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Pluribus [ep. 1-2]

I’ve only watched two episodes of this apocalyptic, sci-fi thriller so far with my sister. The series follows novelist Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), who finds herself in isolation when an alien virus outbreak transforms the rest of humanity into a collective hive mind. It’s not a show you can just idly watch, otherwise you’ll end up missing the small key details of the plot. This isn’t anything i’ve watched before but i’m curious to see how it will all unfold, whether she’ll become assimilated to the collective consciousnous or not.

If Wishes Could Kill

This was a binge-worthy horror. It follows five high school students, who receive warnings of their sudden deaths from a mysterious wish-granting app. As the group attempts to escape their fates, they slowly uncover the truth behind the app’s connection to the death of a fellow student. The ghosts themselves wasn’t scary at all, in fact it could’ve been more frightening to be honest. But I liked how they blended traditional shamanistic elements with the modern tech and digital-era.

The White Book

This autobiographical novel was such a beautiful and poetic read. It was one where I didn’t know where it was going yet I was still invested in following along to this deeply, emotional journey. Funnily enough, I ended up reading this book when I was struggling with Han Kang’s other work “Greek Lessons”. I thought this was such a profound concept — using the colour white to not only list the things that are white, but to also highlight grief, light and rebirth. It’s no wonder that it was the winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature.

The Autheticator

I really enjoyed this psychological thriller, about an eccentric artist who discovers a stash of hidden diaries and enlists a young academic, along with her talented mentor, to confirm it’s authenticity. This play was full of suspense, amazing staging and lots of laughter. It did get a bit confusing for me during the third act, as the secrets of the diaries were unfolding. Nonetheless, I was still captivated by Cherrelle Skeete, Rakie Ayola, and Sylvestra Le Touzel’s performance. My friend and I was lucky enough to get great seat tickets for £10 via The Rendition newsletter. I highly recommend signing up for their newsletter, as it spotlights Black theatre that celebrates our stories and ensures it’s accessible to all, especially Black communities.

Kindergarten Wars [vol. 1-3]

I was curious with this one as iv’e been told that it’s got similar vibes to Spy x Family, and they were right to a degree. A series that follows Rita, a former assassin, who works at a kindergarten for children of the world elites, and protect them from all kinds of threats. It’s very action-packed, and it starts off strong with great comedy. However, the repetitive gags in the later volumes and predictability, just wasn’t doing it for me to continue further.

Dysfunctional Family Theory [completed]

A rom-com that follows two men who, after the death of their late ex-girlfriend, discover that they are both potential fathers to her young daughter, and are then forced to all live together. Volume 1 was a really fun read however, volume 2 was actually nonsensical. While we do get a backstory of one of the potential father, the development felt rushed compared to the first, and the payoff felt forced. It definitely needed three volumes. Still, I loved the art and a time was had.

Eren the Southpaw [currently airing]

Only managed to watch the first two episodes, but as someone who studied art back in my teenage years, I can relate to this coming-of-age story. It follows Kōichi, a designer who seeks recognition and Eren, a successful painter who find herself isolated and burdened by pressure, and self-doubt. It looks promising, and i’m keen to see how they both navigate their internal struggles and the harsh reality of success.

Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring Paradise [currently airing]

A visually stunning, fantasy anime that is deeply layered with themes of trauma, grief, and hope. It follows Hinagiku Kayo, the Agent of Spring, and Sakura, her devoted bodyguard, who embark on a journey to bring Edo’s first spring in ten long years. It’s another promising anime this season, with each episode delivering bittersweet angst.

86 [part 1: ep. 1-11]

This anime has been on my watchlist for years and after finally watching the first part, I understand the hype of this gem. Everything about it — the emotional storyline, breathtaking visuals and a masterpiece of a score — is what makes this one of the greats for me. But just I was about to start part 2, it was REMOVED from Crunchyroll without warning of course, due to their expired licensing. Another reason why owning physical media is so important. The fact that the DVDs are sold out at most retailers, proves the demand is still strong.

Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

No matter the time of day or season, i’ll never tire of listening to my show tunes. Hamilton is truly a masterpiece of an album by Lin-Manuel Miranda. His signature rhythmic dialogue, which fuses rap and hip hop, tells the story of America’s founding father, Alexander Hamilton. And with the news of THE Leslie Odom, Jr. performing for a limited time at London’s Victoria Palace Theatre, I need to be in the room where it happens!