iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 2h

96) The Drops of God (2026) "Well, I couldn't find one of your 12 apostles of wine. But since you made it this far, might I interest in you a nice palette cleanser to mark the occasion?" Well, if you insist.🥂

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 2h

95) Daemons of the Shadow Realm (Season 1) A promising start for what is essentially "adult monster tamers: the show". It's a very methodical burn, but the slower pace does show it is interested in exploring its mythos. Also, the siblings dynamics.🤭

Daemons of the Shadow Realm (Season 1, main visual)

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NateMing on Elm Street @nateming.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

okay that was *fucking sick*

pages from Witch Watch

Roswitha shows off her power by literally ripping through the next page to see what happens next (and wiping out a couple buildings in the process)

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sweet kerry eleanor @kerryeleanor.blog · 03/10/2026

lmao i just learned that if you bring two ppl who hate a play to the theater to see it together they’ll still get a lot of support points because they’ll bond over being haters

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I know this only matters to 10% of my followers, but after this week, let me have this. I want to dive into next season (and my next article) with as much good karma as possible.

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

94) (cont'd) I have so many thoughts right now, I'm elated. Need some time to digest, but TL;DR. I do not envy the shonen that come after this. Isn't it nice when things come together, is relatively drama-less online and all in all, actually treated its season finale like a goddamn finale?!🤭

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The one, the only. The best shonen anime of 2026. The future...🤫 94) The Elusive Samurai (Season 2) bsky.app/profile/theg...

The Elusive Samurai (Season 2, promotional image)

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soup_ @estroclysm.neocities.org · 02/10/2026

if youre afraid of being chatty, expressive, loud, or silly, just remember that birds shout their silly heads off every day under the sun and everyone loves birds. its ok to be a yapper

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tpwrtrdmn @tpwrtrmnky.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

If you're a fan of a big media property, a really dedicated and invested fan, you have to learn to respond to criticism of that thing in a calm and reasonable manner rather than as a personal attack. In fact, you should learn to do the criticism yourself, without feeling embarrassed for liking it.

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Skwerl @skwerl.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Ace Combat protagonist.jpg

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Friends, I shit you not, an example of what NOT to do just dropped onto my desk last night. Ooooo, I have a fun story to tell! But being the tough but fair critic I am, we're going to wait until the end of the season for that title. Keep an eye on the media thread. You'll know when you see it.

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

And to further illustrate my point, on top of the mainline games pulling the laser room straight out of the films, want to take a wild guess who they pulled for the main theme of Resident Evil: The Final Chapter? For films of diminishing returns, they have history. www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kWP...

youtube.com

L'Arc-en-Ciel「Don't be Afraid」-Music Clip-

YouTube video by L'Arc-en-Ciel

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Post-thoughts: not defending the previous RE films, but two things you cannot deny about the Paul WS Anderson movies - that 2000s edge and their headbanging music collaborations. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVP5...

youtube.com

Killswitch Engage - The End Of Heartache (Resident Evil version)

YouTube video by Killswitch Engage

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

If you like that, you're gonna love what I'm cooking up atm. 😉

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Anime, especially shonen anime, can and should strive to be more than spectacle. Not every story needs to be Odyssean length, but criticism that squarely focuses on what's presented as-is is to describe product. That's a consumer POV. Now criticism that analyzes beyond the screen? That's art.

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Got a few I've been holding onto (it's been a while). That new Resident Evil film is throwing off some bad juju (and not in a good way). While I'm sure it is better than Weapons, every piece I've come across is confirming that I should probably wait until it comes to streaming.

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

93) Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia "The perfect storm is approaching..." Stay tuned.🏆

Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia (promotional poster)

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

92) Sparks of Tomorrow A bit torn on this one. It's got great visuals and the realist/spiritualist ideology between its two leads going for it. But it tries way too hard with its slapstick, and the less I say about the antagonist, the better. That said, some of the bad faith takes going around...🤐

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David BASTARDspan @davidbix.com · 28/09/2026

There's a chicken on the sidewalk in Brooklyn.

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

No, I have not started Fortunes Weave, if you're wondering. But I'll get there eventually.

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Looks like someone is weaving my fortune today in my favor.😇 (Note: I have not used the freebie they gave everyone yet.)

Three of the four protagonists from Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave obtained in Fire Emblem Heroes after 45 summons, the three charge meter being built up and using the 40th freebie on Leda.

Leda (Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave) being summoned in Fire Emblem Heroes. I pulled this one using the 40th summon guaranteed pick, then ended up pulling the other three heroes on my next summoning round (lol).

