2017 was a great year for movies. But next year looks even better. Marvel fans have three movies to look forward to, including the hugely-anticipated Avengers: Infinity War, plus the debut solo movie for the Black Panther and the Ant-Man sequel. The second Star Wars spin-off arrives in the shape of Solo, which will focus on the early adventures if the iconic space smuggler.
Beyond these big tentpole franchises, other crowd-pleasing favourites are set to return. There's more dinosaur action in the Jurassic World sequel, the sixth Mission: Impossible movie, and no fewer than three more films in the X-Men universe. Lara Croft returns to the screen, the first of Sony's Spider-Man spin-offs arrives, and we'll find out if there's life in the Predator franchise. So here are the movies we're most looking forward to in 2018, in order of release...
Black Panther
The first of 2018's Marvel movies, the spectacular trailers for Black Panther suggest a wild mix of political intrigue, incredible set design, and amazing action. The film's star, Chadwick Boseman, reprises his role from Captain America: Civil War; and director Ryan Cooler's success with the Rocky spin-off Creed proved that he can handle heartfelt drama as well as gritty action. With a supporting cast that includes Michael B. Jordan (Creed), Lupita Nyong'o (Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Danai Gurira (The Walking Dead), and Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out)--plus a Hobbit reunion for Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis--this is a Marvel movie that looks set to continue the studio's cinematic hot streak.
Release date: February 16, 2018
Tomb Raider
While the previous two Tomb Raider movies were box office hits, neither are fondly remembered, and it's been 15 years since Lara Croft last appeared on a movie screen. But there are a number of reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming reboot. The film seems to be heavily influenced by the games--particularly the 2013 reboot--and star Alicia Vikander will bring some Oscar-winning clout to the lead role. Could this finally be the movie that breaks the cycle of terrible video game movie adaptations?
Release date: March 16, 2018
Pacific Rim: Uprising
For a long time, it looked as if the Pacific Rim sequel wouldn't actually happen. The original film had a mediocre US box office performance, and despite its popularity overseas, the film was hit with a series of delays and changing personnel. But Pacific Rim: Uprising finally arrives in March. Director Stephen DeKnight is unlikely to bring the same level of dazzling visual artistry as Guillermo Del Toro, but with with Star Wars favorite John Boyega in the lead role and a whole new range of awesome Kaiju-killing Jaegers, Uprising should deliver some crowd-pleasing monster mayhem.
Release date: March 23, 2018
Ready Player One
The acclaimed 2012 novel Ready Player One focuses upon a teenager who enters a virtual reality world to try to win the ultimate game, and it is packed with pop culture references to the 1980s. Who better to adapt the film version than Steven Spielberg, who defined '80s Hollywood as much as any filmmaker? The trailers released to date look spectacular, although don't expect to see much of Spielberg's own work in there. "I've cut most of my movies out," he said last year. "I was very happy to see there was enough without me that made the '80s a great time to grow up. I think one of the reasons I decided to make the movie was that it brought me back to the '80s and lets me do anything I want, except for with my own movies."
Release date: March 30, 2018
A Quiet Place
This creepy-looking horror movie is the second film directed by former Office star John Krasinski (who will also be seen next year in Amazon's Jack Ryan reboot). It's got a great premise--a family forced to communicate using sign language to avoid some mysterious supernatural evil attracted to sound--and a seriously spooky trailer. Krasinski stars alongside his real-life wife Emily Blunt.
Release date: April 6, 2018
The New Mutants
The huge success of the R-rated X-Men spin-offs Deadpool and Logan proved that superhero movies can have adult themes and content but still be embraced by a huge number of fans. The New Mutants seems to be going in a new direction again--director Josh Boone has been promising a full on "horror movie" for a while, and the first trailer delivers on this. The movie looks scary as hell, as a group of young mutant teens (including The Witch's Anya Taylor-Joy and Game of Thrones's Maisie Williams) come to terms with their powers while locked up in a terrifying top-secret facility.
Release date: April 13, 2018
Super Troopers 2
Hitting theaters on the very appropriate date of April 20, Super Troopers 2 is the crowd-funded sequel to the cult 2001 comedy. All the key members of the Broken Lizard comedy team return for this second movie, which sees the hapless Vermont troopers sent to the Canadian border, to a town that was thought to be Canadian soil but is actually part of the US. "We essentially have to impose US law on a bunch of Canadians that aren't at all happy about it," Broken Lizard member Paul Soter said about the movie.
While expectations are high for both Black Panther and Ant-Man and the Wasp, it's Avengers: Infinity War that promises to be the defining Marvel movie of 2018. The culmination of a decade of interconnected superhero storytelling, the movie will feature every major hero from the MCU to date in a fight to stop the evil Thanos and the universe-threatening Infinity Stones. Captain America: Civil War proved that directors Joe and Anthony Russo are adept at juggling multiple characters, and if the first trailer is anything to go by, this will easily be the most spectacular Marvel movie to date. Until Avengers 4 arrives in 2019 that is.
Release date: May 4, 2018
Solo: A Star Wars Story
The second Star Wars spin-off has been marked by much behind-the-scenes turmoil, with original directors Chris Lord and Phil Miller being replaced during production by Ron Howard, leading to months of extensive reshoots. But last year's Rogue One emerged unscathed after similar production problems, and Howard is an experienced veteran of dozens of crowd-pleasing movies. The adventures of a young Han Solo is something that Star Wars fans have wanted to see for decades, and with a hugely talented supporting cast (Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Thandie Newton) backing up Alden Ehrenreich (Han) and Donald Glover (Lando), we're excited for this one.
Release date: May 25, 2018
Deadpool 2
Deadpool was one of the 2016's biggest cinematic surprises--not only was it the most successful R-rated movie of all time, it outgrossed every other movie in the X-Men universe. So expectations are high for the sequel. The movie lost original director Tim Miller early on due to creative disagreements with star/producer Ryan Reynolds. But with John Wick co-director David Leitch on board and a cast that includes the return of Morena Baccarat, T.J. Miller, and Brianna Hildebrand, including the much-anticipated movie debuts of Josh Brolin's Cable and Zazie Beetz's Domino, everything is in place for bigger, badder, and more outrageous follow-up. The marketing campaign is already refusing to play by the rules; expect the movie to do the same.
Release date: June 1, 2018
The Incredibles 2
Pixar's long-awaited sequel to its 2004 superhero family smash The Incredibles was originally set for a 2019 release but having switched places with Toy Story 4, we now get it a whole year earlier. Although the first teaser gives little away, we do know a few plot details. At Disney's D23 convention this summer, director Brad Bird revealed that the movie take place immediately after the end of the first movie, and will focus more on Elastigirl's superhero adventures, while Mr. Incredible is now a stay-at-home dad, trying to deal with the increasingly powerful baby Jack-Jack. Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, and Samuel L. Jackson all reprise their roles, with Toy Story veteran John Ratzenberger playing the villainous Underminer.
Release date: June 15, 2018
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Jurassic World wasn't just the fourth part in a series of big dinosaur movies; it was an absolute box office monster, and currently stands as the fourth biggest film of all time. For the follow-up, acclaimed Spanish filmmaker J. A. Bayona takes over from Colin Trevorrow, who remains on-board as producer and co-writer. Meanwhile Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard reprise their roles. Trevorrow has described the movie as a "Spanish horror thriller"(in reference to Bayona's earlier hit Mama) but most exciting is the return of Jeff Goldblum, who starred in Steven Spielberg's original Jurassic Park way back in 1993.
