Elijah Gonzalez
@elijahgonzalez.bsky.social
Currently: Associate Editor @ The A.V Club. Formerly: Assistant Games & TV Editor @ Paste Magazine. Bylines: Endless Mode, Game Informer, Fanbyte, The Gamer, Unwinnable, Uppercut Crit, & more. TCA member, Rotten Tomato-approved critic. he/him
I got a chance to write about last week’s episode of Jujutsu Kaisen which, despite my issues with the show in general, delivered the kind of woman-led badassery that battle shonen so rarely give us. Incredible direction, sharp animation, and some hilarious use of slow mo (punch that twink!).
Jujutsu Kaisen's most incisive episode cuts the patriarchy to bits
Jujutsu Kaisen's latest episode was arguably the series' best, a sharply directed action scene that gave us a reason to care.
www.avclub.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:08 PM
I got a chance to write about last week’s episode of Jujutsu Kaisen which, despite my issues with the show in general, delivered the kind of woman-led badassery that battle shonen so rarely give us. Incredible direction, sharp animation, and some hilarious use of slow mo (punch that twink!).
Silksong's secret final stretch has stuck with me, and not just because it was Team Cherry at its most sadistic. Like the rest of the game its difficulty feels quite purposeful.
Getting Hollow Knight: Silksong's "true ending" is a brutal process that reflects the difficulty of changing a seemingly unchangeable world. www.avclub.com/hollow-knigh...
Hollow Knight: Silksong's brutal final stretch conveys the difficulty of creating lasting change
Getting Hollow Knight: Silksong's "true ending" is a brutal process that reflects the difficulty of changing a seemingly unchangeable world.
www.avclub.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Silksong's secret final stretch has stuck with me, and not just because it was Team Cherry at its most sadistic. Like the rest of the game its difficulty feels quite purposeful.
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
I put together our winter anime premiere list, and it's an absolutely packed season. There are the knowns—Frieren, Oshi no Ko, JJK, etc.—but what really sets it over are the surprises: Journal With Witch is thoughtful, SHIBOYUGI is deeply upsetting, and You And I Are Polar Opposites is adorkable.
The 10 best anime premieres of winter 2026
The winter 2026 anime season is looking like one of the most stacked lineups in recent memory, and we've summarized the ten best shows.
www.avclub.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:31 PM
I put together our winter anime premiere list, and it's an absolutely packed season. There are the knowns—Frieren, Oshi no Ko, JJK, etc.—but what really sets it over are the surprises: Journal With Witch is thoughtful, SHIBOYUGI is deeply upsetting, and You And I Are Polar Opposites is adorkable.
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
we'll launch mothership.blog in its final form on jan. 26, featuring stories by amazing writers like @nicolecarpenter.bsky.social, @nicoleclark.bsky.social, @susanapolo.bsky.social, @supercrip1994.bsky.social, & @applecider.bsky.social. you can subscribe early for a LIFETIME 15% OFF discount!!
Board the Mothership.
You're just in time.
A couple weeks from now, on January 26, 2026, we'll be launching the full version of our new gaming website, Mothership, which aims to analyze games specifically through the...
mothership.blog
January 9, 2026 at 5:06 PM
we'll launch mothership.blog in its final form on jan. 26, featuring stories by amazing writers like @nicolecarpenter.bsky.social, @nicoleclark.bsky.social, @susanapolo.bsky.social, @supercrip1994.bsky.social, & @applecider.bsky.social. you can subscribe early for a LIFETIME 15% OFF discount!!
I wrote about Despelote, and how it’s unique presentation paves a way forward for new forms of documentary storytelling.
Despelote isn't just an interesting narrative game. It passes the ball forward for interactive documentaries writ large. www.avclub.com/despelote-do...
Despelote takes a bold step forward for documentary storytelling
Despelote isn't just an interesting narrative game. It passes the ball forward for interactive documentaries writ large.
www.avclub.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:31 PM
I wrote about Despelote, and how it’s unique presentation paves a way forward for new forms of documentary storytelling.
100 Meters is apparently on Netflix now, hey, you should watch 100 Meters:
100 Meters asks if you can find the meaning of life in a 10 second sprint
100 Meters is a new anime film that uses visceral animation and heady monologues to mine a 10-second dash for all its worth.
www.avclub.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:31 PM
100 Meters is apparently on Netflix now, hey, you should watch 100 Meters:
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
I wrote about how even though anime is more popular than ever, the studios that actually create these shows continue to earn an alarmingly small percentage of the profits, leaving animators underpaid and overworked.
Despite critical and financial success, 2025 continued the anime industry's "profitless boom"
Despite record revenue, an uptick in global popularity, and an excellent lineup of shows, the anime industry continued to struggle in 2025.
www.avclub.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:06 PM
I wrote about how even though anime is more popular than ever, the studios that actually create these shows continue to earn an alarmingly small percentage of the profits, leaving animators underpaid and overworked.
I wrote about how even though anime is more popular than ever, the studios that actually create these shows continue to earn an alarmingly small percentage of the profits, leaving animators underpaid and overworked.
