IGN

The PlayStation Portal may not be as truly portable as the name suggests, but with a few recent updates, it’s easier to use than ever. A strong Wi-Fi connection is still a must, but you no longer need a PlayStation 5 to stream games on the remote player, as the PlayStation Portal now supports cloud gaming via a PlayStation Plus subscription. While the gaming library is somewhat limited at the moment, this new capability is a game changer that should make you more inclined to take the handheld with you when traveling. That means a case the best PlayStation Portal accessory to invest in.

TL;DR – These Are the Best PlayStation Portal Cases:

Even when you’re not on the go, a case will keep the PlayStation Portal protected from dust, drops, and more at home, ensuring its longevity. Sure, the remote player is well-built, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune to scratches or cracks plaguing the 8-inch LCD screen or a fall breaking the DualSense-style controls, all of which could end up accidentally bricking the Portal.

We have selected five cases that fit the PlayStation Portal’s dimensions perfectly while keeping in mind the screen and controls to prevent pressure from causing damage. Whether you’re after a hard shell with a plush interior full of extra storage or a form-fitting option for 24/7 360° protection and added grip, we’ve got a brilliant case for you. All of our picks are durable, well-built, and ready to last the entire lifespan of the remote player.

Additional contributions by Georgie Peru and Sarah Thwaites

1. Spigen Rugged Armor Pro Pouch

Best PlayStation Portal Case Overall

2. Qoosea Sony Playstation Portal Silicone Case

Best Form-Fitting PlayStation Portal Case

3. Skull & Co. Carrying Case for PlayStation Portal

Best Budget PlayStation Portal Case

4. Orzly Carry Case Designed for PlayStation Portal

Best Everyday PlayStation Portal Case

5. CoBak Hard Case for PlayStation Portal

Best PlayStation Portal Case for Extra Storage

How to Pick a PlayStation Portal Case

When it comes to choosing a PlayStation Portal case, deciding the best type of case for your needs is key. Your typical carrying case houses the device when not in use and are ideal options for general storage and travel. Generally, finding something with a hard shell and soft interior is best. Straps to hold the Portal in place also ensure the screen won’t get scratched or bumped, while molded padding can help prevent accidental presses and unnecessary pressure on the controls when stowed. Extra pockets and storage are great for holding SD cards, cables, and other accessories. Additional straps outside of the case can be handy for carting your Portal around when not in a bag or backpack.

The other type of case to consider is a form-fitting one that wraps around the device as an added layer of protection. These tend to be made of silicone or plastic and are great for those prone to dropping electronics by adding grip and even cushioning the blow of a fall. Of course, they also help with long-term wear and tear, keeping the body of the Portal in good condition. It’s just important to find a secure one that doesn’t block vents or ports.

Of course, durability is a must, so the case should last the entire lifespan of Portal with usual wear and tear. Spending a little more initially and grabbing a case made with quality materials could end up saving you money in the long run.

PlayStation Portal Case FAQ

How big is the Playstation Portal?

The Playstation Portal is approximately 13.3×5.9×3.7 inches in size. Larger than the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, it’s more akin to the Steam Deck or ASUS Rog Ally in size. The screen of the Portal is also 8 inches and makes up a large part of the device.

Is the PlayStation Portal worth it for traveling?

The PlayStation Portal’s backpack-friendly size and streaming capabilities make it an ideal candidate to take on the go. However, if you intend to use it exclusively for travel, there are some important caveats to consider before shelving your Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck in the Portal’s favor.

The PlayStation Portal uses Wi-Fi to stream the PS5 games, so you’ll need a strong and consistent connection to access your library. If you find yourself on a train or in a hotel with less than the required 5Mbps, you won’t be able to connect.

One more thing to consider: To access your PS5 library via Remote Play, it will need to be kept in Rest Mode and not switched off completely; otherwise, the Portal won’t be able to stream your library. With the recent update to the PlayStation Portal, cloud gaming is now possible on the handheld with a PlayStation Plus subscription, but the game catalog is limited.

What comes with the PlayStation Portal?

The PlayStation Portal comes with just a USB-C to USB-C charging cable in the box. Forget about a charging brick, case, or screen protector. All those items will need to be purchased separately, and we’d recommend doing so to improve your experience using the remote player.

Danielle is a Tech freelance writer based in Los Angeles who spends her free time creating videos and geeking out over music history.

Hasbro revealed quite an impressive lineup of new toys and collectibles at Star Wars Celebration 2025, including new The Mandalorian figures and a long-overdue Dash Rendar figure. They also had many of these upcoming releases on display at the show.

IGN was able to snap some photos of Hasbro’s Star Wars Celebration display and speak to designer Chris Reiff and Hasbro Marketing’s Jing Houle about the thrill of designing toys based on these iconic characters. Check out the slideshow gallery below for a closer look at these new toys, and then read on to find out what Reiff and Houle had to say, including why there’s still room to improve with some of the biggest heroes of the Star Wars franchise.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor fans were no doubt pleased to see new figures included in this new crop of Star Wars toys. Nightsister Merrin is getting a new figure, while series star Cal Kestis is featured in a three-pack set alongside Turgle and Skoova Stev. And best of all, Cal comes with multiple swap-out heads, including one with handlebar mustache. According to Houle, that particular look was a big priority for this release.

“Honestly, we just wanted to have fun with it,” Houle tells IGN. “This is one of my favorite packs that we revealed in the panel. We actually started with the handlebar mustache and the mullet and then added in the clean cut. Then the short beard later. So for us, the primary look is almost the handlebar and it’s just so much fun.”

As for Merrin, it was a given that Cal be joined by his crewmate, given how important Merrin is to the larger Fallen Order/Survivor saga. The challenge was properly depicting her unique Force abilities.

“It’s tough to have Cal without Merrin,” Reiff says. “So we’re glad we finally got to Merrin, but doing that Force effect, the green blast coming there, all the great detail of that new costume and the face tattoos with the inkjet. Just some beautiful subtlety going on there. She’s a really cool character I know we know fans are invested in and really being able to build out that world.”

