Sony to Acquire Crunchyroll and Its Implications for the Anime Fans

There have been several reports that Sony is negotiating the final stage acquisition of Crunchyroll, the anime streaming service. If the recent updates are to be believed, it will be paying almost a Billion dollars to add Crunchyroll to its repertoire. It will be another step for Sony to become a Monopoly in anime since it already has a 95 percent stake in Funimation. Since Crunchyroll is such a huge name for the anime industry, the deal will have a significant impact on all the fans around the world.

 The recent deal has raised the question of whether we are going to see an anime streaming wars. As of now, the big names include Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and HiDiVE. All of these companies have a varying level of influence, but some have the upper hand, Netflix being the most prominent player. They have shows like Neon Genesis Evangelion, Crybaby, and Castlevania (inspired by anime). There are also a few shows licensed by Crunchyroll or Funimation that they stream. 

 On the other hand, streaming giant Amazon Prime Video has Vinland Saga, Abyss, and Banana Fish, to name a few. However, recently it seems that they are moving away from the anime genre. Hulu has been a Funimation partner, which gives access to both the platforms to share titles. So, when the deal is done, and Sony officially buys Crunchyroll, other streaming sites will have no other choice but to deal with Sony since its subsidiaries Crunchyroll and Funimation are everywhere in the anime industry.

 Four years back in 2016, there were rumors that Funimation and Crunchyroll might partner up; however, the deals were stalled when Sony acquired Funimation. Soon, AT&T bought Crunchyroll in 2018, and it seemed that the merger would never happen. Now that Sony is on the verge of acquiring both of them, we might see history repeat itself. It would make sense if Sony merges both the companies, but how the consumers will feel about it remains to be seen.

 As of now, the anime industry will have to wait to see what lies ahead for it. It is impossible to predict the long-term repercussions of the Crunchyroll deal. So, it is best not to see the acquisition negatively; although it’s true that Sony’s influence will undoubtedly increase, there is still room for others to make an impact. If Sony wants to think about customers’ interests, then all they need to do is bundle both Funimation and Crunchyroll together and offer them at a lower price. If they focus too much on profit-making, we might see a decline in the quality of the content since they will control such a massive chunk of the anime streaming services. 

However, the deal might fall through, and the anime fans’ present-day anxiety might just be needless overthinking. So, for now, what the fans can do is not overthink the repercussions of Sony acquiring Crunchyroll because it might turn out to be a good thing.

Source:-    Sony to Acquire Crunchyroll and Its Implications for the Anime Fans

 

Nintendo 64 Games That Marvel Fans Would Love

Games like Super Mario 64 or Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time are some of the hits that helped Nintendo 64 become the classic console known to be. Apart from its unforgettable library of gaming hits, it was special because it produced a cartridge-based console. Although Nintendo 64 had 393 titles, any Marvel fan will be disappointed to know that titles related to their favorite universe are so dismal. Today we have compiled a list of Marvel games that the fans should check out on the N64.

Spider-Man

There is no other game that is as good as Spider-Man when we put it up against other N64 Marvel games. Neversoft was responsible for other Marvel games, but none were nearly as successful as Spider-Man. It dexterously captured the hero’s abilities, especially in a 3D space, that added to the overall experience of the well-designed game. In those days, licensed games had a bad reputation, and Neversoft deserves all the credit for all the effort they put into it.

Mega Man 64

Mega Man 64 is the ideal game for someone who is looking for an alternative to the Legend of Zelda series. It will impress anyone who is looking for a feel-good adventure in a somewhat similar neighborhood as the Power Pack series. Because of the smooth textures, the game on N64 was much better than the one that was released on PlayStation. Mega Man Volnutt sets out on an adventure to find the Mother Lode device. Players are tasked to take control of the character to accomplish specific missions along the way to achieve the ultimate goal finally. Mega Man 64 is a fun game and manages to be entertaining despite having below-average graphics.

Star Wars: Shadow of The Empire

Star Wars: Shadow of The Empire is not only an N64 classic but an impressive Star Wars spin-off. It has a lot to offer; from its variety of levels to its tight gameplay, the players have too much content at their disposal; therefore, Shadow of The Empire is anything but boring. Marvel fans who enjoy Star Wars comics should give this game a try. Despite being more than two decades old, it is still quite captivating.

