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https://blacknerdproblems.com/crunchyroll-2024-spring-season-preview/
This Thursday I was so hyped to be invited to for an in-person press-only screening to preview Crunchyroll‘s Spring 2024 lineup of new anime titles coming this April. During the screening I, along with others, was shown the first episodes of four anticipated Spring releases, including the thrilling return of the fan-favorite dark, supernatural series Black Butler: Public School Arc, the heartfelt coming-of-age romance A Condition Called Love; the original, new out-of-this-world rom-com Astro Note; and the action-packed sci-fi thrill ride Kaiju No. 8. I thought it would be fun to share my spoiler-y free first impressions and a few words for our readership on what to watch based on what folks are fans of. Enjoy!
A Condition Called Love
Studio: East Fish Studio
Premiere Date: April 4, 2024, on Crunchyroll
Premise: Hotaru navigates the uncharted waters of love alongside a boy whose devotion knows no bounds. High school freshman Hotaru Hinase has a vibrant life full of family and friendship, but not much luck in romance. That all changes when she makes a warm gesture to her handsome and heartbroken classmate, Hananoi, leading to him asking her out and her becoming flustered. Witness a girl who grapples with the enigma of love and a boy who is heavy-handed with it
First Impressions: SHOJO NATION, WE KEEP WINNING! As a fan of the original manga, hearing the news that an anime adaptation of A Condition Called Love was coming made me so happy. I was really impressed by the handling of a love story between teenagers that flowed into a narrative that touched down on first loves, past traumas and learning to have faith in yourself. This first episode does a wonderful job of introducing who Hotaru and Hananoi but also giving us a glimpse of just who they are: Hotaru is a kind but unsure girl about romance and the need for it. Hananoi is a teen boy who goes all out for romance but needs direction…purpose…or something along those lines. I appreciate this first episode for the small but mighty lesson lovestruck Hananoi learns at the end and also the sweet declaration made.
Recommended for lovers of: Heartfelt coming-of-age romance, school life, and a love story that operates a bit differently
Astro Note
Studio: Telecom Animation Film
Premiere Date: April 5, 2024, on Crunchyroll
Premise: Takumi, a gifted chef, just landed a new job. He works at the Astro Manor apartment building that offers breakfast, and there he encounters the beautiful landlady, Mira. It’s love at first sight, and he hopes to charm her, but the quirky tenants and bizarre phenomena don’t make it easy. Will their love survive these strange oddities and circumstances?
First Impressions: Okay, mark your anime spring season bingo card, because this just might be the sleeper hit from Crunchyroll airing this month! Astro Note starts off with a very ordinary premise–Takumi arrives for a new job interview as a chef. He’s young, ambitious, and knows his stuff and is sure that they can do the job. He’s introduced to Mira, the beautiful but clueless landlady with big shoes to fill–who can not cook anything edible to save her life. Along the way the audience is introduced to the supporting cast of the series who live in the apartment building, and it is a magic that cannot be replicated. If you’ve also gained a great love of boarding houses/apartment stories–think Runiko Takahashi’s Maison Ikkoku, you’re in good company. If there was anything on this preview, to go in “blind” and watch with little or no looking up in detail–Astro Note is it! Bonus fun fact: This is an original anime production; it is not based on an existing manga series!
Recommended for lovers of: Big romantic comedy vibes, a supernatural twist, and a colorful cast of characters
Kaiju No. 8
Studio: Production I.G
Premiere Date: April 13, 2024, on Crunchyroll
Premise: In a world plagued by creatures known as Kaiju, Kafka Hibino aspired to enlist in The Defense Force. He makes a promise to enlist with his childhood friend, Mina Ashiro. Soon, life takes them in separate ways. While employed cleaning up after Kaiju battles, Kafka meets Reno Ichikawa. Reno’s determination to join The Defense Force reawakens Kafka’s promise to join Mina and protect humanity.
