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https://blacknerdproblems.com/the-one-piece-starts-a-fresh-journey/

Anime fans continue to win–everywhere! Netflix announced that the manga ONE PIECE is getting a new anime adaptation–starting from the iconic East Blue saga–making everyone in the global anime community take notice on day two of Jump Festa 2024. Titled THE ONE PIECE, this new anime series will be produced by the WIT Studio, recognized for their work on hit anime such as fan favorites SPY x FAMILY and Attack on Titan (Season 1-3).

Currently in production, THE ONE PIECE will be streamed worldwide exclusively on Netflix, marking a significant collaboration with THE ONE PIECE production committee, made up of representatives from Shueisha, Fuji Television Network, and Toei Animation Co.

In a joint statement, the committee expressed their enthusiasm for this groundbreaking project, which will be distinct from the TV anime series that has captivated audiences for over 25 years. With THE ONE PIECE, the committee aims to provide viewers with a fresh yet familiar experience, utilizing cutting-edge visual technology to reimagine Luffy’s and friends’ adventures through the beloved East Blue saga.

Written and created by Eiichiro Oda, ONE PIECE celebrated its 25th anniversary back in July 2022, having sold over 510 million comics worldwide. It is an anime that has been around as long as some of the younger anime watching members of BNP, and it is one series that they remain thankful for. The live-action ONE PIECE series, streaming exclusively on Netflix, has garnered rave reviews, some even saying that it broke the ‘anime-to-live-action-curse’, while the TV anime series produced by Toei Animation has been broadcast since 1999.

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More Eiichiro Oda

2024 appears to be the year of much more One Piece and much more of mangaka and creator Eiichiro Oda–much to the awe and excitement of fans. Another manga by Oda–created when he was only 19 years old,–has also been adapted into anime for the first time! Premiering in January 2024, the action-packed Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation follows Ryuma, a samurai entangled in a world disrupted by an ominous force—a dragon capable of unleashing catastrophic destruction upon the land.

Netflix PR tells us that this anime adaptation provides a unique opportunity for fans to discover Oda’s early creative genius. Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation is also seemingly offering a fresh perspective on his storytelling prowess and a window into his imaginative world. From just the artwork we’ve been gifted we can see glimpses of greatness: we can see the roots of swordsmen, pirates, and all the ridiculousness and action of what later came in his career, and I am excited to see more as the anime industry continues to evolve! To My Siblings of the Straw Hat Grand Crew: WE STAY WINNING!

Watch Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation on Netflix in January 2024

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THE ONE PIECE (A Netflix Series, anime)

Original manga by Eiichiro Oda

Production Studio: WIT STUDIO

In production now

©Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, THE ONE PIECE production committee

Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation (anime)

Original manga by Eiichiro Oda

Production Studio: E&H production

Coming in January 2024

© Eiichiro Oda/SHUEISHA

ONE PIECE (A Netflix Series, Live action series)

Original manga by Eiichiro Oda

Production Studio: Tomorrow Studios

Now on Netflix (Netflix.com/OnePiece)

About Netflix:

Netflix is one of the world’s leading entertainment services with over 247 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films, and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause, and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.

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Stay tuned for more info as we get closer to the date!

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The post ‘THE ONE PIECE’ Starts a Fresh Journey into the East Blue Saga for Anime Fans appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.

https://blackgirlnerds.com/review-alaqua-cox-delivers-another-beautifully-nuanced-and-intense-performance-as-maya-lopez-in-echo/

Marvel Studios kicks off 2024 with Echo, a five-episode series centered on Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox), who made her debut in 2021’s Hawkeye. It’s the first Disney+ that’s TV-MA, a promising rating for fans of Netflix’s Marvel era. Echo is also the first to launch under the Marvel Spotlight banner, which Head of Streaming Brad Winderbaum said focuses on “street-level stakes over larger MCU continuity.”

Maya’s introduction in Hawkeye gave us a glimpse into the villain’s tragic backstory, which has now been expanded by director-executive producer Sydney Freeland (Reservation Dogs), co-director Catriona McKenzie (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), and head writers Marion Dayre (Better Call Saul) and Amy Rardin (Charmed reboot). 

