: A masterpiece of rural horror and intimacy. It follows a boy whose best friend is replaced by a spirit that looks and sounds exactly like him. It’s less about jump scares and more about the devastatingly sad metaphor for grief and identity. The Apothecary Diaries (Season 2)

The story of anime and manga is one of global expansion, evolving from a niche interest into a dominant worldwide cultural force

Action / Comedy / Assassin Slice of Life The hook: The world’s greatest hitman retired, got married, got fat, and now runs a convenience store. But the underworld won’t leave him alone. Why it’s popular: The action choreography is John Wick levels of creative. Battles happen with everyday objects—shopping carts, ladles, a bag of chips. The anime is coming soon, but the manga’s paneling is legendary. Where to start: Manga now. Get ahead of the hype train.