By Alessandro Fillari on Jan 09, 2018 11:36 pm
Which team are you rooting for?
With the upcoming season of Overwatch League kicking off on January 10, there's much anticipation brewing from esports enthusiasts and casual fans of Blizzard's popular hero shooter. Coming off of the successful pre-season, which ended this past December, the 12 teams from across the globe will vie to stake their claim for the top spot of Overwatch League, culminating in the eventual playoffs later this year. In this gallery, we'll run down the current teams and rosters set for this season of Overwatch League. From across the globe, many players will represent several teams from Pacific and Atlantic divisions, where they'll compete in several games with rival squads, and work their way up the ladder. For more info on the competition, check out our guide on everything you need to know about Overwatch League and how to watch Overwatch League. There are also new team skins to get your hands on.
Boston Uprising (Atlantic Division)
Owned by Robert and Jonathan Kraft of the New England Patriots, the Boston Uprising's name is inspired by the history of the city they represent, and the role it played during the American Revolution. Channeling a spirit of determination and resilience, the team functions on a balanced and dynamic skill-set that has strong defensive and support play.
The Players:
DreamKazper (Jonathan Sanchez) | Assault GamsuYoung (Jin Noh) | Defense Snow (Mikias Yohannes) | Healer NotE (Lucas Meissner) | Defense Neko (SeHyun Park) | Healer Avast (Connor Prince) | Healer STRIKER (Namju Gwon) | Assault Kalios (WooYul Shin) | Defense Mistakes (Stanislav Danilov) | Assault Kellex (Kristian Keller) | Healer
Dallas Fuel (Pacific Division)
Inspired by the state of Texas and its commitment as the energy sector of the country, and as strong as its competitive gaming community, the Dallas Fuel aims to bring that same drive to the Overwatch League. Owned by Team EnVyUs--the same group behind successful esports teams from League of Legends, StarCraft, and Counter-Strike--the operators of the Dallas Fuel are looking to make their mark within Overwatch League, just as they've done in other games. The Players: Chipshajen (Sebastian Widlund) | Healer HarryHook (Jonathan Tejedor Rua) | Healer Mickie (Pongphop Rattanasangchod) | Flexible xQc (Félix Lengyel) | Defense Seagull (Brandon Larned) | Flexible Taimou (Timo Kettunen) | Assault Custa (Scott Kennedy) | Healer cocco (Christian Jonsson) | Defense EFFECT (Hyeon Hwang) | Assault
Florida Mayhem (Atlantic Division)
Referencing their "explosive" playstyle, along with the Sunshine State's colorful and energetic vibe, the Florida Mayhem is a team made up of players who have found common ground disrupting the competition's plans. Owned by Misfit Gaming, the organization has already made an impact within Overwatch's competitive community, and they aim to go bigger within the Overwatch League. The Players: Manneten (Tim Bylund) | Flexible Logix (Andreas Berghmans) | Assault Zebbosai (Sebastian Olsson) | Healer CWoosH (Johan Klingestedt) | Flexible TviQ (Kevin Lindström) | Assault Zuppeh (Aleksi Kuntsi) | Healer
Houston Outlaws (Pacific Division)
As the second Texas-based team, the Houston Outlaws focus on taking the fight to their enemies, and doing it in their own ruthless style. With backing from OpTic Gaming, the same group that's made a name for itself in League of Legends and Counter-Strike competitions, this team brings a number skilled players that focus on quick and decisive acts to gain the upper hand against their opponents. The Players: Muma (Austin Wilmot) | Defense Bani (Christopher Benell) | Healer Clockwork (Matthew Dias) | Assault Mendokusaii (Lucas Håkansson) | Assault Boink (Daniel Pence) | Healer LiNkzr (Jiri Masalin) | Assault SPREE (Alexandre Vanhomwegen) | Assault Rawkus (Shane Flaherty) | Healer Jake (Jake Lyon) | Assault Coolmatt (Matt Iorio) | Defense