This review contains some slight spoilers for Hawkeye.

The last time we saw Maya, she had a gun pointed at her “uncle” Wilson Fisk/Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio), the man responsible for her father William’s (Zahn McClarnon) death. We hear a shot as the camera pulls up, leaving his fate ambiguous. Although, did anyone really think he died? Considering it was announced he’d be returning for this series and Daredevil: Born Again, it’s no spoiler that Kingpin is indeed alive, sans an eye. 

But Echo doesn’t open exactly where the Hawkeye season finale left off. We start out in Oklahoma’s Choctaw Nation with a young Maya Lopez, brilliantly played again by Darnell Besaw (who happens to be Alaqua Cox’s cousin), along with McClarnon reprising his role as a much happier-looking William. It’s a cozy bonfire-and-shadow-puppets-night, so of course, something awful is just around the corner: the tragic accident that led to William and Maya’s departure to New York.

Since the first episode is tasked with getting the audience caught up with Maya’s story so far, new scenes are intercut with moments from Hawkeye — little Maya asking her dad about dragons, Maya at karate practice (with a visit from “uncle”), grown-up Maya fighting at the gym, and the moment she sees her father killed by Ronin.

While it’s not totally necessary to rewatch Hawkeye to understand what’s going on, I highly recommend doing so anyway (and Daredevil if you want to get super acquainted with the world). It’s a great series on its own, but also her interactions with Clint Barton/Hawkeye/Ronin (Jeremy Renner) and longtime friend/second in command for the Tracksuit Mafia Kazimierz “Kazi” Kazimierczak (Fra Fee) are important to her character. 

Picking up five months after her showdown with Fisk, Maya heads back to her hometown of  Tamaha, Oklahoma, where we meet new characters Chula (Tantoo Cardinal), Maya’s maternal grandmother; Skully (Graham Greene), her kind-hearted pseudo-grandfather; and Bonnie (K. Devery Jacobs, who recently voiced Kahhori in What If…? Season 2), her cousin with whom Maya had a sisterly bond.

Maya’s real uncle, Henry “Black Crow” Lopez (Chaske Spencer), operates the local skating rink but is also involved in Fisk’s expansive empire. In an interview with BGN, Spencer discussed how Maya’s arrival affects Henry since he had a hand in moving his brother and niece to New York. “It’s something that he’s had to wrestle with. I think when Maya shows up it’s also a time for him to seek forgiveness and to forgive himself.” 

Hawkeye had New York City’s criminal underground juxtaposed with the whimsical holiday season and comedic banter between the energetic Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) and her hero. And while Echo has its own moments of dark humor, including hints of levity from the instantly lovable Cousin Biscuits (Cody Lightning), the series is a stark contrast to other Disney+ fare, which Vincent D’Onofrio accurately described as emotionally and physically violent. 

To say Maya is hardened would be an understatement. A lifetime of grief, exposure to a criminal empire, and the accumulated pain from losing both parents has shaped her into the ruthless warrior she is today. Fisk sees an opportunity to weaponize that pent-up rage and brings a teenage Maya into the business. The first of many intense fight sequences is a wonderfully shot 6-minute-long take, which notably features an appearance from Matt Murdock/Daredevil (Charlie Cox), last seen in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. 

The brutal fight scenes are elevated by the sound design that frequently drowns out background noise, putting us into Maya’s unique perspective as someone who’s deaf but also someone beginning an emotional, rage-fueled journey. And with the imposing Kingpin as a mentor/paternal figure, the skilled martial artist is a natural when it comes to violence. 

In Echo, Alaqua Cox delivers another beautifully nuanced performance as Maya Lopez, a culturally rich, badass villain whose perceived disabilities are her superpowers. The grounded, action-packed origin story possesses a deeply authentic quality thanks to the Indigenous creatives in front of and behind the camera, as well as their collaboration with the Choctaw Nation. 

