iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

I'm not going to watch every Multiverse Saga film as there are a couple that I don't plan to revisit. But I will be rewatching Shang-Chi, No Way Home, Multiverse of Madness, Wakanda Forever, Guardians Vol. 3, Deadpool & Wolverine, Thunderbolts* & Fantastic Four: First Steps.

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That's going to be it for rewatches TV-wise. I haven't gotten around to watching Agatha All Along and Ironheart as well as the Spider-Man & X-Men animated shows. The former two I plan to watch later (but before VisionQuest wraps up).

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Afterwards I rewatched WandaVision which has a lot of creative and unique ideas though it does stumble with its final episode (but still fine). Everything about Vision was great from start to finish and looking forward to VisionQuest. Wanda & Agatha are both still great too.

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I started with rewatching Loki first because it was the most interesting one of the lot and despite some plot threads getting derailed for obvious reasons, the series in general was still amazing and ended really well. Loved it from start to finish.

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NormanicGrav @normanicgrav.co.uk · 01/10/2026

Since Endgame Encore I've started my rewatch for the MCU Multiverse Saga, though unlike the Infinity Saga I'm only rewatching specific titles (and starting shows I didn't get around to checking out).

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My September pickups haul! Two more ACA Neo Geo Selection volumes, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, A Better Tomorrow Trilogy (in 4K), Satoshi Kon's Paprika (also in 4K), more modern fantasy anime shows on Blu-ray and more.

NormanicGrav @normanicgrav.co.uk · 30/09/2026

I rewatched The Matrix at the cinema, which was part of Cineworld's re-release of various films this month. Still one of my favourite films of all time and holds up really well. The music slaps really well too.

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NormanicGrav @normanicgrav.co.uk · 29/09/2026

Picked up two Nintendo Switch 2 Edition releases (had to use up the points I earned from The Game Collection before they started expiring). Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition.

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Watched Na Hong-jin's Hope in the cinema. Very engaging from start to finish, definitely felt like two types of films. First half being more monster suspense and mystery, and then the second half turns into Predator style madness. Ending opens up for a sequel but sure why not.

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And also by distributor Arrow Video is the Wicked Priest Collection on Blu-ray. Five films directed by Kiyoshi Saeki, Takashi Harada and Buichi Saitō. First print edition includes a slipcase and booklet.

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Next we have John Woo & Tsui Hark's A Better Tomorrow Trilogy on 4K Ultra HD from distributor Arrow Video, with artwork done by Tony Stella and the first film retranslated by Dylan Cheung. Limited Edition also includes a rigid box with slipcase, booklet and double-sided poster.

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New package today from Terracotta Store focusing on Arrow Video & Toy Robot Video! First up, from distributor Toy Robot Video we have Kōsei Saitō's Ninja Wars and Norifumi Suzuki's Roaring Fire on Blu-ray. Each set contains a slipcase (with another card sleeve), and a few cards.

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Minor spoilers on what they are but I recommend you have watched at least Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Loki Season 2 before jumping in. No regrets, it was a solid crowd and I enjoyed my time.

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All of the new footage is literally at the very end of the film. A few seconds were added just before the credits roll, and there's at least three post-credit scenes that are new (the last one is brief but expands on the original). I watched the IMAX version as a reminder.

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Anyway, this film is exactly the same as the original which is perfectly fine because I actually enjoyed the pace during this screening than I did on my Disney+ watch which was surprising. I suspect the theatrical experience is what makes a difference here.

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I watched Avengers: Endgame Encore today in IMAX. First time I watched the original was the midnight launch in April 2019 via regular screening, and then I rewatched the film's IMAX Enhanced version on Disney+ last month, so today was the third watch (second rewatch).

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And arriving yesterday after a weird delay on Amazon's part is Satoshi Kon's Paprika now finally in the UK on 4K Ultra HD. For some reason we had to wait a whole year to get this steelbook. The film is a 15 but the commentary on the Blu-ray disc raised the rating to an 18.

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And also arriving on the same day is Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter for PlayStation 5, which came from The Game Collection. It's a shame that the third game won't be remade in time for a physical PS5 release going by Falcom's comments. Gambling themes are why its rated 18 for Europe.

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I've received my latest Video Games Plus haul, this time we have three Japanese imports for the Nintendo Switch (all have English support). Volumes 9 & 10 for ACA Neo Geo Selection featuring 10 SNK games each. And also the remaster for Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny.

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It's no doubt the best video game film adaptation so far and I would love to see more of this. You don't need an adaptation of the main stories, just an take on a side character (like this one felt like a RE Outbreak style film with RE 2, 3, 4, 7 & 8 elements) with respect to the game's content.

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NormanicGrav @normanicgrav.co.uk · 16/09/2026

Really enjoyed Zach Cregger's take on Resident Evil. A fun mix of horror and comedy from start to finish. The final act could have been way crazier with how they went about it but it's still a solid but abrupt way to end the story. Loved Bryan throughout and the usage of the game mechanics.

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So it looks like the Mazinkaiser OVA Collection didn't make the cut. That's a shame.