London Spitfire (Atlantic Division)
Named after the legendary British fighter planes flown during World War II's most intense battles, the London Spitfire channels that same intensity and resilience to overcome mounting pressure from their foes. Owned by Cloud9, this team is looking to make their mark within their division, while trailblazing their way to the top of the global league. The Players: Gesture (Jae-Hui Hong) | Defense birdring (Ji-Kyeok Kim) | Assault Fissure (Chan-Hyung Baek) | Defense Bdosin (Seung-Tae Choi) | Healer NUS (Jong-Seok Kim) | Healer Hooreg (Dong-Eun Lee) | Assault Rascal (Dong-Jun Kim) | Assault Fury (Jun-Ho Kim) | Fleixable HaGoPeun (Hyeon-Woo Jo) | Healer WooHyaL (Seung-Hyun Seong) | Flexible Profit (Jun-Young Park) | Assault Closer (Won-Sik Jung) | Healer
Los Angeles Gladiators (Pacific Division)
As one of two teams representing Los Angeles, the Gladiators are the polar opposite to its rival the Valiant. Owned by Stan and Josh Kroenke of the LA Rams, the Los Angeles Gladiators bring ferocity and a strong-sense of competition to their games, which they plan to bring all the way to the top of the global ladder within the Overwatch League. The Players: Asher (Jun-Sung Choi) | Assault Surefour (Lane Roberts) | Assault iRemiix (Luis Galarza Figueroa) | Defense Bischu (Aaron Kim) | Flexible Shaz (Jonas Samuel Suovaara) | Healer Hydration (Joao Pedro Veloso de Goes Telles) | Assault BigGoose (Benjamin Ville Aapeli Isohanni) | Healer
Los Angeles Valiant (Pacific Division)
Representing Los Angeles along with the Gladiators, the Valiant go about achieving their goals a bit differently compared to their city rival. Owned by the eSports team Immortals, the Valiant represents the ideals of Los Angeles being the city where imagination and hard work can make your dreams into reality. With much on the line this season, the Valiant are looking to realize their goals and overcome the competition. The Players: Silkthread (Ted Wang) | Assault Grimreality (Christopher Schaefer) | Assault Kariv (Young-Seo Park) | Healer Fate (Pan-Seung Koo) | Defense Verbo (Stefano Disalvo) | Healer Envy (Kang-Jae Lee) | Flexible Space (Indy Halpern) | Flexible Numlocked (Sebastian Barton) | Defense Unkoe (Benjamin Chevasson) | Healer Agilities (Brady Girardi) | Assault Soon (Terence Tarlier) | Assault
New York Excelsior (Atlantic Division)
Channeling the spirit of optimism, hope, and perseverance, the New York Excelsior brings the Big Apple's charm and attitude to their team's overall dynamic. Under ownership of Sterling VC, the team focuses on keeping their momentum going, even under mounting pressure. Excelsior is latin for "ever upward," and with the group seeking to reach the top spot of the global league, the team repping New York looks to keep their spirits high as they gun it for the lead. The Players: Saebyeolbe (Jong-Ryeol Park) | Assault Meko (Tae-Hong Kim) | Defense Pine (Do-Hyeon Kim) | Flexible Janus (Jun-Hwa Song) | Defense Jjonak (Seong-Hyun Bang) | Healer Mano (Dong-Gyu Kim) | Defense Libero (Hae-Seong Kim) | Assault Ark (Yeon-Jun Hong) | Healer
Philadelphia Fusion (Atlantic Division)
Owned by Comcast Spectacor, the Philadelphia Fusion have a lot to prove this upcoming season. Due to several issues, the team had to miss out on the pre-season. Without the chance to get a feel for the competition, the players will have to play catch-up with the rest of the league. Despite this, the Fusion features a number of promising players, who plan to bring the spirit of Philadelphia--with the city's innovative and diverse charm--into their team dynamic. The Players: Joemeister (Joseph Gramano) | Healer Boombox (Isaac Charles) | Healer Carpe (Jae-Hyeok Lee) | Assault Snillo (Simon Ekström) | Assault fragi (Joona Laine) | Defense Eqo (Josue Corona) | Assault ShaDowBurn (Georgii Gushcha) | Assault Neptuno (Alberto González Molinillo) | Healer DayFly (Jeong-Hwan Park) | Healer Hotba (Hong-Jun Choi) | Flexible Poko (Gael Gouzerch) | Flexible SADO (Su-Min Kim) | Defense