Xena: Warrior Princess: The Talisman of Fate

Nintendo 64 had very few fighting games, and the Marvel fans will have a hard time finding one since even the Marvel games are few. Except for Killer Instinct and Super Smash Bros, it is hard to think of any other fighting game that stood out on N64. However, Marvel fans will be pleasantly surprised to know that N65 did have a hidden gem in Xena: Warrior Princess: Talisman of Fate. It is a 3D arena fighter with decent graphics and tight controls, nothing extraordinary but surprisingly entertaining. It was developed by Titus games, which is also responsible for the Superman 64 game.

Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2

Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2, like Spider-Man, is developed by Neversoft. As its name suggests a skateboarding game published by Activision and released two decades back in 2000. It is not only a great game, but it has a direct connection with Marvel since it has Spider-Man as a mysterious unlockable character. Playing with the Superhero on a skateboard with all his acrobatic skills is fun. One can unlock several tricks exclusive only to Spider-Man, which makes it even more intriguing.

Star Wars: Rogue Squadron

Star Wars used to have an abundance of video games, books, and comics that provided an extension for the franchise beyond its original film trilogy. However, things changed dramatically when Disney acquired Star Wars, and we soon saw the decline of the lore from those titles. When Marvel produces a fresh batch of comics, it would be interesting for the fans to give the N64 collection of Star Wars a chance, including Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, a high rated flight shooter. The graphics are good, and the game is simple to play, making it an even better candidate. 

All of these games are interesting and will make Marvel fans nostalgic. There are not many Nintendo 64 games one could find for them, but the above-listed ones are not only entertaining but unique. Every one of them is a must-try, so go ahead give each one a shot; they won’t disappoint.

Source:-   Nintendo 64 Games That Marvel Fans Would Love

 

Over the Moon Was More Traumatizing Than Up

Whenever there is a debate over the best-animated movies of all time, Up is always named. The film won two Oscars, and as it was no surprise since whoever saw it could agree that it left an indelible mark on their souls. It takes the viewers on a fun and emotional ride, as Carl wrestles with the grief of losing the love of his life as he eventually meets his young friend Russel along with whom he tries to save an exotic bird in South America. The recently released movie Over the Moon, not only is heartbreaking, but it can be argued that it is better than Up in a few aspects.

Up introduces the viewers to the lovely couple Ellie and Carl, who fall in love after meeting in the iconic opening sequence. They always wanted to go to South America to see Paradise Falls. However, they never went there together as life always came in the way. They grew old, and Ellie passed away after a brief illness. Her death broke Carl, and he rarely made contact with anyone outside. When he noticed the gentrification around him, he tied balloons to his house in the hope that it floats away, preserving all the memories of his wife. He was unaware that he was going on an adventurous journey where he will learn to love again. 

Over the Moon begins by introducing the viewers to the bond between Ma Ma and Fei Fei. We see the young girl attentively listen to the stories of Moon Goddess Chang’e. Fei Fei is very close to her mother like any girl would be, but soon her mother dies, which leaves her helpless, struggling to make sense of what happened. Although Carl too lost the love of her life, it was even more heartbreaking to see a young girl suffer.

She tries to cope with the loss of her mother, but it’s too much for her. Her emotional baggage becomes even more challenging to carry when she realizes that his father will marry Ms. Zhong. She was raised listening to stories of soulmates, and she grew up believing that true love never dies. Carl was mature enough to understand mortality, but in the case of Fei Fei, it seemed that she was not ready to accept reality. She was not able to make peace with the death of her mother, and the grief was engulfing her every day. Her denial eventually manifests into resentment towards Ms. Zhong and Chin (her son). Although she is a sweet little girl, the growing bitterness turns her into a selfish bully. 

There is no doubt that both Up and Over the Moon are great movies. But, the latter is more heartbreaking. Carl was much more mature, and even though after her wife’s death, he emotionally cut himself off from the outside world, he was able to finally deal with his loss without becoming bitter. Fei Fei being a young girl, struggled; she was in denial of her mother’s death for a long time. It was heart-wrenching to see someone so innocent carry so much emotional baggage. 

Source:-   Over the Moon Was More Traumatizing Than Up

 

My Hero Academia: Ingenium’s Role in Shaping Tenya’s Identity

In the world of My Hero Academia, we are introduced to numerous characters who are striving to become a pro hero. Although 80 percent of the people in this universe have superpowers (called Quirks), only a select few can prove themselves worthy of becoming heroes. Most of the students in the hero schools have an ideal that inspires them. Like Izuku, who has always wished to become like All Might, the Hero no. 1, even though the protagonist is Quirkless, it is his ideal that motivates him to keep pushing forward no matter how far-fetched his goals might seem.

