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Summer 2024 is finally here, and we’re anticipating some new series dealing with everything from the the surprising mix-up of DC comic book characters and Isekai to some light novel adaptations! This season, the Shojo fans are rejoicing along with fans of some mighty little manga series. There is variety to be had! Here’s a quick sampling of what to expect from the highly anticipated series to some continuing seasons making their way to our television screens this summer!
Quality Assurance in Another World
Premiere Date: July 5th on Crunchyroll
Premise: Despite its location in a remote region south of the continent of Felnarc, the island of Clayborne is made up of five small countries crowded together and in constant conflict. In the most remote reaches of the smallest and most peaceful country on the island, the Kingdom of Bayle is the small village where a girl named Nikola lives a humble life. One day, while she’s out gathering firewood as she does every day, a massive dragon—a creature that’s supposed to only live deep in the mountains—appears in front of her. Just as it’s about to attack the village, a man named Haga rushes to the scene. Haga is a member of the King’s Seekers, a top secret investigation team. Nikola has never once felt bored with her peaceful life, even when every single day is practically the same. But both Nikola and Haga have secrets they hide…ones that will change each other’s very existence.
What to Expect: OHHHHH. I remember reading the manga and being blown away even before the end of the first volume. There’s a plot twist that will change up the game and the story’s narrative in a really unique way. I’m so excited to finally see this adapted. The anime was apparently originally slated to premiere this spring but was then delayed to a July premiere. Thank you Anime News Network!
Recommended for lovers of: Fantasy genre, jaw dropping revelations, and some really well-written characters
Dungeon People
Premiere Date: July 2024
Premise: On the hunt for her missing father, master thief Clay heads off into an unexplored dungeon—but much to her surprise, the dungeon’s caretaker offers her a job! Thievery hasn’t worked for her thus far, so perhaps this new career path will take her closer to finding her dad. But change is never easy. From interviewing monster guardians to positioning traps to confounding would-be explorers, Clay has a lot to learn about what it means to be one of the dungeon people.
What to Expect: In great timing, we learned that for the anime adaptation of Dungeon People: Clay, will be voiced by Sayaka Senbongi (Marcille in our fave Delicious in Dungeon)–while Belle will be voiced by Sayumi Suzushiro (Rina in The Unwanted Undead Adventurer).
Recommended for lovers of: Fantasy, a great world-building set up, and new spin on dungeon-delving adventure
The Imaginary
Premiere Date: July 5th
Premise: An imaginary friend, Rudger, becomes separated from his best friend and creator and must return to her before he fades away forever.
What to Expect: Studio Ponoc is the studio behind this gorgeous new adventure (based on the book on the same name, published in 2014) by author A.F. Harrold. The animated film is directed by renowned animator Yoshiyuki Momose (Spirited Away) and Netflix tells us that The Imaginary is an “unforgettable adventure of love, loss, and the healing power of imagination.”
Recommended for lovers of: Family friendly animated films from Japan and animation works from the House Ghibli built
Suicide Squad ISEKAI
Premiere Date: June 27th on Max, Hulu
Premise: Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Peacemaker, Clayface, and King Shark sent to ISEKAI!? (a.k.a Another World) 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!
What to Expect: C-H-A-O-S. I’ll be tuning in.
Recommended for lovers of: The wonderful and at times saturated genre of Isekai and DC Comic characters
From Me to You: Kimi ni Todoke
Premiere Date: August 2024 on Netflix
Premise: What do you do once you’re a couple? Although she struggles with her blossoming feelings, Sawako comes to terms with herself and tells Kazehaya how she feels about him. Attracted by Sawako’s unnoticed efforts and genuine personality, Kazehaya also candidly makes his feelings known. Thus, their new relationship begins. Their first date, their school life together, joy, embarrassment, and new struggles — everything is fresh and new as the couple awkwardly and gradually learns more about one another, all while their friends’ love stories begin to take shape as well. This bittersweet and poignant story of young people, woven from their romantic feelings and dear friendships, begins once more.
What to Expect: So this is NOT a new series or film. In fact, the Shojo girlies are hyping this up because thirteen years after the second season ended, From Me to You returns for a brand new season! The series will further explore the story of Sawako and Kazehaya’s relationship as they continue to navigate the joy and embarrassment of teenage love.
