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The villains turned “heroes” of DC Comics’ Suicide Squad are back, only this time, they’re getting an anime makeover. The folks at Warner Bros. Japan/WIT Studio have revealed the trailer, character art, main theme song, and voice cast for Suicide Squad ISEKAI. Directed by Eri Osada, with a screenplay by Tappei Nagatsuki, this is an all-new original anime series. Based on the classic DC characters, it includes icons like Harley Quinn, the Joker, and Peacemaker. You can check out the first full trailer for Suicide Squad ISEKAI, and read the official synopsis for the series, down below:

In the crime-ridden city of Gotham, Amanda Waller, the head of A.R.G.U.S., has assembled a group of notorious criminals for a mission: Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Peacemaker, Clayface, and King Shark. These Super-Villains are sent into an otherworldly realm that’s connected to this world through a gate. It’s a world of swords and magic where orcs rampage and dragons rule the skies—an “ISEKAI”!

With lethal explosives planted in their necks, there’s no running or hiding, and failing the mission means a one-way ticket to the afterlife! Can Harley Quinn and her crew conquer this perilous ISEKAI realm?! Brace yourselves for the pulse-pounding saga of the elite task force known as the “Suicide Squad” as they embark on a jaw-dropping adventure!

The new anime series showcases favorites from the first Suicide Squad film, like Deadshot and the Joker. But also brings in characters used in James Gunn’s sequel, like our boy King Shark and Peacemaker. And then there are new additions to the team, like Clayface. Although there are several Batman characters in this series, and a Gotham City setting, no sign of the Dark Knight anywhere. But we have a feeling ol’ Bats will pop in somewhere. The voice cast includes Anna Nagase as Harley, Yuuichirou Umehara as the Joker, Reigo Yamaguchi as Deadshot, Takehito Koyasu as Peacemaker, Jun Fukuyama as Clayface, and Subaru Kimura as King Shark.

Suicide Squad ISEKAI is set for a global release in 2024.

The post First Trailer for the Anime SUICIDE SQUAD Series Is Here appeared first on Nerdist.

Louis Vuitton By Robyn Mowatt ·Updated November 30, 2023

We would’ve loved to be a fly on the wall for Pharrell’s latest creative venture, the Louis Vuitton Men’s Pre-Fall 2024 runway show. Presented in Hong Kong on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, the experience looked like an immersive one for showgoers. Since this was the brand’s first-ever men’s collection presented in Hong Kong, it provided a significant moment for Pharrell to show the world what he resonates with most. Since he’s from Virginia Beach, Virginia he inherently leaned on the beachy elements of his hometown heavily. But, he also was heavily influenced by the notion of businessmen in Hong Kong who’ve decided to go on a trip to Hawaii–while on their trip their prompted to go back home for a meeting. 

What came from these core inspirations was a lineup of vibrant looks with floral patterns and suiting that felt as if they were equipped for resorts. The presentation also featured oversized leather bags for traveling and berets which were a nod to Louis Vuitton’s Parisian roots. When speaking to Hypebeast, Pharrell shared that he played around with two archetypes for the range: a sailor archetype and a dandy on vacation. To accomplish the former, he showcased tailored suits that might have been uniform-inspired in different hues like white, and black, and there was also a striped variation in white and salmon. For the latter, he hyper-focused on patterned, playful sets and separates that felt like what men would wear on a day cruise or a tropical vacation. 

Aligning with Pharrell, a savant who enjoys color, patterns, and vibrant accessories was a smart choice for Louis Vuitton. The brand’s men’s division is shifting and contorting–and this presentation is proof of that even with two shows down. Despite that, there are large shoes to fill left behind the titan Virgil Abloh who previously held the same role Pharrell sits at (men’s creative director). So we will be sitting tight as we experience the reimagination of house codes and what boundless creativity looks like from the multi-hyphenate.

Below take a quick look at what stood out to most at Louis Vuitton’s Pre-Fall 2024 collection. 

What was ESSENCE.com’s favorite part of the show?

