On December 17th, an incredible Xiangqi competition, a kind of Chinese chess, took place where the winner pocketed 12,757 euros (100,000 yuan). So far, everything seems normal. But believe me, you won’t expect the rest.
Are you ready to hear some weird news? But really weird, those that you can’t believe and yet have no other option but to be overwhelmingly real. Let’s go to China, more specifically to the province of Haiqan, where an incredible Xiangqi competition took place on December 17th, a kind of Chinese chess in which the winner pocketed 12,757 euros (100,000 yuan). So far, everything is normal. But trust me: you won’t expect the rest.
Xianqi is 2500 years old and its rules are clearly inspired by chess, although they have a different complexity. Certainly, it didn’t deserve a winner like Yan Chenglong, 48 years old, who defeated his rivals, pocketed the money, went out to drink and celebrate… And, upon returning to the hotel, he decided to defecate in the bathtub.
The hotel managers saw it and alerted the authorities, although in itself it was not something that could disqualify a player. Disgusting? Yes. Illegal? Not so much. But things get complicated because inside their, ahem, “gift”, the hotel says they found a remote-controlled anal massage device. And if you follow chess news, this is not news to you.
According to several people who watched the championship, Chenglong twisted rhythmically while playing the game. Why? Apparently, to send data about the game to a computer that returned the solutions in the form of anal vibrations. Of course, for many reasons, he has denied the accusations, giving a weighty reason to relieve himself in the bathtub instead of the toilet, like everyone else: he didn’t make it on time. Euh.
The Chinese Xianqi Association has stated that there is no way to know for sure if he used anal massagers to cheat, but his actions “damaged the hotel property, violated public order and good morals, had a negative impact on the competition and the Xiangqi event, and was characteristic of a bad person.” He had to return the champion belt, part of his winnings, and accept being disqualified from any championship for the next year. Next time he will think twice before moving that particular piece.
Kojima also has many other projects to work on, like the film adaptation of Death Stranding and the Xbox title for 2024…
It was the big surprise of 2019, a candidate for everything. With the indie label, but with a large budget, Death Stranding was one of those video games that make the medium great. Now we know more about its sequel.
The industry legend Hideo Kojima provided a New Year update via Twitter on the various projects he is working on, starting with Death Stranding 2.
According to the creator of Metal Gear, the sequel tohis great game of 2019 needs some ADR to be done.
ADR stands for automated dialogue replacement, a process in film post-production where some lines are re-recorded to replace those from the original production considered inadequate for various reasons, such as improving audio quality or making changes to the dialogue.
In addition, Kojima stated that the recording of the Japanese dubbing for Death Stranding 2 will begin in 2024.
Happy New Year, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, so I asked Yoji and RYU to design a "Ryu (dragon) Dense (LUDENS)" for us.
This year will be another year of simultaneous production of "DS2" and "OD". DS2 still has some ADR left, and we will start recording Japanese voice overs. I… pic.twitter.com/CZEu00QVRC
However, Kojima also has many other projects to work on, such as the film adaptation of Death Stranding (which will be made by A24 in collaboration with Hammerstone Productions), a new series written and special programs like ‘HideTube’ and ‘HideRadio’.
“This year will be another year of simultaneous production of Death Stranding 2 and OD. Death Stranding 2 still has some ADR left, and we will start recording Japanese dubbing. I want to focus on creating games, so I would like to limit my work trips, but I can’t just sit around because I have to shoot for OD, collaborate with Avengers, turn DS into a movie, and work on other video projects. In addition to production, I am also planning to add another writing series, not only for anan but also for other projects. We are also planning to do a special program on “HideTube,” which we have been neglecting, as a test. It is also possible that we will bring back “Hide Radio” in the future. So, it’s going to be a tough year, but I hope to enjoy this Year of the Dragon“.
It seems that Kojima, who is already of a certain age, has a extremely busy year ahead. However, fans may have to wait until 2025 to play Death Stranding 2.
In the coming months, there will be a substantial change for WhatsApp users who store their chat backups on Google Drive. Some time ago, WhatsApp released a statement reminding users of the situation, and now the predictions have come true.