Release date: June 22, 2018
Ant-Man and The Wasp
The first Ant-Man was a welcome contrast to the likes of The Avengers and Captain America: Civil War. As much of a heist comedy as a superhero movie, it featured a winning lead role from Paul Rudd and put the emphasis much more on character and humor than huge CG-driven action sequences. With Avengers: Infinity War due in May, Ant-Man and the Wasp should be a good follow-up two months later. Evangeline Lily reprises her role as Hope Van Dyne, who now fights alongside Ant-Man as The Wasp, with Michael Douglas and Michael Pfeiffer as her parents. We don't know what direction the movie will go in this time, just that director Peyton Reed promises "an entirely different genre template."
Release date: July 6, 2018
The Nun
James Wan's The Conjuring was one of most successful horror movies of recent years, inspiring not only a prequel, but two spin-offs focusing on spooky doll Annabelle. The latest movie in this horror series is The Nun. It's set before the other four movies in the series so far, and focuses on the investigation into the earlier life (and death) of Valak, the terrifying demon nun from The Conjuring 2. Wan co-wrote the screenplay, and it's directed by Corin Hardy, who previously helmed the acclaimed low-budget shocker The Hallow and is about to start shooting the remake of The Crow. Expect plenty of scares.
Release date: July 13, 2018
Alita: Battle Angel
James Cameron has been looking to adapt the classic manga series Battle Angel Alita for many years, and the movie finally arrives next year. Although Cameron handed directorial reins over to Sin City's Robert Rodriguez, he has still produced and co-written the movie. The recently-released first trailer for this futuristic story of an amnesiac cyborg who becomes a deadly bounty hunter has caused some controversy over the decision to give star Rosa Salazer giant, manga-style eyes, but it's still packed with kinetic action and looks pretty faithful to the source material.
Release date: July 20, 2018
Mission: Impossible 6
The Mission: Impossible series might be more than 20-years old, but on-set injuries aside, star Tom Cruise shows no signs of slowing down. M:I6 (the film is yet to be given the traditional subtitle) sees Rogue Nation's Chris McQuarrie return to the directors chair, with Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, and Alec Baldwin all reprising their roles from previous movies. Superman star Henry Cavill joins the cast, as does his controversial moustache. While the plot remains under wraps for now, it is rumored that the movie will put the focus upon Ethan Hunt's personal life. Expect plenty of insane action too of course.
Release date: July 27, 2018
The Predator
Although the original Predator is an '80s action classic, the movies that have followed have ranged from interesting but flawed (Predator 2) to completely terrible (Alien vs Predator). The Predator is writer/director Shane Black's attempt to get the franchise back on track. Black's impressive resume ranges from writing Lethal Weapon to directing Iron Man 3, and as a young actor he even had a role in original Predator. We're yet to see any footage from the movie, but the plot details we know so far suggest that it will focus upon a group of traumatised prisoners who do battle with Predators in a suburban setting. Black himself has said that he only agreed to make the film if he could do it on a big, blockbuster scale, while still delivering the sci-fi horror goods.
Release date: August 3, 2018
Venom
Although the deal between Disney and Sony has ensured that Spider-Man is currently part of the former's Marvel Cinematic Universe, the movie right to the character ultimately remain with Sony. As a result, the studio is launching its own interconnected universe of characters from the canon of Spidey comic-books. Venom is first up; it stars Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, a photographer who ends up with superpowers after he is taken over by the alien parasite of title. No footage has been revealed yet but we have seen a potential logo and some behind-the-scenes videos. It's directed by Zombieland's Ruben Fleischer, and the impressive supporting cast includes Michelle Williams, Woody Harrelson, and Riz Ahmed.
Release date: October 5, 2018
X-Men: Dark Phoenix
There were rumours that after the relatively disappointing box office results of X-Men: Apocalypse, Fox was looking reboot the entire X-franchise. But that's proved not be the case, and all the regular cast are returning for the long awaited adaptation of the the classic Dark Phoenix storyline from Marvel's comic books. The story was tackled in a half-hearted way in 2006's X-Men: the Last Stand, but with the franchise's long-time writer/producer Simon Kinberg making his directing debut, hopes are the high that Dark Phoenix will really do the story justice. Plus, this could be the last X-Men movie that isn't part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, following December's sale of Fox's entertainment assets to Disney.
Release date: November 2, 2018
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
The Harry Potter series might have finished in 2011, but the wider movie universe goes from strength to strength. The success of 2016's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them led to the announcement of a further four movies, the first of which arrives in November. Eddie Redmayne returns as Newt Scamander, with Jude Law as the young Dumbledore, who enlists the help of Newt to help defeat the dark wizard Grindelwald (Johnny Depp). David Yates directs once more, from a screenplay by Potter creator JK Rowling.
Release date: 16 November 2018
Aquaman
The DC universe has had a bumpy ride so far, with only Wonder Woman connecting with both audiences and critics. But there's every reason to be hopeful that Aquaman could do the same. Director James Wan is a skilled genre operator, whether delivering crowd-pleasing horror (Saw, The Conjuring) or blockbuster action (Furious 7), and there's a killer cast that includes Patrick Wilson, Willem Defoe, Nicole Kidman, and '80s action icon Dolph Lungren, plus Jason Momoa as Aquaman and Amber Heard as Mera. Wan recently debunked the rumour that the film would be overstuffed with multiple villains, and promises an "emotional and powerful" origin movie.
For the very last time this in 2017, Xur has appeared in Destiny 2 with a fresh stock of Exotic gear that Guardians can purchase. As always, we've gathered all the necessary information you need to decide whether it's worth hitting pause on the Christmas and New Year festivities to pay him a visit. Take a look below to see where to find Xur this week and a rundown on what he's selling on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
This week, Xur has landed on Nessus and can be found hanging out on top of the colorful tree he likes to frequent. The location is the same as all the previous times he's appeared on Nessus so it should be fairly easy to track him down. If you'd like a visual guide, check out the video above, in which you'll also get a showcase of his wares. Alternatively, you can check out his stock below.
Foetracer (Hunter Class Helmet) - 23 Legendary Shards
Peacekeepers (Leg Armor) - 23 Legendary Shards
Eye Of Another World (Warlock Class Helmet) - 23 Legendary Shards
Three of Coins -- 31 Legendary Shards
The Three of Coins is used to improve chances of getting Exotic Engrams, but has proved to be controversial with Destiny 2 players, causing frustrating regarding the boost it provides and lack of clear communication about what it's supposed to do. Bungie has since talked about Three of Coins and the effect it has; it's also acknowledged a problem when using them in Heroic Strikes.
In other Destiny 2 news, The Dawning event is still going and by participating you can acquire a good variety of new items. The event also brings with it the debut of Mayhem in Crucible, which has unfortunately been marred by a Warlocks exploit. Bungie has said that this issue won't be fixed before the end of the event, and it is not intended to issue bans to those who use the glitch.
With 2017 coming to an end, it's time to look ahead to the new year. And when it comes to TV, it's easy to become daunted by all the selections available for consumption. Let's cut through the clutter, shall we?
While fans will have to wait until 2019 before Stranger Things and Game of Thrones return, there are still a ton of small screen goodies worth getting excited about. There are some huge shows coming from broadcast network, premium cable, and streaming platforms. From returning favorites to edgy new genre offerings, here are 18 TV shows to be excited for in 2018.
18. The X-Files, Season 11
January 3, Fox
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are returning as Mulder and Scully once again. The reboot series ended on a huge cliffhanger in Season 10, with the fate of the entire world hanging in the balance. Government conspiracies, UFOs, and whole bunch of FBI drama abound as the pair will once again face their old nemesis, The Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis). And since Season 11 may be Anderson's final go as Scully, we're hoping the series goes out with a bang.
