru’s grief and frustration, being just coarse enough to get across. When he goaded Shikamaru about his playstyle between questions about what he would do about his mentor dying, Shikamaru lost his temper, throwing the board and shogi pieces aside, and Shikaku said the following:

Just Let it all out. All of the sadness, fears, and anger, and everything else! You’ve got to let it go. It all starts from there. I’ll pick up your pieces.

-Shikaku Nara

It’s haunting, and such a powerful way for a father to say “It’s okay to cry, son.” It’s also not only one of the best quotes in Naruto but quietly among the best in popular fiction. You’d be surprised how many people need that in their lives. Shikamaru was given the space to grieve, and then to plan his next course of action, where he’d grow as a shinobi, and avenge the lost while keeping himself and his friends alive.

Shojo anime is a demographic of Japanese anime and manga that’s typically directed at younger female audiences. The word “shojo” means “young woman” in Japanese, and shojo anime typically features young girls or teenagers in the leading roles.

The stories found in shojo anime often revolve around deeper emotional themes compared to shonen, such as love, friendship, and coming-of-age stories.

Kimi Ni Todoke

Kimi ni Todoke is a staple shojo series that deserves to be on every anime fan’s watchlist, especially with the return of season 3 on Netflix. The anime follows Sawako, a 15-year-old girl in Hokkaido that is constantly picked on by her peers for her resemblance to Sadako from The Ring.

Despite her reputation, Sawako is very mild-mannered and kind. When the class clown and popular boy, Kazehaya, starts taking an interest in Sawako, her life gets flipped upside down as she’s finally able to live like a normal teenage girl; making friends and falling in love for the very first time.

Say “I Love You”

Say is a shojo romance anime that follows Mei Tachibana, a high school girl who doesn’t have any friends and doesn’t want any either. However, her life changes when she meets Yamato Kurosawa, the most popular boy in school.

The two eventually become friends, and then something more. The anime explores their relationship as they deal with the ups and downs of teenage love.

My Little Monster

The story shows the life of Shizuku Mizutani, a high school student who is content with her life being nothing but academics. She doesn’t have time for friends, let alone love.

However, everything changes when she meets Haru Yoshida, a transfer student with an unpredictable personality. Through their unlikely friendship, Shizuku starts to see the value in other things besides academics.

Yona of the Dawn

Akatsuki no Yona is about the life of Princess Yona as she lives a sheltered life in the Kingdom of Kouka. Her idyllic world is turned upside down when her father is murdered and she is forced to flee the palace with her bodyguard Hak.

As she sets out on a journey to find allies and take back her throne, she must learn how to survive in a world full of war and betrayal, while still building unbreakable bonds with the people she meets along the way.

Maid-Sama

Set in the modern day, Kaichou wa Maid-sama! is a story that follows the life of Misaki Ayuzawa. She’s the perfect example of a tough and independent woman; she’s strong, intelligent, and most importantly, she’s the president of her school’s student council.

But there’s just one little problem: Misaki secretly works part-time at a maid café in order to support her family. Of course, it doesn’t take long before Misaki’s biggest secret is revealed to the public by none other than her arch-rival, Takumi Usui.

But instead of using this information to blackmail her, Usui actually ends up falling in love with Misaki. And so begins a hilarious and heartwarming story of two people from completely different worlds learning to understand and accept one another.

Ouran High School Host Club

If you’re looking for a shoujo anime that’s both heartwarming and hilarious, then look no further than Ouran High School Host Club. The story follows Haruhi, a bright-eyed girl who stumbles into an elite club full of gorgeous boys who cater to the needs of female students.

While it may sound like a typical reverse-harem anime, Ouran High School Host Club is actually a clever satire that pokes fun at the shoujo genre while still managing to be a charming story in its own right.

Cardcaptor Sakura

Cardcaptor Sakura tells the story of Sakura Kinomoto, a fourth grader who discovers that she possesses magical powers after accidentally releasing a set of tarot cards from a book in her basement. She then embarks on a journey to capture all the cards while dealing with everyday life and relationships with her friends and family.

Cardcaptor Sakura has a rich history in the industry, and for many anime fans that grew up with old-school shojo, Sakura’s adventures made a huge impact on them as children, well into their adulthoods.

Vampire Knight

Vampire Knight introduces viewers to Yuuki Cross, a student at Cross Academy. The academy is home to two groups of students: the Day Class, which is made up of humans, and the Night Class, which consists of vampires.

Yuuki is tasked with protecting the Day Class from the Night Class, but she finds her world turned upside down when she meets Zero Kiryu, a vampire who hates all bloodsuckers with a passion.

Fruits Basket

Fruits Basket is the story of a girl, Tohru Honda, who’s living in a tent after her mom dies in a car accident. She then gets taken in by the Sohma family, who have a curse where they turn into animals from the Chinese zodiac when hugged by someone of the opposite sex.

Tohru tries to help break the curse and falls in love with one of the members. The anime adaptation of Fruits Basket was originally released in 2001 but it was remade in 2019. Both have a certain kind of charm that makes them an enjoyable watch.

Sailor Moon

The OG shoujo anime, Sailor Moon, is one of the most popular and enduring franchises of all time. It’s the story of a group of super-powered girls who use their powers to defend the world from evil. The show is full of action, romance, and comedy.

It is also significant for its strong female friendships and its positive portrayal of women in general. Sailor Moon definitely has something for everyone, not just young girls.

This trope-breaking shonen romance Romantic Killer is the perfect blend of hilarity and expressive moments, all while giving fans a unique perspective on the romance genre. It’s a series that caters to every type of anime fan, regardless of their preconceived notions.

There are plenty of incredible shows with similar premises, humor, and characters for fans of the series to watch next.

10. The Wallflower

After being cruelly rejected and made fun of her looks by the boy she liked, Sunako began distancing herself from the world and gained an interest in the occult. Sadly, her plans of living a lonely life get thrown out the window when she is sent to live with her aunt and the four young men who live with her.

The older woman promised the four men that they would be given free rent if they helped turn her loner of a niece into a classy lady. As the five of them get to know each other, Sunako realizes that maybe she is not as much of a loner as she first thought.

9. Maid Sama!

After decades of men being the ones to hold the position, Misaki becomes the first Student Council President in her high school. While she is kind and helpful to women, men fear her for how strict and ruthless she can be with them. One day, as she walks around the school looking for troublemakers, she finds a girl crying after being rejected by Usui, the most popular boy in school.

Misaki tries to scold the boy for being so cruel, but she is ignored by Usui. Later, Misaki is working at a maid café when Usui enters the establishment, recognizing his classmate. She begs Usui to keep her secret, to which the boy surprisingly agrees. From that moment on, Usui begins visiting the café almost daily, anime Misaki begins to question his true intentions.

8. My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!

Without warning, the noble young woman Catarina Claes begins remembering her past life. This would have been an amazing occurrence, if not for the fact that she was reincarnated into the body of the villainess of her favorite game, Fortune Lover. In all the routes of the game, Catarina meets with a terrible fate.

Determined not to die in such a manner, the young woman begins using her knowledge about the world she now lives in to change history. Nonetheless, this mission will not be as easy as she expected, as death could be lurking around any corner.

7. Recovery of An MMO Junkie

For 11 years, Moriko worked herself to the bone at the same company. Now that she has quit her job, she can relax and immerse herself in an MMORPG. Assuming the identity of the handsome warrior Hiyashi, Moriko spends most of her days playing the world-famous game Fruits de Mer.

Accompanied by her close online friend, the beautiful healer Lily, Moriko begins spending more and more time playing, neglecting every other need in her life. The only times that she steps out of her apartment are when she needs to go to the store. During one of these trips, she encounters Yuuta, a shy worker that could change her life completely.

6. Kiss Him, Not Me

Unknown to most of her classmates, the caring and friendly Kae is a massive fan of Boy Love stories. She spends most of her time at school imagining her male classmates falling in love with each other. One day, as she is watching one of her favorite shows, her favorite character is killed, severely depressing the young woman.

Unable to do anything due to the sadness, Kae begins to lose weight and misses school for a week. When she comes back, her classmates are shocked, as she now looks like a completely different person. Her new beauty attracts the attention of most male students, who wish to date her. Still, Kae is more interested in seeing the boys fall in love with each other, creating a hilarious and complicated situation.