First Impressions: I’ve been interested in watching Kaiju No. 8 since first seeing the trailer which led me to go back and reread the beginning of the manga series. Boasting a story about a character getting the chance to revive a dream they previously thought dead, the first episode gave equal playing field to serious and funny moments. I really resonated with the main protagonist Kafka’s desire to be more and do more in a world forever changed–his underdog persona will definitely hit with many other viewers as well. This first episode of Kaiju No. 8 does a fine job in the simple but solid world building of this anime’s version of Japan and the Kaiju monster that attacks it constantly. I think that audiences will start to see the string of the anime series’ narrative of the value of labor, not dismissing those who support us and fully going after what your heart’s desire is. If I could end with a joke that doesn’t feel spoiler-y, if you already watched the trailer: “Eren (Yeager), walked so that Kafka (Hibino) could run”.
NOTE: Kaiju No. 8 fans can rest assured knowing that, for the first time, Crunchyroll will be streaming the series live around the world at the same time alongside the Japanese broadcast on April 13. It will also only be available on Crunchyroll after the live broadcast, but not only that, the anime will be available dubbed on the same day and date too!
Recommended for lovers of: Action-packed dramas, Kaiju and all manner of monsters of course, and lots of great comedic timely moments for laughs
Black Butler: Public School Arc
Studio: CloverWorks
Premiere Date: April 13, 2024, on Crunchyroll
Premise: Amidst Britain’s elite, Weston College defies government oversight. So, when students vanish—including the son of Queen Victoria’s cousin—Her Majesty sends her Watchdog Ciel Phantomhive to investigate. With his loyal demon butler, Sebastian, Ciel must navigate treacherous school politics and infiltrate Weston’s model prefects, the P4, if he is to unravel the mysteries that shroud this institution.
First Impressions: Look, it has been a really, really long time since I last interacted with the Black Butler franchise, period. I do remember reading and watching the misadventures set in a Victorian London, where a 12-year-old orphan named Ciel Phantomhive was doing the most with his, *checks notes* demon butler named Sebastian. I did feel a bit out of my depth sitting for the first episode, and I cannot tell you what I last remember watching of the series. Yet, this first episode of Black Butler: Public School Arc opens to Ciel at a boarding school and the audience is not dropped into a well of exposition, thankfully. Instead, the energy in this first episode flows well with playing up several anime and manga tropes (Ciel running with breakfast in his mouth to rush to class, the auras of intimidating yet colorful classmates on campus, etc) while still being gorgeously animated. Little by little, we learn what Ciel is doing at this boarding school–another undercover mission for the Queen and are reminded of his demon subordinate Sebastian’s powers. By the end of the first episode, I wanted more and felt right back at home with the series, hoping this will be the same experience for others watching too!
Recommended for lovers of: Dark fantasy, supernatural school life, and something more canonical to the manga?
See all of these series and more via Crunchyroll this April, see more premieres coming to CR this month here!
Thanks again to CR for the invite to the event: your West Coast (Los Angeles) folks are killing it!
Love anime? So do we! See what else we have to offer on the site via anime here!
Want to get Black Nerd Problems updates sent directly to you? Sign up here! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram!
The post Crunchyroll 2024 Spring Season Preview appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
This Thursday I was so hyped to be invited to for an in-person press-only screening to preview Crunchyroll‘s Spring 2024 lineup of new anime titles coming this April. During the screening I, along with others, was shown the first episodes of four anticipated Spring releases, including the thrilling return of the fan-favorite dark, supernatural series Black Butler: Public School Arc, the heartfelt coming-of-age romance A Condition Called Love; the original, new out-of-this-world rom-com Astro Note; and the action-packed sci-fi thrill ride Kaiju No. 8. I thought it would be fun to share my spoiler-y free first impressions and a few words for our readership on what to watch based on what folks are fans of. Enjoy!
A Condition Called Love
Studio: East Fish Studio
Premiere Date: April 4, 2024, on Crunchyroll
Premise: Hotaru navigates the uncharted waters of love alongside a boy whose devotion knows no bounds. High school freshman Hotaru Hinase has a vibrant life full of family and friendship, but not much luck in romance. That all changes when she makes a warm gesture to her handsome and heartbroken classmate, Hananoi, leading to him asking her out and her becoming flustered. Witness a girl who grapples with the enigma of love and a boy who is heavy-handed with it
First Impressions: SHOJO NATION, WE KEEP WINNING! As a fan of the original manga, hearing the news that an anime adaptation of A Condition Called Love was coming made me so happy. I was really impressed by the handling of a love story between teenagers that flowed into a narrative that touched down on first loves, past traumas and learning to have faith in yourself. This first episode does a wonderful job of introducing who Hotaru and Hananoi but also giving us a glimpse of just who they are: Hotaru is a kind but unsure girl about romance and the need for it. Hananoi is a teen boy who goes all out for romance but needs direction…purpose…or something along those lines. I appreciate this first episode for the small but mighty lesson lovestruck Hananoi learns at the end and also the sweet declaration made.
Recommended for lovers of: Heartfelt coming-of-age romance, school life, and a love story that operates a bit differently
Astro Note
Studio: Telecom Animation Film
Premiere Date: April 5, 2024, on Crunchyroll
Premise: Takumi, a gifted chef, just landed a new job. He works at the Astro Manor apartment building that offers breakfast, and there he encounters the beautiful landlady, Mira. It’s love at first sight, and he hopes to charm her, but the quirky tenants and bizarre phenomena don’t make it easy. Will their love survive these strange oddities and circumstances?
First Impressions: Okay, mark your anime spring season bingo card, because this just might be the sleeper hit from Crunchyroll airing this month! Astro Note starts off with a very ordinary premise–Takumi arrives for a new job interview as a chef. He’s young, ambitious, and knows his stuff and is sure that they can do the job. He’s introduced to Mira, the beautiful but clueless landlady with big shoes to fill–who can not cook anything edible to save her life. Along the way the audience is introduced to the supporting cast of the series who live in the apartment building, and it is a magic that cannot be replicated. If you’ve also gained a great love of boarding houses/apartment stories–think Runiko Takahashi’s Maison Ikkoku, you’re in good company. If there was anything on this preview, to go in “blind” and watch with little or no looking up in detail–Astro Note is it! Bonus fun fact: This is an original anime production; it is not based on an existing manga series!
Recommended for lovers of: Big romantic comedy vibes, a supernatural twist, and a colorful cast of characters
Kaiju No. 8
Studio: Production I.G
Premiere Date: April 13, 2024, on Crunchyroll
Premise: In a world plagued by creatures known as Kaiju, Kafka Hibino aspired to enlist in The Defense Force. He makes a promise to enlist with his childhood friend, Mina Ashiro. Soon, life takes them in separate ways. While employed cleaning up after Kaiju battles, Kafka meets Reno Ichikawa. Reno’s determination to join The Defense Force reawakens Kafka’s promise to join Mina and protect humanity.
First Impressions: I’ve been interested in watching Kaiju No. 8 since first seeing the trailer which led me to go back and reread the beginning of the manga series. Boasting a story about a character getting the chance to revive a dream they previously thought dead, the first episode gave equal playing field to serious and funny moments. I really resonated with the main protagonist Kafka’s desire to be more and do more in a world forever changed–his underdog persona will definitely hit with many other viewers as well. This first episode of Kaiju No. 8 does a fine job in the simple but solid world building of this anime’s version of Japan and the Kaiju monster that attacks it constantly. I think that audiences will start to see the string of the anime series’ narrative of the value of labor, not dismissing those who support us and fully going after what your heart’s desire is. If I could end with a joke that doesn’t feel spoiler-y, if you already watched the trailer: “Eren (Yeager), walked so that Kafka (Hibino) could run”.
NOTE: Kaiju No. 8 fans can rest assured knowing that, for the first time, Crunchyroll will be streaming the series live around the world at the same time alongside the Japanese broadcast on April 13. It will also only be available on Crunchyroll after the live broadcast, but not only that, the anime will be available dubbed on the same day and date too!
Recommended for lovers of: Action-packed dramas, Kaiju and all manner of monsters of course, and lots of great comedic timely moments for laughs
Black Butler: Public School Arc
Studio: CloverWorks
Premiere Date: April 13, 2024, on Crunchyroll
Premise: Amidst Britain’s elite, Weston College defies government oversight. So, when students vanish—including the son of Queen Victoria’s cousin—Her Majesty sends her Watchdog Ciel Phantomhive to investigate. With his loyal demon butler, Sebastian, Ciel must navigate treacherous school politics and infiltrate Weston’s model prefects, the P4, if he is to unravel the mysteries that shroud this institution.
First Impressions: Look, it has been a really, really long time since I last interacted with the Black Butler franchise, period. I do remember reading and watching the misadventures set in a Victorian London, where a 12-year-old orphan named Ciel Phantomhive was doing the most with his, *checks notes* demon butler named Sebastian. I did feel a bit out of my depth sitting for the first episode, and I cannot tell you what I last remember watching of the series. Yet, this first episode of Black Butler: Public School Arc opens to Ciel at a boarding school and the audience is not dropped into a well of exposition, thankfully. Instead, the energy in this first episode flows well with playing up several anime and manga tropes (Ciel running with breakfast in his mouth to rush to class, the auras of intimidating yet colorful classmates on campus, etc) while still being gorgeously animated. Little by little, we learn what Ciel is doing at this boarding school–another undercover mission for the Queen and are reminded of his demon subordinate Sebastian’s powers. By the end of the first episode, I wanted more and felt right back at home with the series, hoping this will be the same experience for others watching too!
Recommended for lovers of: Dark fantasy, supernatural school life, and something more canonical to the manga?
See all of these series and more via Crunchyroll this April, see more premieres coming to CR this month here!
Thanks again to CR for the invite to the event: your West Coast (Los Angeles) folks are killing it!
Love anime? So do we! See what else we have to offer on the site via anime here!
Want to get Black Nerd Problems updates sent directly to you? Sign up here! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram!
The post Crunchyroll 2024 Spring Season Preview appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
Maskot/ Getty Images By Melissa Noel ·Updated April 5, 2024
Lawmakers in France’s lower court of parliament have passed a groundbreaking bill that bans discrimination based on the texture, length, color, or >The Associated Press reports.
While the bill still needs to pass through the Senate, supporters see its approval in the National Assembly as a positive development. According to Serva, if enacted, France would become the first country in the world to recognize discrimination based on hair at a national level.
“This is a great step forward for our country,” he said after the vote. “France has done itself proud.”
The proposed legislation seeks to amend existing anti-discrimination measures to “explicitly outlaw discrimination against individuals with curly, coiled, or other hair>passed in the House in 2022, but it was blocked by Senate Republicans the following month.
Opponents of the French measure argue that France’s legal structure already provides adequate protection to persons who face discrimination because of their natural hair.
TOPICS: black hair discrimination FranceThe post Lawmakers In France Advance Bill That Would Ban Hair Discrimination appeared first on Essence.
Marvel fans everywhere were surprised at the casting announcement of Ozark star Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer in the upcoming MCU Fantastic Four film, directed by Matt Shakman. However, this Silver Surfer won’t be Norrin Radd, the male Herald of Galactus most Marvel Comics fans are familiar with. Instead, it will be Shalla-Bal, a Marvel character with a history going back to the very first issue of Silver Surfer. For over five decades, Shalla-Bal has been a crucial part of the Cosmic Wanderer’s backstory.
Shalla-Bal, the Great Love of the Silver Surfer’s Life
In the comics, Shalla-Bal has long been a key player in the Silver Surfer’s lore. Although, she’s only ever been the Surfer herself in alternate universes to the 616. The main Marvel Universe’s Shalla-Bal first appeared in Silver Surfer #1 in 1968. She was the creation of Stan Lee and artist John Buscema. Ever since that first issue, Marvel has portrayed her as Norrin Radd’s greatest love. She’s even appeared in animated form, in the 1998 Silver Surfer animated series.
Like Norrin Radd, Shalla-Bal comes from the peaceful and advanced world of Zenn-La. Shalla-Bal met Norrin Radd when she was still a child, and bonded with Norrin thanks to a strange Zenn-La tradition. After the death of Norrin’s mother, her parents tasked Shalla-Bal with being his emotional companion. This was a Zenn-Lavian custom, to help a child deal with profound grief. Shalla-Bal was a happy-go-lucky child, while Norrin was extremely serious. Nevertheless, the bond between them was strong. As adults, the two fell in love and became a couple. However, when Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds, comes to Zenn-La, their idyllic life is disrupted.