17. Krypton
SYFY
SYFY takes a step into the DCEU with Krypton, a Superman prequel series created by David S. Goyer (Man of Steel, The Dark Knight). The program will follow Superman's grandfather, Seyg El (Cameron Cuffe), as he fights to bring honor back to the House of El, while attempting to save Krypton from falling into complete chaos. The series is billed as a prequel but the timeline will allegedly take place in the past, present, and future. And since this is a DC show, we're expecting other comic-book heroes--like Adam Strange and Hawkwoman--to make appearances too.
16. Maniac
Netflix
Maniac will probably be one of the weirder series of the year. Given the names attached, though, the show comes with huge buzz. Cary Fukunaga helms the dark comedy, which stars Emma Stone, Jonah Hill, and Justin Theroux. The story centers on a patient living in a psychiatric hospital who escapes reality by living his life inside a fantasy world maintained solely inside his own mind. It sounds bonkers, but if Fukunaga brings the same sensibilities he brought to True Detective, the network may have a winner on its hands.
15. Sharp Objects
June, HBO
The HBO drama is inspired by Gillian Flynn's novel of the same name. The series stars Amy Adams as a journalist who heads home after a stint in a psychiatric facility, only to find herself investigating the murder of two girls. If you take the tone and subject matter of Flynn's previous work (Gone Girl) and add Jean-Marc Vallee's (Big Little Lies) directorial skills into the mix, it's easy to see Sharp Objects' edgy allure.
14. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Netflix
The Coen Brothers are coming to TV. That sentence alone should get people excited. The duo--who brought classics like Fargo, The Big Lebowski, and No Country for Old Men to the big screen--will both write and direct a new western anthology series for Netflix. The six episode program will star Tim Blake Nelson, with each episode following a different character and story. Not much else has been announced regarding the series, but that's fine. The Coen Brothers are coming to TV and that's pretty awesome.
13. Altered Carbon
Netflix
Netflix's Altered Carbon is based on Richard K. Morgan's novel of the same name. The story takes place in the 25th century, where people can transfer their consciousness from one body to another. Of course this sort of immortality ain't cheap--the procedure is reserved for the story's rich upper class. Joel Kinnaman (The Killing, Robocop) stars as a soldier who finds himself caught up in a conspiracy, as his own consciousness gets transferred into a police officer's body. With a budget of roughly $6 million per episode, Netflix has a lot riding on the series.
12. Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams
January 12, Amazon
Thanks to shows like Black Mirror, the anthology trend is popular again. Its success has inspired similar programs to follow suit, and Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams is one of them. The title is a reference to Dick's classic novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep--which Ridley Scott famously adapted into Blade Runner--and will surely feature a plethora of dark, edgy science fiction goodness. Bryan Cranston, Steve Buscemi, Maura Tierney, and Terrence Howard are just a handful of the names tied to the project.
11. The Umbrella Academy
Netflix
A comic book property outside of Marvel's purview is on its way to Netflix. The Umbrella Academy comes from the mind of My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way. The series tells the story of some not-pregnant women who suddenly give birth to a bunch of superpowered babies. Taking place in an alternate timeline--one where JFK is still very much alive--the story follows seven kids as they undergo training to save the world. Ellen Page has been tapped to star in the program, and Way will serve as producer.
10. The Twilight Zone
CBS: All Access
Since anthology TV shows are all the rage now, it seems only right that the granddaddy that started it all come out of retirement. Jordan Peele (Get Out, Key and Peele) and Simon Kinberg (Deadpool, Logan) have teamed up to bring a new Twilight Zone to the masses. Sure, multiple versions of The Twilight Zone have graced the big and small screen over the past 60 years--some better than others--but now seems like the perfect time for the series to return.
9. Black Lightning
January 16, The CW
The newest DC series coming to The CW will finally put an African-American hero in the spotlight. Black Lightning follows the story of retired superhero Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) who has spent the last nine years building a family and respected career within his community. But with crime and corruption on the rise, Pierce is forced to embrace his meta-human ability--the dude can harness the power of electricity--and superhero alter-ego to not only save his family, but the community he calls home.
8. Watchmen
HBO
Zack Snyder's Watchmen movie was visually stunning, to be sure. The story, however, was a bit lacking. Is it possible a TV series is the right way to go? We'll soon see, as HBO has tapped Damon Lindelof (LOST, The Leftovers) to helm a small-screen adaptation of Alan Moore's iconic graphic novel. There's huge buzz behind the series, but fans have sort of been left in the dark on what to expect. Will this draw from Moore's comic, the 2012 prequel story, or DC's 2017 sequel, Doomsday Clock?
7. Legion, Season 2
February, FX
Noah Hawley's (Fargo) Legion accomplished some of the most intense, strange, and visually stunning TV moments of 2017. So of course the anticipation is high for Season 2. Not only has David Haller (Dan Stevens) embraced his super-mutant abilities, it seems that the Marvel story will dig deeper into the history of The Shadow King. While nothing has been confirmed, hopes are high that Professor Xavier will grace the X-Men spinoff with his presence. If that happens, would it be James McAvoy, Patrick Stewart, or a new actor entirely?
6. Luther, Series 5
BBC
Fans of Luther were both excited and dismayed when the series returned for a two-episode fourth season in 2015. With a busy actor like Idris Elba playing the title role, sometimes schedules can be tight. That said, it looks like Elba has donned his signature tweed coat for another go-round as brilliant detective John Luther. We don't know what sort of gruesome crimes he will be investigating, but one thing is for certain: Idris Elba is at his best when the world is at its worst. Right now, John Luther is the hero we need and deserve.
5. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Netflix
Channeling the success of Riverdale, another Archie Comics story was in the works at The CW. But due to their concern of having too many witch shows--the network's Charmed reboot is still on the horizon--the untitled Sabrina the Teenage Witch series was handed over to Netflix. The series will explore the origins of the half-witch, half-mortal as she battles the evil forces that threaten her friends and family. Tonally, Deadline describes the series as being "in the vein of Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist."
4. Marvel's Jessica Jones/Daredevil/Luke Cage
March, Netflix
Iron Fist and The Defenders may have cracked the impeccable partnership Netflix cemented with Marvel but that doesn't mean all hope is lost with the comic book giant's street level heroes. While Frank Castle came in to disrupt Marvel's small screen universe, it's clear that Jessica Jones, Daredevil, and Luke Cage still have more work to do.
3. Black Mirror, Season 4
December 29, Netflix
Black Mirror will return to Netflix on December 29th, but we're going to assume the majority of viewers won't fully be binging these new episodes until after the New Year. The Charlie Booker series will explore more technological horrors, twisted morality plays, and heartbreaking plot-lines when Season 4 premieres. We can't wait to watch "USS Callister," the Star Trek-inspired episode. But really, it's hard not to hope for another San Junipero.
2. Castle Rock
Hulu
The Stephen King renaissance has shown no sign of slowing down and with Castle Rock, Hulu's aiming to bring the author's story universe to the small-screen. The program's cast features names like Sissy Spacek, Bill Skarsgard, and Melanie Lynskey. But what makes Castle Rock so special is the connected nature of the anthology series itself. Fans should expect to see familiar stories, characters, and themes that originated in the author's previous works. There may be a decent wait before Pennywise the Dancing Clown returns to the big-screen, but that's okay. We're about to head back into Shawshank Prison, and that's pretty dang cool.
