The Crime Caper I Love Boosters is Streaming! What Can Go Wrong?

Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters is now streaming, giving cult film fans another chance to catch this chaotic, anti-capitalist crime caper before its home video release.

I Love Boosters in 4KStreaming on YouTube and Apple TV

If you missed Boots Riley‘s I Love Boosters back in May, NEON Entertainment is giving cult film fans another shot to catch one of this year’s most talked-about films sooner rather than later. Riley is best known for the 2018 cult hit Sorry to Bother You, and since then, he has been on a hot streak. His unabashedly anti-capitalist filmmaking style is a hit, and for those who want a distraction from all the things going on in the States, this follow-up is a breath of fresh air.

From claymation fashion minions to a car chase staged on a miniature San Francisco, this must-see film is now available to stream!

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Celebrating 40 Years of Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters With New Editions!

Dynamite Comics is celebrating 40 years of Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters with a Kickstarter campaign collecting Don Chin’s cult comic series in two remastered volumes.

Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters Volume SetDynamite Entertainment

Back when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles exploded onto the comic book scene, interest in anthropomorphic animal heroes took off too! Those were the days, and not everyone caught on to the other titles trying to ride that craze. One such title that slipped past some readers was Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters, and it built its own special following. Now, Dynamite Comics is offering a limited-time Kickstarter campaign for the first comprehensive reprint of the series created by Don Chin.

At the time of writing, this celebration and crowdfunding opportunity is live, and fans are encouraged to lock in their pledges to secure their hauls!

From the Press Release:

Don Chin’s creation rose above the avalanche of upstarts during what comics historians refer to as the “black and white boom,” when the accessibility of creation, printing, and distribution of comics provided a platform for the first major legion of independent creators. Like their reptile cousins, the Hamsters developed a passionate following, continuing their adventures across over 20 issues over four fabulous decades.

Now, the historic 40th anniversary of these heroic hamsters captures all of those classic adventures in two meticulously remastered tomes. Fans can opt for their preferred formats, from paperbacks and hardcovers to a sleek slipcase, or signed and remarqued editions by Chin himself.

Volume 1 includes:

  • Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters (1986) #1-9
  • Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters: Escape from New York
  • Clint: Hamster Triumphant #1-2

Volume 2 includes:

  • Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters 3-D #1-4
  • Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters Massacre the Japanese Invasion
  • Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters: The Lost Treasures
  • Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters (2008) #1-4

Each book comes out to over 300 pages of martial arts mayhem and hectic hamsterdom. Of particular note, the second book kicks off with unforgettable 3D comics that pushed the boundaries of comics storytelling. To complete the experience, a copy of 3D glasses is included with the books so fans can fully enjoy this experience.

Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters Art

In addition to the reprint books, fans can opt for extra Kickstarter goodies, including a limited facsimile edition of the first issue, one-of-one character sketches by fan-favourite artist Ken Haeser, and more.

Island FanCon 2026 Convention Report: Still Working It Out

Island FanCon returned to Langford for its third year, and the question of what it wants to be is still being answered. Here’s what worked, what didn’t, and why The Viking Group’s shadow looms over all of it.

Island Fancon 2026As Island FanCon enters its third year, it faces an uphill climb. Managing expectations will be tough. What exactly is it trying to be? The identity introduced from the get-go is obvious: help the City of Langford grow. When this event is sponsored by The Viking Group, that detail is hard to miss. And this year, they’re the first thing everyone spots when entering the arena.

When this event is one of the few gatherings still existing for Greater Victoria, geeks are noticing. As for comparing it alongside larger regional conventions in the Lower Mainland, anyone attempting to do so doesn’t really understand the difference between fan-run and corporate.

When this event’s cousins, Metro Con and Northern Fan Con, share the same vibe, expectations need to be lowered accordingly. And as the Island show is still shaping its identity, patience is required. Some attendees come looking for something similar to Fan Expo Vancouver, and honestly, that’s not what Island Fan Con is about. It’s not a full-scale show, and it was never meant to spotlight every geek operation in the municipality.

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Want to Know What’s on Crunchyroll This Summer? There’s These Top Five Hot Picks….

From giant monster romcoms and supernatural ninja battles to fantasy adventures featuring dragons and cats, just what is hot on Crunchyroll this Summer looks fantastic!

Crunchyroll This SummerThere are plenty of returning anime favourites and new series coming to Crunchyroll this Summer, and these are my top picks. From romcoms to fantasy adventures, there’s a little something for everyone. Who needs fun in the sun when there’s a dragon flying nearby?

To be serious, The Cat and the Dragon is my number one choice. When I first heard about this series, I thought it was a one-off concept. It’s also unrelated to Robin Lane’s book of the same name. Perhaps that’s one possibility the original work never received an English translation. Whatever the reason, hopefully strong ratings will encourage a publisher to bring the source material to English-speaking audiences.

Kaiju Girl Caramelise

LIDENFILMS, July 2

Kaiju Girl CarameliseRomantic comedy meets giant monster chaos in Spica Aoki‘s Kaiju Girl Caramelise. Based on the manga of the same name, the story follows Kuroe Akaishi, a shy high school student suffering from a rare condition that causes her to transform into a gigantic kaiju whenever her romantic feelings spiral out of control.

Life becomes increasingly complicated when she develops feelings for popular classmate Arata Minami. Every blush, racing heartbeat, or awkward encounter risks triggering another destructive transformation.

Directed by Teruyuki Omine at LIDENFILMS, the anime blends high school romance with monster movie spectacle. What sets the series apart is how Kuroe’s transformations serve as a metaphor for the overwhelming emotions that accompany first love.

