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Category: Watch

  • Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Review: The Last Smartwatch I May Ever Need

    Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Review: The Last Smartwatch I May Ever Need

    When it comes to smartwatches, the first one that truly left an impression on me was the Moto 360. The reason was simple: it ran an open Android-based system that could install all kinds of apps — and that was back in 2014.

    Over the years, I’ve tried the TicWatch, Samsung smart bands, G-Shock, and the Pixel Watch 2, but every one of them had something that left me unsatisfied.

    Take the two watches I wore for the longest time, for example: the G-Shock GW-B5600, powered by solar charging and radio-controlled timekeeping, could practically go a decade without worrying about battery life. It was rugged and reliable. But it couldn’t satisfy my needs for health tracking and smartphone notifications.

    Later, I switched to the Pixel Watch 2. Its workout and sleep tracking, along with the ecosystem integration, felt incredibly polished. But that anxiety-inducing battery life once forced me to charge it in the least graceful way possible while spending a night at the airport waiting for an early morning flight.

    After using both of these watches, I realized that what I needed wasn’t an Android smartwatch packed with features but crippled by short battery life, nor a simple digital watch with incredible endurance.

    What I needed was a hybrid: a watch with ultra-long battery life, professional-grade fitness and health tracking, and the ability to view smartphone notifications. At the same time, it also had to look good, feel durable, and stay lightweight.

    Then, in January 2025, Garmin released the Instinct 3 Solar. And for the first time, I felt like I finally understood what kind of watch truly belonged on my wrist.

    Function-Driven Design

    One of the biggest reasons I was drawn to the Pixel Watch before was its appearance. The dual-sided 3D glass paired with a metal frame gave it a clean yet lively look. That kind of design works great for touch interaction and feels premium, but the trade-offs are weaker structural durability, glass that scratches easily, and touch controls that become unreliable when wet.

    Looking back at the Instinct 3, it is built around one thing: toughness and durability. There is not a single overly decorative design element for the sake of appearance alone.

    Since it does not rely on touchscreen interaction, the Instinct 3 recesses the display beneath the plastic bezel. Around the outer edge of the display glass is an orange aluminum alloy ring, designed to further improve the overall structural strength.

    Combined with its 10 ATM water resistance rating, the Instinct 3 is probably the most rugged smartwatch in its price range right now.

    Another defining characteristic of the Instinct series is its fully button-based operation. Every interaction is handled through five physical buttons. Considering outdoor scenarios where users may be wearing thick gloves, Garmin made the buttons large and tactile, with crisp feedback when pressed.

    To reduce accidental presses, the two buttons on the right side are separated by their own protective frame, while the three buttons on the left use two raised ridges as guides, making it incredibly easy to locate them by feel alone.

    Combined with an extremely ergonomic button layout (one on the right, one on the left), the controls become more intuitive and convenient than tapping a screen once you get used to them.

    The Instinct 3 uses a fiber-reinforced polymer case. It may not look as refined as a metal case, but it is rugged, durable, and does not interfere with wireless signals like GPS or Bluetooth.

    The sensor area on the back protrudes slightly on its own, paired with inward-curving lugs, allowing the sensors to stay firmly against the skin without needing to tighten the strap excessively. This avoids the common issue on other smartwatches where the watch shifts during sleep and leaks green light across your wrist in the middle of the night.

    Speaking of light, the Instinct 3 features a dual-color LED flashlight at the top. Double-pressing the Light button turns it on instantly, and it is dramatically brighter than the makeshift flashlight mode on typical smartwatch displays, making it genuinely useful.

    The Instinct 3 gives me the feeling that its functions were defined first, and its design came afterward. Refined elegance in form was never the top priority — durability, reliability, and practicality were. In the end, through nothing more than plastic and aluminum alloy, it manages to deliver a uniquely premium aesthetic.

    Using this much plastic without feeling cheap — that is the power of design.

    The Longest-Lasting Smart Sports Watch

    Battery life is one of the biggest reasons I chose the Instinct 3. With my current setup (automatic backlight enabled, heart rate monitoring on, workout tracking enabled, and connected to my phone for notifications), a single charge lasts me 21 days. Charging itself is also fairly quick — going from 10% to 100% takes roughly 90 minutes.

    That level of endurance is something most smartwatches cannot achieve even in their most stripped-down battery saver modes.

    What is even more impressive is that the Instinct 3 supports solar charging. According to Garmin, just three hours of direct outdoor sunlight per day at 50,000 lux is enough to achieve effectively unlimited battery life.

    In my own testing, leaving the Instinct 3 under the winter afternoon sun for three hours increased the battery by around 8%, while my average daily battery drain is only about 5%. In actual use, whether it was around eight or nine in the morning or four or five in the afternoon, as long as sunlight could directly hit the watch face, charging efficiency consistently reached 100%.

    In other words, as long as I spend enough time outdoors and the watch face receives more than three cumulative hours of direct sunlight, I can still come home with an extra 3% of battery left at the end of the day.

    From this perspective, the Instinct 3 is without question the longest-lasting smart sports watch available right now, thanks to Garmin’s two biggest advantages: its proprietary RTOS operating system and Power Glass solar charging technology.

    RTOS Is the True God of Outdoor Watches

    The Instinct 3 runs on Garmin’s in-house RTOS, a system refined and optimized over decades. In terms of functionality and stability, it sits firmly among the top tier in the industry, and it also has a fairly mature third-party app ecosystem.

    And precisely because of that long history, Garmin’s system interaction can feel somewhat complicated, lacking the trendy polish of brands like Suunto or COROS. But when it comes to power efficiency, their RTOS systems are miles ahead.

    RTOS stands for Real-Time Operating System, and at the fundamental level it works very differently from the general-purpose operating systems (GPOS) we use every day, such as Android or Windows.

    RTOS is built around extreme determinism. It has no bloated background services or flashy UI layers. It manages every task with precision, waking the processor only when necessary and putting it back to sleep immediately afterward. This highly targeted way of operating dramatically reduces power consumption.

    GPOS, on the other hand, is designed around versatility and visual polish. It carries the burden of countless background services and complex graphical rendering. Because the system overhead is so heavy, waking from sleep becomes expensive, making it difficult to instantly sleep and wake like an RTOS system. Most of the time, it has to stay running at relatively high power consumption, so battery drains away like flowing water.

    If we compare them to people, RTOS is like a cold, hyper-efficient worker: no morning grumpiness, no staying up late, falls asleep instantly, wakes up and immediately gets to work, finishes the task and goes right back to sleep. No sweet talk, just pure efficiency. GPOS, meanwhile, is like the rest of us exhausted corporate workers: struggling to get out of bed, lying awake at night, sleeping poorly, constantly making flashy presentations and saying all the right things. It looks glamorous on the surface, but underneath it is running on low energy all the time.

    Of course, there are many watches that use RTOS systems, and some products from brands like Xiaomi and Amazfit can deliver smooth and visually polished UI experiences as well. But none of them can match the battery life that Garmin delivers.

    If you want to balance battery life, functionality, and professional-grade sports features all at once, there are basically only three companies left: Garmin, Suunto, and COROS. Among them, COROS does not offer a solar-powered model, and Suunto has also abandoned solar charging on its latest Vertical 2. That leaves only Garmin still fully committed to pushing solar technology forward.

    Inside Garmin’s Power Glass Solar Technology

    The world’s first solar-powered watch was the Synchronar 2100 released in 1972. Its surface featured two massive monocrystalline silicon solar panels, forcing the LED display to be positioned on the side instead — a compromise that accidentally gave it an incredibly futuristic appearance.

    Even today, most solar-powered watches still follow a similar design philosophy: placing solar cells directly on the watch dial.

    There are generally two main approaches. One uses a translucent dial with the solar cells placed underneath it, like the example on the left above. The other places a ring of solar cells around the inner bezel, allowing the watch to use far more elaborate opaque dials, like the example on the right.

    Among Japan’s three major watchmakers, Seiko mainly adopts the first approach, while Casio and Citizen both use a mix of the two. My previous G-Shock GW-B5600 was closer to the second design.

    Garmin took a completely different route. Their solution is called “Power Glass,” officially known as solar charging transparent lens technology. Instead of relying on those thick, bulky black solar panels, the entire surface becomes transparent glass. I even asked “Teacher G” to help create a rough illustration for everyone — if you are interested, it is worth taking a closer look.

    Simply put, Garmin cuts the solar cells into a microscopic mesh structure and embeds them directly into the glass panel. To the naked eye, the pattern is almost invisible, making the surface appear completely transparent. In the non-display areas of the watch face, however, this “mesh” becomes effectively “solid,” ensuring overall solar charging efficiency remains high.

    It is also worth mentioning that the Instinct 3 uses Corning Gorilla Glass as well, likely a customized version from the DX series. Compared to ordinary glass, surface reflectivity is reduced by roughly 75%, allowing more light to reach the solar layer, while scratch resistance is on par with sixth-generation Gorilla Glass.

    While researching patents, I discovered something quite interesting: the original applicants behind this entire series of transparent solar panel patents were actually a French company called SunPartner Technologies. These patents were only transferred to Garmin in 2019.

    Back in 2011, SunPartner Technologies introduced a transparent solar film called Wysips. The company claimed you could simply apply it like a screen protector to charge your phone, which caused quite a sensation at the time. Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2019.

    One of its biggest customers back then happened to be Garmin, so Garmin took the opportunity to acquire most of its patents and assets. In August of the same year, Garmin launched its first solar-powered smartwatch, the fēnix 6X Pro Solar, which also suggests that the two companies had already been working closely together long before the acquisition.

    Even today, this remains a uniquely specialized business. As Garmin continues refining the technology, Power Glass keeps improving in solar efficiency, the glass panels become increasingly transparent, and production costs continue to fall. Without question, this is currently the most advanced solar solution available for mobile devices.

    It is precisely this technological moat that has allowed Garmin to become the only company capable of delivering near-infinite battery life on a smart sports watch.

    Of course, every technology comes with trade-offs, and Power Glass is no exception. First, its energy generation efficiency still cannot match traditional solar cells, nor can it harvest weak ambient light like moonlight or indoor lighting the way some Citizen watches can. Second, the glass itself is not perfectly transparent, which slightly affects the contrast and viewing angles of the MIP display.

    Packed With Features, Powered by Customization

    In terms of sheer functionality, the Instinct 3 is easily the most feature-rich watch I have ever used. The official website lists its capabilities in incredible detail, and I genuinely believe 99% of users can find everything they want here.

    But because there is so much functionality, the learning curve is undeniably higher as well.

    As mentioned earlier, every operation on the Instinct 3 is handled through those five buttons. On such a small screen, quickly navigating through hundreds of features to find exactly what you want is not always easy.

    Thankfully, the Instinct 3 offers an extremely deep level of customization. Every page, every list, every button can be adjusted to match your own habits and workflow.

    If you are lazy like me, though, the default factory settings are honestly good enough. Just customize the “Activities & Apps” page with the functions you use most often, and you are basically set.

    Take cycling as an example — the Instinct 3 already has everything it should. Its biggest advantage lies in satellite acquisition speed. Usually, just a few seconds after starting a cycling activity, positioning is already locked in, and the accuracy is excellent. Even in dense urban environments surrounded by skyscrapers, the GPS remains extremely precise without drifting at all. No surprise there, considering Garmin originally built its reputation on aviation navigation technology.

    ABC is one of my favorite features. Long-pressing the “Down” button instantly opens it, showing your current altitude and compass heading. Scrolling through the pages also lets you check recent changes in barometric pressure and elevation over time.

    In reality, most mid-range and high-end smartwatches already include these ABC sensors. The difference is that Garmin makes them much easier to access directly, without forcing you to dig through an app list.

    The Instinct 3 uses Garmin’s Elevate V4 heart rate sensor, which supports HRV tracking and strikes a solid balance between accuracy and power efficiency. For most people, it is already more than sufficient.

    While Garmin’s newer V5 sensor is more advanced — supporting ECG and skin temperature tracking with even better accuracy — it also consumes more power. Of course, the bigger reason is product positioning: the V5 sensor is reserved for flagship models, and the Instinct 3 has not quite earned that status yet.

    I’m Burned Out — and It Knows

    Finally, let’s talk about the sleep and health tracking features that today’s exhausted corporate workers probably care about the most.

    The Instinct 3 covers all the basics: abnormal heart rate alerts, sedentary reminders, stress level notifications, sleep HRV, sleep stage tracking, sleep scores, and more. The data is also presented in great detail, so there is really nothing to worry about in this area.

    What stands out more is that Garmin introduced a concept called “Body Battery,” which feels a bit like the health bar in a video game.

    “Body Battery” drains throughout the day based on your physical activity and stress levels. This includes passive activities like sitting around doing nothing, as well as walking, running, and other workouts. Higher stress levels consume even more energy. Resting and sleeping, meanwhile, recharge it. Broadly speaking, it follows a cycle of draining during the day and recovering at night.

    And this is where the algorithm becomes almost magical: it can quantify both physical and mental exhaustion — and it is surprisingly accurate. For example, after working nonstop until 11 PM and feeling completely destroyed, I check the watch and see my Body Battery sitting at 10. Or after spending an entire day walking around shopping, feeling absolutely drained, I look down and find it at 5.

    Based on this data, the Instinct 3 provides systematic recommendations for things like sleep duration and workout intensity. After several consecutive days of high-intensity work, it may suggest getting more sleep and doing lighter recovery exercises. On the other hand, if you spend days barely moving and oversleeping, it will remind you to increase your activity level and cut back on sleep a little.

    I think this is what makes Garmin truly unique. It does not scold me for failing to hit a step goal after a long exhausting day, nor does it create anxiety around numbers. Instead, it makes the data work for the person.

    Independent Enough, but Not Smart Enough

    Unlike many smartwatches, the Instinct 3 is not merely an accessory for your phone. It can independently handle the vast majority of its functions, only requiring a phone for internet-dependent tasks such as notifications and system updates.

    On the positive side, the Instinct 3 remains a fully functional watch even without a phone nearby. It can even sync its time through GPS. On the downside, its connection with the phone feels surprisingly weak, which makes it seem less “smart” overall.

    By the way, the Instinct 3 can sync its data with the Apple Health app on the iPhone, so the ecosystem integration is still fairly complete.

    Take something as basic as sleep mode, for example. Unlike products from Google or Apple, it cannot directly sync your system sleep schedule, Do Not Disturb settings, or alarms. Forget about automatically handling holiday schedules as well. Its scheduling system only understands Monday through Sunday, meaning you have to manually configure everything yourself. Even though you only need to set it up once, it still feels unnecessarily tedious.

    Then there is automatic activity detection. I found it performs terribly with fragmented activities. A 20-minute bike ride, a 20-minute nap, or a one-hour walk simply will not be recognized or recorded automatically. The Instinct 3 follows your predefined schedule very rigidly: nighttime sleep is considered sleep, but taking a long afternoon nap will not be recorded at all.

    It does include a nap feature, but honestly, I do not think it works very well either. For low-energy people like us, when it is time to sleep, we just collapse instantly — nobody remembers to manually start a nap recording on their watch.

    Notifications on the watch are also strictly view-only. You cannot reply to messages, you cannot take phone calls directly from the watch, and you definitely should not expect to browse WeChat or anything similar on it. You could say the Instinct 3 has essentially zero entertainment features.

    The Endgame for Smartwatches

    More than a decade ago, driven by the fear of missing out — FOMO — I wanted a smartwatch that could keep me constantly connected to the world. But now, all I want is distance from the noise and the ability to quietly enjoy life.

    The Instinct 3 Solar helped me break the habit I developed with the Pixel Watch 2 of endlessly swiping at the screen for no reason. It truly achieves something rare: not fighting for my attention.

    Most of the time, it simply behaves like a long-lasting ordinary watch that only needs charging once every two or three weeks. I raise my wrist only to check the time, while useless notifications stay hidden away, giving me back control over my own life.

    Its smart features work quietly in the background, almost invisibly. Most of the time it stays silent, yet whenever I actually need it, it appears at exactly the right moment: morning sleep feedback, nighttime reminders to go to bed earlier, relaxation suggestions during periods of high stress, and the instantly accessible LED flashlight that is always there when needed.

    We live in an era obsessed with “fast-food” products, where most devices are designed to grab your attention as quickly as possible — some companies practically want you replacing them every single year.

    Compared to that, the philosophy behind the Instinct 3 Solar — long-term durability and ultra-long battery life — feels increasingly rare and valuable. In fact, I cannot think of a real alternative to it anymore. And I think that is why this is the final chapter of my smartwatch journey.

  • SSPAI Morning Brief: OpenAI Releases GPT-5.4 as Google Reaches Settlement with Epic Games

    SSPAI Morning Brief: OpenAI Releases GPT-5.4 as Google Reaches Settlement with Epic Games

    Morning Brief

    1. Aqara launches the Jiyue Smart Control Screen S1 Plus (Siri Edition)
    2. Hisense unveils the UX 2026 flagship RGB-Mini LED TV
    3. Nothing introduces the Phone (4a) series
    4. Insta360 releases the Snap smartphone selfie screen
    5. Google rolls out Gemini Canvas AI mode in the U.S.
    6. OpenAI launches the GPT-5.4 model
    7. Microsoft releases the open-source Phi-4-Reasoning-Vision-15B model
    8. Apple Music introduces AI content provenance labels
    9. Huami launches the Amazfit Active 3 Sapphire Edition smartwatch
    10. Google reaches a settlement with Epic Games
    11. Briefs worth a quick look

    Aqara launches the Jiyue Smart Control Screen S1 Plus (Siri Edition)

    On March 4, Aqara announced the launch of the Jiyue Smart Control Screen S1 Plus Siri Edition, the world’s first whole-home smart control panel with native Siri support.

    In terms of functionality, the S1 Plus Siri Edition integrates lighting control, temperature control, and energy management systems into a single screen. Users can interact with it through Siri or the Aqara voice assistant, or directly adjust and control smart home devices from the display while monitoring the home’s overall energy usage and device status. The product also offers customizable themes, a dedicated photo album feature, and data dashboards for personalized display and information aggregation.

    In security scenarios, the S1 Plus supports distributed video streaming. When a visitor presses the smart doorbell, any S1 Plus screen in the home can instantly display the visitor’s video feed and function as a video intercom interface.

    Product appearance image, image courtesy of Aqara

    On the hardware side, the S1 Plus Siri Edition features a 6.9-inch display with a resolution of 1440 × 720. It adopts a dual 86-type panel design, allowing it to be installed alongside standard 86 switch panels. The device includes three built-in relay switches and six wireless switches, which users can configure based on their preferences.

    So far, Aqara has more than 30 products available in Apple Stores worldwide, and over 310 of its products support Apple Home. Source

    Hisense unveils the UX 2026 flagship RGB-Mini LED TV

    On March 5, Hisense announced the UX 2026 RGB-Mini LED flagship TV, featuring the world’s first “Linglong 4-Chip True Color Backlight System.” In addition to the traditional red, green, and blue primary backlight chips, the system introduces a fourth cyan backlight chip. These backlight chips are fully developed in-house and built to automotive-grade standards. According to Hisense, the system can maintain color stability for up to 15 years, cover 110% of the BT.2020 color gamut, and reach peak brightness of up to 10,000 nits. The 116-inch version features 43,008 color-control zones, making it the largest RGB-Mini LED TV currently available. The TV also integrates the Hi-View AI picture quality chip H7 Pro, which works with the four-color architecture to enable more precise light and color control, reaching a color control precision of 134 bits.

    In other aspects, the series adopts a custom “Obsidian Screen Ultra” panel with approximately 1.28% reflectivity, delivering high contrast and wide viewing angles while supporting a native 4K 180Hz refresh rate. For audio, the TV is equipped with the Devialet Elevation Sound Pro system. Pricing starts at ¥34,999 for the 85-inch model, ¥54,999 for the 100-inch model, and ¥119,999 for the 116-inch model. Source

    Nothing introduces the Phone (4a) series

    At its latest launch event, Nothing unveiled the Phone (4a) series, including the standard Phone (4a) and the Phone (4a) Pro.

    The standard Phone (4a) features a 6.78-inch 120Hz OLED display. On the rear, it is equipped with a 50MP main camera, a 50MP 3.5× periscope telephoto lens, and an ultra-wide camera. To the right of the camera module is a square Glyph Bar light strip with a peak brightness of up to 3500 nits, supporting multiple lighting effects.

    The Phone (4a) Pro comes with a 6.83-inch 144Hz OLED panel and a body thickness of 7.95 mm. According to the company, it is currently the thinnest “full-metal smartphone” on the market. In terms of imaging, the device features a 50MP Sony LYT700C main camera, a 50MP 3.5× periscope telephoto lens, and an ultra-wide camera. It also includes a Glyph Matrix lighting system composed of 137 mini LEDs, capable of displaying battery status, timers, and a digital clock.

    For performance, the Phone (4a) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor, while the Phone (4a) Pro uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor. Both models come with a 5080mAh battery and support 50W wired charging. Pricing starts at €349 (approximately ¥2801) for the Phone (4a), and €479 (approximately ¥3845) for the Phone (4a) Pro. Source

    Nothing also introduced the Headphone A, which continues the brand’s signature design language. Its overall shape resembles the Headphone 1, featuring rectangular ear cups and transparent elements, though some of the transparent parts have been replaced with opaque panels. It is available in white, black, pink, and yellow. The headphones weigh about 310g and carry an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance.

    Headphone A uses physical mechanical controls, including a volume roller, toggle-style track controls, and a voice assistant button. For audio, it supports AAC, SBC, and LDAC codecs, and provides an 8-band parametric equalizer along with basic EQ adjustment options. In terms of battery life, it can last up to 135 hours with AAC playback and ANC turned off, or around 75 hours with ANC enabled.

    Headphone A supports Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C, and 3.5mm wired connections, and can connect to two devices simultaneously for seamless switching. For calls, the headset is equipped with three microphones. The Headphone A is priced at $199 (approximately ¥794.7). Source

    Insta360 releases the Snap smartphone selfie screen

    On March 5, Insta360 announced the Snap smartphone selfie screen, a device designed to solve the problem of not being able to preview shots in real time when taking selfies with a phone’s rear camera.

    In terms of design, the Snap selfie screen features a 3.5-inch display. The base version is about 7.3 mm thick and attaches magnetically to the back of a smartphone, supporting a range of Apple and Android devices. The Snap connects to the phone via a USB-C cable and works plug-and-play without requiring an independent power supply. Compared with wireless image transmission solutions, this design provides more stable and smoother video transmission, while also supporting real-time preview when recording 4K video.

    In terms of user experience, Snap supports touch interaction, allowing users to quickly adjust exposure, switch filters or shooting modes, and mirror the preview with a single tap. The accessory is compatible not only with the phone’s native camera app but also with mainstream beauty and professional photography apps, enabling users to take selfies or shoot videos using the rear camera.

    The product is available in two versions: a standard edition and a lighting edition, priced at ¥499 and ¥599 respectively. The lighting edition is co-tuned by Insta360 and beauty lighting brand AMIRO, and features a ring fill light with three color temperature options and five brightness levels. Source

    Google rolls out Gemini Canvas AI mode in the U.S.

    On March 5, Google announced that the Canvas feature, previously tested in Google Labs, is now available to all users in the United States through Gemini’s AI Mode. The feature currently supports English.

