A lot of big names attached to working on this which is great, but I still hope some of the original writers can get on this. If no one else, I'd at least like to see Greg Weisman involved.
I know Greg's working on the comics but ultimately I'd love to see him able to finish the original animated series too.
I just watched Totally Killer and thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't think it hits any means of "greatness" but it's a just a fun horror comedy that's a mix of Back to the Future and 80s slasher films. Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Legend of Korra) is hilarious in it and Julie Bowen (Modern Family, Happy Gilmore) does fight choreography -- it's a great addition for anyone looking to add something new to their horror comedy watchlist.
Hereditary is a must-see if you haven't already! It's one of the big ones in the "elevated horror" subgenre that strays from traditional horror and leans into arthouse type stuff. Midsommar, The Lighthouse, The VVitch, It Follows, etc., cross into this subgenre. In that way it's sort of defined like film noir where it's almost more of a style instead of a subgenre, but can be considered both. It's not for everyone but I really like the unsettling, creepiness of elevated horror as a nice contrast to the fun, in-your-face tropes of more traditional horror.
Oh I thought he was long gone since Nocturne takes place about 300 years after the original series ended. I think he stayed human until the very end and returned to his home to lead and create a life for himself, but did he end up doing some eternal life enchantment stuff that I don't remember? He was definitely a top tier character for me so I'd love to at least hear about him even if he's gone and we don't get to see him.
It didn't occur to me until you mentioned it but now I'm looking forward to seeing how they'll bring in that familiar. I think you're right that it'll have to be something she works toward summoning. I'm curious if Olrox might assist in that journey with his vast experience in animal shapeshifting and ancient knowledge, but that's just a thought at this point and not really a theory I'm committed to.
The first Castlevania series definitely felt far more concerned with building a story that had the spirit of the games but completely could stand on its own merit. Nocturne seems more like it was written with the idea of crafting a story to simply serve the action sequences. As such I think the original had action that felt like more was at stake (a pun I know), whereas Nocturne felt like the action was more just to look really cool even when it had the heroes losing during fights.
I think focusing on the brutality of vampires and night creatures during the first season of the original show along with the depth of the characters really helped the fight sequences feel more dire. Here I felt like I was just watching really cool fight choreography without a lot of weight.
That said, I still enjoyed it. I may not have been clamoring to find out what happens next like I did binging through each season of the original. But, even watching Nocturne at a slower pace without a lot of interest to see the events unfold or the characters continue was still enjoyable. For me, the original stands as a really good show, whereas Nocturne is just fun entertainment. That said, I am definitely intrigued by the conscious night creatures turning against their intended purpose in Nocturne, am really liking Zahn McClarnon's performance and character, and think that having a certain son of a certain vampire throughout season 2 might ramp things up a bit.
Despite my issues with the new show I enjoyed it and am glad you brought up Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night! One of the big pros for me was seeing Maria's powers in action. I've got so many memories of these little pixelated birds and creatures from the games that finally seeing Maria summon these beings in detailed, fully-realized animated form years later was super satisfying. It was like "ohhh that's what her attacks actually look like!"
I was really getting into the new dynamic that Zara brought to the agency and didn't realize this was the last season. The "Chill Barry" episode (Season 14 Episode 4) is up there as one of my favorites too. I can't say that all seasons were on equal footing but I can earnestly say I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one and am glad it kept going this long.
At the end of an extremely fun show that made for a fantastic final legacy for Jessica Walter and George Coe, I have to say...uh...damnit I had something for this!
@Pillagenplunder@lemmy.world has the go-to suggestion: you can't go wrong with giving Avatar: The Last Airbender a shot. I don't know if I'd say it has similar themes or notes to Demon Slayer but it is an absolute winner.
I'm having trouble thinking of similar anime series for a younger audience but there are some other anime-inspired (like Avatar: TLA) cartoons that deal in similar themes. Steven Universe follows a group of heroes that stop corrupted gem creatures in hopes of curing them. And Star Vs. The Forces of Evil is about a Sailor Moon-like princess from a magic realm that travels to Earth and fights the forces of evil with her best friend trained in karate.
Inscryption is such a wild ride! For anyone interested, stay away from story spoilers and experience the unfolding plot first hand. Recommended for anyone that likes David Lynch and psychological thrillers in general. As someone who also isn't a fan of card battle games, the ease of picking this up and fun of it added on top of the storyline really made for a worthy experience.
Looking for stuff that’s truly scary and not just gore
1. Hereditary (2018) - Still one of the most unnerving things I've ever seen. Does NOT rely on gore and has only maybe 30 seconds of blood in the entire thing. The horror of it comes from the skill of the storytelling and only at the end did I realize how many little things were said throughout the movie.
2. It Follows (2014) - Unique and does an incredible job of making you constantly check the background for potential danger. Did not scar me like Hereditary did but instead offers a very fun version of anxiety for its runtime if that makes any sense. The first is a must-see. Skip the sequel.
3. The Ritual (2017) - Brings some of that Lovecraftian style horror. One of those movies that just creeps you out and brings that fear of the unknown in style, yet brings out that primal survival instinct at the same time.
4. The Others (2001) - Just a damn good ghost story. I won't say anything else to avoid spoiling it.
5. Nope (2022) - I'll say that there are a lot of layers going on here. This is probably better recommended for movie nerds that love intertwining story themes, characters and backgrounds that serve as a foil to the main plot, a slow buildup of details that culminate into an expertly told story, and an emphasis on sound design and symbolism.
Honorable Mention: Coherence (2013) - I know, I know. It's not a horror movie. But that existential dread, that fear of the unknown, that feeling that makes you panic, it's all there. This is a sci-fi puzzle movie somewhat like Primer so I'll say the dread and terror is not in itself horror. That said, it's a creepy watch and I'll always recommend it as a good palette cleanser after something like Hereditary traumatizes you or after binging fun, dumb classic horror style stuff.
Not to mention every talk show host did the same thing, going on without writers and explicitly stating every show they need their writers back and support them.
Plus Conan continued to pay his writers out of his own accord throughout that strike. It's the same reason Conan only agreed to move from New York to LA if he could bring his staff with him to TBS: he cares about the people he works with. It's also why he paid them on his own accord again during the lockdown.
My opinion of Conan remains where it was: highest of the high. Team Coco #1.
Not to detract from the discussion but does anyone know what's handwritten at the top of the 'paper' above the word Daily? It looks like it says "Hi Hi Farm" or "4141 Farm" and it's becoming that mystery that's going to periodically pop in my head at night when I'm trying to sleep.
Luci?