1. Westworld, Season 2
Spring, HBO
It's been about a year since Westworld's first run ended on HBO. Throughout a season filled with jaw-dropping twists and gut-punching revelations, the end of Season 1 left fans with so many questions. Hopefully, the answers will be delivered once Season 2 hits the cable giant. While speculation has us wondering if the show will follow the path Michael Crichton's original film took--could Delos introduce audiences to a Medieval and Roman World in 2018?-- there's a surefire bet the new episodes will be rife with chaos. Oh, and Samurais. There's totally going to be Samurais.
To say that Netflix is a content powerhouse would be an understatement--over 1,000 hours of original programming premiered on the service in 2017. That's not to say that all of it is perfect, of course, and with such a sheer abundance of content on Netflix, simply finding all the gems among the rough can be a challenge.
Enter this list. From cutting edge movies to small-screen surprises, the streaming giant once again played a pivotal role in the age of "Peak TV." Here are the 17 best Netflix originals to air in 2017.
17. A Series of Unfortunate Events
13 years after Nickelodeon's big screen adaptation bombed at the box office, Netflix stepped in to right that unfortunate wrong. Based on the Lemony Snicket (real name: Daniel Handler) book, A Series of Unfortunate Events tells the tale of the Baudelaires--three incredibly unlucky children whose parents mysteriously died in an accident. They're forced to live with Count Olaf (Neil Patrick Harris), a failed actor pretending to be their uncle to gain access to the family fortune. Tonally reminiscent of the works of Edward Gorey and Tim Burton, each episode follows the kids as they struggle to beat Olaf at his own mischievous game.
16. Orange is the New Black
For five seasons, Orange is the New Black has followed Piper Chapman's (Taylor Schilling) 15-month prison sentence. And while that formula has led the series into some silly plot points, Season 5 reigned in the show's focus and, in turn, made things exciting once again. The new episodes took place over a three-day timespan, following a prison riot at Litchfield Penitentiary that flipped the power dynamic between the abusive guards and those behind bars. Personal drama, complex character arcs, and conflicts between rival factions made for a compelling season definitely worth a watch.
15. Ozark
With Ozark, Jason Bateman was finally able to step out of Michael Bluth's shadow. The series follows money launderer Martin Byrde (Bateman) as he moves his family to the Ozarks. His plan of paying back the Mexican drug cartel that killed his partner hits a few hiccups along the way. Tonally, the show's been compared to the likes of Breaking Bad, Bloodline, and Justified. And with some heavy hitting performances in the cast--Laura Linney is amazing as always--the brooding story goes straight for the jugular and never lets up.
14. Castlevania
In 2017, gamers received a gift in the form of the delightfully bloody anime, Castlevania. Based on the original 1986 Nintendo game, comic book writer Warren Ellis and executive producer Adi Shankar teamed up to continue the tale of the Belmont clan's war with the looming vampire threat. Richard Armitage (Hannibal, The Hobbit movies) is perfect as the voice of Trevor Belmont, the story's reluctant hero. And while the season was short--just four episodes, to be exact--it definitely delivered the goods. Patience, friends--more episodes are set to hit Netflix in 2018.
13. Okja
Okja follows the story of a young South Korean girl who forms an unusual bond with a giant creature known simply as a "super-pig." When Okja is reclaimed by its parent corporation and sent to the slaughterhouse, chaos ensues. Scenes of animal torture and corporate greed help to deliver an up-close look at the corruption that lies within the American Food Industrial Complex. It's Bong Joon-ho's heartfelt, heartbreaking, anti-corporation, pro-vegan message to the masses, and the film is as lovely as it is bizarre. What else would you expect from the dude that brought us Snowpiercer?
12. Dear White People
Much like the Justin Simien film that came before it, Dear White People explores the lives of the various students of color who attend a mostly white college. It's a mindful satire that takes the subject matter regularly seen on the nightly news and flips it, giving a voice to those who need to be heard. Needless to say, Dear White People was a breath a fresh air when it premiered in April. Activism, racism, and social injustice are just a few hot button issues tackled here, but they're touched on in such an engaging way, it's hard not to become fully engaged. More episodes will hit Netflix in 2018. So, you know, stay woke.
11. American Vandal
Netflix pokes fun at the true crime docuseries trend with American Vandal. The first season of the mockumentary series may be only eight episodes, but the simplicity of the satire is stupidly smart. If Making a Murderer, The Jinx, and Serial all went back to high school, this would probably be the show they'd become. Each episode ends up being more engrossing than the last, and that says a lot for an investigation into the mysterious lewd graffiti that appeared on 27 faculty members' cars. "Who drew the dicks?" It's the burning question--and we still don't know the answer.
10. Alias Grace
Alias Grace tells the tale of Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon), a poor servant girl accused of murder in 19th century Canada. This series--which is adapted from Margaret Atwood's 1996 novel--is an intriguing mix of period drama and true crime tale. Co-starring Anna Paquin, Zachary Levi, and David Cronenberg, the six-episode series explores the cultural dynamic between men of power and the women forced into subservience. Its subject matter is just as timely as The Handmaid's Tale, which make sense, since Atwood wrote that book, too.
9. Stranger Things 2
In Stranger Things' second go-round, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Hopper (David Harbour), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Will (Noah Schnapp), and the rest found themselves battling an even bigger supernatural threat. With new characters added into the mix--and plenty of '80s pop culture references to pick through--the adventure takes them all deeper into the strange world of the Upside Down. In related news, The Duffer Brothers doubled down on a winning formula, prompting Netflix to pull a no-brainer and renew the series for more episodes.
8. Godless
Godless tells a western tale of vengeance and redemption in a town filled with husbandless women. Scott Frank (Out of Sight, Logan) spent well over a decade creating the seven-part series, which balances some classic Sam Peckinpah style with a fair share of edgy modern day sensibilities. And while the writing is on point, the real highlight here is the show's epic cast: Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery, Halt and Catch Fire's Scoot McNairy, and The Newsroom's Jeff Daniels are all at the top of their games. But the real standout is The Walking Dead's Merritt Wever. Her performance alone is worth the price of admission.
7. The Punisher
The arrival of Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle finally brought balance back to Marvel's gang of street-level heroes. In its first season, The Punisher paid close attention to Castle's war-riddled back story, delivering a hard-driving human element to the Netflix franchise. In turn, audiences were given a tough-to-swallow PTSD-inspired tale, while Frank's tortured psyche was laid out for all to see. This may be a story about a hero whose only superpower is shooting guns, but the series doesn't shy away from the repercussions that come from such violence. In the end, it's still a comic book series. But be warned, there's absolutely no escapism here.
6. Big Mouth
Big Mouth is an animated series unlike anything Netflix audiences have seen. Created by longtime friends Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg, the raunchy cartoon traverses that awkward time in everyone's childhood when puberty strikes. The show boasts a talented voice cast--John Mulaney, Jenny Slate, Jason Mantzoukas, Maya Rudolph, Fred Armisen, and Kristen Wiig show up here. Big Mouth excels at exploring some painfully uncomfortable subject matter in a way that is equally gross, heartwarming, relatable, and downright hilarious. Thankfully Netflix renewed the series for another season. We need more Hormone Monsters in our lives.
5. Gerald's Game
Another day, another Stephen King adaptation. Instead of killer clowns and haunted towns, though, the simplicity of the premise is what makes Mike Flanagan's film a stirring success. The majority of the movie takes place in a secluded cabin where a married couple--played brilliantly by Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek, Mad Men) and Carla Gugino (Roadies, San Andreas)--attempt to save their relationship with a sexy weekend away. Once Gerald handcuffs Jessie to the bed, what transpires is a visceral tale of survival as she faces down certain death, and some unexpected demons from her past.