    Canvas is designed to help users organize information, plan projects, and conduct in-depth research. It has now expanded to support writing documents and creating custom tools directly within the search interface. In creative and development scenarios, users can simply describe their ideas to Canvas in natural language to generate code, which can then be quickly turned into shareable applications or mini games.

    The feature also applies to literary writing and other creative projects. Users can use Canvas to polish drafts, adjust structure, or receive suggestions for improvement.

    In terms of workflow, users can click the “+” button in the tool menu within AI Mode and select the newly added Canvas option, then describe the task they want to complete or the content they want to create. A Canvas panel will then open on the side of the interface, where users can gather information from web pages and the Google Knowledge Graph to organize research materials or structure their projects.

    If used for building prototypes or applications, users can also test functions within the same interface, view and switch the underlying code, and continuously refine the application’s behavior through conversations with Gemini. Source

    OpenAI launches the GPT-5.4 model

    OpenAI has announced the release of its next-generation AI model, GPT-5.4. The company states that the model brings upgrades in reasoning ability, coding performance, and handling professional workflows such as spreadsheets, documents, and presentations. OpenAI also notes that GPT-5.4 is its first model with native computer operation capabilities. By generating code as well as keyboard and mouse commands, it can perform tasks across different applications and complete actions based on screenshots. In addition, the model has improved efficiency and accuracy in web browsing, tool usage, and API calls.

    OpenAI has also introduced a reasoning-focused version, GPT-5.4 Thinking, which is now available in ChatGPT. This version can display a summary of its reasoning steps when handling complex problems and allows users to adjust their requests during the generation process. According to OpenAI, GPT-5.4 performs better on questions that require retrieving information from multiple sources, enabling sustained multi-step searches and result integration. Its factual accuracy has also improved, with the probability of a single incorrect conclusion reduced by approximately 33% compared to GPT-5.2.

    GPT-5.4 is now available across ChatGPT, Codex, and the API. GPT-5.4 Thinking is offered to Plus, Team, and Pro users, while GPT-5.4 Pro is available to API, ChatGPT Enterprise, and Edu users. Source

    Microsoft releases the open-source Phi-4-Reasoning-Vision-15B model

    On March 5, Microsoft announced the launch of the open-source Phi-4-Reasoning-Vision-15B model through its official developer community blog. This is a vision reasoning model that combines high-resolution visual perception with selective, task-aware reasoning capabilities, making it the first small language model (SLM) in the Phi-4 series that can both “see clearly” and “think deeply.”

    The core feature of the model is its hybrid reasoning mechanism. When a task requires deeper reasoning—such as solving math problems or performing logical analysis—the model activates a multi-step reasoning chain. When only rapid visual perception is required—such as OCR or identifying UI elements—it outputs results directly to reduce latency and improve response efficiency.

    In terms of application scenarios, the model is particularly suited for use with computer agents. After receiving screenshots and natural language instructions, the model can output standardized bounding box coordinates for target UI elements, which can then be used by other agent models to perform actions such as clicking or scrolling. The model has now been released as open source on Hugging Face.

    Apple Music introduces AI content provenance labels

    On March 5, Apple Music introduced a transparency labeling feature to indicate whether music content has been created using AI technologies.

    Under the new rules, record labels and content distributors must clearly state whether artificial intelligence (AI) was used in the creation process—such as for music production or cover artwork—when submitting new content to the platform. To more clearly define the scope of AI involvement, Apple has introduced four Transparency Tags corresponding to the core creative elements of digital music content: cover artwork, audio track, composition, and music video.

    According to Apple’s implementation guidelines, these tags will only be triggered when “a substantial portion of the content is created using AI.” Given the complexity of modern music production workflows, a single piece of music may carry multiple transparency tags simultaneously.

    At the implementation level, Apple has not introduced mandatory machine-based detection mechanisms. Instead, the determination of whether content qualifies as AI-generated is left to partners to self-report. This approach is similar to existing industry practices for metadata management, such as classifying music genres or listing credits for performers and production staff, allowing creators and distributors a relatively high degree of discretion. Source

    Huami launches the Amazfit Active 3 Sapphire Edition smartwatch

    On March 5, Huami introduced the Amazfit Active 3 Sapphire Edition smartwatch. The watch adopts a lightweight four-button design and features a sapphire crystal display paired with a stainless steel middle frame.

    The Amazfit Active 3 Sapphire Edition is equipped with a 1.32-inch high-brightness AMOLED display with peak brightness reaching up to 3000 nits. The device includes a wide range of built-in training courses covering basic cardio and mixed training types, and supports more than 170 sports modes. Running and strength training programs include multiple formats such as endurance and speed training.

    For outdoor activities, the watch supports offline maps, route navigation, and turn-by-turn alerts, allowing users to plan routes in advance. It is equipped with a five-satellite positioning system for faster and more accurate location tracking. The BioTracker heart rate monitoring system provides real-time feedback on workout intensity and combines sleep, blood oxygen, and stress data to help users balance training and recovery.

    In addition, the watch supports Bluetooth calling, Alipay and WeChat offline payments, as well as NFC transit cards. According to official data, the device offers around 12 days of battery life under typical usage and about 7 days under heavy use.

    In terms of colors, the Amazfit Active 3 Sapphire Edition is available in options such as Champagne Silver and Sapphire Blue, with a retail price of ¥1199. Source

    Google reaches a settlement with Epic Games

    On March 4, Google and Epic Games reached a settlement agreement.

    Under the new plan, Google will reduce the base service fee for in-app purchases from the previous maximum of 30% to 20%. If developers choose to use Google’s own payment system, an additional 5% fee will apply. Subscription service fees will be reduced to 10%.

    At the same time, Google will introduce a “Registered App Stores” program. Third-party app stores that meet quality and security standards will be able to install and run more easily on the Android platform, reducing the friction users face when installing apps outside the Play Store.

    As part of the settlement, Epic Games will relaunch Fortnite on the global Google Play Store while continuing to develop the Epic Games Store for Android. The new fee structure is scheduled to take effect on June 30, 2026, in the United States, the European Economic Area, and the United Kingdom, followed by expansion to Australia on September 30, 2026. It is expected to cover South Korea and Japan by the end of 2026 and expand globally by September 30, 2027.

    Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney stated that the agreement will push the Android ecosystem toward greater openness and allow app stores to compete with one another. Meanwhile, Epic’s lawsuit against Apple over App Store commissions is still ongoing, with the current ruling under appeal. Source

    Briefs worth a quick look

    According to Board Channels, the GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card that NVIDIA recently resumed production of will enter the market between March 10 and March 20. Earlier reports suggested that the revived RTX 3060 is an 8GB version with a 128-bit memory bus, which delivers noticeably reduced performance compared with the 12GB version. Source

    According to analysis by the tech outlet wccftech, the MacBook Neo’s 8GB memory configuration may be related to the packaging design of the A18 Pro chip it uses. The A18 Pro adopts TSMC’s InFO-POP (Integrated Fan-Out Package on Package) technology, which allows DRAM to be stacked directly on top of the SoC package, forming a single integrated structure between memory and the chip. Currently, the memory package paired with the A18 Pro provides 8GB of capacity. If Apple were to redesign the chip to support 12GB of RAM, development and manufacturing costs would increase significantly. In theory, Apple could also use the A19 Pro chip with a built-in 12GB RAM package, but that would likewise raise the bill of materials cost for the MacBook Neo. With memory chip prices rising, Apple ultimately chose to offer only a fixed, non-upgradable 8GB RAM configuration in order to maintain the MacBook Neo’s relatively low price positioning. Source

    Microsoft’s newly appointed CEO of gaming, Asha Sharma, revealed that the internal codename for the next-generation Xbox console is “Project Helix.” She stated that the device will focus on high performance and support running both Xbox and PC games, further integrating the console and PC ecosystems. Microsoft had previously indicated that the next-generation Xbox would be a hybrid device combining characteristics of both consoles and PCs, aiming to deliver a “premium and carefully crafted” gaming experience. Source

  • Best New Movies and TV Shows to Watch This Week

    Best New Movies and TV Shows to Watch This Week

    ☕️ TL;DR

    Recent recommendations: [Film] The Night King, [Film] Tokyo Taxi, [Hong Kong Drama] The Prosecutors, [US Series] Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, [K-Drama] The Truth About Sarah, [K-Drama] Glory: Their Court, [Chinese Drama] The Blindfolded Goddess, [UK Series] Can You Keep a Secret?, [Animation] Golden Kamuy Final Chapter, [Animation] Sentenced the Hero: Punishment Hero Unit 9004 Prison Records

    Selected trailers: Official Trailer for Detective Conan: Fallen Angel on the Highway, First Trailer for Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island, Official Trailer for Toy Story 5, First Trailer for House of the Dragon Season 3

    Entertainment news: A new Neon Genesis Evangelion anime project announced, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie confirmed for import, Paramount to acquire Warner Bros.

    [Film] Night King

    • Keywords: Drama / Comedy
    • Also known as: Night King
    • Runtime: 133 minutes
    • Where to watch: Now showing in theaters; Douban link

    Loyalty above all.

    @Sholmes: As traditional nightclub businesses in Tsim Sha Tsui continue to decline, Foon works as the manager of the Dong Yat Nightclub in Tsim Sha Tsui. When the Muse Group moves to acquire the nightclub, his ex-wife, Sister V, arrives as the guarantor and becomes his superior. Sister V initiates sweeping reforms and brings in new staff, while Foon, out of loyalty, strives to protect the PR hostesses he has worked with for years. Just as Foon and Sister V are caught up in internal conflict, Tai Chi Fung, the Muse Group’s heir, suddenly decides not to proceed with the acquisition, forcing the two to find a way to save the nightclub themselves.

    Through the nightclub’s rise and decline, the film reflects how traditional values and legacy industries in Hong Kong are impacted by waves of globalization and commercialization. The PR hostesses are not portrayed as negative stereotypes; instead, the film gives each of them their own stories and dignity, questioning society’s deep-rooted prejudices against such professions. The power struggle between Foon and Sister V also symbolizes the clash between old and new values — one committed to loyalty and promises, the other embracing efficiency and reform — much like Hong Kong itself. The conglomerate power represented by Tai Chi Fung serves as a direct critique of capital’s erosion of local culture, where people and traditions rooted in the past often cannot withstand a single commercial contract. Wrapped in comedy, the film carries the weight of social transformation, reminding viewers that once certain things disappear, they may never return.

    [Film] Tokyo Taxi

    • Keywords: Drama / Road / Healing
    • Also known as: TOKYOタクシー / Tokyo Taxi
    • Runtime: 103 minutes; Douban link

    I want to take a proper look at this nostalgic Tokyo.

    @SHY: Taxi driver Koji Usami, overwhelmed by the mounting pressures of life, accepts a request to drive 85-year-old Sumire Takano from Shibamata, Tokyo to a nursing home in Hayama, Kanagawa. What he assumes to be an ordinary trip turns into something else entirely, as Sumire repeatedly asks for detours to revisit places etched deep in her memory. Though complete strangers at first, the two gradually open up to one another, and their lives are quietly transformed as a result.

    Now in his nineties, director Yoji Yamada remains active on the creative front, adapting the 2022 French film Driving Madeleine into an authentically Japanese story. Chieko Baisho, a familiar face from the Tora-san series, plays Sumire Takano — a character of her own age — bringing a calm presence shaped by a lifetime of experiences. Takuya Kimura, who previously co-starred with her in Howl’s Moving Castle, takes the wheel this time, and the two share a natural chemistry as they journey together.

    As the scenery flows past the taxi window, Sumire gently recounts her eventful life, turning the small vehicle into a vessel traveling through time and reflecting the changes in Japanese society. Under the fading light of dusk, this unexpected journey shared with a stranger becomes the final, happiest day of her life. Transforming a once-in-a-lifetime encounter into an irreplaceable memory, this simple and tender story celebrates the kindness between people — and is sure to warm your heart.

    [Hong Kong Drama] The Unusual Prosecutor

    • Keywords: Drama
    • Also known as: The Unusual Prosecutor
    • Runtime: Approximately 45 minutes per episode × 25 episodes
    • Where to watch: Youku; Douban link

    A modern-day Judge Bao delivering justice.

    @潘誉晗: Prosecutor Bao Xiren suffers from “Mirror-Touch Synesthesia,” a rare condition that allows him to feel the emotions experienced by others, as if reflecting them like a mirror — whether joy, sorrow, or regret. This unique and powerful empathy often disrupts Bao’s daily life (such as causing him to faint in public after sensing someone’s pain), but it also enables him to quietly participate in the process of judgment. Together with his assistant Gongsun Po and undercover detective Zhan Xiongfei, he repeatedly solves complex cases.

    Although the series was delayed for two years before its release and lost some content due to editing, its overall quality remains impressive and distinctly Hong Kong in style. Inspired by the classic Justice Bao, the show delivers an innovative modern adaptation of this well-known traditional story. While preserving the original framework and narrative structure, it incorporates contemporary elements such as toxic fandom culture, idol misconduct, gaslighting, marriage scams, and school bullying. Across eight case-based story arcs, the series aligns with modern audience sensibilities and offers meaningful discussions on real-world issues.

    [US Series] Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette

    • Keywords: Drama / Romance / Biography
    • Also known as: Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette
    • Runtime: Approximately 45 minutes per episode × 9 episodes; Douban link

    The story of America’s most stylish power couple.

    @潘誉晗: The first season of acclaimed American director Ryan Murphy’s new anthology series Love Story focuses on the romance between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.

    The series adopts a reverse narrative structure, opening with the tragic 1999 plane crash before rewinding seven years to the couple’s first meeting, creating a sense that everything was destined from the very beginning. Their encounter and love seemed fated, as did the inevitable tragedy that followed. In many ways, the love story between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn resembles a real-life Cinderella tale. Carolyn came from a modest background and, through intelligence and keen judgment, rose from working as a sales associate to becoming the PR director at Calvin Klein. Yet no matter how accomplished she was, being the girlfriend of the president’s son meant that even if she wished to keep a low profile, the spotlight would always follow her.

    Based on the four episodes that have aired so far, while certain plot points may raise questions about historical accuracy, the production quality is undeniably high. In portraying this iconic fashion-forward couple of the late 20th century, the series carefully recreates the atmosphere of New York’s fashion scene in the 1990s.

    [K-Drama] The Art of Sarah

    • Keywords: Drama / Crime
    • Also known as: 레이디 두아 / The Art of Sarah
    • Runtime: Approximately 60 minutes per episode × 10 episodes
    • Where to watch: Netflix; Douban link

    I am like a glaring light, too dazzling to be looked at directly.

    @利兹与青鸟: A body is discovered in Seoul’s sewer system, with half of its face smashed beyond recognition — yet a luxury handbag bearing a special serial number makes identification less difficult. Elsewhere, a woman who casually spends tens of millions in cash at luxury boutiques draws constant attention wherever she goes. The two women share the same tattoo — could they be the same person? As the police investigation unfolds, we gradually uncover the legend of Kim Sarah. From a heavily indebted sales associate, to the wife of a loan shark tycoon, and eventually the founder of luxury brand Bado, every step in Sarah’s rise is astonishing, yet always shadowed by the looming risk of a fall into ruin.

    This is a fast-paced drama about money and lies. Despite some questionable plot logic, its rapid pacing, shifting identities, and layered twists more than make up for its flaws, immersing viewers in a world of extravagance and power struggles. It explores how an ordinary person disguises herself to infiltrate high society, how vanity can transform people into monsters, and offers a satirical take on class hierarchy and the luxury industry. Shin Hye-sun delivers a compelling performance as an ambitious, capable, and calculating woman, while the script’s attention to detail across different social classes adds credibility to the story. Notably, the series divides its narrative between external perspectives and the protagonist’s own viewpoint, allowing space for strong ensemble characterization and presenting a more complete portrait of Sarah’s dual life.

    [K-Drama] Honor: Their Courtroom

    • Keywords: Drama / Thriller / Crime
    • Also Known As: 아너: 그녀들의 법정 / Heder
    • Runtime: Approximately 45 minutes per episode × 9 episodes; Douban Link

    A Korean take on the “Devil’s Island” case.

    @潘誉晗: Yoon Ra-young, Kang Shin-jae, and Hwang Hyun-jin—three law school graduates—have been close friends since their university days. Together, they founded a law firm dedicated to providing legal services for female victims. This time, they are set to defend a high school girl who was sexually assaulted by a top male celebrity. However, their investigation unexpectedly leads them to a secret prostitution app called “Comect In,” behind which lies a vast sexual crime network involving numerous executives and public figures.

    This female-led legal drama, adapted from the Swedish series Heder, has sparked considerable discussion due to its bold and sensitive subject matter. It inevitably brings to mind the widely debated “Devil’s Island” case in recent years: the victims were all underage girls subjected to inhumane treatment, while judicial authorities destroyed evidence and used systemic power to threaten them.

    The screen adaptation does an excellent job of presenting these brutal realities in a way that is not overwhelmingly horrifying, while highlighting the immense difficulty of the case. A journalist investigating the truth is murdered, and the three protagonists face constant threats and obstruction. Yet for the sake of the women who were harmed, they never once consider giving up.

    [Chinese Drama] The Inner Eye

    • Keywords: Drama
    • Also known as: The Inner Eye
    • Runtime: Approximately 45 minutes per episode × 30 episodes
    • Where to watch: Mango TV; Douban link

    The sanctity of the law should never be challenged.

    @潘誉晗: Tang Yingying, an accomplished lawyer at Chen Jun Law Firm, takes on a case at the request of Shi Li, the son of the Aina Group, who hopes she will represent him in court. At a wedding a few days earlier, Shi Li served as the best man, while bridesmaid Zhang Yi later accused him of molesting her while intoxicated. Shi Li denies the allegation, insisting that the encounter was consensual and that no coercion took place. Tang Yingying was also present at the wedding, and recalling the determined expression she had glimpsed on Zhang Yi’s face that day, she decides to accept this highly controversial case.

    Adapted from the novel of the same name by Mrs. Jinya, the series follows Tang Yingying’s professional growth and struggles as a lawyer. Presented in an episodic format, the show features a total of 13 cases that explore topical issues such as the definition of sexual assault, domestic violence, and workplace harassment. While the narrative occasionally suffers from minor plot inconsistencies or idealized resolutions, its willingness to tackle sensitive and challenging subjects marks a notable step forward for domestic television dramas. Rather than focusing on grand, high-profile cases, the series shifts its attention to problems that ordinary people may encounter in everyday life — particularly those affecting women — lending it a certain degree of social relevance.

    [UK Series] Can You Keep a Secret?

    • Keywords: Comedy
    • Also known as: Can You Keep a Secret?
    • Runtime: Approximately 28 minutes per episode × 6 episodes; Douban link

    This is a secret that must never get out.

    @潘誉晗: Harold visits his mother Debbie one day, two months after his father William was presumed dead. Debbie appears to be in good spirits and even takes out a bag of cash, clearly pleased. But when she sees Harold breaking down in grief over his father’s passing, she finally reveals the truth — it was all a misunderstanding. William isn’t dead. Faced with the overwhelming financial burden caused by William’s Parkinson’s disease, she chose to conceal the fact that he is still alive in order to claim the insurance payout.

    This newly released British miniseries, which has already been renewed, consists of just six episodes, each under half an hour. Despite its short runtime, the tightly paced narrative makes effective use of this somewhat absurd premise to satirize real-world issues. Insurance fraud is certainly indefensible, but when an ordinary family’s healthcare coverage proves insufficient — and illness or eldercare pushes them into financial hardship — this retired couple finds themselves driven to desperate measures.

    Set in a picturesque town in southwest England, the series unfolds in a bright and charming atmosphere as Debbie and her family scramble to keep their secret under wraps. The result is a story rich in British-style irony, filled with both humor and mounting tension.

    [Animation] Golden Kamuy Final Season

    • Keywords: Manga Adaptation / Drama / Adventure / Action
    • Also known as: ゴールデンカムイ 最終章 / Golden Kamuy Final Season
    • Runtime: 24 minutes per episode × 13 episodes, updated every Monday; Douban link

    More grotesque than any god, yet dazzlingly beautiful — such is Golden Kamuy.

    @SHY: Following the trail of an escaped convict to Sapporo, Sugimoto and his companions run into Hijikata’s group, who are searching for the same target. With tensions on the verge of eruption, a temporary truce is brokered by Asirpa. To prevent the Seventh Division — which holds most of the tattooed skins — from obtaining the gold, the two sides agree to cooperate for the time being. Their next lead, involving a criminal imitating Jack the Ripper, points them toward the Sapporo Brewery.

    The once-in-a-lifetime quest for fortune finally nears its conclusion, as long-standing mysteries begin to unravel. The whereabouts of the tattooed skins from the 24 death-row inmates are revealed one by one, along with the method for deciphering their coded message. The truth behind Wilk becoming the mastermind known as Noppera-bō, and the past that shaped Lieutenant Tsurumi, comes to light — completing the character arcs of many, even as it foreshadows their eventual exits. Whether driven by ambitions of founding an independent nation or by the simple desire to protect loved ones, all are destined to meet their end.

    Although the anime adaptation’s production values remain modest, the strength of the original material ensures a compelling viewing experience. With its wildly multi-threaded narrative, intricate life-and-death mind games, and a massive showdown at the Sapporo Brewery rivaling that of Abashiri Prison — with the decisive battle at Goryokaku yet to come — the entire Hokkaido descends into chaos. Blending adventure, strategy, history, cuisine, comedy, and unexpected camaraderie into one exhilarating mix, this gripping series delivers an immensely satisfying ride.

    [Animation] Sentenced to Be a Hero

    • Keywords: Light Novel Adaptation / Fantasy / Adventure / Action
    • Also known as: 勇者刑に処す 懲罰勇者 9004 隊刑務記録 / Sentenced to Be a Hero
    • Runtime: 25 minutes per episode × 12 episodes (Episode 1: 58 minutes), updated every Saturday
    • Where to watch: Bahamut Anime Crazy / Netflix / Bilibili; Douban link

    After you annihilate all the enemies, be sure to praise me… and pat my head.

    @SHY: A Hero is one who fights monsters — and also the most cruel form of punishment. Criminals sentenced to the Hero Penalty are thrown onto the frontlines against the Demon King. Even in death, they are revived, condemned to fight without rest for all eternity. Zero Flubaz, the former captain of the Holy Paladin Order who has been sentenced for undisclosed reasons, encounters Theolita, the Goddess of the Sword, on the battlefield. The two form a contract and are drawn into a vortex of war and conspiracy.

    Like other stories that center on criminals forced into battle, the tone of the original novel bears some resemblance to 86 -Eighty Six-. However, this work places less emphasis on romantic subplots and focuses more heavily on its war sequences, giving the overall narrative a more serious tone. Due to screenwriter Kenta Ihara’s disastrous handling of the early episodes, the anime may initially feel like yet another mass-produced pseudo-isekai. Fortunately, it gradually finds its footing in the mid-season, with its worldbuilding becoming increasingly intriguing as the story unfolds.

    Produced by the core team at Studio KAI, the adaptation’s production quality speaks for itself. First-time director Hiroyuki Takashima delivers a steady performance, joined by a lineup of notable supporting staff to present a visually stirring spectacle. The large-scale battle scenes are particularly impressive, featuring a wide variety of attack styles enhanced by dazzling visual effects. Built upon dynamic fight choreography and supported by well-placed suspense, this exhilarating action series is well worth following.

