Elijah Gonzalez
@elijahgonzalez.bsky.social
Currently: Associate Editor @ Endless Mode. Formerly: Assistant Games & TV Editor @ Paste Magazine. Bylines: The A.V. Club, Game Informer, Fanbyte, The Gamer, Unwinnable, Uppercut Crit, & more. TCA member, Rotten Tomato-approved critic. he/him
I had the privilege of interviewing Shinichirō Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Kids on the Slope, etc.) for The A.V. Club and asked him about what initially drew him to American pop culture, who he wants to work with next, and what defines enduring art.
Cowboy Bebop director Shinichirō Watanabe on what it takes for art to "survive beyond"
We interviewed Cowboy Bebop director Shinichirō Watanabe about his work, where his love of overseas culture came from, and what's next.
www.avclub.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
I had the privilege of interviewing Shinichirō Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Kids on the Slope, etc.) for The A.V. Club and asked him about what initially drew him to American pop culture, who he wants to work with next, and what defines enduring art.
PSA: We're over at the A.V. Club now.
Okay, yeah: Endless Mode is now The A.V. Club Games. We speedran this thing. Same editors, same writers, same content, just a different but familiar site. www.avclub.com/new-games-se...
The A.V. Club Games announces a new era
The A.V. Club's games section gets a major boost as Paste's and Endless Mode's games coverage joins the site.
www.avclub.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:16 PM
PSA: We're over at the A.V. Club now.
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
yeah so here’s the news
Okay, yeah: Endless Mode is now The A.V. Club Games. We speedran this thing. Same editors, same writers, same content, just a different but familiar site. www.avclub.com/new-games-se...
The A.V. Club Games announces a new era
The A.V. Club's games section gets a major boost as Paste's and Endless Mode's games coverage joins the site.
www.avclub.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:35 PM
yeah so here’s the news
I reviewed Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26, a frantic animated anthology that elevates the chaos, strangeness, and pathos of its source material. Another excellent adaptation of Fujimoto's work, this dude signed his soul away or something.
Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 is another loving adaptation of Fujimoto's work that elevates its source material to new heights. Read @elijahgonzalez.bsky.social's review here:
Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 Polishes These Adapted Short Stories To a Fine Sheen
Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 is another loving adaptation of Fujimoto's work that elevates its source material to new heights.
www.endlessmode.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I reviewed Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26, a frantic animated anthology that elevates the chaos, strangeness, and pathos of its source material. Another excellent adaptation of Fujimoto's work, this dude signed his soul away or something.
I've really been enjoying May I Ask For One Final Thing? mostly because it's about monstrous rich people getting their shit rocked by a heroine nicknamed "The Bloodstained Lady."
May I Ask For One Thing? delivers the best kind of wish fulfillment: evil rich jerks (who really deserve it) getting punched in the face by a cool heroine.
May I Ask for One Thing? Is About Evil Rich Men Getting Punched in the Nose, and That’s Pretty Neat
May I Ask For One Thing? delivers the best kind of wish fulfillment: evil rich jerks who really deserve it getting punched in the face.
www.endlessmode.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I've really been enjoying May I Ask For One Final Thing? mostly because it's about monstrous rich people getting their shit rocked by a heroine nicknamed "The Bloodstained Lady."
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
why are there missing children posters coded into Mini Golf and other Bally Sente arcade cabinets?
for @endlessmode.bsky.social, I tried to get to the bottom of it.
for @endlessmode.bsky.social, I tried to get to the bottom of it.
Six Missing Children Have Haunted These Arcade Cabinets For Decades. Why?
For 40 years the faces of missing children have haunted arcades from inside a miniature golf video game.
www.endlessmode.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:45 PM
why are there missing children posters coded into Mini Golf and other Bally Sente arcade cabinets?
for @endlessmode.bsky.social, I tried to get to the bottom of it.
for @endlessmode.bsky.social, I tried to get to the bottom of it.