My Hero Academia is popular and successful because it is unlike most superhero movies or shows. The story gives a lot of importance to the side characters who have their issues and aspirations; it beautifully captures their side of the story to make the overall plot intriguing. One of these characters is Tenya Lida, who is the president of Izuku’s class. Unlike others, Tenya comes from a family of heroes, so he has many people to look up to. But his inspiration has always been his big brother, Tensei Lida. He has a friendly relationship with his big brother; however, he falls short of Tensei’s morality. 

It is intriguing to observe that like Izuku looked up to All Might, Tenya was in awe of his big brother. But, unlike Izuku, he got to spend a lot of time with his Hero; therefore, he could learn from his brother as much as he wanted. Tensei taught him what it meant to be a hero, a proper man, and a good brother, Tenya, as a result, grew up to become responsible and loving. Even the Quirks that both brothers had been similar, so they not only thought like each other, but they also had similar powers. 

Tensei became Ingenium when he grew up and saved people on multiple occasions. Tenya’s adoration for his big brother grew with time, and he joined the U.A high school to follow in his footsteps. It seemed that all of his dreams would be fulfilled, and he will work alongside Tensei. Unfortunately, his dreams were shattered when his big brother was ambushed and badly injured by the hero killer, Stain. He survived the attack, but his career as a hero came to an end.

Stain was unlike any other villain on the show, and he did not seek any position of power. All he wanted was to kill the unworthy heroes, who, according to him, were not heroic enough. Stain’s encounter with Tensei left him bedridden with no hopes of returning as a hero. The hero killer’s actions infuriated Tenya. He was hurt when he saw his big brother suffer. So, he decided to take revenge.

Understandably, Tenya was hurt but what he did after that was unlike him. He recklessly sought to take revenge from Stain and went to Hosu to find him. But things didn’t go as he would have liked. Stain easily beat him up, and it was only because Shoto and Izuku intervened that he could survive that day. His confrontation with Stain taught him many lessons. He realized that even though the villain’s action was not justifiable, his ideology about heroes and their pursuit of power, fame, and money over selfless service was right. 

Moreover, Tenya’s reaction to what happened with Tensei was precisely the opposite. Tensei had made peace with how his fight with Stain had turned out. He was proud of what he had accomplished in his life and only wanted to root for his little brother. In this regard, he acted exactly like All Might, who wished Izuku to follow his footsteps after he shared his powers with him. In Tensei, Tenya not only had a big brother but constant support and a hero worth emulating. Although he was not given much screen time, Tensei played a crucial part in the entire plot by shaping his brother’s identity as a hero.

Source:-  My Hero Academia: Ingenium’s Role in Shaping Tenya’s Identity

 

These Are the Best Halloween Movies You Can Watch on Netflix

Halloween was just around the corner, and if you are still feeling the vibes, maybe you would want to watch some nice Halloween movies. Netflix is your one-stop destination if you are looking to watch some good Halloween movies as it boasts a huge collection, but the availability of so many options might leave you confused. So, we have got you covered, and in this article, we have listed the best Halloween movies that you will not want to miss. Let’s scroll down and find the great picks for you.

Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow will leave you intrigued if you love horror and mystery. This movie depicts the story of a police detective, Ichabod Crane, who is posted in New York. He is sent to Sleepy Hollow, where he has to investigate a series of murders that are said to be committed by the Headless Horseman. This movie is directed by Tim Burton and is starring Johnny Depp (Ichabod Crane), Christina Ricci (Katrina Van Tassel), Christopher Walken (Headless Horseman), and Miranda Richardson (Lady Van Tassel, Crone Sister). This movie has received an IMDb rating of 7.3.

The Witches

The Witches was released in 1990, and since, then it has been a popular Halloween movie among fans. This movie is the story of a brave boy who tries to stop witches who have planned to destroy the world by ridding the world of all children. The witches turn the kid into a mouse, and still, he keeps putting efforts, and the plot unfolds. The direction of Nicolas Roeg is appreciable in this movie, and Anjelica Huston (Grand High Witch), Mai Zetterling (Helga Eveshim), Jasen Fisher (Luke Eveshim), and Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Stringer) have praiseworthy performances. The Witches has received an IMDb rating of 6.9.

Poltergeist

Poltergeist remains a popular Halloween movie for its gripping story. The rise of evil spirits to capture the soul of an innocent child generates a deep sense of horror in the viewer’s mind. Amazing direction by Tobe Hooper and brilliant performances of Heather O’Rourke (Carol Anne Freeling), JoBeth Williams (Diane Freeling), Dominique Dunne (Dana Freeling), and Zelda Rubinstein (Tangina Barrons) make it a great watch. This movie has received an IMDb rating of 7.3.

