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...
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 It's an outdated model.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 It's an outdated model.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 It's an outdated model.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.
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:
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!
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?...
[Part II] Let's talk the new additions and what changed positions after the fact (this should go quickly).🧵
Here is my working list atm. My Top 10 2019 Anime (in 2025):
1. Promare*
2. Vinland Saga S1
3. Astra Lost in Space
4. Mob Psycho 100 II
5. Radiant S1
6. No Guns Life S1*
7. Dororo
8. Carole & Tuesday
9. Weathering with You*
10. Hi Score Girl S2*
*New additions
1. Promare*
2. Vinland Saga S1
3. Astra Lost in Space
4. Mob Psycho 100 II
5. Radiant S1
6. No Guns Life S1*
7. Dororo
8. Carole & Tuesday
9. Weathering with You*
10. Hi Score Girl S2*
*New additions
December 18, 2025 at 1:47 PM
[Part II] Let's talk the new additions and what changed positions after the fact (this should go quickly).🧵
Reposted by Dark Aether
what do you think doctor doom did his dissertation on
December 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
what do you think doctor doom did his dissertation on
So now that I've now retroactively reappraised two of my GOTY lists, it got me thinking "what other end of year lists would I do over if given the chance?"
Might revisit this in a lengthier essay, but for now, there is one list I think is in need of a touch up. 🧵
Might revisit this in a lengthier essay, but for now, there is one list I think is in need of a touch up. 🧵
Ah, 2019. The one year I didn't have a definitive GOTY much like the crisis I find myself in right now.
Going by my notes, I was probably leaning towards Judgment at the time. Now, I'd say Sekiro.
Going by my notes, I was probably leaning towards Judgment at the time. Now, I'd say Sekiro.
Quote this with what you would have said your game of the year was at the end of 2019, and what you would say your favourite game of 2019 is now, if it differs
(Grid is just a refresher, you are not restricted to picking it. For a more comprehensive refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...)
(Grid is just a refresher, you are not restricted to picking it. For a more comprehensive refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...)
December 17, 2025 at 2:26 PM
So now that I've now retroactively reappraised two of my GOTY lists, it got me thinking "what other end of year lists would I do over if given the chance?"
Might revisit this in a lengthier essay, but for now, there is one list I think is in need of a touch up. 🧵
Might revisit this in a lengthier essay, but for now, there is one list I think is in need of a touch up. 🧵
Reposted by Dark Aether
I'm hardly an artist but I am someone who tries to leave some blood on the field when I write. Leave some of myself on the page. I think this is how a lot of writers or artists feel.
Eliminating *the process* simply makes something worth *less* in the end. Something not worth connecting to.
Eliminating *the process* simply makes something worth *less* in the end. Something not worth connecting to.
December 16, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I'm hardly an artist but I am someone who tries to leave some blood on the field when I write. Leave some of myself on the page. I think this is how a lot of writers or artists feel.
Eliminating *the process* simply makes something worth *less* in the end. Something not worth connecting to.
Eliminating *the process* simply makes something worth *less* in the end. Something not worth connecting to.
Ah, 2019. The one year I didn't have a definitive GOTY much like the crisis I find myself in right now.
Going by my notes, I was probably leaning towards Judgment at the time. Now, I'd say Sekiro.
Going by my notes, I was probably leaning towards Judgment at the time. Now, I'd say Sekiro.
Quote this with what you would have said your game of the year was at the end of 2019, and what you would say your favourite game of 2019 is now, if it differs
(Grid is just a refresher, you are not restricted to picking it. For a more comprehensive refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...)
(Grid is just a refresher, you are not restricted to picking it. For a more comprehensive refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...)
December 16, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Ah, 2019. The one year I didn't have a definitive GOTY much like the crisis I find myself in right now.
Going by my notes, I was probably leaning towards Judgment at the time. Now, I'd say Sekiro.
Going by my notes, I was probably leaning towards Judgment at the time. Now, I'd say Sekiro.
My final Hades II builds and first time completion for those wondering.
December 15, 2025 at 2:03 PM
My final Hades II builds and first time completion for those wondering.
Going offline for the weekend early. Might pop in briefly tomorrow, but mostly working on my end of year stuff.
December 11, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Going offline for the weekend early. Might pop in briefly tomorrow, but mostly working on my end of year stuff.
Reposted by Dark Aether
A Digital Audio Player renewed my love of music: aftermath.site/digita-audio-p...