This year’s toy lineup includes two characters who are certainly no strangers to Hasbro by now – Han Solo and Chewbacca. But despite how many Han and Chewie figures we’ve seen over the years, Houle is adamant that there’s room for improvement.

“I mean, we haven’t done them in a long time,” Houle says. “They needed an update, so we gave them fully new tools so they’re brand new with the latest articulation so that fans can really celebrate and enjoy… classic characters out again in the latest technology and articulation that we have. And they’ve made quite a few updates on top of the articulation just in general. We learned a lot from the Wookiees that we’ve done where they have really long hair.”

Houle continues, “And so, despite the long hair, having softer plastics so he can still pivot and move his head in a seamless way, that was really important to us. And we added articulation into Han too, but we didn’t give him the thigh break because we didn’t want to separate the red bars on his right side of the outside of the thigh. So we thought it was important to keep that clean. So we added articulation to the top of the boot instead.”

No figure in this lineup is more striking than The Ronin, based on the anime anthology series Star Wars: Visions. True to the series, The Ronin is a black-and-white figure whose only color comes from his red katana lightsaber. Because The Ronin is a Celebration-exclusive release, it was important to both Houle and Reiff that they get the small details right.

“I love that we kept to it,” Houle says. “And then taking from learnings from what we know about Japanese culture and stuff, the way the box is built, how premium it looks, the magnets that let it open, how clean it looks, the watercoloring, the accessories that’s hidden on the top of the box so you don’t just see it. Everything. There was so much attention from packaging to design to engineering.”

Reiff adds, “And even the Japanese language for this exclusive packaging, we don’t do that normally, but for here, because we’re here in Japan, we wanted to really embrace all that and do a special package that was just Japanese language for that too.”

Finally, Hasbro also had something for fans of the 1:1 scale Black Series helmet line, revealing a stunningly detailed Death Trooper helmet during their Celebration panel.

“[It’s] a great fully new tooled helmet for the Black series Premium roleplay line,” Reiff says. “It looks like it’s straight out of the movie with the weathering, the lighting detail, and you poke a button on the side and you control the chin lights and the spectre sensor lights over on the side. So, just a great addition to our line. And working with Lucasfilm in partnership to work from original files so that we could really nail all the details of this helmet and then add our own stuff to the inside because the real ones never had an inside, but this one does. All our other helmets, it has the full detailed interior.”

For more on Star Wars Celebration, find out what we know about the plot of Star Wars: Starfighter and see the biggest news and moments from Celebration.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.

June feels so far away, at least for Magic fans eagerly awaiting the upcoming Final Fantasy set. But to tide everyone over, today Wizards of the Coast just offered a first look at over a dozen never-before-seen new cards from the set, including Sephiroth, Yuffie, Cecil, Garland, Chaos, and more.

This new look includes a number of new cards and a handful of art variations, alongside the four commander cards we’ve already gotten a look at: Tidus, Cloud, Y’shtola, and Terra. In addition to various powerful legendaries like Sephiroth and Cecil, we also get a look at a new Food token art, and art variations on cards such as Stilzkin, Moogle Merchant; Sin, Spira’s Punishment; and Summon: Shiva. You can see the full gallery below:

Today’s reveal also shows off some special features of the set, including Summons, a part of Magic’s first-ever Saga creatures that players can call upon for aid in battle (see Summon: Shiva in the gallery). Additionally, double-faced cards make a return, as seen with Cecil’s two sides: Dark Knight and Redeemed Paladin.

In total, the Final Fantasy set will feature over 100 legendary creature cards, including 55 legendary borderless cards, some of which are drawn by fan-favorite artists from across Final Fantasy history.

Magic: The Gathering’s Final Fantasy set will be a fully draftable, Standard-legal set that will release alongside four preconstructed Commander decks, one themed after each of four Final Fantasy games: 6, 7, 10, and 14. Each deck consists of 100 cards, a mix of both new Final Fantasy cards, as well as existing cards with new Final Fantasy art. The set launches on June 13.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Cassian Andor is back for a second and final season, fomenting rebellion and inching closer to the seasoned operative we first met in 2016’s Rogue One. But as good as the first season was, having the title character’s end point firmly in sight is the exact reason why Andor is even better in the second season.

The first season of Andor took a lot of us by surprise, I think. The prequel series to a prequel movie, on paper at least, starts out in a bit of a hole thanks to the simple fact that we know how Cassian Andor’s story ends. More than that, we know what happens with the entire rebellion itself. This was always the challenge with Andor as a series. Thanks to Rogue One we know exactly what’s going to happen to this guy and most of his friends. But instead of that making the proceedings any less interesting, Tony Gilroy and the writers and directors behind Andor use it to their advantage. Season 2 of Andor cements this series and these characters as a truly entertaining and tragic bit of drama.

Now, Star Wars of course is no stranger to prequels. Ever since George Lucas decided to call the second movie Episode V, the prequel die had been cast. It’s been how Star Wars has done business since The Phantom Menace in 1999 and, especially with the more recent Disney era, I believe the difference between a good Star War and bad one, has been how well it handles being a prequel.

Andor handled it very well in season 1 and in season 2, it’s an absolute master class. Not only does this season create a really engaging story around characters whose fates have already played out on screen, the writers use that fact to their advantage, writing it into the actual plot of season 2. Where season 1 talks about the price that needs to be paid to overthrow the Galactic Empire, season 2 very actively shows it – and how it’s starting to feel too expensive for some. There’s an exhaustion that’s very present and on the surface. Losses are felt more heavily. An inevitability begins to seep in, one these characters can’t escape, and that is where Andor season 2 is truly successful where other prequels in the Star Wars universe might not have been.

