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You Just Gotta Bebop to KPop Demon Hunters’ Epic Showdown

In South Korea, the all girl singing sensation simply known as KPop Demon Hunters have to deal with demons not only within themselves but also with the demons-in-disguise, The Saja Boys! Just who wins out depends on who you ask….

Now Streaming on Netflix
Spoiler Alert

When the tokusatsu genre becomes predictable, blending it with other narrative styles is necessary to keep things fresh—and that’s where KPop Demon Hunters excels. This film is an enjoyable mix of Sailor Moon and Rock and Rule, with a splash of satire that hits the mark. However, one overused trope still lingers: why must every Asian superheroine have impossibly long legs? Ever since CLAMP popularized the look, I’ve hoped for more body diversity.

In another respect, this movie also stands out for its hilarious take on the behind-the-scenes world of K-pop. It’s a musical showdown between the girl group Huntrix—Rumi, Mira, and Zoey (Park Sooyoung, Lee Suhyun, and Sandara Park)—and the newly arrived Saja Boys. Though the trailer gives a lot away, it’s no surprise they’re demons in disguise. Their leader, Jinu (Ahn Hyo-seop), is planning to help his king return to the material world and harvest souls. But despite his devotion to this ancient evil, there’s something conflicted about him.

Similarly, Rumi struggles to connect with her guardian, much like Jinu wrestles with his own isolation. As the faces of their respective teams, Rumi finds support among her bandmates, while Jinu remains emotionally cut off—his silence only deepening the weight of his mission. This shared loneliness sets the stage for a connection neither of them expects.

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Updates on What the Astronots Are Up To

Until a feature length film finally gets off the ground (pardoning the pun), the short film AstroNots is ready to launch on streaming platforms.

AstroNots is finally landing after playing at twenty more film festivals worldwide! Anyone who has not seen this hilarious short film at their local event or Fantasia Film Festival 2024 can now stream it through Film Shortage, beginning June 23, 2025. When I interviewed the creative team last year, producer Andrew Seaton said they want to make a feature film length version of this film. Although not much has progressed since, he confirmed writers Adam Dunn and Aaron Glenane are working hard on putting a script together.

He said, “We are excited about the prospect of taking these characters and their unique dynamic even further. What we love is that we have an odd couple road-trip movie, set in space. Something truly hilarious and unique.”

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When Venturing Into the Wonderwoods, The Dangers Are Real!

Come join Angelo Into the Wonderwoods where imagination and reality intertwines. This coming of age fantasy is certainly different than visiting Wonderland!

Shout! Studios
Coming to Digital This Week

After a long run at various film festivals, Into the Wonderwoods, is headed to streaming and the coming of age story about Angelo (Dario Hardouin Spurio in the original and Kristen McGuire for the dub) is rather wild. After getting “accidentally” left behind at a rest stop, this kid has to find his way to grandmother’s house and I definitely had a certain “Over the River and Through the Woods” song stuck in my head afterwards.

Fortunately, the family is on the last leg of their long road trip, so he can probably find his own way there. However, when they do not notice he’s not in the car, in the real world, to know what the parents are like is very unsettling.

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TokyoPOP x Kinokuniya USA Ready to Lullaby of The Dawn Gallery Tour!

Catch a special summer exhibit of artwork from Lullaby of the Dawn, a hit manga series, at eight Kinokuniya USA store locations in 5 U.S. states this summer

Lullaby of the Dawn Book Cover — Series available to purchase on Amazon USA

Female readers might take interest in the Lullaby of the Dawn gallery tour that’s taking place beginning in July. This BL manga has sold up to 1.7 million copies worldwide, and with that kind of record number, this team up to celebrate is to be expected. From anime conventions to book store displays, the work displayed is set to show to the world why this subgenre matters. There are many reasons, and fans will argue these tales gets away from less misogynistic content and celebrate the bishōnen style.

From the Press Release

“We’re very proud to partner with Kinokuniya USA to present this special exhibit for manga fans,” says Owais Farooqui, Director of Marketing and Sales, TOKYOPOP. “Several dates also coincide with some of North America’s biggest summer anime conventions, and we invite fans to add it as a must-see highlight on their con schedules.”

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The Qaqsoss naka Wahuntuhsis is More Than An Enchanting Fable

The Qaqsoss naka Wahuntuhsis is very easily the highlight of the Victoria Film Festival’s F1RST, A Celebration of Aboriginal Films. It’s an all-ages product that’ll entertain!

Playing at F1RST FIlm Festival June 22, 2025
Moxy Fox Studio

The Qaqsoss naka Wahuntuhsis (which literally translates to Fox and the Tiny Demon) is a wonderfully animated film which is like a children’s graphic novel come to life. When Tara Audibert from the Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick came up with the idea about the struggles this animal has to face, I’m sure the decision on how to bring it to life and relatable to the human condition was tough. . She wanted the narrative to deal with mental illness, an idea reasonably well conveyed, and show how this critter can deal with those personal demons.

And when there’s a literal one appearing occasionally during this fox’s wanderings through a magical forest, the fact this young cub doesn’t always take notice is amusing. But at some point, this supernatural force will have to appear!

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Tsui Hark’s Shanghai Blues Returns to The Big Screen and Why You Must See It

Tsui Hark’s Shanghai Blues is a vibrant, screwball romantic comedy that is a must-see on the big screen, especially when he oversaw the 4K restoration.

Shanghai Blues in 4K Poster Please check local listings for a showtime near you.

When Tsui Hark oversaw the restoration of Shanghai Blues, I’m sure fans will want to see this film again on the big screen. This ambitious film is a screwball romantic comedy set during the late 30s, where a lonely soldier boy and a young woman meet and hope to reunite. Their first encounter long ago under a bridge, during a raid where they couldn’t see each other’s faces, was fated, but finding each other again will be a problem!

As fate would have it, they end up living in the same building, unbeknownst to each other. Through a series of mishaps, he mistakes her ingénue roommate for his love interest, and a wacky love triangle hijinks ensue.

Watching this film again was a joy, and the nostalgia trip was more connected with the music used. The restoration looks gorgeous, and I’m certainly wanting to see it again in the environment that it’s meant for–the big screen! Preview copies of the film on 4K at home on a monitor is one thing, but a region one release is not yet available. Aside from some minor grain here and there, I simply need to look at it proper. Continue reading “Tsui Hark’s Shanghai Blues Returns to The Big Screen and Why You Must See It”