Entertainment

RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness – Side quest turned anime

A series built on the lore, but doesn’t overstay its welcome

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I’ll admit that I don’t have too much experience with the Resident Evil franchise because of my aversion to horror games. Although, what truly piqued my interest with Capcom’s survival-horror game was its interwoven storyline. For the most part, I picked up any knowledge of the lore and the characters by reading about it on walkthroughs and game reviews.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the video game franchise, and Capcom went all in with its commemoration. Just this past May, the company released Resident Evil Village, the canonical eighth game in the franchise. In July, another big release is coming with RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness, a television anime available on Netflix.

I got the chance to see the entire series before its release, and I went into it with whatever knowledge of the game’s storyline I had. Will this be something worthwhile for fans and newbies alike? 

A premise of darkness and violence

The premise of RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness is an interesting one, and tackles mysteries beyond the lore of the first few Resident Evil games. In this rather short anime series, it starts with a depiction of events in the fictional war-torn region of Penamstan in the year 2000. This sets up the timeline for the majority of the events of the series set in the year 2006.

Jason and his squadron about to drop into wartorn Penamstan in 2000

For as crazy as it sounds, the United States government suffered a hacking incident, and the President called upon four agents to investigate. Eventually, a zombie attack ensues in the White House and a virus infects several members of the government. Naturally, everything breaks into chaos before Leon S. Kennedy shows up.

Infinite Darkness

Back in Penamstan, Claire Redfield serves as a volunteer for TerraSave when a young boy shows her a disturbing drawing. On her return trip to America, she runs into Leon in the White House post-zombie attack, shows him the drawing, and suggests a correlation to the events in Raccoon City. Eventually, these two go on their separate ways for their own investigations.

A story that would make a decent DLC campaign

The rest of the story unravels in a four episode series filled with flashbacks and, well, zombie killing. Honestly, it feels right at home with how the video game franchise works except that it’s just mostly storyline with no gameplay. At first, I thought that maybe it would have been best if it was just a movie, given how long each episode was.

The U.S. Army Mad Dogs, a group of soldiers sent to Penamstan

In my short interview with Director Eiichiro Hasumi, he mentioned that he envisioned the series to unravel itself with each episode. In essence, you learn more about the characters and their intentions slowly but surely. As the series progressed, I’m starting to see what he meant by that, and it’s straight to the point.

Leon Kennedy, Jason and Shen May: three of the four agents called by the President

It doesn’t try to confuse you with multiple subplots, and any piece of new information is easily digestible per episode. Also, I felt that the producers structured the episodes quite well to avoid overloading you with information in each of them. If this ended up like a DLC in a main game, it fits quite well, plot-wise.

A form of fan service for the diehards

Throughout my entire watch time, I can’t help but notice that this series caters a lot to the diehards. First off, Resident Evil fans will delight in seeing the more detailed character models for your Resident Evil 2 protagonists in Leon and Claire. They stay true to their designs based on the video game franchise, except Leon is now in a suit instead of a police uniform.

The character design for Claire Redfield for RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness

Secondly, this series also features some easter eggs and references to the games themselves, particularly with several character relationships. I already mentioned one of the references in the premise section, so the rest is entirely up to the diehards when they watch the series. Honestly, it serves as a good form of fan service to hint at these all throughout.

Something for everybody?

Prior to finishing the entire series, I asked myself whether new and old Resident Evil fans will appreciate it. After finishing the rather short anime, I’m sure that RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness caters more to longtime fans than the casual ones. From the story to the characters, it sells itself as a great representation of the video game franchise.

This doesn’t mean, however, that casual fans of the video games and even zombie enthusiasts won’t appreciate the series. If, like me, you’re familiar with the lore but haven’t played the games as much as others, it’s a great watch. Although, I feel the story will leave you with more questions than any definitive endings.

Overall, RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness provides a digestible yet gruesome viewing experience for an anime series. It keeps things simple and straight to the point, and doesn’t have you overanalyzing things too much. Honestly, it’s a worthwhile side story that diehard fans will appreciate more, but it’s something for everybody.

Uncover the darkness in a war torn world as RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness arrives on Netflix on July 8, 2021.

Entertainment

Samurai Champloo is getting a live-action adaptation

The adaptation is coming from One Piece’s Tomorrow Studios.

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The live-action One Piece, which recently premiered its second season on Netflix, is one of the rare wins for the anime adaptation segment, especially after a string of misfires. Now, after the success of that series, things are getting bolder. Tomorrow Studios, which produced Netflix’s One Piece, will adapt Samurai Champloo into a live-action format.

Still from the brilliant mind of Shinichirō Watanabe, Samurai Champloo is often touted as the samurai version of Watanabe’s more popular Cowboy Bebop but with a more cohesive story and a hipper soundtrack. Since its first airing over two decades ago, the series has enjoyed a cult following, especially for those who enjoyed Cowboy Bebop.

First reported by Variety, Tomorrow Studios will adapt the show into a live-action series. Critically, Watanabe will be involved in the show’s production.

Because the show is still in early development, there’s no news beyond that. In fact, though it’s likely that Netflix will pick the series up, Tomorrow Studios hasn’t shopped the series to platforms yet.

Samurai Champloo is going to be a huge gamble for the studio. Previously, Tomorrow Studios crashed and burned with its Cowboy Bebop adaptation, which ended up getting canned soon after its premiere. Watanabe even criticized the series for changing the plot too much.