Recommended for lovers of: Shojo, the Shojo Anime Renaissance, and “Swoonworthy, Sentimental, Heartfelt” shows according to Netflix
I Parry Everything
Premiere Date: July 2024
Premise: The Kingdom of Clays faces a dire crisis: an assassination attempt has just been made on its own Princess Lynneburg, and its neighboring countries eye the aftermath like starving vultures, plotting the Kingdom’s downfall. The ensuing conflict will shape the face of the continent for centuries to come…but Noor doesn’t have a clue about any of that! Having freshly arrived at the royal capital after over a decade of rigorous, isolated training at his mountain home, he’s dead set on achieving his childhood dream of becoming an adventurer, even if the only skills he possesses are useless ones. Sure, he can [Parry] thousands of swords in the span of a single breath, but everybody knows you need more than that if you want to be an adventurer! Our hero’s road to making his dream come true will be long(?) and arduous(?)—but if there’s one thing Noor’s not afraid of, it’s some good ol’ fashioned hard work.
What to expect: As I previously covered, I Parry Everything! is adapted from light novel and manga series that are available in English from J-Novel Club. Full Title is I Parry Everything: What Do You Mean I’m the Strongest? I’m Not Even an Adventurer Yet! So that’s the energy we’re bringing into summer for this series–I don’t know if we’ll be receiving a harem, but it looks like isekai territory so I think we’re safe to expect lots of fantasy, action, and drama.
Recommended for lovers of: Fantasy action adventure series, sword fights, and a dense but hardworking protagonist
Delico’s Nursery
Premiere Date: August 7th on Crunchyroll
Premise: Hailing from the prestigious noble house of Delico, Dali Delico is an elite member of the Blood Pact Council with a promising future. When the Blood Pact Council, the highest governing body for the Vamps, assigns a special mission to Dali, he flatly refuses it. Having lost patience, Gerhard, Dino, and Henrique, who are also Council members serving the same term as Dali, rush to the house of Delico to persuade him. What they witness there is Dali, taking care of an infant himself. Meanwhile, there has been a series of mysterious murders targeting Vamps. And Dali seems to have a history with Pendulum, an antisocial organization that’s thought to be the mastermind behind these murders… This is the record of the nobles oblige scramble of child-rearing by the noble Vamps. Can they find the right balance of their absolute mission and childcare in this magnificent gothic world?!
What to expect: You know how every season, there is a series that just strikes out first impression wise as avant-garde and just weird to the walls? This just may be my pick. I did not want to go in blind, so I started looking up things: “The original TRUMP stage play, conceived by Kenichi Suemitsu, inspired a series of short stories, additional stage play performances, and concerts. The anime’s story centers around a member of the highest-ranking vampire family in Dali Delico, in a tale of noble vampires and the specter of the highest-ranking vampire named TRUMP — the original vampire possessing the power of immortality — looming over the world.” (Thank you Daryl via Crunchyroll!) There’s already an existing fandom for this series and this a spin-off, gotcha!
Recommended for lovers of: The original stage plays (what a name) and fandom , stories involving childcare and children, and vampires, obviously
TASUKETSU -Fate of the Majority-
Premiere Date: July 2nd on Crunchyroll
Premise: A student finds himself in a game of survival as half of the human population disappears each night! “All of a sudden, people all over the world die because of a majority decision started by the “Emperor.” Survivors have to take a majority decision at 00:00 am, then the majority of people will have to die.
What to expect: I’m hearing and reading “survival game” anime a lot online in the comments, and I am intrigued. Expect lots of death and characters fighting to the last breath to stay alive and on top of whatever twisted game that is being played. For those coming into the series like me with little to no knowledge, it was revealed that the anime adaptation will adapt the first two parts of the original manga in two consecutive cours. Here’s to hoping it is well-paced and stands out in this season full of plenty of new series and titles!
Recommended for lovers of: High stakes in the storytelling, thrills and drama, and lots of child and teen characters taking agency into their own hands
Continuing Cours/Seasons of These Series:
Via Crunchyroll: One Piece Egghead Island Arc, My Hero Academia Season 7, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3, and DEAD DEAD DEMONS DEDEDEDE DESTRUCTION, among others will be continuing through the summer season!
Via HIDIVE: The Second season of The Dangers in My Heart was getting an English dub on June 15, along with【OSHI NO KO】Season 2!
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The post BNP’s Anime Summer 2024 Season Preview appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
By Jamila Stewart ·Updated June 21, 2024
Black cinema fashion is unmatched. It’s bold, powerful, effortlessly sexy and of course, iconic. As lifelong trendsetters andhref="https://www.essence.com/love/queen-and-slim-melina-matsoukas-black-love-story/" target="_blank">Queen & Slim boasts a timely storyline and breathtaking imagery, all while being one of the most stylish films to hit the big screen in recent years.