4. Master of None
The Aziz Ansari-led comedy came back bigger and better in its second season. The new episodes found the story digging deeper into the dramatic side of Dev's (Ansari) heartbreak, and the influences from classic Italian cinema lent an unexpected aesthetic to the series that set it apart from nearly everything else on TV. As hilarious as Master of None is, each episode roots itself in a personal truth that elevates the series beyond its comedic roots. The Lena Waithe-written Thanksgiving episode--which she won the Emmy for--is a phenomenal standout.
3. The Crown
The Crown is such a lavish tale, sometimes it's easy to forget it's based on real life. Netflix's period drama explores the early days of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. With a budget weighing in at about $100 million, the ambience and production value is top notch. The series continues the chronological tale of Elizabeth's rise, but this time around, closely follows her complex marriage with Philip (Matt Smith)--and the rumors of infidelity that followed. Emotional high points and intricate plot points abound in Season 2, making The Crown more riveting than ever.
2. GLOW
GLOW follows Ruth (Alison Brie), a struggling actress looking for work who discovers the role of a lifetime in the most unexpected place: a wrestling ring. The conflicted relationship between old friends Ruth and Debbie (Betty Gilpin) acts as the foundation for the series. And with its quirky ensemble cast and characters, the Jenji Kohan-created series paints a bigger world that's hard to not fall in love with. GLOW not only celebrates the original 1985 wrestling program it's inspired by, but also delivers a surprising tale of female empowerment that packs in plenty of fights, laughs, and drama along the way.
1. Mindhunter
David Fincher's Mindhunter explores the mission of two FBI agents--played by Jonathan Groff (Glee, Frozen) and Holt McCallany (Fight Club, Lights Out)--as they travel the country creating the modern day process for profiling serial killers. It's a slow burn that encapsulates the current trend of true crime dramas without feeling formulaic. The fact that it takes place in 1977 only heightens the subject matter, turning the riveting tale about America's most dangerous criminals into an engaging period drama. The show is so well done, in fact, that Netflix renewed Mindhunter for a second season before it even premiered.
Ready to start planning your pull list for the New Year now? Feeling a little overwhelmed by the near endless barrage of solicits and advanced order notices from your favorite comics publishers? Lost track of just what's coming out and when after the whirlwind of the holidays finally subsides?
Don't worry, we've got you covered. Here are 10 comics slated for release in 2018 that you should be keeping an eye on, from scientifically skewed superheroes to intrepid investigators.
Earth One: Green Lantern
DC's latest entry into their "Earth One" line of graphic novels--stand alone books set in alternate universes where tenpole heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman can be reimagined from the ground up--is Gabriel Hardman and Corinna Bechko's Earth One: Green Lantern.
Primed to tell--surprise--an all new origin story for Hal Jordan, the second Green Lantern from Earth, with a decidedly more hard sci-fi bent than his original Silver Age story which involved him finding a crashed alien craft in the desert. Hardman and Bechko have cited influences like Interstellar for this new take and have revealed that Jordan will be an astronaut rather than a test pilot in this particular universe--a perfect intersection of sci-fi and superheroes for anyone who finds themselves on that particular venn diagram of interest.
Earth One: Green Lantern is coming in February.
The Seeds
A collaboration between two legends of the comic book industry--Ann Nocenti and David Aja--The Seeds falls under the newly founded Berger Books imprint at Dark Horse, handpicked and curated by Vertigo creator Karen Berger.
The Seeds is a four part story about a reporter in a world where "fact based reporting is gasping for its last breath," Nocenti described. This reporter stumbles onto a huge story with potentially cosmic consequences--but it's one she can't report on, so, in lieu of telling the truth, she decides to concoct a myth and work from there.
The first issue of The Seeds is due in March.
Fence
Taking its queues from fan-favorite "sports anime" genre breakouts like Yuri!!! On Ice and Free! Boom Studios' new ongoing, Fence--written by C.S. Pacat and drawn by Joanna the Mad--is the story of Nicholas Cox, competitive fencer with a chip on his shoulder trying to earn a spot on the team at the elite all-boys school, Kings Row.
The first two issues have already hit shelves in November and December of 2017, paving the way for a strong showing in 2018 as it continues monthly. Fence is going to be a must-read for not only "sports anime" fans, but anyone with so much as a passing interest in young adult fiction, queer narratives, or, unsurprisingly, fencing--though, don't worry, any prior knowledge of fencing is definitely not required.
Fence #3 is due out in January.
Rise of the Black Panther
Journalist Evan Narcisse is joining forces with current Black Panther writer Ta-Nehisi Coates and artist Paul Renaud to tell a brand new "origin story" flavored tale for Marvel's Black Panther, just in time for his solo big screen debut next year.
Teasers for the first issue have already dropped, featuring Renaud's art and characters like Captain America and and Azzuri the Wise, solidifying this book as a "must read" for Black Panther fans new and old--or, really, anyone who might want to brush up on their comics history before Black Panther hits theatres in February.
Rise of the Black Panther #1 is due out in January.
Doomsday Clock
Despite making some massive waves in 2017, Geoff Johns and Gary Frank's Doomsday Clock has 10 issues of its 12 issue run remaining after the new year, making the bulk of the story a 2018 event.
No matter where you fall on the Watchmen controversy, Doomsday Clock is sure to be a spectacle--and a major guiding force of the DCU in 2018. Rebirth might be officially over, but the trailheads and mysteries that were seeded way back in 2016 have yet to be resolved. This is the book you'll want to be reading for, if not the solutions, than at least the next wave of clues.
Doomsday Clock #3 will be published in January.
Bingo Love
Fresh off of a massive Kickstarter victory, earning nearly four times its intended goal, Bingo Love by Tee Franklin and Jenn St-Onge has been picked up for widespread release by Image Comics. The story of two young black women named Mari and Hazel who fall in love at a bingo hall in the early 60s, but are broken apart by their families, only to reunite 50 years later to find they're both very much still in love--but that they're both married to someone else. Bingo Love is a story about love, loss, and victory in the face of adversity with a focus on the issues surrounding coming out as queer later in life.
Bingo Love will hit shelves as a graphic novel in February, just in time for Valentines Day.
Milk Wars
DC's offbeat Young Animal pop-up imprint (curated by former My Chemical Romance frontman, Gerard Way) is crossing the streams in a major way next year with the Milk Wars crossover event, bringing Young Animal's cast of wild, reality bending, art house characters like Shade, The Changing Girl, Cave Carson, and the members of the Doom Patrol into contact with the mainstream DC books. These stories will be the place to go if you're a little more into the strange and unusual side of capes and cowls.
Milk Wars will be built around various crossover one-shot specials like JLA/Doom Patrol, Shade The Changing Girl/Wonder Woman, and Cave Carson Has A Cybernetic Eye/Swamp Thing and is kicking off at the end of January.
Judas
A four part story by Jeff Loveness and Jakub Rebelka, Judas is the story of, well, Judas. As in the biblical betrayer of Jesus Christ and what happens to him after his death. But don't let the religious bent of the story fool you--the first issue, which dropped in December of 2017, established that this is going to be anything but a Bible story. Taking queues from Dante's Inferno and Milton's Paradise Lost, Judas is a poetic, beautifully rendered exploration of love, loss, and reckoning as Judas wanders the afterlife, wondering just where he fits into the canon of history.
Judas #2 is coming in January.
