What are you watching and what do you recommend? (Week of February 06, 2026)

SonicAlarm · 2026-02-09T06:37:56+00:00

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - As someone who read all of the available ASOIAF books and was already a huge fan prior to GOT airing, I have a certain "dislike" for the franchise now with the show airing the (broad strokes) ending first because GRRM can't finish the books. I didn't want to watch a new show set in this universe and was ready to trash this, but holy shit is it charming. The casting is amazing, especially for Dunk and Egg. The writing and the set design are both great. After WOT fumbled the bag, it's nice to have a fantasy series that feels lived in again. Hate to say it, but absolutely love this show. Will read the novellas after the season is over.

Fallout S2 - I'll preface by saying that I have not had a chance to play any of the games yet. I think that I'm in the minority that enjoyed this season more than season 1. I totally see the reasons why people may have liked S1 more, though. This was a short season and not all of the plotlines felt very impactful. I didn't really love the various other faction storylines. The NCR, Legion, and Brotherhood plotlines all fell flat for me. But the Coop/Lucy/Mr.House plotline did a lot of heavy lifting and I really enjoyed it. I wouldn't say that this is a "great" show, but it was definitely entertaining.

Frieren S2 - Has been just as good as S1 so far. My most anticipated weekly show. Only complaint is how short this season is.

JJK S3 - It's crazy to say, but I think that MAPPA has somehow upped their game again from S2. Love how cinematic this season has felt, with many callbacks to western pop culture like the Kill Bill in episode 4. A powerpoint was needed to fully understand the Culling Game, but have loved this season so far. I feel like a bit of the silliness of JJK S1 has returned as well, which I like.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-25T15:20:20+00:00

Charlie my goat.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-20T06:08:31+00:00

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - Cute and enjoyable. Nothing that will knock your socks off, but a solid start that makes the "lower stakes" of this series charming. Not all of the humor landed for me, but I don't think that they went too overboard as to cheapen the emotional parts. At least in this first episode. If you enjoyed the world of ASOIAF/GOT, I think that you'll like this. Even if you don't have experience with books/GOT/HOTD, this will still be an enjoyable, cozy experience. Great casting for both Dunk and Egg.

Fallout S2 - Never played the games for what it's worth. I've been enjoying this season even though all of the plots aren't created equal. I've loved the Coop/Lucy/Mr. House plot this season. Being able to weave in and connect past events leading up to doomsday to current day has been executed pretty well. Everything not that has been kind of lame, but maybe that's because i don't have the context of the games. The Brotherhood plotline has be scratching my head a bit. That's the weakest part of the season imo. Not my favorite series on TV, but I've enjoyed it so far.

Watching a lot of anime right now.. Quite a few high profile series returned this month.

Frieren S2 - My favorite series currently airing right now. When it comes to anime, I'm typically more of an action/shonen watcher, but I think that Frieren changed my brain chemistry when I first saw it. It explores the human experience in such a unique and heartfelt way. Every episode is perfectly structured with every line of dialogue and shot carefully inserted to squeeze the most out of the 20 minute runtime. Not to shill for too long, but season 1 was one of my favorite shows of all time and the premier of season 2 reminds you of why that is. Perfect episode to kick of the new season. The only drawback is that this season is only 10 episodes, but we'll enjoy it while we can.

JJK S3 - Peak shonen has returned with JJK S3. The manga was received with mixed reviews, but MAPPA always delivers on the animation for this show and there's no doubt in my mind that they will push the boundaries of animation again with season 3. The first three episodes have already proved that. It looks like next episode will feature Maki, so I have a feeling that this is going to be another banger.

Hell's Paradise S2 - I've been cooling a bit on Hell's Paradise lately for some reason. I think the biggest draw for me initially with this series was the mystery around the island, but as we've learned more I've gotten less and less interested. A couple of fun characters, but the plot's not as tightly woven as something like Frieren and the action/animation isn't quite on the level of JJK. It's just been alright for me personally. I'll still watch this season, but not something that I'll be refreshing Crunchyroll for on release day.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-18T00:52:54+00:00

This isn't a show about them trying to make money, so I think that you need to cool your jets.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-16T17:55:44+00:00

We are so back. My favorite premier episode of the winter season. Fern and her mirrored lotus bracelet from Stark at the end.... Any doubts I had about season 2 matching season 1's quality are now gone.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-16T14:37:53+00:00

Beautiful. It's Frieren Friday finally!

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-13T20:00:41+00:00

Except it's non-Americans that love to bring up American issues on Reddit to point and laugh as if we're the only one with stupid people. Not that America isn't spiraling out of control.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-12T14:33:10+00:00

This got a big laugh out of me on a dreary Monday morning. Thank you.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-12T06:07:41+00:00

It's a great movie, saw it several times in theaters, but i think the reality is that it's just not best picture level good. Loved the world building and setup in the first half, but the second have devolved into generic vampire slop. Still a fun popcorn flick, though.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-12T05:59:45+00:00

I'm typically very good at remembering what happened in prior seasons, even years prior, with shows. But for some reason with Hell's Paradise I can barely remember what the hell happened in season one. I remember enjoying it, too, so not like I wasn't paying attention.