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

[News] Radiant volume 20 (French) releases 10/29. Original Post: www.instagram.com/reel/Ddnxv_C...

A completed illustration from the upcoming Radiant manga, volume 20. This appears to be the climax or end of the Domitors (Bome) arc.

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Original post (should have linked first): www.youtube.com/@AnkamaAnima...

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

A quick update not mentioned here (global broadcast news):

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Come to think of it, this whole season feels like it was specifically made for me. Historical epics? We've got three! Fairy tales of the folklore and/or "Grimm" variety? Here you go. Retellings/reimaginings of classic anime? Forget about it! Only thing missing is horror, but that'll be moot soon.🎃

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

91) Goodbye, Lara (Silly you! You forgot to say the title!) In all seriousness, one of the highlights of the season. An excellent take on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale. And despite the somewhat rushed finale, accomplished what it set out to do. That's a big catch, if I say so myself.

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

"What is 'good' art?" A performance that transcends periods? Or one that lifts all creatives forward? Hmm, I wonder... Perhaps, in time, they'll recognize it. But you know, it's funny. It almost feels like: 90) The World is Dancing

The World is Dancing (promotional visual)

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Three quick ones today: 89) Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games Another fine example of anime revolving around specific or niche hobbies. Not quite on Rock is a Lady’s Modesty's level, but that's largely due to the swearing! (Looks like those labbing sessions paid off in the end!)

Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games (main visual)

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Enjoying The Elusive Samurai? Need a little more Tokiyuki in your life? Check out my original piece on the first season. And for those currently watching the second season, stay tuned. The fun is only getting started...

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

88) 1000xResist "There is a star and a star and a dangerous gravity. There is a you and an us and a means to us. But there is a nothing and it is not you and nothing lasts forever." "There is a strand and it falls away."

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

87) Iron Wok Jan The literal personification of the "finally, some good f***ing food" gif, complete with shit eating grin. Or as I like to call it, "that'll teach those posers from Food Wars who's top chef around here!"😈

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🔞 Umber 🔞 @metallicboobage.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

be annoying about the things that make you happy. anyone who leaves or complains never cared and was never worth your time in the first place. be yourself and be loud about what you love and the right people will be drawn to you

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Oh, and before I forget. The authors of West Tokyo Metal Bros and Life-man hinted they are working on new projects. Even at the very end, they found a way to remain thematically on point! 😆

West Tokyo Metal Bros ch 23: The members Mach Taihai raising the classic metal "devil horns" hand gesture.

A page from Life-man ch 43. Life man giving the thumbs up while narration describes the daily battle known as "life" and the pleasure of getting to fight and enjoy that lifestyle.

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Oh, and before I forget. The authors of West Tokyo Metal Bros and Life-man hinted they are working on new projects. Even at the very end, they found a way to remain thematically on point! 😆

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

And since we're at the end, once more, always remember:

"At 5 million horsepower, Life-man's fists pack a mega-punch." (panel from Life-man, ch. 3)

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Moving onto better short-lived manga... 86) Life-man (Seikatsu Man) "Thanks for living, thanks for thriving. Thanks for keeping the faith Life man!" I'd say more, but this time, I think the final panel and comments speak for themselves. mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp/comments/103...

Final "Life-man" Trivia: "Life man is a hero who defends his town. He helps those in need and brings a little smile to everyone's day. Thank you, Life man. In saving one person, you have saved countless others. Never stop fighting, Life man." (Life-man, chapter 43)

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

85) Black Torch "Uninspired, unremarkable, aimless." These are but a few words that have been tossed around thus far. The most blatantly "Can I copy your homework? Sure, but don't make it obvious" shonen, not helped by the fact its direct inspiration is airing this season. (What was the point?)

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Reminder: this is the new Dofus anime set 40 years after Book 1: Julith, making this first new project from that era in ten years.

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videogame history @vghistory.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

snatcher, screenshot, sega cd (1994) www.mobygames.com/game/7524/sn...

green caps text on a black background:
this story is dedicated
to all those cyberpunks
who fight against injustice
and corruption every day
of their lives.

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Dark Aether @thegrimaether.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Witch Watch doesn't get nearly enough credit for its narrative chops. The latest chapter is a reminder that Shinohara, who previously wrote Astra: Lost in Space, is still a pro at executing a plot twist that's been hiding in plain sight all this time. (and yes, I revisited ch. 1. IT WAS THERE!!!)

Nico talking to her mother Ibuki about their "family heirloom". The one item Nico [SPOILERS] has been carrying on her since chapter 1. Ibuki mentions she does not recall gifting her such an item. (Witch Watch, ch 262)

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