5. God Troubles Me

The Gods and Demons of Earth are in trouble, as the world they once controlled is rapidly plunging into chaos. Desperate to find a solution, the Gods team up with various monsters to find something or someone that can help them. As this is happening, a young woman named Su is being kicked out of her parent’s house for her bad attitude.

While roaming the streets, Su encounters Tianjin, a charismatic and attractive God who asks the young woman to help him search for an answer to the problems of the world. With them is an enigmatic demon cat, who will also aid in their mission. Can this unlikely trio find a way to prevent utter chaos from taking over the planet?

4. The World Only God Knows

Best known for his title of God of Conquests, Keima is a young student who became famous for being able to complete any dating sims that he plays. The boy is a firm believer that video game girls are superior to their real-world counterparts, as they are not as unpredictable as the girls he knows. Woefully, his worst fears come to life when a demon named Elsie asks for his help.

The female demon informs him that she needs to capture runaway souls that have been hidden inside the hearts of human girls. The only way for them to drive them out is by filling the heart of their host with love. Without any choice, Keima will have to use everything that he learned while playing dating sims to conquer the hearts of various girls.

3. Horimiya

Against all odds, the loveable and charismatic Hori and the meek Miyamura became friends. Most of their classmates could not believe it, as they had always been complete opposites. Their peers do not know that there is much more to the duo than what they let everyone else see. Hori is not popular outside of school, as she is often too busy helping at home.

On the other hand, Miyamura is not as timid as everyone else thinks, as his school uniform hides his various tattoos and piercings. Aware of the other’s secret, Hori and Miyamura begin hanging out after school, a decision that will forever change their lives.

2. Tomo-chan Is a Girl

Since childhood, Tomo and Junichirou have been best friends. They were inseparable, doing everything together from playing to sleeping. As they grew up, Tomo began developing feelings for her best friend, all while Junichirou remained oblivious to her affection. When the duo began their first year of high school Tomo decided to confess her feelings for Junichirou.

Lamentably, due to her tomboyish attitude and looks, her friend rejects Tomo’s confession, telling her that he sees her more like another male friend. Dejected, Tomo begins a journey to become a woman that Junichirou will want to date. Can she enchant her best friend without changing who she is at heart?

1. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun

When Sakura confessed to her crush Nozaki, she never expected him to give her an autograph. As it turns out, the young man is a notorious shojo mangaka, publishing his work under the pseudonym of Sakiko Yumeno. Nozaki confused Sakura’s love confession with an adoring fan praising his work.

To make matters worse for Sakura, she ended up becoming Nozaki’s assistant, working with him to make sure that his manga gets published in time. As Nozaki’s assistant, Sakura meets many attractive and unique young men, who begin showing an interest in the young woman. Can Sakura use her new position as Nozaki’s assistant to make the mangaka aware of her true feelings?

Content leaks have been an ongoing controversy in the entertainment sphere for decades, effecting every industry from film, television, to comic books and print novels. While fans obviously want to know everything they can about an upcoming release, it can be easy to forget just how harmful leaks can be to the people working on a project.

Dubbed one of the “biggest leaking disasters” in the anime industry’s lengthy history, the recent Netflix leaks that’s caused highly anticipated shows like Dandadan, Ranma 1/2, and Arcane Season 2, and more to be partially or fully leaked online has fans and industry professionals in an understandable outrage.

How Did So Many of Netflix’s Biggest Animated Releases Get Leaked?

While details are still sparse at this time on how the site was hacked, online sleuths have speculated the leaker may be located in Japan due to the content being recorded in Japanese and lacking subtitles. The leaked footage from these episodes are low quality and covered in watermarks, which seems to suggest that many of them were still in production when the files were taken.

This leak isn’t just a bad look on Netflix’s part, it’s also extremely harmful for the team’s involved in each of these series’ and film’s productions. Fans and professionals alike are furious over this series of events, and many are urging the streaming to giant to make an official statement.

At time of writing, Netflix has been silent on what happened.

Gale is a smooth-talking, good-hearted companion in Baldur’s Gate 3. If you’re not playing him as an Origin character and want to romance him, learning his likes and dislikes is a good way to win the Waterdeep wizarding prodigy’s heart.

Before being abducted by the Nautiloid, Gale held close relations with Mystra, the goddess of magic – and even shared a romantic relationship with her.

How To Increase Gale’s Approval in Baldur’s Gate 3

Gale can be a bit hard to figure out. He’s a heroic and kind-hearted individual, but is also extremely driven by ambition and logic. Gale appreciates when you save lives and make decisions that benefit others, such as choosing to save the tiefling camp in Act 1. Additionally, showing an interest in magic and allowing him to rant about his interests will also build up your relationship.

Gale’s Likes

• Demonstrating intelligence
• Protecting allies and other NPCs
• Showing magical knowledge
• Using nonviolent solutions to problems
• Displaying kindness to others
• Petting Scratch & the Owlbear cub at camp
• Respecting other people’s privacy and boundaries – especially his early on
• Giving him Magic Items to consume in Act 1

Gale’s Dislikes

• Unnecessary violence
• Recklessness
• Ignorance to the world around you
• Lack of curiosity
• Distrusting him

How To Romance Gale

To romance Gale, you need to make your decisions with his approval in mind. It’s the same process you go through when looking for approval of any character in the game. There are numerous instances and encounters at the campsite with Gale that could shape his perception of you.

Act 1 Romance Choices

There are way too many ways to make Gale like you during Act 1. The Wizard of Waterdeep will notice and approve of your behavior every time you save NPCs from danger, demonstrate heroism, show empathy, avoid unnecessary violence, and engage in intelligent conversations. Just make sure to entertain his curiosity, act like a hero, and take his concerns seriously.

Act 2 Romance Choices

One of the most effective ways to romance Gale is by completing his companion quest, “Wizard of Waterdeep”. However, there are other things that you can only do in Act 2 to make Gale like you more:

• Shuffle the board in the game between Mol and Raphael
• Do not drink Jaheira’s wine when you first meet her
• Tell Arabella you found her parents dead.
• Ask Elminster why you’re facing the Absolute alone if even the gods know about its threat.
• Let Gale teach you magic.

Act 3 Romance Choices

In Act 3, several dialogue choices can influence Gale’s approval. For example, inside the House of Hope, refuse to remove your clothes and pledge your body to Raphael’s personal incubus, Haarlep. You can also persuade Gale to join you in bed with the Drow twins. When he expresses his doubts, tell him: “Your body looks great“ to earn his approval.

Baldur’s Gate 3 has plenty of companions for players to romance, and some of these romanceable companions are even open to inviting another party into their relationship, if the you play your cards right.

• How To Romance Multiple Companions in Baldur’s Gate 3
• All Polyamorous and Monogamous Companions in Baldur’s Gate 3
  • How to End a Relationship in Baldur’s Gate 3

How To Have a Poly Romance in Baldur’s Gate 3

Romancing multiple companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t much different from building a monogamous relationship. Of course, you’ll need to ensure that you’ve gained enough favorability with all your potential partners that they’re open to entering a relationship with you. This can be done by choosing the correct dialogue options during your one-on-one interactions with them, and making roleplaying decisions during the main story that they approve of.

Something that’s important to note, however, when exploring poly in Baldur’s Gate 3 is that some characters aren’t interested in sharing you with your companions – in fact, there are only a handful of characters that are truly open and willing to “open up the relationship”.

All Polyamorous and Monogamous Companions in Baldur’s Gate 3

The two companions that will be vehemently against having a polyamorous relationship are Wyll Ravengard and Gale Dekarios. If you attempt to romance other companions while committed to them, they’ll confront you and force you to choose between them.

Additionally, while the rest of the companions are more open to being in a polyamorous relationship, they aren’t willing to be in one with some of the other companions, even if you try to convince them. Alternatively, there are some companions who are “open to sharing” in Act 1 and early into Act 2, but as your relationship develops, they’ll want exclusivity.

Here are a handful of examples of potential outcomes for players trying to experience a poly romance in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Shadowheart is open to being in a polyamorous relationship with you and someone else in Act 1 as long as it’s not Lae’zel. However, as your relationship with her deepens in Act 2, she’ll want to become exclusive.
• Astarion is open to a relationship with you, Halsin, and Minthara. He is also available, albeit somewhat reluctantly, to be in a relationship with you and Shadowheart until she decides she wants a monogamous relationship in Act 2.
• Karlach is open to being in a polyamorous relationship with you and someone else in Act 1 since she’s unable to be physical, but once her Infernal Engine is repaired by Dammon and the relationship deepens, she’ll request to be exclusive.
• Halsin and Minthara are both open to being in a polyamorous relationship with you if they get along with the other partner.