Because we know that most of these people are doomed, focusing on just the nuts and bolts of their story is the biggest mistake Andor’s creators could have made. The show, of course does that too – but first and foremost, Andor is about what it’s like to be doomed and continuing to fight anyway. The first season did an admirable job touching on that, but the second season does an excellent job of focusing on it.

For example, we know that Cassian and K-2S0 are in Rogue One, so yeah, of course we know that they get out of this or that scrape, and will survive any trap they walk into. Ditto any time we think Mon Mothma might be in danger. But these moments are, frankly, the least interesting parts of this series. There are a few spots that feel like it’s just action for action’s sake, but nearly always those scenes are centered around a character of whose fate we aren’t as sure. That’s the kind of thing the creators of Andor clearly kept in mind in order to keep the outcomes of these scenes at least somewhat up in the air – and the proof of that is in just how much we’re made to care about these new characters.

The impact of the Empire and the rebellion is made personal at every turn. Everybody we meet, for even a scene or two, has something invested in this conflict, whether it’s how the rebellion impacts business interests or the banality of Coruscant politicians carrying on as though nothing out of the ordinary is happening. That makes for a great juxtaposition in the season, by the way. On one hand there’s a scrappy and not all-together rebellion struggling to survive; on the other, there’s the persistence of the status quo among the galaxy’s rulers. It points the rebellion’s fight toward minds that need changing as well as military victories that need winning.

As a small, but I think important aside, Andor season 2 picks up a thread that was started in the very beginning of season 1, where the first episode included a title card for BBY 5. Andor season 2 picks up a year later with a similar title card reading BBY 4. Before the Battle of Yavin is a dating system that’s used only for our benefit, as a way for us real-worlders to keep track of how many years before the destruction of the first Death Star these episodes take place. BBY 5 is meaningless to the characters that exist within Star Wars. Now this may seem like a small and “no duh” sort of point, but this detail is not insignificant. It’s a part of the whole, contributing to how effectively Andor navigates the challenges of existing in a canon that’s as thoroughly fleshed out as Star Wars. It also adds to the anxiety of knowing how things end for Cassian. As we move from BBY 4 to BBY 3, we’re not just able to fix the point in time during which the series takes place, but it’s also a countdown to the events of Rogue One.

Small but meaningful title cards, however, are not the only thing Season 2 continues successfully from season 1. The structure of the 12 episodes, treating it more or less like 3 or 4 different arcs, is cleaner and more delineated in season 2. In fact, it’s a little hard to even call this a 12-episode season, actually. It’s not quite 4 movies, either. Disney knows it, too – it’s why they’re releasing Season 2 in 3 episode chunks. I think the most accurate way to talk about it is like it’s just 4 episodes, since that’s how you’ll be watching it anyway.

The biggest effect of very cleanly splitting these episode drops is the year that takes place in between each. We see things happen to characters one week, then the following week we’ll see how those things have subtly changed those characters over the course of an entire year. So nearly all of those changes happen off screen, which does a couple things. One is that it gives the struggle of the rebellion a real sense of scale. The rebellion is playing the long game and it’s wearing down the heroes and villains of Andor. Secondly, that structure really highlights just how good the performances in this series are.

Cassian’s growth from a petty thief to a leader of the rebellion doesn’t happen gradually. It takes big leaps in the intervening time between episodes, and that comes through in the way Diego Luna plays him. The changes we see in Cassian are bigger, there’s no transitional phase of his character growth and that, again, feeds into the vibe of how much of a grind this rebellion is.

Stellan Skarsgaard’s Luthien Rael and Genevieve O’Reilly’s Mon Mothma are particularly interesting in this regard as well. Both of them are obliged to wear two faces and the weight of those masks affects them both in different ways throughout the 4 years depicted in this season. But where Season 2’s performances really stand out for me are the villains. Denise Gough and Kyle Soller as Dedra Meero and Syril Karn – two incredibly ambitious, but still wildly different people – are getting to do some incredibly interesting work as their characters begin to see behind the Empire’s curtain a bit and understand the nature of their role in it.

Now, having said all that, the closer Andor gets to its final destination, the more season 2 loses me just a little bit. There are some moments towards the end of the season that become more concerned with setting the table for Rogue One than completing the stories of the characters that have gotten us this far. In that sense, it’s hard to say it comes to a satisfying ending because, well, it’s not the ending. Rogue One is the end of Andor, effectively becoming season 3 of the show. Which means the two seasons of the Disney+ series have largely left its resolution up to how you felt about Rogue One.

Again, this is kind of the cost of doing business where prequels of prequels are concerned. At some point, you just have to manage that. For Andor, it’s only bits and pieces though, mostly concentrated in the final acts of the season, where some of the storytelling starts to feel a little more business-like than the rest.

I found myself seeing where the show was going and not wanting it to get there. Some of that I chalk up to my own preference for stories that don’t rely too much on connections to existing canon, but more than that, I just really liked this story and these people.

A new season full of anime is here to check out! A miracle drug mystery, fighting with fire, and the unlikeliest of heroes are what you can expect this Spring anime season. There’s a new season full of anime to check out this Spring like the return of Fire Force’s Company 8, Shinichirō Watanabe’s Lazarus, and the visually vibrant Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX. Across Crunchyroll, HIDIVE, Hulu, and Netflix, as well as others, there are a lot of places to enjoy anime at the moment.

Check out some anticipated series in the video above or the slideshow gallery below, followed by the full list of new Spring season 2025 anime and where to watch them in the U.S. and their respective streaming platforms. Anime listed are available now unless otherwise stated.

