What to Watch This Week: 11 New & Notable TV Shows and Movies

☕️ TL;DR
Recent highlights: [US] A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1, [US] The Copenhagen Test, [US] Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Season 2, [US] From Season 2, [JP] Detective, Your Backpack Is Open, [JP] Futago Tama, [KR] Love Me, [Animation] Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2, [Film] Time-Traveling Princess Kaguya!, [Film] A Journey Through Time, [Reality Show] The Traitors (UK) Season 4

Several notable trailers: the official trailer for When the Green Blossoms at Dawn, the first trailer for Patlabor EZY, the first trailer for Masters of the Universe: Rise of He-Man, and the first trailer for Pegasus 3

Several film and TV updates: Hello, Beautiful confirmed for release in China; Miracle Dream Team scheduled for March 14 in mainland China; Wuthering Heights scheduled for March 13 in mainland China; La La Land set for a theatrical re-release on February 14; Blades of the Guardians: Storm over the Desert scheduled for release during the Spring Festival

[US] A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – Season 1

Keywords: Drama / Action / Fantasy / Adventure
Also known as: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1
Runtime: about 50 minutes per episode × 15 episodes
Where to watch: HBO Max; Douban link

A true knight needs no knighting.

@潘誉晗: As a spin-off of Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set 89 years before the original series and 78 years after House of the Dragon. At this point in time, Ser Arlan passes away after a long illness. After burying him, Dunk—later known as the Tall, Ser Duncan—decides to travel alone to Ashford Meadow to take part in a tourney, in order to fulfill his late mentor’s wish. Along the way, he meets a clever boy named Egg and takes him on as his squire, and the two set off together to wander the world.

With the story no longer centered on royal courts and capital cities as in previous series, this time it feels more like a medieval road movie. Dunk, who is not yet the legendary “Ser Duncan the Tall,” and little Egg look utterly insignificant. They fall asleep under the open night sky with no shelter overhead—romantic in a way, yet a little heartbreaking when you think about it. And yet it is precisely these two penniless, makeshift companions who travel side by side, fighting monsters and leveling up along the way, and through a series of coincidences become entangled with House Targaryen, and even drawn into major events that will shape the fate of the Seven Kingdoms. Perhaps this is why George R. R. Martin chose to personally helm the series: a knight without a title may possess the truest knightly spirit, and small, seemingly unremarkable people can still grow into figures of great consequence.

[US] The Copenhagen Test

Keywords: Action / Sci-Fi / Fantasy
Also known as: The Copenhagen Test
Runtime: 48–53 minutes per episode × 8 episodes
Where to watch: HBO Max; Douban link

So you’re saying… he’s a mobile human surveillance camera?

@潘誉晗: Alexander, a Chinese-American analyst, works as a handler at an intelligence agency. One day, he applies for a more challenging assignment and is approved. Around the same time, three of his informants are brutally murdered. After the department conducts scans on all personnel, they discover microscopic nanomachines implanted in Alexander’s brain. Without realizing it, he has become a walking human camera: every piece of information he sees is secretly received and sold off by someone else. The agency decides to play along and use him as bait to lure out the mastermind behind it all.

Shedding the “Shang-Chi” image most people associate him with, Simu Liu delivers an excellent performance in this sci-fi action series. He not only portrays a desperate agent fighting to survive, but also vividly conveys the injustices faced by Asian Americans in the United States. As a second-generation immigrant, Alexander’s parents changed their family name, forbade speaking Chinese at home, and pushed him to join the military, all in the hope that he would better fit in. Yet because he held on to his own sense of humanity, he failed the so-called “Copenhagen Test” of loyalty and was sidelined to the margins of the intelligence community. With its high-concept premise, fast-paced storytelling, and seamless blend of Asian-American identity issues with themes of political paranoia, the show is intense from start to finish.

[US] Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage – Season 2

Keywords: Comedy
Also known as: Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Season 2
Runtime: about 20 minutes per episode × 11 episodes; Douban link

So that’s why Georgie becomes a tire tycoon.