How To End a Relationship In Baldur’s Gate 3

If you went down the Polygamy route and have maybe changed your mind on the whole ordeal — there is a way to end one, or both, of the relationships. Players can end a relationship with another character by selecting the correct dialogue options during regular conversations, or in the middle of romance cutscenes.

For the former, when you are speaking with the character(s) you are romancing, an option will appear that says something along the lines of, “Let’s talk about us.” Once you select this, you will have the option to end it for good.

It’s important to note that players have reported that this dialogue option doesn’t always appear, meaning it may only become available if you’ have been in the relationship for a certain amount of time’ve achieved certain milestones in the relationship. Keep an eye out for these dialogue choices during romance cutscenes and when speaking with your romance partner.

Warning: The following contains spoilers for Oshi no Ko.

Oshi no Ko is one of the most compelling, layered manga series currently available. It is at times a bleak and poignant critique of the entertainment industry in Japan, while also remaining relentlessly entertaining and filled with strong characters.

Its grasp on subtlety in visual storytelling and characterization is no less apparent than in one feature shared by several key characters. This sparks the question, what’s with the star eyes in Oshi no Ko, and why do some characters’ eyes have bright or dark stars?

Star Eyes in Oshi no Ko Fan Theories: Explained

The most important thing to note about the star eyes in Oshi no Ko is that while it’s not been explicitly explained, there’s a significant and conceivable set of reasons. Some are simple and have some layers of truth and logic behind them, such as being hereditary, inherited by Ruby and Aqua from Ai Hoshino.

Others dive deeper, looking into the previous reason’s inconsistencies, and finding symbolic meaning behind the stars. There’s even meaning behind why they are bright or dark for some characters at different points, and why certain characters have them at all.

Are Starry Eyes Hereditary in Oshi no Ko?

There’s some half-truth to starry eyes being hereditary in Oshi no Ko, but the full answer is complicated. While it might be a simple conclusion to say they’re not genetic, with characters like Akane Kurokawa developing them through intensive method acting, Aqua and Ruby still had one each at birth.

This is partially due to inheriting Ai’s characteristics genetically, but there are reasons for each of them having starry eyes beyond this simple connection, that vary depending on who you’re talking about. This includes Ai herself.

Two Bright White Lies: Why Does Ai Hoshino Have Dark & Bright Star Eyes?

Ai Hoshino is the driving force of the story’s main plot, despite being murdered in the prologue arc. Her eyes are undeniably the most spellbinding in the series, while also being a loaded subject.

Being described as coming from a broken home with an abusive mother, Ai was incapable of recalling a moment she felt loved, and unable to express it to others. This intimidated her as a prospective idol in Chapter 8 / Episode 1, but upon being scouted, she was taught that lying was a desirable skill and a way to protect herself. She resolved to tell lies to please others, even though it would be her downfall.

While she had stars in her eyes at this moment, it was more thoroughly conveyed in the anime when her eyes went from dark stars, to full of radiant, glittery light. The brightness and charm of her eyes were fueled by lying, and the darkness was due to her fraught past and less desirable, or even ostensibly human traits.

What makes this meaningful is the moment of Ai’s murder in Chapter 9 / Episode 1, where she lay dying, back against the door, professing her love for her children. She had previously said that she was afraid of saying it only for it to be a lie, but at this moment, she speaks her final truth, acknowledges it, and dies.

It’s heartbreaking that the moment she feels safe to speak her truth is also the one she draws her last breath. The life, and stars, fade from her eyes the moment she stops lying, leaving her children to carry on in their ways.

Where Do Aqua and Ruby Get Their Starry Eyes From?

Even as infants and toddlers, Aqua and Ruby bore these eyes as traits from their mother. But the meaning behind these eyes goes deeper than the surface. Each of these characters is the reincarnation of people who were victimized by cruel circumstances, forced now to play the part of Ai’s children.

Goro was murdered while trying to protect Ai from her stalker, while Sarina died as a terminally ill child, abandoned by her parents in her final moments. Their respective identities of Aqua and Ruby are charades to mask their troubled past lives.

Aqua’s star eyes in Oshi no Ko are often dark, with him concealing his soul’s desire to kill Ai’s murderer, while also using manipulation of others as a means to an end. Even being reborn and starting with a bright star in his right eye, losing his new mother sent him into a dark spiral of vengeance in a chilling scene from the anime premiere. This moment was even accented with crow imagery, which we’ll explore later.

Aqua occasionally has bright starry eyes, indicating more innocent or palatable motives, yet upholding the lie, in that he maintains the illusion that he’s just another aspiring teen actor. He also uses his dishonesty and manipulation for the gain of others in these moments, with the black stars seemingly hinting when his actions are tied to his personal goals.

Like most of the other characters, at one point the stars left Aqua’s eyes entirely. In Chapter 68, upon learning what he believed to be the truth about Ai’s killer and that he would never get his vengeance, he resolved to live a normal life at first.

He even claimed to be leaving that path behind in Chapter 78, but upon learning about Ai’s true killer, not just the original eye, but both eyes now sported a grim, black star by Chapter 98. Aqua then began to use more shameful tactics to achieve his goals, once more to track down this killer.

In true seinen fashion, instead of Aqua becoming a misunderstood villain in an inferior story, this just creates a more layered, nuanced protagonist. But this does nothing to discredit just how compelling the rest of the characters are.

Ruby Hoshino is the reincarnation of Sarina Tendoji, a cancer patient from the same hospital where Goro worked and treated Ai during her pregnancy. She was a fan of Ai’s since the start, introducing Goro to her, and her death was not discussed in greater detail until Chapter 75. What’s more, her troubled past and similarly absentee mother made this second life as the daughter of her idol a blessing of sorts of which she could live blissfully unaware. In the beginning, Ruby’s eyes symbolized her lying to herself.

Ruby’s eyes have the distinction of becoming possibly the most complex in the series. As she loses sight of her goals, you see the points of the stars waning in her eye, such as in Chapter 79. There are even moments where one eye is black while the other is still light such as when her desire for vengeance is softened by her urge to protect her friends. When she determines that Goro’s killer could still be out there, and the star comes to both eyes, a deep, menacing black.

Ruby’s past as Sarina is exceptionally cruel, and one I noticed her finally realizing in Chapters 118-119, or at least grasping at it. Sarina’s mother was too “busy” to be present in her final moments, yet appears outwardly normal later when Aqua meets her, beloved by her family as a present mother figure.

This part hurts particularly to read again, but as you see the mask slipping, Ruby has been lying to herself for so long that she is on the verge of a breakdown. Upon reading Ai’s script, where Ai’s mother similarly neglected her, Ruby is frozen. In a moment where she appears to come to terms with this about her past, the stars leave her eyes entirely in the final moments of Chapter 119.

Why Does Akane Kurokawa Have Starry Eyes?

Akane Kurokawa was the main anomaly of this series for this reason alone. Originally a supporting character and member of the reality show cast Aqua joined in pursuit of Ai’s true killer, Akane Kurokawa recovered from the brink of suicide and bounced back hard. In a bid to protect herself from online abuse while also cultivating a persona onscreen, she studied Ai Hoshino’s past and channeled her personality quirks. Akane wound up becoming a carbon copy of Ai, as wonderfully brought to life in Episode 7.

But Akane’s eyes indicate two main things: star eyes in Oshi no Ko are not necessarily hereditary, and they can fade and reappear frequently for some characters. More importantly, Akane’s performance and persona which causes these eyes to appear, in essence, is another form of lie.

Despite immersing herself the most overtly in this lie, Akane is also one of the most outwardly honest characters, and this honesty is on full display when you don’t see the stars in her eyes. In moments like Chapter 116, she confronts Aqua wanting to stop his violent revenge fantasy, not a star in sight in her eyes.

Why Does Hikaru Kamiki Have Black Star Eyes in Oshi no Ko?

While Hikaru Kamiki is the least-known character in Oshi no Ko for fans of the anime, the stars in his eyes have a more obvious meaning thanks to the precedent set by other characters. His eyes are seemingly permanent black stars, telegraphing his darker qualities as the main overtly evil character in the series. His blonde hair and starry eyes make him a dead giveaway as the biological father of Aqua and Ruby Hoshino.

