NormanicGrav
@normanicgrav.co.uk
Anime UK News writer & collector for anime, video games, Asian Cinema and manga! And yes, buying anime on Blu-ray is fun. I also have a blog called The Normanic Vault that I regularly update to cover any upcoming releases or unboxings.
New arrivals for the PlayStation 5 collection, both coming from The Game Collection.
Arrived first was The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (shipping delay hence arriving now than weeks ago) and Koei Tecmo's Nioh 3!
I plan to start Nioh 3 once Code Vein II is sorted.
Arrived first was The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (shipping delay hence arriving now than weeks ago) and Koei Tecmo's Nioh 3!
I plan to start Nioh 3 once Code Vein II is sorted.
February 5, 2026 at 7:32 PM
New arrivals for the PlayStation 5 collection, both coming from The Game Collection.
Arrived first was The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (shipping delay hence arriving now than weeks ago) and Koei Tecmo's Nioh 3!
I plan to start Nioh 3 once Code Vein II is sorted.
Arrived first was The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (shipping delay hence arriving now than weeks ago) and Koei Tecmo's Nioh 3!
I plan to start Nioh 3 once Code Vein II is sorted.
So far Code Vein II has been a decent experience. I'm in the second major area of the game and enemies are doable but easy mistakes can get you wrecked.
Parrying isn't great as it's too slow and there's still some tech issues (like sound effects going missing at one point) but gameplay is good.
Parrying isn't great as it's too slow and there's still some tech issues (like sound effects going missing at one point) but gameplay is good.
February 4, 2026 at 9:42 PM
So far Code Vein II has been a decent experience. I'm in the second major area of the game and enemies are doable but easy mistakes can get you wrecked.
Parrying isn't great as it's too slow and there's still some tech issues (like sound effects going missing at one point) but gameplay is good.
Parrying isn't great as it's too slow and there's still some tech issues (like sound effects going missing at one point) but gameplay is good.
January 2026 pickups haul post!
For this haul, I took a step back from receiving numerous items and allowed a good number of pre-orders to make their appearance during the latter half of the month, whilst acquiring a few more films on 4K and Blu-ray.
Link: wp.me/pajoBm-f03
For this haul, I took a step back from receiving numerous items and allowed a good number of pre-orders to make their appearance during the latter half of the month, whilst acquiring a few more films on 4K and Blu-ray.
Link: wp.me/pajoBm-f03
February 1, 2026 at 4:28 PM
January 2026 pickups haul post!
For this haul, I took a step back from receiving numerous items and allowed a good number of pre-orders to make their appearance during the latter half of the month, whilst acquiring a few more films on 4K and Blu-ray.
Link: wp.me/pajoBm-f03
For this haul, I took a step back from receiving numerous items and allowed a good number of pre-orders to make their appearance during the latter half of the month, whilst acquiring a few more films on 4K and Blu-ray.
Link: wp.me/pajoBm-f03
I watched Markiplier's Iron Lung film today (it managed to get a UK screening thanks to fan demand). I knew of the game and its ending, but honestly Markiplier did a pretty good job with his take on the story. Practical effects were great, the second half was pretty good. Solid cosmic horror.
February 1, 2026 at 2:30 PM
I watched Markiplier's Iron Lung film today (it managed to get a UK screening thanks to fan demand). I knew of the game and its ending, but honestly Markiplier did a pretty good job with his take on the story. Practical effects were great, the second half was pretty good. Solid cosmic horror.
Also arriving last Thursday are two Shaw Brothers collections from Eureka Entertainment that they released last year on Blu-ray.
Exact Revenge with The Eunuch & The Deadly Knives (Fists of Vengeance), and The Magnificent Chang Cheh with The Magnificent Trio & Magnificent Wanderers.
Exact Revenge with The Eunuch & The Deadly Knives (Fists of Vengeance), and The Magnificent Chang Cheh with The Magnificent Trio & Magnificent Wanderers.
January 31, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Also arriving last Thursday are two Shaw Brothers collections from Eureka Entertainment that they released last year on Blu-ray.
Exact Revenge with The Eunuch & The Deadly Knives (Fists of Vengeance), and The Magnificent Chang Cheh with The Magnificent Trio & Magnificent Wanderers.
Exact Revenge with The Eunuch & The Deadly Knives (Fists of Vengeance), and The Magnificent Chang Cheh with The Magnificent Trio & Magnificent Wanderers.