San Francisco Shock (Pacific Division)
Owned by NRG esports, the San Francisco Shock is the third team repping California along with the Los Angeles Gladiators and Valiant. Representing a balance between the old and new ways--balancing brute force with long-range action--the San Francisco Shock keeps the action up-close and personal, while making sure the frontline stays in top form. The Players: super (Matthew DeLisi) | Flexible BABYBAY (Andrej Francisty) | Assault sinatraa (Jay Won) | Assault sleepy (Nikola Andrews) | Healer Danteh (Dante Cruz) | Assault dhaK (Daniel Martinez Paz) | Healer Nomy (David Lizarraga Ramirez Osmar) | Defense iddqd (André Dahlström) | Assault Nevix (Andreas Karlsson) | Flexible
Seoul Dynasty (Pacific Division)
South Korea is no stranger to the esports phenomenon. With games like StarCraft and League of Legends already a pastime in the country, even landing several players sponsorships and spots on billboards, the country's passion for esports has had a major influence on the evolution of the medium as we know it. With Overwatch League, the team known as Seoul Dynasty--owned by KSV esports--is looking to dominate the competition and show that South Korea's passion for esports is still going strong. The Players: Bunny (Jun-Hyeok Chae) | Assault Miro (Jin-Hyuk Gong) | Defense XepheR (Jae-Mo Koo) | Flexible gido (Gi-Do Moon) | Flexible Wekeed (Seok-Woo Choi) | Assault Munchkin (Sang-Beom Byun) | Assault ZUNBA (Joon-Hyeok Kim) | Flexible KuKi (Dae-Kuk Kim) | Defense tobi (Jin-Mo Yang) | Healer ryujehong (Je-Hong Ryu) | Healer FLETA (Byung-Sun Kim) | Assault
Shanghai Dragons (Pacific Division)
With China becoming a bigger player in the competitive gaming scene, the Shanghai Dragons are looking to make their mark in the new Overwatch League. As one of the country's most popular games, Overwatch represents a major foothold for the Chinese competitive gaming scene. Under ownership of Chinese internet company NetEase, the Shanghai Dragons have a strong balance of support, defense, and offense skills, the team aims to make the top spot theirs. The Players: Freefeel (Peixuan Xu) | Healer Xushu (Junjie Liu) | Defense Fiveking (Zhaoyu Chen) | Healer Altering (Yage Cheng) | Healer Undead (Chao Fang) | Assault MG (Dongjian Wu) | Defense Roshan (Wenhao Jing) | Defense Diya (Weida Lu) | Assault
By Peter Brown on Jan 09, 2018 09:30 pm
Nintendo's Newest
After failing to make people fall in love with Wii U, Nintendo is back and Switch is a household name--not to mention the fastest selling console in US history. In 2017, games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey proved that Nintendo understands the strengths of its franchises and the importance of taking risks, but they are only two of the many games that have kept Switch owners entertained since the system's March launch. For an overview of all the Switch games we reviewed last year, head over to our Switch review page. Already, 2018 looks like another promising year for Switch owners, and there are some great-looking games coming to the system that you won't find anywhere else. We've compiled a list of all the exclusive games coming to Switch in the coming months, and as new announcements are made, we will continue to update our entries with specific dates and info. There's also a wealth of exciting games coming out in 2018 that aren't necessarily exclusive to one platform or another, so be sure to check out our individual features highlighting the most anticipated PS4 games, Xbox One games, PC games, and Switch games for a broader look at the year ahead. But for now, let's kick things off with an upcoming game featuring everyone's favorite pink mascot.