Hikaru Kamiki doesn’t lie for his own protection or to look out for others, but rather to gain the trust of his future victims, before staging their death as an accident or tragedy. Hikaru appears to fit the bill of a serial killer and mastermind. He orchestrated Ai’s murder, and even the murder of Goro before he was reincarnated.

Kamiki has had visibly black stars in his eyes in every appearance since his introduction in Chapter 96, and his teased appearance in Chapter 72. His motives remain unclear, but a glimpse at his targets hints at something else: Yura Katayose (from Chapter 109) briefly showed a glimpse at a star in her eye, at the time the #1 actress in Japan. After learning of her mountain hiking plans, he warned her as a show of trustworthiness, only to follow her and kill her, adding to his list of victims.

Perhaps he’s after the lives that show this quality, and the stars have a deeper purpose than simply the capacity to lie, which brings us to a mysterious connection. This leads us to the crows and a mysterious ethereal girl who appears before Aqua.

Yatagarasu: What’s Up With the Crows?

One of the most striking recurring images in Oshi no Ko, aside from the star eyes, is the use of crows. They accentuate the scene of death such as Goro’s death in Episode 1 of the anime. They even form the black star in Aqua’s eye in a brilliantly illustrated moment in the prologue, but they are also connected to divine guidance and intervention in Japanese folklore. They’re intensely symbolic, such as in the closing scene of Chapter 79, where a tearful Ruby sits in a pool, surrounded by falling crow feathers.

This suggests a connection to Yatagarasu, a guiding God in Japanese culture. This connection was implied since the beginning when Aqua and Ruby as children pretended to be divine messengers, invoking the name of Amaterasu. It could suggest a divine presence in the series that makes the reincarnation happen, with the clearest possible manifestation of this being of course, crow girl.

The crow girl is often sardonic but guides Aqua when his path falters in dreamlike sequences, possibly suggesting that she’s the embodiment of Yatagarasu. Her connection in the series plot is unclear but hints at enormous potential beneath the surface of this drama.

Conclusion: What Do the Star Eyes and Crows in Oshi no Ko Mean?

Lies, reincarnation, and a divine connection are fascinating but entirely fan theories about the stars in peoples’ eyes in Oshi no Ko until explicitly confirmed. They make the most sense, but the truth will probably be stranger than fiction when it’s introduced. The meaning behind these eyes could be the primary motive of the antagonist and is a secret closely guarded, possibly by divine forces.

It’s far less likely that it’s just an aesthetic choice given how much detail has been put into these gorgeous eyes. It’s too anglocentric to assume that the character Ai’s name is just a pun, too. That’d be too overt, especially since no characters seem to talk specifically about the stars. Finally, it’s too tantalizing a secret for Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari to keep locked up for too much longer.

Oshi no Ko is a stellar anime and manga series from Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari. The Oshi no Ko story arcs enable us to see the entertainment world from the starry eyes of Aqua and Ruby, as they make a name for themselves in order to honor their mother.

What Are the Story Arcs of Oshi no Ko?

The main plot begins after a poignant prologue beautifully told in Episode 1 of the Oshi no Ko anime, while the manga does so from Chapters 1-10. Beyond this, we see a time skip where Gorou, Ai’s doctor reincarnated into the body of her son, Aqua, goes into the entertainment industry to identify his father and the culprit behind Ai’s murder.

The ensuing story arcs concern different facets of the entertainment industry the siblings go through, such as TV dramas, dating shows, stage plays, and even movies.

Every Oshi no Ko Arc & Its Corresponding Anime Episodes

While it’s unclear whether we’ll get another season or cour of Oshi no Ko, the common consensus among viewers is that it’s a high-quality anime drama with a lot to offer. It’s a great reason to consider a HIDIVE subscription, as well. The anime typically adapts 3 chapters from the manga at a time, with the story arcs varying in length.

The 2.5D Stage Play arc is currently the longest of the series, as it had the most compelling concept until the Movie arc, and forced Aqua further out of his comfort zone as an actor than ever before. One neat part about that arc, in particular, is the meta-commentary on manga creators, and just how many times a story changes hands before it’s turned into a script for an adaptation.

In fact, much of the series enables us to look at the entertainment industry in a rather satirical sense, seeing our preconceptions about dying sectors of the industry turned on their head, and other seedy elements put on display. While the identity of the culprit behind Ai’s killing at this point has been revealed, he has not been brought to justice yet, and we’re along for the ride, however long it takes.

VTubers – a type of content creator that uses an animated virtual avatar to represent them as opposed to using their real face – has become a cultural staple over the past few years, and are typically synonymous with the anime and manga community.

One of the largest VTuber agencies in the industry, hololive production, is famous for introducing some of the biggest talents in the space, including Sakura Miko, Houshou Marine, and Usada Pekora. One of their Gen 2 talents, Minato Aqua, recently announced through X (formerly Twitter) that she would be “graduating” – or retiring – at the end of August 2024, with her graduation stream taking place on August 28.

Sadly, for fans of the content creator, this isn’t the only piece of heartbreaking news surrounding Minato Aqua in recent days.

Minato Aqua’s New Visual Novel, ‘AQUARIUM’, Has Officially Been Cancelled Following the Vtuber’s Graduation

Something that really made Minato Aqua stand out compared to other talents in hololive was the release of her Aquarium game, which originally dropped in 2022 for the Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch before later being ported to Steam in October 2023. During the live event, “Hololive Expo 2024”, Entergram, the company behind the first Aquarium game announced a sequel was in development in March 2024.

Tragically, following Minato Aqua’s graduation announcement, Entergram swiftly followed up by stating that the game’s production had been cancelled.

While fans are understandably distraught over the news, they still expressed gratitude for the team working at Entergram on all their hard work, even if they would never be able to see the finished product.

Originally beginning serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2014, Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia has finally come to an end. With 430 chapters, a successful anime adaptation, merchandise, spin-off films, and even video games – the series has become nothing short of a cultural phenomenon.

The action shonen initially became popular for its unique artstyle and zero-to-hero story that resonated with manga readers around the globe. Now, with the series having officially ended, those effected by Horikoshi’s groundbreaking series are giving thanks for his hard work over the years.

Fellow Mangaka & Other Industry Professionals Praise Horikoshi For My Hero Academia’s Impact

My of Horikoshi’s colleagues have been sharing sentiments toward the popular mangaka over the past week commending him on his newfound legacy with the conclusion of My Hero Academia, including the likes of One Piece‘s Eiichiro Oda and Gege Akutami:

So now you get to play Pokémon Go as much as you want! Congratulations on ten years, Horikoshi Sensei!

Eiichiro Oda

Jujutsu [Kaisen] would not exist without My Hero. Congratulations!

Gege Akutami

Other mangaka with newer series running in the magazine, like Koji Miura, the creator of Blue Box, also shared their love for Horikoshi on social media, stating:

Congratulations on the final chapter of My Hero! Ten years of some of the most passionate manga ever. Well done!

Koji Miura

Other newly published mangaka, like Kagurabachi‘s Takeru Hokazono, shared how My Hero Academia affected them before ever pursuing manga, saying:

I still remember reading volume 17 while I was in high school. From Mirio to One For All 100 percent. What a legend!

Takeru Hokazono

Professionals within the manga industry weren’t the only ones to send Horikoshi praise, however, with the Animation Director of My Hero Academia‘s anime adaptation, Anna Yamaguchi, sending Horikoshi a special message to celebrate:

Kohei Horikishi-sensei,
Congratulations on completing My Hero Academia!!

I personally empathized with and sympathized with the villains, thought about many things, was emotionally stirred, and shed tears as I read every week. I love the world of Hero Aca where they struggle to survive.
I have gained a lot from Hero Aca.
It is an important part of my life.
Now and forever PLUS ULTRA!!
Thank you very much!

Anna Yamaguchi

and Chief Director, Kenji Nagasaki, saying:

Congratulations Horikoshi-sensei on completing the series! [My Hero Academia] is the best hero to me! Not only does the manga give me energy, but I also gained a lot of new experiences from working on the anime, and I was able to grow along with Deku and the others. I’m really glad I came across this work, which changed my life. Thank you very much!

Kenji Nagasaki

The Best Fan Contributions To #ThankYouHorikoshi

Fans of the beloved series have been pitching in to send love to the mangaka, too, with an influx of gorgeously illustrated fan art and other fan projects being uploaded to sites like X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the series’ legacy.