    More

    [Film] Family Matters
    @利兹与青鸟: In the hot and humid Taiwanese countryside lives an ordinary yet turbulent family of four — an adopted elder sister, a resentful mother, a younger brother conceived through sperm donation, and a gambling-addicted father. Divided into four chapters, the film is adapted from the director’s own short film Sister, portraying their intimate yet distant familial bonds. With a gentle pace and restrained storytelling, the film examines the quiet pain and love hidden within East Asian family dynamics, offering both lighthearted moments and deeply moving weight.

    [Film] Yes
    @利兹与青鸟: Harsh lighting, pounding dance music, and teasing laughter fill a party where an ordinary couple does everything they can to please the wealthy elite. Though they feel no shame, making a living this way gradually erodes both body and soul. This Hebrew-language film by an Israeli director blends absurdity, pain, and satire, using the couple’s predicament against the backdrop of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict to expose a decaying social reality and distorted moral values.

    [UK Series] Betrayal
    @潘誉晗: One day, John Hughes meets with an informant, only to witness the nervous source being shot dead in front of him. Although he quickly subdues the killer, the failed mission earns him a dismissal notice from MI5. Unwilling to see his career end this way, he decides to continue investigating the incident on his own. This four-episode series follows a midlife intelligence officer struggling with both professional and personal crises, delivering a concise yet gripping story.

    [Japanese Drama] Devoured by Salvation
    @Sholmes: Aspiring idol Minase Ten happens to pass by the set of popular actor Hōshō Chiaki and lands a small role, leading to more acting opportunities. Isolated by jealous members of her idol group, Minase becomes closer to Hōshō, whose possessiveness gradually intensifies. Set against the backdrop of the entertainment industry, the series uses restrained and delicate cinematography to depict a twisted romance that evolves from redemption into emotional consumption.

    [Japanese Drama] Suikoden by Kitakata Kenzo
    @SHY: In the late Northern Song dynasty, the imperial court is steeped in corruption and the people suffer greatly. Low-ranking official Song Jiang, deeply aware of the public’s hardship, resolves to uphold justice and gathers like-minded outlaws to challenge a nation in decline. While bearing the name Suikoden, the original novel reinterprets the classic tale through the lens of Japanese leftist struggle, drawing from author Kitakata Kenzo’s involvement in the Zenkyōtō movement. The adaptation adopts the scale of a historical epic drama, with meticulous production design offering a fresh perspective on a familiar legend.

    [Animation] Baki-Dou
    @SHY: Legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi is resurrected through a secret Tokugawa experiment, prompting martial artists such as Baki, Doppo Orochi, and Retsu Kaioh to face him in battle, each encounter offering experience for the next. With a premise even science fiction writers might hesitate to attempt, this season delivers an abundance of memorable moments — from “Do you think money can buy me?” to “I don’t mean to be rude” and “Is a sword really such an inconvenient thing?” Enhanced by its low-budget animation, the absurdity is dialed up even further, making it an entertaining watch best enjoyed with a glass of brandy.

    [Documentary] King of Paparazzi
    @潘誉晗: Netflix’s latest documentary focuses on Italian paparazzo legend Fabrizio Corona. Born into a family of serious journalists — both his grandfather and parents worked in traditional news media — Corona instead pursued a career in entertainment reporting, eventually crossing into criminal activity. Through the story of his career, viewers also gain insight into several modern social scandals in Italy.

    [Documentary] Unlocked: A Jail Experiment Season 2
    @潘誉晗: With a new warden determined to make changes, the Greenhaven Correctional Facility introduces the radical social policy of “freedom” in response to internal disorder. Cells are left unlocked and guards removed, allowing inmates to move freely and manage themselves in hopes of relearning social order and easing reintegration into society. While less groundbreaking than its first season, the second installment remains a worthwhile experiment for interested viewers.

    📅 This Week’s New Trailers

    Detective Conan: Fallen Angel on the Highway – Official Trailer
    On February 23, the animated film Detective Conan: Fallen Angel on the Highway released its official trailer and is set to premiere in Japan on April 10. Directed by Takahiro Hasui (Shin Samurai-den YAIBA) and written by Takahiro Okura (The Million-dollar Pentagram), the story centers on Chihaya Hagiwara as Conan and his companions travel to Yokohama for a motorcycle festival. Source

    Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island – First Teaser
    On February 26, the animated film Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island released its first teaser trailer and is scheduled to premiere in Japan on July 24. Directed by Kei Oikawa and produced by Cygames Pictures, the film is adapted from a story posted by original creator Nagano on X in 2023, in which the adorable characters receive a special invitation and set off for a mysterious island retreat. Source

    Toy Story 5 – Official Trailer
    On February 20, Pixar’s animated film Toy Story 5 released its official trailer and will premiere in North America on June 19. Directed by Andrew Stanton and McKenna Harris, with voice performances by Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack, the film explores the clash between ever-advancing technology and the timeless bond of companionship as modern gadgets “invade” childhood. Source

    House of the Dragon Season 3 – First Teaser
    On February 20, HBO’s hit series House of the Dragon released the first teaser for its third season, set to premiere in June. Starring Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, and Rhys Ifans, the story remains set 200 years before Game of Thrones, as the struggle of blood, fire, and dragons escalates toward a brutal naval war and the pursuit of absolute power. Source

    More

    Animated Film Crayon Shin-chan: Bizarre! My Yokai Holiday First Trailer: Directed by Masaki Watanabe (Sakamoto Days) and written by Yoshiko Nakamura, with animation produced by Shin-Ei Animation. While vacationing in Hiroshi’s hometown of Akita, Shin-chan and his family are drawn into a grand adventure in the “Land of Yokai.” The film is set to premiere in Japan on July 31. Source

    Series Pride and Prejudice First Trailer: Adapted from Jane Austen’s classic novel, directed by Euros Lyn (Heartstopper) and written by Dolly Alderton (Everything I Know About Love), starring Emma Corrin, Jack Lowden, Olivia Colman, and Rufus Sewell. The series will premiere on Netflix this autumn. Source

    Chinese Trailer for Prima Facie: Exhaustive Enumeration: Produced by the original creative team behind Prima Facie and starring Rosamund Pike, the film continues writer Suzie Miller’s courtroom-focused storytelling, centering on a woman navigating the dual roles of Supreme Court justice and mother. The film will begin its first round of preview screenings on February 28, with an official release set for March 8.

    Entertainment News Weekly

    A New Neon Genesis Evangelion Anime Series Announced
    On February 23, a brand-new anime series in the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise was officially announced, along with a teaser visual and its core creative lineup. Further details are yet to be revealed. Yoko Taro (NieR: Automata) will serve as series composer and screenwriter, with Kazuya Tsurumaki and Toko Yatabe directing, Keiichi Okabe composing the music, and production handled jointly by khara and CloverWorks. Source

    The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Confirmed for Mainland China Release
    On February 14, the animated film The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was confirmed for release in mainland China, alongside a trailer and poster, with the release date yet to be announced. Featuring voice performances by Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Brie Larson, and Benny Safdie, the star-studded cast leads Mario and Luigi on an all-new interstellar adventure into the unknown. Source

    Paramount Set to Acquire Warner Bros.
    On February 26, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that its board of directors considers Paramount Skydance’s previous $31-per-share acquisition offer to be a superior proposal. Later that day, Netflix issued a statement declining to raise its bid for Warner Bros. Paramount is expected to proceed with the acquisition and will pay a $2.8 billion termination fee tied to the current merger agreement with Netflix. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval. Source

  • What to Watch This Week: 8 New Movies and TV Shows Worth Watching

    What to Watch This Week: 8 New Movies and TV Shows Worth Watching

    ☕️ TL;DR

    Recent highlights: [US] Miracle Man, [Animation] A Diary from Another Land, [Film] National Treasure, [KR] How Do You Translate Love?, [JP] The Toyotomi Brothers!, [Film] Extreme Judgment, [UK] The Enforced Thief, [Documentary] Traditional Chinese Medicine Across the Seas

    Several notable trailers: the first trailer for Ghost in the Shell: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL, a new trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, a new trailer for Supergirl, the first trailer for Daredevil: Reborn Season 2, and a new trailer for Doraemon: New Nobita’s Undersea Devil Rock Castle

    Several film and TV updates: Dragon Ball Super: Galactic Patrol Arc officially greenlit; The Los Angeles Heist confirmed for release in China; How to Make a Fortune unveils a new poster; The Deer and the Cauldron 2 set for a mainland China re-release; Kill Bill scheduled for a theatrical re-release in Hong Kong

    [US Series] Miracle Man

    • Keywords: Action / Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Adventure
    • Also known as: Wonder Man
    • Runtime: approx. 30 minutes per episode × 8 episodes; Douban link

    Marvel’s take on Behind the Scenes.

    @潘誉晗: Simon Williams is an unknown actor who takes acting very seriously. He studies every small role in detail and often proactively offers better ideas. But in the eyes of the crew, this only slows down the production. One day, renowned director Von Kovak decides to remake Miracle Man. Upon hearing the news, Simon immediately auditions—because his love for acting began in childhood, when he watched the film Miracle Man. He dreams of one day portraying a superhero on screen. What no one knows is that he himself actually possesses superpowers.

    Marvel’s Miracle Man, released all at once at the start of the year, is genuinely different from previous Marvel series. It’s not really about superheroes, nor does it feature flashy visual effects or grand narratives. Instead, it’s a story about two actors who simply want to make good films. One is Simon, the protagonist; the other is Trevor (who takes on the role of the “Mandarin”). Both are highly skilled performers, yet they’ve been stuck on the fringes of the industry due to a lack of resources and opportunities.

    Abandoning the traditional superhero formula, the series leans heavily on dialogue-driven scenes, portraying the workplace anxiety of two struggling actors who recognize and appreciate each other’s talent. There’s very little action, but it’s surprisingly moving.

    [Animation] A Diary from Another Land

    • Keywords: Manga adaptation / Slice of life / Healing
    • Also known as: Another Country Diary / Ikoku Nikki / Journal with Witch
    • Runtime: 24 minutes per episode × 13 episodes, updated every Sunday
    • Where to watch: Bahamut Anime Crazy; Douban link

    When you feel sadness, it’s okay to be sad—fully.

    @SHY: Makio Takashiro, a reclusive novelist, suddenly learns that her older sister Misato and her husband have died in a car accident. At the funeral, Makio meets her 15-year-old niece, Asa Tagumi. Unable to tolerate the way relatives treat the girl as a burden, Makio takes her home. Living under the same roof, the two begin an awkward journey of cohabitation.

    Readers of the original manga might feel its tone would suit a live-action adaptation better. Yet this seemingly thankless anime turns out to be far more compelling than the film starring Yui Aragaki. Produced by Shuka, the studio behind Natsume’s Book of Friends, and directed by first-time director Miyuki Oshiro, the series blends the strengths of live-action sensibility and animation. Through the orchestration of layered imagery, diary lines dissolve into boundless deserts, and emotions are rendered with remarkable subtlety—never overtly manipulative, yet quietly stirring ripples in the viewer’s heart.

    Unlike the common trope of grief expressed through emotional shutdown, the sorrow here is understated. Makio’s decision to take in Asa is not about assuming the role of a “mother,” but about respecting her as an equal individual. Two people carrying different forms of loneliness cautiously find their way forward. With the companionship of each other and their friends, they reconcile with past memories and arrive at inner peace. This foreign diary of life feels like a cup of warming comfort, savored in the biting cold of winter.

    [Film] Kokuho

    • Keywords: Novel Adaptation / Drama
    • Also known as: Kokuho
    • Runtime: 174 minutes; Douban link

    Even after leaving the stage, one must not disappoint the world.

    @SHY: Born the son of a yakuza, Kikuyo loses everything through the cruel twists of fate and seeks refuge under the tutelage of renowned kabuki actor Hanai Hanjirō, training alongside Hanjirō’s only son, Shunsuke. Similar yet fundamentally different in circumstance, the two endure trials of skill and society alike. Through cycles of loss and gain, a sweeping life drama gradually unfolds.

    As the highest-grossing live-action film in Japanese box office history, Kokuho inevitably invites comparisons to works of a similar vein, such as Farewell My Concubine and Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū, while still standing firmly on its own. What must one go through to truly deserve the title of a “Living National Treasure”? With a carefully structured rise and fall, the film explores the tension between talent and lineage. Two mirror-like figures act out a tangle of destiny, where the tides of history and individual ascent and decline are tightly interwoven, creating remarkable dramatic intensity.

    To tell the story of life behind the scenes, surface spectacle alone is not enough. Grounded in meticulous costume, makeup, and production design, the film builds breathtaking stage settings. Fully committed performances and vocal delivery convey a restrained, classical Japanese aesthetic. Even viewers unfamiliar with kabuki can feel its depth of tradition and enduring allure, making its nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at this year’s Academy Awards well deserved. The seamless fusion of narrative and form elevates Kokuho into a film that balances both commercial appeal and artistic achievement, leaving countless audiences utterly captivated.

    [K-Drama] Can This Love Be Translated?

    • Keywords: Drama / Romance
    • Also known as: Can This Love Be Translated?
    • Runtime: approx. 60 minutes per episode × 12 episodes
    • Where to watch: Netflix; Douban link

    Can the essence of love really be translated through language?

    @潘誉晗: A tragic fall leaves actress Cha Moo-hee in a coma while she’s wrapping up a TV drama shoot. One year later, she awakens to find her life completely transformed. Once an unknown performer, Cha Moo-hee has become one of the hottest global stars, thanks to the breakout success of the film Dolami, which she completed just before losing consciousness. The film’s “villainous woman” role catapults her to fame—but also traps her in a typecast image. Determined to break free, she joins a travel-themed dating reality show. As the program shoots across different countries, the production hires a multilingual interpreter—who turns out to be Joo Ho-jin, the very interpreter with whom Cha Moo-hee shared an unresolved connection a year earlier.

    A romance between a top-tier celebrity and a highly skilled interpreter gains an added layer of poetic beauty as it unfolds amid shifting landscapes and countries. But if this were merely a romantic comedy about love, it wouldn’t have earned such acclaim. What truly sets the series apart is its bold premise: after the accident, Cha Moo-hee develops a darker, split personality. Through this alter ego’s actions, long-buried wounds from her family of origin—hidden beneath her bright, cheerful public persona—are gradually revealed and, over time, gently healed.

    [J-Drama] The Toyotomi Brothers!

    • Keywords: Drama / Biography / History
    • Also known as: Toyotomi Kyōdai!
    • Runtime: approx. 45 minutes per episode (the extended premiere runs 58 minutes) × 43 episodes; Douban link

    Behind every successful “monkey,” there’s an exceptional man!

    @潘誉晗: With his older brother Tōkichirō away seeking his fortune, young Koichirō from Nakamura in Owari becomes the only male in the household. In his mind, the most important thing is simply finding work so the women in the family can eat well and live comfortably. One day, Tōkichirō returns, claiming he’s made a small name for himself and is now serving under Oda Nobunaga. He urges Koichirō to follow him and make something of himself in the wider world. But Koichirō only wants to stay close to home, living a quiet, peaceful life by the fields.

    NHK’s 65th Taiga drama returns once again to the Sengoku period, centering on the story of the Toyotomi brothers—Toyotomi Hidenaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The series tells how these two brothers, born into poverty, created a miraculous rise against the odds. As Hideyoshi’s younger brother, Hidenaga is the supportive figure who often remains in the shadows. In contrast to the calculating and ambitious Hideyoshi, the sharp-minded Hidenaga is sincere and pragmatic. It is precisely this complementary dynamic that makes the brothers such a perfectly matched partnership as they travel far and wide.

    Screenwriter Hiroyuki Yatsu, known for works like Hanzawa Naoki, excels at fast-paced workplace dramas. As a result, the series maintains a brisk rhythm throughout, complemented by an impressive and energetic score.

    [Film] Mercy

    • Keywords: Sci-Fi / Thriller / Action
    • Also known as: Mercy
    • Runtime: 100 minutes
    • Where to watch: Now playing in theaters; Douban link

    Facts are not the end of an investigation, but its beginning.

    @SHY: Los Angeles detective Chris Raven wakes up from a hangover to find himself strapped into an electric chair in a courtroom, facing execution for the murder of his wife, Nicole. From surveillance footage to bloodstains at the scene, all the evidence points to Chris. With no memory of the crime, can he clear his name and catch the real killer within the 90-minute deadline imposed by the AI judge Maddox?

    There’s no shortage of protagonists who are wrongly framed, but far fewer are arrested on the spot with no chance to run. Confined to a chair for the entire film, Chris is quite literally a “death-row chair detective.” For a slim chance at survival, he must sift through massive amounts of data to uncover subtle clues—yet every spark of hope often leads to a dead end, or even deepens suspicion against him. The looming 90-minute countdown runs almost in real time with the film’s duration, while first-person camerawork immerses the audience in relentless tension.

    As the producer of the Searching franchise, director Timur Bekmambetov has a keen understanding of technological progress. The film’s big-data surveillance network is grounded in real-world prototypes, and its UX design carries a hint of visionOS flair. These realistic details lend credibility to this near-future trial. By contrast, the action sequence meant to serve as the climax feels comparatively weaker. Personally, I think the film would be rated even higher if it leaned more fully into its immersive investigative focus. Still, taken as a whole, it remains a solid and well-crafted commercial thriller.

    [UK Series] Steal

    • Keywords: Drama / Crime
    • Also known as: Steal
    • Runtime: approx. 42 minutes per episode × 6 episodes
    • Where to watch: Prime Video; Douban link

    “We picked you because you’re the worst person in the entire company.”

    @潘誉晗: It starts as just another ordinary day at the Lochmere Pension Fund—until a group of armed assailants storm in. Calm and methodical, they take only a few minutes to gather everyone together and cut off all external communications. They then coerce Zara and Luke, who have system access, along with shareholders who hold signing authority, and successfully transfer £4 billion—money belonging to ordinary people’s pensions. The police soon launch an investigation and quickly turn their suspicions toward Zara and Luke. After all, the robbers’ methods were far too professional and efficient for there not to be an inside accomplice.

    As one of the first crime thrillers of 2026, this financial heist centered on public pension funds is both exhilarating and gripping. Sophie Turner’s Zara initially appears in the first episode as a minor employee forced into the situation, but as the story unfolds in episode two, her true role in the case is revealed. What begins as a high-energy heist quickly grows more complex, packed with twists that make it hard to predict where things will go next. In its pursuit of the truth behind the robbery, the series also exposes the darker side of the financial system and critiques the ways the powerful exploit tax loopholes, giving the show a layer of real social relevance beyond its thrills.

    [Documentary] The Healing Path

    • Keywords: Documentary
    • Also known as: The Healing Path
    • Runtime: approx. 28 minutes per episode × 12 episodes
    • Where to watch: Youku Video; Douban link

    Traditional Chinese medicine is profound and far-reaching.

    @潘誉晗: Last November, Phoenix Television launched a documentary with a fresh perspective titled The Healing Path. Each episode pairs a Phoenix TV host with a special guest, following the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at home, its spread overseas, and its broader impact. Starting from Hong Kong and Macau, the team travels to 12 different countries and regions to explore how TCM is “going global” in the modern era.

    With each episode running under half an hour, the documentary is made with genuine care and presents the appeal of TCM culture from multiple angles. A clinic downstairs with a martial arts troupe on the top floor; when Macau feels too small, crossing over to Hengqin to discuss cooperation with the government; working with foreign designers to make herbal medicine shops more appealing to modern audiences; keeping prices unchanged across five generations because the building is owned outright…

    As a visual medium, film brings traditional Chinese medicine—something many people take for granted in daily life—closer and into sharper focus. By following the crew’s journey, we not only see the dedication of practitioners committed to preserving TCM traditions, but also their efforts to help the culture grow and adapt, and ultimately, the contributions TCM continues to make to the wider world.

    More

    [Film] The Wasteland
    @SHY: In the distant future, 280 years after a ceasefire agreement that divided humans and their creations, an investigation team descends into an underground world where strange anomalies have occurred—only to be drawn into an unexpected battle. A prequel to Headless recommended four years ago, this distinctive stop-motion animated film is once again crafted almost single-handedly by director Takahide Hori, who wears many hats. With experience accumulated over time, the settings here are more refined and grotesque, and the story more playful. One can’t help but hope a sequel will further expand this world.

    [Film] Temporary Family
    @利兹与青鸟: Down-on-his-luck American actor Philip arrives in Tokyo and, by chance, joins a rental-family agency, taking on temporary roles as clients’ family members or friends to fulfill requests. There’s a girl seeking a fake marriage to gain freedom, a mother trying to transfer her child to a private school—everyone has their own unspoken troubles. As Philip helps others through a series of small adventures, he gradually heals himself. Tender, sincere emotions flow throughout the film, quietly revealing various social issues in Japan, while moments of humor slip in to draw knowing smiles.

    [Film] Franz
    @利兹与青鸟: A biographical film about Czech writer Franz Kafka, told through a fragmented narrative that moves between Kafka’s real life and the worlds of his fiction. Family, work, friends, and achievements are brought to the fore, interwoven with fourth-wall-breaking interviews and Kafka’s inner psychological visions. The compositions are meticulous, mirroring Kafka’s literary style, and together collage a portrait of his life. Watching this film is even more rewarding if you’re already familiar with Kafka’s life and works.

    [Film] The Fake Genius
    @Sholmes: In 1970s Rome, Tony, a young man dreaming of becoming an artist, ventures into the city with his paintbrush—only to discover that his talent is worth more on the black market. From copying for others to forging masterpieces, he becomes entangled with the mafia and those in power, eventually rising as Italy’s most legendary art forger and getting swept into the country’s darkest prime minister assassination case. Shot in classic noir style, the film dissects the boundary between art and deception with sharp pacing and a brooding tone—both a personal descent and a reflection of an era’s absurdity and greed.

    [J-Drama] Gimbap and Onigiri: Two People in Love, Similar Yet Different
    @潘誉晗: On this day, Korean exchange student Park Lin steps into a small eatery called “Tami.” Though it’s already closed, Hase, who works there, still makes her an onigiri. Simple as it is, the rice ball tastes wonderful to Park Lin, who is overwhelmed by academic and life pressures. Their encounter sparks a touching cross-border romance. This Japan–Korea co-produced sweet love story is visually fresh and gentle, using food to convey emotion and affection—warm, soothing, and heartfelt.

    [US Series] Ordinary Women
    @潘誉晗: During the Cold War, two CIA agents die under mysterious circumstances. To uncover the truth behind their deaths, their wives, Bea and Twila, volunteer to return to the Soviet Union to investigate. The KGB is meticulous—but to them, Bea and Twila are just ordinary women. Though set against a backdrop of espionage, the series unfolds from a female perspective, resulting in a lighter, more playful tone, with a strong retro atmosphere.