Sanda (aka the buff Santa Claus anime) continues to be one of the most interesting shows of the season, and its latest episode offered a suprisingly robust critique of anti-queer politics in Japan and Class S Tropes. Never judge a book by its cover etc.
The Santa Claus-themed anime Sanda abruptly delivered a barnburner episode that confronted Class S Tropes and anti-queer politics. www.endlessmode.com/article/sand...
Sanda’s Latest Episode Confronts Both Class S Tropes And Anti-Queer, Pro-Natalist Politics
The Santa Claus-themed anime Sanda abruptly delivered a barnburner episode that confronted Class S Tropes and anti-queer politics.
www.endlessmode.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Sanda (aka the buff Santa Claus anime) continues to be one of the most interesting shows of the season, and its latest episode offered a suprisingly robust critique of anti-queer politics in Japan and Class S Tropes. Never judge a book by its cover etc.
I got blindsided by the Egg game in a way that was very enjoyable.
Terry Cavanagh's new game, Egg, begins as a straightforward, sunny platformer before deviously upping the temperature. www.endlessmode.com/article/wait...
Wait, That Egg Game is Evil, Actually
Terry Cavanagh's new game, Egg, begins as a straightforward, sunny platformer before deviously upping the temperature.
www.endlessmode.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:52 PM
I got blindsided by the Egg game in a way that was very enjoyable.
I reviewed Star Wars Visions Volume 3: overall, a bit of a step down from the previous two volumes, but it features a weirdo experimental short (Ep 9, “Black”) that everyone needs to see.
While Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 is a bit weaker than its predecessors, it still offers some fun romps alongside an experimental stunner. Read @elijahgonzalez.bsky.social's review. www.endlessmode.com/anime/star-w...
Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 Is A Fun Ride But Doesn't Quite Match Its Predecessors
While Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 is a bit weaker than its predecessors, it still offers some fun romps alongside an experimental stunner.
www.endlessmode.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:21 PM
I reviewed Star Wars Visions Volume 3: overall, a bit of a step down from the previous two volumes, but it features a weirdo experimental short (Ep 9, “Black”) that everyone needs to see.
Just in time for the big day, we updated our best horror games of all time list to include one of last year's standouts.
It's finally Halloween: the perfect night to dim the lights, bundle up on the couch, and get spooked by some frightening video games. You can't go wrong with any of this lot. www.endlessmode.com/video-games/...
The 30 Best Horror Games of All Time
Endless Mode explores the infinite possibilities of games and anime, from the excitement of video games, togetherness of board games, and action of pinball, to the adventure of theme parks, exhilarati...
www.endlessmode.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Just in time for the big day, we updated our best horror games of all time list to include one of last year's standouts.
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
It's hard to play many old games, and that's even more true when it comes to horror. @elijahgonzalez.bsky.social looks at five horror games that deserve a re-release on current hardware. www.endlessmode.com/video-games/...
Five Horror Games That Need To Be Re-Released
It's hard to play many old games, and that's even more true when it comes to horror. Here are five horror games that deserve a re-release.
www.endlessmode.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:04 PM
It's hard to play many old games, and that's even more true when it comes to horror. @elijahgonzalez.bsky.social looks at five horror games that deserve a re-release on current hardware. www.endlessmode.com/video-games/...
Capcom, please let me play Haunting Ground and/or Sweet Home.
It's hard to play many old games, and that's even more true when it comes to horror. @elijahgonzalez.bsky.social looks at five horror games that deserve a re-release on current hardware. www.endlessmode.com/video-games/...
Five Horror Games That Need To Be Re-Released
It's hard to play many old games, and that's even more true when it comes to horror. Here are five horror games that deserve a re-release.
www.endlessmode.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Capcom, please let me play Haunting Ground and/or Sweet Home.
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
I wrote about the very good Chainsaw Man movie and how it further solidifies the series as a preeminent tragedy of the moment.
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc artfully portrays and improves on the most central element of this series: tragedy. www.endlessmode.com/article/the-...