Style trends are born and reborn through characters we’ve come to know and love—and we can’t quite get enough of it. Let’s take a look at 15 iconicdecoding="async" src="https://www.essence.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/87426662_185366022916948_5424331866025687007_n.jpg" alt="17 Iconic Black Fashion Moments In Film" width="400" height="499" /> Photo: Instagram/@iahhmclassic 02Queen & Slim: Jodie Turner Smith as QueenEverything makes sense when you learn that Shiona Turini, who was a styling consultant for Beyoncé’s Formation music video, is the mastermind behind Queen & Slim’s wardrobe. A runaway plot that has never been so stylish. Queen’s double-animal print look allowed her character to become increasingly relaxed and carefree as the plot progressed. 
Photo: Instagram/@queenandslim 03Eve’s Bayou: Lynn Whitfield as Roz BatisteAt the opening of the film, the family’s affluence is apparent; the room was full of women in extravagant dresses. Roz’s first look set the tone for her character: poise, classy, very-well put together, until pushed to the furthest extent to provoke otherwise. The velvet sweetheart neckline and citrine jewelry are small opulent touches I immediately fell in love with. 
Photo: @urbanthrowbacks 04Clueless: Stacey Dash as DionneOver twenty years later, Clueless is still synonymous with plaid sets. All of Dionne’s looks are worth taking note of, from her striped neon crop top to a loud, red patent leather mini skirt. But by far, the most memorable is her black and white plaid suit and top hat. Sophisticated, sexy, sassy— this matching set embodied it all. 
Photo: Instagram/@entertainmenttonight 05Two Can Play That Game: Gabrielle Union as ConnyDid Conny Spalding invent the power suit? This look is the epitome of the HBIC you love to hate: the seductive red, the short-hemmed skirt, and the heavy pony. The juxtaposition to the main character, Shante, is apparent. Conny was meant to appear harder and less classy, but you can’t help but love it. 
Photo: Instagram/@stillcatalogue 06Waiting To Exhale: The CastWhether it was time to look cute at a party, show up for a fight in court, reconnect with an old flame or welcome a handsome new neighbor to the community, the ladies of Terry McMillan and Forest Whitaker’s 1995 blockbuster Waiting To Exhale were ALWAYS dressed for the occasion—and then some! Plus, who didn’t want that unforgettable white dress worn by Lela Rochon’s character Robyn?! 
07Mahogany: Diana Ross as Tracy ChambersThis camp classic walked so last year’s Met Gala theme could run. In true rags to riches fashion, the costumes became more dramatic as the film progressed through Tracy’s journey to fashion designer. Being the natural icon that Diana Ross is, it’s not surprising to discover that she took on the role of costume designer herself. 
Photo: @movie_dresses 08B.A.P.S.: Natalie Desselle as Mickey & Halle Berry as NisiHalle Berry & Natalie Desselle nailed just about every “over-the-top” fashion trend when they paired up for this ’90s classic. 
09Poetic Justice: Janet Jackson as JusticeJanet Jackson’s laid-back-but-trendsettingdecoding="async" src="https://www.essence.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Poetic-Justice.jpg" alt="17 Iconic Black Fashion Moments In Film" width="400" height="394" /> 10Cinderella: Whitney Houston as the Fairy GodmotherWe’ll just say it— This is the only adaptation of Cinderella that matters. Costume design was epic and extravagant from Whoopi Golderg’s approximate $5 million worth of Harry Winston jewelry to this unforgettable golden gown. Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick loosely attributes her inspiration for the gown to Austrian artist Gustav Klimt’s 1907 painting of Adele Bloch-Bauer, and told Shondaland that Whitney Houston was very open when it came to her costumes. Let’s be honest, she would have pretty much pulled off anything. 
Photo: Instagram/@pjpolicarpio 11The Chronicles a Riddick: Thandie Newton as Dame VaakoCinderella’s costume designer, Mirojnick teamed with Michael Dennison to create pieces that were not like “anything that had been done before,”they said in production notes. Mirojnick developed a fabric for this gown she called “Mockadile,” resulting in something looking like a cross between crocodile, cracked glass and fish scales. The opera gloves and Versace-like waist chain completed the look perfectly. 