Mephisto and Doctor Doom Use Shalla-Bal as a Pawn Against the Silver Surfer
Norrin Radd saved his utopian world by offering himself to Galactus to become his herald, the Silver Surfer. By doing so, he had to leave Zenn-La, and his beloved Shalla-Bal, presumably for all time. Eventually, the Silver Surfer rebelled against Galactus, who confined him to Earth as punishment. The Surfer’s enemy, the demon Mephisto, used Shalla-Bal as a weapon against Norrin Radd. Mephisto brainwashed Shalla-Bal, making her think she was a peasant girl from Latveria by the name of Helena. The Latverian monarch Doctor Doom, a mortal enemy of the Surfer, even married her in a mock ceremony.
As retaliation for his Herald’s betrayal, Galactus consumed the life energies of his home planet of Zenn-La. However, he spared the lives of the inhabitants, allowing them to return to their now-decimated planet. He believed their suffering would hurt the Silver Surfer more than their deaths. Eventually, Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four frees the Surfer from his imprisonment on Earth, and he returns to his homeworld. But Shalla-Bal is not there, and he learns how his enemies Mephisto and Doom used her as a pawn. He uses the Power Cosmic to finally free his great love.
Shalla-Bal, Empress of Zenn-La
Shalla-Bal used her new power to restore life to her homeworld. The grateful Zenn-Lavians then crowned her as Empress of the Zenn-La. Despite the Surfer now being free of his Earthly confinement, Shalla-Bal refused to marry him, citing her responsibilities as ruler of Zenn-La. Eventually, she becomes designated as the “Keeper of the Great Truth,” tasked with spreading the culture of her homeworld across the known universe. Over the succeeding years, Shalla-Bal has been killed, resurrected, and even become her love Norrin Radd’s enemy. She even dated Norrin’s half-brother. These literally star-crossed lovers can never catch a break it seems.
In Other Marvel Realities, Shalla-Bal Is a Herald of Galactus Herself
In a 1982 issue of What If..?, we learn that Shalla-Bal became Starglow, a different Herald of Galactus. As part of the alternate reality of the series Earth X by Alex Ross, Shalla-Bal became a Silver Surfer herself. In that universe, Norrian Radd realizes that Galactus serves a necessary function in the universe. With that universe’s Galactus dead, he allows the High Evolutionary to evolve Franklin Richards, son of Reed and Sue Richards, to become the second Galactus. This new Galactus gives the Power Cosmic to Shalla-Bal, allowing for twin Silver Surfers to roam the galaxy together, seeking planets to sustain the Devourer of Worlds.
The Powers and Abilities of Shalla-Bal
As a native of Zenn-La, Shalla-Bal has an extremely long life span. The inhabitants of that world are essentially immortal. When the Silver Surfer granted her a portion of the Power Cosmic, plant life would grow wherever she walked. That is how she restored life to her devastated home planet. In the Earth X universe, she has access to the full Power Cosmic as the second Silver Surfer, which makes her almost a god. In the What If…? comics, she has another form of the full Power Cosmic as Starglow.
Shalla-Bal, the Silver Surfer of the MCU Fantastic Four
It is unknown how the filmmakers plan to portray Shalla-Bal in the MCU. Rumors suggest that Matt Shakman’s Fantastic Four will take place in an alternate reality from the Sacred Timeline. So it’s possible that in this universe, Shalla-Bal is the one and only Silver Surfer, offering herself as Galactus’ herald instead of Norrin Radd. Or, maybe as in Earth X continuity, she is one of two Silver Surfers doing Galactus’ bidding, and we just don’t know who’s playing Norrin Radd yet. We are sure to find out more as Fantastic Four begins production in the summer of 2024.
The post Who Is the FANTASTIC FOUR’S Silver Surfer, Shalla-Bal? Her Marvel Comics History, Explained appeared first on Nerdist.