The Tragedy of Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc artfully portrays and improves on the most central element of this series: tragedy.
www.endlessmode.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:22 PM
I wrote about the very good Chainsaw Man movie and how it further solidifies the series as a preeminent tragedy of the moment.
I wrote about the very good Chainsaw Man movie and how it further solidifies the series as a preeminent tragedy of the moment.
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc artfully portrays and improves on the most central element of this series: tragedy. www.endlessmode.com/article/the-...
The Tragedy of Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc artfully portrays and improves on the most central element of this series: tragedy.
www.endlessmode.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:22 PM
I wrote about the very good Chainsaw Man movie and how it further solidifies the series as a preeminent tragedy of the moment.
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
Anime openings can serve dramatically different purposes, from setting a show's tone to pulling the rug out from under us. We've come up with six categories to classify them. www.endlessmode.com/article/the-...
The Six Types of Anime Openings
Anime openings can serve dramatically different purposes, from setting a show's tone to pulling the rug out from under us. We've come up with six categories to classify them.
www.endlessmode.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Anime openings can serve dramatically different purposes, from setting a show's tone to pulling the rug out from under us. We've come up with six categories to classify them. www.endlessmode.com/article/the-...
I reviewed 100 Meters, a movie about trying to outrun the absurdity of human existence; it's very good!
100 Meters is a new anime film that uses visceral animation and heady monologues to mine a 10-second dash for all its worth. www.endlessmode.com/article/100-...
100 Meters Asks if You Can Find the Meaning of Life in a 10 Second Sprint
100 Meters is a new anime film that uses visceral animation and heady monologues to mine a 10-second dash for all its worth.
www.endlessmode.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
I reviewed 100 Meters, a movie about trying to outrun the absurdity of human existence; it's very good!
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
Silent Hill f pays off something that was established in Silent Hill 2, but then forgotten: the promise of this series as an anthology. @elijahgonzalez.bsky.social on how the latest game frees itself of lore and plot-specific baggage to tell its own very good, but still very Silent Hill story.
Silent Hill f Returns the Series To What It Always Should Have Been: An Anthology
Silent Hill f delivers on something that was set up by Silent Hill 2 and then forgotten: the promise of Silent Hill as an anthology series.
www.endlessmode.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Silent Hill f pays off something that was established in Silent Hill 2, but then forgotten: the promise of this series as an anthology. @elijahgonzalez.bsky.social on how the latest game frees itself of lore and plot-specific baggage to tell its own very good, but still very Silent Hill story.
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
Silent Hill f is a perfect example of what happens when a game isn't weighed down by established lore and canon; it can actually tell a new story. It's the anthology Silent Hill was meant to be before the series became increasingly obsessed with its past (and that damn cult) after Silent Hill 2.
Silent Hill f pays off something that was established in Silent Hill 2, but then forgotten: the promise of this series as an anthology. @elijahgonzalez.bsky.social on how the latest game frees itself of lore and plot-specific baggage to tell its own very good, but still very Silent Hill story.
Silent Hill f Returns the Series To What It Always Should Have Been: An Anthology
Silent Hill f delivers on something that was set up by Silent Hill 2 and then forgotten: the promise of Silent Hill as an anthology series.
www.endlessmode.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Silent Hill f is a perfect example of what happens when a game isn't weighed down by established lore and canon; it can actually tell a new story. It's the anthology Silent Hill was meant to be before the series became increasingly obsessed with its past (and that damn cult) after Silent Hill 2.
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
in my section alone, we're running monthly pieces about women-fronted action movies, Blaxploitation soundtracks, new Criterion releases, and frequent actor-director collaborations. Plus, reviewing all the new stuff. No AI, no herbs, no glorified PR
current AV Club is great. if you think it’s still stuck in its Spanfeller-mandated wasteland era you should give it another shot.
October 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
in my section alone, we're running monthly pieces about women-fronted action movies, Blaxploitation soundtracks, new Criterion releases, and frequent actor-director collaborations. Plus, reviewing all the new stuff. No AI, no herbs, no glorified PR
Silent Hill f is a perfect example of what happens when a game isn't weighed down by established lore and canon; it can actually tell a new story. It's the anthology Silent Hill was meant to be before the series became increasingly obsessed with its past (and that damn cult) after Silent Hill 2.
