iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

91. Primetime (2026, Film) Robert Pattinson as Hansen-Ahab chasing his white whale of Lost is kinda awesome. Just devolves into a nightmarish fever by the end, it owns.

Theatrical poster for PRIMETIME showing Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

90. Dead Cells (2018, Video Game) It does a fine job blending two genres that really should just remain separate. Did all three final bosses on base difficulty, you could not get me to care about increased difficulty for some dogass metaprogression.

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

89. The Devotion of Suspect X (2005, Novel) What if Death Note was theoretical mathematics vs applied physics? It's actually so gas, Higashino's got the damn sauce. The character work is really quite something, coupled with an incredibly basic yet effective final twist.

Minotaur Books edition cover of Keigo Higashino's "The Devotion of Suspect X"

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

88. The Black Spectacles (1939, Novel) My first Carr, it's pretty fun. The characters all fill their roles perfectly. There's one trick that I really love, and others that are just normal good. I got the who just by process of elimination from a narrative standpoint, but definitely not the how

British Library Crime Classics cover for The Black Spectacles by John Dickson Carr

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

87. Sonic R (1997, Video Game) It's fun, actually. Nothing mindblowing, it kinda feels like shit at first, and the cast is mad unbalanced, but it's cool for the ~1.5 hours you get out of it. Impeccable OST and aesthetic, Metal Knuckles deserves to come back some day.

Sega Saturn boxart for Sonic R, it's got Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles running with Dr. Eggman in pursuit

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

86. The Citadel of the Autarch (1983, Novel) I'll get to Urth at some later point, but for now, this is my end. And what an ending! As just a book it is kind of bizarrely structured, but who cares, that first part owns. I was sold on BotNS as "Xenogears before Xenogears" and boy did it deliver

Original cover for Gene Wolfe's "The Citadel of the Autarch" showing Severian riding on a destrier into battle

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

85. Akira (1988, Film) There's just some shit that, if you've got the chance, you've gotta see in a theater. The ideal viewing experience involves a dude two seats over, explaining the plot in-detail to his date.

Theatrical poster for Akira (アキラ), depicting Kaneda walking towards his iconic red bike

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

84. The Sword of the Lictor (1982, Novel) This is a complicated one for me. It's got some amazing setpieces (Typhon, the alzabo, the kid getting fried like a cartoon character) and tricks (skipping over Cyriaca's fate until later) but I also felt it was much slower and lacking in connective tissue.

Oirignal cover art for Gene Wolfe's "The Sword of the Lictor" showing Severian's stand-off against the giant Baldanders

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

83. Clue (1985, Film, Rewatch) It's honestly way funnier than I remember, and I already liked it four years ago. I believe Tim Curry could solve the Kira case. "Does the FBI really have a habit of covering up murders?" "Of course they do, they're led by a man named Hoover."

DVD cover for Clue: The Movie
"It's not just a game anymore"

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

82. Boku no Natsuyasumi (2000, Video Game) They're calling it the ultimate vibe game. It does a lot of pretty neat things on its own, but I think more importantly is its ability to force the player to think about their own pasts and childhood during the long stretches of nothing.

Boxart for ぼくのなつやすみ (boku no natsuyasumi) Summer Holiday 20th Century

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

81. StarBlade (1991, Video Game) Played this via Wii VC, it's pretty damn good. After like two minutes trying to use the classic controller I gave up and switched to wiimote ir sensor because it's insane that the y-axis is noninverted. Insane technical achievement, seriously

Promotional image for StarBlade, showing heaps of spaceships flying out and exploding

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

80. Panzer Dragoon (1995, Video Game) Video Games. It's peam, glory to the Sega Saturn.

North American boxart for Panzer Dragoon. It's got a guy in goggles atop a lovely blue, low-poly dragon

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

79. Air Combat (1995, Video Game) Idk if this one is for me, fellas. The controls caused me physical pain, but at least it was short enough for me to finish. The music was pretty banging. Idk, maybe I'll get to 3 at least, that one seems interesting. Maybe I just don't fuck with planes

