Entertainment

X-Men 97 is astonishing

We saw the first 3 episodes

Published

March 20, 2024

The X-Men Animated Series that first aired in 1992 played a big part in my superhero, power fantasy fixation. That, along with the Spider-Man and Batman animated series as well as Dragon Ball Z made me believe I could be capable of great things. I imagine the same is true for many millennials, that’s why X-Men 97 is such a big deal. It’s a reunion with our childhood heroes and a chance to introduce them to the next generation.

I was privileged to have seen the first three episodes of the sequel series. I’ll share my impressions here while trying our best to avoid key story details. Potential Spoiler Warning if you want to go into the series absolutely blind.

From the Studio that brought you Korra, Voltron

Animation and art style will always be big talking points with any animated series. Bringing to life X-Men 97 is the exact studio I had hoped would do so, which is Studio Mir.

Studio Mir is a South Korean animation studio based in Seoul and you might be familiar with some of their work. Most famously, they are the studio behind The Legend of Korra which is the sequel series to Avatar: The Last Airbender.

They also brought to life the brilliant Netflix animated series Voltron: Legendary Defender. But it was in another Netflix project that really got me hoping they would work on an X-Men animated series. That project is the animated film The Witcher: Night of the Wolf.

Here’s what I wrote about it back in 2021: “The animation is super high quality reminiscent of Nickelodeon’s Avatar: Legend of Korra and DreamWorks’ Voltron: Legendary Defender. It had me daydreaming about an X-Men Animated Series reboot in this specific art style.”

Classic style, modern look

Fast forward to now and my hope has come to fruition. Studio Mir has a pretty distinct art style which isn’t exactly present in X-Men 97. Instead, they stayed as faithful as possible to the art style of the 90s animated series while making sure it fit their animation style.

The result is the characters look exactly like you thought they would when translated into the visuals fit for 2024 standards. The studio was also thankfully spared from the weird rules of 90s animations like no punches should be thrown during fights. This was evident in the first episode where X-Men team leader Cyclops is seen throwing fists at enemies. Previously, he was relegated to just his optical blasts.

The animation, art style, and action in the first three episodes were a feast for the eyes. The movements are fluid especially in key fight scenes. The one on the third episode especially stood out to me with the amount of crazy visuals and elements that had to be on screen.

The team also faithfully recreated the opening sequence, improving the resolution and quality of the visuals while adapting it to a 16:9 screen aspect ratio versus the 4:3 one from the 90s. Speaking of which, that iconic music in the opening sequence is retained and remixed a little bit. It’s a perfect encapsulation of the series in general as it’s an updated version while honoring the original.

Uncanny story beats

I won’t dive too deep into the story details. But since this is a sequel series, it’s imperative to know that it does pick-up from where the original left-off. That much has been revealed in the trailers anyway.

If you want to rewatch the original series, it’s currently available on Disney+. But if five seasons seem daunting, you can just watch this brilliant recap by ScreenCrush.

As far as stories go, there are big clues seen from the trailers that have already been revealed. First is Magneto dawning a new suit. Second is Jean Grey shown to have a bun in the oven. If you’re familiar with the Uncanny X-Men comic books, you’ll have a pretty good idea of how the arcs of these two characters will play out. That’s all we’ll say for now.

Outside of them, the rest of the characters were handled pretty well. In the first episode specifically, they were all re-introduced without being expository. The storytelling was efficient, putting characters in certain situations with them reacting the way we expect them to based on what we know of them from the 90s animated series. Brilliant execution, all things considered.

The X-gene evolved

X-Men 97 retains the spirit of the 90s animated series, but is presented in stunning modern visuals. The action and animation were fluid while staying as faithful as possible to the 90s art style.

From the first three episodes, we could tell that this was handled with absolute care mixed with a healthy amount of ambition. This sequel series does not at all shy away from the ‘controversial’ themes the X-Men has always been known for. And they’re also swinging for the fences when it comes to adapting X-Men stories from the comic books.

X-Men 97 is astonishing and we can’t wait to see all the episodes with the rest of the world. The series is now streaming on Disney+.

Related Topics:Disney Marvel Marvel Animation X-Men X-Men '97

Entertainment

Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 premieres in April

The animated series is set between seasons two and three.

Published

February 3, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Stranger Things is over. After years of success, the long-running series finally reached its definitive conclusion. But if you thought Netflix would easily let its biggest cash cow go, then you’d be mistaken. Barely a month after the final episode, the franchise is back with an animated spinoff called Stranger Things: Tales from ’85.

The animated series, which oddly features a new cast to voice the characters, is not a continuation of the concluded story. Rather, it’s a midquel set during the winter between the second and third seasons. Despite closing off a gate to the Upside Down, Eleven and the gang discover that some monsters are still lurking around in their world.