Despite critical and financial success, 2025 continued the anime industry's "profitless boom"
Despite record revenue, an uptick in global popularity, and an excellent lineup of shows, the anime industry continued to struggle in 2025.
www.avclub.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:06 PM
I wrote about how even though anime is more popular than ever, the studios that actually create these shows continue to earn an alarmingly small percentage of the profits, leaving animators underpaid and overworked.
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
I put together The A.V. Club's best anime of 2025 list; this year was rounded out by moving historical epics, queer body horror, and plenty of wonderful weirdos.
Also, if you've been hoping for general pop culture sites to pay more attention to anime, AVC will do so going forward, spread the word!
Also, if you've been hoping for general pop culture sites to pay more attention to anime, AVC will do so going forward, spread the word!
The A.V. Club's 10 best anime of 2025
2025 delivered a wide range of worthwhile anime for both newcomers and anime veterans alike. After plumbing the depths, here are the 10 best.
www.avclub.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:38 PM
I put together The A.V. Club's best anime of 2025 list; this year was rounded out by moving historical epics, queer body horror, and plenty of wonderful weirdos.
Also, if you've been hoping for general pop culture sites to pay more attention to anime, AVC will do so going forward, spread the word!
Also, if you've been hoping for general pop culture sites to pay more attention to anime, AVC will do so going forward, spread the word!
I put together The A.V. Club's best anime of 2025 list; this year was rounded out by moving historical epics, queer body horror, and plenty of wonderful weirdos.
Also, if you've been hoping for general pop culture sites to pay more attention to anime, AVC will do so going forward, spread the word!
Also, if you've been hoping for general pop culture sites to pay more attention to anime, AVC will do so going forward, spread the word!
The A.V. Club's 10 best anime of 2025
2025 delivered a wide range of worthwhile anime for both newcomers and anime veterans alike. After plumbing the depths, here are the 10 best.
www.avclub.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:38 PM
I put together The A.V. Club's best anime of 2025 list; this year was rounded out by moving historical epics, queer body horror, and plenty of wonderful weirdos.
Also, if you've been hoping for general pop culture sites to pay more attention to anime, AVC will do so going forward, spread the word!
Also, if you've been hoping for general pop culture sites to pay more attention to anime, AVC will do so going forward, spread the word!
Many good video games did in fact come out this year, and we got help from some excellent writers to compile the A.V. Club's list of our favorites!
December 18, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Many good video games did in fact come out this year, and we got help from some excellent writers to compile the A.V. Club's list of our favorites!
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
good games www.avclub.com/best-games-2...
The A.V. Club's best games of 2025
Unsurprisingly, the best games of 2025 came from the fringes of the industry. Here's what The A.V. Club's games critics loved the most this year.
www.avclub.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:05 PM
good games www.avclub.com/best-games-2...
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
Unbeatable is rough around the edges, but it eventually finds its sound through powerful visuals and punchy rhythm gaming. www.avclub.com/unbeatable-r...
After a rocky opening act, Unbeatable eventually finds rhythm game harmony
Unbeatable is rough around the edges, but it eventually finds its sound through powerful visuals and punchy rhythm gaming.
www.avclub.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Unbeatable is rough around the edges, but it eventually finds its sound through powerful visuals and punchy rhythm gaming. www.avclub.com/unbeatable-r...
For its 40th anniversary and 4K re-release, I took a crack at unraveling the enigmatic all-timer Angel's Egg, while also acknowledging that fully "figuring out" the movie is impossible and kind of missing the point.
Cracking Angel's Egg is a fool's errand, but let's try anyway
Forty years later, Angel's Egg finally reached U.S. theaters. To celebrate we attempted to crack the film wide open.
www.avclub.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:37 PM
For its 40th anniversary and 4K re-release, I took a crack at unraveling the enigmatic all-timer Angel's Egg, while also acknowledging that fully "figuring out" the movie is impossible and kind of missing the point.
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
I had the privilege of interviewing Shinichirō Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Kids on the Slope, etc.) for The A.V. Club and asked him about what initially drew him to American pop culture, who he wants to work with next, and what defines enduring art.
Cowboy Bebop director Shinichirō Watanabe on what it takes for art to "survive beyond"
We interviewed Cowboy Bebop director Shinichirō Watanabe about his work, where his love of overseas culture came from, and what's next.
www.avclub.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
I had the privilege of interviewing Shinichirō Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Kids on the Slope, etc.) for The A.V. Club and asked him about what initially drew him to American pop culture, who he wants to work with next, and what defines enduring art.
I had the privilege of interviewing Shinichirō Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Kids on the Slope, etc.) for The A.V. Club and asked him about what initially drew him to American pop culture, who he wants to work with next, and what defines enduring art.
Cowboy Bebop director Shinichirō Watanabe on what it takes for art to "survive beyond"
We interviewed Cowboy Bebop director Shinichirō Watanabe about his work, where his love of overseas culture came from, and what's next.
www.avclub.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
I had the privilege of interviewing Shinichirō Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Kids on the Slope, etc.) for The A.V. Club and asked him about what initially drew him to American pop culture, who he wants to work with next, and what defines enduring art.