Other projects are illustrations celebrating My Hero‘s entire ensemble cast, such as this piece by @nstime23:

Another gorgeous illustration featuring the full cast, created by @NovaNeonDream celebrates the relationship between Bakugo and Deku:

It’s clear that My Hero Academia‘s impact will be sitting with readers for years to come, and with the anime adaptation still ongoing with season 7 currently airing, and a brand-new My Hero Academia film, My Hero Academia: You’re Next releasing in the U.S. in October 2024, fans of the series still have plenty more of Deku and his friends to look forward to.

My Hero Academia is available to stream on Crunchyroll. The original manga is available on Viz Media’s Shonen Jump app.

Source: Weekly Shonen Jump volumes 36-37, Koji Miura on X, My Hero Academia’s Official Website, Shonen Jump

Kaiju No. 8 has quickly become one of the most popular new shonen anime of the year, with exciting kaiju action and an endearing underdog story at its core that makes the series relatable to just about anyone.

The anime’s first season did incredibly well, garnering a devoted fanbase and meeting the expectations held by longtime fans of Naoya Matsumoto’s original manga. While season 2 was announced right away when season 1 of the anime adaptation concluded, the budding franchise has even more in store for fans of Kafka’s journey.

Kaiju No. 8’s Anime Adaptation Is Set To Return In 2025

On Monday, August 5, 2024, the official website for Kaiju No. 8 announced that season 2 of the popular shonen series would release in 2025. At this time, there’s no confirmation on when in 2025 the new season will drop, however, the website did provide some additional news for fans: a brand-new anime original episode titled, “Hoshina’s Day Off” is currently in production alongside a feature-length compilation film meant to compile the events of season 1.

The new episode and the compilation film will be screening alongside one another in Japanese theaters sometime in 2025.

Kaiju No. 8 season 1 can be streamed on Crunchyroll. The original manga can be read through Viz Media’s Shonen Jump app.

Source: Kaiju No. 8 Official Site

Warning: The following contains major spoilers for My Hero Academia.

After ten long years, My Hero Academia has finally come to a close, and of course, the manga‘s official ending has sparked controversy among fans and non-fans of Kohei Horikoshi’s superhero-centered action manga.

While definitive endings rarely work for everyone, regardless of medium, My Hero Academia has been notorious during its run for having judgement passed on the character writing and handling of the narrative. It begs the question on whether the finale truly works to wrap up the story, or if it missed the mark.

My Hero Academia’s Ending Isn’t What Fans Expected

After defeating Shigaraki, the world is finally at peace now that the League of Villains have been thwarted, all thanks to Midoriya. This conclusion is then followed by an epilogue detailing the events and fates of the core cast now that the war is over. Chapter 430 opens with an 8-year-old time-skip, showing how much has changed after nearly a decade in My Hero‘s world. Ochaco and Deku have both been left feeling haunted and forever jaded after their experiences with Toga and Shigaraki, respectively.

During My Hero Academia‘s final arc, Deku officially lost his Quirk and is no longer a hero. Now in his mid-20s, Deku has become a teacher working in UA, teaching a brand-new generation of heroes. Despite being left Quirkless, Deku felt satisfied with the brief experiences that he had with his friends during the time of the war. Despite his being satisfied with a quiet life, his friends refused to let him retire, and it’s revealed that Deku has a special set of battle armor – making him almost adjacent to a hero like Iron Man.

Did My Hero Academia’s Ending Live Up To Expectations?

While there is beauty in an ending that prioritizes how one can be happy living a slow, average life, My Hero Academia fails to deliver its message effectively. Something Horikoshi, the creator of My Hero Academia, has struggled with over the series’ run is wrapping up story arcs in a satisfying way. One of the most glaring examples of this comes from Deku’s “rogue” or “dark” arc where the young hero very briefly goes rogue before turning around and returning to his friends shortly after.

While Horikoshi occasionally does an excellent job delivering his story to readers, the grand finale, unfortunately, just misses the mark. It doesn’t fully commit to Deku’s satisfaction with a normal life by giving him a super-powered suit, and doesn’t truly allow him to live the life as one of the most impactful heroes in the world, either. While My Hero Academia certainly has a legacy, it is unfortunate to see how the series struggled to stick the landing.

Blaidd the Half-Wolf is one of the coolest characters in Elden Ring, and players will have to choose to either free him or leave him trapped at one point during his questline. Blacksmith Iji, who is seemingly an ally to both you and Blaidd, has trapped Blaidd in the Forlorn Hound Evergaol.

This is the same place where you and Blaidd defeated Darrwil, which is quite ironic now that Blaidd has found himself trapped there. Blaidd has helped you out quite a bit throughout your journey, so you should open the Evergaol and free Blaidd or should you not?

Should You Free Blaidd in Elden Ring?

Image: Attack of the Fanboy

When you find Blaidd trapped in the Forlorn Hound Evergaol, you will have the option to open the Evergaol. If you do, Blaidd will appear and thank you for your help. He’ll tell you that he’s going to see Ranni and check if she’s still safe.

He also says he doesn’t know why exactly Iji trapped him in the Evergaol, but there really aren’t any hard feelings about it. He’ll then head off to Ranni’s Rise, but you’ll have to go visit him again later.

What Happens If You Don’t Free Blaidd?

If you choose not to free Blaidd and leave him in the Evergaol, nothing will happen. You can continue your adventure, delve into Nokron, Eternal City, or go explore elsewhere. Blaidd will escape the Evergaol regardless, and his questline will continue regardless of your choice here.

Your decision here does not matter. Nothing will change in the story, and Blaidd’s full questline will still be available to you no matter what. Most players don’t even come across Blaidd in the Evergaol anyway, instead opting to just explore Nokron and wonder why he’s not there.

Before you can see Blaidd again, you must complete Ranni’s entire questline. There isn’t much left to it at this point, but you will need to seek out some rare items in Nokron and return to Ranni for your final few instructions. After completing Ranni’s storyline, you can find Blaidd at Ranni’s Rise to complete his quest.

Elden Ring is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

Just like the main campaign, the Bloody Ties DLC for Dying Light 2 has plenty of choices throughout its story. As soon as you start Bloody Ties, you’ll meet Ciro and partner up with him as you try to work your way to Carnage Hall.

Ciro is eager to climb the ranks and his family drama is the center of the DLC’s story, so it’s easy to get attached to your new partner. Things quickly go south early in the story though, and you have to either let Ciro beat you or kill him to climb the ranks yourself.

Should You Kill Ciro or Let Him Win?

This is the first important decision that you’ll make during the Bloody Ties DLC. After defeating Ciro, you’ll be given two options:

• Let Ciro Win – Forfeit the Fight
• Kill Ciro – Climb the Ranks

Aside from the obvious consequences of Ciro either living or dying, this choice also has minor ripple effects throughout the rest of the DLC.

What Happens If You Kill Ciro?

If you kill Ciro, then he’s removed from the Bloody Ties DLC permanently. He won’t show up in any later cutscenes because Aiden will kill him right then and there. Ciro doesn’t have a huge role throughout the second half of the DLC, however, so you won’t be missing much. It’s better to let Ciro live though, because the additions listed below will make your playthrough of Bloody Ties more enjoyable.

What Happens If You Let Ciro Win?

If you let Ciro win, he’ll continue to attack you. Just let him hit you a few times and another cutscene will play, giving you another choice to either kill Ciro and move to the final fight or spare Ciro and abandon the tournament. If you kill Ciro now, it’s the same as killing him earlier. If you spare Ciro, however, the Bloody Ties DLC will continue normally with Ciro still alive. You will not get a bad ending by choosing to abandon the tournament.

If you spare Ciro, he’ll help during the final boss fight of Bloody Ties. That’s the only real benefit you’ll get from keeping Ciro alive, although it’s a pretty big bonus since he shaves off a significant chunk of the final encounter if he’s present. He’ll also remain a major character throughout the DLC’s story since he’s still alive, and having more characters is always a good thing.

Dying Light 2 is available now on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Octopath Traveler 2!

During your many adventures in Octopath Traveler 2, you may have come across ‘??? Island‘ in the East Sundering Sea. The game gives you very little information on the purpose of its island, with destroyed structures, a sealed door, and a single save point. While it may seem like there’s nothing of interest here, ??? Island actually holds a huge endgame secret.

