Whoa, where has this year gone? I had been thinking of what I was going to do for the usual favorite stuff of the year article since all the back in December, but there were a few things I had not been able to check out yet that I had a feeling I should consider for the list. Now, all of a sudden, it’s freaking April? How did this happen? I suppose time flew by while dealing with my computer deciding to stop working on two occasions. But hey, we’re here now, so let’s get through this.

Favorite Game – Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate This is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the game I played more than anything else in 2018. I’m still playing it, and you can watch me on Twitch! This game acts as a greatest hits of the Monster Hunter franchise. There is so much content and always something new to do, and playing online is a great example of what a positive community can bring to a game.
Favorite Book – Super Mario Encyclopedia I don’t have this yet, but I just think it’s cool that it exists at all. The world of Mario is so incredibly expansive, but the details are kind of all over the place, so having a book that at least tries to put it all together is a good thing.
Favorite Toy – NECA Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie figures These have been hard to find, and I don’t have them yet, but I desperately want them and I know they are out there somewhere. Just look at these amazing figures. They look like the characters from the 1990 movie stepped out from the screen. The fact that these came out at all is mind-blowing, and now that they are not convention exclusives anymore is fantastic. I hope everyone who wants to get their hands on them has the chance. Especially me!
Favorite TV Series – Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I would not have thought that I’d like this show, and I still have not seen very much of it. It looks and feels so completely different than what you’d expect from TMNT. You’d think I’d hate it, but I can’t! The animation is just so totally rad! It’s unlike any other cartoon I’ve seen in a long time. And it actually has a few good laughs too.
Favorite Anime – SSSS Gridman A very interesting show! It takes the kaiju and tokusatsu elements that you’d expect from an anime remake of a live action super hero series, and adds so much more to it. The monsters and mecha are all super cool, but it’s the characters and mysterious scenario that make you keep watching.
Favorite Movie – Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse What an amazing, triumphant film. The unique animation style is an artistic achievement, and the story takes the concept of alternate universes (which could have easily came across as hokey and clunky) and uses it to make a truly heartfelt tale about being a hero. There just are not enough animated action movies, and I hope that the success of this film means there will be more.

Ok, we finally got all of that out of the way. Looking back, there were a lot of other things to like about 2018, and I didn’t necessarily pick the things that I though I would have wanted to showcase before it all shook out, which means that the year had some good surprises. I’m hoping for more!

We now join 2019, which is already in progress.

Sayonara.