#animation that got trapped in my drafts for a while oops

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thermal anomaly

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A (Really Late) Series of Top 5s of My Favorite Things This Year

(Oops, left this in my drafts and forgot to finish it until now. please enjoy my out of season seasonal listicle!)

As we're inching closer to the end of the year I thought it'd be fun to do a series of top 5s for all the forms of media I've watched and enjoyed this year. I don't have a lot of brand new stuff from this year so expect a lot of "new to me" spots on these list. I'll also drop an honorable mention for each list before the final one. so to begin; Top 5 TV shows: 5. X-Men '97- A show that takes the ball of the original 90's cartoon and then proceeds to do some Michael Jordan shit with it. a stunningly animated series that also has some of the strongest writing I've seen in a superhero series. Episode 5 in particular is this gutcheck of tense romantic drama and nightmarish cruelty that rocks the foundations of every character in the series. easy front runner for best X-Men media with X-2 and First Class.

4. Game Changer- Game Changer feels like a show made in a lab specifically to tickle the dungeon master part of my brain. seeing Sam Reich put the Dropout cast through various saw traps every episode is just so entertaining, especially when the contestants get to test the borders of what Sam and crew set up. The real meat of the show is when Brennan Lee Mulligan has been singled out and a whole game is built around fucking with him. stand out episodes in my head are the Sam Says series, Escape the Greenroom, and Second Place.

3. Neon Genesis Evangelion- Eva is one of those things I've kinda had the wrong impression of for a long while, mostly because of people talking about it in a way that misses what I loved about it (or you know, are just wrong about it). I went in expecting the "deconstruction of the mecha genre" pitch I'd heard all my life, and while it's kinda there, I latched way harder onto the gripping psychological horror and masterful character writing. I spent a good chunk of this year stewing over how layered and interesting and deeply fucked up this cast is and how they bounce off of each other like electrons through a molecule. I will say I'm not super fond of the dub as it feels a bit stiff in places and sands off some of the sub's harder hitting lines, but the quality still shines through regardless. best episode for my money are the last 2 because DAMN what an ending.

2. The Haunting of Hill House- Hill House is a show that for a good 3/4 episode stretch had me in tears by the end, and every episode left me and the friend I watched it with going "goddamn" when credits rolled. A masterpiece of horror and a deeply chilling story of grief. So good it leaves me both excited and tentative for Mike Flannagan's other works because I'm worried nothing he does could live up to Hill House. Episodes 5 and 6 in particular are the zenith of the show.

The Venture Bros- I've watched this show 3 times this year, once by myself, once with one friend, once with another friend added on. My love for this show grew with every rewatch. Venture Bros feels like a show made just for me. It's thoughtfully crafted, it's got a great knack for character writing, it's funny-GOD is it funny. one of the rare long form series that somehow gets better as it goes to the point it somehow hitting new peaks some 70 episodes in. it's so hard to pick a favorite episode, Escape to The house of Mummies Part 2, Operation P.R.O.M., Spanakopita!, All This and Gargantua-2. There's too many to choose one. I love this show so goddamn much.

Top 5 Games of The Year:

5. Dragon Quest 11- I was spurred on by the passing of Akira Toriyama to finally dip my toe into the DQ series and it did not disappoint. I wonderful JRPG with fun mechanics, a beautiful art style and an all round phenomenal party. special shout out to Sylvando for being just the best at all times. I do find the post game pulls the rug out from the main story a bit as it undermines one of the best moments in act 2, but the core of the game is still so so good.

4. Resident Evil 8- I'm one of those big cowards who has a hard time playing horror games because the agency in the scare gets to me too much. So I've also been tiptoeing into the genre with RE8 (I've seen playthrough's of 7 so I know what's up plot wise). The map layouts and puzzles scratch the same part of my brain as finding a shortcut in one of the souls games and I love it. on top of this is I find the resource management very fun, the feeling that I have to make what I got count feels nice to me. easy standout moment of the game for me is the dollhouse section, the escape room and the baby are so chilling back to back, though admittedly I don't care for the hide and seek after them.