@潘誉晗: The new season continues directly from the previous one. Georgie successfully buys his father-in-law’s tire shop and officially becomes a co-owner. However, young and lacking formal education, he fails to earn the trust of his partners. In their eyes, it’s his pot-bellied, retired father-in-law who is truly worth doing business with. So when Georgie proposes spending money on a system upgrade and renaming the shop “Doctor Tire,” his grand vision is immediately shot down.

No one expected that a spin-off of The Big Bang Theory’s spin-off could explore love and the realities of marriage in such a lighthearted and humorous way, through the everyday life of a young couple. Georgie, who seemed a bit muddled and unreliable in Young Sheldon, grows into fatherhood here—working hard, trying to balance family life, and even considering Mandy’s feelings enough to sign up for night classes (with hilariously awkward results). There are no earth-shattering events, just household trivia, the pressures of raising a child, and workplace crises that feel all too familiar. It’s grounded, but deeply touching.

[US] Hijack – Season 2

Keywords: Drama / Thriller / Crime
Also known as: Hijack Season 2
Runtime: 42 minutes per episode × 8 episodes; Douban link

From now on, I refuse to take the same kind of public transport as Sam.

@潘誉晗: Early in the morning, the U8 subway departs from Berlin Zoologischer Garten station. It’s a busy stop, and during rush hour the carriages are packed—negotiation expert Sam among them. After passing one station, the train fails to open its doors as scheduled. Other passengers assume it’s just a minor glitch, but Sam’s nerves immediately tighten. In the tunnel, a mysterious figure in work clothes alters the contact rail, and the train is diverted onto a tunnel that was abandoned back in the Cold War era. From that moment on, the U8 disappears from the subway authority’s monitoring screens.

Although the KA29 flight incident happened two years ago, it still casts a shadow over Sam. And with the mastermind still at large, he has grown increasingly paranoid. He even storms into the driver’s cab and declares to the train operator involved in rerouting the subway: “I’m hijacking this train.” The show continues to do an excellent job building suspense and tension. With the story now shifting underground to Berlin, the script feels clearly upgraded—the subterranean city is vast and labyrinthine, and Sam’s decision to turn himself into the hijacker is baffling. So where exactly is this train headed—toward what truth?

[JP] Detective, Your Backpack Is Open

Keywords: Fantasy / Comedy
Also known as: 探偵さん、リュック開いてますよ
Runtime: about 50 minutes per episode × 10 episodes
Where to watch: ABEMA / TLASA / TVer; Douban link

A warm, healing, fantastical, absurd, suspenseful detective show?

@利兹与青鸟: Yosuke Ichinose runs a detective agency at Yoyura Inn in Nishitani Hot Spring, and he’s also an inventor who creates gadgets that border on science fiction—like a scooter powered by overhearing gossip, or a mouth-cleaning robot that replaces your toothbrush. He mechanically repeats “That’s right” to his clients, yet reliably solves their problems. One day, while buying food at a convenience store, a kind clerk zips up his backpack for him—an effortless, literal hint that neatly opens the story.

Don’t be fooled by how strange Yosuke is—the residents of this hot-spring town are no less unusual. One by one, they appear adorable yet wildly eccentric: a white-haired old man spinning and jumping on the mountain, a flying monkey covered in black fur soaking in the baths, a monk who rides a cart fueled by insults… They go about doing unbelievable things with deadpan seriousness, delivering lines that sound nonsensical and yet oddly philosophical. The stories of the town are discovered and woven together by Yosuke, abstract and heartwarming at the same time.

This marks the second collaboration between Shuichi Okita and Ryuhei Matsuda after The Man with 0.5 Personality. The freewheeling imagination and cozy small-town setting may remind you of Hot Spot. Many scenes and concepts are absurd and hilarious—if it’s your wavelength, it’s pure deadpan comedy; if not, it may feel completely off the rails. Beneath the light tone, the show also touches on social issues such as environmental protection and parent–child relationships. And with what seems to be a bizarre serial murder case looming in later episodes, it’s well worth looking forward to.

[JP] Nikotama

Keywords: Drama
Also known as: にこたま
Runtime: about 45 minutes per episode × 8 episodes
Where to watch: FOD; Douban link

Familiarity breeds contempt.