North American boxart for Air Combat on the Sony PlayStation. It's got some fuckin' planes on it

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

78. Asura Girl (2003, Novel) The first chunk is really strong but, surprisingly, the more surreal second-half is where I'm left more conflicted. I like the ultimate resolution, at least most of it, but the path to get there was maybe a bit long. Well-translated though and worth a read

American cover for Asura Girl by Otaro Maijo, as translated by Stephen Snyder

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

77. The Military Policeman and the Dismembered Beauty (1957, Film) I went through way too much trouble just to watch this. It's a fine mystery film. I can see how a young Itoi would misinterpret and misremember it years later and create Giygas. But it's nowhere as graphic as that reputation suggests

DVD poster for The Military Policeman and the Dismembered Beauty (憲兵とバラバラ死美人)

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

76. Star Fox (1993, Video Game) Sure, I wish it didn't run like That but it's still a great time. It's got the most important part, making the flying and shooting fundamentally feel good. Plus a killer soundtrack. Some bosses could use some clarity but otherwise, who cares. Grow up.

North American boxart for Star Fox on the SNES. Showing a Fox McCloud puppet and prominently touting the SuperFX chip

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Reading Asura Girl and you know I started soyjaking at the Smoke reference with Jawakutora.

"shapes. Shit, it was all just copycat stuff, riffing off those ne--
about the 'Bamoidoki God' left by that Sakakibara kid who--
off that little boy's head, or that other killer who called himself--
'Jawakutora God.'
You shouldn't go stealing other people's gods.
But then isn't all religion a matter of stealing in the first place?
The 'religious spirit'--a big rip-off?"
-excerpt from Asura Girl by Otaro Maijo

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

75. Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City (2010, Film) Now this has the sauce holy shit. No need to watch the first to enjoy this, it arguably makes it harder to understand. Absolutely incredibly on all levels of production. Zebra Queen steals the show everytime she's on screen.

Japanese poster for Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City. Zebraman stares down a horde of the Zebra Police, as Zebra Tower looms in the distance

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

74. Zebraman (2004, Flim) Not Miike's strongest, but it's pretty fun. A little long but it makes up for it in enough ways. The action scenes are all perfect.

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

73. River's Edge (1986, Film) This has some of the most evil children in film, it owns. Also a fair bit of really understated comedy, good time!

Release poster for River's Edge, declaring the film "THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL FILM YOU WILL SEE THIS YEAR"

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

72. Things Fall Apart (1958, Novel) I feel very silly whenever I read a classic well-respected novel and make one of these posts. What could I possibly say about this in ~240 characters? I's as good as its reputation suggests. Okonkwo's an all-time tragic hero, if only he weren't so misogynist

Penguin Classic cover for Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

71. The Sheep in the Box (2026, Film) I didn't know anything about this going in so I was expecting more of Kore-eda's usual fare and realism, not light sci-fi and robo-Childhood's End. It's good but I don't think it's a must-see like his other films. Still have faith in his Look Back

Japanese Poster for Hirokazu Kore-eda's "The Sheep in the Box" (箱の中の羊) showing a robot child hugging a tree

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Now that I've finished every mainline Final Fantasy I can do my favorite activity and tier them, oh boy! They're all great though, except 3 and 16. Sorry.

Final Fantasy tierlist
Best of the Best: 5, 6, 8
Capital 'G' Gaming: 15, 10, 13
Amazing Time: 7, 1, 11, 2, 12
Still Pretty Good: 14, 4, 9
:( 16, 3

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

With that, my FFXI summer is over. It wasn't always the smoothest or most enjoyable experience but I don't regret the ~180 hours I spent with Wokemohg in Vana'diel. I'll come back to it, someday. Any FF fan owes it to themselves to at least get through CoP. But for now, farewell.

