

Streaming
Crunnchyroll presents ‘BOFURI: I don’t want to get hurt so I’ll max out my defense’: You’re not twinking!
Reviewed by Alicia Glass
Another in a long line of newer isekai (alternate fantasy world) anime, BOFURI introduces VRMMO gamer Kaede Honjo as her online character Maple, in the game New World Online. As the long title rather cheekily suggests, Maple doesn’t fancy getting hurt in any way, shape, or form, and so maxes out her defense as much as possible, with cascading consequences!
In any online RPG, hell in pretty much any video, PC, or even live-action game these days, there is the danger of twinks. That is, folk who for one reason or another, load out their character to be as overpowered as possible, complete with cheat codes and whatever other hacks they can get away with, epic legendary weapons they obviously didn’t obtain the ‘right’ way, a completely unearned sense of superiority over all the newbies to the game, and a determination to make playing the game hell for whomever they encounter, usually through seriously mismatched PVP or player-versus-player duels and the like. And while it seem like Maple is a twink in the purest sense, this is a slapstick anime full of heart that finds sweet Maple and her maxed-out defense getting better and even more overpowered, making friends and a Guild and sharing her astounding skills, much to the dismay of the NWO usagi plush-like gamer Gods!
So, Maple begins as a shield-user with maxed-out defense stats, which makes sense to me given her predilections, though most gamer-girls don’t usually start out with such a crippling loadout. Maple continues to put every single subsequent status point she earns into defense, resulting in very slow movement speed and no magic at all. But honestly Maple doesn’t need it, and both of those things are addressed when she begins making friends and allies in the game – all the people in her party need to worry about are ricochets offa her shield!
The very first episode sees Maple off on her own, to tackle a damn Poison Dragon, and not only does she beat it in the most creative way possible and earn Poison Immunity, the manner in which she beat the Dragon has her gain alllllll of its abilities and a unique set of armor to boot! Soon will be a Battle Royale game for all the players and Maple is making friends and allies in the interim – along with the swashbuckling Sally, the character of Kaede’s real-world friend Risa Shiramine, is Kuromu the fellow shielder and Iz the crafter, and May and Yui the dark-and-light hammer wielding twins, who all form the basis of the Guild they end up building around Maple and her God-like defense skills, aptly dubbed, Maple Tree.
The list of skills and abilities Maple acquires through her stubborn defense gets quite staggering, especially for the first season of the anime – beating the ice bird boss Silverwing gets her and Sally monster eggs, that hatch into a pet turtle Maple inevitably dubs Syrup, who can freaking fly and get large to defend or attack the bad guys after Maple make him a Mobile Fortress; the skill Loving Sacrifice that allows Maple to share her amazing defense with her guild members, and also alters her appearance to look like a blonde Raphaelite angel, complete with astonishing wings; on the flip side of RPG gaming Maple earns the Machine God skill which basically makes her into an entire interchangeable Mecha, complete with guns and anti-tank-like missiles; the form of the skill Atrocity, which basically turns Maple into a Alien xenomorph-like horror creature, the polar opposite of Loving Sacrifice but just as powerful, if not more so.
How many different video game genres – horror, sci-fi-, fantasy-adventure, TPS, RPG and more – can they stuff into Maple’s bag of staggering defense? BOFURI is currently airing Season 2 on Crunchyroll now!
Streaming
Nigel Ng: The HAIYAA Special – A Bold Blend of Cultural Comedy and Crowd Work

Nigel Ng, widely recognized for his viral character Uncle Roger, steps into the spotlight with his debut stand-up special, The HAIYAA Special, now streaming on Hulu. Clocking in at approximately 73 minutes, this special showcases Ng’s transition from internet sensation to a formidable presence on the global comedy stage.
Filmed during his sold-out world tour, the special is a two-part performance that intertwines Ng’s personal anecdotes with his Uncle Roger persona. The first segment features Uncle Roger engaging in crowd work, delivering sharp roasts and playful jabs, while the latter half sees Ng shedding the character to share his experiences as a Malaysian immigrant in the UK. His observational humor touches on cultural nuances, food, and daily life, offering a blend of satire and sincerity.
The special has garnered mixed reviews. Some viewers appreciate Ng’s ability to balance humor with cultural commentary, noting that his delivery elicits genuine laughter. Others feel that the transition between his character and personal narratives could be more seamless, with some jokes not landing as intended.
Nigel Ng’s The HAIYAA Special is a commendable effort that highlights his versatility as a comedian. While there are moments that could benefit from tighter pacing and more cohesive transitions, the special offers a fresh perspective on cultural comedy.
Rating: 7/10
The HAIYAA Special is available for streaming on Hulu.
Streaming
Mashie magic and muscles