Fans are rightfully excited for the return of Kingpin and Daredevil and their official inclusion in the MCU. But Echo is unmistakably Maya’s story, exploring her Native American roots and how she reconnects with her estranged family as a different person, bringing so much chaos with her. The contrast between her spiritual, kind-hearted biological family and the hardness of her mob family shows that Maya Lopez truly lives in two worlds. 

All five episodes of Echo drop January 9 on Disney+ and Hulu.

https://www.essence.com/fashion/lingerie-edit/

Photography by Oscar Ouk / Styling by Sharifa Morris By Devine Blacksher ·Updated January 9, 2024

Sexy lingerie is no longer confined to romantic occasions, as the role of intimate apparel in our lives has moved beyond the realm of personal pleasure. Now versatile garments, these pieces have become platonic companions that carry us from midday grocery runs to nights out with friends. Jazzy lingerie is the second skin we choose to dress ourselves in, a style canvas that extends far past the boundaries of Valentine’s Day or anniversary celebrations. Embracing these unmentionables as a part of our daily wardrobe is a skill worth mastering.

It can take us on a journey from dawn to dusk, where confidence and style intertwine seamlessly—­featuring everything from soft, dainty bralettes to sheer bodysuits and full-on lace catsuits. Integrating them into everyday wear might seem unconventional, especially if one is accustomed to donning that see-through bustier discreetly beneath a crisp white blouse and black trouser combo. However, lingerie as outerwear opens the door to limitless styling possibilities, challenging societal norms and inviting creativity to take center stage. 

Think of lingerie as an art form that’s worth the experimentation. For a chic daytime look, pair a silk camisole with high-waisted trousers and a tailored blazer to transform a mundane day at the office into a celebration of sensuality and moxie. A corset cinched over a simple dress accentuates the waist, creating a flattering silhouette that turns heads as you stride down the street. A delicate slip dress worn with a leather jacket exudes effortless glamour that’s perfect for a night on the town. And let’s not overlook the visible-panties trend, which dominated the runways of various Spring/ Summer 2024 collections and has been embraced by celebrities such as Lori Harvey. Thoughtful accessorizing with statement jewelry enhances the lingerie-as-outerwear look without overpowering it. The interplay of textures, colors and accessories, like belts or bags, also offers new avenues for self-expression.  

Spicing up your wardrobe with a touch of lingerie is not just a fashion statement—it’s a glorification of our bodies, as we lovingly and unapologetically revel in our sexiness and break free from convention.   

Diesel jacket, $1,150, diesel.com; Ihuoma slip, $472, Ihuoma.co; Studio Amelia heels, $369, studioamelia.co; Ottolinger bag, $637, ottolinger.com; Gentle Monster x Maison Margiela sunglasses, $550, gentlemonster.com.Cecilie Bahnsen top, $395, ceciliebahnsen.com; Fleur du Mal baby doll top, $325, fleurdumal.com; Adeam biker shorts, price available upon request, adeam.com; Studio Amelia heels, $369, studioamelia.co; & Other Stories earrings, price available upon request, stories.com; Gentle Monster x Maison Margiela sunglasses, $680, gentlemonster.com. CFCL dress, $462, cfcl.jp; Poster Girl jumpsuit $289, poster-girl.com; Jimmy Choo pumps, $825, jimmychoo.com.Moschino dress, $1,200, moschino.com; Poster Girl playsuit, $163, poster-girl.com; Versace pumps, $1,075, versace.com; Luar weekender, $760, luar.world. Judy Turner dress, price upon request; CFCL bralette, $82 for set, cfcl.jp; D.bleu.Dazzled thong, $50, dbleudazzled.com; Versace gloves, price upon request, select Versace boutiques.Danz jacket, 395, danzny.com; Joah Brown tee, $82, joahbrown.com; CFCL bottoms, $82 for set, cfcl.jp; Studio Amelia heels, $369, studioamelia.co; Versace gloves, price upon request, select Versace boutiques; Gentle Monster x Maison Margiela sunglasses,   $368, gentlemonster.com; Fendi bag, $4,200, fendi.com; Balenciaga bag, $4,490, balenciaga.com; Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier travel bag, $450, womenshistorymuseum.co; Archival jewelry. Versace jacket, $2,375, versace.com; The Frankie Shop shirts, similar styles available at thefrankieshop.com; Fleur du Mal bustier, $268, fleurdumal.com; vintage bottoms and belt; Studio Amelia heels, $369, studioamelia.co; Gentle Monster x Maison Margiela sunglasses, $368, gentlemonster.com.  Zankov sweater, $895, ssense.com; Torlowei camisole, $549, and shorts, $371, harrods.com; Silk Laundry skirt, $155, silklaundry.com; Studio Amelia pumps, $382, studioamelia.co; Fendi bag, $4,200, fendi.com; Glasses, model’s own.  

