But it doesn’t always happen that way. Sometimes anime characters have names wrought with irony, puns, and other kinds of Japanese wordplay that are impossible to catch if you aren’t fluent. Whatever the case, there are some really interesting names in anime! And they’re worth diving into for extra insight. Check out these cool anime character names and where they came from, shedding light on their meanings and origins....

The animation industry enjoys more autonomy and more funding now than it ever did before, so it might be hard to imagine a time when Western animation was little more than “for kids.” How did we get to this point, where animation matured and became a medium that’s as fitting for adults as kids? Well, several key animated TV shows paved the way—but sadly a lot of those shows have been lost to history and faded memories....

Some even made entire careers from it, with the likes of Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock seemingly operating solely in the genre. The biggest hits remain permanently stuck in the annals of pop culture, including films like Notting Hill and Matthew McConaughey’s filmography catering to rom-com loving audiences. But there were several excellent romantic comedy movies of the era that were overlooked and pushed into the dark. These films didn’t quite gather an audience at debut, but they’re worth revisiting if you can....

In Dungeons & Dragons, the Bard class represents the minstrels and storytellers of the world, who serve as the face of a party outside combat but can also use their magic to change the tides of battle. No other class in D&D 5e offers as much flexibility as the Bard. The downside to that? Bards are more complex than other classes, meaning they can be intimidating for newer players. If you aren’t sure how to get the most out of this class, here are several key tips for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition that’ll keep your Bard in tip-top shape and at the center of attention....

However, when it comes to Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, Rangers seem to lack the oomph that many classes have. Their abilities are vastly different compared to previous versions of D&D, making them one of the more difficult classes to play now. Between their limited spell list and early class decisions that greatly impact their overall usefulness in a campaign, it can be intimidating to play a Ranger if you want to pull your weight in a party....

It may have its flaws—like stretched believability or rushed plotline resolutions—but it’s a fantastic low-maintenance show that’s original and wholesome, making it great for when you’re feeling down. A lot of that comes down to its characters. Here are my picks for the best Brooklyn Nine-Nine characters and why they stand out, whether it’s because they’re resolute, quirky, or simply likable. 10. Gina Linetti Many viewers like Gina Linetti, but I’m not one of them....

The classic indie movies that spawned from that decade were met and recognized with deserved legitimacy, and some of them are so iconic that you probably didn’t even realize they were indie, like the dark teen comedy Heathers or the cult blockbuster Robocop. Even international filmmakers were making the rounds during the decade, including Pedro Almodóvar, Stephen Frears, and Bille August. Other big players like Jim Jarmusch, Hal Hartley, and the Coen Brothers made modest beginnings during the era....

In the film You’ve Got Mail, Tom Hanks’ character tells Meg Ryan’s character that The Godfather is the font of all knowledge—and in order to save her business, she must “go to the mattresses.” He wasn’t wrong! Michael Corleone in his chair as his sister begs him to heal his relationship with their treacherous brother Fredo. The darkness of his mother’s passing bringing new meaning to his relationship with Connie....

But aren’t you sick of the same old mobile games being recommended everywhere you look? Sure, games like Pokemon Go, Subway Surfers, and Minecraft are definitely fun—but there are so many other awesome games worth playing that you may have never heard of. Mobile app stores like to feature their hottest games right on the front page, while lesser-known mobile games have almost zero publicity and get buried under until they get lucky and break out....

We’re talking about moments that stand out to the audience, moments that’ll be remembered by the children who watched these DC superhero movies—who one day might be making movies of their own. Many of the filmmakers who have made movies within the DCEU have had their own bold ideas of where the story should go, what it should look like, and how it should feel for watchers. Here are some of the best DCEU movie scenes and moments that have happened over the years, comprising the most extraordinary sequences within the DC Extended Universe....

For every protagonist, there’s also the big villainous antagonist who flexes their power and authority over them. And the world of villains is no longer just a man’s world. Female villains in movies are often better than the main female character—in beauty, in talent, and in being a badass. Which can make them hard to root against, even if they stand against our beloved protagonists. Here are some of the most badass female villains in movies!...

That’s quite the achievement, especially for a show that breaks most of the established conventions and tropes of the sitcom genre. Indeed, one of the greatest deviations by It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is its commitment to making its main characters as deplorable as possible. They’re the opposite of moral, upstanding citizens—and their unethical shenanigans are (strangely) fun to watch. Every member of The Gang is toxic in their own way, but when they come together as a group, that’s when their heinousness really shines....

Normally, we’re supposed to root for movie couples and their happy endings. But when they’re done poorly? At best, you feel total apathy; at worst, you start rooting against them because you hate to see it. Here are the worst movie couples where we weren’t thinking “will they won’t they” but rather “Oh god, why did they?” 10. Bumper and Amy (Pitch Perfect 2) Bumper and Amy don’t work on a romantic level....

The Christmas horror flicks we’re about to cover put their own spins on your typical Christmas stories. They explore questions like, “What if Santa Claus was actually a home invader?” Or, “What if your Christmas gifts could kill you?” Not every Christmas is delightful. Here are our picks for the best Christmas horror movies to watch this season, ranging from thematically unique to downright scary. 12. Krampus (2015) If Santa Claus brings joy to children who have been good, Krampus punishes those who’ve lost their festive spirit....

The classic books of American literature are among those must-read books. Not only did they have immense influence over the development of writing, but they endure as stories beloved by many worldwide. In short, Great American Novels explore American identities from throughout the country’s history. Here are the classics of American literature that we consider essential reading. 12. The Scarlet Letter (Nathaniel Hawthorne) Famed English writer D. H. Lawrence may have had many controversial stances on literature, but every critic agrees with his statement that The Scarlet Letter is a “perfect work of the American imagination....

Yes, we all know of the great 16th century playwright who’s continually referenced in literature, film, pop culture, and even just everyday conversations. His life and works have provided a goldmine of material for Britain and Hollywood to sink their teeth into for decades. Whether it’s a direct film adaptation of one of his plays, a spin-off for a side character, or a dramatized biopic with creative license taken, here are our picks for the best Shakespearean movies....

So much so that several of those villains have been given their own separate movies that don’t even feature Batman in them. But who are the best of the best? Not all Batman villains are made equal. Here are our picks for the best Batman villains of all time and the factors that make them so good at being bad. 4. The Penguin First introduced in 1941, The Penguin has been around nearly as long as the Batman himself—and in that time, there have been countless versions of Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot....

But if you’re in the mood for big explosions, lots of gunfire, reckless car chases, and badass protagonists who spend most of their time crawling through vents, jumping off roofs, and crashing cars? Oh, you’ve come to the right place! Here are some of the best and most iconic action movie franchises of all time, each one delivering its own flavor of blockbusting action that’ll satisfy your thirst for high-octane drama....

There are so many aspects that need to be managed: the cast, the cinematography, the sound, getting the right takes, adapting scenes to changing circumstances, plus any behind-the-scenes drama. And no matter how much experience you have as a movie director, stress can easily get to your head and cause interpersonal friction. Of course, some directors are better at keeping a level head and maintaining their composure, while others are quick to reach their limits, unable to handle the pressure, spilling into toxic behaviors....

In fact, there’s a growing trend in Korean television where lovable relationships are built up only to be dashed by series end, resulting in bittersweet and heartbreaking conclusions. Of course, tragic endings can be just as beautiful and worthwhile as happy endings as long as they’re written and executed well. We might be torn by how things turn out, but if it makes sense, then it can be satisfying. From action-packed fantasy series to romance series gone awry, here are the saddest K-drama series with tragic endings....