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NormanicGrav @normanicgrav.co.uk · 14/09/2026

I finished Onimusha: Way of the Sword yesterday on Action difficulty. Final boss was challenging but I managed to do it! Playtime overall was 30 hours 20 mins with all side missions also covered. I loved this game and it's my favourite of the year so far. Capcom have been on a roll its crazy.

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I've only played Onimusha 1 via the PS4 remaster (and I'm waiting on the LRG physical release for Onimusha 2 before I play that), so Way of the Sword is my second game in the franchise. Really glad Capcom brought it back. I may be able to finish the story by the end of the week.

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In terms of critiques with the combat, there is one counter move that I can't quite nail down very well which is where you have to time your attack against the other in a three button combo move (using Square or Triangle). It's random and inconsistent imo.

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One thing I love about the combat is that it has this 'stand off' approach to it. The enemies surround you but attack you one at a time. It felt like I was watching a Japanese samurai film with that approach. The block, parry and dodge mechanics are very effective.

The game isn't a Souls type, since your souls will stay with you after death and you can retry that same area right away without any issues. It did remind me of Nioh 3 but smaller in scope, linear and with a British dub. The dub is pretty solid once you adjust to it.

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The only enemies I had an issue with so far were the Nues, I just found them to be pretty tedious in general. The boss fights so far have been pretty well-balanced. There was one that was such a big difficulty spike but it's generous at the same time for story reasons.

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About 70% through Onimusha: Way of the Sword's story so far (14 hours playtime currently). I'm really loving it, definitely my favourite Capcom game this year. Combat's been so rewarding and the boss fights for the most part have been really fun to experience.

NormanicGrav @normanicgrav.co.uk · 05/09/2026

Since it's getting delisted at the end of the month, I played the PSP version of Toy Story 3: The Video Game. It's fine but nice to see how it plays compared to the PS3/360 version that's getting remastered. The alien level near the end of the game was great fun.

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NormanicGrav @normanicgrav.co.uk · 02/09/2026

I watched Leviticus today (UK theatrical screening came later than the US & Australia). A solid horror film that's using the It Follows formula to do its own thing which worked pretty well. Reminded me of Shinya Tsukamoto's Kotoko also. Worth a watch if its available near you.

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NormanicGrav @normanicgrav.co.uk · 02/09/2026

My August pickups haul! More anime featuring Dancouga, Oregairu, Gundam SEED FREEDOM (in 4K) and Mashle amongst others. Plus a couple Marvel games, Radiance's July '26 titles and more Japanese/Hong Kong films from 88 Films, Arrow Video & Third Window Films.

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From Sentai Filmworks we have Loner Life in Another World Season 1 steelbook on Blu-ray. Also includes a booklet (kept inside). Photo here is the other side of the set. The other titles were My Love Story!!, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Seasons 1-3, Queen Millennia & Sorairo Utility.

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From Discotek Media, the complete series for Captain Harlock: Space Pirate and the very OOP release of Dancouga: Super Beast Machine God on Blu-ray. Bloody whiplash seeing that release appear on the MediaOCD store.

From AnimEigo, we have Looking for the Full Moon Volumes 1 & 2, and Sasuke on Blu-ray in HD.

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Also arrived on Monday - 9 more anime series from AnimEigo, Discotek Media and Sentai Filmworks on Blu-ray. #PhysicalMedia #Anime #Bluray

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I've unboxed each Aniplex Blu-ray set on my blog, you can view below. Lord El-Melloi TV series: normanicgrav.co.uk/2026/08/29/l... Lord El-Melloi Special: normanicgrav.co.uk/2026/08/29/l... Mashle Season 1: normanicgrav.co.uk/2026/08/29/m... Mashle Season 2: normanicgrav.co.uk/2026/08/29/m...

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Got a dozen more anime arrive last Monday - including four Aniplex of America releases with Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files: Rail Zeppelin Grace note (& it's Special) as well as both seasons for Mashle: Magic and Muscles, all on Blu-ray.

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And the set is pretty compact which is handy for shelf-space. A bit thinner than the Hardboiled box set.

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Histoire(s) du cinéma and other works just arrived in the post today, this is the Radiance Films limited edition Blu-ray set. Disc 1 covers Histoire(s) du cinéma, Disc 2 covers Scénarios and Disc 3 covers the other works that are in this collection.

Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom arrived yesterday. Been two years since Anime Limited last released a new Gundam title over here. At least it's on 4K Ultra HD. Includes the Blu-ray version and the English dub is on both formats.

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Arrived on 19th August via CeX are Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 for the PlayStation 3. MUA2 didn't come with a manual unfortunately. Both games did receive PS4 remasters but they were digital only and also delisted due to licensing, so I opted for the PS3 ones.

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Then about two days later (arriving 17th August) another package appears this time three Arrow Video 4K Ultra HD releases from Rarewaves. Took a few weeks but they're here. Joel Schumacher's Falling Down, Dominic Sena's Swordfish and William Friedkin's To Live and Die in L.A.

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