The Terrifics
One of the titles falling under DC's newly rebranded New Age Of DC Heroes line, The Terrifics is Jeff Lemire and Ivan Reis's crack at a tried-and-true superhero team formula. Comprised of some of DC's B and C listers like Mr. Terrific, Metamorpho, Phantom Girl, and Plastic Man, the team is going to be spiraling out of the events of Dark Nights: Metal, the Batman-centric crossover that dominated the back half of DC's 2017. And, if Metal is any indication, The Terrifics is definitely going to be a book to watch for fans invested in the larger story of the DCU.
The Terrifics #1 is slated for shelves in February.
Abbott
Novelist and current Black Bolt scribe, Saladin Ahmed, announced a new project this year with artist Sami Kivelä and Boom Studios called Abbott, the story of Detroit in an alternate 1972 where magic and mysticism are not only real but potentially out for blood. Focused on an investigative journalist named Elena Abbott, digging into the murder of her husband, Ahmed has said that Abbott is as much about its characters as it is about the city itself where Ahmed himself was born, raised, and currently resides.
Anime is more accessible in the West than ever. In 2017, Your Name found great success in theaters and Netflix expanded its anime library. Looking ahead to 2018, there are quite a few shows we're already excited about--and there's sure to be more to come as the year goes on.
In this gallery, we're taking a look at the most notable anime coming in 2018. While this list doesn't include every cool-looking series, it features continuing seasons of great shows, series based on acclaimed manga (and even games!), and upcoming projects from favorite studios. For more anime, check out our list of the best anime you can stream on Netflix right now and our top 10 anime of 2017.
Devilman Crybaby
Based on the classic 1972 horror-shonen manga, Devilman Crybaby follows Akira Fudo, who learns that the world will be taken over by demons. In order to stop them, he combines with one to become Devilman, a being with the power of a demon but the heart of a human. The original Devilman manga is known for pushing the limits of the shonen genre with its dark themes as well as its extreme violence, and appropriately, the premiere of Devilman Crybaby on Netflix in 2018 marks writer Go Nagai's 50th year as a creator. It's exciting to see how an adaptation so many years later will iterate on the renowned original, and even more exciting to see it on a huge platform like Netflix.
Premieres January 5 | Available on Netflix
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card is a sequel to the original Cardcaptor Sakura anime, which aired from 1998 to 2000. 14-year-old Sakura enters junior high school and has a strange dream, after which all her magical cards--which she collected in the first series as an elementary schooler--are blank and therefore powerless. Cardcaptor Sakura is a beloved magical girl series known for its beautiful animation and broad appeal as a shoujo anime; seeing it revived is definitely something for fans to look forward to in 2018.
Premieres January 6 | Available on Crunchyroll (sub) and Funimation (dub)
Darling in the Franxx
Darling in the Franxx is an original sci-fi mecha series co-produced by Studio Trigger (Kill la Kill, Little Witch Academia) and A-1 Pictures (Fairy Tail, Your Lie in April). Announced at Anime Expo this year, Darling in the Franxx is set far in the future in a world where children pilot robots known as Franxx. They live in a settlement closed off from the outside world, and the whole point of their existence is to pilot Franxx and battle giant enemy lifeforms. This all sounds a bit reminiscent of Gurren Lagann; Studio Trigger was founded by former Gainax creators, so we have faith that Trigger, along with A-1 Pictures, can bring us a worthy mecha anime successor in Darling in the Franxx.
Premieres Jan 13 | Available on Crunchyroll (sub) and Funimation (dub)
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K Season 2
The original run of The Disastrous Life of Saiki K was a huge hit, and the comedy is getting a second season in 2018. Kusou Saiki has, as his name suggests, psychic powers--but all he really wants is an ordinary life without the hassle of supernatural abilities, so he secretly uses his powers to try and be as normal as possible. The results, of course, are hilarious.
Premieres Jan 16 | Available TBA
My Hero Academia Season 3
If you already miss My Hero Academia--we certainly do--don't worry! Season 3 of the hugely popular shonen series is arriving in Spring 2018, following the School Trip arc of the manga. For the uninitiated, My Hero Academia stars Izuku Midoriya, a superhero fanboy in a world where most people have some sort of power... but unfortunately, he's one of the unlucky ones who is born "quirkless." The series embodies everything that makes the shonen genre special, and if the improvement from Season 1 to Season 2 is anything to go by, Season 3 is worth getting excited about.
Premieres April | Available on Funimation, TBA
Steins;Gate 0
Steins;Gate 0 is based on the visual novel of the same name and is a sequel to 2009's Steins;Gate, which got an anime adaptation in 2011. It's set after the events of Steins;Gate in the Beta worldline; if you haven't watched Steins;Gate yet, absolutely do so, because this is a complex time travel situation. Essentially, 0 is an alternate ending, and it follows the eccentric mad scientist Okabe as he deals with his own personal bad ending in a particular timeline.
Premieres April | Available TBA
Violet Evergarden
Auto Memory Dolls were originally created to generate voice to text, a simple function to help the visually impaired. But one company took that idea and applied it to real women who, in addition to providing the same function as the dolls, can also carry about military-related tasks. The series follows Violet Evergarden, a former soldier who becomes an Auto Memory Doll. Through her journey, she gets an intimate look at people's emotions and searches for their greater meaning. Kyoto Animation, recently known for Sound! Euphonium, is a studio well-versed in emotional anime, so we're excited to see what this next series holds.
Premieres Spring (outside of Japan) | Available on Netflix
Attack on Titan Season 3
After a long wait, the second season of Attack on Titan aired in 2017. We won't have to wait another four years for more, though; Season 3 is slated for 2018. If you haven't seen it yet, Attack on Titan is set in a world where humanity lives in fear of titans, beings that nearly destroyed human life and drove the rest of the species behind walls. Season 3 is set to adapt the Uprising Arc from the manga.
Premieres July | Available TBA
SSSS.Gridman
Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad Gridman, or SSSS.Gridman for short, is another Studio Trigger anime coming in 2018. It's an adaptation of the live-action, special-effects series Gridman the Hyper Agent (which was adapted for America as Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad). Gridman is kind of like Power Rangers in style, so if you were a fan growing up, the Gridman anime is one to look forward to.
The Switch has had a fantastic first year, but one of the big Nintendo franchises the console is still missing is the much-beloved Super Smash Bros.. While rumors are swirling about some sort Super Smash Bros. 4 port to Switch, a few enterprising indie developers are looking to fill the void with Smash-inspired fighters of their own. One such effort is Angry Mob Games' Brawlout. While it makes a valiant attempt to put its own spin on the Smash style of platform fighting gameplay, Brawlout has some notable issues that aren't easily overlooked.
It's worth noting from the outset that the game is designed for competitive Smash fans. If you're looking for a goofy free-for-all with zany items and copious stage hazards, this isn't the game you want. What's here is a very basic selection of fighting arenas with restrained gimmickry, no items, and a handful of game modes that are focused specifically on pure fighting.
If you're familiar with Smash, the controls in Brawlout will feel like second nature. You have a regular attack button and a special attack button, and pressing these in combination with a directional input will change your attacks. Jumping and running also change your attack properties, and you can charge certain attacks for more power. The goal is to damage your opponent, then hit them hard enough to send them flying off the field. Sounds exactly like Smash so far, right? The big difference is that Brawlout doesn't offer shielding or grab maneuvers. Instead, the buttons you would normally associate with these moves are re-assigned to a dodge move with an invincibility window that can be executed on the ground or in the air.
While dodging is a mechanic that veteran Smash players will no doubt feel familiar with, the removal of shielding and grabs is quite puzzling. The lack of guard and throw mechanics, which are are nearly universal across all kinds of fighting games, limits your options in frustrating ways. The loss of shielding, for example, makes certain attacks a lot safer than they would be in other games of this sort, and puts a lot of power in the hands of someone going all-in on aggression. It doesn't necessarily result in a more aggressive game; it just gives someone on the defending side fewer options and leads to more frustration.