    [Reality Show] Antarctic Chefs
    @潘誉晗: To provide meals for South Korean researchers stationed in Antarctica, a team made up of Baek Jong-won, Lim Soo-hyang, Chae Jong-hyeop, and SUHO travels to King George Island. Beyond the comfort food that warms body and soul amid ice and snow, a standout moment comes when the Sejong Station seeks help from China’s Great Wall Station due to a shortage of ingredients. In addition to plentiful snacks, the Chinese researchers’ remarkable talent for growing vegetables achieves “vegetable freedom” even in Antarctica. Even at the South Pole, eating well still matters.

    📅 This Week’s New Trailers

    Ghost in the Shell: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL — First Trailer

    On January 30, the TV anime Ghost in the Shell: THE GHOST IN THE SHELL released its first trailer and confirmed a July premiere. Directed by Shoma Kimura, written by Tow Ubukata, with character design and chief animation direction by Shuhei Handa, music by Taisei Iwasaki, and produced by Science SARU, the series will, for the first time, faithfully adapt Masamune Shirow’s original manga. Source

    The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — New Trailer

    On January 25, the animated film The Super Mario Galaxy Movie released a new trailer and is set to open in North America on April 1. Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, and Jack Black return as voice actors, with Brie Larson joining as Rosalina and Ben Safdie voicing Bowser Jr. A new galaxy, new companions—Yoshi joins the adventure. Source

    Supergirl — New Trailer

    On January 24, DC’s new film Supergirl released a new trailer and is scheduled for a June 26 release in North America. Directed by Craig Gillespie, the film stars Milly Alcock as Supergirl, Jason Momoa as Lobo, with Eve Ridley, Matthias Schoenaerts, Emily Beecham, and Will Coben also appearing. The film is adapted from the highly acclaimed comic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Source

    Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 — First Trailer

    On January 27, Marvel’s series Daredevil: Born Again unveiled the first trailer for Season 2, set to premiere on Disney+ on March 24. Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Ayelet Zurer, Margarita Levieva, and Krysten Ritter star. As Kingpin’s influence continues to grow, Jessica Jones makes her return. Source

    Doraemon: New Nobita’s Undersea Devil Rock Castle — New Trailer

    On January 28, the new Doraemon theatrical film Doraemon: New Nobita’s Undersea Devil Rock Castle released a 4D trailer. The film is set to premiere in Japan on February 27 and will also launch a 4D version—marking the first time the franchise has tried the 4D format.

    More

    Invincible Season 4 – Official Trailer
    As the world continues to recover from a global catastrophe, Mark is consumed by guilt. While doing everything he can to protect his home and the people he loves, he comes face to face with a powerful new threat—one capable of permanently altering humanity’s fate. Premieres March 18 on Prime Video. Source

    Star Wars Animated Series Maul: Shadow Lord – Trailer
    Set after the Clone Wars, Maul plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. There, he encounters a disillusioned Jedi apprentice—perhaps the ally he needs on his path of revenge. Premieres April 6 on Disney+. Source

    BBC Series Lord of the Flies – Official Trailer
    Directed by Marc Munden (The Sympathizer) and written by Jack Thorne (The Virtues), this adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel follows a group of boys stranded on a deserted island. As humanity’s darker instincts emerge, paradise turns into a battleground. Premieres February 8. Source

    J-Drama Kujo no Taizai – Trailer Released
    Starring Yuya Yagira and Hokuto Matsumura, and directed by Hiroyasu Doi, Takeyoshi Yamamoto, and Hiroshi Adachi, the series premieres April 2 on Netflix. Adapted from the manga of the same name, it follows the morally dubious defense attorney Kujo Kanato and elite young prosecutor Karasuma Shinji, as they confront sharp clashes between law and morality, each guided by their own sense of justice.

    📽 Weekly Film & TV News

    Dragon Ball Super: Galactic Patrol Arc Announced
    On January 25, the official Dragon Ball franchise released a special video celebrating its 40th anniversary, announcing a new animated project titled Dragon Ball Super: Galactic Patrol Arc, along with a teaser visual. Further details will be revealed later. At the same time, an enhanced version of Dragon Ball Super titled Dragon Ball Super: Beerus released its “Super Launch” video, confirming the addition of new footage and a reconstructed storyline. It is scheduled to air starting in fall 2026. Source

    The Los Angeles Heist Confirmed for China Release
    On January 26, the film The Los Angeles Heist was officially confirmed for release in mainland China, accompanied by a trailer and poster. The release date has yet to be announced. Directed by Bart Layton and starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Halle Berry, the film brings together a rule-bound master thief, a down-on-his-luck executive, and a detective trapped in a desperate situation—three very different lives drawn into a shocking crime. Source

    How to Make a Fortune Unveils New Poster
    On January 27, How to Make a Fortune, starring Glen Powell and Margaret Qualley, released a new poster. The film is directed and written by John Patton Ford (Emily the Criminal), and also stars Jessica Henwick, Ed Harris, Topher Grace, Bill Camp, and Zach Woods. It opens in North America on February 20, followed by a UK release on March 13.

    Royal Tramp II Sets Mainland China Re-Release Date
    On January 27, the 4K restored version of Royal Tramp II was officially dated for re-release, making its mainland China big-screen debut on February 7. Originally released in 1992, the film was written and directed by Wong Jing and stars Stephen Chow, Chingmy Yau, Brigitte Lin, and Michelle Reis, with appearances by Natalis Chan, Damian Lau, Deric Wan, Tony Leung Siu-hung, Sandra Ng, Fennie Yuen, Vivian Chen, and Paul Chun.

    Kill Bill to Be Re-Released in Hong Kong
    On November 29, Quentin Tarantino’s classic Kill Bill was confirmed for a theatrical re-release in Hong Kong on March 7. Volumes 1 and 2 will be screened together as a single feature with a total runtime of 275 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission, and will feature an additional seven minutes of previously unseen footage.

  • What to Watch This Week | 11 Recent Picks Worth Your Time

    What to Watch This Week | 11 Recent Picks Worth Your Time

    ☕️ TL;DR

    Recent highlights: [US series] The Pitt Medical Frontline Season 2, [Animation] Chinese Tales 2, [Animation] Jujutsu Kaisen: Culling Game – Part 1, [Film] 3670, [British series] Industry Season 4, [US series] The Mistletoe Murders Season 2, [Taiwan series] Life Is for Rent, Not for Sale, [Japanese series] The Private Aesthetic of Kyotoites: Rouge Inheritance, [Animation] Fate/Strange Fake, [Animation] Primal Season 3

    Several exciting trailers: official trailer for Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2, new trailer for Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash – The Witch of Circe, teaser trailer for One Piece Season 2, first trailer for The Mummy, first trailer for Euphoria Season 3

    Several pieces of film & TV news: Wuthering Heights confirmed for import, The Shining set for mainland China release on January 30, The Dark Bride! set for mainland China release on March 6, Sanctuary set for mainland China release on January 30

    [US Series] The Pitt: Medical Frontline – Season 2

    • Keywords: Drama / Medical
    • Also known as: The Pitt Season 2
    • Runtime: approx. 50 minutes per episode × 15 episodes
    • Where to watch: HBO; Douban link

    One hour between life and death.

    @潘誉晗： July 4, Independence Day in the United States. Ten months have passed since the end of last season, yet the music festival incident still weighs heavily on Robby’s already battered psyche. He decides that after finishing today’s shift, he will take a long vacation and give himself a proper break. But the emergency room doesn’t become any easier just because Robby’s leave is approaching. The newly appointed doctor comes from a battlefield hospital background, sharp and decisive in his actions—completely different from Robby’s style. Dr. Landon has also returned to work, but his past struggles with drug addiction and the incident of stealing medication have damaged his credibility, so he has been assigned to triage duties instead.

    The critically acclaimed series The Pitt: Medical Frontline, which swept numerous awards during the awards season, returns with its second season, continuing the first season’s structure of telling one hour of story per episode, recreating the extreme tension of the emergency room. This follow-up is full of sincerity, bringing us many real-life cases. Combined with highly mature special-effects makeup, every treatment scene is rendered in stark, flesh-and-blood realism (not recommended viewing during meals). The gritty visuals and overwhelming sense of pressure stand as a tribute to those doctors who are always running through hospital corridors.

    [Animation] Yao – Chinese Folktales 2

    • Keywords: short-film anthology
    • Also known as: Yao – Chinese Folktales 2
    • Runtime: variable per episode × 9 episodes, updated every Thursday
    • Where to watch: Bilibili; Douban link

    The dragon in our village simply doesn’t have horns.

    @SHY: Co-produced once again by the Shanghai Animation Film Studio, Yao – Chinese Folktales 2 continues to gather creative talents from all walks of life. Each episode is crafted by a different creative team, turning ideas from their minds into highly free-form animated shorts, with even greater diversity in both subject matter and style. So far, four episodes have been released, each with its own distinct flavor, and all maintaining a solid level of quality.

    In Episode 1, three snake demons who impersonate the Dragon King go from stealing incense offerings to taking responsibility, earning the villagers’ respect through their actions. Episode 2 draws from the Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio story “The Man in the Ear,” in which a bewildered scholar falls into layers of nested illusions, with atmosphere handled exceptionally well. Episode 3 moves to a modern setting, where animals in cages harbor their own thoughts, and a little bear longing for the performance hall finally finds a place to belong. Episode 4, rendered in delicate felt-style stop motion, explores the relationship between mother and child, showing that learning to let go at the right time is also a form of love.

    With fantasy as the outer layer and real-world concerns at its core, the creators reflect on and explore meaning across multiple dimensions, striving to tell Chinese stories well. After being reassured by these initial episodes, there’s every reason to believe the rest of the season won’t disappoint, carrying forward the strong reputation established by Season 1. At the same time, I sincerely hope this season will produce another standout episode like The Summer of the Little Monster—one that can in turn give rise to a new animated feature that succeeds both critically and commercially, adding yet another brick to the foundation of China’s animation industry.

    [Animation] Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game – Part 1

    • Keywords: manga adaptation / fantasy / action
    • Also known as: 呪術廻戦 死滅回游 前編 / Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game Part 1
    • Runtime: 24 minutes per episode × number of episodes TBA, updated every Thursday
    • Where to watch: Bahamut Anime Crazy; Douban link

    Love and hate entwined, held tightly together.

    @SHY: After the “Shibuya Incident,” Yuji Itadori’s suspended sentence is revoked, and the special-grade sorcerer Yuta Okkotsu is tasked with carrying out his execution. At the same time, the deadly game “Culling Game,” orchestrated by Kenjaku, begins, and Megumi Fushiguro’s sister, Tsumiki, is also caught up in it. Entering the barrier, Yuji and the others face powerful enemies while searching for even the faintest chance to save those involved.

    Compared with the safe-and-steady approach of Demon Slayer, another flagship shōnen adaptation of the 2020s, Jujutsu Kaisen gives its animators far more room to fully unleash their creativity. Shota Goshozono, who made his directorial debut in Season 2, goes even further this time, injecting the series with a strong personal style. Although this arc in the manga has already shown signs of decline, the anime thoroughly digests the source material and reconstructs it where appropriate. With MAPPA’s top-tier animation, rough sketches are transformed into exhilarating, extended action sequences.

    Brimming with ideas, the animation team makes a bold statement right from the opening’s storyboards, racing across multiple styles, packing in countless Easter eggs, and syncing perfectly with King Gnu’s music—so good you’ll want to loop it endlessly. The main episodes add even more flair through agile camera movement and striking lighting effects. Even the long stretches of exposition in Episode 3, which could have been dull, are enlivened by an abundance of clever staging, evoking more than a hint of Evangelion. Nearly flawless as an adaptation, this may well be the most experimental big-budget commercial anime of the moment.

    [Film] 3670

    • Keywords: Drama / LGBTQ
    • Runtime: 124 minutes; Douban link

    The two of us are so lonely.

    @潘誉晗： Within South Korea’s gay community, there is a numerical code, “367,” which means going to Exit 6 of Jongno 3-ga in Seoul at 7 p.m. On this day, Cheol-jun stands there, hands in his pockets, looking around with quiet anticipation. Sadly, cars and people pass by, and not a single one stops for him. Exit 6 of Jongno 3-ga, 7 p.m., no one there—perhaps this is the true meaning of “3670.” This opening, rich with symbolism, draws back the curtain on the film and introduces its protagonist, Cheol-jun: a North Korean defector, and a gay man.

    In recent years, more and more works have turned their gaze toward sexual minorities, but a film like this—combining the experience of North Korean defectors with that of the gay community—made its first appearance as a dark horse at the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival. Through Cheol-jun, we see an individual consumed by loneliness: in the city, he conceals both his identity as a defector and his sexual orientation. Caught between these two selves, he struggles to find a way out for his soul. The film is delicate and poetic, its quiet sorrow seemingly light on the surface, yet it silently conveys the deep, hidden pain carried in the heart.

    [British Series] Industry Season 4

    • Keywords: Drama / Finance
    • Also known as: Industry Season 4
    • Runtime: approx. 52 minutes per episode × 8 episodes
    • Where to watch: HBO; Douban link

    Without an economic function, society buries you before you’re dead. (没有经济能力，在你死之前，社会就会埋葬你。)

    @潘誉晗： Harper and Yasmin’s careers are progressing better than ever. Each is shining in her own field, though challenges still await. Harper, now working at an asset management firm, initially believes her abilities have finally been recognized. But when her boss tells her the truth, she realizes it is her Black identity that the company values—as a polished piece of public-facing symbolism. Yasmin’s marriage into a wealthy family may look glamorous from the outside, yet trapped within it, she feels only emptiness. Meanwhile, a financial journalist named Jim gets in touch with Harper, hoping to interview her.

    After a year’s absence, Industry finally returns with its fourth season. The very first episode is packed with information, instantly prompting viewers to sigh, “Yes—this is that familiar feeling.” This season centers on a fintech company that appears to be thriving, but in reality built its fortune on gray-area businesses and porn-related payment services. Enormous profits bring endless temptations, and Harper and Yasmin find themselves standing on opposite sides as a result. Perhaps this is simply what lies at the heart of the financial storm: money is the only true god, profit is everything, love can be sold, and friendship can be betrayed.

    [US Series] Mistletoe Murders – Season 2

    • Keywords: Drama / Mystery / Thriller
    • Also known as: Mistletoe Murders Season 2
    • Runtime: approx. 42 minutes per episode × 6 episodes; Douban link

    It’s Christmas again—seems like it’s time for a few murders.

    @潘誉晗： Eleven months ago, unwilling to reveal her secret, Emily parted ways with Sam on bad terms, and the two even cut off contact as a result. Sam’s daughter, Violet, however, has remained in touch with Emily. She says she wants to return to work at Emily’s shop and often shares her life with her. During this time, at the request of her English teacher and chess club advisor Henry, Violet has been helping a boy with his English studies. Then one day, Henry disappears. The vice principal claims Henry resigned in a hurry, but Emily senses that things are not so simple.

    The series continues its pace of one case every two episodes, and this season weaves in Emily’s past experiences throughout her investigations. This dual-track narrative not only gives viewers a deeper understanding of Emily, but also further enriches her character. She is solving cases, yes—but she is also using the pursuit of truth as a form of psychological self-rescue, slowly healing her own trauma. Like sunlight filtering through the leaves of mistletoe, it may be only a faint glimmer, but it is enough to give Emily strength. And beyond the cases themselves, the lingering romantic tension between Emily and Sam remains just as compelling.

    [US Series] The Rookie – Season 8

    • Keywords: Drama / Comedy
    • Also known as: The Rookie Season 8
    • Runtime: approx. 43 minutes per episode × 18 episodes; Douban link

    So what if he’s old? That just means he’s experienced.

    @潘誉晗：With an upgraded budget, the eighth season opens by moving the action to Prague. To capture a dangerous arms dealer, the police strike a deal with an old acquaintance, Monica, with Nolan going undercover as a bodyguard and his wife Bailey posing as his assistant. Together, they carry out the mission abroad—while also enjoying a second honeymoon. Back in Los Angeles, the rest of the team pulls its weight as well, raiding the arms dealer’s hideout under Lieutenant Gray’s command. Meanwhile, Lucy and Tim make up and begin their sweet life of cohabitation.

    The long-running crime comedy The Rookie remains reassuringly steady in its eighth season. Focusing on the idea of a “second start in life for men over 40,” the series paints a well-rounded portrait of someone choosing to begin again in middle age. Nolan is no longer young—his hair is streaked with gray, and his stamina can’t match that of younger officers—but he still carries the drive to fight on. Who says life has to slow down after 40? Who says you can’t be on the front lines just because you’re no longer young? Nolan shows viewers, through his own actions, the meaning of refusing to bow out. Over eight seasons, he has grown step by step from an aging rookie into a trustworthy police officer, delivering a simple but powerful message: don’t give up easily.

    [Taiwan Series] Life Is for Rent, Not for Sale

    • Keywords: Drama / Comedy
    • Runtime: approx. 45 minutes per episode × 12 episodes; Douban link

    Is it ideals and ability—or a lousy job with a lousy boss?

    @利兹与青鸟： He Xingqi’s parents divorced when she was young. When she was seventeen or eighteen, her father passed away and the house was transferred to her aunt, forcing her—through sheer bad luck—into a life of renting. One day out of the blue, she receives a call from a lawyer: her deceased mother has left behind a well-located property, but it must be jointly inherited with a certain Mr. Cheng Xuan. Mr. Cheng is the director of Xinghe Property Management Services, and he promises that if He Xingqi works at his firm for a full year, he will give her the other half of the property—on the condition that her performance meets expectations. And so, the odd-job worker He Xingqi suddenly finds both a job and a home falling from the sky. She becomes a salesperson at this company, which specializes in rental brokerage and property management, and begins a brand-new life of outwitting clients and navigating the world of real estate rentals.

    This Taiwanese series, spoken in Hokkien, unfolds Taipei’s rental ecosystem in a lighthearted comedic tone. It touches on people from different social classes and vulnerable groups, while also explaining various types of rental arrangements and emerging policies—such as government-subsidized social housing rented out at 20% below market rates. The female lead’s dopamine-bright outfits are eye-catching; she’s playful and quick-witted, yet also a bit of a greenhorn. As she takes on more clients, conflicts and complications pile up one after another. Her sweet, cute voice belies a sharp tongue—she often voices the audience’s complaints outright, adding plenty of charm. Each episode ends on a small cliffhanger, making it easy for viewers to slip into her perspective and, through her doubts and struggles, explore the many faces of life reflected in the industry.

    [Japanese Series] The Secret Delights of Kyotoites: Rouge — Inheritance

    • Keywords: Drama
    • Also known as: 京都人の密かな愉しみ Rouge 継承
    • Runtime: approx. 45 minutes per episode × 9 episodes; Douban link

    The beauty of Kyoto.

    @利兹与青鸟： Born in Kyoto and raised in Paris, Lo comes to Kyoto to study at her father’s suggestion and attempts to inherit a traditional wagashi shop—Kuraya Harunobu, a centuries-old establishment with over 200 years of history and eight generations of craftsmanship. The shop has become part of Kyoto’s cultural fabric, yet now faces the prospect of having no successor. Whether out of a momentary impulse or because her Kyoto DNA has been stirred, Lo sets foot on her homeland for the first time as an adult and begins touring the city’s famous sights: praying to the Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Kannon at Rengeō-in (Sanjūsangen-dō), hopping across stepping stones on the Kamo River, and gazing over the water from Nijō Bridge, slowly feeling her connection to this ancient capital.

    The Secret Delights of Kyotoites series has aired seven installments since 2015, all directed and written by Takashi Minamoto, developing a style uniquely its own. It frequently weaves in Kyoto’s humanistic history, possessing the classical restraint of a documentary and the refined beauty of a travelogue, all infused with the dry, sharp-edged humor characteristic of Kyoto locals, as it gently tells the story of this Kyoto family. The very first episode uses the Eleven-Faced Kannon as a metaphor for how Kyotoites rarely reveal their true feelings, introducing the story’s background and its somewhat complex web of relationships—making it easy to slip in even if you haven’t seen the previous entries. The slow, tender piano soundtrack also calms the mind and draws you onward, as you begin to wonder how Lo will carry on this century-old shop amid the collision of cultures and generations.

    [Animation] Fate/strange Fake

    • Keywords: novel adaptation / fantasy / action
    • Also known as: Fate/strange Fake
    • Runtime: 24 minutes per episode × 13 episodes, updated every Saturday
    • Where to watch: Bahamut Anime Crazy; Douban link

    Art is a gas explosion!

    @SHY: Several years after the Fifth Holy Grail War, anomalies emerge in the snowy city of Snowfield in the western United States. Masters and Servants gather upon a false pedestal, acting according to their own designs. Yet when the Saber class—one that should not exist—is summoned, the “false Holy Grail War” is elevated into a real one, and a grand banquet of magi and heroic spirits begins.

    What, then, is the core appeal of the Fate series? Fashionably mysterious worldbuilding and spectacular clashes between legendary heroes from different eras surely rank at the top. And these two elements are precisely the specialties of author Ryohgo Narita. A master of ensemble storytelling, he writes without a single absolute protagonist; instead, dozens of characters enter from the outset, each with an origin more outrageous than the last. Through deft multi-perspective shifts and carefully arranged moments in the spotlight for everyone, he stages the ultimate all-out brawl of godlike combatants, fulfilling every chūnibyō fantasy about the Holy Grail War.

    The anime adaptation by A-1 Pictures knows exactly where to place its focus. While preserving the main narrative spine, it heavily compresses the novel’s quieter, dialogue-driven sections to ensure that each episode delivers heavyweight action scenes. Starting with the “Gil vs. Enkidu clash” in the prologue Whispers of Dawn, explosive highlights arrive one after another, producing countless iconic moments. Lavish animation resources paired with Hiroyuki Sawano’s thunderous score—how could it be described as anything less than exhilarating? This fantasy carnival, balancing both serious drama and outrageous spectacle, stands as the season’s strongest popcorn anime, and has all the makings of becoming many young viewers’ first Fate experience.

    [Animation] Primal – Season 3

    • Keywords: Fantasy / Action / Adventure
    • Also known as: Primal Season 3
    • Runtime: 22 minutes per episode × 10 episodes, updated every Sunday
    • Where to watch: HBO Max; Douban link

    Death is not the end.

    @SHY: After the generational handover at the end of Season 2, most viewers probably assumed that Spear’s daughter—riding a dragon into battle in the final scene—would take over as the new protagonist. But this series has never followed convention. At the start of Season 3, Spear, who should have been long dead, is resurrected as a walking corpse. After breaking free from control by accident, he is left with nothing but his body, wandering by instinct until fragments of memory begin to ripple back to the surface.

    According to creator Genndy Tartakovsky, he originally intended Season 2 to be the end of the series, until this irresistible idea suddenly took shape. Carrying forward the elements that set the earlier seasons apart, the new season uses sharp, forceful storytelling to sketch out the full spectrum of life in this brutal, survival-of-the-fittest land. Now a zombie, the protagonist can withstand even more damage—and strikes with far less restraint, embodying a blood-soaked aesthetic of violence through deadly, flesh-and-bone combat that sets the pulse racing.

    Stripped of reason and emotion, the protagonist severs his ties with the past, yet in a sense this brings the series closer to its origins, returning to the mysterious and restrained primal adventure of its opening. As blurred fragments gradually come into focus, Spear follows the traces he once left behind, embarking on a long journey to rediscover himself and reclaim his humanity, reexamining the world from another perspective. With its striking visuals and bold narrative voice, this critically acclaimed, hard-edged adult animation is poised to carry its legacy forward.