Black Torch

100studio, July 4

Black Torch AnimeBlack Torch adapts Tsuyoshi Takaki‘s supernatural action manga and follows Jiro Azuma, a rough-around-the-edges teenager descended from a line of shinobi. Thanks to a unique ability, Jiro can communicate with animals, a talent that leads him to a mysterious stray cat named Rago.

Unfortunately for Jiro, Rago is actually a powerful mononoke, one of the supernatural spirits lurking in the shadows of modern Japan.

After the pair becomes fused into a symbiotic relationship, Jiro is drawn into a secret conflict between humanity and powerful supernatural beings. The story combines ninja action, Japanese folklore, and urban fantasy while delivering plenty of explosive battles.

Directed by Kei Umabiki at 100studio, the production also features music by Yutaka Yamada, known for his work on VINLAND SAGA. Readers who enjoyed series such as Blue Exorcist or Noragami may want to keep an eye on this one.

The Cat and the Dragon

OLM, July 4

The Cat and the DragonWhat began as a series of short stories published online through Shōsetsuka ni Narō eventually became a manga and now an anime. It was originally a series of tales about a baby dragon raised by cats. Even as the felines would go about their business in the woods and elsewhere, some would soon be hunted and slain!

Humanity’s relationship with the nearby fauna may well teeter on the brink of war, but for the dragon, what he wows to do as a guardian with polymorphic abilities, is to prtect the peace. But is that enough?

Fortunately, this serpent knew what he is and not what he isn’t, and wants revenge. Just when local villagers think wild cats are the least of their worries, can an everlasting peace be negotiated?

The World’s Strongest Rearguard

MAHO FILM, July 5

The World's Strongest RearguardAfter dying in a tragic bus accident, overworked salaryman Arihito Atobe finds himself reincarnated in a fantasy world filled with labyrinths, monsters, and adventurers known as Seekers.

Rather than receiving a flashy combat class, Arihito discovers he possesses the mysterious “Rearguard” job. While not a frontline fighter, the class specializes in strengthening allies through powerful support abilities, allowing him to enhance attacks, bolster defences, and keep his companions alive during dangerous expeditions.

Produced by MAHO FILM, the series leans heavily into RPG-style mechanics, dungeon exploration, party building, and character relationships. Fans of support-class protagonists and game-inspired fantasy worlds may find this a refreshing alternative to the usual overpowered hero formula.

Tomb Raider King

Studio EEK, July 8

Tomb Raider KingBased on the popular Korean web novel and manhwa, Tomb Raider King enters the anime arena with a premise that should immediately appeal to fans of regression and power-fantasy stories. In a world where mysterious tombs containing ancient relics suddenly appear, powerful organizations race to claim artifacts capable of granting extraordinary abilities.

The story follows Ryoga Goriki (Jooheon Suh in the original Korean version), an experienced relic raider who is betrayed and left for dead. Instead of dying, he awakens years in the past before the appearance of the tombs. Armed with knowledge of future events, he sets out to seize the world’s most valuable relics before anyone else can reach them.

Animated by STUDIO EEK, the series combines treasure hunting, supernatural powers, revenge, and strategic battles. While comparisons to other regression stories are inevitable, its focus on relic acquisition and archaeological raids helps it stand apart.

Titan Manga’s The Five Star Stories Delayed (Again). The Latest Updates.

Titan Manga’s new English edition of The Five Star Stories has shifted release dates again, but the larger page counts suggest this reissue may package the classic arcs in a new way.

The Five Star Stories manga original English editionWhen Titan Comics’ Manga label first announced the new English edition of The Five Star Stories at Anime Expo 2025, the target release was March 2026. That later shifted to July 7, 2026 for Volume 1. More recent listings now show Volume 1 scheduled for September 1, 2026. Whatever the reason for the shift, let’s hope the wait is worthwhile. I suspect it will be. This latest release aims to package narrative arcs together rather than one unit at a time.

This note is important for those unsure how this release will be handled. The universe has since been retconned for Mamoru Nagano‘s Gothicmade continuity, and those narrative decisions may well be hiding in this “new translation,” if that’s what Titan Manga is using. The previous translated version, released by Toyspress, had a diamond design to indicate which volume that story arc belongs to. The Titan version uses an inverted pyramid.

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The Cat Came Back Creator Cordell Barker Returns with The Anta Claus of the South Pole

Oscar-nominated animator Cordell Barker, best known for The Cat Came Back, is returning with The Anta Claus of the South Pole, a new animated holiday special from the National Film Board of Canada and Tonic DNA.

The Anta Claus of the South PoleThe National Film Board of Canada

He’s back, and no, I’m not talking about the feline who stole my heart back in the day. Coming soon from Cordell Barker is The Anta Claus of the South Pole. While not everyone may recognize his name, many animation fans know his work. Barker crafted the wonderful animated short The Cat Came Back, a tale about Mr. Johnson, a man pushed to the edge by a feline who keeps finding a way to this hooman’s home. He wants nothing to do with the cat and, much like Wile E. Coyote, becomes increasingly inventive in his attempts to get rid of it rather than simply accepting its presence.

But when cartoon logic rules the universe, every trip home reveals the critter waiting inside, tearing up a carpet, couch, or something even worse. This short is hand-drawn and surprisingly elegant. Some viewers might liken it to an old Tex Avery cartoon. When every gag lands like a mousetrap with a marching band inside it, the shock and surprise is all worth it. And when the beat is set to the folk tune of the same name, we know that this cat is not using up all of his nine lives.

Barker has a knack for turning escalating chaos into comedy, and every homage he makes shows why he is one of Canada’s masters of animated catastrophe.

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