To Be Hero X (Crunchyroll)

A new hero series is hitting this spring with To Be Hero X. The series follows Lin, a nobody who, through unforeseen circumstances, takes the place of an existing hero. The world of To Be Hero X is interesting with this Peter Pan-like belief in their heroes, which gives them their abilities. Hero story aside, the visuals for this series are surprising in a good way. LAN Studio alongside Pb Animation and Paper Plane Animation use 3D and 2D in quite a refreshing way. It’s reminiscent of Arcane, but To Be Hero X jumps between both purposefully in its storytelling. The series just premiered, but the visuals plus the mysteries already have me intrigued about what the rest of the season is going to look like. To Be Hero X is available now on Crunchyroll.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes (Crunchyroll)

Speaking of heroes, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes drops this spring season! The new series follows Koichi, an aspiring hero who helps strangers with small menial tasks. He runs into some trouble when a mysterious vigilante intervenes and looks to take Koichi under his wing. This story takes place years before Deku and the gang become heroes in the main series, so it’s great for fans interested in the world-building. Bones Film, an offshoot of studio Bones which worked on the main series, is handling animation production on this spinoff, so fans can expect more of the My Hero Academia they love. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is available now on Crunchyroll.

Wind Breaker Season 2 (Crunchyroll)

The school of protective misfits is back with Wind Breaker Season 2. Last we saw our protagonist, Sakura, he volunteered to help a fellow classmate whose childhood friend is involved with a gang. The new season jumps back right where we left off, and chaos ensues soon after. CloverWorks, the studio known for Bocchi the Rock! and The Elusive Samurai, returns to helm animation production for Season 2, so expect more amazing fight choreography and action sequences for the eyes. Wind Breaker Season 2 is available now on Crunchyroll.

One Piece Egghead Arc Part 2 (Crunchyroll)

The hiatus is finally over for One Piece fans! After the big cliffhanger and lore drops in the middle of the highly anticipated Egghead Arc, the series returns right where it left off. Out of the frying pan and into the fire as more Marines encroach on Luffy and the gang. As seen during the previous Wano arc, Toei Animation has really stepped up their game, so it’s exciting to see how the rest of the Egghead Arc goes after a somewhat brief break. One Piece Egghead Arc Part 2 is available now on Crunchyroll.

Fire Force Season 3 (Crunchyroll, Hulu, Disney+)

Another anticipated series returning after a large chunk of time is Fire Force with Season 3! It’s been almost five years since we last saw Shinra and friends of Company 8. After some training alongside some unfortunate news, a major battle looks to be on the horizon. David Production, the studio well known for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and Cells at Work!, returns to helm animation this season. If you’re a fan of Atsushi Ohkubo’s other work like Soul Eater, now’s the time to get into this fiery, action-packed series. Fire Force Season 3 is available now on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Disney+.

Lazarus (Max, Adult Swim)

One of the most highly anticipated anime of the year is here with Shinichirō Watanabe’s Lazarus! The series follows Axel, the smooth-talking protagonist with a penchant for escaping prisons. He is forcibly recruited into a suicide squad-like team after a world-renowned scientist revealed that a miracle drug that the population has been using for years is a death sentence. With a limited amount of time, this group of specialized individuals must find this doctor and get the cure. MAPPA, known for Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen, is leading animation production for this series, and it shows! The premiere alone showcases snazzy fight choreography alongside some fun chase sequences that Watanabe fans are familiar with. There are some high expectations for this series so it’ll be interesting to see how the rest of the season progresses. Lazarus is available now on Max and Adult Swim.

Witch Watch (Crunchryoll, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+)

Looking for a fun supernatural series this spring season? Witch Watch may be the anime for you! The series follows Nico, a young witch who reconnects with a childhood friend who happens to be an ogre. In typical comedy fashion, the two end up living together while trying to navigate Nico’s new magical powers. Bibury Animation Studios, known for The Quintessential Quintuplets Season 2 and The 100 Girlfriends Who Really Really, Really, Really, Really Love You, is leading animation production on the series. So far, the premiere and trailers have shown some hilarious predicaments that these two face, so it’ll be fun to see how the rest of the season pans out. Witch Watch is available now on Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.

Anne Shirley (Crunchyroll)

A nice surprise this season is a new adaptation of the period piece novel Anne of Green Gables. The series follows Anne Shirley, an imaginative orphan who is mistakenly brought to a new family. Even though it wasn’t planned, the family has chosen to take her in for now. The Answer Studio, which has worked on Tower of God Season 2, will be at the helm of animation production. There is already an Anne of Green Gables anime from back in 1979, produced by some Studio Ghibli veterans like Hayao Miyazaki, so it’s nice to see the return of Anne Shirley for a new audience. If you want a change of pace this season with a grounded and wholesome story, this series may be a good fit for you. Anne Shirley is available now on Crunchyroll.

YAIBA: Samurai Legend (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+)

Another series making its anime return in a new form and after so many years is YAIBA: Samurai Legend! With this new adaptation, it will be over 25 years since the long-running series first aired in 1993. Wit Studio, known for Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga, is taking on YAIBA: Samurai Legend. Just from the premiere alone, the stunning movement and action sequences will get any shonen fan interested in the series. It’ll be very exciting to see how the rest of the season goes for this new take on a classic. YAIBA: Samurai Legend is available now on Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (Amazon Prime)

Finally, the ever popular mecha series returns with Mobile Suit Gundam GquuuuuuX! This new series follows Amate, a young girl who finds herself in the middle of a mobile suit fight on a space colony. With courage and luck, she ends up in a Gundam unit, linking perfectly to the suit. Studio Sunrise and Khara are producing the rest of the episodic series just like they did for the special movie GQuuuuuuX Beginning. The designs of the characters and Gundam are very refreshing, bringing in a more playful vibe than the more dramatic storylines that came before. With that said, the visuals are quite amazing and it’ll be interesting to see how this all shakes out as the season continues. Mobile Suit Gundam GquuuuuuX is available now on Amazon Prime.

Those are some anticipated new and returning anime available to watch this spring 2025 season. If you want more anime, check out our list of the Biggest Anime Coming in 2025 and also our list of the winter 2025 anime in case you missed the last batch of new series.