What is on ??? Island in Octopath Traveler 2?

The ‘??? Island’ found in the East Sundering Sea in Octopath Traveler is part of unlocking a secret optional battle with a major Superboss in what is undoubtedly the most brutal fight in the series.

The Mysterious Superboss on ??? Island

The most challenging boss in Octopath Traveler 2 is the Superboos ‘Galdera‘, who awaits the player on ‘??? Island‘ after completing Al‘s questlines. This fight is somehow even more difficult than in the original Octopath Traveler, though thankfully, you don’t have to fight eight bosses beforehand.

How To Unlock the Fight Against Galdera

Step 1: The Traveler’s Bag

The first step is to complete the ‘The Traveler’s Bag‘ sidequest, available at the end of Chapter 1 regardless of the character chosen as the player character at the beginning of the game. Defeat the thief found at a campfire close to the starting location and return the bag to Al.

Step 2: Procuring Peculiar Tomes

You’ll also need to complete “Procuring Peculiar Tomes,” which can be obtained from the Library in Montwise and requires you to acquire three specific books.

Dispatches from Beastling Island can be stolen or bought from a merchant in Beastling Village.

Far Reaches of Hell is in a chest in the lone guarded house in Crackridge. Knock the guard out and nab the book.

The Curious Legend of the Great Wall is in Southern Stormhail Snows, held by the Archeologist near the mountain entrance.

Step 3: From the Far Reaches of Hell

After you’ve handed each tome in and completed both the Procuring Peculiar Tomes and The Traveler’s Bag quests, you can start From the Far Reaches of Hell.

Approach Al in the Library, who you’ll find struggling to translate your newly acquired novel. Seek out Georges Lazuli on the Nameless Isle found north of Toto’haha. Defeat the boss Gigantes and you’ll be able to acquire How to Decipher Unknown Languages from George.

Take the tome back to Al to complete this quest and unlock the sealed door on ??? Island.

Step 4: Travel to ??? Island

Travel to ‘???‘ in The Sundering Sea and you should notice that the large door is now open. Enter the door to find an injured Al and a long staircase. If you think you’re ready, ascend the stairs and receive the warning: “The sense of danger is overwhelming. Are you certain you wish to proceed?”

Select ‘Yes,’ divide your party, and begin the battle against Galdera — the true final boss of Octopath Traveler 2.

The Summer 2024 Anime season has been absolutely excellent, with big-hitters like Oshi no Ko season 2, Tower of God: Return of the Prince, Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest, and Suicide Squad Isekai leading online discussions within the anime community.

One of the resident rom-com additions to the season, Too Many Losing Heroines, has proven itself to be the perfect subversion of many of the standard tropes found in shonen rom-coms, and from everything that’s been released from the anime so far, it’s looking to be the summer season’s best.

Too Many Losing Heroines Gives Shonen Rom-Com Fans Everything They Could Ever Want

Produced by A-1 Pictures, the anime adaptation of Too Many Losing Heroines by Muru Imigi and Takibi Amamori follows Kazuhiko, a friendless and plain young man who unexpectedly catches the cool and popular Anna Yanami getting friend-zoned by her childhood friend. In an interesting domino effect, all the popular girls at Kazuhiko’s school are getting rejected left and right by the guys they like.

Kazuhiko subsequently ends up surrounded by said popular girls, and his boring, quiet high school life gets flipped on its head as he helps keep the shockingly eccentric girl-failures’ spirits up in the face of heartbreak. While the plot may initially sound pretty standard for an anime in this genre, the execution of Too Many Losing Heroines makes it stand out in an oversaturated genre for the performances delivered by the main cast and the show’s incredible writing.

Hikaru Toono, the voice actress that plays Anna, is particularly talented, perfectly bouncing between the typical “popular girl” persona and being a total eccentric when she thinks nobody’s watching. The rest of the cast feel equally lively, and when pairing this with A-1’s vivid and stylish animation, the anime has been nothing short of incredible.

Of course, for anime fans not keen on shows that delve into harem tropes, this one may be a miss. While it definitely focuses more on the struggles of the girls after being rejected and moving on, there is still just a hint of a harem brewing beneath the surface. Whether the show will commit to this or truly subvert the genre by staying removed from the harem trope has yet to be seen. Despite that, though, Too Many Heroines’ first three episodes have been infectiously fun and any fan of rom-coms should give it a try.

San Diego Comic-Con is one of the hallmark fandom events of the year that promises new and exciting announcements from just about every industry imaginable, including anime and manga.

This year’s programming was no different, and as the manga industry’s presence has become stronger at Comic-Con, so too have the influx of new series announcements from English manga publishers.

Twilight Out of Focus Box Set – Kodansha USA

Originally created by Jyanome, Twilight Out of Focus is a popular Boys’ Love romance manga Mao Tsuchiya and Hisashi Otomo, two second-year high school students sharing a dorm. The pair of them have three core rules: Mao can’t tell anyone that Hisashi is gay, Hisashi will never look at Mao as a romantic partner, and that they must always knock before entering – just in case one of them is having a private moment. While their plans seem airtight initially, things slowly fall apart as the two grow more attached to one another over time, developing into a steamy relationship.

The new box set from Kodansha USA will contain all four volumes of the original manga as well as a special U.S.-exclusive art book, a short story that has never been translated in English, and brand-new, full color illustrations.

The POOL – Kodansha USA

From the creator of Ajin: Demi-Human, The POOL is Gamon Sakurai’s next sci-fi thriller that follows Chief Yugi Oishi, who’s tasked with leading her men on an alien planet after finding themselves barricaded in an abandoned mine as alien threats close in around them. While the series only has a handful of chapters currently, each new release has been absolutely spine-tingling.

Plus, Sakurai’s signature artstyle really brings the story to life, with horrific looking alien beasts that add a particular eeriness to the paneling.

Snegurochka of the Spring Breeze – Kodansha USA

From the creator of the classic Blade of the Immortal, Hiroaki Samura’s Snegurochka of the Spring Breeze is an award-winning political drama making it to English-speaking bookshelves beginning in 2025. The series follows Bielka, a young woman in a wheelchair, and Schenok, her companion, who must keep their true identities concealed in the harsh political climate of the Soviet Union.

Weaving together events between the Romanovs and Rasputin alongside Hiroaki’s knack for historical fiction, the series is absolutely incredible and something that every fan of manga and comic books should pick up.

Sailor Moon Naoko Takeuchi Collection Manga Box Set – Kodansha USA

Naoko Takeuchi’s Sailor Moon is a hallmark shojo and a magical girl staple whose popularity and influence can still be felt across the industry today. While the series is no stranger to English releases, Kodansha unveiled a special box set edition of the latest print edition of the series, dubbed the “Noako Takeuchi Edition” which is packaged in a special holographic box with 16 art cards and the first 6 volumes of the Sailor Moon manga.

While there’s no updates on when the second box set will release, the box set announced by the publisher will be available for purchase during the Holiday season.

Issak – Kodansha USA

One of the American Manga Award nominees for 2024 that up to this point had only been released digitally, Taking place in 1620, Catholics and Protestants have been in conflict right at the crux of the Thirty Year War. Amid the battlefield is a lone Japanese soldier named Issak, who’s come to Europe in pursuit of the man who killed his master. The physical release of the series will be in a 2-in-1 omnibus format that will begin publishing in Spring 2025, but the series is available digitally through Kodansha right now.

Are you wondering where all 29 ramp locations in Goat Simulator 3 are? The developers did an excellent job with placing ramp locations. Some are easier to spot than others, so we have provided you with the locations of all ramps.

Where To Find All 29 Ramp Locations in Goat Simulator 3

There are a total of 29 ramps spread across San Angora. The ramps are broken down into specific zones that will be recorded in your collectible menu after you jump them in a vehicle or bike, which you can access by pressing the menu key. You will know it is successful when fireworks appear after your jump.

Fairmeadows Ranch

There are a total of six ramps in Fairmeadows Ranch.

The first ramp is in the area where men hide in trashcans.

The second ramp is just off the river, where a guy is fishing off the dock.

The third ramp is just north of the talent show, where you complete a quest to be liked by all the judges.

The fourth ramp above Dilbo’s house. Lots of construction equipment and towers surround it.

The fifth ramp is by Sun and Son’s solar farm business.

The sixth ramp is behind the Fossil Fuel gas station.