This new feature, initially proposed in mid-November, is currently underway for users participating in the WhatsApp beta program.
According to the users enrolled in the beta, Google Drive storage quotas now take into account their chat and multimedia backups. This means that the storage used by these backups will contribute to the overall limit imposed by the Google account storage for free users, limited to 15 gb.
These 15 GB of Google storage encompass all the data stored in Google Drive, including Google Photos and Gmail. But if this amount seems insufficient to you, the situation for iOS users is even worse: only 5 GB of cloud storage compared to the 15 GB offered by Google.
This change in the treatment of backups is not immediate for all Android users. It is expected that Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, will implement it in the first half of 2024. To facilitate the transition, users will be notified 30 days in advance through a banner that will appear in the chat backup settings of the app.
For those who prefer not to consume their Google Drive storage with WhatsApp data, there are alternative strategies. One option would be to opt for local backups (on the mobile device) and take advantage of the built-in WhatsApp Chat Transfer tool to effortlessly migrate the data to a new device.
Another possibility is to back up only text messages, excluding multimedia files. Text messages usually take up very little space compared to images, videos, and audios, which easily fill up storage space.
Three years have passed since Squid Game premiered, and while we wait for a new season of the Korean series, Netflix could consider a much juicier possibility. Everything is based on a theory about what we saw in the first season, which could leave the series in a very different situation from what we saw before.
Throughout the first season of the series, we saw hidden characters who were not raised, precisely, in Korea. Many of the VIPs who come to watch the show come from other parts of the world, and travel to the Asian country to see the show. This is the basis for understanding that future seasons of Squid Game will not strictly be based in Korea, but will travel to other countries and make the series more international.
The Squid Game beyond Korea?
The theory gains strength taking into account a specific comment from one of the international attendees to the games. The participant says at one point that “the Korean games” of that year were especially good. And what does that mean? Well, it seems that the games go beyond South Korea, and those held in this country could only be one of the many that unfold globally.
Thanks to this, Netflix has many possibilities. On one hand, they can make the following seasons of Squid Game unfold beyond what has been seen in this country, turning the series into something more international. But on the other hand, what they could do is the same as Amazon Prime Video with Citadel: have a base series deployed in Korea and other complementary ones in other countries. Taking into account that they have already made versions of series like Money Heist beyond Spain, it would not be surprising if they take this path.
This newly entered year promises even more memorable events on launch platforms, in orbit, and throughout the solar system.
For all space lovers, rockets and astronomical research enthusiasts, this 2024 we are going to have an extra dose of space missions and projects. The goal is to conquer the stars by 2030. It’s time to get moving.
India landed a robot on the Moon and NASA brought pieces of an asteroid back to Earth for study. A green comet illuminated the night skies and a “ring of fire” eclipse captivated viewers from Oregon to Brazil.
On the other hand, SpaceX launched nearly 100 rockets, and Japan and Europe put new and powerful space telescopes into orbit. For space and astronomy enthusiasts, these were some of the biggest events of 2023.
And this new year promises even more memorable events on launch platforms, in orbit, and around the solar system. Here’s what awaits us in 2024.
A 2024 in space keys
Return to the Moon
NASA wants to put astronauts on the lunar surface in the coming years with the Artemis III mission. Before that happens, however, many things have to go right, and two of the most important ones are planned for 2024.
The first one is the Artemis II mission. NASA introduced last year the four astronauts of Artemis II. As early as November, the four could travel around the Moon and return.
They would be the first humans to travel near the Moon since 1972, when the Apollo 17 mission concluded. To fly in 2024, NASA will have to solve problems with a thermal shield for the astronauts’ spacecraft, as well as overcome other possible delays.
The second obstacle is that the Orion capsule can only orbit the Moon, not land on it. Astronauts need another vehicle to travel to the surface. Currently, it is a version of Starship, the spacecraft being built by SpaceX, the private spaceflight company founded by Elon Musk. But Starship needs a lot of work before it is ready to take astronauts to the Moon.