@利兹与青鸟: Atsuko Asao works at a bento shop run by her high school classmate. She’s great at setting the mood when she’s with friends—impromptu performances anywhere and anytime, humorous and adorable. Kohei Iwaki is a patent attorney, gentle in nature but indecisive, with a rich inner monologue constantly playing in his head. The two have been living together since they were 20, for more than ten years now, enjoying a warm, quiet, and sweet life together. As friends around them start getting married one by one, Atsuko, though content with the present, begins to think more seriously about the future. Kohei’s colleague Yuko Takano is the very definition of rigor and rationality. When she suddenly feels unwell, Kohei panics, but Takano calmly decides to resign, give birth to their child, and raise the baby on her own.

Adapted from the novel of the same name, the series explores relationships, cohabitation, and marriage among Japanese thirty-something office workers. The overall tone is soft, with a style that is both lively and classically restrained. The dialogue is vivid and engaging—sometimes poetic, sometimes philosophical. The cinematography and editing are carefully crafted, using different aspect ratios to distinguish past from present, and cross-cutting to hint at the direction of the story. The pacing is comfortable and natural, making it a quintessential slice-of-life drama. Scenes of Ai Hashimoto cooking even evoke Little Forest, bringing a deep sense of calm and reassurance. Compared with Kohei, who is caught in between, Atsuko and Takano feel more like the driving forces of the two relationships, leaving one curious about where this unexpected turn will lead the three of them.

[KR] Love Me

Keywords: Drama
Also known as: Love Me
Runtime: about 60 minutes per episode × 12 episodes; Douban link

Admitting that you’re afraid of loneliness is nothing to be ashamed of.

@潘誉晗: Seo Jun-kyung is a gynecologist—highly skilled and successful in her career, yet, in other people’s eyes, an “older unmarried woman.” Her life has its own troubles. Years ago, her mother was in a car accident on a rainy night while bringing her something, and afterwards her personality changed drastically, creating a rift between mother and daughter. On her parents’ wedding anniversary, Jun-kyung goes home for dinner but ends up arguing with her mother and leaves in a hurry. That very night, her mother dies of a cerebral hemorrhage. The tragedy completely alters the Seo family’s life. Jun-kyung begins to actively pursue love, her father decides to go ahead with a long-planned trip to Jeju Island, and her younger brother resolves to change himself as well.

Through the sudden death of the family’s matriarch, the series tells the love stories of the remaining three and points out a flaw in how love is often understood in the East Asian context: forgetting to love oneself first. Fortunately, the three members of the Seo family each manage to find themselves. Jun-kyung, who had always been unwilling to open up and deeply afraid of loneliness, finally musters the courage to love; her father falls in love again during his travels—something many would consider heartless, given how little time has passed since his wife’s death; and her brother Jun-seok comes to realize that being a hopeless people-pleaser will never lead to real love. To love others, you must first learn to love yourself.

[Animation] Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – Season 2

Keywords: Manga adaptation / Fantasy / Adventure
Also known as: 葬送のフリーレン第2期 / Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
Runtime: 24 minutes per episode × 10 episodes, updated every Friday
Where to watch: Bahamut Anime Crazy / Netflix / YouTube; Douban link

As long as we keep traveling, we will meet again.

@SHY: Twenty-nine years after the death of the hero Himmel, the journey of the elven mage Frieren continues. After the mage certification exam, Frieren, Fern, and Stark set out once more. In a village in the northern kingdoms, the three encounter not a statue of Himmel, but one of the “Hero of the South.” What new experiences await them ahead?

Although director Keiichiro Saito has stepped down after the first season, MADHOUSE’s near-original production team remains highly trustworthy. The new director, Tomoya Kitagawa, was already responsible for several key episodes last season and is adept at capturing subtle emotional shifts and creating just the right atmosphere. His work this season lives up to expectations: the opening design echoes Episode 1, the animation quality remains solid, and together with Evan Call’s music and the ending theme once again performed by milet, it all feels just like the first encounter.

Judging from the short 10-episode run, the production team likely intends to adapt the major “Golden Land Arc” into a theatrical film, leaving this season to focus mainly on calmer, episodic stories. These gentle slices of everyday life are the essence of the original manga—within trivial moments lie truths about life itself, perfect for rediscovering the初心 before setting out again. As memories of the past intertwine with new experiences, this new journey after the story’s “ending” is quietly written. One believes this soft, flowing hymn will become a harbor for weary hearts.