Paranormal Activity

Paranormal Activity is the right pick for you if you want to watch a movie that will leave you frightened for upcoming nights and keep you enthralled. Directed by Oren Peli, this movie is the story of a young couple who move to a new house in a suburban area, and evil forces start making them feel their presence. All the evil noises, weird incidents, and horrific occurrences are also captured in the cameras installed by the couple. Katie Featherston (Katie), Micah Sloat (Micah), Amber Armstrong (Amber), and Mark Fredrichs (Dr. Fredrichs) are starring in this movie. This movie has received an IMDb rating of 6.3.

The Ritual

Watch The Ritual if you are looking for a mysterious story that involves friendships and horror. The story of this movie revolves around four college students who meet after the death of their friend. They go on hiking the Scandinavian wilderness, and there they are stalked by an ancient evil after taking a wrong turn. David Bruckner has directed this movie while Rafe Spall (Luke), Rob James-Collier (Hutch), Arsher Ali (Phil), and Sam Troughton (Dom) have decorated it with their performances. This movie has received an IMDb rating of 6.3.

A good Halloween movie should be capable of leaving you thrilled and terrified after you watch it. In this article, we have listed the best Halloween movies available on Netflix, and you can watch any of these to have a great weekend.

Source:-    These Are the Best Halloween Movies You Can Watch on Netflix

 

These Are the Best Gifts for Someone Who Loves Gaming

If you are thinking of presenting something to someone who likes to play games all day, then there is hardly any better option than gaming accessories that you can find for them. However, it does not necessarily have to be an expensive gaming console, but small and affordable accessories like a gaming mouse or keyboard are also good for the purpose. There are many gaming accessories available in the market that you can use to gift someone from the gaming community, but all these options can leave you confused as well, so we have got you covered. This article lists the best gaming accessories that you can pick as gifts for your loved ones. Let’s scroll down and find the best picks.

Backbone One

Backbone One is a great iPhone game controller, and someone who loves it to play games on the iPhone is undoubtedly going to love it. This device is capable of turning an iPhone into something like Nintendo Switch. All you have to do is connect your iPhone to this device, and you will be able to use the buttons on it to control what’s there on the screen. Integration with the Backbone app enhances your gaming experience to the next level. You can also easily record your gameplay on iPhone or capture screenshots with this device. It’s the right choice for those who don’t like to use the touchscreen much for gaming. However, one crucial thing that you should keep in mind before buying this device is that it is compatible with iPhone 6s or later models only. You can buy it for $99.

Glorious PC Gaming Race Mouse

A gaming mouse is one of the best options to give to someone who loves gaming, and the Glorious PC Gaming Race Mouse is one of the best in business. This is a lightweight mouse that is designed to be fast, accurate, and comfortable to use. There are two models available of this wireless mouse, which vary based on their size. Glorious Model O is suitable for medium to large hands while Glorious Model O- (Minus) will be the right choice for small to medium hands. This mouse is very smooth to use, and there are six different buttons provided on this mouse for enhanced functionality. This mouse with G-Skates Feet is available in various colors for $84.99.

HyperX Alloy Origin

If you are looking to gift a gaming keyboard to your loved ones, then you might want to consider the HyperX Alloy Origin keyboard for the purpose. This mechanical gaming keyboard comes with software-controlled RGB lighting, which can also be customized. This keyboard is compact to use and easy to port, and three different uses angles add more to its usability. This keyboard’s durability can be assured because it is designed to handle 80 million keystrokes. You can customize the controls of this keyboard according to your needs of gaming. Users have to use the Ngenuity app, which is offered by the company itself for that purpose. Three profiles can be managed at the same time on this keyboard. This keyboard is a perfect choice for those who love intense gaming, and the best part is that you can get it for under $100 only.

SteelSeries Rival 3 Mouse

SteelSeries Rival 3 mouse is another choice for you to gift to someone who loves gaming. It is comparatively cheaper than the other options available in the market, but that should not make you doubt the functionality of this mouse. This mouse weighs 77g only, which assures swift movements and comfort for your hand. The sensitivity of this mouse counts at 8500 dots per inch, and there are six buttons provided for enhanced functionality. However, this mouse is not the pick for you if you are looking for a wireless mouse. This mouse uses USB Type-A connectivity, and RGB light is one significant feature of this device. This mouse comes with a 1-year warranty, and still, its price remains the most appealing factor of this device as it is available for $30 only.