Arrived last Thursday is Code Vein II, which I mentioned that I have started playing already. Apparently there's no missable trophies so I may look into getting the Platinum if I beat the story.
January 31, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Arrived last Thursday is Code Vein II, which I mentioned that I have started playing already. Apparently there's no missable trophies so I may look into getting the Platinum if I beat the story.
Also arrived on Wednesday are the new January releases from 88 Films and Eureka Ent. arriving from the Terracotta Store.
Cloud/Charisma: Two Films by Kiyoshi Kurosawa and The King of Beggars from Eureka Ent., plus The Delightful Forest and Secret Service of the Imperial Court from 88 Films.
Cloud/Charisma: Two Films by Kiyoshi Kurosawa and The King of Beggars from Eureka Ent., plus The Delightful Forest and Secret Service of the Imperial Court from 88 Films.
January 31, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Also arrived on Wednesday are the new January releases from 88 Films and Eureka Ent. arriving from the Terracotta Store.
Cloud/Charisma: Two Films by Kiyoshi Kurosawa and The King of Beggars from Eureka Ent., plus The Delightful Forest and Secret Service of the Imperial Court from 88 Films.
Cloud/Charisma: Two Films by Kiyoshi Kurosawa and The King of Beggars from Eureka Ent., plus The Delightful Forest and Secret Service of the Imperial Court from 88 Films.
Spent the past few hours going over my latest pickups (and the write-up for my January haul). Before I saw No Other Choice last Wednesday I also bought One Battle After Another on 4K Ultra HD in HMV.
There is a steelbook release in a few months time that has the extra features but I'm not bothered.
There is a steelbook release in a few months time that has the extra features but I'm not bothered.
January 31, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Spent the past few hours going over my latest pickups (and the write-up for my January haul). Before I saw No Other Choice last Wednesday I also bought One Battle After Another on 4K Ultra HD in HMV.
There is a steelbook release in a few months time that has the extra features but I'm not bothered.
There is a steelbook release in a few months time that has the extra features but I'm not bothered.
I have started playing Code Vein II as of yesterday. I'm currently at the boss fight on the Storage Tower which is pretty brutal so I guess I'm under-powered at that point (parrying is not easy). Framerate could have been better but it's decent stuff so far. Definitely will keep playing.
January 31, 2026 at 11:33 AM
I have started playing Code Vein II as of yesterday. I'm currently at the boss fight on the Storage Tower which is pretty brutal so I guess I'm under-powered at that point (parrying is not easy). Framerate could have been better but it's decent stuff so far. Definitely will keep playing.
I still have my cold (Day 6 so far) but I'm on the progress of recovery so I am hoping to be fully back to normal in the next few days. Got this weekend off work which is good.
Balsam and VapoRub medicine has helped tackle the chesty coughs during my sleep which is handy.
Balsam and VapoRub medicine has helped tackle the chesty coughs during my sleep which is handy.
January 31, 2026 at 11:19 AM
I still have my cold (Day 6 so far) but I'm on the progress of recovery so I am hoping to be fully back to normal in the next few days. Got this weekend off work which is good.
Balsam and VapoRub medicine has helped tackle the chesty coughs during my sleep which is handy.
Balsam and VapoRub medicine has helped tackle the chesty coughs during my sleep which is handy.
Binged all 8 episodes of Marvel's Wonder Man series. I really liked it. It's different to the other MCU shows and I enjoyed the interactions between Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley throughout the series. Down for more seasons if they decide to go ahead with it (but it ends on a solid note).
January 28, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Binged all 8 episodes of Marvel's Wonder Man series. I really liked it. It's different to the other MCU shows and I enjoyed the interactions between Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley throughout the series. Down for more seasons if they decide to go ahead with it (but it ends on a solid note).
I watched Park Chan-wook's No Other Choice (어쩔수가없다) which finally released in UK cinemas recently. Great film, an interesting premise that resonates well and a surprising ending too. Lee Byung-hun nailed it in his role.
January 28, 2026 at 5:40 PM
I watched Park Chan-wook's No Other Choice (어쩔수가없다) which finally released in UK cinemas recently. Great film, an interesting premise that resonates well and a surprising ending too. Lee Byung-hun nailed it in his role.
I still have my cold but well enough to use my laptop today. Got some photos sorted for my recent pickups!
Just a few packages that arrived last week. I have one more arriving tomorrow which is Asian Cinema focused so stay tuned for that.