[Film] Cosmic Princess Kaguya!

Keywords: Sci-Fi / Music
Also known as: 超时空辉耀姬！ / 超かぐや姫！ / Cosmic Princess Kaguya!
Runtime: 142 minutes, with a post-credits scene
Where to watch: Netflix; Douban link

J-pop demon-hunting girl group: my favorite is my child.

@SHY: Long, long ago… no, actually in the not-so-distant future, there lives a high-school girl named Iroha Sakayori who lives alone. One day on her way home, she finds a baby crawling out of a utility pole. The child quickly grows into a girl her own age named Kaguya. The two set their sights on holding a joint concert with AI streamer Tsukimi Yachiyo and begin their activities in virtual space.

Renowned animation prodigy Kiyosato Yamashita, famous for creating numerous hit opening sequences, makes his feature-length directorial debut with remarkable flair. Drawing inspiration from the endlessly adapted Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, the film places music at its core. The composer lineup brings together well-known Vocaloid producers such as supercell, HoneyWorks, livetune, and 40mP. From the familiar “World Is Mine” to many new songs written specifically for the story, the dazzling animation and performances deliver a nonstop chain of exhilarating live shows.

As a creator who has long focused on short-form works, Yamashita has a keen sense for contemporary trends. The film piles on Gen-Z favorites—VTubers, e-sports, yuri—while also considering short-video clipability, planting highlights designed for social-media spread, and drawing major attention even before release. From the very beginning, it declares its refusal of a bad ending, continuing the story after Princess Kaguya’s return to the moon to create a happy ending belonging to the two of them alone. This lavish, national-banquet-level platter is undoubtedly the year-opening showstopper of original animation.

[Film] A Journey Through Time

Keywords: Sci-Fi / Adventure
Also known as: Rainbow / Arco
Runtime: 88 minutes
Where to watch: Now showing in theaters; Douban link

At the end of the rainbow, I walk with you.

@SHY: In the year 2932, a boy named Arco secretly puts on a rainbow-lit spacesuit that allows time travel, only to crash into the past—2075. With the help of a girl named Iris, the two work together to find a way back to his original timeline. But plans never go smoothly. Disaster awaits ahead—will Arco be able to set off again?

This is the first animated feature film by French comic artist Ugo Bienvenu. A Journey Through Time originated from a doodle he made during the pandemic, in which a rainbow transformed into a character. He later expanded the idea into a short proof-of-concept film, and with the support of actress Natalie Portman, who recognized its potential, successfully raised funding for a full-length production.

Although both timelines in the film are set in the future, the visuals deliberately adopt a retro aesthetic, resulting in eye-catching art direction. The finished work shows clear influences from Hayao Miyazaki, telling a story of pure youthful adventure in a vast world, celebrating the romance of soaring with the wind. There is no true villain, and the story naturally arrives at a heartwarming, family-reunion ending.

Beyond its time-crossing main plot, the film also touches on hot-button issues such as climate change, artificial intelligence, and family relationships. The children’s small adventure becomes, to some extent, a catalyst for shaping the future world. Winning the Annecy Cristal Award and receiving a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars is a fitting honor for this independent animated film as gorgeous as a rainbow.

[Reality Show] The Traitors (UK) – Season 4

Keywords: Reality Show
Also known as: The Traitors Season 4
Runtime: about 60 minutes per episode × 12 episodes; Douban link

Trust no one.

@潘誉晗: Twenty-two ordinary people from all walks of life once again gather at a castle in the Scottish Highlands to play a real-life version of Werewolf, competing for a prize of £120,000.

This season introduces a small twist to the format. It is still a three-way battle among the Faithful, the Traitors, and the Hidden Traitor. But this time, apart from Claudia and the person themselves, no one knows who the Hidden Traitor really is. The nightly meeting where the Traitors decide whom to eliminate is also no longer completely “free.” The Traitors may still eliminate one contestant each night, but that person must come from a shortlist provided by the Hidden Traitor. This is where the show gets clever—the Traitors’ competitive instincts are easily ignited. By day, they hide among the Faithful, playing inventive and entertaining games while sizing up everyone else in search of the Hidden Traitor. The rest of the Faithful, who only know that Traitors exist, must do their best to protect themselves.