Photo: Instagram/@glazy_uk 12Harlem Nights: Jasmine Guy as Dominique La RuePeriod pieces often provide the best fashion, and Harlem Nights was no exception. Set in the 1830s, evening gowns and tuxedos were prominent, and feathers and boas were front and center. Dominique La Rue is mysterious and alluring, her costumes fitting that image. It’s hard to choose between La Rue’s dramatic, black feathered-shoulder look and the ensemble we last get to see her in (before Quick shoots her). Ultimately, there’s just something about casually wearing a floor-length silk gown, with a matching sheer cover-up draped in feathers as your nighttime attire that just takes the cake. 
Photo: Instagram/@the.detailed.plan 13Life Size: Tyra Banks as EveCostume designer Maya Mani has spoken has said that her goal was to create pieces that would be iconic in a doll’s world. Hence, Eve gave us vibrant colors, texture, dramatics and fun. This matching leopard set is the first outfit we see Eve wearing, and the goal of iconic was certainly met. 
Photo:Getty 14Black Panther: Lupita Nyong’o as NakiaWith Black Panther, costume designer Ruth E. Carter became the first black winner of an Oscar for Best Costume Design, and it’s not hard to see why. The fictional land of Wakanda, African roots, and futuristic fashion elements all play a part in the costume design. Lupita’s green and black gown was impressively covered in Wakanda text. 
Photo: Instagram/@blackpanther 15Boomerang: Lela Rochon as ChristieWe love a monochrome-mastering queen. Boomerang has many notable power suit moments, but this Barbie-esque look was super fun. Much like Christie’s personality, though her screen-time was short lived, the outfit was a poppy, energetic take on 90’s date-night attire. 
Photo: IMDB 16Love Don’t Cost A Thing: Christina Millian as Paris MorganThe 2000’s gave us a handful of films to look to for throwback fashion inspiration. The “baby girl” aesthetic is occasionally revived in pop culture, like Normani’s “Motivation” music video. Paris having her boyfriend’s name on her t-shirt, and wearing a sports jersey miniskirt is just about as early 2000’s as it gets. 
Photo: Instagram/@valleysuccubus 17If Beale Street Could Talk: Kiki Layne as TishThough subdued, costume designer Caroline Eselin’s picks were classic and timeless. The film depicts two characters dealing with very adult situations at a young age, and particularly, Tish’s outfits reflect the maturity and grace with which she faces these challenges. Plus, we’re now dubbing her the queen of layering. 
Photo: Instagram/@cinemadoor TOPICS: Black fashion Black Fashion Designer fashion gallery fashion news
The post 17 Iconic Black Fashion Moments In Film appeared first on Essence.
By Larry Stansbury ·Updated June 21, 2024
If you’re already acquainted with glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide, you may have also come across succinic acid. This ingredient is versatile and can effectively work for all skin types, making it a common ingredient in skincare products that aim to combat acne.
If you’re curious to learn more about the acid, we spoke with Dr. Jody Alpert Levine, a New York Dermatologist at Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC, who breaks down what succinic acid is, and its benefits for the skin, below.
What is succinic acid?“Succinic acid is a type of antimicrobial facial acid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that helps regulate acidity and sebum production, limiting acne breakouts,” Levine tells ESSENCE. “Succinic acids help reduce the growth of bacteria and control inflammation, making them particularly effective for treating acne lesions, blackheads, and other blemishes.”
Which skin type is it best for?Succinic acid is effective for various skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin. However, Levine recommends consulting with your dermatologist to determine if specific products with succinic acid are suitable for your skin type.
What are the benefits?Succinic acid can help clear and brighten your skin, leaving a refreshed appearance. Succinic acid prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi on the skin without causing irritation. Furthermore, it has hydrating properties that can help keep your skin healthy and moisturized without exfoliating it.
What are the best practices?Along with succinic acid, Levine also recommends using products containing hyaluronic acid, retinoids, sulfur, and salicylic acid as they can combat acne and have anti-inflammatory properties. “They aim to control oil production, control inflammation and the growth of bacteria, all of which are important for treating acne and maintaining healthy skin.”
Which products should I use?01 01 ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Energising Marine Cleanser
The cleanser contains succinic and lactic acids that help to break down dead skin cells and improve skin moisture levels. Available at Amazon.com 66Shop Now 02 02 Cetaphil Gentle Clear Triple-Action Acne Treatment Serum 
This dermatologist-tested gel serum is also infused with salicylic acid and PHA to boost hydration and clear skin. Available at Walmart.com 15Shop Now 03 03 Perricone MD Acne Relief Calming Treatment Hydrator 
This treatment is specifically designed for sensitive skin and provides a two-step process of gentle hydration while also removing bacteria. Available at Dermstore.com 45Shop Now The post Everything You Need to Know About Succinic Acid appeared first on Essence.