    More

    [Film] Into the Line of Fire
    @潘誉晗: Based on a true story, the film follows foreign correspondent Ma Xiao and doctor Pan Wenjia as they accompany engineer Miao Feng to repair a base station—only to be kidnapped by terrorists. Faced with a ransom demand of USD 5 million per person, they begin a 105-day struggle for survival. Thanks to extensive research into the incident and related materials, the film is rendered with delicacy and realism: sandstorms, explosions, bloodshed, and the inhuman brutality of the militants. War is always cruel—we should stay far from it and cherish peace.

    [US Series] His and Her Lies
    @Sholmes: A murder occurs in a small town near Atlanta. Both Jake, the investigator on the case, and Anna, the anchor reporting on it, know the victim, Rachel. On the night Rachel was killed, Jake was on a date with her in a car in the woods, while Anna watched coldly from not far away. To conceal their connections to the victim, Jake and Anna can only rely on lies. Told through dual perspectives, the series probes the boundary between truth and falsehood, constructing a multilayered narrative maze about deception and self-preservation.

    [Japanese Series] Tokyo P.D.: Metropolitan Police Public Relations Division 2
    @Sholmes: Imaizumi is a criminal investigator who is unexpectedly transferred to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Public Relations Division, tasked with dealing with the media—an assignment that leaves him confused and resistant. A woman is stabbed to death in Sumida Ward, and the investigation points to Yajima, a police officer who had been stalking the victim for a long time. To cover up the scandal, Hashimoto, head of the Internal Affairs Division, forcibly frames an innocent homeless man as the culprit. Imaizumi attempts to uncover the truth through indirect means. Using criminal cases and media reporting as its entry points, the series combines social relevance with strong suspense.

    [Japanese Series] The Counterproof of Sirius
    @Sholmes: Lawyer Fujishima is devoted to defending the wrongfully convicted and seeking retrials. Miyahara, who was sentenced to death in the “Yoshidakawa Incident” 25 years ago, sends Fujishima a letter claiming his innocence. Fujishima begins reinvestigating the cold case, challenging an almost impossible bid for a retrial. The series not only traces the painstaking search for truth, but also portrays a broader human landscape—Fujishima’s own trauma, the suffering of death-row inmates’ families—imbuing this story about judicial justice with deep compassion.

    [Korean Series] UDT: Our Neighborhood Task Force
    @潘誉晗: This neighborhood is something else. Insurance investigator Choi Kang is a former UDT demolition expert; hardware store owner Kwak Byeong-nam is an ex–special forces soldier; and the supermarket owner is a formidable former drill instructor. After retirement, all they want is a quiet life—but a string of explosions in the neighborhood prompts the three to join forces to protect their home. Perfectly blending action and comedy, the series moves at a brisk pace, and its theme of safeguarding family and community is warm and touching.

    [Ireland] Leonard and Hungry Paul
    @潘誉晗: Leonard and Paul are two quiet friends. Leonard carries a gentle air of melancholy, has few particular interests, and finds his only real pleasure in playing board games at Paul’s house. Paul lives with his parents, leading an equally subdued life. Adapted from the novel of the same name, the series depicts the everyday existence of two men well into adulthood—days without many highs or dramatic turns. Yet it is precisely this restrained, tranquil simplicity that makes you feel that perhaps life is meant to be this way.

    📅 This Week’s New Trailers

    Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – Season 2 | Official Trailer

    On January 11, the TV anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – Season 2 released its official trailer, announcing that the opening theme will be performed by Mrs. GREEN APPLE. The series will begin airing on January 16. Adapted from the manga by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe, the anime is directed by Tomoya Kitagawa with Keiichiro Saito as series director, and produced by MADHOUSE. It follows the journey of the elven mage Frieren. Source

    Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash – The Witch of Circe | New Trailer

    On January 16, the animated film Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash – The Witch of Circe released a trailer featuring its theme song. The film will premiere in Japan on January 30. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Yoshiyuki Tomino, it is directed by Shukou Murase, written by Yasuyuki Mutou, with music by Hiroyuki Sawano, and produced by Sunrise. Voice cast includes Kensho Ono, Reina Ueda, Junichi Suwabe, Soma Saito, and others. Source

    One Piece – Season 2 | Teaser Trailer

    On January 12, the live-action TV series One Piece released a “Baroque Works” version teaser trailer for its second season, which will debut on Netflix on March 10. Starring Iñaki Godoy, Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Gibson, Taz Skylar, and others, the Straw Hat crew sets sail from Loguetown, crosses Reverse Mountain, and arrives at the Grand Line, with characters such as Smoker, Robin, Vivi, and Chopper making their appearances. Source

    The Mummy | First Teaser Trailer

    On January 13, the film The Mummy released its first teaser trailer and is scheduled to open in North America on April 17. Produced by James Wan and directed by Lee Cronin (Evil Dead Rise), the film stars Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, and May Calamawy. When a journalist’s daughter mysteriously disappears in the desert, what should have been a joyful reunion gradually turns into a living nightmare. Source

    Euphoria – Season 3 | First Trailer

    On January 14, HBO’s hit series Euphoria released the first trailer for its third season, set to premiere on April 12. Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Eric Dane, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Colman Domingo, Rosalía, Alexa Demie, and Maude Apatow return. With high school behind them, the characters step into very different paths in life. Source

    More

    The film Avengers 5: Doomsday released a new in-theater trailer, announcing the return of the Fantastic Four and the Wakandans. The previous three in-theater trailers had already confirmed the return of superheroes such as Captain America, the X-Men, and Thor. Robert Downey Jr. returns as the main villain Doctor Doom, with the Russo brothers directing. The film is scheduled to be released in North America on December 18. Source

    The series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters – Season 2 released a teaser trailer. Kurt Russell, Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Hiroyuki Sanada, and others return to star. The fierce battles between Godzilla and the Titans will level San Francisco, leading into a shocking new world where monsters truly exist. The season will premiere on Apple TV on February 27. Source

    The Los Angeles Heist released a new official trailer: starring Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, Mark Ruffalo, and Barry Keoghan; directed by Bart Layton (American Animals) and co-written with Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy). Adapted from the novel of the same name by Don Winslow, the film will be released in North America on February 13.

    📽 Film & TV News Weekly

    Wuthering Heights confirmed for mainland China release

    On January 12, the film Wuthering Heights was confirmed for release in mainland China, along with the launch of its trailer and poster. The release date is yet to be announced. Directed by Emerald Fennell (Saltburn) and starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, with Zhou Hong, Alison Oliver, Owen Cooper, and others also appearing, the film tells the tragic and intense love story between the orphan Heathcliff and Catherine, daughter of the Earnshaw family. Source

    The Shining set for mainland China release on January 30

    On January 14, Stanley Kubrick’s legendary masterpiece The Shining released its mainland China release trailer and poster, announcing that it will hit Chinese theaters for the first time on January 30 in 2D, CINITY, and IMAX formats. Starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, and Danny Lloyd, the film follows writer Jack, his wife Wendy, and their son Danny as they move into a remote mountain hotel, where eerie events begin to unfold. Source

    The Dark Bride! set for mainland China release on March 6

    On January 16, the film The Dark Bride! released its mainland China release trailer and poster, confirming a simultaneous release with North America on March 6. Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal and starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale, the story follows the lonely Frankenstein monster, who begs Dr. Euphronius to create a companion for him. Together, they successfully revive a young woman who was murdered. Source

    Sanctuary set for mainland China release on January 30

    On January 15, the action thriller Sanctuary released its mainland China release trailer and poster, announcing a simultaneous release with North America on January 30. Directed by Ric Roman Waugh and starring Jason Statham, the film centers on Mason, a former elite agent living in seclusion on a remote island. After unexpectedly rescuing a young girl named Jessie, he is forced back into his old life, launching a no-retreat battle to protect her. Source

  • SSPAI Morning Brief: Google Chrome to restore support for the JPEG-XL image format, and More

    SSPAI Morning Brief: Google Chrome to restore support for the JPEG-XL image format, and More

    Morning Brief

    1. SK Hynix says it has no plans to exit the consumer storage market
    2. China’s State Administration for Market Regulation opens investigation into Trip.com Group in accordance with the law
    3. Insta360 releases Link 2 Pro series webcams
    4. Google Chrome to restore support for the JPEG-XL image format
    5. Apple confirms Pixelmator for iOS will stop receiving updates
    6. Hannsnote launches Lumo reading tablet
    7. Garmin releases quatix 8 Pro marine smartwatch
    8. IKEA launches Kallsup Bluetooth speaker
    9. Zhipu teams up with Huawei to open-source GLM-Image, the first SOTA multimodal model trained on domestic chips
    10. Rumors You Can Just Glance At

    SK Hynix says it has no plans to exit the consumer storage market

    In response to recent market rumors claiming that “SK Hynix plans to discontinue consumer storage products,” SK Hynix told Jiemian News that the company has not discussed or planned to exit the consumer products business, and that such claims are inaccurate.

    At an internal meeting disclosed last year, SK Hynix noted that growth in commodity DRAM capacity is expected to be limited and may struggle to keep up with steadily rising demand, potentially pushing memory prices even higher. According to presentation slides from that meeting shared by BullsLab, SK Hynix forecasts that, aside from high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and SOCAMM modules, capacity growth for commodity DRAM will remain constrained through 2028. The main reason is that major memory manufacturers are gradually shifting more production capacity toward AI-related demand, leaving only modest increases in capacity allocation for the consumer market. Source

    China’s State Administration for Market Regulation opens investigation into Trip.com Group in accordance with the law

    Recently, based on preliminary verification, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), in accordance with the Anti-Monopoly Law of the People’s Republic of China, has opened a formal investigation into Trip.com Group Co., Ltd. on suspicion of abusing its market dominance to engage in monopolistic practices. Source

    Trip.com stated:

    “Recently, Trip.com received a notice from the State Administration for Market Regulation informing us that a formal investigation has been initiated, in accordance with the law, into alleged monopolistic behavior involving our company. We will actively cooperate with the regulatory authorities throughout the investigation, fully implement all regulatory requirements, and work together with all parties in the industry to build a sustainable market environment. At present, all of the company’s business operations are running normally, and we will continue, as always, to provide high-quality services to our users and partners.”

    Insta360 releases Link 2 Pro series webcams

    Insta360 officially released its flagship Link 2 Pro series webcams on January 14.

    The Link 2 Pro series includes two models: the Insta360 Link 2 Pro and the Link 2C Pro. Both feature a large 1/1.3-inch sensor and support 4K ultra-high-definition resolution, making the series well suited for nighttime or low-light indoor meetings and live-streaming scenarios. The Link 2 Pro series also introduces dual native ISO technology and optimizations for HDR mode. In addition, it is equipped with a directional microphone to ensure clear audio capture even in open offices or noisy outdoor environments. As for design differences, the Insta360 Link 2 Pro comes with a built-in tracking gimbal, while the Link 2C Pro uses a fixed mount.

    In terms of features, the Link 2 Pro series supports Link Controller, which uses AI algorithms to separate the subject from the background and deliver a natural depth-of-field effect close to that of DSLR cameras. The products are also equipped with AI tracking and a dual-axis gimbal, support automatic framing, can connect seamlessly with the Wave stabilizer, and offer features such as automatic speaker recognition.

    In terms of pricing, the Insta360 Link 2 Pro starts at RMB 1,758, while the Insta360 Link 2C Pro starts at RMB 1,398. Source

    Google Chrome to restore support for the JPEG-XL image format

    On January 13, Google re-integrated the JPEG-XL image format into the Chromium browser engine. The feature is implemented using jxl-rs, a secure decoder written in Rust, to meet Chromium’s security requirements. At present, JPEG-XL support is disabled by default; users need to enable the #enable-jxl-image-format option on the chrome://flags page to use it.

    Chromium had supported JPEG-XL in earlier versions. However, Google removed support for the format with the release of Chrome 110 in 2022, citing the limited number of websites adopting it. Since then, Google has shifted its focus to promoting the adoption of the AVIF image format.

    It is worth noting that at the end of last year, the PDF Association designated JPEG-XL as the preferred format for embedding HDR images in PDF files. Source

    Apple confirms Pixelmator for iOS will stop receiving updates

    On January 13, Apple released Pixelmator Pro for iPad and launched the Apple Creator Studio subscription service. At the same time, Apple disclosed the future plans for the existing iOS versions of Pixelmator and Photomator in the Q&A section at the bottom of its official website.

    Apple clearly stated that Pixelmator will no longer receive updates. The app will retain its basic image editing features, such as cropping, color adjustment, and effects, and users can continue to use it normally. Another app, Photomator, will continue to be available as a standalone product on the App Store and is expected to receive ongoing feature updates and support in the future. Source

    Hannsnote launches Lumo reading tablet

    On January 14, Hannspree released the Lumo reading tablet. Designed for low-power reading scenarios, the device features a 7.8-inch reflective LCD display without a backlight, relying on ambient light reflection to deliver a viewing experience close to that of an e-ink screen.

    In terms of hardware, Lumo is equipped with a 1024 × 768 display panel with a 60 Hz refresh rate, powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 processor, and includes a 3000 mAh battery. It also comes with a 5 MP front camera and an 8 MP rear camera.

    To improve usability in low-light environments, Hannspree offers an optional front light accessory. According to official figures, with the front light turned on at maximum brightness, the device can still deliver about 6.5 hours of battery life. Pricing for the Hannspree Lumo is set at €369. Source

    Garmin releases quatix 8 Pro marine smartwatch

    On January 13, Garmin unveiled its flagship marine smartwatch, the quatix 8 Pro. Designed for offshore and professional maritime scenarios, the device integrates inReach satellite communication technology and an LTE cellular module to address the common challenges of communication and signal coverage at sea.

    According to Garmin, even when users are about 50 miles (approximately 80.5 km) offshore, the quatix 8 Pro can send and receive text messages, make voice calls, and check real-time weather information without relying on a smartphone. The watch also features a built-in SOS emergency function, allowing users to send distress signals directly to the 24/7 Garmin Response emergency coordination center in case of unexpected situations.

    On the software side, Garmin has introduced a Boat Mode for the quatix 8 Pro. When the system detects that the user is in a maritime environment, it prioritizes features such as autopilot control, trolling motor status, and vessel data. Once ashore, the interface switches back to a layout focused on everyday apps and health data to better suit office work or fitness use.

    In terms of hardware, the quatix 8 Pro features a 47 mm titanium bezel and a sapphire crystal lens, along with a 1.4-inch high-brightness AMOLED display. In smartwatch mode, battery life can reach up to 15 days. In addition to marine-specific functions, the device supports 24/7 health monitoring, Garmin Pay contactless payments, and more than 100 sports modes, including water sports such as wake surfing and water skiing. Garmin stated that the quatix 8 Pro is scheduled to go on sale on January 16, 2026, with a starting price of USD 1,299.99. Source

    IKEA launches Kallsup Bluetooth speaker

    During CES 2026, IKEA unveiled the Kallsup portable Bluetooth speaker. The product features a cube-shaped design and focuses on affordability and portability. It measures approximately 70 × 70 × 70 mm, uses a plastic корпус, and is equipped with anti-slip feet on the bottom, making it suitable for carrying around or for desktop use.

    In terms of colors, Kallsup is available in bright pink, bright green, and white. For connectivity, the speaker supports Bluetooth 5.3 and introduces a “broadcast mode.” According to IKEA, this mode allows up to 100 Kallsup speakers to be wirelessly connected at the same time to expand audio coverage.

    The body is equipped with only two physical buttons—for power and Bluetooth pairing—and provides operation feedback through audio prompts. For battery life, Kallsup has a built-in rechargeable battery and charges via USB-C. Official figures show that it can play continuously for about 9 hours at 50% volume. IKEA stated that Kallsup is scheduled to go on sale in April 2026, priced at USD 10. Source

    Zhipu teams up with Huawei to open-source GLM-Image, the first SOTA multimodal model trained on domestic chips

    On January 14, Zhipu announced that it has jointly open-sourced a new-generation image generation model, GLM-Image, together with Huawei. The model was developed end-to-end—from data processing to model training—based on Ascend Atlas 800T A2 computing hardware and the MindSpore AI framework. Zhipu stated that GLM-Image is the first state-of-the-art (SOTA) multimodal model to be fully trained on a domestic AI chip platform.

    In terms of model architecture, GLM-Image adopts a self-developed hybrid design combining “autoregressive + diffusion decoder,” enabling joint modeling of image generation and language models. By optimizing the tokenizer design, the model can adaptively handle inputs of different resolutions and natively supports image generation tasks ranging from 1024 × 1024 to 2048 × 2048 at arbitrary aspect ratios, without requiring separate training for each resolution.

    Regarding application performance, Zhipu noted that GLM-Image performs stably on image generation tasks involving complex logical relationships and textual explanations, making it suitable for scenarios such as scientific illustrations and schematic diagrams. In content creation for e-commerce images and multi-panel comics, the model can maintain consistency of subjects and visual style across multiple images while improving the accuracy of text generation. In addition, it is suitable for producing visually complex layouts such as social media covers, posters, and commercial promotional graphics.

    Beyond text- and layout-related tasks, GLM-Image also supports image generation across a variety of subjects and shot types, including portraits, pets, landscapes, and still life. The model has now been open-sourced on GitHub, Hugging Face, and the ModelScope community.

    Rumors You Can Just Glance At

    • Recently, a quirky app called “死了么” topped the paid apps chart on the Chinese App Store. As the app has also seen explosive growth overseas, the development team has decided to officially update its global brand name to “Demumu.” At the same time, the official team posted on social media last night inviting netizens to suggest more creative Chinese names for the app. Source
    • According to CCTV News, on January 13 local time, the U.S. government approved NVIDIA to export its H200 AI chips to China. This decision is expected to resume shipments of H200 chips to Chinese customers. Earlier, U.S. President Trump had stated on social media that the U.S. would allow NVIDIA to sell H200 chips to China. The related sales are subject to approval and security review by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Meanwhile, the U.S. side will also collect about 25% in fees from the related transactions. In other related information, an NVIDIA spokesperson previously told the Global Times that compliant sales of H200 chips to authorized Chinese customers would not affect the company’s supply to other global markets. In addition, according to Tencent Technology citing informed sources, the channel price of an 8-card H200 module is about RMB 1.4 million, higher than that of the H20. In terms of performance density (TPP), the H200 reaches a computing power value of 15,832, about 6.7 times that of the H20. Source
    • According to Reuters, multiple informed sources revealed that Chinese customs authorities notified relevant officials this week not to allow the import of NVIDIA H200 AI chips. At the same time, Chinese government officials convened domestic technology companies and explicitly required that, in principle, companies should not purchase H200 chips unless there is an irreplaceable necessity. The instructions did not specify the reasons, nor did they clarify whether this constitutes a formal ban or a temporary measure. It is also currently unclear whether H200 chips that have already been ordered will be affected. Source
  • What to Watch This Week | 9 Recent Picks Worth Your Time

    What to Watch This Week | 9 Recent Picks Worth Your Time

    ☕️ TL;DR

    Recent recommendations: [Film] 100 Meters., [UK series] The Night Manager Season 2, [UK series] All Creatures Great and Small: 2025 Christmas Special, [UK series] A Ghost Story for Christmas: The House in the Tower, [Animation] Kaguya-sama: Love Is War – The Stairway to Adulthood, [Animation] There’s No Way I Can Have a Lover! (Or Maybe There Is!?) ~Shining Again!~, [Documentary] Eighty Years After the War, [Reality show] Culinary Class Wars: Black & White Chef Season 2, [Reality show] Manhattan Gold Brokers Season 2

    A few notable trailers: new trailer for Avengers 5, first trailer for The Death of Robin Hood, first trailer for The Crowd, and the first trailer for the film Burst Pipe

    A few pieces of film & TV news: The Shining confirmed for release, Green Liquid Panic confirmed for release, Safe Haven confirmed for release, My Friend Andrei scheduled for January 17

    👀 N Picks This Week

    Based on reader feedback, if a recommendation involves spoilers (revealing key elements such as the core plot, hidden threads, foreshadowing, or the ending), we will add a 🔦 emoji before the title.

    You can find past recommendations here or by clicking the tag #WhatToWatch at the end of the article. For more themed watchlists, click here; for more in-depth film and TV content, feel free to follow our spin-off column “What to Watch Café.” If you have other suggestions, you’re welcome to leave them in the comments. Thank you for your continued love and support for the “What to Watch” column.

    [Film] 100 Meters.

    • Keywords: manga adaptation / drama / sports / inspirational
    • Also known as: ひゃくえむ。 / Hyakuemu. / 100 Meters
    • Runtime: 106 minutes
    • Where to watch: Netflix; Douban link

    If you can run faster than everyone else, you can solve any problem.

    @SHY: Naturally gifted at running, the boy Tomita believes this is where the value of his life lies. After meeting Komiya, who runs as a way to escape reality, the two gradually build a friendship—until Komiya transfers schools once again. Years later, Tomita, who once gave up, and Komiya, who never stopped training, reunite on the track. What kind of outcome will they face?

    You might have first heard the name of manga artist Uoto from Orb: On the Movements of the Earth. Compared with that work’s relay across generations, his debut manga 100 Meters. measures a life-or-death sprint within the span of just ten seconds. On the starting line, every athlete has a reason they cannot lose, and different obstacles they must overcome. And at the far end of both talent and hard work, perhaps by returning to the starting point, they may finally reconcile with themselves and learn to savor the act of giving it their all.

    Director Kenji Iwai, who helmed the animated adaptation, deeply understands the spirit of this story. He once spent more than seven years, almost single-handedly, completing the animated feature On-Gaku: Our Sound, and he continues to use the live-action rotoscoping technique here as well. Rough, rhythm-shaking lines sketch out a breathtaking long take in the rain, carving out vivid character arcs. The collision of two creators who both pursue their craft to the extreme has given birth to this powerful animated film—one that draws out a genuine sense of motivation and forward drive from its audience.

    [UK Series] The Night Manager Season 2

    • Keywords: suspense / crime
    • Also known as: The Night Manager Season 2
    • Runtime: about 60 minutes per episode × 6 episodes
    • Where to watch: Prime Video; Douban link

    @利兹与青鸟: Jonathan is recruited from his job as a hotel night manager to become a frontline MI6 agent, going undercover at the side of arms dealer Richard and, after countless dangers, bringing him to justice. Ten years have passed since the first season aired, and the story of season two is set eight years after the previous installment. His former superior, Angela, reveals that Richard has died unexpectedly in prison. Relieved, Jonathan changes his name to Alex and becomes the leader of the “Night Owl” surveillance unit, responsible for intelligence work, yet his past experiences still haunt him. When he accidentally uncovers remnants of Richard’s network, he is once again plagued by sleepless nights and even launches a private investigation without his superiors’ approval.

    The series moves at a brisk pace and gets straight to the point, using cross-cutting to establish the background. Tom Hiddleston delivers a solid performance, staging a somber, hard-edged tale of espionage and revenge in London. The opening episode’s tracking, surveillance, and wiretapping sequences are deeply engaging. As the investigation unfolds, it turns out that officials within MI6 are also implicated, raising the difficulty of the case to another level. The two sides are evenly matched: Jonathan’s team is quickly set up, suffering heavy casualties that keep viewers on edge, while Jonathan once again follows the same path as in season one, infiltrating the enemy as an undercover agent. Overall, the viewing experience and production quality are in no way inferior to the first season. A third season has already been renewed, so fans of the series should not miss it.