Pointy Foods Factory

There is a total of two ramps near the Pointy Foods Factory.

The first ramp is off the highway right before you reach Suburbsville.

The second ramp is located inside the Pointy Foods Factory area.

Suburbsville

There are a total of three ramps in Suburbsville.

The first ramp is located across from the Swekia building.

The second ramp is located down the dirt road from the Yoga studio.

The third ramp is located by the birthday party house and where the nuke drops during the Fallout easter egg event.

Construction Site

There are a total of two ramps at the construction site.

The first ramp goes over a building with a red door.

The second ramp goes through a concrete cylinder.

Downtown

There are a total of five ramps in the Downtown zone.

The first ramp is underneath the double-lane highway by the Quiet Hill Rest Area.

The second ramp is located by the entrance to Port San Angora.

The third ramp is inside this white building in Port San Angora.

The fourth ramp is located at the end of Port San Angora in-between red shipping containers.

The fifth ramp is located by Doretto’s car shop at the foot of the Hoofer Dam.

Goatenburg

There are a total of six ramps in Goatenburg.

The first ramp is underneath the Welcome to Clover St. sign.

The second ramp is at the end of the pier on the beach.

The third ramp is located by the Route 55 sign leading to libertarian Island. The ramp goes through a pink shipping container box.

The fourth ramp is located behind the last 5G tower.

The fifth ramp is located inside the construction building. This ramp was the last one I found in the game, and it took me forever. I didn’t realize the ramp leading up to the building was a ramp.

The sixth ramp is located behind the Fidelite Lounge building.

Hoofer Dam

There are two ramps at the Hoofer Dam landmark.

The first ramp is on the Hoofer Dam itself.

The second ramp is by the Welcome to Mornwood Falls sign.

Sawmill

There is one ramp at the Sawmill location.

The first ramp is above the Sawmill.

Mornwood Falls

There are two ramps in the Mornwood Falls zone.

The first ramp is by the rest area.

The second ramp is squeezed in between a trailer, a small cave with a trinket collectible, and some pigs. The ramp leads into the San Angora Zoo when jumped.

Goat Simulator 3 is available on PC through Epic Games, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Publisher Headup has formed a new independent studio: Goon Squad.

Consisting of the publisher's own in-house development team, Headup says the formation of Goon Squad "marks a significant milestone in Headup's 15-year journey" and "is a testament to Headup’s commitment to nurturing creativity and innovation."

"Headup is empowering this creative hub to flourish independently, fostering a space where new gaming experiences can take root and grow while sharpening its own positioning with a clear publishing focus," the team explained.

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Gamescom kicked off last night with its annual Opening Night Live showcase, bringing a range of game announcements, release dates and gameplay reveals for a range of upcoming titles.

Xbox and Take-Two dominated the Geoff Keighley-hosted presentation, which was livestreamed from Koelnmesse in Cologne. If you missed the full two-hour showcase, here are the main highlights:

GamesIndustry.biz will be reporting from Gamescom all week. You can keep up with our coverage right here.

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Virtuos has acquired British indie game developer, Third Kind Games.

Virtuos says the acquisition will enhance its "AAA co-development capabilities and establish a new foothold for Virtuos in the UK."

The buyout will not affect the game's management, as Virtuos says Third Kind - which employs over 70 in Leamington Spa, UK, and has worked on games like Fable, Forza Horizon 4, and Sea of Thieves - will continue to be led by its nine co-founders, all of whom formerly worked at Activision.

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Space Ape has shut down Rival Kingdoms, saying it had been "a privilege" to have run the RTS game penned by Rhianna Pratchett for almost a decade.

The developer said it had no plans to sell or transfer the mobile game to another company, revive it, develop a sequel, or permit players to play the game on private servers.

Whilst the developer stopped short of revealing why it had decided to shutter the game, a statement posted on its website said, "all games have a life cycle, and Rival Kingdoms is no exception."

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McDonald’s has managed the difficult task of "mixing friend groups together" to release a series of Happy Meal toys that are Sanrio mascot characters dressed up as Yu-Gi-Oh monsters. You’ll be able to get them for a limited time, but stores in the USA are missing a particular doll.

Here is a commercial for the McDonald’s Yu-Gi-Oh and Sanrio Happy Meal toys:

It shows the Sanrio mascots and the Yu-Gi-Oh monsters hanging out on separate sides of the park. But when a kid grabs a Happy Meal box and starts skipping down the road with it, we see how she inadvertently shakes up their world and cause them to combine. The official Yu-Gi-Oh X (Twitter) account credits Guillaume Huin, a senior marketing director at McDonald’s, for the commercial.

The combination for Sanrio and Yu-Gi-Oh monsters are:

• Badtz-Maru x Red-Eyes Black Dragon
• Chococat x The Winged Dragon of Ra
• Cinnamoroll x Blue-Eyes White Dragon
• Hello Kitty x Dark Magician
• Keroppi x Kuriboh
• Kuromi x Slifer the Sky Dragon
• My Melody x Dark Magician Girl
• Pochacco x Time Wizard
• Pompompurin x Exodia the Forbidden One
• Tuxedosam: Obelisk the Tormentor

The Yu-Gi-Oh monsters that are part of this crossover all played important roles in the original Duel Monsters cartoons. Over the years, they've been featured in different kinds of goods, such as model kits or figures. As a note, other countries like Japan and Taiwan were able to get these toys earlier this year. Their selection featured the Badtz-Maru wearing the Red-Eyes Black Dragon doll though. So it's unclear why the McDonald's in the United States won't offer that one.

You can get Happy Meal toys of Sanrio mascots wearing Yu-Gi-Oh monster outfits for a limited time from McDonald’s.

The post Sanrio And Yu-Gi-Oh Happy Meal Toys Appears in American McDonald’s appeared first on Siliconera.

Tencent has secured Gamescom's 2024 sustainability award.

Tencent Americas president Brent Irvin accepted the award from Playing for the Planet at Gamescom's Opening Night Live.

The award celebrates organisations that demonstrate public commitments to sustainable values, as well as share their approaches to carbon accounting and emissions reductions.

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Opinions on Peter Molyneux vary.

For some, he's a whimsical raconteur responsible for some of the most inspirational games in this industry.

For others, he's someone who wilfully misleads fans and has somewhat sullied his reputation with ill-advised pivots into motion controls, Kickstarter and NFTs.

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A new manga trailer for Jujutsu Kaisen has been released, paying tribute to the series' characters as the story nears its conclusion. The video, available on the official Shonen Jump YouTube channel, features a mix of iconic scenes and heartwarming moments from the manga. 

You can view the official trailer video below:

The trailer, presented as an edited motion comic, culminates in a face-off between Sukuna and Itadori Yuuji, highlighting the dramatic stakes the series has taken on as it approaches it's final five chapters. In addition to the manga trailer, Shueisha announced they are offering 245 chapters of Jujutsu Kaisen for free on the Jump+ app and Zeblack platform. This initiative allows readers to relive key moments or catch up on the series as it heads towards its conclusion.

This trailer follows a similar style to a previous teaser released for the third season of the anime, which focused on the Culling Game arc. That teaser used stylized manga animation and video editing to give a preview of the upcoming anime adaptation of the arc.

With only five chapters left until the finale, the trailer serves as a poignant reminder of the journey the characters have been on and the challenges that still lie ahead.

The post Heartbreaking Jujutsu Kaisen Manga Trailer Pays Tribute to Characters appeared first on Siliconera.

Atsuko Tanaka – the Japanese voice behind iconic characters like Street Fighter's Chun-Li, Lara Croft, Bayonetta, and Tess in the Japanese version of The Last of Us – has died at the age of 61.

As well as extensive video game credits, which include Nier Replicant's Kaine, Tanaka also had notable roles in anime and other shows, including Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost of the Shell and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

Tanaka's death was revealed by her son, voice actor Hikaru Tanaka, who confirmed she died of an undisclosed illness earlier today (August 20).

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Speaking at Devcom today, Red Meat Games creative content strategist Judy Ehrentraut discussed the importance of ethically training generative AI models, and how certain tools can be utilised during game development.

"AI is the biggest buzzword and it's either hyped as the new way to solve every productivity problem, or it's received with a groan," Ehrentraut acknowledged.

"I think both of these takes are really valuable, because disruptive technologies are not necessarily good or bad. It depends on how they are used, and it really depends on the approach that we take and whether it's ethical or not."