A somewhat cramped screenshot of FFXI in Al'taieu. My final party of Wokemohg (Galka DRG), Selh'teus, Ark Angel EV, Prishe, Ulmia, and Iroha

Screenshot of Wokemohg logging out of FFXI for the final time, in Bastok Markets as fireworks go off in the distance

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

70. Final Fantasy XI: Rhapsodies of Vana'diel (2015, Video Game) It's a fun ending to XI and I really like Iroha. If you ask me, they should've gone all-in on the fanservice, require all expacs to be completed, etc. Let the other heroines account to more than a glorified cameo

Key art for Final Fantasy XI: Rhapsodies of Vana'diel, depicting Iroha and the crystal, encircled by pretty much every major FFXI character and the looming Cloud of Darkness

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

69. The Claw of the Conciliator (1981, Novel) I too, have about five different, somewhat conflicting goals, that I am make no progress on. Severian just like me fr. It's really funny just how many bits of this are Severian failing to manifest a miracle because the Claw isn't really divinely inspired

First edition cover of Gene Wolfe's "The Claw of the Conciliator", depicting Severian, in his mask and fuligin cloak, holding up a shining gem to ward off the man-apes

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Oh it's because they didn't have time/budget to elaborate on Hades and Ra'kaznar lmao classic

The mysterious Chapter 6 and the phantom "Demon Prison"

The Seekers of Adoulin missions end with Chapter 5, but it's been mentioned that there was a mysterious sixth chapter as well.

Saito: We had an illustration of the planned location for Chapter 6 that we were working off of, but the map had too many levels, so it ended up being too large to implement within the game given the release schedule. Although we made prototypes for some areas, we couldn't find a way to incorporate them into the game, so it just wasn't possible in the end. In regards to the story for the content, we created a portal following the Battle of Ra'Kaznar Turris that would transport you to another world. It was our plan to reveal the truth of how Hades became what he is, and the story would eventually lead to a final battle against him. Within those connected episodes, we planned to include stories such as the truth behind the Naakual, among others.

Source: https://we-are-vanadiel.finalfantasyxi.com/post/?id=759

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

68. Final Fantasy XI: Seekers of Adoulin (2013, Video Game) No amount of last-minute yaoi can save this one, sorry. Arciela is fine I guess but nothing special. The plot felt very, idk confused? The only way to stave off the rot at the heart of the world is colonization! lmao

Box art for the fifth expansion of Final Fantasy XI, Seekers of Adoulin. Depicting Arciela, a Rune Fencer, and a Geomancer

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

And of course, now in modern printings those've been subsumed by the far inferior Obata artwork. Ew.

Modern Japanese print of The Book of the New Sun + Urth of the New Sun with cover art by Takeshi Obata

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Also, not to be that guy, but dude check out the Amano covers for the series in Japan.

Original release of the Book of the New Sun tetralogy in Japan, with cover art by Yoshitaka Amano

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

67. The Shadow of the Torturer (1980, Novel) Severian, you can't keep saying that every new woman you meet is "the most beautiful woman I've seen". I kinda wish it stuck more to the episodic framework of the opening chapters pre-exile, but it's still good.

First edition cover of The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe, showing a cloaked figure wearing a mask and holding a sword amidst an abstract background

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

66. Final Fantasy XI: A Crystalline Prophecy (2009, Video Game) The quest designer for this should be taken out back but otherwise it's fine. Kato at least managed to get some cool imagery and vibes in the very little space he was given to work in.

Key art for Final Fantasy XI: A Crystalline Prophecy, prominently showing a young Aldo

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

The tabletop RPG allows for many wonders

Various clocks and counters for things such as winning, Losing, Blood ;), Ace of ______

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

65. Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess (2007, Video Game) Having a fun lead can only carry you so far through what's easily the longest expansion for no reason that's narratively just reheated Chrono Cross leftovers. Some fun ideas but oh my god it's a billion years long and the side cast sucks.

Promotional art for the Final Fantasy XI expansion Wings of the Goddess, depicting the dawn goddess Altana

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

64. Hypnospace Outlaw (2019, Video Game) Wow, what a game! Honestly just sitting around and exploring the web is a vibe enough on its own, but then add in everything else and the actual puzzle solving makes for an incredible time. Zane my goat!