    [UK Series] All Creatures Great and Small: 2025 Christmas Special

    • Keywords: drama
    • Also known as: All Creatures Great and Small: 2025 Christmas Special
    • Runtime: 55 minutes; Douban link

    The first Christmas after the war is both special and ordinary.

    @Sholmes: Yorkshire welcomes its first Christmas since the end of the war, and everyone is still adjusting to a new rhythm of life. Helen is bedridden with illness, while James is busy rehearsing for a Christmas performance and stretched thin. Mrs. Pumphrey, however, shows up with Tricki and insists on giving him hormone injections. Mrs. Stockes’s goat is poisoned, prompting Siegfried to rush out on an emergency call, only to reunite with Dorothy after returning home. Tristan forgets to prepare a Christmas tree for Maggie, and has to enlist Charlotte’s help to “steal” one. Turkeys have become a scarce commodity, so Mrs. Hall decides to enter the pub’s darts competition to win one to take home—only to run into unexpectedly strong opponents.

    For farmers, animals’ needs never pause, whether it is a holiday or not, so Christmas is essentially no different from any other day. But for people who have endured a long war, there is an urgent need for release, a chance to let out emotions that have been bottled up for far too long. It is within this tension that the holiday becomes especially meaningful. The Christmas special deftly weaves together the veterinarians’ daily calls with people’s anticipation of the festivities, juxtaposing the responsibility of caring for life with the joy of regaining warmth in living. With restraint and tenderness, it recreates the singular atmosphere of that postwar Christmas. Only after loss do people truly learn to cherish the present moment, and the ones who are still by their side.

    [UK Series] A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Room in the Tower

    • Keywords: drama / thriller / horror
    • Also known as: A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Room in the Tower
    • Runtime: 29 minutes; Douban link

    “I’ve left the room in the tower for you.”

    @潘誉晗: A sudden air raid forces everyone to take shelter in an air-raid bunker, including a woman who had originally planned to spend the time listening to music. While hiding, she strikes up a conversation with a man named Roger to mask her inner unease. When the topic of dreams comes up, Roger reveals his torment. He has been haunted by the same dream over and over again: in it, the mother of his friend, Mrs. Stone, always appears, and she always says to him, “I’ve left the tower for you.”

    In recent years, the BBC has aired a horror short adapted from a novel every Christmas Day, directed by Mark Gatiss (Mycroft in Sherlock). Although each episode runs for only about half an hour, they are exceptionally strong in atmosphere, enough to leave viewers unsettled, with a chill creeping up their spine.

    Countryside settings, old mansions, towers, abandoned houses, murals… the architecture and elements are steeped in classic British style, archaic and elegant, as if imbued with a strange magic that pulls you straight into the terrifying story. The protagonist recounts his experiences in an extremely calm and restrained voice, creating a sharp contrast with the festive timing of Christmas, and making the seemingly predestined ending feel all the more bleak and hopeless.

    [Animation] Kaguya-sama: Love Is War – Stairway to Adulthood

    • Keywords: manga adaptation / school / romance / comedy
    • Also known as: かぐや様は告らせたい 大人への階段 / Kaguya-sama: Love Is War -Stairway to Adulthood-
    • Runtime: about 26 minutes per episode × 2 episodes
    • Where to watch: Bahamut Anime; Douban link

    And then… they were gone!

    @SHY: The battle of wits in love between these geniuses has come to a temporary close, and the first kiss that would never end has become a thing of the past. Now that they are officially dating, Kaguya and Shirogane can finally open their hearts to each other. Yet stories are never without twists. As time moves to the eve of Shirogane’s departure to study abroad, the two spend a night together—can they step onto the stairway to adulthood?

    A good adaptation stays true to the original; a great one transcends it. “Kaguya” undoubtedly belongs to the latter. Although the reputation of the original author, Aka Akasaka, has long since taken a nosedive, director Mamoru Hatakeyama and A-1 Pictures have brought extraordinary passion to deliver what can only be described as a miraculous revival. Building on the manga, this adaptation discards the dross and keeps the essence, skipping the heavily criticized arcs and, through perfectly judged rewrites, presents the decisive moments fans have been longing for—everything exactly as beautiful as it lives in their memories.

    To smooth out the awkwardness in continuity, the anime jumps forward to a point after everything has settled, letting Kaguya, while organizing photo albums, open up sealed memories and naturally piece together fragments scattered across the story. Beyond the usual fun episodic segments, the development between Kaguya and Shirogane is the true highlight, with an overdose of sweetness that makes it impossible not to smile. This thoughtfully crafted New Year’s gift remains an unsurpassable peak of the school romance comedy genre, and one can only hope that the upcoming theatrical finale with an original storyline will bring the series to a perfect close.

    [Animation] There’s No Way I Can Be Your Lover, No Way! (※Or Maybe It Is Possible!?) ~Next Shine!~

    • Keywords: light novel adaptation / school / romance / comedy
    • Also known as: わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ!（※ムリじゃなかった!?）〜ネクストシャイン！〜
    • Runtime: 24 minutes per episode × 5 episodes; Douban link

    You are all my wings!

    @SHY: After receiving a confession from Ajisai, Renako once again chooses to run away, unable to make up her mind. Faced with tangled emotions and unwilling to hurt anyone, how is she supposed to make a choice? Meanwhile, after being completely absent for an entire season, a mysterious blue-haired background character suddenly storms onto the battlefield as a “childhood friend out of nowhere.” Surrounded by a pack of love rivals, can she finally shed her status as a mere side character?

    As last year’s most talked-about yuri anime, affectionately given countless nicknames by content creators, “Lover? No Way” has arrived right on schedule with a pseudo-sequel. As early as the project’s planning stage, the creators realized that a single cour would be far from enough to fully capture the essence of the original work. They ultimately opted for an unconventional 17-episode structure, adapting the story at a more suitable pace up to volume four of the novels. This installment carries on the TV series’ strengths: generally solid animation and the voice actors’ outstanding performances maintain a similarly high level of overall quality.

    While the fun factor hasn’t dropped at all, the already tangled web of relationships grows even more complicated. Fortunately, the multiple storylines are handled well, successfully bringing a whole cast of characters to life. Standing on stage and delivering explosive declarations, Renako fully embraces her path as the “trashy pink-haired girl,” generating an endless supply of reaction images and meme-worthy moments. This delightfully off-the-rails chaotic romantic comedy can’t help but make you sigh: you guys living your lives properly is more important than anything else—now please hurry up and greenlight a real sequel.

    [Documentary] Eighty Years After the War

    • Keywords: documentary / history
    • Runtime: 172 minutes
    • Where to watch: Bilibili (Shipindao “Support Plan,” paid); Douban link

    I truly hope for world peace!

    @潘誉晗: It was a Monday. Chieko Kiriaki had planned to go to the hospital for an examination and treatment. Because she had spent years standing at work, her legs were injured. When she reached the riverside, overcome by heat and pain, she decided to stop and rest for a moment. Just as she found a shady eave to take shelter under, a blinding flash filled her vision. That day was August 6, 1945, in Hiroshima.

    After finishing Ryukyu in a Single Thought, the Shipindao team felt that the topic of Japan deserved another in-depth exploration. What, exactly, has made this country so divided, contradictory, and distorted? An even more remarkable coincidence is that Eighty Years After the War was filmed during the transition between the terms of Prime Ministers Shigeru Ishiba and Sanae Takaichi.

    The opening, in which Hiroshima atomic bomb survivors slowly recount their experiences, already leaves one speechless. The subsequent appearance of anti-war activists further sets the documentary’s solemn tone. Sadly, the protest calling on the government to acknowledge its historical wrongdoings sees very few young faces. From this entry point, the film unfolds a sweeping narrative touching on Japan’s aggression, defeat, and reconstruction, while also leaving behind a question that seems difficult to answer: over these eighty years, has Japan truly remembered?

    [Reality Show] Culinary Class Wars Season 2

    • Keywords: reality show / food
    • Also known as: Culinary Class Wars Season 2
    • Runtime: about 81 minutes per episode × 13 episodes
    • Where to watch: Netflix; Douban link

    Perfect fuel for a meal—so hype.

    @潘誉晗: Riding on its stellar word of mouth and the long-tail impact of the participating chefs’ restaurants, the reality show Culinary Class Wars returned with its second season last month. This season continues the core concept of “a war between culinary classes” from the first installment, while introducing a slight tweak to the competition rules: in the opening round, there are 18 “White Spoons” (celebrity chefs), 80 “Black Spoons” (lesser-known cooks), and two hidden white chefs. For every white chef who advances, one additional black chef slot opens up—so in this season, how many white chefs move forward directly determines how many black chefs get the chance to advance.

    Korean variety shows are truly masters at reinventing formats and controlling the rhythm of competition. At its core, this is simply a cooking contest, but by layering in a class-based rivalry, the whole event becomes tense and thrilling. Beyond the fast-paced battles and the chefs sharing their techniques on screen, the chefs’ own personalities are a huge draw. The White Spoons brim with confidence, but the Black Spoons—despite being nobodies in the industry—never sell themselves short. Here, taste is the only answer.

    [Reality Show] Owning Manhattan Season 2

    • Keywords: reality show
    • Also known as: Owning Manhattan Season 2
    • Runtime: 38–48 minutes per episode × 8 episodes
    • Where to watch: Netflix; Douban link

    I’m not selling houses—I’m selling emotional value.

    @潘誉晗: New York real estate mogul Ryan Serhant is back. In this season, he continues to lead his famous brokerage firm in its charge toward becoming “New York’s number one real estate company.” At the same time, his agents, as luxury property specialists, are doing everything they can to sell the homes in their portfolios.

    They say insiders watch for the craft, while outsiders watch for the spectacle. If season one’s popularity let ordinary viewers glimpse how ultra-luxury properties are bought and sold in New York, this time it’s easy to be impressed by Ryan and his team’s sheer professional competence. Take Ryan’s recruiting strategy, for example: instead of offering higher pay, he tells candidates that he has an extremely difficult listing in hand. As a leader in the industry, once you’ve reached this level, money alone is no longer enough as bait. The higher you stand and the farther you see, the more challenging the project, the greater the sense of extraordinary achievement when it succeeds. Add to that going all-in to hit sales targets, fierce competition over the same listings, and other high-stakes maneuvers, and it all plays out like a dramatic TV series packed with highlights.

    Is this a tour of luxury homes? No—this is real competition in the workplace.

    More

    [Film] Olivia and the Clouds
    @SHY: Clouds are elusive, and so is love. Olivia, still immersed in an old romance, hides away a bouquet of flowers, and a hallucinatory journey begins. This is the feature-length animation debut of Dominican director Tomás Pichardo-Espaillat, a project that took ten years to complete and bears witness to the growth of the local animation industry. The film boldly combines sketching, collage, live action, and other techniques, using surreal storytelling to convey the unique charm of the Caribbean. The story may feel somewhat obscure, but its lively visuals are brimming with vibrant life.

    [Film] Chutard Manor
    @SHY: In 1931, as the British Empire slips into decline, the Davenport family at Chutard Manor struggles to preserve its former glory. After a wedding full of unexpected twists, Lord Davenport, still without an heir, suddenly dies, pushing the family’s fate to the brink. When the British start poking fun at themselves, no one else stands a chance—this pun-filled comedy specializes in shameless jokes and spares no effort in parodying everything from Downton Abbey to Tolkien. There’s bound to be at least one moment that will make you burst out laughing.

    [Film] Eternal Station
    @Sholmes: After dying of cancer, Joan arrives at a transit station that connects different eternal worlds, where everyone must decide where they will spend eternity. There, she encounters her current husband, Larry, and also reunites with Luke, her first husband who died in the war. Both men want to spend eternity with her, and Joan must choose between them. With the fantastical setting of an eternal transit station, the film explores the struggles people face when confronted with love, death, and choice.

    [UK Series] Dangerous Pursuit
    @Sholmes: After a fierce argument with her parents, Simon’s daughter Peggy runs away from home. During a chance encounter in a park, Simon tries to persuade her to return, but is stopped by her boyfriend, Aaron. Not long after, Aaron is brutally murdered, and Simon quickly becomes the police’s prime suspect. At the same time, a series of murders occurs in succession, and behind them seems to lie a carefully planned, goal-driven serial killing scheme. The plot advances layer by layer, with constant twists and turns, as the truth gradually emerges from the fog, making for a highly gripping watch.

    [US Series] I Love Los Angeles
    @潘誉晗: This new HBO series is set in Los Angeles and follows five friends—Maya, Charlie, Dylan, Tallulah, and Alani—who reunite in the city after many years apart. Each of them is struggling and pushing forward in their own careers, while also supporting one another, yet their way of getting along is rather strange: one moment they are warmly close, and the next they are tearing into each other. With brisk, half-hour episodes, this urban ensemble drama has a light rhythm that resonates well with the mindset of today’s young adults.

    [Japanese Series] The Solitary Gourmet: 2025 New Year’s Eve Special
    @Sholmes: Goro Inogashira is tasked with preparing special rice balls for a year-end event and sets out on a journey to find high-quality rice and ingredients. From Sado Island in Niigata to Yonezawa in Yamagata, he travels through the winter cold, never forgetting to stop and savor the simple, heartwarming local dishes along the way, ultimately completing his mission under the pressure of time. Goro’s culinary journey can be summed up in a haiku: Blanched anglerfish slices, Deeply warming the temple of the five viscera, Winter on Sado. Working overtime at the end of the year is indeed exhausting, but thankfully, there is always good food to soothe the soul.

    [Japanese Series] Shall We Have Curry Today Too?
    @利兹与青鸟: Newly arrived in Tokyo, Chinatsu happens to meet Natsumi, who is heading to the same curry shop—only to discover that she is actually her former college roommate. Thus begins the bond between two curry lovers and their shared journey of exploring curry restaurants. Rich North Indian curry with naan, Pakistani-style curry, Japanese curry—each bite feels like stepping into a fantasy world. Alongside introductions to the characteristics and flavors of various curries, the show also weaves in the daily life of four college dormmates. Lively in style, it’s perfect for watching while eating.

    [Japanese Series] Kazama Kimichika: Reunion
    @Sholmes: The story centers on police academy instructor Kazama Kimichika. A new class of cadets enters the academy and is put to the test under Kazama’s nearly ruthless training. Through high-pressure environments and psychological trials, he forces them to confront their own weaknesses, lies, and fears. Several former trainees who once graduated under his guidance reunite and fight alongside him in the search for a key figure. The film interweaves personal growth with professional duty, offering a profound examination of the price one must pay to become a police officer.

    [Korean Series] Judge Lee Han-young
    @利兹与青鸟: After being wrongfully killed in a major case, Judge Lee Han-young unexpectedly reincarnates at the scene of the very first trial he ever presided over alone. Not yet understanding what is happening, he excitedly sentences a would-be thief to death on the spot. Adapted from a web novel of the same name, the series shifts back and forth between a serious tone and a high-school-like style. Ji Sung’s performance is delicate and spot-on, and utterly charming. Lee Han-young attempts to use his memories to prevent one murder after another from happening. Whether he acts as an angel of justice or a devil of vigilantism, one thing is certain—it’s immensely satisfying.

    [Chinese Series] Uncle
    @潘誉晗: Told from the perspective of his nephew, Huo Xiaoyang, the series portrays the life of his uncle, Huo Guoming. In Northeast China in the 1990s, amid a wave of layoffs, Cui Guoming begins his transformation from a key technician at a state-owned factory to someone who quits to go into business and start his own venture. Along the way, there are laughter and tears, as well as personal growth and transformation. Rich in a sense of its era, the series depicts the ups and downs of ordinary people to carve out a deeply moving portrait of family affection, while also reflecting the imprint of an entire generation.

    📅 New Trailers This Week

    New trailer for Avengers 5

    The film Avengers 5: Doomsday has released two new in-theater trailers in succession, announcing the return of Thor and the X-Men. Directed by the Russo brothers and starring Chris Hemsworth, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and more, the film is set to open in North America on December 18. Source

    First trailer for The Death of Robin Hood

    On January 6, A24 released the first trailer for The Death of Robin Hood, which is scheduled to premiere in North America in 2026. Directed by Kerr Sarnoski and starring Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård, and others, the film follows a battle-hardened, solitary Robin Hood who discovers he is gravely wounded and falls into the hands of a mysterious woman, who offers him a chance at redemption. Source

    First trailer for The Crowd

    On January 6, the film The Crowd unveiled its first trailer and is set to be released in South Korea this May. Written and directed by Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan) and starring Jun Ji-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hyun-been, Kim Shin-rok, Go Soo, and others, the story centers on survivors trapped inside a building after an unknown infection outbreak, fighting for their lives against infected beings that evolve in unpredictable forms. Source

    First trailer released for the film Burst Pipe

    On January 5, the crime comedy Burst Pipe released its first trailer. The film is directed by Zhou Difei and stars Eddie Peng, Allen Ai, Zhou You, and Yan Peilun, with special appearances by Yang Haoyu, Jiang Xueming, Fu Hang, Pan Binlong, and Bu Yu, and featuring Zhang Qi, Huang Yan, Xu Dong, and Yang Zhen, with guest appearances by Zhou Yanchen, Liu Yichun, Jing Ci, and Ai Ran. It is scheduled to be released on January 23.

    More

    New trailer for the animated film Radiant Princess Beyond Time!: Directed by Seigo Yamashita, produced by Studio Colorido and Studio Chromato, with music created by renowned artists including ryo (supercell), kz (livetune), 40mP, HoneyWorks, Aqu3ra, yuigot, and more. Inspired by The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, it will premiere on Netflix on January 22. Source

    Official trailer for Marvel’s new series Wonder Man: Starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as “Black Manta,” with Ben Kingsley reprising his role as the failed actor Trevor Slattery. A retired director returns to filmmaking for a new project, drawing in superhero-actor trainees, washed-up veterans, and opportunistic agents eager to ride the hype. The series will launch on Disney+ on January 27. Source

    Official trailer for the series Beautiful Poison: Directed by Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story) and starring Evan Peters, Rebecca Hall, Ashton Kutcher, Jeremy Pope, and others. A disease known as “Beauty” begins to spread rapidly—a virus that makes people more beautiful, but is ultimately deadly. Streaming on Disney+ from January 21. Source

    Final trailer for 96 Minutes: The Train Explosion: The 2025 box-office champion in Taiwan, 96 Minutes: The Train Explosion, has been scheduled for release in mainland China on January 10, 2026. The film is produced by Zou Jiezhong, directed by Hong Zixuan, written by Hong Zixuan, Chen Yifang, and Yang Wanru, and stars Austin Lin, Vivian Sung, Wang Po-chieh, and Lee Lee-zen.

    📽 Weekly Film & TV News

    The Shining confirmed for release

    On January 6, Warner Bros. confirmed that Stanley Kubrick’s classic psychological thriller The Shining will be released in mainland China, marking its first-ever theatrical run there. The release date is yet to be announced. Starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, and Danny Lloyd, the film follows writer Jack, his wife Wendy, and their son Danny as they move into a remote mountaintop hotel cut off by heavy snow, where eerie घटन begin to unfold. Source

    Green Slime Panic confirmed for release

    On January 6, the B-movie sci-fi horror comedy Green Slime Panic was confirmed for release in mainland China, along with the debut of its trailer and poster. The release date has yet to be announced. Directed by Jonny Campbell and written by David Koepp, the film stars Joe Keery of Stranger Things alongside Liam Neeson of the Taken franchise, teaming up to save a world on the brink of being consumed by a fungal threat. It is set to open in North America on February 13. Source

    Safe Haven confirmed for release

    On January 9, the film Safe Haven was confirmed for release in mainland China and unveiled its trailer and poster. The release date is yet to be announced. Directed by Ric Roman Waugh and starring Jason Statham, the story follows Mason, a legendary agent living in seclusion on a remote island, who is forced back into action after rescuing a young girl named Jessie, setting off a no-turning-back battle of protection. The film is scheduled to premiere in North America on January 30. Source

    My Friend Andrei set for January 17 release

    On January 8, the film My Friend Andrei released its release-date trailer and poster, confirming a January 17 premiere. Directed by Dong Zijian and starring Liu Haoran and Dong Zijian, with Yin Tao in a special appearance and Han Haolin and Chi Xingkai also starring, the film is adapted from the novel of the same name by Shuang Xuetao. It traces the playful, chasing childhood of Andrei and Li Mo, and their reunion later in life as they walk forward side by side. Source

  • SSPAI Morning Brief: Clicks launches the Power Keyboard and Communicator phone

    SSPAI Morning Brief: Clicks launches the Power Keyboard and Communicator phone

    Morning Brief

    1. Clicks launches the Power Keyboard and Communicator phone
    2. Pebble releases the Round 2 watch
    3. DeepSeek publishes a paper introducing the efficient training technique mHC
    4. ASUS notifies channels of price increases starting today
    5. A new batch of works enters the public domain
    6. BYD surpasses Tesla to become the world’s top EV seller in 2025
    7. Rumors You Can Just Glance At

    Clicks launches the Power Keyboard and Communicator phone

    On January 2, tech startup Clicks Technology unveiled its first batch of new products following its physical keyboard cases.

    Among them, the Clicks Communicator phone is positioned as a “modern communication companion,” with a role similar to that of a Kindle alongside an iPad, intended primarily as a user’s secondary phone. The device runs Android, features a candybar design, and comes with a 4-inch display and a full physical keyboard. It weighs 170 grams and measures 12 mm thick. To reduce information overload, the system interface is deeply customized based on Niagara Launcher, abandoning the traditional app grid in favor of a minimalist message aggregation center. In terms of hardware, the Communicator is equipped with a 50-megapixel rear camera and a 24-megapixel front camera, while retaining a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a mute switch, and a MicroSD card slot. A signal-light button on the side changes color according to notification type. The device is powered by a 4000 mAh battery. Details about the processor and storage have not been disclosed. The Communicator starts at $499 (approximately RMB 3,487), with an early-bird pre-order price of $399, and is expected to ship later this year.

    The other new product, the Clicks Power Keyboard, is a two-in-one device combining a Bluetooth keyboard and a power bank. It supports MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging standards and can magnetically attach to the back of a phone. The keyboard features a sliding design and, in addition to serving as a physical keyboard for phones, can connect via Bluetooth 5.4 to up to three devices such as tablets and smart TVs. The Power Keyboard weighs 180 grams, is 15.2 mm thick, and has a battery capacity of 2150 mAh, of which 500 mAh is allocated specifically for keyboard use. The product is priced at $109 (approximately RMB 790), with an early-bird price of $79, and will officially go on sale this spring.

    Pebble releases the Round 2 watch

    On January 2, smartwatch brand Pebble announced the Pebble Round 2. As part of the brand’s reboot plan, the Round 2 is a revival of the Pebble Time Round released in 2015, aiming to recreate the classic circular design that was once known as the “thinnest in the industry,” now updated with more modern technology.

