Cyberpunk is having a moment on TV right now, but it’s been around for decades. Even before streaming services started making big, futuristic shows, classic anime and live-action series were building the groundwork for the genre we know today. That’s why one Netflix series stands out – it links today’s cyberpunk shows to the influential Ghost in the Shell franchise.
Both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon are excellent shows, but they focus more on dramatic, mature content than classic fantasy. Game of Thrones became popular largely due to its shocking and violent scenes. Traditional fantasy usually offers a more hopeful outlook, with clear heroes and villains, something Game of Thrones didn’t emphasize—at least, not until recently.
The first season of the adult animated comedy Mating Season launched on Netflix on May 22nd, following its announcement in April 2025. The show centers around four animal friends – Josh the fox (voiced by Zach Woods), Ray the raccoon (Nick Kroll), Fawn the deer (June Diane Raphael), and Penelope the red fox (Sabrina Jalees) – and their often explicit explorations of love and relationships. The season consists of ten episodes, and while it’s currently unknown if the show will be renewed, Nick Kroll has indicated he’d like to continue the series.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how shows that feel… cozy, really get under your skin. It’s amazing how dealing with tough stuff – like loss, regret, or just feeling alone – hits differently when it’s presented with a gentle touch. It’s definitely not a coincidence! That peaceful atmosphere actually creates room for you to really think, and it pulls you into all the little details. Honestly, those quiet moments stick with you way more than any action-packed fight. A single, peaceful scene can be incredibly powerful, and it’s proven to me that sometimes, less really is more.
Unlike shows like Stranger Things that relied on familiar nostalgia, Dark embraced a complex, cyclical narrative. The show’s three seasons weren’t a meandering story, but a carefully constructed, unsettling loop. Even five years later, its ending is considered one of the most thoughtful and genuine conclusions in science fiction.
Interestingly, the word “departure” might not be the best way to describe this, which many people find surprising.
Nick Kroll is the creative force behind several incredibly funny adult animated shows that honestly depict the messy and emotional experience of growing up. His Netflix hit, Big Mouth, is a musical comedy inspired by Kroll and Andrew Goldberg’s own teenage years in New York City, and has become popular worldwide. Kroll himself provides the voice for over 70 characters, alongside a fantastic cast including John Mulaney, Jordan Peele, and Maya Rudolph.
Most live-action adaptations of anime have been unsuccessful. Even well-known franchises like Dragon Ball, Ghost in the Shell, and Death Note didn’t translate well to live-action. Because of this track record, the positive reception of Netflix’s live-action One Piece, which premiered in 2023, was a surprising and welcome change.
Recent reviews of The Mandalorian and Grogu have criticized it in several ways. Some say it feels like a few TV episodes stretched into a movie, while others find the story uninspired and lacking in genuine conflict, sticking too closely to familiar ground. However, almost no one can fault the film for its abundance of action.
Episode 9 of Witch Hat Atelier, titled “A Nightmare Stained in Black,” explores feelings of desperation and loss, and hints at a forgotten skill that could offer a solution. The episode refocuses on the main characters, Coco and Qifrey, and reveals a serious flaw in the beliefs of a society that ultimately causes more damage than benefit.