The Starship prototypes were launched twice in 2023, and each mission ended in an explosion.
New Rockets and Space Missions
The Falcon 9 rockets, built and operated by SpaceX, have become the dominant model for reaching space. The launcher or its variant Falcon Heavy flew 96 times in 2023, and all the flights to orbit were successful. But SpaceX should expect new competitors in the launch platforms in 2024. Among them are:
Vulcan, a rocket built by United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The rocket’s engines are built by Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos, from Amazon. It could fly on January 8th.
Ariane 6, a European rocket. The European Space Agency has recently lacked a specific vehicle to reach orbit, forcing Europe to rely on SpaceX and others to carry spacecraft to the solar system. After a series of delays, the first flight of Ariane 6 could take place in June.
H3, a Japanese rocket. This vehicle was first launched in March 2023, but failed in its attempt to put an imaging satellite into orbit. A second attempt could occur as early as February 15th.
New Glenn, a rocket from Blue Origin. Bezos’ company has taken tourists to the edge of space in its small New Shepard vehicle. Its large orbital launcher could debut in 2024, revolutionizing private space flights if successful.
The new vehicles could also visit the International Space Station. Dream Chaser, a spacecraft built by Sierra Space, could transport cargo to the station for the first time this year.
In addition, Starliner, a capsule built by Boeing, could finally carry a crew of astronauts to the orbit station on April 14, after years of delays.
Many laps around the sun
All kinds of missions are set to explore the Solar System. The most important one is Europa Clipper, a NASA spacecraft that will head to Europa, Jupiter’s moon, in October.
Europa has an icy exterior that hides a vast ocean that, according to scientists, could have the right conditions for life. When Clipper arrives at Europa in 2030, the spacecraft will not attempt to land there, but it will study the moon during dozens of flybys.
Two new spacecraft could head to the red planet no earlier than August as part of NASA’s small ESCAPADE mission. The spacecraft will orbit Mars and study the magnetic bubble that surrounds it.
In October, the European Space Agency will launch the Hera mission to the asteroid Dimorphos. It will study the effects of a previous mission, NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test, which crashed into Dimorphos in 2022 to check if altering the trajectory of a space rock could protect Earth from future asteroid impacts.
2024 is filled with so much, far more entertainment than we can encompass, from movies to series, including video games, comics, books, and of course… board games!
2023 is over! And 2024 is filled with much, much more leisure than we can handle, from movies to series, video games, comics, books, and of course… Board games! Because, deep down, who doesn’t have as a secret purpose to spend more nights with friends, snacks, and a good ‘Dixit’? Pay attention, because this is what we will be playing for the next 366 days.
Over one million dollars raised on Kickstarter for a game that, if you have played ‘Hero Realms’, you already know is a must-have. Classic characters from role-playing games, an unparalleled adventure, a one-on-one up to four players and at the same time a cooperative for two delving into dungeons. Few things are more enticing in 2024.
Arcs
A space-opera with fast-paced gameplay, funny designs, and a unique style of play. For 2 to 4 players seeking pure strategy, 18 different dice, about 100 wooden ships… Those who have already tried it say that it has come out very inspired, although you need to have played more games before to fully enjoy it. We’ll have to see it.
Clank! Legacy 2
If you have played ‘Clank! Legacy‘ you know what’s in store… And it’s not little. A game that spans over time, that will change the board forever, that will surprise you before, during and after each game. Does that sound like a lot? Well, on top of that, it’s based on the original ‘Clank!’ which was already fun on its own. It’s not going to be cheap, of course, but it will be worth every euro.
The Queen’s Dilemma
‘The King’s Dilemma’ is one of those games that you have to play in a group, no matter what, and always the same group to fully enjoy it. Twists, twists, and more twists in an adventure that will depend entirely on your decisions with an innovative gameplay that will put you in front of the biggest challenge of your life: gathering a group of four people who want to meet every weekend for a couple of months.