    In terms of hardware design, the Pebble Round 2 addresses one of the biggest drawbacks of the original model—its overly wide bezels. While retaining an ultra-thin 8.1 mm stainless steel case, the new model features a 1.3-inch color e-ink display with a pixel density doubled from the previous generation to 283 ppi, along with backlight support. The Round 2 keeps physical side buttons, allowing users to rely on tactile, eyes-free operation in scenarios such as meetings.

    To achieve a battery life of 10 to 14 days, the Pebble Round 2 makes clear trade-offs in functionality. It retains only basic health features such as step counting and sleep tracking, and does not include a heart rate sensor, making it unsuitable as a dedicated fitness-tracking device. On the software side, it runs the open-source Pebble OS and is compatible with thousands of watch faces and apps. A built-in microphone supports voice input and replies, but due to limitations imposed by Apple’s system, this feature currently mainly targets Android users, with iOS support set to roll out first in the EU. Previously, Pebble released a low-cost AI smart ring with recording and transcription capabilities, and the company has stated that it plans to bring similar AI features to its watches in the future.

    The product is priced at $199 (approximately RMB 1,390) and is now available for pre-order on the official website, with shipments expected in May this year. For customers who previously pre-ordered the square-faced Pebble Time 2, the company is also offering the option to switch their reservation to the Round 2 while retaining their place in the queue.

    DeepSeek publishes a paper introducing the efficient training technique mHC

    On January 1, DeepSeek released a technical paper co-authored by its founder Liang Wenfeng, proposing a new deep learning architecture called “Manifold-Constrained Hyper-Connections” (mHC). The research aims to optimize computational efficiency, enabling larger-scale models to be trained at lower cost in environments with limited computing resources.

    The mHC technique is a further refinement of the “Hyper-Connections” architecture. Hyper-Connections were originally proposed by researchers at ByteDance in September 2024, with the goal of improving upon the mainstream ResNet (Residual Network) architecture invented by He Kaiming and others at Microsoft Research Asia. The approach was designed to address signal attenuation in deep networks—where information gradually weakens as it propagates through layers, preventing deeper layers from receiving effective signals—as well as model collapse, in which different inputs become increasingly similar or even converge after successive layers of processing.

    The DeepSeek team points out that while ByteDance’s approach increased network complexity, it overlooked the rapidly rising memory costs in large-model training, resulting in limited real-world scalability. In response, DeepSeek’s mHC approach introduces specific manifold constraints that force data flows to operate only along certain geometric trajectories (manifolds). This preserves the advantages of hyper-connections while successfully addressing memory and cost bottlenecks, achieving what the paper describes as “almost negligible computational overhead.” According to the paper, the DeepSeek research team conducted experiments on models with 3 billion, 9 billion, and 27 billion parameters, and the empirical results show that mHC offers better scalability than traditional architectures while maintaining stability during large-scale training.

    The paper was uploaded to arXiv under Liang Wenfeng’s personal account. Previously, Liang had personally published only DeepSeek’s most important technical papers, such as those related to the R1 and V3 models, and in this work he is listed as the final author. This move confirms that he remains deeply involved in core research and development, and is widely seen as a signal that the technical direction for DeepSeek’s next-generation core models has been set. Market expectations suggest that DeepSeek may follow the R1 release strategy and unveil a new large model before the Lunar New Year holiday in mid-February.

    ASUS notifies channels of price increases starting today

    According to VideoCardz, ASUS sent a “2026 Product Price Adjustment Notice” to its partners on December 30 last year, announcing that price adjustments will take effect starting January 5, 2026.

    The notice states that due to structural volatility in the global supply chain, multiple key components are facing severe cost pressures, particularly DRAM and NAND memory. These changes stem from “adjustments in global foundry capacity allocation,” “rising investment costs in advanced process nodes,” and “structural gaps in the industry caused by demand for AI computing power.”

    Although ASUS did not specify which models would be affected, it clearly stated that it would implement “strategic price adjustments for certain product portfolios.” As the effective date of the price increase comes just ahead of the opening of CES 2026, industry analysts believe that ASUS’s upcoming next-generation hardware—especially AI PCs and gaming devices expected to be unveiled at CES—will be the first to be impacted, potentially setting new market price benchmarks.

    ASUS emphasized that the adjustment is a “necessary decision made after long-term absorption of and responses to cost pressures,” with the goal of “ensuring stable supply and maintaining quality and service standards.” Regarding subsequent impacts, ASUS business representatives will proactively contact partners to provide detailed explanations and assist in planning the most appropriate response strategies or configuration recommendations.

    ASUS’s public relations department has confirmed the authenticity of the document, while clarifying to the media that it is an internal commercial communication intended solely for channel partners, rather than an official press release issued to the public.

    A new batch of works enters the public domain

    On January 1, 2026, the world marked its annual milestone for copyright expiration. Works by renowned figures such as Freud, Einstein, and Toynbee entered the public domain across jurisdictions including the United States, Europe, and China.

    In the United States, with the expiration of copyright protection for works published in 1930, books such as William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying and Sigmund Freud’s Civilization and Its Discontents, as well as films like All Quiet on the Western Front, entered the public domain. Paintings by Piet Mondrian and Paul Klee, the original “Betty Boop” doll, and Disney’s earliest depiction of Pluto (then known as Rover) are also no longer subject to copyright restrictions, making derivative creations based on these early materials possible.

    In jurisdictions that apply a copyright term of “the author’s lifetime plus 70 years,” such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Russia, works by authors who died in 1955 have now reached the end of their protection period. This means that works by physicist Albert Einstein, Dale Carnegie—the author of How to Win Friends and Influence People—and Nobel Prize–winning writer Thomas Mann are no longer protected by copyright in these regions.

    In jurisdictions that apply a copyright term of “the author’s lifetime plus 50 years,” including China and most parts of Asia and Africa, works by authors who died in 1975 have reached the end of their protection period. This includes figures such as Chiang Kai-shek, historian Arnold J. Toynbee, Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich, and political philosopher Hannah Arendt.

    BYD surpasses Tesla to become the world’s top EV seller in 2025

    According to The New York Times, Tesla lost its position as the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer in 2025, being surpassed by BYD for the first time. Data released on December 31 show that Tesla’s annual deliveries fell 9% year on year to 1.64 million vehicles, with fourth-quarter sales plunging 16% due to policy impacts. In contrast, BYD’s annual sales of pure electric vehicles rose 28% to 2.26 million units, and the company achieved significant expansion across Asia, Europe, and Latin America thanks to its pricing advantage.

    Tesla’s sales decline was primarily driven by a sharp shift in U.S. policy. Despite Elon Musk’s strong support for Donald Trump in the 2024 election, after Republicans regained control of the White House and Congress, they swiftly repealed the federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500 and began rolling back clean air regulations. As the dominant player holding about 45% of the U.S. EV market, Tesla became the biggest casualty of these policy changes, with fourth-quarter deliveries dropping sharply from 496,000 a year earlier to 418,000 units.

    Beyond the deteriorating external environment, Tesla’s own lagging product updates were also a key factor. Its flagship Model Y has seen no major refresh since its launch in 2020, while the newly introduced Cybertruck has delivered disappointing sales. In the European market, Tesla’s sales have already been overtaken by Volkswagen. In addition, Musk has shifted the company’s focus toward robotaxis and humanoid robots, which have yet to generate meaningful revenue, and Tesla has fallen behind Alphabet-owned Waymo in the deployment of autonomous driving.

    Industry analysts predict that the U.S. EV market will remain sluggish in 2026, with a recovery unlikely until 2027, when more low-cost models priced below $30,000 enter the market. Despite weak vehicle sales, Tesla’s stock price remains near historical highs, as Wall Street continues to bet on its long-term potential in autonomous driving. Meanwhile, although BYD is unable to enter the U.S. market due to high tariff barriers, it has firmly established its leadership in the rest of the world.

    Rumors You Can Just Glance At

    • Recently, multiple Reddit users complained that Duolingo was displaying subscription ads through its real-time events feature, a practice prohibited by App Store review guidelines and one that could potentially lead to removal from the store. Duolingo later appeared to have stopped showing the ads.
    • According to official data from Stack Overflow, the site added only 3,862 new questions in December 2025, a figure that has fallen below the level seen in August 2008, shortly after the platform’s launch.
    • Internal Meta documents reviewed by Reuters show that in response to pressure from global regulators cracking down on scam ads on social media, Meta developed a set of countermeasures known as the “Global Playbook.” The documents reveal that rather than fully verifying advertisers’ identities or eliminating scams, Meta made it harder for regulators to discover violating ads by manipulating search results in order to pass compliance reviews. For example, in Japan, Meta teams found that regulators searched public ad libraries using specific keywords such as celebrity names to identify scam ads. Ahead of regulatory reviews, Meta selectively cleaned up search results related to those keywords, creating the impression that scam ads had been significantly reduced. In addition, when regulation was tightened in one region, algorithms would automatically divert scam ad traffic to other regions with looser oversight. Previously, Meta had faced tough questioning from governments in Japan, Singapore, and elsewhere over the proliferation of investment scams and AI-generated fake celebrity endorsement ads on Facebook and Instagram.
    • On the evening of January 3, Lei Jun revealed during a New Year livestream that Xiaomi’s original vehicle delivery target for 2025 had been set at 300,000 units, later raised to 350,000, and ultimately surpassed 410,000 units. He also announced that Xiaomi’s vehicle delivery target for 2026 is 550,000 units. During the four-hour livestream, Lei Jun and his engineering team completely disassembled a YU7. After the teardown, Lei Jun addressed a series of recent public controversies surrounding Xiaomi Auto. Regarding marketing claims such as “1,300 kilometers on a single charge” and “instant braking from 200 km/h,” Lei Jun said these statements originated from driving demonstration videos meant to showcase the SU7’s range and braking performance, with full videos available as evidence, but were taken out of context during dissemination. He also acknowledged that “fine-print marketing” is a bad industry practice, accepted the criticism, and said that since November last year he has required business teams to use larger, clearer text whenever possible.
  • What to Watch This Week | 11 Recent Picks Worth Your Time

    What to Watch This Week | 11 Recent Picks Worth Your Time

    ☕️ TL;DR

    Recent highlights: [China] Crimes Against Humanity, [China] Mirage City, [Japanese drama] Lies Upon Lies Remain Lies, 🔦 [Film] Nothing but Remembrance, 🔦 [Film] Falling in Love with You Across Parallel Timelines, [Film] The Mysterious Gaze of Flamenco, [Korean drama] Made in Korea, [British drama] Trigger Point Season 3, [Animation] Elephant, [Interview] First-Person Plural Season 3, [Documentary] Born Wild

    Several exciting trailers: Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure official trailer, Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Walpurgisnacht Rising new trailer, first trailer for the live-action Look Back, first trailer for The Odyssey, first trailer for Avengers 5, and a new trailer for 96 Minutes: Train Bombing Case

    Several pieces of film & TV news: Jump Festa 2026 anime news roundup, Time Traveler confirmed for mainland China release on January 17, Return to Silent Hill confirmed for mainland China release on January 23, Pegasus 3 scheduled for release on February 17

    Based on reader feedback, if a recommendation contains spoilers (revealing core story elements, hidden threads, foreshadowing, or the ending), we will add a 🔦 emoji before the title of the corresponding work.

    You can find previous recommendations here, or by clicking the tag #What to Watch at the end of the article. For more themed watchlists, click here. If you’d like to read more in-depth film and TV content, feel free to follow our spin-off column “Watch What Café.” As always, we welcome your suggestions in the comments—thank you for your continued support and love for the “What to Watch” column.

    [China] Crimes Against Humanity

    • Keywords: Drama / History
    • Also known as: 731 / Jinglan Yue / Man’s Inhumanity to Man
    • Runtime: approx. 45–80 minutes per episode × 20 episodes
    • Where to watch: Youku Video; Douban link

    Real history is the best textbook.

    @潘誉晗: On December 13, China’s National Memorial Day, a series titled Crimes Against Humanity quietly premiered on Youku Video, while also airing simultaneously on Jiangsu TV. Focusing on the crimes against humanity committed by Japan’s Unit 731 on Chinese soil, the series launched without any excessive promotion, yet managed to break out of its niche purely through its faithful restoration of historical truth.

    The series adopts a dual-timeline structure. One timeline is set in Harbin in 1992, where Xiao Jin, a staff member at the Unit 731 Exhibition Hall, embarks on a decade-long, cross-border journey of investigation and evidence collection to make up for gaps in the museum’s historical records. The other timeline returns to that dark era, depicting the series of atrocities committed by the invading Japanese forces in Harbin.

    What deserves the greatest praise is the series’ refusal to rely on overtly sensational or emotionally manipulative scenes. Instead, it reconstructs the brutal truths of history in an extremely restrained and calm manner. Shots with almost no dialogue are laden with meaning; even a simple overhead empty frame becomes a silent indictment of the complete erosion of humanity within the Japanese army. By telling the story through the fates of ordinary individuals, the narrative makes the pain all the more piercing—because in that era, every civilian was trapped in fear and despair.

    [China] Mirage City

    • Keywords: Fantasy / Mystery
    • Runtime: approx. 50 minutes per episode × 24 episodes
    • Where to watch: iQIYI; Douban link

    The Mao Pian team is opening a brand-new rabbit hole!

    @利兹与青鸟: The new series from Youying Culture, the team behind Mao Pian, dropped its entire season at once last Friday. Like The Record of Unusual Creatures, its premise is wildly imaginative, yet it still sticks to the team’s signature style—twist upon twist, with a touch of unreliable narration.

    Hovering above Dengzhou City—is it a mirage, or a city that can actually fly? Are the mysterious iron-armored figures, impervious to blades and spears, wielding powerful magic, or are darker forces at work? Are the people who vanished and later returned suffering from lost souls, or is there another hidden truth? Among the emperor, the crown prince, the King of Jingnan, and Baili Yuan, which faction truly stands on the side of justice? A group of protagonists with extraordinary skills, distinct identities, and their own motives and secrets forge bonds through repeated brushes with death, unravel countless mysteries, and search for the truth behind an unknown power.

    Although the main roles are played by a different cast, the presence of “Brother Bao” signals that the creative team still retains strong control over the project. The world-building is expansive, with echoes of many classic science fiction works. Characters constantly exploit one another; schemes are layered upon schemes, loyalties flip back and forth, and details that initially seem illogical often turn out to be foreshadowing or are later explained. That said, limited budgets and uneven performances have long been the team’s weak points. Fortunately, the action scenes this time are fairly convincing, and the lighthearted comic relief lands a few genuine smiles. A post-credits scene plants yet another new hook—here’s hoping the next season won’t be too far away.

    [Japanese Drama] A Lie within a Lie Is Still a Lie

    • Keywords: Drama / Mystery
    • Also known as: A Lie Is a Lie and a Lie Is a Lie / 嘘が嘘で嘘は嘘だ
    • Runtime: approx. 23 minutes per episode × 4 episodes; Douban link

    Before a lie is exposed, it is the truth.

    @SHY: On a snow-filled Christmas night, Omori Manko—whose life has been riddled with setbacks—walks into an izakaya and reunites with her ex-husband, Kobayashi Kosuke, for a long-overdue meal. Before long, a handsome man with a surgically altered face who claims to be a marriage scammer, Nakamura Nobukazu, and a police detective with a wounded forehead, Namiki Masayoshi, join them one after another. The four, brought together by coincidence, may be hiding far bigger secrets behind their words.

    Screenwriter Ubukata Miku, known for well-received dramas such as Silent Snow and The Flower I Love Most, returns this time with what she herself calls a “talk-heavy ethical romance mystery psychological thriller sitcom.” Centered on the theme of “lies,” the series uses delightfully twisted yet witty dialogue to reflect the blurred boundaries between truth and falsehood in human life. Among the four who all claim to be honest with one another, which lines are true—and who is lying? With assured, skillful writing weaving together exquisite layers of foreshadowing, every line of dialogue is worth savoring again and again.

    A hit-and-run accident scrolling across the TV news, the identities of two people who present themselves as a con artist and a police officer, and the affair partner that led to the protagonist’s divorce all seem far from simple. Beneath the calm surface of the tavern, undercurrents swirl, gradually revealing a much larger picture through casual conversation. While the real world is filled with cruel truths and lies, within this entirely fictional drama there may still be a path toward a happy ending. This situational play, unfolding over the course of a single night, is a different kind of Christmas gift for the audience.

    🔦 [Film] All That’s Left of You

    Keywords: Drama

    Also known as: All That’s Left of You / The Vanished Homeland

    Runtime: 145 minutes; Douban link

    This is clearly the orange grove my family has cultivated for generations.

    @潘誉晗: Selected by Jordan to compete for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, All That’s Left of You is written, directed, and starring Sherine Dabis. Through four different time periods and a multi-threaded narrative, the film tells the extraordinary 75-year family history of a Palestinian family.

    The family once lived a simple yet happy life in the Jaffa region, with an orange grove passed down through generations and a relatively prosperous livelihood. Then war arrived, and everything changed. The 1948 Middle East war turned tens of thousands of Palestinians into refugees. They only wanted to live their quiet, ordinary lives, yet the flames of war forced this once-complete family into displacement. The husband who stayed behind in Jaffa was arrested for refusing to hand over the orange grove; the wife, taking the children into hiding in the West Bank, not only had to comfort them but also shoulder the extra burden left by her husband’s sudden absence.

    Drawing on her own experiences, the director approaches the story with a remarkably gentle touch, gradually lifting the veil on a cruel past. As the timelines shift, we witness how pain and pressure are slowly imposed upon this family, long concealed beneath the layers of history.

    🔦 [Film] Falling in Love with You Across Parallel Timelines

    • Keywords: Drama / Comedy / Romance / Fantasy
    • Also known as: Mirror Lover / Svodish s uma
    • Runtime: 99 minutes; Douban link

    You are my lover in the mirror.

    @潘誉晗: In Saint Petersburg, at a flat viewing, Eliza meets Vanya. To secure an apartment in the city center amid a crowd of prospective tenants, Vanya naturally slips his arm around Eliza, pretending they are a loving couple. Once the lease is signed, Vanya promptly turns his back on her, intending to move in alone. Eliza, however, refuses to back down. After a brief tussle, she successfully moves into the apartment as well. On the night she moves in, Eliza hears the thundering sounds of a party coming from the other side of the apartment. When she opens the bathroom door, she discovers that beyond it lies a parallel everyday world identical to this one—except that over there, it is Vanya who has rented the place.

    With a production budget of only $800,000, the film nevertheless received widespread acclaim upon its release in Russia. Falling in love across a mirror and between parallel worlds, brought about by a shift in time and space, may not be an entirely new idea, but it still feels delightful. What is even more surprising is that the romance between the two leads is built on emotional closeness rather than physical contact. Eliza, previously trapped in a toxic, manipulative relationship, finds her way out with Vanya’s help, while the playboy Vanya is prompted by Eliza’s words to confront his true self—because compared to touching a real body, reaching the soul matters far more.

    [Film] The Mysterious Gaze of Flamenco

    • Keywords: Drama / LGBTQ
    • Also known as: La misteriosa mirada del flamenco
    • Runtime: 109 minutes; Douban link

    Do not meet my gaze—because within my eyes lies a plague.

    @潘誉晗: In 1980, a mining town in the northern Chilean desert becomes home to a group of transgender women. Heavily made up, they live boldly and flamboyantly. A local legend circulates here, claiming that if you lock eyes with them, your soul will be stolen—and you will be infected by a plague. The plague, of course, terrifies people, yet desire entangles their reason. So they come up with what they believe is a brilliant solution—when bodies intertwine, just cover your eyes, and everything will be fine.

    At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, 30-year-old director Diego Céspedes drew attention in the Un Certain Regard section with his debut feature The Mysterious Gaze of Flamenco. The film carries a strong sense of magical realism, using “the plague” and “the gaze” as metaphors to explain AIDS at a time when it had not yet been named. AIDS is undeniably terrifying, but what is most ironic is how the people of this conservative town fear the disease while simultaneously craving the fulfillment of their own desires. Left with no way out, they resort to such absurd methods, believing they can block the virus this way. Yet the virus of prejudice—can it really be erased so easily, simply by covering one’s eyes?

    [Korean Drama] Made in Korea

    • Keywords: Drama
    • Also known as: 메이드 인 코리아 / Made in Korea
    • Runtime: approx. 50 minutes per episode × 6 episodes
    • Where to watch: Disney+; Douban link

    @利兹与青鸟: In 1970, a Japanese passenger plane is hijacked by a communist revolutionary group and ordered to fly to North Korea. Despite the hijackers being armed with knives and guns, the situation is quickly brought under control by a certain “businessman.” He not only helps the hijackers negotiate with the Japanese and South Korean governments, proposing a solution that satisfies all parties, but also discreetly takes care of the drugs he is carrying. This businessman—whose intelligence and combat skills are maxed out—is in fact the head of the Intelligence Division at the Busan branch of South Korea’s Central Intelligence Agency, secretly assisting a drug trafficking syndicate backed by his director. Meanwhile, the righteous and relentless prosecutor Jang Geon-yeong, himself a legendary figure, sets his sights on this very syndicate, and a battle of evenly matched forces between good and evil begins.

    The series boasts polished cinematography, using cold, restrained tones to underscore a corrupt and chaotic social backdrop. The two-male-lead showdown between Korean A-listers Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung gives the drama plenty of star power. That said, after the film The President’s Last Bang achieved notable success, starting with the same incident does put this show at a slight disadvantage, and the leads’ every gesture sometimes feels as if they are posing for a fashion spread—perhaps a bit too stylish, occasionally breaking immersion. Still, this type of subject matter sits squarely in the comfort zone of director Woo Min-ho and Hive Media Corp, the production company behind 12.12: The Day, so the overall production quality is well assured. With moments of light, witty humor sprinkled in to ease the tension, it’s a solid watch for those intrigued by the genre.

    [British Drama] Trigger Point Season 3

    • Keywords: Drama / Thriller / Crime
    • Also known as: Trigger Point Season 3
    • Runtime: approx. 60 minutes per episode × 6 episodes
    • Where to watch: ITVX; Douban link

    If only all evil could vanish in an explosion…

    @潘誉晗: One day, a crude explosive device is discovered near a stretch of wasteland. Upon receiving the alert, Lana’s unit heads to the scene immediately. There is a car on the wasteland, with a man inside desperately pounding on the window for help. As Lana approaches to defuse the bomb, she unexpectedly discovers that the device conceals an unidentified chemical weapon. Just a few days later, during an inspection at a university, Lana’s team finds a professor who has been bound. Left at the scene is a note reading “Confess or die.” The same note had appeared inside the car days earlier—clearly indicating that both incidents were the work of the same perpetrator.

    Produced by ITV, Trigger Point returns in its third season, once again using a series of linked explosions to highlight both the difficulty and the allure of life in a bomb disposal unit. No longer young, Lana relies on medication to withstand the relentless pressure of the job, yet when faced with an explosive crisis, she still demonstrates exceptional professional competence. The cases in this season also reflect social issues with real-world relevance. Buried beneath the chain of incidents is the truth of ordinary workers pushed and deceived by capital, rising up in resistance. With tight pacing, extensive on-location shooting, and impressive explosion effects, the series delivers a story that feels both gripping and grounded in reality.

    [Animation] The Elephant

    • Also known as: Adult Swim’s The Elephant
    • Runtime: 23 minutes
    • Where to watch: HBO Max; Douban link

    Who was I? What am I? Where will I be?