This time, however, Watanabe has given his blessing and will likely steer the adaptation to success. The studio has also promised an adaptation more faithful to the original’s story and soundtrack. Both of which were crucial to the original show’s success.

SEE ALSO: One Piece: Into the Grand Line unveils final trailer ahead of premiere

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Entertainment

ARTMS Heejin shows KPop concert day through Ray-Ban Meta glasses

Heejin films concert POV

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ARTMS Heejin | Ray-Ban Meta

What does a KPop concert look like from the idol’s perspective? Heejin of ARTMS gives fans exactly that.

In a short Instagram Reel filmed using Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, the ARTMS member records an entire concert day from her point of view — from backstage moments to standing on stage in front of hundreds of fans.

The clip begins with Heejin showing off the Ray-Ban Meta glasses before putting them on. She then continues vlogging on her phone while already wearing the smart glasses, casually demonstrating how the wearable camera fits into her usual routine.

From there, the Reel jumps through several moments leading up to the show. We see Heejin signing what appear to be albums for the concert, followed by a quick meal before rehearsals begin.

At one point, she even chats with staff members who seem curious about the Ray-Ban Meta glasses she’s wearing.

Then the highlight arrives.

The perspective suddenly shifts to the stage.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by HEEJIN (@0ct0ber19)

From Heejin’s POV, the crowd stretches across the venue while she performs alongside her fellow ARTMS members. There’s a quick glimpse of choreography while she’s still wearing the glasses — offering fans a rare look at what performing in front of thousands of people actually feels like.

The Reel winds down with the group bowing to the audience as the concert ends.

Finally, the video returns to the same visual from the opening. Heejin lies down on a bed, mirroring the start of the day — a quiet signal that the long concert schedule has finally wrapped.

There are a few fancams too showing the day Heejin wearing the glasses while performing on stage.

 

@seoshu heejin with glasses… I NEED HER #artmsinlondon #heejin #artms #grandclubicarus ♬ original sound – vro

 

@yvessyih i’m a sucker for nerds💔 heejin i love u #heejin #loona #artms #fyp #kpop @Official ARTMS ♬ Drunk in love – Megan ★

From LOONA to ARTMS

For longtime fans, Heejin needs little introduction.

She first debuted in 2016 as the very first member of LOONA, a group known for its ambitious storytelling and global fanbase.

Following LOONA’s restructuring, Heejin went on to become part of ARTMS, a project group that reunites several former members while continuing their creative direction.

Moments like this Reel give fans a small but personal glimpse into that journey — this time through the lens of smart glasses.

What the Ray-Ban Meta glasses actually do

The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are wearable smart glasses created by Meta in collaboration with Ray-Ban.

They feature a built-in ultra-wide camera, microphones, and open-ear speakers that allow users to capture photos and videos completely hands-free.

Because the camera sits directly in the frame, the footage naturally captures a first-person perspective — exactly the kind of viewpoint that makes Heejin’s Reel feel so immersive.

Instead of watching a concert from the audience, viewers briefly experience what it’s like to be the person standing on stage.

A new perspective for fans

POV videos aren’t new online, but using smart glasses to capture a full concert day adds a new layer to behind-the-scenes content.

For a few moments, fans aren’t just watching the performance.

They’re seeing it through the idol’s eyes.

And for longtime fans who first met Heejin during her early days in LOONA, the moment carries a little extra weight.

From debut stages to a new chapter with ARTMS, the view has changed — but the stage is still the same.

Now the real question is: Which idol would you want to see try this next?

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Entertainment

Crime on Prime: Streaming platform unveils powerhouse crime, thriller slate

Cross Season 2, 56 Days, Young Sherlock, Scarpetta, more

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Photos courtesy of Prime Video

Prime Video has unveiled “Crime on Prime”, a major programming rollout to kickstart the new year with a powerhouse slate of crime and thriller titles.

The lineup includes high-profile adaptations from bestselling authors James Patterson, Patricia Cornwell, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The season launched with the long-awaited return of the streaming platform’s hit crime thriller, Cross last month.

In its second season, stakes intensify as Cross pursues a ruthless vigilante targeting corrupt billionaire magnates.

A new series, 56 Days, portrays the story of a couple who fall dangerously fast in love, only for a decomposing body to be found 56 days later in one of the protagonist’s apartment.

The series is adapted from Catherine Ryan Howard’s novel of the same title. As its plot unravels, the question “Who killed who?” will be answered.

Meanwhile, Guy Ritchie’s re-imagining of the iconic character in Young Sherlock debuted on March 4. It stars Hero Fiennes Tiffin as a defiant, youthful Sherlock Holmes on his first case.

Furthermore, launching on March 11 is Liz Sarnoff’s gripping adaptation of the beloved Scarpetta novel series, starring Nicole Kidman as the medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta.

With skilled hands and an unnerving eye, she is determined to serve as the voice of victims, unmask a serial killer, and prove that her career-making case from 28 years prior isn’t also her undoing.

The lineup also includes a renowned list of local titles for the Filipino audience:

  • The Silent Noise (KD Omalin)
  • The Alibi (Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino)
  • Cattleya Killer (Arjo Atayde, Jake Cuenca)
  • Sa Aking Mga Kamay (Christopher De Leon)
  • Roadkillers (Nadine Lustre)
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