The 7th citadel
Originally it was going to be released in October 2022, but well, the important thing is that it comes out, after all. Your mission will be to discover what the Citadel in which you live hides. Or maybe you will never discover it! In a world full of resources, cards, LCG and interchangeable games, someone who wants to change everything is appreciated… even if it doesn’t go well at all.
2024 comes ready to become your gamer year! Roll the dice, prepare cards, fight against enemies, gather resources: let the game begin.
The last few years have given us spectacular series that streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, or Amazon Prime Video have brilliantly produced. In addition, in 2023 we said goodbye to some, like Succession, which left our hearts a little emptier.
However, 2024 has arrived to compensate for this situation and give us new series and seasons that promise to become great reference gems. Virtually all platforms have several series in their arsenal that can make it into the top of the best, but below we have selected the 10 most anticipated ones this year.
10. The Acolyte
The Star Wars series have shown ups and downs of all styles. While The Mandalorian remains the top one, and some others like Andor also make it to the best, there are also failures like Obi-Wan Kenobi that balance the scale. But soon a new one will be released that can even improve what already exists: The Acolyte. Created by Leslye Headland for Disney Plus, it is set in a unique scenario of the franchise: the High Republic era before the events of the main saga films.
Very few series have had such an impact in recent years as True Detective. All of its seasons have proven to be television masterpieces, and the next one will premiere on January 14th on Max. In this season, we will see an original story starring Jodie Foster in which we will travel to Alaska, the northern state of the United States.
The Last of Us made it clear last year that it is possible to make a high-level series based on a video game. And this year the bet is raised with Fallout, an Amazon Prime Video fiction that will arrive on April 12th. Created by Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan, the series describes the aftermath of the nuclear war of the 1950s that is depicted in the video games.
Beyond the fact that this year the second part of Dennis Villeneuve’s film will be released, from the beginning the director’s intention was to expand its world, and he will do so with an exclusive series for Max. Dune: Prophecy is set 10,000 years before the film and follows the Harkonnen sisters in their struggle against the forces that threaten the future of humanity. It will arrive next autumn.
If something was clear to us with The Batman is that the world proposed by Matt Reeves is much bigger than what was explored in this great movie. And one of the characters that everyone liked the most is The Penguin. Played by Collin Farrell, this classic bat villain reached a much higher conception than expected, and soon we will see his own story in an exclusive Max series. We only know that it will be released this year.
If you ask any Spanish person about Juan Gómez-Jurado, I’m sure they will be able to mention one of his novels. The most read Spanish writer is also one of the kings of the thriller genre, and he will soon prove it in the audiovisual field with the adaptation of Reina roja, his most popular novel. It will be available on Amazon Prime Video on February 29th, and it is starred by the wonderful Vicky Luengo and Hovik Keuchkerian.
After Saving Private Ryan, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks formed a duo as producers of World War II series that brought us the unmissable Band of Brothers and The Pacific. Now comes their third joint collaboration with Masters of the Air, an Apple TV+ fiction in which we will see the story of the US Bombing Group (Bloody Hundredth).
If there is a series that has already been released and its audience eagerly awaits its continuation, that is House of the Dragon. The prequel to Game of Thrones that tells the story of the Targaryens has proven, with its first episodes, to live up to the wonderful HBO series. But its second season promises to increase the tension even more, but for that we will have to wait until early summer.
Park Chan-Wook is one of the best directors of the 21st century, and works like The Handmaiden or Oldboy have proven it. The Korean filmmaker now embarks on a new HBO series that mixes the United States with South Korea, and in it we will be able to see none other than Robert Downey Jr. The Sympathizer is an adaptation of a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, and it tells the story of a general from the South Vietnamese army who, during the war, infiltrates American life in Los Angeles.
But the most anticipated series of 2024 belongs to Netflix. The Three-Body Problem is the new work by the creators of Game of Thrones, and in it they adapt Liu Cixin’s science fiction novel in which a united group of brilliant scientists join forces with an unwavering detective to face the greatest threat in the history of humanity.
The best Xbox Game Pass games you can play now, from the latest releases of this year to timeless video game classics.