    @SHY: This Christmas, some of Cartoon Network’s most celebrated creators came together for a wondrous adventure that even they themselves did not fully anticipate. Jointly created by Pendleton Ward (Adventure Time), Rebecca Sugar (Steven Universe), and Patrick McHale (Over the Garden Wall), the project adopts a “blind men and the elephant” approach: each creator was only allowed to work on their own segment, with no communication or sharing of ideas, yet all parts ultimately had to merge into a single story. To make this possible, they agreed in advance on the concept of “rebirth”—each chapter ends with the protagonist’s death—and collectively designed and selected each other’s bizarre characters and the sequence in which they would appear.

    Needless to say, the film becomes a showcase of wildly different artistic styles. It opens with Ward’s indescribable creature escaping from a laboratory, embarking on a bizarre flight alongside a frog-like right hand and a spy cat; next, Sugar’s character awakens in a room, the music button on their chest turning them into the center of a carnival, only for something uncanny to emerge once the music stops; McHale then closes things out by throwing all restraint to the wind, as a protagonist who dies and revives again and again ultimately finds solace within. While the overall structure may feel a bit loose, a shared theme can be sensed throughout, packed with quirky ideas that a regular series could hardly contain. It’s a truly singular creative experiment—and very likely 20 minutes you won’t forget.

    [Interview] First-Person Plural Season 3

    • Keywords: Humanities
    • Also known as: Im Schwarm
    • Runtime: approx. 60 minutes per episode × 8 episodes
    • Where to watch: Youku Video; Douban link

    To update the world is to become an updated version of yourself.

    @潘誉晗: In 2023, Youku launched a talk show titled First-Person Plural. With Zhou Yijun as the initiator of each discussion, the program invites guests from different fields in every episode to explore socially meaningful topics in depth through conversation. Seated around a table, guests from across disciplines engage in boundary-free dialogue, naturally drawing widespread attention online. The first two seasons, already aired, garnered considerable praise. And so, amid eager anticipation from fans, this show—regarded by many viewers as a refreshing presence—has finally returned this month.

    The very first episode of the new season invites well-known host Dong Yuhui and Xiang Biao, a professor of social anthropology at the University of Oxford. Starting from the topic of “e-commerce platforms,” they discuss history, development, and the future. The choice of subject is timely and highly relatable—after all, in this era of rapid internet expansion, shopping on e-commerce platforms has become an everyday part of our lives. What makes the conversation especially engaging is that Professor Xiang, who has lived in Europe for many years, is not particularly adept at online shopping. From their respective standpoints, these two guests from different fields spark moments of intellectual collision and resonance, offering viewers a rich exchange of ideas.

    [Documentary] Born to Be Wild

    • Keywords: Nature
    • Also known as: Born to Be Wild
    • Runtime: approx. 30 minutes per episode × 6 episodes
    • Where to watch: Apple TV+; Douban link

    @利兹与青鸟: To help the young of endangered species survive, jungles around the world are home to various rescue organizations and wildlife centers. Over the course of several years, the production team followed and filmed six baby animals rescued by humans: a young sloth bear from the forests of northern India, an abandoned elephant calf in Zambia in southern Africa, African black-footed penguins from South Africa, ring-tailed lemurs from Madagascar, cheetahs from the South African savannah, and the Iberian lynx from southern Spain. All of them are rare and endangered in the wild. Abandoned by their parents or threatened by illegal poaching, they are helped by rescue centers that invest immense effort and care to teach them survival skills, enabling them to eventually return to the wild.

    Narrated by British actor Hugh Bonneville, the documentary devotes each episode to a single species, documenting the process of rescue, treatment, feeding, and learning how to survive in the wild, all the way through to life after release. Black-footed penguins are sometimes forced to abandon unhatched eggs as temperatures rise—a heartbreaking sight; to help a young sloth bear return to nature, rescuers must build temporary shelters deep in the forest and stay with it to teach survival skills, an exhausting task; and a lone elephant calf must learn not only how to use its trunk but also how to socialize, which proves surprisingly delightful to watch. While marveling at the irresistible cuteness of these young animals, viewers also gain insight into their habits and the realities of wildlife rescue, making this series well worth watching.

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    [China] Strange Tales of the Tang Dynasty: The Chang’an County Magistrate
    @潘誉晗: As a spin-off of the Strange Tales of the Tang Dynasty series, this short drama The Chang’an County Magistrate centers on Wei Tao, the Chang’an county magistrate from the Season 3 case “So Close to the Heavens.” It tells the story of the first case he investigates after taking office—the mysterious deaths of eight elderly residents at the “Courtyard of Tragedy.” In the original series, Magistrate Wei, marked by a strong sense of clan honor, earned much sympathy for seeking revenge for his sister. This short drama presents his story as a prequel, offering viewers a measure of emotional consolation.

    [US Series] Robin Hood
    @潘誉晗: England, 1186. The Saxons suffer under Norman oppression and enslavement. Robert’s father is executed for resisting, and his mother soon dies as well. Driven by revenge—and by a growing awakening to national freedom—Robert decides to rally warriors willing to fight back against Norman rule. Unlike the familiar image of robbing the rich to aid the poor, Amazon’s reboot of Robin Hood presents him as a symbol of national dignity and freedom. Blending adventure with historical elements, the series delivers solid production values and a well-paced overall rhythm.

    [US Series] Spartacus: House of Ashur
    @潘誉晗: Starz has recently launched a spin-off of Spartacus, with the protagonist being Ashur—the antagonist who was beheaded atop Mount Vesuvius in Season 2. The series adopts a parallel-universe approach, imagining that Ashur survives, gains honor by killing Spartacus, and sets out to revive the gladiator school. Carrying on the style of the original, the spin-off remains lavishly bloody, paired with intricate power struggles—a Roman history retold through the lens of violent aesthetics.

    [Film] She, Like a Diamond
    @利兹与青鸟: The director and cast sit around a table reading the script together, jointly sketching the story of female seamstresses in a fashion studio in the 1970s. Rather than employing a play-within-a-play structure, the film weaves real-life script discussions into the narrative, preserving its integrity and making it easier for audiences to immerse themselves. Amid rich, colorful visuals and exquisitely crafted garments, women of very different personalities support one another through hardship, unleashing remarkable talent and moving strength.

    [Animation] THE LENTICULARS a/
    @SHY: After accidentally confessing his feelings to his crush Sawaki, Raku unexpectedly receives a positive response—though their relationship is far from smooth sailing. Director Tetsu Amemiya, renowned for his keen grasp of JK and DK sensibilities, finally sets aside show-stealing sci-fi concepts to deliver a straightforward school romance anime. Carrying forward the fine tradition of the 4S series’ mini-theater style, this work—essentially built on simple “paper-doll” movements—radiates youthful energy that can outshine many big productions. The delicate touches scattered throughout invite repeated appreciation. Please serve up the full a/b-side version as soon as possible.

    [Animation] Undead Unluck: Winter Arc
    @SHY: Amid a blizzard triggered by a UMA, a fierce battle is about to erupt. Elsewhere, Andy and Fuuko, traveling by plane, are ambushed by assassins sent by Billy. Serving as a transitional arc between two TV anime seasons produced by different teams, this installment mainly depicts an original story based on the concepts of original author Yoshifumi Tozuka. Director Sung Hoo Park and E&H Production, taking over the subsequent project, largely recreate the strengths seen in their other works—the animation is striking, the action scenes are satisfyingly intense, and hopes are high that the second season will maintain this level of quality.

    📅 This Week’s New Trailers

    Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure — Official Trailer

    On December 20, the anime Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure released its first official trailer. The 1st STAGE is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on March 19, 2026. Adapted from the manga by Hirohiko Araki, the series is directed by Yasuhiro Kimura and Hideya Takahashi, produced by david production, and follows the epic STEEL BALL RUN—a cross-North America horseback race of the century. Source

    Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Walpurgisnacht Rising — New Trailer

    On December 21, the animated film Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Walpurgisnacht Rising unveiled a new trailer and is set to open in Japan in February 2026. Akiyuki Shinbo serves as chief director, Yukihiro Miyamoto directs, Gen Urobuchi writes the script, Yuki Kajiura composes the music, Junichiro Taniguchi handles character design, Gekidan Inu Curry designs the otherworldly spaces, and SHAFT produces. Source

    Look Back — First Live-Action Film Trailer

    On December 21, the live-action adaptation of Look Back released a teaser trailer and is slated for release in Japan in 2026. Based on Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga of the same name, the film is directed, written, and edited by Hirokazu Kore-eda. The original work tells the story of the extraordinary bond between two girls, Fujino and Kyomoto, brought together by manga, and won first place in the 2021 Kono Manga ga Sugoi! (Men’s category). Source

    The Odyssey — First Trailer

    On December 22, director Christopher Nolan’s new film The Odyssey debuted its first trailer and is set to release in North America on July 17, 2026. Starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and more, the film depicts Odysseus’s long journey home after the Trojan War. Source

    Avengers 5 — First Trailer

    On December 23, Avengers 5: Doomsday released its first teaser trailer and will open in North America on December 18, 2026. Directed by the Russo brothers, the film sees Chris Evans return as Steve Rogers, Robert Downey Jr. return as the villain Doctor Doom, with Chris Hemsworth, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and others also starring. Source

    96 Minutes: The Train Bombing Case — New Trailer

    On December 23, Taiwan’s box-office-topping film 96 Minutes: The Train Bombing Case released a new trailer. Produced by Zou Jiezhong and directed by Hong Zixuan, with a screenplay by Hong Zixuan, Chen Yifang, and Yang Wanru, the film stars Austin Lin, Vivian Sung, Wang Po-chieh, and Lee Lee-zen, with Yao Yi-ti and Tsai Fan-hsi co-starring. It is scheduled for mainland China release on January 10, 2026.

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    TV anime Medalist Season 2 — New Trailer: Adapted from the manga of the same name by Tsurumai Kaita, the series continues to be directed by Yasutaka Yamamoto, written by Jukki Hanada, with music by Yuki Hayashi and production by ENGI. It carries on the story of young skater Tsukasa Akeuraji and the girl Inori Yuitsuka as they set their sights on the world stage of figure skating. Broadcast begins January 24. Source

    Film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man — First Trailer: Directed by Tom Harper and written by Steven Knight, with Cillian Murphy reprising his starring role. Set in Birmingham in 1940, amid the chaos of World War II, Tommy Shelby returns from self-imposed exile. The film will receive a limited theatrical release in North America on March 6, followed by a Netflix release on March 20. Source

    Film A Step into the Past — Final Trailer Released: The film is adapted from the classic novel of the same name by Wong Yi. Louis Koo serves as chief producer, with Ng Yuen-fai and Lai Chun-lung co-directing. Louis Koo, Raymond Lam, Jessica Hsuan, Sonija Kwok, and Tavia Yeung reunite as the main cast. The film opens on December 31.

    📽 Weekly Film & TV News

    Jump Festa 2026 Anime News Roundup
    During the Jump Festa 2026 carnival held on December 20–21, Weekly Shonen Jump revealed the latest updates on many of its manga titles. Below is a small selection of highlights worth noting: Source

    Anime Chainsaw Man: Assassin Arc — Production Announced: Adapted from the manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto and produced by MAPPA. Devil hunters from around the world travel to Japan to kill Chainsaw Man, pushing Denji into even harsher circumstances. Staff details and release timing to be announced;

    TV anime One Piece: Elbaf Arc — Special Teaser: The series is set to resume broadcasting on April 5. The short anime CHOPPER’s, themed around “Chopper’s Daily Life,” will begin airing on January 5, while Season 2 of the live-action series is scheduled to premiere on March 10;

    TV anime Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity Arc — Teaser Trailer: The final season of the series, adapted from Tite Kubo’s manga. Directed by Tomohisa Taguchi and Hikaru Murata, produced by PIERROT FILMS, and scheduled to air starting July 2026;

    Animated films Haikyu!! vs. The Little Giant & special animation Haikyu!!: The Monsters’ Expedition — New Teaser Trailers: Directed by Susumu Mitsunaka and produced by Production I.G. The films will respectively depict Karasuno vs. Kamomedai and Fukurodani vs. Mujinazaka, with a theatrical release planned for 2027;

    Animated film New Gintama the Movie: Yoshiwara in Flames — Official Trailer: A fully reanimated theatrical version of the “Yoshiwara in Flames” arc. Supervised by original director Yoichi Fujita, directed by Naoya Ando, and produced by BN Pictures. Scheduled for release in Japan on February 13;

    TV anime Jujutsu Kaisen: Culling Game – Part 1 — Official Trailer: Adapted from the manga by Gege Akutami, directed by Shota Goshozono, scripted by Hiroshi Seko, and produced by MAPPA. The opening theme is performed by King Gnu. Broadcast begins January 8;

    TV anime Kaiju No. 8: Final Arc — Production Announced: Adapted from the manga by Naoya Matsumoto. The first two seasons were directed by Shigeyuki Miya and produced by Production I.G. An original short animation titled Narumi’s Workday has also been announced, with release details to be revealed later.

    Time Travelers — Mainland China Release Set for January 17

    On December 22, the animated feature Time Travelers released its mainland China release trailer and poster, confirming a January 17 theatrical debut. Produced by Natalie Portman and directed by Hugo Bienvenu, the film tells the story of a boy named Arco and a girl named Iris, separated by a thousand years, who meet across time and embark on an adventure together. The film won the Crystal Award for Best Feature Film at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Source

    Return to Silent Hill — Mainland China Release Set for January 23

    On December 26, the film Return to Silent Hill unveiled its mainland China release trailer and poster, and will open on January 23, day-and-date with North America. Christophe Gans returns to direct, with Jeremy Irvine and Hannah Emily Anderson starring. After receiving a mysterious letter from his missing lover, protagonist James is drawn back to the town of Silent Hill—once familiar, now consumed by darkness. Source

    Pegasus 3 — Release Date Set for February 17

    On December 26, Pegasus 3 was officially dated for a February 17 release during the Lunar New Year holiday period. Written and directed by Han Han, the film stars Shen Teng, with Yin Zheng, Huang Jingyu, and Zhang Benyu also leading, alongside Wei Xiang, Sha Yi, Fan Chengcheng, and Sun Yizhou, and special appearances by Duan Yihong. With the Bayinbuluk Rally now behind him, the former racing legend heads onto an all-new track, facing challenges unknown. Source

  • SSPAI Morning Brief: Xiaomi Unveils Multiple New Products, Microsoft Announces BitLocker Hardware Acceleration Support, and More

    SSPAI Morning Brief: Xiaomi Unveils Multiple New Products, Microsoft Announces BitLocker Hardware Acceleration Support, and More

    Morning Brief

    1. Xiaomi unveils multiple new products
    2. Microsoft announces BitLocker will support hardware acceleration
    3. ASUS launches RT-BE90U wireless router
    4. Critical security vulnerability discovered in MongoDB
    5. Alibaba open-sources Tongyi Qwen-Image-Edit-2511 image editing AI model
    6. Lenovo Watch GT Pro officially goes on sale
    7. Rumors You Can Just Glance At

    Xiaomi unveils multiple new products

    On December 25, Xiaomi unveiled a range of new products, including the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, 17 Ultra Leica Edition, Xiaomi Buds 6, and Xiaomi Watch 5.

    First up is the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, Xiaomi’s latest imaging flagship. In terms of design, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra series features a 2D flat display paired with a completely flat, straight-edged frame. With a thickness of 8.29 mm, it is the slimmest Ultra model in the series to date. Color options include black, white, purple, and green, and the device supports IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance.

    On the imaging front, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is equipped with a Leica 1-inch Light Fusion Master main camera and a Leica 200-megapixel optical zoom telephoto lens. The main camera uses the Light Fusion 1050L sensor, featuring a 1-inch large sensor, 3.2 μm pixels, an f/1.67 aperture, and third-generation LOFIC ultra-high dynamic range technology. Its single-pixel full well capacity has increased to 6.3× that of the previous generation, supporting high dynamic range scenarios such as Fireworks mode. The telephoto camera adopts a new-generation HPE sensor, reducing power consumption by 40% compared to its predecessor. It measures 1/1.4 inches and delivers 200 megapixels. This lens supports continuous optical zoom, covering 75 mm to 100 mm mid-telephoto full-sensor optical output, with telephoto relay options at 200 mm and 400 mm. It is also the first Leica APO optical lens on a mobile device, supporting 4K Live Photos and multiple camera movement modes.

    For the display, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra features a 6.9-inch low-power “sunlight” display using M10 emissive materials and a new red primary emissive material, protected by Dragon Crystal Glass 3.0. Powering the device is Qualcomm’s fifth-generation Snapdragon 8 Supreme Edition processor, paired with a 6800 mAh battery that supports 90 W wired fast charging, 50 W wireless fast charging, and the PPS universal fast charging protocol. In terms of connectivity, it supports Xiaomi Star Communication and UWB ultra-wideband interconnection technology. Pricing starts at RMB 6,999 for the 12 GB + 512 GB configuration.

    Following the launch of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, Xiaomi also introduced the 17 Ultra Leica Edition. This version continues Leica’s design language in its exterior details, including the iconic Leica red dot, a black-and-white two-tone body, finely knurled frame, and exclusive Leica engravings. The rear camera area features a Master Zoom Ring for focal length adjustment, with customizable parameters such as exposure compensation and white balance. In terms of imaging styles, the 17 Ultra Leica Edition offers one-tap Leica modes, including Leica M9 image rendering and Leica M3 + MONOPAN 50 black-and-white film aesthetics, as well as exclusive imaging options like a 3:2 full-frame aspect ratio. This edition also adds Beidou + Tiantong dual-satellite communication and a secure privacy encryption chip. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition starts at RMB 7,999 for the 16 GB + 512 GB version.

    At the same event, Xiaomi also unveiled the Xiaomi Buds 6. Xiaomi states that these earbuds feature a bionic curved structure, weighing just 4.2 g per earbud, and are available in four color options. They are equipped with triple-magnet gold-plated drivers, co-tuned with Harman, and support end-to-end true lossless audio, spatial audio, intelligent translation recording, and real-time interpretation. Battery life can reach up to 35 hours, with a price of RMB 699.

    In addition, the Xiaomi Watch 5 was announced. It features a 47 mm, 1.54-inch AMOLED display and a dual-sided synthetic sapphire glass body, powered by the Snapdragon W5 processor and a BES2800 low-power chip. It supports standalone eSIM, an on-wrist control center, EMG micro-gesture control, ECG electrocardiogram analysis, and over 150 sports modes. Battery life reaches up to 6 days in performance mode and up to 18 days in power-saving mode. Pricing starts at RMB 1,999. Source

    Microsoft announces BitLocker will support hardware acceleration

    Microsoft has announced that BitLocker in Windows 11 (25H2) and Windows Server 2025 now supports CPU hardware encryption. After enabling BitLocker, the encryption workload is shifted from the software layer to a dedicated encryption engine, reducing the performance overhead typically caused by software-based encryption. According to Microsoft, the new approach can significantly improve storage read and write performance: sequential read speeds increase from 1,632 MB/s to 3,746 MB/s, write speeds rise from 1,510 MB/s to 3,530 MB/s, and CPU usage is reduced by approximately 70%.

    At present, hardware-accelerated BitLocker is only available on vPro devices equipped with “Panther Lake” processors, with support expected to expand to more devices in the future. Source

    ASUS launches RT-BE90U wireless router

    On December 25, ASUS introduced the RT-BE90U wireless router. The new model supports tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with a BE9400 wireless specification, including advanced Wi-Fi 7 features such as 320 MHz channel bandwidth, 4096-QAM, and MLO, and can expand home networks via AiMesh. In terms of hardware, the RT-BE90U is equipped with four 2.5 GbE RJ45 ports and six external antennas. The rear of the device also includes a USB-A (5 Gbps) port for network sharing with external devices.

    On the software and feature side, the router supports Smart Home Master, allowing users to configure up to three SSIDs for device categorization and parental controls. It also integrates the enterprise-grade AiProtection security solution, providing more comprehensive protection for home networks. Source

    Critical security vulnerability discovered in MongoDB

    A critical security vulnerability has recently been disclosed in the popular non-relational database MongoDB. Assigned CVE-2025-14847, the flaw affects multiple versions of MongoDB and MongoDB Server. The vulnerability stems from inconsistent handling of length parameters, which could allow unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code and gain control of affected systems.

    MongoDB’s security team stated that clients could exploit a flaw in the server-side zlib implementation to trigger the return of uninitialized heap memory without authentication. The company strongly recommends upgrading to patched versions as soon as possible. MongoDB currently advises immediate updates to the following unaffected versions: MongoDB 4.4.30, 5.0.32, 6.0.27, 7.0.28, 8.0.17, and 8.2.3. If an immediate upgrade is not feasible, users can mitigate the risk by explicitly removing zlib via the networkMessageCompressors or net.compression.compressors options when starting mongod or mongos, thereby disabling server-side zlib compression. Source

    Alibaba open-sources Tongyi Qwen-Image-Edit-2511 image editing AI model

    On December 25, Alibaba’s Tongyi Qwen announced the official open-sourcing of its image editing model, Qwen-Image-Edit-2511. This release focuses on strengthening consistency across multiple dimensions and improving overall generation quality.

    Specifically, Qwen-Image-Edit-2511 enhances character consistency, integrates LoRA capabilities for lighting and multi-scene generation, and improves industrial design generation and geometric reasoning abilities. In addition, the new version further boosts consistency in multi-person group photo generation. While the earlier Qwen-Image-Edit-2509 had already improved single-person group photo consistency, this update addresses consistency challenges in multi-person scenarios, enabling the model to generate more coherent group photos based on two individual portraits.

    Currently, Qwen-Image-Edit-2511 has been open-sourced simultaneously on the ModelScope and Hugging Face platforms. Source

    Lenovo Watch GT Pro officially goes on sale

    The Lenovo Watch GT Pro smartwatch officially went on sale on December 25, highlighting up to 27 days of battery life, dual-frequency GPS for precise positioning, 50-meter professional-grade water resistance, as well as outdoor features such as more than 170 sports modes and an altitude, barometer, and compass. The current price is RMB 899.

    In terms of design, the Lenovo Watch GT Pro features a 1.43-inch circular AMOLED display with a resolution of 466 × 466, protected by Corning glass, and supports a wide range of free, customizable watch faces. The watch offers 5ATM professional water resistance and includes built-in swimming algorithms.

    On the functionality side, the watch is compatible with both Android and iOS systems and comes with dual-frequency GPS positioning and 24/7 health monitoring. It supports heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep, and stress tracking, as well as breathing exercises and health reminders. For sports and fitness, it offers more than 170 workout modes. The smartwatch also supports Alipay payments, a compass, Bluetooth calling, message notifications, weather information, remote camera control, phone-finding, and a voice assistant. Source

    Rumors You Can Just Glance At

    According to The Korea Economic Daily, Samsung Electronics is accelerating its push toward GPU in-house development and plans to adopt a self-developed graphics IP in the Exynos 2800, which is expected to launch in 2027. The move aims to reduce reliance on AMD’s RDNA technology and increase autonomy in product iteration. Samsung also intends to extend its in-house GPU beyond smartphones to smart glasses, robotics, and automotive SoCs, while further expanding into the AI ASIC market. Source