@thegrimaether
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
Yes, yes. Step right up folks. Not everyday I write about chickens, let alone get to drop the word "classy" twice in a row. It only comes around once a year, after all.
My9games: Metroid Prime, Metal Gear Solid 3, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Super Mario Odyssey, Super Smash Bros (1999), Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Persona 3: FES, Elden Ring, Nine Sols.
Doing the my9games.com thingy.
No particular order, off the top of my head.
Great Greek Myths/"Les Grands Mythes" (2014-21, TV)
15) Great Greek Myths/"Les Grands Mythes" (2014-21, TV)
One for the history and mythology buffs out there. Pretty good retelling of the Greek pantheon, the Trojan War and the Odyssey.
Very ππππ π π¦.
Baki-Dou The Invincible Samurai (Part 1, promo)
14) Baki-Dou The Invincible Samurai (Part 1)
TBF, this isn't the most far fetched idea for a Baki plot. If they can defrost a caveman, resurrecting a legendary swordsman is just Tuesday here.
Still, where do you go after "the greatest father-son fight on earth?" (to be continued...)
Fruits Basket (2019, promo art)
13) Fruits Basket (2019-21, rewatch)
Kinda got roped into this a few months back while working on my last article ("did you know Hulu has anime?!"). Though I still hold the series peaked at season 1, watching it together certainly gave me new perspective, especially in 2026.
(SO. MANY. EMOTIONS.)
My Top 10 Anime of 2025 list is up. Other than Takopiβs Original Sin, this might be the first year ALL of my picks don't match the whatever the "consensus" is!
(Actually, was there even one?! Please, don't tell me it was-)
medium.com/theuglymonst...
"Do you have any idea how happy I am to reconnect with you guys?" (Taken from Wakfu Season 4)
1. Wakfu (Season 4)
2. Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26
3. Witch Watch
4. Takopiβs Original Sin
5. Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun (Season 2)
6. Bestial (Bestiale)
7. Rock is a Lady's Modesty
8. Call of the Night (Season 2)
9. Anne Shirley (2025)
10. Sanda
What can I say? My tastes are everywhere.
My Top 10 Anime of 2025 list is up. Other than Takopiβs Original Sin, this might be the first year ALL of my picks don't match the whatever the "consensus" is!
(Actually, was there even one?! Please, don't tell me it was-)
medium.com/theuglymonst...
"2025 was another odd year for the anime industry, and not necessarily for the right reasons."
#NoPaywall
medium.com/theuglymonst...
A magpie
I am processing my fears by playing the magpie game
aftermath.site/australian-mag...
A chicken walking on the beach the caption is: If you are seeing this the curse is lifted have a good day
Congratulations everyone
Top 5 Zelda games (*empty stomach edition):
1. Wind Waker
2. Link's Awakening
3. Majora's Mask
4. Twilight Princess
5. Tears of the Kingdom
Hungry for my next article?
The best anime of 2025, coming soon.
Brutal.
Darkest Corners of the Heart (manga, vol 1 cover)
12) Darkest Corners of the Heart (manga, end)
Neat premise for a horror story and some metatextual commentary on making stories. Shame it didn't go on a bit longer (they had the keyword game to work with), but overall, a satisfying conclusion.
I would love to see an anime adaption...
Counselor: These feelings of "everything sucks," how long have you had them? Butt-head: Uhh, since everything started to suck, I guess.
Here it is, your moment of zen.
The Elusive Samurai (chapter 238 manga cover and finale)
11) The Elusive Samurai (manga, end)
"Was I a good hero?"
"No. You were the best."
Introduction page for protagonist Haruo Minami, a metal head (West Tokyo Metal Bros).
Haruo performing a metal cover of Demon Kakka's Earthly Stars (Chijo No Hoshi), the vocalist of Seikima II.
West Tokyo Metal Bros: "Did we just become friends?!"
"Yo. I'm back from the depths of hell." (taken from Alien Headbutt).
Yo.
Post a banger not in English
[Onmyo-Za - Seiten no Mikazuki]
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcVS...
The Queen's Gambit (2020, TV)
10) The Queen's Gambit (2020, TV)
Kind of got roped into this one, but engaged all the way through. Never knew chess could be this complicated (lol). Highly recommended.
9) Megadeth (2026)
Solid, although not as good as the last two albums. Still, what a legacy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkYf...
Malevolent (Podcast)
8) Malevolent (Podcast)
Some quick ones today. A lovely sendoff for a series that's been dripped in Eldritch nightmare. Still can't believe it's over, although I'm looking forward to Tales from the Dark World carrying the torch.
Well, that was a fun way to spend an afternoon. Been a while since I've tuned into something live ("I see you chat").
We should talk about the Q & A, but I'm calling it a day.
Got my own things coming up, including my next article (90%).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UNy...
Going live.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBxM...
DOFUS β Book I: Julith (Exclusive Anniversary Screening)
DOFUS β Book I: Julith free to watch this Friday via Ankama/YouTube (10th anniversary):
www.dofus.com/en/mmorpg/ne...
Sinners (2025, film)
7) Sinners (2025, film)
"Huh. Maybe I should have gone to see this thing after all..."
Yeah, it's good. Didn't watch enough films last year to say "Best Picture", but horror-wise, one of the few recent flicks to surprise me.
The Rose of Versailles (2025, film)
6) The Rose of Versailles (2025, film)
Stay tuned. π€«
Monster (2004, anime)
5) Monster (2004)
Started this back in October while I was still in a horror mood. Just what I needed after some mixed films between then and now.
Classic. Enough said.