This season of The Traitors is once again as gripping as a crime drama, full of twists and turns. Lawyers, retired police officers, mystery novelists… they may be ordinary people from different professions, but they are a group of remarkably professional amateurs.

[JP] Narcotics Cop and the Mad Dog
@Sholmes: Adapted from a manga, the series begins with a knife attack by a drug addict at a nightclub. Narcotics officer Kurosaki and detective Katsuragi both arrive to investigate. Following the clues, Kurosaki tracks down Umezawa, the dealer who sold the drugs to the attacker, and coerces him into working undercover in order to take down the trafficking organization in one sweep. Umezawa later receives instructions from his supplier for a new drug deal. When he arrives at the designated location, the person waiting for him turns out to be none other than detective Katsuragi. The show moves at a brisk pace and carries a classic noir crime-thriller style.

[KR] My Dear Thief
@潘誉晗: Hong Eun-jo is a young woman of noble birth, yet she is looked down upon because her mother was a slave. By day she practices medicine to save lives; by night she becomes “Gil-dong,” a righteous thief who robs the rich to help the poor. News of this vigilante draws the attention of Yi-ryeol, who takes an active role in the investigation. In the process, he meets Eun-jo and falls for her. Then, in an unexpected accident, the two swap souls. In Joseon-era Korea, a body swap is not only a forced change of social class, but also a trial of truth, love, and righteousness.

[KR] Love: Tracks
@潘誉晗: Released by TBS at the end of 2025, this anthology series consists of ten stand-alone episodes, each only half an hour long, yet together they tell ten touching stories about love. Each story approaches the theme from a different angle: innocent first love at school, romance in the workplace, warm family bonds… These short but refined tales are like delicate poems, revealing many facets of love—poetic, tender, understated, and quietly heart-warming.

[Film] Truth and Betrayal
@利兹与青鸟: Based on true events, the film tells the story of a shining resistor in history. Sixteen-year-old German boy Helmut is gifted in writing. He becomes the youngest intern at city hall, and also the youngest person ever sentenced to death for treason because of his words. Unwilling to deceive himself in the face of Nazi atrocities and lies, he secretly prints and distributes leaflets with more truthful news of the war. For the justice in his heart, he refuses to plead guilty in court and delivers a passionate speech, moving audiences with his fearlessness and sacrifice, and leaving them deeply saddened.

[UK] Dangerous Pursuit
@潘誉晗: After being missing for six months, banker Simon finally finds his beloved daughter Peggy performing in a park. Just as he tries to take her home, her boyfriend Aaron appears to stop him and provokes him. Losing his temper, Simon beats Aaron badly. Someone records the scene and posts it online, and Simon is immediately condemned by the public. Not long after, Aaron is found dead and Peggy disappears. Simon becomes a suspect in the eyes of the police. Told from a father’s perspective as he searches for his daughter, the series gradually uncovers the dark underbelly of drug trafficking, cults, and other forms of evil.

📅 New Trailers This Week

Dawn When Flowers Turn Green – Official Trailer

On January 22, the animated film Dawn When Flowers Turn Green released its official trailer and is set to premiere in Japan on March 6. Directed and written by Yoshitoshi Shinomiya, and produced by Asmik Ace, Studio Outrigger, and Miyu Productions, the story centers on a fireworks factory facing demolition. The film has been selected for the main competition section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival. Source

Patlabor EZY – First Teaser Trailer

On January 20, the animation Patlabor EZY released its first teaser trailer, announcing a total of 8 episodes divided into 3 parts, which will be released in Japanese theaters on May 15, August 14, and March 2027 respectively. Directed by Yutaka Izubuchi, written by Kazunori Ito, with music by Kenji Kawai, and produced by J.C.STAFF, the story is set in the 2030s, where the Second Unit of Special Vehicles Division 2 confronts a new form of crime. Source