Director: Tomoya Tanaka
Writer: Yōsuke Kuroda
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Number of Seasons: 2
Season 1: 12 episodes (April 8, 2023 – July 1, 2023)
Season 2: 12 episodes (January 6, 2024 – March 30, 2024)
Total Episodes: 24
Episode Runtime: Approximately 23 minutes per episode
Main Cast:
Mash Burnedead: Voiced by Chiaki Kobayashi
Finn Ames: Voiced by Reiji Kawashima
Lance Crown: Voiced by Kaito Ishikawa
Dot Barrett: Voiced by Takuya Eguchi
Lemon Irvine: Voiced by Reina Ueda
Streaming Availability:
As of March 2025, “Mashle: Magic and Muscles” is available for streaming on Netflix. Viewers can access both seasons, totaling 24 episodes.
Overall Series Rating: 7.5/10
The series offers a refreshing take on the magical academy trope by introducing a protagonist who challenges societal norms through sheer physical prowess. While the humor and action sequences are commendable, some episodes exhibit repetitive themes. However, the show’s unique blend of parody and traditional shonen elements makes it an enjoyable watch.
“Mashle: Magic and Muscles” is an anime series that blends comedy, action, and fantasy, offering a unique twist on the magical academy genre. The series is set in a world where magic determines one’s status, but its protagonist, Mash Burnedead, possesses no magical abilities. Instead, he relies on his extraordinary physical strength to navigate challenges and aspire to become a Divine Visionary.
Season 1:
1. Mash Burnedead and the Body of the Gods
Rating: 8/10
Introduces Mash and his non-magical background. The episode sets the comedic tone, highlighting Mash’s obliviousness to societal norms.
2. Mash Burnedead and the Mysterious Maze
Rating: 7.5/10
Mash faces the academy’s entrance exam, showcasing his unconventional problem-solving methods and physical strength.
Streaming
BET on Netflix – A Bold, Gritty Drama That Strikes Deep

Genre: Drama / Crime / Psychological Thriller
Run Time: 8 episodes, 45-50 minutes each
Director: Marlon Taylor
Writer: Keisha Freeman
Studio: Revolve Pictures in association with Netflix Originals
Cast:
Kyla Pratt as Denise Carter
Lance Gross as Marcus Reed
Loretta Devine as Mama Joyce
Michael Ealy as Detective Caleb Burns
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BET (short for Bury Every Truth) is Netflix’s latest foray into dark psychological storytelling wrapped in the glitzy facade of urban elite life. Created by Keisha Freeman, this bold series weaves together mystery, trauma, and generational reckoning within a Black community navigating wealth, power, and silence.
The series follows Denise Carter (Kyla Pratt), a rising publicist in Atlanta’s entertainment scene, whose life is turned upside down when her estranged father is found dead under suspicious circumstances. As Denise digs deeper, she uncovers buried secrets that connect her family to a string of unsolved crimes going back two decades. Detective Caleb Burns (Michael Ealy), with demons of his own, becomes both ally and obstacle in her journey to the truth.
Loretta Devine shines with maternal steel, while Kyla Pratt delivers a career-best turn balancing vulnerability and grit. Atlanta is captured in both beauty and shadows, amplified by a chilling neo-soul score.
The show tackles heavy themes — mental health, generational trauma, and silence in communities of color — with sensitivity and power. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, BET flips the narrative. The slow-burn tension in the first half crescendos into a jaw-dropping finale. The pacing may be too deliberate for binge-watchers who crave immediate action. Secondary character arcs occasionally get sidelined in favor of the central mystery.
BET isn’t just a thriller — it’s a cultural reckoning. With strong writing, a committed cast, and a haunting story that sticks with you, the show proves that truth buried isn’t truth forgotten. It invites viewers to look beyond glamor and confront what we protect in silence.
Rating: 8.5/10
Watch it if you liked: Seven Seconds, When They See Us, Truth Be Told