The debut of a 3-D printed, German-made shoe, the Cobra was an interesting addition to the presentation. Made of a soft mesh texture, the shoe features Louis Vuitton’s monogram flower logo. It was seen on the runway in both black and white iterations. 

What were the staple looks?

One look in particular that stood out was an oversized leather blazer styled with a pair of enlarged trousers made of the same supple texture as the outerwear piece. This pushes forward the notion that one can wear whatever they feel comfortable when vacationing or heading to work. Another that felt meaningful was a denim two-piece suit created in a blue hue that felt modern. This set was worn with an enlarged weekender bag, a black beret, and aviator glasses. 

There was also an outfit which was made up of a shirt, a long-sleeved silk overshirt, and a pair of shorts that flowed quite well. These pieces were created with a brilliant oceanside scene emblazoned onto them. What made this look work were brown leather sandals and a pink patterned fanny pack. 

What were the accessories like?

In terms of footwear, there were loafers, closed-toe hook sandals, and leather utilitarian boots nearly up to one model’s knee. There were also a few oversized, logo tote bags–since the collection skewed into the arena of resort wear, there were also some bags that could serve as weekenders in lush leather variations. Jewelry was kept pretty minimal, and some necklaces worn looked like the hand-beaded jewelry found on beaches in countries like Jamaica.

Who was in attendance?

Attendees included Pusha T, Swizz Beatz, Swae Lee, and skateboarder Tyshawn Jones. There was also an assortment of global superstars who are based in South Korea, China, Japan, and more. 

Was Pharrell involved in the music for the show?

Yes. “Airplane Tickets” and  “Airplane Tickets (Ukulele version)” by Pharrell Williams, Swae Lee, and Rauw Alejandro were a part of the show. The arrangement and additional production were by Thomas Roussel. “Hong Kong Night”  composed and produced by Thomas Roussel was also a part of the presentation. 

The post Everything To Know About Pharrell’s Second Louis Vuitton Collection appeared first on Essence.

The ’90s were truly a golden era of television shows like Friends, Frasier, Seinfeld, and Martin. Despite many fans feeling that the series has more than earned its place in the Television Hall of Fame — yes, that’s been a thing since 1984 — the series has never been officially inducted, and neither has its star, Martin Lawrence.

That isn’t to say that the series and its actors haven’t received any other accolades (because it has). It was truly hard not to fall in love with Martin’s hijinks and the playful banter between him and Pam — his girlfriend’s best friend, who had mostly hate but sometimes sisterly love for Martin.

But the most endearing part of the series was the relationship between Martin and Gina, his long-time girlfriend, portrayed by Tisha Campbell. The reason Martin and Gina’s relationship is still one of the best aspects of Martin was that they don’t present a sugar-coated, flawless relationship. In fact, there are only a few couples in television history who have realistically captured the essence of a real, lived-in relationship quite like Martin and Gina, allowing this television couple to set the golden standard for realistic couples on TV.

Before we dive into why Martin and Gina worked so well as a realistic couple, let’s enjoy a small history lesson and introduce Martin to those who haven’t seen the show. Martin is an American television sitcom that ran for five seasons on Fox from 1992 to 1997. The show starred the legendary comedian Martin Lawrence as both the eponymous Martin and several other characters throughout the show as well. Martin was Fox’s highest-rated show during its run, and it’s often regarded as one of the most influential and pivotal sitcoms of all time.

Shifting our focus to Martin and Gina’s relationship, there is much to consider. If we had to summarize their dynamic coupling, we could say it’s aptly captured in The Stylistics‘ Break Up to Make Up song, which also reflects the emotional roller coaster often seen in real 3-D relationships. That’s what really sets Martin and Gina apart from most on-screen couples; they showed us a relationship with all its quirks, flaws, and ups and downs (Martin and Gina actually break up in the show). This made them both a refreshing and relatable paradigm to a ’90s television audience who appreciated nuance.  