All the New Anime Arriving in Spring 2025

Here’s the full list of anime coming out in Spring 2025 that will be available to watch in the US:

Crunchyroll

• #COMPASS2.0 ANIMATION PROJECT
• A Ninja and an Assassin Under One Roof
• Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2
• Anne Shirley
• Apocalypse Hotel
• Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc-
• Bye Bye, Earth Season 2
• Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive?
• Catch Me at the Ballpark!
• Classic★Stars
• Fire Force Season 3
• Food for the Soul
• GUILTY GEAR STRIVE: DUAL RULERS
• I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!
• I’ve Been Killing Slimes For 300 Years And Maxed Out My Level Season 2
• Kowloon Generic Romance
• Maebashi Witches
• mono
• My Hero Academia: Vigilantes
• Once Upon a Witch’s Death
• One Piece Egghead Arc Part 2
• Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World Season 2
• Please Put Them On, Takamine-san
• SHIROHIYO – Reincarnated as a Neglected Noble: Raising My Baby Brother With Memories From My Past Life
• SHOSHIMIN: How to become Ordinary Season 2
• Summer Pockets
• Teogonia
• The Beginning After the End
• The Brilliant Healer’s New Life in the Shadows
• The Gorilla God’s Go-To Girl
• The Shiunji Family Children
• The Too-Perfect Saint: Tossed Aside by My Fiancé and Sold to Another Kingdom
• The Unaware Atelier Meister
• To Be Hero X
• WIND BREAKER Season 2
• WITCH WATCH
• ZatsuTabi -That’s Journey-

Netflix

• MOONRISE
• Witch Watch
• Yaiba Samurai Legend

Hulu

• Fire Force Season 3
• GO! GO! Loser Ranger! Season 2
• Witch Watch
• Yaiba Samurai Legend

HIDIVE

• Rock is a Lady’s Modesty
• Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentoushou
• Yandere Dark Elf: She Chased Me All the Way from Another World

Disney+

• Fire Force Season 3
• GO! GO! Loser Ranger! Season 2
• Witch Watch
• Yaiba Samurai Legend

Amazon Prime

• From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman
• Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX
• The Dinner Table Detective
• Umamusume: Cinderella Gray

Max

• Lazarus

Adult Swim

• Lazarus

What anime are you watching this Spring? Let’s discuss in the comments!

Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX is finally here for North American audiences. The new Gundam series features a new “alternate history” storyline, a name that’s harder than ever to pronounce (allegedly “G-Queue-x”), and, of course, a new line of model kits. In IGN’s review of the GQuuuuuuX theatrical release, critic Juan Barquin calls the new series “exactly the kind of inventive reimagining of Gundam we deserve.”

There’s the notable influence of another massive sci-fi series in the credits of the new Gundam anime. GQuuuuuuX is directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki (co-director of End of Evangelion), and written by Yoji Enokido – who also wrote stone-cold anime classics like FLCL, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Ouran High School Host Club, and Bungo Stray Dogs, as well as scripts for several episodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion – and the Evangelion creator himself, Hideaki Anno. One can only imagine where this series will go with these minds behind it.

If you’re wondering where to watch new episodes of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX or catch up on the original Gundam series beforehand, I’ve listed everything you need to know below.

How to Watch Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX

The Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race wheel and pedal set, which arrived around this time last year, wouldn’t necessarily be my first suggestion to eager racers looking to buy an entry-level direct drive racing wheel set-up for PC and Xbox. It is, however, a robust, all-inclusive bundle that comes with a 7.2Mn direct drive wheel and a three-pedal set WITH a load-cell brake. That combo, and a load-cell brake? That’s good value, right out of the box; no additional purchases necessary.

That said, a year later, one such additional purchase has arrived, in the form of the VelocityOne Multi-Shift – an add-on shifter module that can function in H-pattern mode, sequential mode, and even as a handbrake. Whether you’re looking to augment your Xbox VelocityOne set-up – or simply looking for a standalone PC shifter – it makes a strong case for being the shifter of choice at its price point thanks to its satisfying shift feel and its range of available settings.

Turtle Beach VelocityOne Multi-Shift – Design and Features

The VelocityOne Multi-Shift can be hard-mounted to bespoke sim rigs (mounting screws are provided in the box), but it also contains an integrated table clamp for racers with desk set-ups (or otherwise custom racing seat solutions without dedicated mounting points). The metal table clamp is firm, and tightens via an allen bolt hidden beneath a small flap in the faux carbon fibre faceplate of the unit’s base. It can accommodate surfaces up to 50mm thick, which is good if your desk or tabletop is particularly chunky. It’s an elegant and space-saving clamping solution; it’s hidden yet sturdy, and I like it more than the Thrustmaster TH8A – which essentially just has a large G-clamp attached to the base. If you’re tossing up between the Multi-Shift and the Moza HGP Shifter, consider that the latter requires a separate table clamp accessory for an additional cost.

The Multi-Shift is a good-looking unit overall. The carbon fibre-inspired faceplate brings it in line with those same accents on the VelocityOne Race wheel, the housing is understated with minimal branding, and the leather-look boot finishes it off nicely. Overall it’s the scale I find most pleasing; with the longer of the supplied shafts, it’s the first shifter of its kind that I’ve found actually feels like-for-like (in size terms) to my actual car. Logitech’s Driving Force Shifter, in particular, feels like a tiny toy in comparison.

On that note, however, know that the bespoke H-pattern knob does not come off the short shaft it comes out of the box with – despite images on Turtle Beach’s website displaying it overtly removed. The H-pattern knob comes factory aligned and tightened to the short shaft, so can’t be unscrewed and actually placed on the long shaft. For this reason the Multi-Shift does come with a second short shaft, for those of you who are interested in using your own gear knob. The thread size is M12x1.75, which is a typical automotive size. It won’t fit every knob by default but, like any real car, it will only require a standard adapter to do so.

The sequential knob comes off the long shaft easily, but I’ve just been using it regardless of whether the unit is in H-pattern mode or sequential mode. It has the superior feel by far as it’s larger and heavier. Putting the H-pattern knob on is not at all a necessity; besides, needing the numbers written on the gear knob to use it is a little like needing the letters on a piano to play it. If you’re still at that point you might be better served sticking to automatic.