One of the great gifts of this Christmas has been the Xbox. Whether it’s the Series X or the Series S, this has been a year where, thanks to the offers and a catalog that is settling, it begins to shine on its own. But let’s not fool ourselves. A good reason to switch to Xbox is GamePass. But it can be intimidating. There are many games. Too much to choose from. Where to start? Well, here we make a selection of the best games to jump into right now so you don’t have to navigate for hours without knowing what to play.
Sometimes you feel like playing a simple, sweet game that makes you feel comfortable and warm. A Short Hike is exactly that. An adventure of reaching the top of a mountain by the route that seems most suitable to us. With a simple open world, many possibilities, and never forcing us to go on a specific path or even reach the top, it is a game that encourages us to simply live in the moment.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Sometimes you feel like playing a simple game, sometimes you feel like embarking on a dozens of hours epic where you can get lost and feel like you will never get out of there if you don’t want to. That’s what Assassin’s Creed Odyssey offers you, a huge game, full of collectibles, mysteries and most importantly: a great story and even better characters. The best Assasin’s Creed to get into today, and it’s even available on GamePass.
Cocoon
During this year that is ending in Xbox Game Pass, some great games have appeared. One of them has been Cocoon. An excellent third-person puzzle game created by the designer of Limbo and Inside. It lasts only five or six hours, but it is designed with an absolutely insane finesse. And if you want more, you also have Limbo and Inside on the platform.
Although nostalgia is a trap, sometimes you can make a burrow in the trap. That happens with GoldenEye007. The version available on Xbox Game Pass not only serves to check how shooters have evolved in the last twenty-five years, but also to enjoy a game that you may have enjoyed during your childhood. The first shooter that, for many, was the excuse to get together with friends and shoot each other.
Hi-Fi Rush
Although surprise releases are becoming more common, surprise announcements and releases are still extremely rare. Even more so in a game the size of Hi-Fi Rush. But it turns out that this game from Tango Gameworks, a mix of action and rhythm game, is an absolute delight. Fun, clever, and very dynamic, it’s the perfect game to spend a weekend laughing and rocking out.
Jusant
Sometimes all you need is a game with excellent mechanics and a carefully crafted environmental narrative. Although we could be talking about a game from From Software, we are actually talking about a game from Don’t Nod. Because Jusant perfectly accomplishes both things: introducing perfect climbing mechanics that make you want to keep going forever, and a delicate and well-thought-out narrative that rewards paying attention and taking your time with the game. A delight that you shouldn’t miss.
Lies of P
Talking about From Software games, this year there has finally been a studio capable of making a Soulslike that can satisfy us. Andits name is Lies of P. With an extravagant reinterpretation of Pinocchio’s story, it builds a very satisfying Dark Souls-style game that has its own twist based on those foundations. Adjusted through patches, it is still not as good as From Software’s games, but it is almost as good as them. And that’s not saying little.
Although it hasn’t turned out as we expected, Starfield is a very interesting game if you are a fan of Bethesda games. Although “Skyrim in space” is a title that is too big for it, it is true that, after 40 hours of story, a universe of very interesting possibilities opens up in a game that is somewhat lacking in all its aspects. Bad? Not exactly. But even more than Skyrim, it is a game that you have to discover how to find fun in it. And if you are capable, it can be fun like no other.
Wolfenstein: The New Order
We live in a problematic world in certain aspects, so it’s okay to be able to immerse ourselves in power fantasies that allow us to do what we can’t in reality. For example, Wolfenstein: The New Order. A game where we embody a soldier who faces the Nazis after they have won the Second World War. In this game, MachineGames managed to perfect a heavy and brutal shooter style that, even today, remains extremely satisfying. That, and killing Nazis, is clearly the ultimate power fantasy for 2024.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon
The Yakuza saga has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. The problem is that knowing where to start can be very complex. We’ll make it easy for you: play Yakuza: Like A Dragon. That will leave you ready to play the next installment of the saga, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and jump into the previous titles of the franchise. All of them available on GamePass, so you can immerse yourself in literally 200 or 300 hours of an epic yakuza epic, if that’s what you want. Or just stick with the new ones, because they are semi-independent.