Just a few packages that arrived last week. I have one more arriving tomorrow which is Asian Cinema focused so stay tuned for that.
January 27, 2026 at 5:44 PM
I still have my cold but well enough to use my laptop today. Got some photos sorted for my recent pickups!
Just a few packages that arrived last week. I have one more arriving tomorrow which is Asian Cinema focused so stay tuned for that.
Just a few packages that arrived last week. I have one more arriving tomorrow which is Asian Cinema focused so stay tuned for that.
Good news - I can finally rest after working non-stop every day since the 7th (I did get 17th off and most of 18th).
Bad news - I have a sore throat so I caught a cold which sucks. Hoping I'll recover sooner. Weirdly I've not had a cold since Aug 2024. 🤔
Bad news - I have a sore throat so I caught a cold which sucks. Hoping I'll recover sooner. Weirdly I've not had a cold since Aug 2024. 🤔
January 26, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Good news - I can finally rest after working non-stop every day since the 7th (I did get 17th off and most of 18th).
Bad news - I have a sore throat so I caught a cold which sucks. Hoping I'll recover sooner. Weirdly I've not had a cold since Aug 2024. 🤔
Bad news - I have a sore throat so I caught a cold which sucks. Hoping I'll recover sooner. Weirdly I've not had a cold since Aug 2024. 🤔
Finished playing Nobody Wants to Die. Really cool futuristic noir adventure game where you investigate scenes here and here using a rewind device. It's a walking simulator but has an interesting story and solid voice work. It's fairly short at about 5.5 hours but worth a try.
January 23, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Finished playing Nobody Wants to Die. Really cool futuristic noir adventure game where you investigate scenes here and here using a rewind device. It's a walking simulator but has an interesting story and solid voice work. It's fairly short at about 5.5 hours but worth a try.
Reposted by NormanicGrav
Introducing Discotek Deep Dives!
We're adding 20 to 30 Discotek titles to the MediaOCD store each month w/ pre-orders for a few weeks before.
Others have canceled backorders & more, we'll take care of you w/ great shipping & a rewards program.
www.mediaocd.com/post/alien-n...
We're adding 20 to 30 Discotek titles to the MediaOCD store each month w/ pre-orders for a few weeks before.
Others have canceled backorders & more, we'll take care of you w/ great shipping & a rewards program.
www.mediaocd.com/post/alien-n...
January 23, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Introducing Discotek Deep Dives!
We're adding 20 to 30 Discotek titles to the MediaOCD store each month w/ pre-orders for a few weeks before.
Others have canceled backorders & more, we'll take care of you w/ great shipping & a rewards program.
www.mediaocd.com/post/alien-n...
We're adding 20 to 30 Discotek titles to the MediaOCD store each month w/ pre-orders for a few weeks before.
Others have canceled backorders & more, we'll take care of you w/ great shipping & a rewards program.
www.mediaocd.com/post/alien-n...
So I just finished playing a Chinese FMV game called Vanity Fair: The Pursuit. Rough translation aside, it's a pretty entertaining experience. You can tell the actors were having a fun time going over different scenarios including the bad/random routes. 5 hours playtime to get the Platinum trophy.
January 21, 2026 at 11:05 PM
So I just finished playing a Chinese FMV game called Vanity Fair: The Pursuit. Rough translation aside, it's a pretty entertaining experience. You can tell the actors were having a fun time going over different scenarios including the bad/random routes. 5 hours playtime to get the Platinum trophy.
Finished Dispatch completely now that I have the Platinum trophy. After 15 hours of playtime I have witnessed both routes and various outcomes, but honestly my first playthrough was probably my favourite.
I hope they do more seasons and if they do carry over save-data I'll replay this again.
I hope they do more seasons and if they do carry over save-data I'll replay this again.
a man and a woman are sitting in a movie theater and the man is asking the woman if she likes sour patch kids
ALT: a man and a woman are sitting in a movie theater and the man is asking the woman if she likes sour patch kids
media.tenor.com
January 18, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Finished Dispatch completely now that I have the Platinum trophy. After 15 hours of playtime I have witnessed both routes and various outcomes, but honestly my first playthrough was probably my favourite.
I hope they do more seasons and if they do carry over save-data I'll replay this again.
I hope they do more seasons and if they do carry over save-data I'll replay this again.
Also bought in town I picked up 9 more Viz Media manga volumes from Travelling Man.