3. Potionomics- Potionomics is this difficulty sandwich where the early game and final week are some of the hardest challenges a management game has thrown at me, with a really easy middle where I get to coast by and chill with all the character I like. Those characters in particular are a blast to be around, especially with the new update giving them all voice acting to breath even more life into them. This is a cast with no losers but I in particular love Roxanne, Corsac, Boss Finn and Mint. also love that the post game is an endless mode so you can catch up on any relationships you put on the back burner to focus on the contests

2. I Am Your Beast- A blitz of a FPS game that incentivizes learning the maps front to back to get that perfect run. The gameplay is finely crafted so when you know what you're doing you feel like the ultra competent badass you play as. This also has my favorite story of any game this year, Harding is such a compelling protagonist and it's nice to get the rare anti-military military shooter. I also really want to spotlight how good the voice direction and acting is in this, every major character sounds incredible and all of the random enemies you fight have some of the funniest lines I've heard in a game this year.

Ultrakill- Ultrakill plays like if someone found a way to code a game out of pure cocaine. This game hits my brain is constantly spamming a dopamine button. It's level design, weapon loadout, art direction and that sweet sweet parry button are all expertly crafted. I had such a good time with this game that it was the only thing I played for a week straight on vacation. I cannot wait for the final act to finish and sink my teeth into the game one more time

Top 5 Comics of The Year-

5. The Summer Hikaru Died- One of my favorite reading experiences this year was plowing through the first 2 volumes of this on quiet afternoon with the Silent Hill 2 soundtrack on in the background. An excellent gay romance/horror series that captures a lot of feelings of grief, growing up gay and dealing with that in a small conservative town. Cannot wait to see where the series goes from here.

4. Ultimate Spider-Man (2024)- This exact book is what made me want to keep up with the new Ultimate Marvel line and monthly comic releases in general this year. The best goddamn Spider-Man book in years, Johnathan Hickman is running marathons around the other ongoing Spidey books by having incredible character writing. Peter's later in life exploration of a side of himself that was taken away from him, his relationship with MJ and his children, his blooming friendship with Harry Osborne, an actual fleshed out relationship with Uncle Ben, Ben and J. Jonah, BEN AND J. JONAH. It's all so so good.

3. Transformers (2023)- This and TF One have reignited the dormant Transformers fan in me from childhood. Daniel Warren Johnson uses the Transformers premise to weave an intense war drama while exploring themes of wartime trauma, loyalty and doing your best in spite of the worst case scenario. So many staple characters are shown in such fascinating lights. Optimus is constantly trying to do what's best for both earth and the Autobots even when his choices piss off his friends and allies. Starscream starts off the series as leader of the Decepticons and proves why he's so unfit for the role. Arcee and Carly dealing with different points of their revenge journeys. All this great writing with the icing on the cake of Daniel Warren Johnson drawing giant robots powerbombing and piledriving eachother cuz he's a big wrestling nerd.

2. The Nice House on The Lake- This was an 11th hour read for me this year but GOD was it a good choice. A knockout premise executed masterfully by writer James Tynion IV. I'm hesitant to even say anything that happens because the experience of seeing the mystery unfold is unmatched. genuinely one of my new favorite horror stories.

REAL- REAL is about finding that thing that drives you, that truly calls to you and gets you wanting to push yourself more and more. Then it’s taken from you, whether it be by bad luck, poor health or even your own mistakes. It’s feeling that driving dream leave you behind, and it hurts. But you have to keep going, you find something new and you try again. Takehiko Inoue paints this beautiful portrait of everyday people trying their best, even in their worst moments. Please, read REAL.

Top 5 Wrestling Matches of the Year-

5. Bryan Danielson vs Will Ospreay, 4/21/24- So heads up, the unofficial name for this list is "oops, all Bryan" as Danielson's final full time year has been the thing I was fixated on the most in the wrestling world. This one also happens to be my favorite Ospreay match I've ever seen. Will's performances tend to be a bit inconsistent for my tastes but Dragon helps him hone in for one of his best performances ever.