Kirby Star Allies
Kirby's Switch debut is a multiplayer twist on traditional Kirby action, allowing four players to party up and tackle platforming stages and boss battles using powers absorbed from lesser enemies. The game was announced at E3 2017, and was further discussed in a September 2017 Nintendo Direct. It's currently scheduled to release sometime in 2018. Developer: HAL Laboratory | Release Date: 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Fire Emblem for Nintendo Switch (working title)
Fire Emblem was born on Nintendo's first console (in Japan) in 1990. But in recent years, it's been an exclusively handheld series (barring Fire Emblem Warriors) since Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn landed on Nintendo Wii almost a decade ago. Nintendo announced that a new Fire Emblem game is in the works for Switch, though little else is known beyond its broad "2018" release date. Developer: Intelligent Systems | Release Date: 2018
Project Octopath Traveler (working title)
Square Enix and developer Acquire are in the home stretch of development on Project Octopath Traveler, a retro RPG that mixes 2D and 3D graphics in an effort to bridge the gap between 16-bit and HD graphics. A demo was released on the Nintendo eShop earlier this year, but the release date is still listed as "2018." Developer: Square Enix, Acquire | Release Date: 2018 | Watch the Trailer
No More Heroes: Travis Strikes Again
The third game in the No More Heroes series from infamous developer, Goichi "SUDA 51" Suda, is scheduled to land on Switch later this year. The debut trailer presents a revenge tale against frontman Travis, who finds himself confronted by Badman, father of Travis' first assassination target, Bad Girl. Before they get into a scuffle, both characters are drawn into a video game system. From within, they will have to confront a handful of fictional video games, supposedly inspired by real-world hits like Hotline Miami. Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture | Release Date: 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Yoshi for Nintendo Switch (working title)
Yoshi's debut standalone adventure on Switch is another platformer, but Nintendo is utilizing a new art style to define the game's distinct gameplay twist. With each stage appearing similar to a diorama, you can view stages from the "front," or look behind the scenes from a new perspective to reveal the inner workings of seemingly one-sided buildings and environments. The new Yoshi game will also support two-player local co-op. Developer: Good-Feel | Release Date: 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Runner3
The Bit.Trip games from developer Choice Provisions rank among some of the best throwback experiences of the past decade. Later this year, Nintendo Switch owners will have exclusive access to the series' newest game, Runner3, which continues the tradition of linking rhythmic timing and platforming, with plenty of new tricks promised to surprise returning players. Developer: Choice Provisions | Release Date: April 24, 2018 | Watch the Trailer
Dragon Marked For Death
The latest game from the team behind Mega Man Zero, Mega Man 9 and 10, and Azure Striker Gunvolt is coming exclusively to Switch this year. Dragon Marked for Death looks like another action-packed 2D side-scroller with intricate sprites, but Inti Creates is experimenting by adding in four-player local co-op and progression systems that give the game an action-RPG feel. Developer: Inti Creates | Release Date: 2018
Light Fingers
Light Fingers is a turn-based multiplayer board game where your goal is to gather loot and progress across the board, all while your opponents play cards and manipulate mechanical obstacles in an effort to trip you up. The game is coming to Switch sometime early in 2018. Developer: Numizmatic | Release Date: Early 2018
Basyonetta and Bayonetta 2
At the same time that Nintendo revealed Bayonetta 3 at The Game Awards, it also confirmed a popular rumor: Bayonetta 2 and the original Bayonetta are on their way to Switch. The two games are coming early in the year on February 16. The sequel will headline the physical copy of the game, but every copy of Bayonetta 2 will include a download code for the original. Developer: PlatinumGames | Release Date: Feb. 16, 2018 | Watch the Trailer
By Oscar Dayus on Jan 09, 2018 08:21 pm
All The Black Mirror Season 4 Easter Eggs
Black Mirror Season 4 is out now on Netflix, bringing another six episodes of futuristic, dystopic drama, and dark comedy to our screens. We've already posted breakdowns of each episode on the GameSpot Universe YouTube channel, where you can also find videos on Black Mirror Easter Eggs, which episodes we think are best, our Season 4 review, and more. For now, though, check out all the Black Mirror Easter Eggs you might've missed, presented with good old-fashioned words and images, right here. And for crying out loud, beware of spoilers! Go and watch all the episodes before you read this!
Kirsten Dunst Is In The Building (USS Callister)
Just in the corner of the shot here, you can see a brief cameo from Hollywood actress Kirsten Dunst, who also happens to be the real-life partner of Jesse Plemons (Robert Daly). They met each other on the set of Fargo's second season.
Swipe Right For Entry
Elena, Callister Inc.'s receptionist, is pretty preoccupied with her phone. That's because she's using the dating app seen in Hang the DJ. You'll also notice that her fingernails are the same colour as her skin inside Infinity.
Second Appearance
Shania, played by Michaela Coel, is one of the few actors to star in multiple episodes of Black Mirror. She appears in Season 3's Nosedive as the flight attendant who refuses to let Lacie onto the plane.