Some titles will have release dates, while others won’t, as not all companies have provided an exact day and month of release. This list is the best…
This 2023 will be remembered as the best year for video games, or one of the best. It depends on who you ask. But what is unanimous in the industry is that from January to December we have received more excellent games than usual in decades.
But we can’t live in the past and 2023 is already over. It’s time to look ahead, to this 2024 that begins today. And the first thing we’re going to do is make sure you have the most important gaming releases coming in the next 12 months under control.
Some titles will have a release date and others won’t, as not all companies have given an exact day and month of release, only a year as a reference. If it comes out in 2024 and it’s a good game, you’ll find it here.
The most anticipated video games of this 2024
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
The basket where Xbox has all its eggs placed. This action and adventure game is one of the best Xbox exclusives, and it presents the raw story of a character living with psychosis.
It is a challenging work that actively antagonizes players in all the right ways. Although it is not clear if Hellblade 2 will adopt exactly the same approach, developer Ninja Theory has shown that they have something special in their hands with the series.
A classic JRPG is renewed with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Scheduled for February 2024, the second chapter of the future trilogy already looks amazing. A third installment is already planned, which promises to be even bigger than its predecessor.
We can expect to see places like the Gold Saucer, meet new and familiar faces, and dive into a bunch of mini-games as we venture with Cloud and the gang once again.
It remains to be seen how much the story will follow the original and where it will take us, but there are already many speculations about it. FF7R is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games for PS5 in the new year.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (January 26th)
Yakuza: Like a Dragon took many people by surprise in 2020. Its sequel, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, promises to offer even more of what we loved about Kasuga’s story, with an even greater emotional weight.
With a heavy story centered around Yakuza protagonist Kazama Kiryu battling cancer, Infinite Wealth seems poised to offer an emotional narrative alongside its winning turn-based combat.
It also doesn’t seem like it’s going to skimp on the characteristic silliness of the series, as the Hawaiian adventure will bring with it some truly eclectic side content, such as a full life simulation mode in the style of Animal Crossing.
From what we have seen, this could be one of the biggest and most polished metroidvanias we have seen to date. In its first hours of gameplay, The Lost Crown is shaping up to be a spectacular 2D platformer with varied combat, tons of optional content, and a huge world to explore.
If the complete adventure of 20 to 25 hours is as good as what we have seen, we may be facing the first candidate for Game of the Year 2024 in a few weeks.
Star Wars Outlaws
Set between the events of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Star Wars Outlaws takes place in a time when the Galactic Empire relentlessly pursues the ultimate defeat of the Rebel Alliance, and the criminal underworld thrives.
The protagonist, Kay, will take on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates as she seeks the means to start a new life. Alongside her partner Nix, she must carry out one of the biggest heists the Outer Rim has ever seen.
It has been a long time since Princess Peach had her own adventure. In 2005, Super Princess Peach tried to turn the character into a protagonist, but it was criticized for basing its gameplay on her “emotional” nature, a move that reproduced tired stereotypes about women.
All we know so far is that Peach will have a series of outfits that will give her different powers, from sword fighter to detective. Let’s hope this idea takes advantage of Nintendo’s success with Kirby and creates the kind of fresh franchise that its royalty has always deserved.
Tekken 8
The possibly most successful and beloved fighting game in the world of video games returns with an eighth installment.
The tragic saga of the Mishima lineage and their conflicts between father and son continues. After defeating his father, Heihachi Mishima, Kazuya continues his quest for global domination, using the forces of the G Corporation to wage war on the world.
Jin is forced to confront his destiny as he reunites with his long-lost mother and tries to stop the reign of terror of his father Kazuya.
Today, we’re talking about the most anticipated anime of 2024, focusing on the major new releases we can look forward to this year.
Although 2023 has been a great year for anime, that doesn’t mean that 2024 has to slack off in any way. In fact, on the horizon, we have some very promising series. While it is true that in this medium it is sometimes difficult to predict when a year is going to be good, since many unexpected things can happen, we are going to try at least to get a feel for a handful of things that we should keep an eye on. So that not everything catches us by surprise.