A manual switch on the side of the unit instantly toggles the Multi-Shift from H-pattern to sequential. It’s a process that essentially takes one second. The shifter I’ve previously used most – the Thrustmaster TH8A – can also be switched from H-pattern to sequential, but that’s a process that involves manually removing the faceplate and replacing it with the dedicated sequential version that holds the gear shaft in the centre. That’s a task that requires an allen key and takes several minutes; longer still if your son has “misplaced” the second faceplate in his room, beneath the large pile of cords that have steadily vanished from my office over the past 12 months.

Two further electronic switches on the top of the unit are the high and low range gear option, and the handbrake option. The high/low button is designed for heavy vehicle simulation, allowing you to use gears 1 through to 7, then hit the button and go back through the gates as gears 8 through to 14. The handbrake button turns the Multi-Shift into an analogue handbrake when in sequential mode.

The Multi-Shift doesn’t feature any proprietary cables, and connects straight to the VelocityOne Race wheelbase via a short USB-C to USB-C cable, or directly to your PC via a generously long (2.5 meter) USB-C to USB-A cable. The recess for the USB-C connection on the Multi-Shift unit is nice and deep and the cable fitting sits in really snugly, so it shouldn’t be susceptible to damage from bumps or tugs.

Turtle Beach VelocityOne Multi-Shift – Performance

The Multi-Shift is easily at its strongest as an H-pattern shifter. I’m really happy with the feel of it, and it’s been working well for me. With the long shaft (about 12 centimetres, excluding the threads) and the heavier knob (intended as the sequential and handbrake knob but, as I mentioned, I’m using it for all purposes) it feels great to use. The action is firm and has a satisfying, two-stage clunk to changes, and there’s no sloppiness while it’s in gear. If you prefer a shorter throw, the shaft can be unscrewed and changed in about 20 seconds

Seventh gear (and reverse) are reached by pushing down on the shifter and pulling right. I do feel the shifter sag a little under the weight of my hand, so I was a little concerned that shifting from fourth to fifth (or from fifth to sixth and back again) might be a bit annoying if it let me accidentally grab seventh instead – or mash up against the gate. That’s never been the case, though; activating seventh and reverse requires quite a firm push down, so it’s not something I’ll do by accident. I haven’t had any problems downshifting from seventh to sixth, either; pulling the shifter out of seventh without any downward pressure instantly and effectively locks out reverse. Outside of heavy vehicle sims it’s not a shift you’d do much anyway, since sports cars with 7-speed manual transmissions are rarer than rocking horse crap.

As a sequential shifter, it’s okay. The return-to-centre action is strong and reliable. It does, however, have a fair bit of left and right wiggle in the neutral position – so there’s a bit of a soggier feel to it than you’d get in an actual sequential system. Handbrake mode is functional, but it feels the least realistic, because it unavoidably feels like you’re just changing a gear rather than pulling on a progressive brake. That said, as a lover of rally games, having an admittedly imperfect handbrake I can yank to lock the rears – rather than constantly needing to map a handbrake to the face of the steering wheel rim itself – is much better than nothing. I wouldn’t recommend the Multi-Shift for anyone looking to exclusively use it as a handbrake, but it’s still a great option to have in an entry-level shifter product.

Star Wars Celebration 2025 was a big show filled with some exciting announcements from that galaxy far, far away, including Star Wars: Starfighter starring Ryan Gosling, a new Darth Maul series, a first look at Rory McCann’s Baylan Skoll, the news that you’ll be able to take care of Grogu on Millennium Falcon: Sumgglers Run, and so much more.

There were a ton of big reveals, and we’re gathering the ones you simply can’t miss below and we’d love to know what you are most excited for in the world of Star Wars!

Star Wars Celebration’s Ahsoka Panel Featured the First Look at Rory McCann’s Baylan Skoll, the news of Anakin’s Return, and More

Star Wars Celebration’s Ahsoka had some big reveals and fun behind-the-scenes stories for the show’s second season, including a first look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll.

For those unfamiliar, McCann is taking over as Baylan following the death of Rey Stevenson, and the panel gave us a first-look image that you can see below. It was also confirmed that Hayden Christensen will be returning to the role of Anakin Skywalker again in Season 2.

Speaking of Season 2, we got a few teases of what we can expect when it arrives in the future, including that such fan-favorite characters like Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper will be back. It was also revealed that Admiral Ackbar will have a big part to play and will face off against Grand Admiral Thrawn, that there will be incredibly adorable Loth-Kittens, and that, according to Dave Filoni, there will be “X-Wings, A-Wings, and Wings I can’t tell you about.”

Hayden Christensen on Returning to Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka and Liking When ‘Star Wars Goes Dark’

Following the reveal that he’d be returning for Ahsoka Season 2, we spoke to Hayden Christensen about playing Anakin Skywalker again after nearly 20 years, why he likes when Star Wars goes dark, and even which Anakin meme is his favorite.

Rosario Dawson Had No Idea Mark Hamill Was Returning as Luke Skywalker in The Mandalorian Until He Walked On Set

We had the chance to speak to Rosario Dawson, Dave Filoni, and Jon Favreau about Ahsoka, and they revealed a funny story about how Dawson didn’t know Mark Hamill was returning as Luke Skywalker until he walked onto the set of The Book of Boba Fett one day. As it turns out, she, like many others, thought Plo Koon was going to be the mysterious Jedi to save the day in the Season 2 finale as Filoni and Favreau used him as a decoy in the scripts.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Panel, Everything Revealed

The Mandalorian & Grogu is headed to theaters on May 22, 2026, and will be the first Star Wars film to be released on the big screen since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. It was also the first major panel that kicked off Star Wars Celebration, and it included teases for the film and, perhaps most surprisingly, the reveal of the Shawn Levy-directed Star Wars: Starfighter that will star Ryan Gosling when it is released in theaters on May 28, 2027.

