Dark Aether
@thegrimaether.bsky.social
Freelance writer, essayist, pop culture fiend covering strange, obscure and interesting curios. Morbidly curious. Not Dead Yet. Contributor: http://theuglymonster.com
Home: https://medium.com/@thegrimaether
Home: https://medium.com/@thegrimaether
Pinned
Dark Aether
@thegrimaether.bsky.social
· Jul 27
‘Wakfu’ — The Anime Masterpiece That Transcends Genres
Ankama’s ‘Wakfu’ transcends the realm of video game adaptations as one of the best fantasy anime I’ve watched in years
medium.com
[Retrospective] One of the most creative fantasy anime I've covered in almost a decade, @ankama-animations.com's
Wakfu is a masterpiece, defying both medium and genre.
#anime #gaming #wakfu
medium.com/theuglymonst...
Wakfu is a masterpiece, defying both medium and genre.
#anime #gaming #wakfu
medium.com/theuglymonst...
Reposted by Dark Aether
Shout out to everyone still eating tamales
January 4, 2026 at 1:34 AM
Shout out to everyone still eating tamales
127) Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
"Did you remember to update your media thread?" (Yes, that's why I'm doing it right now!)
And that's a wrap for the 2025 media thread. Stay tuned for my Top 10 Games & Anime. Both lists are mostly finalized with one free space coincidentally.
(Coming soon...)
"Did you remember to update your media thread?" (Yes, that's why I'm doing it right now!)
And that's a wrap for the 2025 media thread. Stay tuned for my Top 10 Games & Anime. Both lists are mostly finalized with one free space coincidentally.
(Coming soon...)
January 2, 2026 at 4:02 PM
127) Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
"Did you remember to update your media thread?" (Yes, that's why I'm doing it right now!)
And that's a wrap for the 2025 media thread. Stay tuned for my Top 10 Games & Anime. Both lists are mostly finalized with one free space coincidentally.
(Coming soon...)
"Did you remember to update your media thread?" (Yes, that's why I'm doing it right now!)
And that's a wrap for the 2025 media thread. Stay tuned for my Top 10 Games & Anime. Both lists are mostly finalized with one free space coincidentally.
(Coming soon...)
126) Undead Unluck: Winter Arc
More of an appetizer than a full length story. Which is good because they just confirmed season 2. Otherwise, this would ended up as one big teaser.
More of an appetizer than a full length story. Which is good because they just confirmed season 2. Otherwise, this would ended up as one big teaser.
January 2, 2026 at 3:44 PM
126) Undead Unluck: Winter Arc
More of an appetizer than a full length story. Which is good because they just confirmed season 2. Otherwise, this would ended up as one big teaser.
More of an appetizer than a full length story. Which is good because they just confirmed season 2. Otherwise, this would ended up as one big teaser.
125) Tougen Anki
Final entries for 2025 thread. The rest will go on the 2026 media thread.
I'll let you figure out how this landed here.
bsky.app/profile/theg...
Final entries for 2025 thread. The rest will go on the 2026 media thread.
I'll let you figure out how this landed here.
bsky.app/profile/theg...
Screw best anime. Let's talk about some of the worst ones from this year. I'll start.
Top 5 WORST Anime of 2025 (that I watched):
5. Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers
4. Tougen Anki
3. Lazarus
2. Chitose is in the Ramune Bottle
1. Solo Leveling (Season 2, Arise from the Shadow)
Top 5 WORST Anime of 2025 (that I watched):
5. Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers
4. Tougen Anki
3. Lazarus
2. Chitose is in the Ramune Bottle
1. Solo Leveling (Season 2, Arise from the Shadow)
Friends, #weebwednesday is upon us once again and I totally didn't forget! You know the drill - quote-post with your weebiest hot takes, nothing racist, nothing intentionally inflammatory, have fun with it ♥
(also no image because I forgot that too)
(also no image because I forgot that too)
January 2, 2026 at 3:41 PM
125) Tougen Anki
Final entries for 2025 thread. The rest will go on the 2026 media thread.
I'll let you figure out how this landed here.
bsky.app/profile/theg...
Final entries for 2025 thread. The rest will go on the 2026 media thread.
I'll let you figure out how this landed here.
bsky.app/profile/theg...
Happy new year!
a person riding a futuristic motorcycle with a purple light around the wheel
Alt: Samus on her "Viola" motorcycle (from Metroid Prime 4 Beyond).
media.tenor.com
January 1, 2026 at 4:52 AM
Happy new year!
Screw best anime. Let's talk about some of the worst ones from this year. I'll start.
Top 5 WORST Anime of 2025 (that I watched):
5. Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers
4. Tougen Anki
3. Lazarus
2. Chitose is in the Ramune Bottle
1. Solo Leveling (Season 2, Arise from the Shadow)
Top 5 WORST Anime of 2025 (that I watched):
5. Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers
4. Tougen Anki
3. Lazarus
2. Chitose is in the Ramune Bottle
1. Solo Leveling (Season 2, Arise from the Shadow)
Friends, #weebwednesday is upon us once again and I totally didn't forget! You know the drill - quote-post with your weebiest hot takes, nothing racist, nothing intentionally inflammatory, have fun with it ♥
(also no image because I forgot that too)
(also no image because I forgot that too)
January 1, 2026 at 4:16 AM
Screw best anime. Let's talk about some of the worst ones from this year. I'll start.
Top 5 WORST Anime of 2025 (that I watched):
5. Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers
4. Tougen Anki
3. Lazarus
2. Chitose is in the Ramune Bottle
1. Solo Leveling (Season 2, Arise from the Shadow)
Top 5 WORST Anime of 2025 (that I watched):
5. Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers
4. Tougen Anki
3. Lazarus
2. Chitose is in the Ramune Bottle
1. Solo Leveling (Season 2, Arise from the Shadow)
124) My Hero Academia (Season 8, final)
The nicest things I'll say now is it mostly ended well and the season as a whole was a step up from some of its weaker seasons.
The problem I have is the final arc itself, and mixed thoughts on the series overtime.
This might require a lengthier post. 📌
The nicest things I'll say now is it mostly ended well and the season as a whole was a step up from some of its weaker seasons.
The problem I have is the final arc itself, and mixed thoughts on the series overtime.
This might require a lengthier post. 📌
December 29, 2025 at 4:12 PM
124) My Hero Academia (Season 8, final)
The nicest things I'll say now is it mostly ended well and the season as a whole was a step up from some of its weaker seasons.
The problem I have is the final arc itself, and mixed thoughts on the series overtime.
This might require a lengthier post. 📌
The nicest things I'll say now is it mostly ended well and the season as a whole was a step up from some of its weaker seasons.
The problem I have is the final arc itself, and mixed thoughts on the series overtime.
This might require a lengthier post. 📌
123) Absolum
I could talk about how great this game, but all you need to know is you can finish the campaign with a chicken companion.
I repeat, you can finish the campaign with a CHICKEN companion.
Enough said.
I could talk about how great this game, but all you need to know is you can finish the campaign with a chicken companion.
I repeat, you can finish the campaign with a CHICKEN companion.
Enough said.
December 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM
123) Absolum
I could talk about how great this game, but all you need to know is you can finish the campaign with a chicken companion.
I repeat, you can finish the campaign with a CHICKEN companion.
Enough said.
I could talk about how great this game, but all you need to know is you can finish the campaign with a chicken companion.
I repeat, you can finish the campaign with a CHICKEN companion.
Enough said.
122) Sanda
Another unexpected Christmas media coinciding with the actual holiday irl. I am not the biggest Paru Itagaki fan and still got invested by the end.
Which is saying a lot considering Science Saru's other big project this year was Dandadan.
(Hmm. I need to sleep on this...)
Another unexpected Christmas media coinciding with the actual holiday irl. I am not the biggest Paru Itagaki fan and still got invested by the end.
Which is saying a lot considering Science Saru's other big project this year was Dandadan.
(Hmm. I need to sleep on this...)
December 29, 2025 at 3:52 PM
122) Sanda
Another unexpected Christmas media coinciding with the actual holiday irl. I am not the biggest Paru Itagaki fan and still got invested by the end.
Which is saying a lot considering Science Saru's other big project this year was Dandadan.
(Hmm. I need to sleep on this...)
Another unexpected Christmas media coinciding with the actual holiday irl. I am not the biggest Paru Itagaki fan and still got invested by the end.
Which is saying a lot considering Science Saru's other big project this year was Dandadan.
(Hmm. I need to sleep on this...)
121) Despelote
Few additions today. Neat premise, even if I didn't gel with the gameplay entirely.
"Mi familla" got a kick out watching me play over Christmas (pun intended).⚽
Few additions today. Neat premise, even if I didn't gel with the gameplay entirely.
"Mi familla" got a kick out watching me play over Christmas (pun intended).⚽
December 29, 2025 at 3:42 PM
121) Despelote
Few additions today. Neat premise, even if I didn't gel with the gameplay entirely.
"Mi familla" got a kick out watching me play over Christmas (pun intended).⚽
Few additions today. Neat premise, even if I didn't gel with the gameplay entirely.
"Mi familla" got a kick out watching me play over Christmas (pun intended).⚽
Heading into Winter break. Will be mostly offline to the end of the year, though I will be updating the Media thread.
Originally planned on posting one last article, but after losing interest and going through my game backlog, going to jump right into my GOTY list earlier than expected.
Originally planned on posting one last article, but after losing interest and going through my game backlog, going to jump right into my GOTY list earlier than expected.
December 24, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Heading into Winter break. Will be mostly offline to the end of the year, though I will be updating the Media thread.
Originally planned on posting one last article, but after losing interest and going through my game backlog, going to jump right into my GOTY list earlier than expected.
Originally planned on posting one last article, but after losing interest and going through my game backlog, going to jump right into my GOTY list earlier than expected.
Anime criticism, professional or otherwise, needs to move past the idea of "the big three".
It was always a product of North America. It's an outdated model. Stop trying to make it relevant again.
It was always a product of North America. It's an outdated model. Stop trying to make it relevant again.
Friends, #weebwednesday is upon us once again! You know the drill - quote-post with your weebiest hot takes, nothing racist, nothing intentionally inflammatory, have fun with it ♥
December 24, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Anime criticism, professional or otherwise, needs to move past the idea of "the big three".
It was always a product of North America. It's an outdated model. Stop trying to make it relevant again.
It was always a product of North America. It's an outdated model. Stop trying to make it relevant again.
120) May I Ask for One Final Thing?
- End of Fall 2025 anime -
Didn't expect to laugh as hard as I did, although I think I'm good with it ending here. Unless there is more to this story and it goes in a new direction, it pretty much wraps up the main conflict, and that's all I can ask for atm.
- End of Fall 2025 anime -
Didn't expect to laugh as hard as I did, although I think I'm good with it ending here. Unless there is more to this story and it goes in a new direction, it pretty much wraps up the main conflict, and that's all I can ask for atm.
December 24, 2025 at 6:56 PM
120) May I Ask for One Final Thing?
- End of Fall 2025 anime -
Didn't expect to laugh as hard as I did, although I think I'm good with it ending here. Unless there is more to this story and it goes in a new direction, it pretty much wraps up the main conflict, and that's all I can ask for atm.
- End of Fall 2025 anime -
Didn't expect to laugh as hard as I did, although I think I'm good with it ending here. Unless there is more to this story and it goes in a new direction, it pretty much wraps up the main conflict, and that's all I can ask for atm.
119) The Creep Tapes (Season 2)
Not as consistent as S1, but some memorable entries towards the beginning. If this is going to be an annual thing, I'd forgo adding too much backstory. (Got to save something for the inevitable Creep 3...🤞)
Not as consistent as S1, but some memorable entries towards the beginning. If this is going to be an annual thing, I'd forgo adding too much backstory. (Got to save something for the inevitable Creep 3...🤞)
December 24, 2025 at 6:37 PM
119) The Creep Tapes (Season 2)
Not as consistent as S1, but some memorable entries towards the beginning. If this is going to be an annual thing, I'd forgo adding too much backstory. (Got to save something for the inevitable Creep 3...🤞)
Not as consistent as S1, but some memorable entries towards the beginning. If this is going to be an annual thing, I'd forgo adding too much backstory. (Got to save something for the inevitable Creep 3...🤞)
Tonight you’ll be visited by three spirits
December 24, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Tonight you’ll be visited by three spirits
Skate Story except the narrator is done with the same voice from Hades II.
December 24, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Skate Story except the narrator is done with the same voice from Hades II.
Reposted by Dark Aether
A mouth that eats and eats and eats by @edgarallanbro.bsky.social
"None of us are innocent, myself least of all."
Read on:
"None of us are innocent, myself least of all."
Read on:
A mouth that eats and eats and eats
The Game Awards isn't just a vanity project or hype reel of advertisements. It's a mirror.
skyboxcritics.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:57 PM
A mouth that eats and eats and eats by @edgarallanbro.bsky.social
"None of us are innocent, myself least of all."
Read on:
"None of us are innocent, myself least of all."
Read on:
December 23, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Still, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't take the time to balance the scales from time to time, so I'll point you to some worthy reading material for those wanting something a little more to digest.
medium.com/counterarts/...
medium.com/counterarts/...
‘My Hero Academia’ Was Always Copaganda
It’s always been a conservative narrative
medium.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Still, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't take the time to balance the scales from time to time, so I'll point you to some worthy reading material for those wanting something a little more to digest.
medium.com/counterarts/...
medium.com/counterarts/...
Ignoring the clickbait, if I were to take this at 100% face value, I have to make some assumptions about your standard:
- you are only looking at "mainstream titles"
- you are only looking at Shonen Jump
- you are NOT looking at non-battle shonen
- you haven't read anything from the last 5 - 8 years
- you are only looking at "mainstream titles"
- you are only looking at Shonen Jump
- you are NOT looking at non-battle shonen
- you haven't read anything from the last 5 - 8 years
December 23, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Ignoring the clickbait, if I were to take this at 100% face value, I have to make some assumptions about your standard:
- you are only looking at "mainstream titles"
- you are only looking at Shonen Jump
- you are NOT looking at non-battle shonen
- you haven't read anything from the last 5 - 8 years
- you are only looking at "mainstream titles"
- you are only looking at Shonen Jump
- you are NOT looking at non-battle shonen
- you haven't read anything from the last 5 - 8 years
Friends, do you ever read something so baffling and think to yourself "WHAT?"
December 23, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Friends, do you ever read something so baffling and think to yourself "WHAT?"
The best news this morning!
Key Visual for The Elusive Samurai Season 2, scheduled for July 2026.
December 21, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The best news this morning!
118) Skate Story
A visceral joy to behold, a truly bizarre pot of ideas and one of the best game soundtracks of the year, this is the type of experience I most value in between new releases and my current games in queue.
A visceral joy to behold, a truly bizarre pot of ideas and one of the best game soundtracks of the year, this is the type of experience I most value in between new releases and my current games in queue.
December 20, 2025 at 6:01 PM
118) Skate Story
A visceral joy to behold, a truly bizarre pot of ideas and one of the best game soundtracks of the year, this is the type of experience I most value in between new releases and my current games in queue.
A visceral joy to behold, a truly bizarre pot of ideas and one of the best game soundtracks of the year, this is the type of experience I most value in between new releases and my current games in queue.
Reposted by Dark Aether
can't stop blastin this youtu.be/1vI_xrmc8gE?...
Blood Cultures - UNARCHIVER (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Blood Cultures
youtu.be
December 20, 2025 at 12:23 AM
can't stop blastin this youtu.be/1vI_xrmc8gE?...