Tag: Fantasy

At Darkroom Streaming, They’re All About Crusher Joe! (and the classics)

Last week, Darkroom added Crusher Joe to their streaming collection, and if you don’t know who this character is, we have an introduction! He’s more than your “average” Joe, and we explain why. Also other classic titles have been added.

Darkroom StreamingFor those who don’t know about Darkroom, perhaps now is the time to subscribe. Not only is this streaming platform affordable, it also specializes in showcasing independent, foreign, arthouse, and cult classic films; at just $2.99 USD per month, why not? Even a quick browse shows they’re no stranger to giving film festival curiosities like Heavy Trip (film review) a home. There’s even Icarus to be found, assuming you have a premium membership to tap into this particular film vault.

For anime fans, what’s especially notable is the platform’s recently added lineup, which includes Crusher Joe. For those unfamiliar with this classic series, it follows a group of licensed troubleshooters known as Crushers, specialists who tackle everything from rescue missions and planetary colonization support to dangerous assignments that ordinary authorities can’t handle. The Crusher Council oversees their activities, and the original novels delve into far more drama than the animated adaptations that followed. Written by Haruka Takachiho beginning in the late 1970s and published through Sonorama Bunko, the series feels less like Star Wars and more like giving Han Solo his own spin-off series, only with a stronger emphasis on teamwork and adventure.

Continue reading “At Darkroom Streaming, They’re All About Crusher Joe! (and the classics)”

Fantasia Film Festival at 30 Glorious Years! So What’s Worth Watching? (Part One)

There’s less than a week to get ready for Fantasia Film Festival 2026! Not only is it their pearl jubilee but also there may be cake to find too!

Fantasia Film Festival 2026 poster
Event runs from July 16 to August 2, 2026. Montreal, Quebec.

When I think of Montreal, there are only a few words that pop into mind: Fantasia Film Festival. This year’s celebration promises to be huge because it’s their Pearl anniversary, and I’m sure not everything is being advertised. Some surprises must be in store for those attending this summer celebration of pop culture cinema.

As for what defines my top twenty works to see, this list comes after considering all of the short film programs. Since they also make up part of my overall picks, it felt important to cover them first before narrowing everything down to this final selection. The links go to Fantasia’s webpage, with showtimes and advance ticket purchase options.

Ancestral Beasts

Ancestral Beasts Movie PosterFour years after losing her mother, Elyse (Morgan Holstrom) still hasn’t recovered, and what she now has to face are the shadows of her past. That’s the gist I get from the marketing for this film. Not only is there an Indigenous angle, but also the idea of intergenerational trauma returning from beyond the grave. It may sound like a familiar haunted house tale on paper, but there’s clearly much more going on, including mental illness within local communities. To say more would reveal too much about why this film is a must-see.

Continue reading “Fantasia Film Festival at 30 Glorious Years! So What’s Worth Watching? (Part One)”

Don’t Be Afraid of Fantasia Film Festival On What Short Programs Are On Fire!

One staple of this film festival is their Are You Afraid of Fantasia short film program. It’s big, bad, and looks more promising than ever beforfe!

Afraid of Fantasia Film Festival 2026 poster
Event runs from July 16 to August 2, 2026. Montreal, Quebec.

For some attendees, deciding what to focus on during Fantasia Film Festival 2026 will be tough. That’s especially true with ARE YOU AFRAID OF FANTASIA?, the first of three shorts programs I’m highlighting here. With this particular smorgaboard taking place at the Salle J.A. De Sève on the 17th of July, horror fans and folklore lovers should put this program high on their list.

What follows is a quick summary of what to expect from each short, followed by two other programs worth keeping on your radar. Like the prior article, I’ll highlight the three shorts I’m most excited for with an image.

Broc! (also known as Xi Lan Hua Shi Bian)
(Hong Kong, dir. Wong Chung-Him / Calvin Woo, Canadian Premiere)

In a world inhabited only by zombies, a couple begin transforming into humans after eating broccoli. As their world turns upside down, the question is what kind of absurdist world must they live in now? This work explores the fragile boundaries of identity and human nature, and if it turns out we’re all just vegetables meant to rot, then we’re in trouble.

Continue reading “Don’t Be Afraid of Fantasia Film Festival On What Short Programs Are On Fire!”

Our Ultimate Guide is Here! Spotlighting All The Essential Fantasia Film Festival 2026 Shorts You Can’t Miss

Fantasia Film Festival 2026’s shorts programs reveal a strong thread of folklore, mythology, cultural traditions, and strange discoveries. And in part one of a week long guide, we dive into which works we’re very eager to see:

Fantasia Film Festival 2026 poster
Event runs from July 16 to August 2, 2026. Montreal, Quebec.

In addition to a lot of cake, I believe Fantasia Film Festival 2026 has plenty of other treats in store for those headed to Montreal! Not only is this the festival’s 30th anniversary, but the programmers have pulled out all the stops to make every section feel special. Returning favourites like Hayop Ka! (review link) appear in the retro lineup, while three outstanding documentaries celebrate the craft of filmmaking. And yes, I’m sure plenty of fans will be cheering for The Origins of Ultraman too!

Before I get to my top twenty picks of the festival, I want to shine a spotlight on the various short film programs. While I haven’t had the chance to see every entry yet, I’ll be keeping an eye on YouTube and other streaming platforms to see which shorts become available internationally after the festival. Great discoveries don’t always come through the festival circuit alone. Sometimes they’re quietly waiting to be found online by those willing to dig a little deeper.

Along with a summary of each film, I’ve marked the title that has my attention with an image. Together, these selections reveal one of the biggest trends I noticed this year: folklore, mythology, and cultural traditions are woven throughout many of Fantasia’s short film programs.

Continue reading “Our Ultimate Guide is Here! Spotlighting All The Essential Fantasia Film Festival 2026 Shorts You Can’t Miss”

Spending My Animated Summer with Netflix

Before we take the week off in recognition of Canada Day and the Fourth of July, even we have to offer our picks on how to spend the start of an animated summer with Netflix. More lists and reviews will be coming after we recharge!

Animated Summer with NetflixJuly is surprisingly quiet for viewers wondering what to watch on the streaming front. Apple TV+ and Prime Video are largely relying on returning series, making it easy to begin your animated summer with Netflix. Disney+ also has a couple of worthwhile additions.

Aside from Sparks of Tomorrow (see my preview), there are no major original animated premieres until August. Fortunately, the wait isn’t long. Kyoto Animation returns with an original television series, Ricky Gervais makes his animated sitcom debut for the streamer, and one of manga’s most influential classics receives a fresh reimagining.

Sparks of Tomorrow
July 5

Sparks of Tomorrow Anime

Produced by Kyoto Animation and based on Hiro Yūki‘s light novel 20 Seiki Denki Mokuroku, the series unfolds in an alternate version of early 20th century Kyoto where steam technology flourishes instead of electricity. The story follows Kihachi Sakamoto, a young inventor who dreams of ushering in a new age alongside his older brother. After tragedy tears those dreams apart, he crosses paths with Inako Momokawa, the daughter of a sake brewer, and together they rediscover hope through science and innovation.

The project also marks Minoru Ota‘s directorial debut and showcases Kyoto Animation’s painterly backgrounds inspired by Impressionist artwork.

Continue reading “Spending My Animated Summer with Netflix”

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.