Silent Hill f pays off something that was established in Silent Hill 2, but then forgotten: the promise of this series as an anthology. @elijahgonzalez.bsky.social on how the latest game frees itself of lore and plot-specific baggage to tell its own very good, but still very Silent Hill story.
Silent Hill f Returns the Series To What It Always Should Have Been: An Anthology
Silent Hill f delivers on something that was set up by Silent Hill 2 and then forgotten: the promise of Silent Hill as an anthology series.
www.endlessmode.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Silent Hill f is a perfect example of what happens when a game isn't weighed down by established lore and canon; it can actually tell a new story. It's the anthology Silent Hill was meant to be before the series became increasingly obsessed with its past (and that damn cult) after Silent Hill 2.
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
"are games art?" is out
"here's how Mario Galaxy is like the Sistine Chapel" is in
my latest @endlessmode.bsky.social:
"here's how Mario Galaxy is like the Sistine Chapel" is in
my latest @endlessmode.bsky.social:
Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 Is A New Template For HD Remasters
Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 on the Switch 2 restores Mario’s past without reinventing it—and that’s a good thing.
www.endlessmode.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:43 PM
"are games art?" is out
"here's how Mario Galaxy is like the Sistine Chapel" is in
my latest @endlessmode.bsky.social:
"here's how Mario Galaxy is like the Sistine Chapel" is in
my latest @endlessmode.bsky.social:
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
Belt Looks Weird On Child
October 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Belt Looks Weird On Child
Even as a complete Lumines newbie, 90 minutes with Lumines Arise completely converted me: maybe it won't be quite as impactful as Tetris Effect, but man, it's just as entrancing.
Lumines Arise is a hypnotic follow-up to Tetris Effect that channels the same audivisual magic at a different block-dropping series. Read our preview here:
Lumines Arise's Hypnotic Block Dropping Is So Good That It Transcends Genre
Lumines Arise is a hypnotic follow-up to Tetris Effect that channels the same audivisual magic at a different block-dropping series.
www.endlessmode.com
October 15, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Even as a complete Lumines newbie, 90 minutes with Lumines Arise completely converted me: maybe it won't be quite as impactful as Tetris Effect, but man, it's just as entrancing.
I wrote up our list of the best anime premieres of the fall: Spy x Family is back, May I Ask For One Final Thing? is the best kind of wish-fulfilmment (evil rich men getting punched in the nose), and dear god, the horse girl show is an alarmingly well-constructed sports drama.
From the return of the horse girls to a noblewoman who beats the crap out of evil rich guys, we've sampled the Fall 2025 anime slate and come up with a list of the five best shows you should watch this season:
The Best Anime Premieres of Fall 2025, Ranked
The Fall season of anime is here, and we've rounded up five shows to watch: horse girls, Santa Claus transformations, and more abound.
www.endlessmode.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
I wrote up our list of the best anime premieres of the fall: Spy x Family is back, May I Ask For One Final Thing? is the best kind of wish-fulfilmment (evil rich men getting punched in the nose), and dear god, the horse girl show is an alarmingly well-constructed sports drama.
It is very funny to me that this is getting another adaptation which looks like its doing its own thing, but I honestly don't know how you look at that key visual and think anything besides "that looks sick as hell."
All You Need Is Kill is getting another film adaptation, this time without Tom Cruise and with 100% more anime. However, based on its new trailer, it looks like this latest take will also significantly diverge from the source material.
All You Need Is Kill Anime Film Gets Stylish, Colorful Trailer That Will Probably Piss Off Existing Fans
All You Need Is Kill is getting another film adaptation, this time without Tom Cruise and with 100% more anime.
www.endlessmode.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:23 PM
It is very funny to me that this is getting another adaptation which looks like its doing its own thing, but I honestly don't know how you look at that key visual and think anything besides "that looks sick as hell."