Because we already know what happens up until the very end, there’s hardly any tension. That said, and based on the show’s subtitle, the animated series might be a creature-of-the-week adventure. However, Eric Robles, who will run the series, says that saving Hawkins is still a major plot point.

The Duffer Brothers, who will be executive producers, says that it was a challenge to feature monsters after the events of the main show’s second season. The show will still have a substantial story, though.

For now, we’ll have a bit of a reprieve from everything Stranger Things (or time to catch up with everything, if you prefer). Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 will premiere on April 23.

Entertainment

BTS returns with global live comeback event on Netflix this March

BTS reunites live worldwide

Published

February 3, 2026

GadgetMatch

Netflix has officially announced BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG, a global livestream event set for March 21, 2026. This marks the group’s first full reunion performance since completing South Korea’s mandatory military service.

Streaming live exclusively on Netflix, the event will air at 8 PM KST (or 4 AM PST and 7 AM EST). It will broadcast worldwide from the historic Gwanghwamun in Seoul. The performance celebrates the release of BTS’ fifth studio album, ARIRANG.

Netflix partnered with HYBE to bring the seven-member group back to the stage. This is being positioned as a landmark global comeback. RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook will reunite onstage for the first time as a complete group since their hiatus.

The live special will be directed by Hamish Hamilton and produced by Done + Dusted, with executive producers including HYBE, BIGHIT MUSIC, Guy Carrington, Garrett English, and Kevin Hermanson. Netflix confirmed that the event will be ticketed, with further details to be announced at a later date.

A symbolic return in Seoul

The choice of Gwanghwamun as the livestream location adds symbolic weight to the comeback. One of Seoul’s most historic public spaces, the setting reflects the themes explored in ARIRANG. It is an album described as deeply reflective and rooted in identity, heritage, and renewal.

The album announcement arrives alongside confirmation of the ARIRANG World Tour, scheduled to run from 2026 to 2027. The tour will span 34 regions and include 82 shows. This will happen across Asia, North and Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and additional territories.

Together, the album and live event mark the start of a new chapter for BTS. This follows years of solo activities and military enlistment. The comeback positions the group not just as returning idols, but as artists re-entering the global stage with a renewed sense of perspective.

Netflix expands its live ambitions

BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG also represents a milestone for Netflix. It will be the platform’s first-ever live global broadcast originating from South Korea, further expanding its growing slate of live programming.

The event joins a lineup that already includes live specials. These are Skyscraper Live, Star Search, Jake vs Joshua, WWE Raw, NFL Christmas Gameday, and major boxing and sports events. Netflix has also confirmed upcoming live coverage of MLB games, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and The Actor Awards.

With BTS leading the charge, Netflix continues to test the limits of live global entertainment beyond traditional sports and reality formats.

A documentary follows days later

Just days after the livestream, Netflix will release BTS: THE RETURN, a feature-length documentary premiering on March 27, 2026.

Directed by Bao Nguyen, the film chronicles the group’s long-awaited reunion and the making of ARIRANG. The documentary follows BTS as they reunite in Los Angeles. Watch as they create new music, navigating personal change, shared history, and the challenge of beginning again after time apart.

Produced by This Machine, HYBE, and EAST Films, the documentary promises unprecedented access to the group’s creative process. It explores moments of doubt, reflection, and rediscovery as BTS shape what is positioned as a defining album of their career.

Intimate and emotional in tone, BTS: THE RETURN frames the comeback not just as a pop culture moment, but as a story of resilience, brotherhood, and reinvention—one shaped by time, growth, and the weight of global expectation.

For millions of fans worldwide, March 2026 marks not just a return, but the beginning of BTS’ next era.

Entertainment

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord to premiere on April 6

New animated series on Disney Plus

Published

February 1, 2026

GadgetMatch

One of the most iconic franchise villains is making a major comeback as Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is premiering on April 6 on Disney+.

Two episodes from the all-new Lucasfilm animated series will premiere each week. The final two will air right in time for the ultimate Star Wars holiday, May the 4th.

Set after the events of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the adventure finds Maul plotting to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire.

There, he crosses paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan who could be the apprentice he is seeking to aid him in his relentless pursuit for revenge.

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is created by Dave Filoni, based on Star Wars and characters created by George Lucas.

The series is developed by Dave Filoni and Matt Michnovetz, with Brad Rau as supervising director. The three are also joined by Athena Yvette Portillo, Carrie Beck, and Josh Rimes as executive producers, with Alex Spotswood as co-executive producer.

The voice cast includes: