Entertainment
Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama passess away
His work influenced pop culture, gaming, and beyond
Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama passess away at the age of 68. The announcement was made on the official Dragon Ball X (formerly Twitter) account.
Toriyama died due to an acute subdural hematoma according to the statement.
Information ; Dear Friends and Partnershttps://t.co/85dXseckzJ pic.twitter.com/aHlx8CGA2M
— DRAGON BALL OFFICIAL (@DB_official_en) March 8, 2024
Dragon Ball and beyond
Toriyama is the person responsible for the existence of many manga, animé and gaming franchises. His work includes Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, the upcoming Sand Land, and more.
Undoubtedly, his most influential work is the Dragon Ball franchise. Its many moments and themes have been referenced so much by many works of art that followed it.
Message from One Piece, Naruto creators
Eichiro Oda and Masashimi Kishimoto, creators of One Piece and Naruto respectively, have both also released statements on Toriyama’s passing.
Oda:It’s too soon. The void left behind is too large.
The sadness overwhelms me when I realize I’ll never meet you again. From my childhood, I’ve admired you. I remember the day I was first called by name. On the way home after the day you used the word “friends” for us, I remember the joyous moment with Kishimoto-san.
For manga artists of our generation who stood on the same stage, Toriyama’s works became an even greater presence the closer we got. Almost scary. But meeting the laid-back you always made me happy. We love Toriyama-sensei to the core.
Kishimoto: The first time I met him, I was so nervous I couldn’t speak. But after meeting him several times at the Tezuka Awards judging committee, I got used to talking to him. As Dragon Ball children, Oda-san and I talked excitedly about how fun Dragon Ball was, almost competing, and I’ll never forget the slightly embarrassed smile Sensei gave us.
Thank you, Akira Toriyama-sensei, for your many enjoyable works over 45 years. And thank you very much for your hard work.
H/T: IGN, AnimeCorner
Entertainment
Jason Momoa will star in upcoming Helldivers film adaptation
Justin Lin is set to direct.
PlayStation’s State of Play is about games. However, there are a few times when the semi-regular event can spawn hype for something outside the realm of gaming. Today is one of those times. Sony Pictures and PlayStation have released more information about the upcoming Helldivers movie adaptation.
Early last year, Sony teased a variety of upcoming adaptations for its tentpole franchises. This announcement included Horizon Zero Dawn, Ghost of Tsushima, and Helldivers.
Today, as reported by Variety, the Helldivers film finally has a leading man. Jason Momoa, who starred in the Minecraft adaptation previously, will star in the film.
Since the franchise isn’t really known for a specific main character, it’s unknown who the star will play. We also don’t know his co-stars yet.
Alongside Momoa, Justin Lin will direct the film. The director is known for his work with the Fast and Furious franchise.
Plot-wise, the Helldivers franchise seems tailor-made for the movies. It’s not a supremely story-driven game, but its premise is endlessly adaptable. The games always revolve around a group of soldiers called Helldivers, who protect Super Earth from a host of alien threats. These threats include rogue robots and bug-like creatures.
The film, whatever it might tackle, will premiere on November 10, 2027.
Helldivers 2 launched back in 2024. At the time, the game was exclusive for the PlayStation and PC. However, it recently launched on the Xbox, too.
SEE ALSO: Helldivers 2 review: SIP ON SOME LIBER-TEA!
Entertainment
Greenbelt reopens reimagined cinemas with premium upgrades
New design, seating, and laser projection
Greenbelt has unveiled its newly reimagined cinemas, raising the bar for premium moviegoing in Metro Manila. The reopening forms part of the broader transformation of the iconic lifestyle destination under Ayala Malls.
Ayala Malls COO Paul Birkett said reinventing Greenbelt required both ambition and detail. Alongside luxury retail, the mall has refreshed its entertainment offering with upgraded theaters, a revitalized lobby, and curated food options.
Familiar formats, elevated experience
The refreshed lineup includes 4DX, known for its multi-sensory effects, and My Cinema, a favorite venue for private screenings and celebrations.
The cinema lobby now features a massive video wall for trailers and visual storytelling. The ticket booth sports a cleaner, more modern look. The Movie Snackbar has also been redesigned. It now comes with expanded offerings and new popcorn flavors including Truffle Parmesan, Smoked Gouda, and Salted Caramel.
Food options now include Mamou, Potato Corner, Toki, Chihuahua, and Carmen’s Best, served in a Greenbelt-exclusive popcorn bucket design.
Comfort takes center stage
Inside the theaters, the upgrades are immediate. New wall panels, plush carpeting, and warmer lighting create a more inviting atmosphere.
All cinemas now use Slider seats. These wider, all-leather seats glide smoothly into a natural recline without electric controls. The result is improved comfort and better ergonomic support throughout the film.
Laser projection and immersive sound
Every screen now runs on laser projection for brighter images and more consistent color. Each cinema is also equipped with a Dolby Atmos sound system. It delivers three-dimensional audio that moves around the audience.
A cinematic unveiling
The refreshed cinemas were unveiled on February 10. Guests experienced the upgrades during an exclusive preview of Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
The evening included hors d’oeuvres and cocktails from Dillingers, live music from a quartet, and a special screening of the film, now showing in Ayala Malls Cinemas.
Booking made easier
According to Yvette Roldan, Ancillary Business Head of Ayala Malls, every aspect of the cinema experience was upgraded for comfort and quality.
Moviegoers can now check schedules and book tickets online via Ayala All Access at ayalaallaccess.com.
Greenbelt’s reimagined cinemas invite audiences to rediscover the big screen, where design, comfort, and technology come together.
Entertainment
One Piece: Into the Grand Line global fan events, official trailer announced
Excitement builds up ahead of March 10 premiere
Netflix has just announced 13 global fan screenings and activations for One Piece: Into the Grand Line.
The fan events urge fans to come sail away with the Straw Hat pirates ahead of the March 10 premiere.
These events will take place across the following dates and locations:
- February 23 – Mexico City, Mexico
- February 26 – Los Angeles, CA
- February 27 – March 1 – Brussels, Belgium
- February 28 – March 1 – Paris, France
- March 4-8 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- March 5 – Tokyo, Japan
- March 5-15 – Jakarta, Indonesia
- March 6-8 – Milan, Italy
- March 8 – Cape Town, South Africa
- March 13-15 – Taguig, Philippines
- March 8-15 – Bangkok, Thailand
- March 14 – Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- March – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In addition, Netflix has also unveiled the official trailer for the second season of One Piece’s live-action adaptation.
The three-minute clip opens with Dr. Hiriluk and Tony Tony Chopper talking about how pirates never give up.
It then delves into a more cinematic next few moments highlighting the world of Season 2, as it naturally is the official trailer ahead of the March 10 release.
Key antagonist, Miss All-Sunday, then appears in the second minute as the trailer switches to preview the imminent danger the Straw Hat crew is about to face.
It then culminates with plenty of combat scenes, featuring more of the protagonists, villains, and the settings in Season 2.
The trailer also shows a glimpse of more characters, like Tony Tony Chopper, a Lagoon, and even a dinosaur — obviously from Little Garden which is officially part of the Grand Line saga.
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