The footage of The Mandalorian & Grogu was shown for those in the crowd and included shots of an Imperial ship prepared to engage, Mando taking on Flame Troopers, AT-AT walkers collapsing in the snow, and our first look at Sigourney Weaver’s character. And of course, Grogu was seen being adorable and chaotic while swimming, making objects levitate, and more.

The Mandalorian & Grogu’s Sigourney Weaver on Grogu Stealing Her Heart and More

Three years ago, LEGO released Lord of the Rings Rivendell – a 6,000-piece tribute to Peter Jackson’s vision of Middle-Earth and the J.R.R. Tolkien-written books that inspired it. You can check it out on Amazon. I reviewed the set for IGN and interviewed the designer in a follow-up feature. It is one of the best, most detail-oriented builds of the past five years.

In 2024, LEGO released another massive Lord of the Rings set, this time of Barad-dûr, the massive tower in Mordor that’s topped with the Eye of Sauron. Similar to Rivendell, it is laden with numerous, movie-accurate details. And now, 2025 has brought us The Shire, another rich, albeit smaller, build

But aside from these three sets , there are no other Lord of the Rings sets on sale. This wasn’t always the case. LEGO and Lord of the Rings first partnered in June 2012, and between June 2012 and October 2014, LEGO released numerous sets that celebrated both the original Lord of the Rings film trilogy and the subsequent Hobbit trilogy. The last of these went out of print in July 2015; the only way to obtain them now would be to go on the expensive secondary market.

Here is a showcase of the major LEGO Lord of the Rings sets over the past decade plus: what was released and subsequently retired; what is currently on sale; and what we might expect to see in the future.

Attack on Weathertop (Retired)

This set captured the moment when Aragorn defended Frodo and the Hobbits from the Ringwraiths. It included the key details, such as the spiral stone staircase that led to the top of the watchpoint, as well as the black horses that the Ringwraiths rode as they searched the realm for the One True Ring. This was part of the first wave of LEGO Lord of the Rings sets in June 2012, along with the second entry on this list.

The Mines of Moria (Retired)

This Mines of Moria sequence is one of the coolest parts of the Lord of the Ring movies. The set based on it included a massive cave troll and several freestanding elements to represent Balin’s Tomb. The LEGO designers rigged the tomb to fall apart at the press of a lever, and you could also recreate the scene where Pippin knocked the skeleton into the well (via a trap door), thereby alerting everyone to the Fellowship’s presence.

The Orc Forge (Retired)

A small but richly detailed build, the Orc Forge was a blacksmith forge with fanciful elements, with a chain lift and bucket to transport ore, and a chute that fed into a cauldron to melt the ore down. It also included an anvil and a light brick to make the fire glow.

The Battle of Helm’s Deep (Retired)

Based on the climactic siege that concluded The Two Towers, this was a massive castle set. It had the Horn of Helm Hammerhand at the top of its tallest tower, and its signature, curved outer wall, including a breakaway portion so you could recreate the moment when the orcs breached the defenses.

An Unexpected Gathering (Retired)

A charming build of Bilbo’s home, An Unexpected Gathering included Gandalf, Bilbo, and 4 of the 12 dwarves who imposed themselves on his hospitality. Green was the predominant color of the set’s exterior, which gave it the fertile, bountiful atmosphere that we associate with the Shire.

Battle at the Black Gate (Retired)

Obviously, the Battle of Black Gate, which was the climax to the entire LOTR trilogy, was much grander than what could be accomplished with 656 LEGO pieces. This is the exact sort of build that would most benefit from a modern reimagining. Can you picture what the LEGO designers could do with 3000 or even 4000 pieces? Still, there was lots to appreciate about this set, especially the Mouth of Sauron Minifigure, the Great Eagle, and the angular severity of the Gate itself.

Tower of Orthanc (Retired)

This model of Saruman’s massive tower was two-and-a-half feet tall, and it was as imposing as the LEGO designers had hoped. But as intimidating as the exterior was, the interior was equally impressive and included a throne room (where Gandalf and Saruman had their wizard duel), a dungeon, a library, and an alchemy room. It also comes with a massive Ent and a Great Eagle, so that Gandalf can hitch a ride off the roof.

The Lonely Mountain (Retired)

This was Bilbo’s big moment, when he discovered the entrance to the Lonely Mountain on Durin’s Day. And this set includes the secret door, Smaug’s lair, the mountain of gold, and a number of play mechanisms the dwarves’ battle with Smaug, when they try to submerge him in liquid gold. This set was part of the last wave of Lord of the Rings sets from 2012-2014. We wouldn’t get another set in the series until January 2023.

Gandalf the Grey & Balrog (Retired)

In January 2023, LEGO released several LOTR-themed pairings as part of their collectible Blockheadz line. There were four different sets available for purchase, each for $20: Gandalf the Grey & Balrog, Aragorn & Arwen, and Frodo & Gollum. LEGO retired them at the end of 2024.

Lord of the Rings: Rivendell (Currently on sale)

Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr (Currently on sale)

Lord of the Rings: The Shire (Currently on sale)

The following article contains spoilers for both Episode 2 of The Last of Us Season 2 and the video game The Last of Us Part 2.

Abby kills Joel. It’s the inciting incident of The Last of Us Part 2, developer Naughty Dog’s darkly violent sequel to its fungal zombie apocalypse hit. Unsurprisingly for a project that mostly adheres to its source material like industrial strength super glue, HBO’s television adaptation also features this shocking moment rendered in live action. It’s the crescendo of the second season’s second episode, and so occurs exactly where it needs to in order to set the wheels of Ellie’s quest for vengeance in motion. But the show’s recreation of Joel Miller’s final moments falls short of the game’s brutal, shocking sequence due to several creative decisions that weaken the bloody blow.