December 11, 2025 at 8:27 PM
A Digital Audio Player renewed my love of music: aftermath.site/digita-audio-p...
Reposted by Dark Aether
I will not be watching The Game Awards tonight. I encourage you not to as well.
If you'd like to support developers, watch their trailers online and wishlist their games (or pre order!)
We do not have to participate in Geoff's love letter to capitalism. You do not "have to hand it to him."
If you'd like to support developers, watch their trailers online and wishlist their games (or pre order!)
We do not have to participate in Geoff's love letter to capitalism. You do not "have to hand it to him."
December 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I will not be watching The Game Awards tonight. I encourage you not to as well.
If you'd like to support developers, watch their trailers online and wishlist their games (or pre order!)
We do not have to participate in Geoff's love letter to capitalism. You do not "have to hand it to him."
If you'd like to support developers, watch their trailers online and wishlist their games (or pre order!)
We do not have to participate in Geoff's love letter to capitalism. You do not "have to hand it to him."
Reposted by Dark Aether
I could point to almost any title in Ankama's back catalog, but for the sake of brevity, the Dofus anime duology.
Kerub's Bazaar is a sillier take on the game material that went deeper than I expected. Book 1: Julith is "the best animated film I've watched this year" (a topic for another day).
Kerub's Bazaar is a sillier take on the game material that went deeper than I expected. Book 1: Julith is "the best animated film I've watched this year" (a topic for another day).
December 10, 2025 at 4:23 PM
I could point to almost any title in Ankama's back catalog, but for the sake of brevity, the Dofus anime duology.
Kerub's Bazaar is a sillier take on the game material that went deeper than I expected. Book 1: Julith is "the best animated film I've watched this year" (a topic for another day).
Kerub's Bazaar is a sillier take on the game material that went deeper than I expected. Book 1: Julith is "the best animated film I've watched this year" (a topic for another day).
*checks 2016 list*
Oh right, you can't play Overwatch anymore...
Looks like Titanfall 2 is the new title holder.
Oh right, you can't play Overwatch anymore...
Looks like Titanfall 2 is the new title holder.
Quote this with what you would have said your game of the year was at the end of 2016, and what you would say your favourite game of 2016 is now, if it differs
(If you need a more comprehensive refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...)
(If you need a more comprehensive refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...)
December 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM
*checks 2016 list*
Oh right, you can't play Overwatch anymore...
Looks like Titanfall 2 is the new title holder.
Oh right, you can't play Overwatch anymore...
Looks like Titanfall 2 is the new title holder.
Reposted by Dark Aether
New Mariachi Legends trailer is live! 🎺�
Brutal combat, pixel art, and an appointment with Death herself.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOaI...
Brutal combat, pixel art, and an appointment with Death herself.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOaI...
December 10, 2025 at 4:10 AM
New Mariachi Legends trailer is live! 🎺�
Brutal combat, pixel art, and an appointment with Death herself.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOaI...
Brutal combat, pixel art, and an appointment with Death herself.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOaI...
BTW, I am working on finalizing my annual top 10 games/anime. Unless something changes this month, this might be the first year since 2018 where I don't have a definitive GOTY.
Looks like we're doing this elimination style.
Looks like we're doing this elimination style.
December 9, 2025 at 9:04 PM
BTW, I am working on finalizing my annual top 10 games/anime. Unless something changes this month, this might be the first year since 2018 where I don't have a definitive GOTY.
Looks like we're doing this elimination style.
Looks like we're doing this elimination style.
Reposted by Dark Aether
cubari.moe/read/imgur/E...
Fabula Fantasia chapter 1!! Super awesome spin off to Radiant that can be read knowing nothing about the main series!!
Fabula Fantasia chapter 1!! Super awesome spin off to Radiant that can be read knowing nothing about the main series!!
Fabula Fantasia Chapter 1 | Chapter 1 | Cubari
Read the Fabula Fantasia Chapter 1 manga series.
cubari.moe
December 9, 2025 at 5:43 PM
cubari.moe/read/imgur/E...
Fabula Fantasia chapter 1!! Super awesome spin off to Radiant that can be read knowing nothing about the main series!!
Fabula Fantasia chapter 1!! Super awesome spin off to Radiant that can be read knowing nothing about the main series!!
Reposted by Dark Aether
You will be visited by three spirits.
December 7, 2025 at 11:41 PM
You will be visited by three spirits.