☕️ 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.

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[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