4. Daniel Makabe vs Timothy Thatcher, 4/4/24- Bryan wasn't the only gifted technical wrestler who said goodbye this year as this was also Daniel Makabe's farewell run. On this final run of the indies he had one more run in with his greatest rival, Timothy Thatcher. The 2 put on a wonderful epilogue to their feud by weaving back and forth between excellent mat based wrestling and an all out slugfest. Farewell Mr. Makabe and thanks for the memories

3. Swerve Strickland vs Bryan Danielson, 8/25/24- No other match filled me with sure pure excitement this year as this one. Bryan getting one more triumphant victory as a stadium full of people scream their heads off for him. This is probably Swerve's best non-Hangman match too as he shapes himself into the cocky domineering obstacle standing in our hero's way. One last feel good moment for the greatest of all time.

2. Bryan Danielson vs Jon Moxley, 10/12/24- Transcendent, Bryan Danielson dies on live pay per view and it's just as heartbreaking as it is enthralling to watch. Jon Moxley's greatest match hands down as he takes on the mantle of deranged killer who thinks he must slay the dragon to regain the title of king. Bryan fights like a wounded beast, trying desperately to stay alive, but eventually the wounds add up and he is inevitably put to sleep. so much about this match is perfect, to the opening brawl, to Bryan's ever great fiery comebacks, to Nigel McGuinness at ringside slowly dropping his spite and snide comment and showing genuine concern for his greatest rival. What more can I say except thank you Bryan.

Demus vs Mad Dog Conolly 4/4/24- The best dog collar match of all time, fuck you, fight me. Mad Dog puts on a bruiser monster performance that would make the likes of Bruiser Brody blush. Meanwhile Demus takes every lick Mad Dog can throw at him and comes back gritting his teeth and swinging back just as hard. A bloodbath that ends with some of the nastiest punches I've seen in a wrestling match, the best match on the best show of the year.

Top 5 Films of The Year-

5. Transformer One- This film was done so dirty by it's marketing team man, it's insane. Just a banger movie that's probably one of the best pieces of Transformers media, like, ever. an excellently animated, written and especially excellent voice acting from the cast. Brian Tyree Henry's D-16/Megatron is THE standout performance of the film hands down

4. Speak No Evil (2022)- A stomach churningly tense horror film where by the last stretch of the film myself and the friend I watched it with were screaming for the protagonists to get out of a situation we knew was hopeless. It's insidious, a scare formed from small moment until the full picture is in front of you and there's nothing the characters can do to stop it.

3. End of Evangelion- Every film from this point forward are all time classics that I will think about for probably the rest of my life. End of Eva is this awe inspiring balancing act; equal parts despair at the thought of being known and the euphoria at the thought of being understood. With this conflict I found myself wondering how the proverbial coin will land, only to be surprised that the coin lands on it's side and finds a beautiful synthesis of emotions. A simply beautiful film from my favorite director I discovered this year

2. RRR- WOOOOOOOOOO, FRIENDSHIP, BROTHERHOOD, DECOLONIZATION, LIBERATION, FRIENDSHIP!!! 3 Hours that sprint by as every half hour the movie tops itself with epic set piece after epic set piece. One of the greatest action films of all time

I Saw The TV Glow- Beautiful, no other word can describe it, but watch me try anyways. A haunting story about not feeling quite right in your own skin, that something isn't right in your life, that something about you isn't quite right. That freeing feeling of finding someone close to you through common interest, yet fear keeping you from following them as they change to be who they want to be. That fear paralyzes the protagonist but the film assures them and you the audience on one fact.

I needed to hear this. I needed to see some of my deepest fears thrown in my face. I needed to be reassured I'm not wasting my time, that the hour glass is far from empty. I needed to see the TV glow. If you feel as I did, please, I implore you to watch this film.