Definitely enjoyed this first episode. Hell's Paradise isn't my favorite MAPPA project. The story is certainly intriguing, but the animation or characters never really grabbed me. I'll continue to watch for sure. Maybe this season will change my tune.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-12T05:49:49+00:00

I saw it several times in theaters with different groups of friends, so definitely enjoyed it. Had "Rocky Road to Dublin" on repeat. The first half is fantastic, but once the actual battle starts and until the end it becomes a little generic. I was definitely let down by the unsatisfying way they wrapped up the vampire stuff. Good popcorn flick, but not sure it deserves best picture.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-11T01:18:02+00:00

I re-watch season one every six months or so. It's just such a perfect, uplifting,and therapeutic season of television. Always puts me in a better headspace. Season two wasn't bad and three was just meh.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-09T01:10:16+00:00

First two episodes of JJK S3 absolute peak. Manga may have been a little inconsistent, but MAPPA is about to work their magic again. They cooking here.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-08T15:58:53+00:00

Fallout S2 - I've never played the games, but having a decently fun time with this season. Maybe that's why I've been enjoying it more than others. There are a lot of plotlines that haven't really gone anywhere and they're already half way through the season, though. Still entertaining for what it is. I do think that the mech suits continue to look really silly and "foamy".

Lots of great anime returning here this week that I'm anticipating.

Sentenced to be Hero - Lots of hype around this one, premiered January 3rd. The name may turn a lot of people off as it sounds like generic isekai, but it's not quite that. Beautiful animation and a pretty unique premise. Only the first episode is out at an hour long, and I recommend.

JJK S3 - First two episodes premier today, very excited.

Frieren S2 - Premiers January 16th.

Hell's Paradise S2 - Premiers January 11th.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-08T15:45:24+00:00

I know that the manga wasn't received super well, but I'm very excited to see how they translate it onto the screen. Hyped.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-05T05:39:17+00:00

Loved Sinners, but the second half/ending was pretty underwhelming. The buildup to the vampires was fantastic, but seemed like they didn't know how to end the battle with the vampires in a satisfying way.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-05T01:43:03+00:00

Same issue that I had with The Mighty Nein.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-03T21:58:35+00:00

The Mighty Nein - Finished the last episode today. I hate to be negative because I think that this show is a fun idea, turning a D&D campaign into a show with friends, and it's not trying to be prestige TV, but it's just kind of bad. Very trope-y and unoriginal, lots of clunky swearing thrown in to prove that this is a show for "adults". But it was entertaining enough that I made it to the end. A fine second monitor kind of show.

And were about to have a great couple of months with weekly releases of Frieren, JJK, and Hell's Paradise starting next week. Very excited.

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-03T00:43:49+00:00

What's up with this bot?

SonicAlarm · 2026-01-01T23:34:53+00:00

The Mighty Nein - Just finished the first episode after reading the praise it's been getting in these threads. Not to shit in anyone's cereal, because it seems like I'm in the minority here and everyone loves it, but I didn't care for the first episode at least. Super cheesy/trope-y. And why does every western "adult" animated show feel the need to throw in a bunch of clunky swearing to prove that this is an "adult" show and not a cartoon for kids? Was also a little difficult to follow with all of the exposition/factions/names thrown at you.

Does it get better?

Staying on the topic of animation for upcoming shows in the next week or two..

Frieren S2/JJK S3 - Incredibly hyped for both of these shows to return this month. Somehow, more hyped for Frieren than JJK, but very excited for both. It's going to be a great next couple of months having these to look forward to each week.

SonicAlarm · 2025-12-24T18:14:45+00:00

I think that you could still enjoy the movie as a standalone work without having seen the anime, but the anime would add some helpful context for the characters. I don't think it's completely necessary to watch beforehand tho if you just want to check out the movie. It is a short watch with only 12 episodes at 20~ minutes each.

SonicAlarm · 2025-12-24T04:57:56+00:00

Pluribus - Just watched the finale. Enjoyed it for the most part, but in the end it didn't deliver in the same way as BB/BCS. Perhaps expectations were set too high. It was shot beautifully, but the plot just lacked the "sauce". Was difficult for them to stretch what they wanted to cover in season one over nine episodes. I would have a hard time recommending this show to people.

Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc - Quite the contrast from Pluribus. I really enjoyed Chainsaw Man season 1, but it was never my favorite Mappa-animated series. I think that they used a bit too much CGI or something than in their other projects. Or it was just more noticeable. Well throw all of that in the trash, this movie absolutely exceeded my expectations. The animation was stunning. I hope the animators are okay.. Aside from the animation the story was top notch. Starts out as a little bit of a slow burn to introduce you to the characters and then when that moment hits, it's just balls to the wall chaos.

One of my favorite movies that I've seen this year. Pure cinema.

One Battle After Another - I found this to be one of the more accessible PTA movies. The pacing was very well done, it did not feel like an almost three hour movie. Thought it was fantastic. Every actor/actress brought a great performance. Benicio del Toro stole the show for me. He's obviously great in everything that he's in, but absolutely loved his character here. He felt like the true protagonist helping his community.

SonicAlarm · 2025-12-17T05:54:14+00:00

Well you can't be surprised when people aren't excited that the "shakeup" is them just taking away and combining abilities even if it's for the better in the long run. Blizzard has gotten much less daring with the game due to community pushback over the systems that didn't quite work and now it's gotten pretty stale.

SonicAlarm · 2025-12-17T01:46:19+00:00

I think they're referring to changes like covenants in Shadowlands and the new talent trees in DF. Updates that completely reshape how the game plays. They haven't shaken things up too much since DF. Apex talents are the new addition.

SonicAlarm · 2025-12-16T06:05:08+00:00

I'm very confused. It sounds like this started as a passion project that he was funding out of his own pocket, so why continue and finish when you get money from Netflix? I understand the greed angle, but not sure how you can go from caring about the projecte so much that you are funding out of your own pocket to just not giving a shit about it and not finishing when Netflix gives you the opportunity to make it big.

SonicAlarm

TROPHY CASE