With adaptations of manga that have already been adapted in the past, there is always the risk of encountering a failure. Especially when the previous adaptation was a cult success. Something that happens with Bartender: Kami no Glass, but that will not prevent us from having faith for two very specific reasons: the trailer has given us hope and the name Mariko Kunisawa inspires confidence.
Bartender: Kami no Glass is about a bartender who is able to create exactly the drink that each person needs to drink at the exact moment of their life they are in. Something that releases their repressed emotions, thoughts, and memories, leading them to talk about how they feel and allowing them to move forward with their life. And if we say that the name Kunisawa inspires confidence, it’s because she is the scriptwriter of Ascendance of a Bookworm and The case files of Jeweler Richard, two series that are very solid in their script and the treatment of their characters and their psychological development. Exactly what this Bartender needs.
Dandadan
This year we have two series with the potential to sweep everything in their path. One of them is Dandadan. The reason is quite clear: no Shonen Jump manga has had the success that this work by Yukinobu Tatsu has had in a long time. Even if it hasn’t been published in any magazine, being published directly on the digital service Shonen Jump+, it has been a great success. With 3.2 million copies in circulation of a total of 12 volumes, which is a huge but not overwhelming number, and 360 million views on Shonen Jump+, which is a staggering number, the series is an undisputed success.
But in addition, for the adaptation to anime they have not chosen just anyone. They have decided that those who have the potential to turn it into a mass phenomenon should take charge. Behind it is Science Saru, responsible for Scott Pilgrim Takes Off or Devilman Cry Baby, so success is practically guaranteed. Putting Dandadan in our list of series to watch no matter what when it premieres in October.
Dungeon Meshi
We don’t have to go far to know about the other series with the potential to sweep everything in its path. Dungeon Meshi, has everything to succeed. It has a cult manga, it is inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, it is produced by Trigger studio and it is premiered on Netflix. Everything is in its favor to be a success, because absolutely nothing stands in the way of people enjoying the series.
In addition, it’s easy to connect with its premise. A group of adventurers must descend into an unprepared dungeon to save a companion who was left behind. Because of that, they will have to feed on what they find along the way, which is basically one thing: monsters. Delirious, hilarious, and very, very fun, it has the potential to be the first great anime of the year. And perhaps the great anime of the year, in general.
Korea has slowly but steadily entered the world of comics, drawing inspiration from manga but giving it its own personality. Very focused on its own style, with its own personality, they have achieved many successes, especially in the romance and action genres, where Japan seemed unbeatable. In this second case, there is now an anime adaptation of one of Korea’s most famous webtoons: Solo Leveling.
Produced by A-1 Pictures, who are premiering this season the second season of Mashle: Magic and Muscles, the story puts us in the shoes of a notably weak young man in a world of monster hunters with supernatural powers. At least, until a mysterious program chooses him as a lone player and gives him a powerful ability that makes him unstoppable. Packed with action, we can expect spectacular animation and lots of fights, with healthy doses of adventure and classic life-threatening situations typical of this type of stories. Exactly what we are looking for.
Tokidoki Bosotto Russia-go de Dereru Tonari no Alya-san
Making a list of the most anticipated anime of a year without including a romantic comedy feels like a waste. To begin with, it is one of the most represented genres in anime and although underrated, it usually has a more than acceptable average quality. In the case of 2024, the most promising one so far is Tokidoki Bosotto Russia-go de Dereru Tonari no Alya-san. Or translated into English, Alya sometimes hides her feelings in Russian.
The premise is very simple. A demotivated boy named Masachika who always sleeps in class has a Russian girl as his desk mate, nicknamed Alya, who is always complaining about him. But from time to time she makes flirty comments to him, of course, in perfect Russian. What she doesn’t know is that Masachika knows Russian. All of this leads to a series of entanglements and situations that will bring them closer over time in a charming series that will delight lovers of romantic comedies.