Masters of the Universe: Rise of He-Man – First Trailer

On January 22, the film Masters of the Universe: Rise of He-Man released its first trailer and is scheduled to open in North America on June 5. Directed by Travis Knight and starring Nicholas Galitzine, the story follows a long-forgotten prince from another world who awakens at the call of a mysterious sacred sword. To save both his former homeland and the present world, he must become the legendary cosmic giant—He-Man. Source

Pegasus 3 – First Trailer

On January 23, the film Pegasus 3 released its first trailer and is set to premiere on February 17. Directed by Han Han and starring Shen Teng, Yin Zheng, Johnny Huang, and Zhang Benyu, with Wei Xiang and Sha Yi also joining the cast, the story continues seven years after the last race. This time, “King of Bayinbuluke” Zhang Chi will step onto an even bigger stage, representing Team China to challenge the toughest intercontinental race, the “Muchen 100.” Source

TV anime FX Warrior Kurumi announced: Adapted from the manga of the same name, directed by Yuki Ogawa, written by Kenta Ihara, and produced by Passione. College student Kurumi dives into the abyss of FX margin trading in an attempt to win back the 20 million yen her mother lost during a financial crisis. Scheduled to air in 2026. Source

TV anime Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4 releases new trailer: Supervised by original light novel author Tappei Nagatsuki, directed by Masahiro Shinohara, series composition by Masahiro Yokotani, and produced by WHITE FOX. After a hard-fought victory in the Watergate City, Subaru Natsuki and his companions head for the Pleiades Watchtower, where the Sage resides. Airing from April. Source

Ted live-action series Season 2 trailer: Seth MacFarlane returns as director, writer, and star. The foul-mouthed teddy bear continues his high school life alongside his human slacker friend John, with even more shameless misadventures to come. Premiering March 5 on Peacock.

Wildwood North America release date announced: LAIKA Studios’ latest animated film Wildwood is set for release in North America on October 23. Directed by Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings), with voice cast including Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, and Jacob Tremblay, the story follows a girl whose younger brother is kidnapped by a group of crows, prompting her to venture into the wilderness to rescue him. @利兹与青鸟

📽 Film & TV News Weekly

Hello, Amélie Confirmed for Release in Mainland China

On January 23, the Oscar-nominated 2026 Best Animated Feature Hello, Amélie was confirmed for release in mainland China. The film tells the story of a little girl named Amélie who observes the world with childlike innocence, discovering the beauty of nature and the wonder of life, and experiencing her first moment of growth within what seems like a calm everyday life. It was also recommended in What to Watch This Week issue 251205. Source

Miracle Dream Team Scheduled for March 14 Release in China

On January 22, the animated film Miracle Dream Team released its mainland China release trailer and poster, announcing a theatrical debut on March 14. Produced and voiced in part by NBA superstar Stephen Curry and brought to life by the team behind Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the film follows a young goat named Will who teams up with his wild companions to apply for a spot on the court. Can this “little guy” become a true GOAT? Source

Wuthering Heights Scheduled for March 13 Release in China

On January 20, the film Wuthering Heights released its mainland China release trailer and poster, confirming a March 13 theatrical opening. Directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, the film is inspired by Emily Brontë’s classic novel and tells a forbidden love story between Cathy and Heathcliff, entwined with desire and divided by class. Source

La La Land Set for February 14 Anniversary Re-release

On January 23, La La Land was announced to return to theaters in mainland China on February 14 for its 10th anniversary, including an IMAX version. Directed by Damien Chazelle and starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, the film follows two dreamers whose relationship gradually drifts apart as time goes by, forcing them to choose between ambition and love. Source

Blades of the Guardians: Storm over the Desert Scheduled for Spring Festival Release

On January 19, the film Blades of the Guardians: Storm over the Desert released its release-date trailer and poster, confirming a premiere during the 2026 Spring Festival. Directed by Yuen Woo-ping and starring Wu Jing, Nicholas Tse, Yu Shi, Chen Lijun, Sun Yizhou, Ci Sha, and Li Yunxiao, with special appearances by Tony Leung Ka-fai and Jet Li, the story follows a perilous escort mission across the vast desert from the Western Regions to Chang’an, stirring upheaval throughout the martial world. Source

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