Robert Daly Lives
Robert Daly is actually a real video game designer. He's had a long and varied career, working at places like EA, Midway, and Accolade.
Somebody Likes Mass Effect
When the Callister crew are on the pursuit of Valdack, you might recognise the names of the planets they land on. Rannoch B shares its name with the Quarian homeworld from Mass Effect, Rannoch. It's also the surname of Ian Rannoch from the Black Mirror episode White Bear. His girlfriend Victoria Skillane also has a planet named after her in this episode.
What Kinda Name For A Pizza Company Is Fences, Anyway?
Nanette orders pizza from Fences, the same pizza company from Crocodile. However, as a human being delivers the pan and not a robot van, we can assume that USS Callister is set before Crocodile.
Singin' In The Raiman
Daly enjoys Raiman's Milkshake. Raiman is a character from Men Against Fire--she even mentions that her family owns a farm.
Infinite Graphics
When booting up Infinity, the graphics card is powered by NVDITITA, which is clearly a play on NVIDIA.
Flaring Up
When the crew of the Callister are in Daly's simulation, it has the look of Star Trek from the 60s. However once they warp through the update and land in the main Infinity server, the look switches to JJ Abrams' 2009 reboot. Lots of lovely lens flare.
Aaron Paul Of Space
You might recognise the King of Space as Aaron Paul, who acted alongside Jesse Plemons in Breaking Bad. However, Plemons didn't actually know about the cameo until a screening of the episode.
Parents Against Fire
While Sarah is having her Arkangel device installed the violent footage she's watching is actually from Season 3's Men Against Fire. Has that footage been circulated on the news or is she watching an episode of Black Mirror within Black Mirror? Or is the tech in Arkangel an evolution of the MASS augmented reality tech in Men Against Fire and blocking tech of White Christmas?
Hated In The Bedroom (Arkangel)
The Tusk poster on Sarah's wall is a reference to the rapper targeted by an online hate movement for insulting a fan in Hated in the Nation.
Too Many Posters
There's also a poster for Harlech Shadow, one of the games Saito is working on in Playtest.
Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Crocodile)
The song "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is," by Irma Thomas, has been used in quite a few episodes of Black Mirror. It's sung by Abi as her audition for the TV show "Hot Shot" in 15 Million Merits, and we can also hear it in White Christmas, and Men Against Fire.
Wraith Babes Return
When Mia is choosing an adult movie to watch in her hotel, the options on screen show "The Best of Wraith Babes," the adult channel Abi ends up working for in 15 Million Merits.
15 Million References
And speaking of 15 Million Merits, when Shazia is trying to get information about Mia from the hotel clerk, he mentions that the male judge from Hot Shot was caught with a rent boy.
Alternate, Virtual Reality
On Mia's desk we can see a PlayStation VR headset.
Burn After Reading
When trying to hide all traces of the people she's killed, Mia burns a print out of an article from UKN, the news network seen throughout Black Mirror.
Outpost 21
The comic book store is called Outpost 21, which shares its name with a player-created map in Doom. The description of the map reads that "Outpost 21 appears to be a peaceful complex that provides its small team of dedicated scientists with living quarters, research labs, and recreational facilities. However, not even the aliens who recently inhabited Outpost 21 were aware of the dark and dirty secrets that lie beneath." Mia is the architect responsible for building an affordable community project, and disposes of Rob's body beneath it. He's the dark secret beneath the "peaceful complex."
Come On Now
Reddit user AFellowOfLimitedJest caught this screen shot of the paper Rob was showing to Mia. it reads, "'Of course the real question is why anyone would pause what they're watching just to read a sentence in a printed out newspaper article,' says a voice in your head--before advising you to go and share this finding on Reddit."
Hang Junipero (Hang The DJ)
The song that plays at the end of the episode when Amy and Frank meet in the bar is "Panic," by The Smiths. It of course features the lyrics, "Hang the DJ, hang the DJ, hang the DJ." Interestingly, Panic appeared on a Spotify playlist Charlie Brooker made of songs which inspired Season 3's San Junipero. It didn't make it into the final episode, but it did make a big appearance in Hang the DJ.