PSA: We're over at the A.V. Club now.
Okay, yeah: Endless Mode is now The A.V. Club Games. We speedran this thing. Same editors, same writers, same content, just a different but familiar site. www.avclub.com/new-games-se...
The A.V. Club Games announces a new era
The A.V. Club's games section gets a major boost as Paste's and Endless Mode's games coverage joins the site.
www.avclub.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:16 PM
PSA: We're over at the A.V. Club now.
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
yeah so here’s the news
Okay, yeah: Endless Mode is now The A.V. Club Games. We speedran this thing. Same editors, same writers, same content, just a different but familiar site. www.avclub.com/new-games-se...
The A.V. Club Games announces a new era
The A.V. Club's games section gets a major boost as Paste's and Endless Mode's games coverage joins the site.
www.avclub.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:35 PM
yeah so here’s the news
I reviewed Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26, a frantic animated anthology that elevates the chaos, strangeness, and pathos of its source material. Another excellent adaptation of Fujimoto's work, this dude signed his soul away or something.
Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 is another loving adaptation of Fujimoto's work that elevates its source material to new heights. Read @elijahgonzalez.bsky.social's review here:
Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 Polishes These Adapted Short Stories To a Fine Sheen
Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 is another loving adaptation of Fujimoto's work that elevates its source material to new heights.
www.endlessmode.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I reviewed Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26, a frantic animated anthology that elevates the chaos, strangeness, and pathos of its source material. Another excellent adaptation of Fujimoto's work, this dude signed his soul away or something.
I've really been enjoying May I Ask For One Final Thing? mostly because it's about monstrous rich people getting their shit rocked by a heroine nicknamed "The Bloodstained Lady."
May I Ask For One Thing? delivers the best kind of wish fulfillment: evil rich jerks (who really deserve it) getting punched in the face by a cool heroine.
May I Ask for One Thing? Is About Evil Rich Men Getting Punched in the Nose, and That’s Pretty Neat
May I Ask For One Thing? delivers the best kind of wish fulfillment: evil rich jerks who really deserve it getting punched in the face.
www.endlessmode.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I've really been enjoying May I Ask For One Final Thing? mostly because it's about monstrous rich people getting their shit rocked by a heroine nicknamed "The Bloodstained Lady."
Reposted by Elijah Gonzalez
why are there missing children posters coded into Mini Golf and other Bally Sente arcade cabinets?
for @endlessmode.bsky.social, I tried to get to the bottom of it.
for @endlessmode.bsky.social, I tried to get to the bottom of it.
Six Missing Children Have Haunted These Arcade Cabinets For Decades. Why?
For 40 years the faces of missing children have haunted arcades from inside a miniature golf video game.
www.endlessmode.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:45 PM
why are there missing children posters coded into Mini Golf and other Bally Sente arcade cabinets?
for @endlessmode.bsky.social, I tried to get to the bottom of it.
for @endlessmode.bsky.social, I tried to get to the bottom of it.
Sanda (aka the buff Santa Claus anime) continues to be one of the most interesting shows of the season, and its latest episode offered a suprisingly robust critique of anti-queer politics in Japan and Class S Tropes. Never judge a book by its cover etc.
The Santa Claus-themed anime Sanda abruptly delivered a barnburner episode that confronted Class S Tropes and anti-queer politics. www.endlessmode.com/article/sand...
Sanda’s Latest Episode Confronts Both Class S Tropes And Anti-Queer, Pro-Natalist Politics
The Santa Claus-themed anime Sanda abruptly delivered a barnburner episode that confronted Class S Tropes and anti-queer politics.
www.endlessmode.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Sanda (aka the buff Santa Claus anime) continues to be one of the most interesting shows of the season, and its latest episode offered a suprisingly robust critique of anti-queer politics in Japan and Class S Tropes. Never judge a book by its cover etc.
I got blindsided by the Egg game in a way that was very enjoyable.
Terry Cavanagh's new game, Egg, begins as a straightforward, sunny platformer before deviously upping the temperature. www.endlessmode.com/article/wait...
Wait, That Egg Game is Evil, Actually
Terry Cavanagh's new game, Egg, begins as a straightforward, sunny platformer before deviously upping the temperature.
www.endlessmode.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:52 PM
I got blindsided by the Egg game in a way that was very enjoyable.
I reviewed Star Wars Visions Volume 3: overall, a bit of a step down from the previous two volumes, but it features a weirdo experimental short (Ep 9, “Black”) that everyone needs to see.
While Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 is a bit weaker than its predecessors, it still offers some fun romps alongside an experimental stunner. Read @elijahgonzalez.bsky.social's review. www.endlessmode.com/anime/star-w...
Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 Is A Fun Ride But Doesn't Quite Match Its Predecessors
While Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 is a bit weaker than its predecessors, it still offers some fun romps alongside an experimental stunner.
www.endlessmode.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:21 PM
I reviewed Star Wars Visions Volume 3: overall, a bit of a step down from the previous two volumes, but it features a weirdo experimental short (Ep 9, “Black”) that everyone needs to see.