All Stitch! All The Time. On Why The Animated Takes Matter.

After the recent live-action adaptation, a look back at the animated versions of Lilo & Stitch reveals the Japanese series, Stitch! The Series, offers a more profound exploration of family and character development, and I present my five favourite episodes.

Stitch! Anime PosterSpoiler Alert

After watching the live-action version of Lilo & Stitch (movie review link), I needed a palate cleanser—so I turned to both the American and Japanese animated series. Of the two, Stitch! The Series offers much more to appreciate than the live-action take. It better explores the meaning of family (Ohana), and even when the latest adaptation strays from canon, just hearing Jumba boast about his evil genius was enough to win me over.

Overall, I found the Asian series much better. A few episodes break away from the usual formula. The U.S. version follows a “gotta catch ‘em all” approach, with Lilo finding and giving homes to the 625 loose experiments with Stitch’s help. Fans will admire her perseverance, especially after this fuzz ball talks about family a lot, and misses it. That’s because all these genetic creations, the experiments, share a bond and the more popular ones have a recurring role. Jumba, as their creator, is like a father who must accept responsibility for them.

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Top 5 Hosts Who Love Their Paranormal (and Conspiracies Too!)

Not everyone in the video blogging or network universe has the talent to keep me engaged with talks about the esoteric. Whether that’s with alternate history, the paranormal or aliens, after a decade of regularly watching a variety of programs, I can name my favourite hosts!

top 5 hosts of the esotericWhen the wait for new network episodes of alien curiosities and conspiracies feels long, I’m sure other folks have looked elsewhere for their fix. Whether that’s on YouTube, Paraflixx or Gaia, there are plenty of services to search for. As for who are the best hosts depends on their ability to convince, charm and persuade. When the list of programs is vast, there’s no number one show to explore every single subtopic out there. Neither is there one individual who can cover it all.

This list follows the above listed criteria along with the individual’s willingness to appear on-screen. When I discover some video podcasts use AI-generated art and sometimes a digital voiceover, I’m not as keen to watch. I need to see these people offer his or her sincerity to be interested. When the series shows them taking part in the action, that’s more of a solid sell than anything else. Even though they may be on the sidelines sometimes, that’s okay.

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Celebrating Spring Equinox with Five Animated Films

The best thing about Spring Equinox is not the longer days, but the times spent with family and friends, and there’s a few favourite films I like to watch too.

Spring Equinox at the Movie TheatreAs Spring Equinox is officially in full bloom, just what I want to view is not your regular fare. My recommendations better reflect the season than any spiritual aspect; my top five favorite animated works include more than just current movies. I have short films on this list too.

And so I’m not spending the entire time indoors, what can be viewed can be done in an evening while the afternoon is spent hunting for eggs. Unfortunately, no bunnies are on this list. For part of this Easter Sunday, I’ll be enjoying:

To Spring (1936)

Very few tales acknowledge Spring Equinox as passionately as this classic produced by Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising, and directed by William Hanna before forming his own studio. It’s a simple tale where gnomes are helping the world transition to the new season. But challenges are in store for them….

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Which Yule Movies Are Authentic, According To Tradition?

Not even I can fully answer that, but in what I present is a list of yule movies that honour the season rather than commercialise it.

Klaus, Yule Movie or Christmas?
Yule Movies – Klaus

After watching Red One, which went the wrong way with a great idea regarding an Icelandic holiday witch wanting revenge, I had to look for better films to cleanse the palette. To seek what others haven’t researched well enough meant deciding what works who are true to what Yule movies should represent. I feel in what’s key is that it has to be set in Northern Europe. Although they don’t have to be scary, that’s the secondary theme I’m going for.

Not every film can make the grade. As much as I’d love to include Winterstilte, that was a movie I didn’t really get into. As for other ancient figures from this region, there’s plenty to choose from! There’s Frau Perchta, who preys on innocent souls in the movie, The Twelve Days before Christmas, and curiously, there aren’t any more featuring her.

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Celebrating An Anime X-mas with GKIDS and Shout! Studios In This Look Back of 2024 Releases

We got more to mention since also checking out the GKIDS & Shout! Studios’ website for the latest info on what else to expect early in 2025.

Shout! Studios New Logo Anime X-mas

Shout! Studios and GKIDS have certainly kept busy with releasing some top hits this year, and in this roundup is a list of our favourites to consider for the gift-giving season. While some folks opt for an anime X-mas, others have their own traditions. Also, we got news about one wintery treat for next year.

We have also included reviews where possible, since they released earlier this year.

THE BOY AND THE HERON (4K) & REVIEW

The Boy and the Heron 4KStudio Ghibli’s latest release is Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal film to date! We’ve seen it on the big screen and to watch it again on the small screen with all the bonus material made me appreciate this movie more. For my original review, please check it out here.

There’s details that aren’t as well known, and what’s revealed here are featurettes to truly understand what went on.

This new release offers a 4K transfer with a superior color palette compared to previous works (which lacked an ultra-HD release), and it’s almost tempting for collectors like me to upgrade to the latest video format rather than keep them all. I began with region 2 DVDs, which I still own, and then blu-ray happened.

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Summer Nights at Otaku no Culture; A Best of and Going on Vacation This Week

Who’s ready for Summer? There’s plenty of past entertainment to enjoy as we take a break to recharge.

One Piece Summer VacationWith July now here, even we need to relax in preperation in what we expect to be a busy month! Fantasia Film Festival is coming up and we plan on covering it. We’re awaiting a response to our application and until then, we are still working on a list of top picks on what to see. Until then, we will be out enjoying the sun and try not to get a sunburn. Nobody wants that. We will resume posts next week. In the meantime, please enjoy this selection of best of past summer themed articles.

And we even have a Summertime Mixtape on YouTube too!