Brawlout attempts to cover for the loss of these options with an upgraded Rage mechanic. Rage was something of a hidden mechanic in Smash 4 that would increase a character's damage output when they had taken a lot of damage. In Brawlout, Rage is very clearly visible through a meter shown underneath a character's damage readout. As a character takes damage, their meter increases. They can use the meter to power up their special attacks, utilize a combo-escaping burst when the meter's at least half full, or enter full-on Rage Mode (indicated by a large burning flame graphic on the character's damage indicator) when it's at max. Special moves have different properties when used with and without Rage meter to fuel them, so keeping tabs on your meter becomes a big part of the game at higher levels of play.
Brawlout presents its comic combatants and arenas with confidence and style, but even the game's relatively bland-looking characters prove useful during battle. Joining the cast of original fighters are two guests from other indie games: Juan from Guacamelee and the Drifter from Hyper Light Drifter. They both feel at home in the game, but as of this writing, Drifter is somewhat overpowered compared to the rest of the cast.
However, in order to access the full selection of characters and stages, you have to unlock them. And there is a lot of unlocking to do. Fighting on- and offline, completing the tutorials and arcade modes, leveling up characters, and fulfilling daily objectives will all earn you currency you can spend on "pinatas" (read: loot boxes) to earn characters, skins, and other goodies. To unlock more than three initial stages, you have to level up specific characters across numerous fights. No, you can't just find one fighter you really click with and play with them; you need to play each character until you reach a specific level for them to unlock one stage apiece. And that's a separate grind from the two different in-game currencies.
With the game being so slanted towards competitive play, Brawlout does its best to push you towards playing online. The problem is that, in its current state, online play is a mess. I had a handful of good sessions in my attempts to play online. By and large, my online bouts were defined by stuttering, clunky-feeling movement and laggy slideshows--issues echoed online by other players. It's hard to recommend a competition-focused game like this when part of its foundation is so flawed.
Brawlout is clearly trying its best to create a unique identity from the game that inspired it. However, the ways in which it's trying to do this--by removing key mechanics and putting an emphasis on grindy unlocks--don't work in its favor. Combine this with an online mode that just doesn't seem to function correctly most of the time and you've got a game that's disappointing in its current form. Keep the Wii U or GameCube hooked up to get your Smash fix for now.
2017 has been an important year for anime. Makoto Shinkai's Your Name found success in Western theaters, and more and more anime are coming to Netflix than ever. This year's best anime cover a variety of genres; some are based on long-running franchises, while others bring something new but just as special.
GameSpot's top 10 anime list includes series that began in 2016 but finished in 2017 as well as all 2017 series and films. Only series that have been localized in the West are eligible. Click forward to see our picks for the best anime of the year, and for more on entertainment in 2017, see our 2017 best of entertainment hub.
10. Blame
Adapting the 2000-plus pages of the Blame manga to a film would have been a risky move on Netflix's part. However, with the narrowed focus on a single story arc and a shift in perspective, the new take on Tsutomo Nihei's revered comic succeeds by trying something different.
It's a sci-fi tale set in a seemingly endless city, the product of an AI run amok. Humans are no longer welcome and are threatened at every turn by the robotic Safeguard security forces. A lone hero, Killy, wanders in search of a potential resolution. Despite him being the main character in the comic, the film puts defenseless survivors up front. Killy thus arrives as a hero, and his fight to protect the innocent makes for an action-packed ride that, unlike most anime of its kind, benefits from the use of CGI. The boundless stretches of Blame's manufactured world feel appropriately massive, and the confident use of light and shadow results in one captivating scene after another. Stick to the Blame comic if you want to envelop yourself in Killy's journey; watch the movie to see what makes him worthy of being a hero.
Available on Netflix
9. Recovery of an MMO Junkie
What do you do when you're tired of your everyday office job? Obviously you quit, stop by the convenience store on the way home to pick up a couple Sapporos, and fall back into your old MMO playing habit to help you along on a journey of self discovery! This is exactly what the protagonist, Moriko Morioka, an MMO addict with a possibly unhealthy drinking problem, finds herself doing in this quirky slice of life anime.
Morioka soon finds out that her old MMO of choice has shut down, so she must start fresh in an entirely new game. She decides to make a handsome male character and set off on her new adventure. But a new game brings new struggles, and she finds herself having a hard time--until a veteran player comes along to help her and they become great friends. This relationship, as she finds out later, has many more interesting ties to her real life than she initially thought.
One of the most enjoyable things about Recovery of an MMO Junkie is the abundance of smart video game references and in jokes. The game they're playing is very similar to Final Fantasy 14, which is cool on its own, but the show goes for much deeper cuts than that alone. From getting frustrated with low item drop rates to dropping surplus stat food around AFK players (looking at you, bored raid leaders!) the self-aware MMO references really make the series feel distinct from others with similar themes. Even the scene where she builds a new PC has an impressively accurate depiction of the insides of a computer. This attention to detail coupled with the endearing story of a character a lot of us can identify with help make this one of the standout shows of 2017.
Available on Crunchyroll and Funimation
8. Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
At a time when Gundam shows are starting to feel more and more like adverts for plastic model kits (we're looking at you, Battlogue), Iron-Blooded Orphans was a welcome shift into new territory for the giant robot franchise as it closes in on its 40th anniversary.
It follows the story of Tekkadan, a group of child orphans--once slaves, now soldiers--as they find their place on Mars and in the galaxy. The corrupt peacekeeping organisation known as Gjallarhorn is imploding, and from within it factions are both working with and against our band of heroes. Naturally, these disputes are resolved with mobile suit mechs doing battle.
The second season wastes no time getting straight back into the action we loved from the first, as Mikazuki drops from orbit in the powerful Gundam Barbatos Lupus, smashing his opponents into the dust before it has a chance to settle. Cockpits collapse under the impossible weight of giant swords and hammers as sparks fly, fuel is set ablaze, and the sound of crunching steel reverberates. Iron-Blooded Orphans balances its interesting narrative with intense action.
In one of the most exciting battles of the season a terrifying machine from an old era is awoken, and huge sacrifices have to be made in order to stop it. It's this all-or-nothing mantra that makes Iron-Blooded Orphans so compelling to watch, and in moments you feel yourself cheering on Tekkadan as they rise up from nothing to conquer the forces against them.
The story of Iron-Blooded Orphans is nicely contained in 50 episodes, unrelated to the huge existing universe of Gundam, which makes it the perfect starting point for anyone interested in watching this show. It's a hell of a ride.
Available on Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Hulu
7. Little Witch Academia
Before coming to Netflix as a full TV series, Little Witch Academia was just two short films produced by Studio Trigger. The series expands upon the original's themes but with more time to develop its characters and story. Even if you've seen the OVAs, the care given to the witches, their adventures, and the magical world itself is enough reason to invest in the full 25 episodes.
Little Witch Academia is all about following your dreams, regardless of the obstacles in your way. Akko, a girl who's inspired by a famous witch named Shiny Chariot, enrolls in Luna Nova Magical Academy to become a witch herself. However, she struggles because she doesn't have a magical background. Everything from broom-flying to difficult exams poses problems for Akko, but she still never gives up.
Akko is a classic plucky-but-clumsy main character, a formula that is automatically relatable. Little Witch Academia couples her struggles with beautiful animation that captures her sense of childlike wonder, and she rises above being just a generic anime protagonist and is inspiring in her perseverance. Watching her succeed is truly a delight and makes the series one of the most uplifting of the year.