Rewired (Metalhead)
Early on in the episode, we see a sign for Featherstone Electrical, a fictional company named after Cade Featherstone, who was on work experience in the art department for the company that worked on the Metalhead episode.
San Junipero Also Also Exists In Black And White, Apparently
At one point while Bella is rifling through some drawers, we can see a postcard from San Junipero.
Ever Watched Some TV While Being Chased By A Killer Robot Dog?
During a high-tech car ignition sequence we can see more references to previous Black Mirror episodes (via Reddit user BRB_UKN).
Just Popping Out To Get Some Fuel (Black Museum)
The petrol station Nish stops at is called BRB Connect, a reference to the Season 2 episode Be Right Back.
More Easter Eggs (I Mean That Is Why You Clicked On This Gallery, After All)
Behind Rolo is the mugshot of Victoria Skilane, the woman complicit in a child's murder in White Bear. You can also see cult leader Charles Manson.
I, For One, Welcome Our New Killer Robot Bee Overlords
It's a killer robot bee from the Season 3 episode Hated in the Nation.
Hey Look It's The Tablet From Arkangel
You might recognize this as the tablet from Arkangel.
This One's Brutal
This one's easy to miss at first, but on reflection it's clearly the bathtub from the end of Crocodile. Yeah, that bathtub.
Blink And You'll Miss It
Another one you have to squint for, but that looks like a mannequin depicting the death of Tom Blice, the artist who blackmailed the Prime Minister into copulating with a pig in The National Anthem from Season 1.
I'm Happy With Normal Reality, Thanks
This is the VR headset from Playtest.
Remember This?
It's a costume from the Justice Park in the Season 2 episode White Bear.
Callister's Back
That's the DNA sequencer (complete with Tommy's lollipop) from USS Callister.
They Can Survive Anything
Look closely and you'll see a depiction of a roach from Men Against Fire.
Rolo Has An Unexpected Past
Rolo reveals that he worked out of Saint Juniper's, the title of the hospital obviously being a reference to San Junipero.
Another Double-Star Actor
You might recognise Dr. Peter Dawson from a previous episode of Black Mirror. He actually appears in The Entire History Of You, but as a different character named Max Harper.
Shut Up And Gnaw
The two lab mice that Rolo experiments on are named Kenny and Hector, the two characters from the Season 3 episode Shut Up and Dance.
Paying close attention to the TVs in this episode we see that USN is a popular news broadcast and clearly the sister outlet to UKN. Perhaps these flashbacks take place in the United States. There are also some revealing headlines and news in the ticker that connect the Black Mirror universe. First, "Saito Trial Continues" meaning that Shou Saito, Playtest's game designer has been tried for Cooper's murder. Another reads "Arkangel system pulled" and a reference to the "Waldo politician." In another flashback, the scroll mentions Michael Callow marrying a pig so this takes place after The National Anthem and after his divorce mention from Shut Up and Dance. Finally the programme mentions Clayton Leigh, while the bottom ticker reads "Autonomous military dog robot unveiled", clearly the dog from Metalhead. So that means that a dystopian future where humans are hunted by terminator, robot dogs could be the final episode in the Black Mirror timeline.
Merry Christmas
Rolo references Cookies, the technology from White Christmas.
15 Million Comics
Jack and Carrie are reading a magazine called 15 Million Merits, chronicling Bing's story from the season 1 episode of the same name.
Tuck It Up, Tuck It In
Finally, the thing tying it all together: you might recognise the name TCKR. They're the company that made San Junipero. Suggesting that all the ethically dubious work that Rolo undertook out of Saint Juniper's resulted in the creation of the virtual paradise, San Junipero.
By Kallie Plagge on Jan 09, 2018 04:48 am
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. Premieres October | Available TBA
By Meg Downey on Jan 09, 2018 01:31 am
Where to start on Black Panther
As February 16th creeps closer and closer, the time to do some serious preparation for the release of Black Panther is upon us. But if you're new to the world of Wakanda, that might be a little easier said than done. Introduced all the way back in 1966, the continuity of the Black Panther can be dense and daunting. Unlike Marvel's roster of New York based heroes, T'Challa comes with the history of an entire fictional nation at his back, informing just about every aspect of his character, from the legacy of the Black Panther mantle to the politics of his kingdom. Put bluntly, there's a lot more to T'Challa than a cool costume and fancy vibranium claws. But never fear--we've got a list of some great places to start your Wakandan deep dive right here.