Black Clover Vol. 18-20, Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 25, 27-28 and Komi Can't Communicate Vol. 10-12.
They didn't have JJK Vol. 24 & 26 so I'll get them later.
Black Clover Vol. 18-20, Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 25, 27-28 and Komi Can't Communicate Vol. 10-12.
They didn't have JJK Vol. 24 & 26 so I'll get them later.
January 18, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Also bought in town I picked up 9 more Viz Media manga volumes from Travelling Man.
Black Clover Vol. 18-20, Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 25, 27-28 and Komi Can't Communicate Vol. 10-12.
They didn't have JJK Vol. 24 & 26 so I'll get them later.
Black Clover Vol. 18-20, Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 25, 27-28 and Komi Can't Communicate Vol. 10-12.
They didn't have JJK Vol. 24 & 26 so I'll get them later.
In town yesterday I bought three more films on 4K Ultra HD via HMV.
Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula (aka the adaptation with Gary Oldman and Keanu Reeves), Christopher Nolan's Inception, and Luca Guadagnino's Queer.
Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula (aka the adaptation with Gary Oldman and Keanu Reeves), Christopher Nolan's Inception, and Luca Guadagnino's Queer.
January 18, 2026 at 1:06 PM
In town yesterday I bought three more films on 4K Ultra HD via HMV.
Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula (aka the adaptation with Gary Oldman and Keanu Reeves), Christopher Nolan's Inception, and Luca Guadagnino's Queer.
Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula (aka the adaptation with Gary Oldman and Keanu Reeves), Christopher Nolan's Inception, and Luca Guadagnino's Queer.
Diebuster arrived on the 9th but wasn't able to take a look until recently! This is the UK collector's edition Blu-ray from Anime Limited.
Was supposed to have shipped in mid-December but the booklet issue delayed it.
Unboxing link: wp.me/pajoBm-eXx
Was supposed to have shipped in mid-December but the booklet issue delayed it.
Unboxing link: wp.me/pajoBm-eXx
January 18, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Diebuster arrived on the 9th but wasn't able to take a look until recently! This is the UK collector's edition Blu-ray from Anime Limited.
Was supposed to have shipped in mid-December but the booklet issue delayed it.
Unboxing link: wp.me/pajoBm-eXx
Was supposed to have shipped in mid-December but the booklet issue delayed it.
Unboxing link: wp.me/pajoBm-eXx
Just got back from watching 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and it's really good. Part 2 of the story but also different to the others. Ralph Fiennes was excellent and his arc stood out the most, whilst Jack O'Connell was also very good as the Jimmy dude. The final act was my favourite part.
January 17, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Just got back from watching 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and it's really good. Part 2 of the story but also different to the others. Ralph Fiennes was excellent and his arc stood out the most, whilst Jack O'Connell was also very good as the Jimmy dude. The final act was my favourite part.
I know I haven't posted much. I was working every day between Friday 9th to Friday 16th so it's been non-stop. I'll have to do the same for a bit tomorrow night and then Monday 19th to Monday 26th. This month was irregular hence the busy workload.
January 17, 2026 at 10:50 AM
I know I haven't posted much. I was working every day between Friday 9th to Friday 16th so it's been non-stop. I'll have to do the same for a bit tomorrow night and then Monday 19th to Monday 26th. This month was irregular hence the busy workload.
Finally got shipping updates on two LRG physical games. System Shock 2 is in the UK and since its from Evri it may arrive either tomorrow, Monday or Tuesday at its current pace. Nobody Wants to Die meanwhile has just been dispatched, which I reckon will arrive around the start of February.
January 17, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Finally got shipping updates on two LRG physical games. System Shock 2 is in the UK and since its from Evri it may arrive either tomorrow, Monday or Tuesday at its current pace. Nobody Wants to Die meanwhile has just been dispatched, which I reckon will arrive around the start of February.
Finished a playthrough of Dispatch. Man I really enjoyed playing this game. Absolutely loved everything about it. The dispatch and hack mini-games were a lot of fun once you figure out the mechanics. I plan to go for the Platinum trophy which means a second playthrough for the other romance route!
January 16, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Finished a playthrough of Dispatch. Man I really enjoyed playing this game. Absolutely loved everything about it. The dispatch and hack mini-games were a lot of fun once you figure out the mechanics. I plan to go for the Platinum trophy which means a second playthrough for the other romance route!