The first season of Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju aired in 2016. It opens with a former yakuza member named Yotaro who is released from prison and decides he wants to become a Rakugo performer. Rakugo is an ancient Japanese storytelling art that consists of one performer sitting largely on stage while portraying multiple characters; the series takes place in the past and present, telling the stories of performers over decades.
The second season picks up with Yotaro, though it might spoil some things to say exactly what his situation is. Suffice it to say that characters are the most important part of Showa, and seeing their complexities unfold in a captivating historical setting is simply beautiful.
This is a show about art, and it follows that it's also about life. The cultural and historical aspects of Showa might be far-removed from anything you've ever experienced, but the show's masterful storytelling and balance between lighter aspects and drama make it accessible and enthralling throughout.
Available on Crunchyroll
5. The Ancient Magus' Bride
From the outside, it's a weird pair: a lonely human girl and a powerful mage with an animal's skull for a head. But The Ancient Magus' Bride slowly and carefully develops their relationship in an enchanting, sometimes haunting, story of magic, hope, and belonging.
Lonely and with no family to turn to, teenager Chise Hatori sells herself into slavery. She is put up for auction, and a mysterious man named Elias Ainsworth pays a staggering amount of money for her. He tells her she's a Sleigh Beggy, a being who can absorb magic and see magical beings that most humans cannot. He says he bought her to be his apprentice…and later, his bride.
Elias takes Chise to a remote part of England, and she is introduced to a world filled with magic--good and malevolent. Chise, whose abilities caused her to be shunned in the "real" world, must learn to navigate the uncertain rules of a world where nothing is exactly as it seems. Despite how she came to England, and despite the dangers of magic facing her, she is hopeful she'll find somewhere to belong.
From the ominous luminescence of fairy forests to the melancholic beauty of vast meadows, The Ancient Magus' Bride never fails to capture Chise's wonder and sadness. It's a slow burn, but learning the secrets of the world along with Chise is well worth it.
Available on Crunchyroll and Funimation
4. March Comes in Like a Lion
There aren't many shows about shogi, the classic Japanese strategy game. March Comes in Like a Lion is as much about the game as it is about the player: Rei Kiriyama, a 17-year-old shogi pro. Under pressure from his adoptive family and isolated from his peers due to his reserved personality, Rei moves to a Tokyo apartment to live alone. Then he meets the Kawamoto sisters. The eldest, Akari, notices Rei's loneliness and decides to help him combat it.
March Comes in Like a Lion portrays depression, loneliness, and grief with great depth, showing the different shades of these emotions. Rei's struggle as he learns to grapple with his emotions and interact with others makes for a bittersweet slice-of-life story, and one that makes you acutely feel what the characters are going through.
The series' greatest strength is its use of art and direction over dialogue to show Rei's depression. Gorgeous-yet-melancholic backgrounds and careful scene staging evoke far more feeling, in often uncomfortably relatable, very real ways, than words ever could; the show knows this, and its understated narrative allows the art to really shine. No matter your background--or if you know anything about shogi--you can find part of yourself in March Comes in Like a Lion, and that's what makes it so special.
Available on Crunchyroll
3. Made in Abyss
In the city of Orth, cave raiders are those brave enough to descend into the Abyss in search of ancient relics. The deeper they go, the harder it is to come back up; this Curse of the Abyss results in dizziness and severe nausea at shallow depths, and it's possible to go so far you can't safely return. But to 12-year-old Riko, those are just details. She wants to see the mysteries of the Abyss for herself, and she's willing to do whatever it takes to reach the bottom.
Riko lives in the care of an orphanage and trains to be a cave raider, but she's at the lowest rank and is only allowed in the shallowest parts of the Abyss. While on a raid there, she finds a robotic boy who has lost all his memories. She names him Reg, and because he's not fully human, he's not affected by the Curse of the Abyss. When Riko learns that her mother, a legendary cave raider, could still be alive at the bottom of the Abyss, she decides she's going to go there no matter what--and Reg decides to join her.
Made in Abyss is a story of perseverance against all odds, an adventure that's both hopeful and harrowing. They're not just motivated by the mysteries of the Abyss, or on Riko's whims alone; Riko and Reg learn to depend on one another to make up for their own shortcomings, and their friendship drives them even when they shouldn't be able to go on. Made in Abyss is larger than life, equal parts thrilling and contemplative, and its journey is consistently enrapturing.
Available on Anime Strike
2. Your Name
Your Name is a tale of star-crossed lovers. Yet it isn't a jealous third party or feuding families who get in the way of co-protagonists Taku and Mitsuha. They must deal with and overcome the cruelest of external forces: time and nature. Of the few objects and actions that hold their fragile connection, it is the sharing of a red ribbon that is the most symbolic, a reference to the red thread of fate from Chinese legend.
The red thread of fate is only one part of a host of Your Name's plot devices and themes. Its fresh take on body swaps gracefully intertwines with philosophical nods to dreams. It also deals with the often tragic nature of individuals who don't live in parallel timelines. You can name dozens of entertainment works that share one or some of these themes, but you'd be hard pressed to find another film that blends these storytelling components as seamlessly as Your Name.
While tying all these elements together, director Makoto Shinkai remains faithful to his unconventional directorial roots back when he was a one-man anime studio over a decade ago. His background art team's depiction of Tokyo isn't unusual, but the volume of scenes and level of detail are. Equally impressive are the extreme, sometimes off-kilter close-ups like Taki's pencils as he's in mid-sketch and Mitsuha's ceremonial fabric weaving. Even Your Name's opening credits has the editing and energy of a season-long TV show and this atypical presentation is reprised a couple times as the film progresses. How all these moments feel thoughtful and deliberate without giving in to gimmickry are some of the reasons why Your Name is Shinkai's magnum opus and a must-watch for any film enthusiast, anime or otherwise.
Available on Funimation
1. My Hero Academia Season 2
It's easy to lose sight of what makes the Shōnen genre special. Whether it's Naruto, One Piece or Dragon Ball, each starts in earnest, but over hundreds of episodes the core virtues of its story and the characters within it fade. My Hero Academia, however, is a series that renews and enshrines these values. It understands that, while flashy action will dazzle viewers, a moment of sincere emotion has lasting impact.
Season 2 of My Hero Academia doubled down on these. While there's dozens of small, heartfelt moments that stick out, one particular scene between main character Midoriya, an idealistic fanboy on the path to becoming the world's greatest superhero, and his classmate Todoroki, a genius that forsakes his true potential to stop himself becoming the abusive and fame-hungry hero his father is, sums up what makes My Hero Academia memorable.
Their clash takes place under the auspices of a sports tournament, but for Midoriya it's an opportunity to help his friend through the mental anguishes holding him back. The battle is a beautifully animated explosion of raw strength, but underpinning each supercharged blow, wall of ice, and maelstrom of flame there's a desperate struggle for clarity. Midoriya, imbued with the power of All Might, the Superman of My Hero Academia's universe, uses his moment in the spotlight to pull his friend out of the darkness clouding him. It's a poignant scene that makes your heart ache with emotion.
My Hero Academia is about a new generation of superheroes coming of age, and with a dangerous threat rising just as the power of All Might diminishes, the stakes are incredibly high. But the series never lets what matters slip away. The hopefulness of its Quirky and youthful heroes always shines through, and the bonds they build with each other are key to making My Hero Academia uplifting and joyful to watch.
Find out what Xur is selling for the last time in Destiny 2 in 2017.
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