The problems begin an episode prior. Season 2 opens with the reveal that Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) is seeking revenge on Joel (Pedro Pascal) following his rampage through the Fireflies’ Salt Lake City hospital in the finale of season one. As the first episode’s opening scene, this acts as the season’s mission statement: this story is about Abby’s pledge to kill Joel. There’s an unspoken promise that we’ll learn more about her motives, more about her past, and build empathy with a character who wants to kill the lead protagonist. There’s a lot the show needs to do to get us on board with her quest, but hey, this will be an interesting ride towards what’s sure to be a shocking season finale.

One week later, Joel is dead. It’s as if we hit the end of the line before we’d even started.

The timing of Joel’s demise may be faithful to the video game’s timeline, but the context in which it is delivered changes everything. In the game, Joel’s death comes with no warning. You have no idea who Abby is, nor why she hates Joel with such venom. It’s a confusing, shocking moment that sets up Ellie’s mission to kill the evil woman who took away her father figure for reasons unknown. It’s only at the game’s midpoint, when the perspective shifts and you’re forced to play as the “villain”, do you learn that Abby has sympathetic motivations for her actions – Joel killed her father when he rescued Ellie from the Fireflies. It’s an ingenious twist that challenges you to empathise with a character you’ve learned to hate over ten hours of play.

In this week’s episode of the show, Abby plainly explains her motivations to Joel moments before she kills him. Bringing such revelations to the forefront is not inherently a mistake, but it does change the shape of the story. Rather than a straight-up villain, Abby is introduced as something closer to the protagonist she eventually becomes in the second half of the game, and as a result, the moment of Joel’s murder is transformed into a much more complex event. In theory, this setup should have us torn between two conflicting viewpoints. But for that to work, those viewpoints need to be whole. And by killing Joel in episode two, showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have failed to solidify those viewpoints. Had this season delayed Joel’s death by introducing more original material, we’d have had the opportunity to learn more about Abby’s journey toward this moment. As it stands, Abby has so far had less than a handful of scenes to establish her character, while Joel has had an entire season and change. When the golf club strikes, there’s no escaping it: Abby is the villain here, despite what you know of her motives.

Season 1 offers up a good example of what could have been. “Long, Long Time,” arguably the season’s strongest episode, depicts the turbulent romantic life of Bill and Frank. It’s all brand new material, showcasing a period of time not explored by the game. A similar episode illustrating Abby’s life during the five-year time gap between seasons may well exist further down the line, but its inclusion before Joel’s death would have better supported the creative decision to make Abby’s motives clear ahead of the incident.

Such an episode would also help address the issue of Abby’s physique. In The Last of Us Part 2, Abby is built like an MMA fighter. She’s tall and incredibly muscular. In the show, she’s played by Kaitlyn Dever and looks just like Kaitlyn Dever. Talking to Entertainment Weekly, Neil Druckmann explained that Dever had not bulked up for the role because Abby’s size was related to gameplay rather than story: “Abby was meant to play more like Joel in that she’s almost like a brute in the way she can physically manhandle certain things,” he said. “That doesn’t play as big of a role in this version of the story because there’s not as much violent action moment to moment. It’s more about the drama.”

I’m surprised by Druckmann’s comments because Abby’s physique doesn’t really provide any meaningful gameplay contrast between herself and Ellie in the game, aside from being able to wield slightly heavier weaponry. It does, however, play a significant role in the dramatic heft of the story. During the first half of the game, her stature preys on gender stereotypes; the story assumes you’ll buy into the idea that a woman with masculine features must be evil. When the story flips, Abby’s physique tells the tale of a woman who has spent five years sculpting herself into a weapon with a singular purpose. She has sacrificed everything in order to kill Joel. It’s a physical marker of what the thirst for revenge will do to a person, and represents just how concrete Abby’s dedication to her goal is.

Had the show’s version of Abby been of the same build as her video game counterpart, it would have helped illustrate what happened in the five years between the season’s first scene and Joel’s death. Sure, it wouldn’t be a detailed illustration, but it would be clear that Joel’s actions took their toll and he’s about to pay the price. In the absence of Abby’s physical transformation, what we ideally need is a depiction of how the character mentally sculpted herself into a weapon. Again, this may well exist further into the season, but including it ahead of Joel’s death would better capitalise on the show’s changes to how it presents Abby.

Mazin and Druckmann’s new approach to Abby isn’t the only issue with the show’s version of this tragic event, though. Much of this second episode is dedicated to a Game of Thrones-scale assault on Jackson, with hundreds of infected breaking through the town’s walls. In isolation, this is an incredible piece of television, and a fantastic example of the show introducing original material to the story. But the impact of this event is so strong that it almost overshadows Joel’s death, which is uncontestably the more important moment. The inciting incident of Ellie’s journey shouldn’t be fighting for space, and the time leading into it would have been better served by building tension rather than burning bloaters.

My hope for this season of The Last of Us was that it would have more conviction to tread its own path. As strong as Season 1 was, for much of its runtime it had the air of some (very well-funded) cosplayers performing reenactments of the game’s cinematic cutscenes. Season 2 certainly feels bolder than its predecessor so far, but the changes being made feel rooted in a lack of confidence in the material being adapted rather than the bravery to tread its own path. The game’s unforgettable mid-story twist is exchanged for a cards-on-the-table opening in the name of making sure viewers feel the “right” things about Abby, but the subsequent story beats throughout the first two episodes are not rewritten to make the most of that change. The result is a rendition of Joel’s death that, while practically a facsimile of the original version in terms of the physical events, feels morally confused and dramatically stunted.

For fans of the game, it will be immediately clear which version of this story offers the stronger depiction of this event. But the real issue is not Joel’s death itself, but everything that happens around it. If the season has bungled the framing of its vital inciting incident, will the story threads that spiral out of it stand up to scrutiny? When it comes to Abby, The Last of Us Season 2’s remaining episodes will need to tread a smart path in order to justify its new design, not just to old players, but to new audiences, too.

Matt Purslow is IGN’s Senior Features Editor.