Production credits: Stylist: Sharifa Morris. Models: Briana Michelle at The Industry NY and Thanowa Lual at Ford Models. Hair: Taichi Saito using Kérastase at Art Department. Makeup: Mitch Yoshida at MUSE Management. Nails: Nori Yamanaka using Dior at See Management. Casting: Paul Brickman. Photography Assistant: Logan Khidekel. Studio Manager: Claire Epstein. Stylist’s Assistant: Rashied Black. 

TOPICS:  fashion lingerie

The post A Guide To Styling Lingerie For All Occasions appeared first on Essence.

https://blacknerdproblems.com/potential-unlocked-solo-leveling-episodes-1-2-review/

They say whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but that’s not the case for the world’s weakest hunter Sung Jinwoo. After being brutally slaughtered by monsters in a high-ranking dungeon, Jinwoo came back with the System, a program only he could see, that’s leveling him up in every way. Now, he’s inspired to discover the secrets behind his powers and the dungeon that spawned them.

Crunchyroll, in collaboration with Aniplex, is bringing the world the eagerly awaited anime adaptation of the Korean manhwa sensation, Solo Leveling. The series will make its global debut on Crunchyroll’s streaming platform on January 6, 2024 and will reach viewers across 200 territories. A big thanks to Crunchyroll for the early access! Here’s a mostly spoiler free review for the first two episodes of one of Winter 2024 Anime’s most anticipated series!

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Episode One:

The very first episode of Solo Leveling does not start with our protagonist but instead leans more into the camaraderie of the hunters–individuals who are blessed with battle prowess in fighting and defeating monsters in the dungeons that appear in this world after a gate opens. This decision was probably meant to help introduce audiences to the world building that is the world that Jinwoo, a hunter of the lowest rank, is considered the “Weakest Hunter of All Mankind“–resides. I felt this was an interesting choice in the narrative to make as audiences don’t get to connect with Sung Jinwoo, our protagonist first, but he is soon on screen about to go on yet another dungeon crawl with his usual team. Throughout the first episode, we get additional backstory to the difficulty of such a life of those who are hunters–immense payoffs and even fame through their own strength. 

But in Jinwoo’s case–each outing can become a life-or-death situation as he’s the weakest member in his hunter crew and often fills out the team as a member to make team quota. We see his failures to stand on his ownw time and time again and the many, many times he’s been saved from the brink in the easiest and low ranked dungeons. The animation studio uses this to their advantage, setting the foundation to the present day of the current dungeons he and his team are in. The rest of the episode is a brilliant way to introduce the double dungeon, a high-level dungeon hidden inside a low-level one. 

Our underdog finds it to be a place where lives are taken, others are severely injured, and Jinwoo’s other skills come to good use: his observation skills and his sense of danger. What really shines the most in this first episode of Solo Leveling is the real sense of danger and immediacy that hunters, especially our protagonist and the other hunters face. The uptick in violence and the way his hunter crew start dropping like flies ups the ante and makes the last minutes of the first episode ones where the audience will be watching in anticipation of what comes next and how folks will survive.

Episode Two:

The second episode of Solo Leveling picks up where the first episode left off: Jinwoo and the other hunters in disarray in the double dungeon, a high-level dungeon hidden inside a low-level one. They have dead and wounded comrades surrounding them and they are trapped: the odds ain’t in their favor. Despite being the physically weakest member of the team, Sung Jinwoo isn’t a dummy. His brain goes into overdrive as he calmly starts evaluating their environment and the enemies around them: he figures that there must be a certain set of rules to follow, just like a game. Striving to help keep the surviving members of the team alive, he consults the leader and slowly but surely moves them closer to escaping and finding the way to open the exit. 

This second episode really helps establish not just Sung Jinwoo‘s character but also his drive to be better and do better despite his limitations. He has as much as anyone there, or more, to lose as he quickly becomes an asset to those in his company for once. His quick thinking moves everyone left alive into the next phase of the game set by the keepers of this particular dungeon. He may not be battle ready, but he’s been in enough dungeons to figure out survival tips through trial and error. The reveal of the boss character and how it changes is visually enough to send shivers down your back with its deadly nature and creepiness as it continues to deal death to the surviving hunters.

The rising action brings in a deeper feeling of psychological terror: hunters with much higher levels than Jinwoo continue to fall because they don’t use their heads or guess incorrectly on how to move on to the next step of the game of survival. The creative ways how these hunters leave the land of the living help make this an episode to watch: gory and sometimes unexpected! At the end, the tone of the action shifts with someone bringing gravely injured and talks of karma, sacrifice, accountability color the conversations as things continue to look grim. Nevertheless, Jinwoo continues to guide the remaining hunters to victory: leaving this cursed place with their lives. The ending of this episode features a dramatic musical score that will have you at the edge of your seat, wondering who’s going to make it out with their lives and who is finally out of time.

“Solo Leveling, even with its choppy pacing in its beginning, still manages to present a fine adaptation of anime’s newest underdog. This new series with a protagonist who has to think two steps ahead will inspire you and entertain you if you like action packed anime with power rankings and lots of character development along the way.”

Verdict

The pacing of the first episode really bothered me: starting with and injecting bits of pieces of the Hunter Association and certain characters who will be more important as time goes on really messed up the flow of things. Time and time again, it broke the immersion of watching and connecting with Jinwoo‘s character which is always so crucial for first episodes of any anime series, adaptation or not. While the episode is ultimately saved by the introduction to the dungeon that becomes a death trap and a place of salvation, this is not a perfect episode because of the choppy and unfortunate pacing.

I do love that the second episode leans into why the beginning of reading Solo Leveling is one that originally caught my attention: Jinwoo is a character that audiences will soon find themselves emotionally invested in following him and his journey. The world building that includes hunters and rankings and mysteries builds upon itself, and I have hopes the anime adaptation weaves it together in a concise way for a twelve-episode-run.

As amazing as it is to finally see Solo Leveling animated, I am left wondering about the glimpses of some favorite characters I saw in the first episode and how bigger plot events in the first arc will be handled. Come January, we’ll be seeing Jinwoo–anime’s latest underdog start his journey to unlock his potential and change the world as he knows it!

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Premiering on Crunchyroll

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Original Story by

Chugong

Original Illustrations by

Dubu (Redice Studio)

Directed by 

Shunsuke Nakashige

Series Composition by

Noboru Kimura

Character Design by

Tomoko Sudo

Monster Design by

Hirotaka Tokuda

Art Direction by

Yasuhiro Okumura

Cinematography by

Masataka Ikegami

Music by

Hiroyuki Sawano

Animation Studio

A-1 Pictures

Japanese Voice Cast

Taito Ban as Sung Jinwoo

Genta Nakamura as Yoo Jinho 

Haruna Mikawa as Sung Jinah

Reina Ueda as Cha Hae-in 

Daisuke Hirakawa as Choi Jong-in

Hiroki Touchi as Baek Yoonho

Banjo Ginga as Go Gunhee 

Makoto Furukawa as Woo Jinchul

Opening Theme Song

“LEveL” performed by TOMORROW X TOGETHER and Hiroyuki Sawano

Ending Theme Song

“request” performed by krage

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The Solo Leveling anime is scheduled to air on January 6, 2024 only on Crunchyroll.

Dubs for Solo Leveling will also be produced in other languages with premiere dates to be announced later.

See more information of the anime’s official website.

Love anime? So do we! See what else we have to offer on the site via anime here!

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The post Potential Unlocked: ‘Solo Leveling’ Episodes 1-2 Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.