Razer BlackShark V2 Headsets

Headphones play an important role during gaming as the sound is an appealing factor of any game, and you don’t want to be distracted while attacking your enemy either. If you consider buying something under $100 to gift to your loved ones who love playing games, then Razer BlackShark V2 headsets will be a great choice. These headphones are light in weight, comfortable to wear, and do not squeeze your head, but provide the best sound quality. These headphones are available with a 3.5mm jack, and they can be used with most gaming consoles. They come with a removable mic, braided cable, and USB dongle. Razer BlackShark V2 headsets are available for a price ranging from $60 to $180.

In this article, we have listed the best gaming accessories you can give to someone who loves gaming. There are various more gifting options available such as Secretlab gaming chairs, NexusLink AC1750 Wireless Bridge, and Logitech G920 or G29 racing wheels, which you can consider for the purpose and make the holidays of your loved ones great.

Source:-   These Are the Best Gifts for Someone Who Loves Gaming

 

5 Movies With Terrifying Protagonists To Watch If You Like Nightcrawler

Nightcrawler is one of the best thriller films released in the year 2014 and directed by Daniel Gilroy. Jake Gyllenhaal portrays the character of Louis “Lou” Bloom and gives an excellent performance in this film. According to the story of the film, Jake proves that he can do anything to become a successful man and is involved in freelance crime journalism. He records violent incidents happening late at night in Los Angeles and sells the recorded videos to the local TV news channels. Initially, this film may not have been a great success, but later it gained huge popularity. The best part of the film is the beautiful creepy performance of Jake. Several movies show excellent performances given by their protagonists. This article lists some of the best movies with terrifying protagonists to watch if you like the film Nightcrawler.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

The Talented Mr. Ripley is an excellent psychological thriller film released in the year 1999. It was directed and written by Anthony Minghella. Matt Damon is playing the character of Tom Ripley in this film and gives an outstanding performance. The story of the film revolves around Tom Ripley, who is a very talented man and utilizes his talent for impersonating others. Jude Law is playing the character of spoiled playboy Dickie in this film. Ripley has to come in contact with the inner circle of Dickie to bring him back home. When Ripley realizes that he has gone too deep into the mendacious games of Dickie, he does the right things to cover the situation.

Bronson (2008)

Bronson is a famous biographical crime film released in the year 2008. It was directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. The actor Tom Hardy is playing the character of Michael Peterson in this film. He does a beautiful job with his impeccable performance. The story of the film is based on the life of Charles Bronson, who is a real-life criminal and has spent more than 30 years in prison. Hardy plays a terrifying role in this film by capturing the volatile nature of Bronson. It is one of the best thriller crime films to watch if you like the movie Nightcrawler.

Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer (1986)

Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer is one of the great psychological horror crime films. It was released in 1986 and directed by John McNaughton. The actor Michael Rooker is playing the character of Henry, a serial killer in this film. Henry lives with his prison buddy, Otis, portrayed by Tom Towles. Although there are several films about serial killers, this film has more popularity among the fans. Henry is a heartless character and has no real motivation for his brutal killings. He is a serial killer who is obsessed with his killings. This is another thriller film that you must watch if you like the film Nightcrawler.

The Shining (1980)

The Shining is one of the scariest horror films released in the year 1980 and directed by Stanley Kubrick. This film is an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel of the same name. In this film, the actor Jack Nicholson plays a terrifying role as Jack Torrance. According to the story of the film, the struggling writer Jack moves to an isolated and abandoned hotel as a caretaker along with his family. The wonderful performance of Nicholson makes him the most iconic characters of horror movies. This film is highly recommended for you to watch if you love the film Nightcrawler.

There Will Be Blood (2007)

There Will Be Blood is an excellent drama movie, which was released in the year 2007 and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. This film is based on a novel, Oil!, written by Upton Sinclair. The actor Daniel Day-Lewis is playing the character of Daniel Plainview in this film. He is an oilman and only cares about building his empire. The character of Plainview in this film is similar to Bloom in the film, Nightcrawler. Plainview plays a terrifying character in the film There Will Be Blood.

In this article, we have listed some great movies with their terrifying protagonists to watch if you like the film Nightcrawler. Although several movies depict various protagonists playing terrific roles, the above-discussed films are a must-watch for you after watching Nightcrawler.

Source:-   5 Movies With Terrifying Protagonists To Watch If You Like Nightcrawler