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Nobuo Uematsu, the renowned composer behind iconic video game music such as the Final Fantasy series, will hold a special concert event titled "Nobuo Uematsu con TIKI SHOW" in Tokyo. The performances are scheduled for October 5-6, 2024, at Otemachi Mitsui Hall, and tickets are now on sale to the general public. Uematsu will be joined by his band "con TIKI".

View the announcement video below:

The concert will feature a mix of Uematsu's classic game compositions, including tracks from Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy X, as well as original works. Attendees can expect to hear pieces like "Melodies of Life" and "Isn't it wonderful," alongside newer compositions from his latest projects.

In addition to the musical performances, the event will offer special opportunities including a limited-edition commemorative sticker and a chance to meet con TIKI members including Nobuo Uematsu during a post-show handshake session. There will also be a lottery for photo opportunities with the band.

Uematsu previously appeared on The First Take alongside vocalist Loren Allred, where they performed the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth theme song, “No Promises to Keep.” Uematsu played the piano while Allred, performing in character as Aerith, provided the vocals.

Tickets are available through Lawson Ticket, Ticket Pia, and e-plus.

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Black Myth: Wukong was released today, and already it has set new records on Steam.

At the time of writing, the game is being played by 2.13 million concurrent users making it the best performing single-player game of all time by this metric.

It more than doubles the record Cyberpunk 2077 set when it launched in 2020, when it reached one million concurrent users within two hours of its debut. It has even passed the peak of another 2024 hit, Palworld, which VG247 reports topped out at 2.1 million concurrent users.

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As part of our series of daily podcasts from Devcom and Gamescom 2024, GamesIndustry.biz editor-in-chief James Batchelor is joined by Execution Labs co-founder and former IGDA Montreal executive director Jason Della Rocca.

Drawing on Della Rocca's years of experiences working with indie developers, we discuss the biggest challenges these studios face in today's market, from the impact of layoffs and studio closures to the shrinking indie publisher scene.

And don't worry if you missed this week's GI Microcast, which was released yesterday - you can find all the details and listen in here. This week, Chris and James discussed the Epic Games Store's mobile launch, The Plucky Squire's brave release date, and more.

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Encouraging women to request higher pay — and not just to match the salaries of their male counterparts — could be the key to closing the gender pay gap.

That's according to Tanja Loktionova, founder of Values Value, who presented the findings of the recruitment agency's annual salary survey at Devcom yesterday.

During her session, she showed that not only do women earn less than men in almost every discipline within the games industry, but they also expect less when asked what salary they believe would be fair.

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Gamescom has scrapped its Best Nintendo Game Award due to a lack of nominees.

Gamescom's award committee confirmed it had received "too few submissions" for the award category to go ahead this year.

This is the first time since the Gamescom awards were split into platform-specific categories back in 2011 that there will be no award for Best Nintendo Switch game.

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2K and Firaxis have revealed more information about Sid Meier's Civilization VII at gamescom 2024. After first publishing a teaser trailer at Summer Game Fest 2024, the companies revealed the release date and gameplay details for the new game at the European gaming event.

A new trailer for Civilization VII appeared first during the gamescom 2024 Opening Night Live stream. It showed a quick montage of in-engine footage, including buildings from various civilizations and units from different ages. The main highlight of this trailer was the release date announcement.

The new game will be available on February 11, 2025. While prior entries used to appear first on PCs with consoles like Nintendo Switch getting them later on, this trailer's ending segment hints that Civilization VII will be available simultaneously on not only PCs but also the PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox platforms.

Soon after that, Firaxis held an official gameplay showcase stream dedicated to the game on the series' official YouTube channel. The new game will have civilizations tied to each of the three different eras, and the leader character the player chooses is no longer tied to their original civilization.

For example, while Hatshepsut is originally related to Egypt, the player can choose to have her lead the Aksum civilization instead in the Antiquity Age. As the game progresses in age, the player will have to choose a different civilization for Hatshepsut to lead, such as Songhai or Mongolia in the Exploration Age, and Buganda in the Modern Age.

2K has also updated the game's Steam page with additional bonus editions that provide both in-game content at launch and post-launch DLC that 2K will release in the future. People who have pre-purchased any edition of the game—including the standard version before release—can get the native American civilization Shawnee and Tecumseh as a playable leader.

Sid Meier's Civilization VII will be available for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, and Xbox One on February 11, 2025.

The post Civilization VII Release Date and Gameplay Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.

Epic Games' Tim Sweeney has admitted that whilst its free game giveaways have been good for business, many of its exclusivity deals were "not good investments."

In a recent press call, Epic CEO Sweeney talked candidly about Epic Games Store's user acquisition methods, but acknowledged that whilst "a few of [its EGS exclusives] worked extremely well", "a lot of them were not good investments."

Conversely, Sweeney said its free games program has been "just magical" and "very economical," even though the idea of giving away its games may seem "counterintuitive" at first.

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Kwalee has launched an Arabic-language edition of its mobile game platform, Hitseeker.

The UK publisher says it will support Arabic-speaking developers "with tools, resources, and expert support to succeed on a global stage," as well as expert advice and "a collaborative environment tailored specifically to the needs of developers from MENA."

It says that it is "welcoming new partnerships with ambitious game studios in the region who could benefit from support in game design, marketing, and developing their business" by pitching directly via Hitseeker, which can then also be used to "manage the full publishing process."

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Developer Game Science has been asked to justify a document circulated to influencers and content creators that demanded coverage of Black Myth: Wukong did not include covid-19 references, "politics", or "feminist propaganda."

When the document first leaked online over the weekend, journalists were quick to point out that it did not match paperwork given to critics reviewing the game, leading some to assume it was fake.

However, further investigation by VideoGames.si and Forbes reporter Paul Tassi confirmed the document – circulated on behalf of Game Science by marketers Hero Games – was authentic.

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Developers that relegate their storytelling to cutscenes and linear dialogue are severely limiting themselves in how they tell stories — and likely driving players away.

That's according to Kelsey Beachum — best known for her narrative work on Mobius Digital's seminal 2019 title Outer Wilds, but who has also written for Dying Light 2, The Outer Worlds and Groundless, among others — as she delivered the opening keynote at Devcom in Cologne today.

Her opening example was the classic Super Mario Bros, where the story boils down to Toad telling Mario that the princess is in another castle. Illustrating this as a timeline, she marked these moments in red as they bring a complete halt to gameplay: the player is no longer involved.

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Anycolor announced that the Nijisanji Japan Vtuber Naruse Naru will graduate on August 31, 2024. He debuted in VOIZ back in June 2018, meaning he was with the company for over six years.

Here is the official Anycolor notice about Naruse Naru deciding to graduate. While he will depart from the company on August 31, 2024, fan letters will be accepted until September 30, 2024. Also, as is customary for a Nijisanji Vtuber graduation, we will see the social media account close once he does graduate and videos could be archived. 

Naruse Naru also took to social media to talk about his decision to graduate from Nijisanji. In his statement, he noted that he will still be a part of Vsaikyo 2024. That is the yearly Vtuber Apex Legends tournament. Naru is part of the D.D. Dogs alongside Nijisanji’s Harusaki Air, Cover Holostars Vtuber Rikka, and FENNEL’s Miki "Pinotr" Tsurumaki. That is being held August 24, 2024. 

Most recently, Naru has been playing Apex Legends during streams. He was known for playing games primarily. However, he would also occasionally perform covers of songs as well.

Naruse Naru will graduate from Nijisanji on on August 31, 2024, and he will still be in Vsaikyo 2024.

The post Nijisanji Vtuber Naruse Naru Will Graduate in August appeared first on Siliconera.

Speaking at Devcom, Stray Fawn co-founder Philomena Schwab shared how the Zurich-based studio has survived for the past eight years, from refusing to partner with a publisher to the importance of community support when developing a game.

Schwab emphasised that Stray Fawn prides itself on being an independent studio, with no publisher or external investors.

Even when its first game, genetics survival title Niche, started getting publisher interest after crowdfunding success, the studio continued to decline offers. This was due to previous experience from making a mobile game which had a publisher that didn't go so well.

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Climax Studios has opened a new location in Edinburgh.

The studio opened its doors in February, and has been recruiting a team over the past few months.

The co-developer plans to continue hiring to further support the studio and "better collaborate with partners" which include firms such as Microsoft and Sony.

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