6. Black Panther by Christopher Priest
Officially known as Black Panther volume 3, writer Christopher Priest's late '90s stint on the book featured a revolving cast of artists and colorists as part of the more "adult" focused Marvel Knights imprint. With his trademark fast-paced, nonlinear style, Priest revolutionized the way modern audiences saw and understood T'Challa, introducing concepts like the Dora Milaje--T'Challa's highly trained group of female bodyguards--to the mythos. Featuring a roster of characters you may already recognize from the MCU, like Everett Ross (though a very different Everett Ross than the one you've seen on the big screen played by Martin Freeman), the influence of Black Panther volume 3 on the upcoming film is undeniable. It's a long read--pushing into sixty issues in total--but well worth it if you're ready to take the plunge. If you're looking for the cliffnotes, the "Killmonger's Rage" story in issues #16 through #20 might prove particularly relevant.
5. Who Is The Black Panther?
The first arc of Black Panther volume 4, written by Reginald Hudlin and drawn by comics legend John Romita Jr, "Who Is The Black Panther" is a six issue story (issues #1 through #6, exactly) that serves as both an origin of T'Challa and as a historical text for Wakanda as a whole. "Who Is The Black Panther?" a fantastic primer for the legacy of the Black Panther mantle, as well as a close look at Ulysses Klaw, who is set to be one of the film's big bads (played by Andy Serkis in a rare non-motion captured role). It's a quick, self-contained read that will give you exactly what you need to know about Wakanda, as well as prep you for some potential easter egg spotting come February.
4. Black Panther by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The most recent (and currently ongoing) Black Panther series has proven to be not only a critical darling, but a far-reaching look at Wakandan continuity both old and new. This volume of Black Panther is your one stop shop for all the most current T'Challa stories, ongoing each month. Praised for its attention to character detail as well as its seamless integration of real world social issues, this is a version of T'Challa that is being informed by the world around him in real time, and unequivocally the place you'll want to go if you're looking for sleek, modern, fast-paced storytelling that doesn't skimp on complexity or nuance.
3. Rise of the Black Panther
A new entry into the Black Panther canon, Rise of the Black Panther #1 just dropped earlier this month, so this is one you'll actually have to subscribe to and wait for as it progresses. That's the bad news. The good news is that this is a book designed specifically to ease new readers into even the most dense parts of Wakandan society and history, bit by bit. It's a dense read, but one that's thorough without bringing too many walls of text or impenetrably complicated references. You'll even catch references in issue #1 to other stories on this list if you're a fan of figuring out how different works relate to one another. If you're looking to become a Black Panther expert but not to commit to a full sixty-plus issue back catalogue, this is a great place to start--and a great way to support a comic currently in production.
2. New Avengers by Jonathan Hickman
Otherwise known as New Avengers volume 3, this is where you can look for potential Infinity War tie-ins with Black Panther. Not only does it center around T'Challa and his team of Avengers, it dives directly into one of the most recent Infinity Stone conflicts in Marvel Comics continuity. This is as much a high-flying superhero book as it is a cloak-and-dagger spy epic, revolving around the sudden and urgent need for the Avengers to stop Thanos and his Black Order before they can bring an end to all reality. Sound a little familiar? It's still too early to tell just how much of Infinity War will borrow from New Avengers, or the Infinity crossover event it builds into, but if you're someone who likes to connect dots between MCU movies, this will be a great place to focus leading up to February and beyond.
1. Black Panther and The Crew
If you're looking for more team book flavor but are feeling a little wary of jumping directly into something as lengthy as New Avengers, look no further than Black Panther and The Crew, an offshoot of the current Black Panther ongoing, by creators Ta-Nehisi Coates and Yona Harvey. Focusing on T'Challa, Storm, Luke Cage, and Misty Knight, Black Panther and The Crew brings street level super heroics and real world activism together in a potent blend of action and drama, digging deep into the history of the Marvel Universe in a new and powerful way. Lasting six issues, this is the book you'll want to read if you're a fan of the Netflix MCU looking to make the jump to comics as you gear up for T'challa on the big screen.
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