Many TV couples in sitcoms seem to live in a utopian world devoid of any real conflict, or the conflict is scarce. Martin, on the other hand, often employed comedic conflict in its narrative. Fortunately for the audience, the comedic technique wasn’t spared when it came to Martin and Gina’s relationship. The couple faces real issues: they argue, they make up, and they navigate the complexities of life together. Their relationship isn’t only about the highs; it is equally about the lows in their lives and how the couple manages to overcome difficulties.

And that’s precisely what makes Martin and Gina stand out. As stated above, many sitcom relationships are often idyllic, a constant that never (or almost never) changes while the rest of the narrative develops. Martin actually incorporates the relationship into the broader narrative as part of the characters’ respective development. We see both of them grow individually and as a couple, adapting to each other’s changes, which actually mirrors the trajectories of real-life relationships.

Their journey was anything but linear; it was filled with setbacks and learning experiences, painting an additional layer of realism on top of the story — like the time when Martin bought a giant TV or when Gina received an unusual Valentine’s gift. This aspect of their relationship is crucial, as it near perfectly depicts relationships in real life in which couples often face challenges that test their bond. The real-life nature of their relationship isn’t depicted through conflict alone; far from it, in fact. But it makes the depiction much more grounded in reality, as the couple doesn’t need any grand gestures to prove their love. Instead, their love is evident in their everyday interactions.

This approach to storytelling romance makes their relationship seem more life-like and more attainable. Perhaps the biggest contributing factor is Martin and Gina’s communication within the relationship. Both Martin and Gina are depicted as strong, independent personalities, and as such, they don’t shy away from expressing their feelings, be they love, frustration, or outright fury. The authentic expressions of these emotions make their communication loud and sometimes messy, with a smidge of misunderstanding.

Now, more than two decades later, Martin and Gina’s relationship is still the go-to golden standard for realistic couples that TV actors refer to when looking for realistic romantic depictions, especially in the comedy genre. Their relationship isn’t portrayed as some unattainably perfect fairy-tale romance. Instead, it showcases a genuine couple dynamic that was entirely relatable. Martin and Gina love each other; they offer support and comfort; they yell and fight and laugh and show what love is — an incredibly beautiful but unfiltered mess.

Celebrity interior designer and creative director Adair Curtis is passing along his experience for those hosting parties this holiday season.

The Styling Hollywood star recently teamed up with Crown Royal to celebrate the launch of Crown Royal Aged 30 Years, a newly released and limited-edition ultra-rare premium whisky. By way of a tasting hosted at a luxurious hotel in Santa Monica, California, Adair helped to design a space that provided the right ambiance for the whisky’s debut.

It was an ideal partnership for Curtis. Guests included his husband, celebrity stylist Jason Bolden, friends, and media.

“They really were looking for a way to Introduce the special whiskey to a discerning audience and they selected me,” Curtis tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “I was obviously happy to oblige. I really love the brand and I’m a fan of whisky.”

Curtis was also paired up with a whisky expert who guided guests through a tasting of the new premium spirit. Place settings included note cards with guests’ names, a personal bottle of Crown Royal Aged 30 Years, and candles.

It’s a part of the essential design elements Curtis says are key when hosting an event.

“They allowed me the opportunity to design the evening,” he shares. That included “everything from the core elements such as what music would be played,” to the lighting and scent of the room.

As for what to keep in mind when hosting your own event this holiday season, the JSN Studio designer has three pieces of advice.

• Engage All Five Senses

“I like the opportunity for the holidays to really be able to engage all the senses,” Curtis says.

“So that’s everything from taste, and then design elements such as make sure that all of your tablescapes and your surfaces are designed,” he adds. “Don’t overlook anything. You want people to walk into the space where you’re hosting your event and really just be captivated by the scent, the visuals, or the sound.

“You want it to all really be intoxicating,” he adds.

• Create The Mood

“This can be through a personally curated music playlist, the lighting, and the overall aesthetic of the space.”

• Include A Takeaway

“You want to give them some takeaway that might be personal to them, or just a takeaway that reminds them of the good time that they just had,” Curtis explains.

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