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

63. Loups-Garous (2001, Novel) I'm not nearly as big into shakai mystery compared to shinhonkaku but this is an absolute treat. Very gripping and grounded tale for the most part until its last ~60 pages where it delves head-first into delightful stupidity. (Also look at the awful English cover lol)

Cover for the English-language version of Loups-Garous by Natsuhiko Kyogoku. A close-up on a wolf's face looms over three Japanese teenage girls

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

If Miyamoto thought it was already a problem in 96 I wonder what he'd think modern internet walkthrough/guide/wiki culture

Miyamoto: I would love to do that. However, strategy guides exist now, so the joy of someone discovering something entirely on their own doesn't really translate anymore. Everyone expects to be able to beat the game as a given. There's a massive dilemma there.

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Run finished! Smooth, smooth sailing right up until Neo-Exdeath where just like last time I flatly didn't have the HP to survive Almagest. But after like genuinely 2 hours of attempts I got lucky with Catoblepas to get rid of that segment. Yippee #FF5FJF2026

Neo-Exdeath fading away after being defeated in Final Fantasy V

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Frederic Dannay and Manfred Lee might be the original blowjob brothers.

Black & White photograph of writers Manfred Lee and Frederick Dannay, best known for their joint-work under the pseudonym Ellery Queen

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

World 2 is down! Gilgamesh 2 and the Crystals were a pain, but not too bad otherwise. Exdeath went down first try. Big shout out to dragoon Krile functioning as just a backup summoner. Eventually Lena's gonna get rapid fire and be useful... #FF5FJF2026

The battle results screen of Final Fantasy V in Castle Exdeath, having just defeated the man himself with all party members alive

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

62. Metal Wolf Chaos XD (2019, Video Game) Celebrating 4th of July by imagining a different, better America. Michael Wilson is the president we need but not the one we deserve. "I looked up in the sky and saw God. God was made out of steel."

Box art for Metal Wolf Chaos XD showing the titual Metal Wolf mobile armor amidst the backdrop of a burning American flag

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

World 1 done! Not super eventful, surprisingly. Was worried about Archaeoaevis but it went down first try. And I got lucky with Faris just barely surviving earthshaker so I didn't have to try and hope for a good jump timing. Idk what the fuck I'm gonna do with a dragoon though #FF5FJF2026

A CRT TV hooked up to a Super Famicom playing Final Fantasy V. The menu shows the party at level 18. Faris is a Summoner, Lena is a Ranger, Bartz is a Knight, and Galuf is a Dragoon.

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

61. Akane-Banashi (2026, TV) I completely forgot to make a post about this when the finale aired, oops. Great adaptation so far, very excited for season 2. The rakugo portions and commentary do suffer a bit from not being able to clearly have two things be talked about at once, but it's not so bad

Promotional visual for season 1 of Akane-Banshi. Showing the main character, Akane, alongside the supporting cast overlayed on a stylized folding fan

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

60. Final Fantasy XI: Treasures of Aht Urhgan (2006, Video Game) It was fine, tbh. In a lot of ways it feels like what I wanted out of Dawntrail. The characters were super underbaked except for maybe Luzaf and Gessho. Naja's bit wore on me very fast and I could not care about Aphmau, sorry.

North American box art for the Final Fantasy XI expansion Treasures of Aht Urhgan.

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

59. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1989, Video Game) Okay but what *were* they thinking. It's not the worst thing ever for sure, but it's still pretty damn bad. Interesting concepts and top tier boxart though.

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

58. Snatcher (1994, Video Game) It's okay. Maybe it's just because I played Policenauts beforehand but this just feels like a lesser version of that in a lot of ways. Some incredibly funny stuff in the third act and the 90's voice acting oozes charm.

Box art for the Sega CD version of Snatcher

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Executive Koala @executivekoala.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

57. Final Fantasy XI: Chains of Promathia (2004, Video Game) The writing in FFXI finally got great when they wrote yuri. The pacing is a bit ass but that's ok because Prishe and Ulmia are phenomenal, and the rest of the party is mostly also great. Except for the three chudlings I hate them.

Box art for the Final Fantasy XI expansion pack Chains of Promathia, depicting Sehl'teus and Promathia

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