NormanicGrav
@normanicgrav.co.uk
Anime UK News writer & collector for anime, video games, Asian Cinema and manga! And yes, buying anime on Blu-ray is fun. I also have a blog called The Normanic Vault that I regularly update to cover any upcoming releases or unboxings.
Finished playing Nobody Wants to Die. Really cool futuristic noir adventure game where you investigate scenes here and here using a rewind device. It's a walking simulator but has an interesting story and solid voice work. It's fairly short at about 5.5 hours but worth a try.
January 23, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Finished playing Nobody Wants to Die. Really cool futuristic noir adventure game where you investigate scenes here and here using a rewind device. It's a walking simulator but has an interesting story and solid voice work. It's fairly short at about 5.5 hours but worth a try.
Reposted by NormanicGrav
Introducing Discotek Deep Dives!
We're adding 20 to 30 Discotek titles to the MediaOCD store each month w/ pre-orders for a few weeks before.
Others have canceled backorders & more, we'll take care of you w/ great shipping & a rewards program.
www.mediaocd.com/post/alien-n...
We're adding 20 to 30 Discotek titles to the MediaOCD store each month w/ pre-orders for a few weeks before.
Others have canceled backorders & more, we'll take care of you w/ great shipping & a rewards program.
www.mediaocd.com/post/alien-n...
January 23, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Introducing Discotek Deep Dives!
We're adding 20 to 30 Discotek titles to the MediaOCD store each month w/ pre-orders for a few weeks before.
Others have canceled backorders & more, we'll take care of you w/ great shipping & a rewards program.
www.mediaocd.com/post/alien-n...
We're adding 20 to 30 Discotek titles to the MediaOCD store each month w/ pre-orders for a few weeks before.
Others have canceled backorders & more, we'll take care of you w/ great shipping & a rewards program.
www.mediaocd.com/post/alien-n...
So I just finished playing a Chinese FMV game called Vanity Fair: The Pursuit. Rough translation aside, it's a pretty entertaining experience. You can tell the actors were having a fun time going over different scenarios including the bad/random routes. 5 hours playtime to get the Platinum trophy.
January 21, 2026 at 11:05 PM
So I just finished playing a Chinese FMV game called Vanity Fair: The Pursuit. Rough translation aside, it's a pretty entertaining experience. You can tell the actors were having a fun time going over different scenarios including the bad/random routes. 5 hours playtime to get the Platinum trophy.
Finished Dispatch completely now that I have the Platinum trophy. After 15 hours of playtime I have witnessed both routes and various outcomes, but honestly my first playthrough was probably my favourite.
I hope they do more seasons and if they do carry over save-data I'll replay this again.
I hope they do more seasons and if they do carry over save-data I'll replay this again.
a man and a woman are sitting in a movie theater and the man is asking the woman if she likes sour patch kids
ALT: a man and a woman are sitting in a movie theater and the man is asking the woman if she likes sour patch kids
media.tenor.com
January 18, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Finished Dispatch completely now that I have the Platinum trophy. After 15 hours of playtime I have witnessed both routes and various outcomes, but honestly my first playthrough was probably my favourite.
I hope they do more seasons and if they do carry over save-data I'll replay this again.
I hope they do more seasons and if they do carry over save-data I'll replay this again.
Also bought in town I picked up 9 more Viz Media manga volumes from Travelling Man.
Black Clover Vol. 18-20, Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 25, 27-28 and Komi Can't Communicate Vol. 10-12.
They didn't have JJK Vol. 24 & 26 so I'll get them later.
Black Clover Vol. 18-20, Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 25, 27-28 and Komi Can't Communicate Vol. 10-12.
They didn't have JJK Vol. 24 & 26 so I'll get them later.
January 18, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Also bought in town I picked up 9 more Viz Media manga volumes from Travelling Man.
Black Clover Vol. 18-20, Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 25, 27-28 and Komi Can't Communicate Vol. 10-12.
They didn't have JJK Vol. 24 & 26 so I'll get them later.
Black Clover Vol. 18-20, Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 25, 27-28 and Komi Can't Communicate Vol. 10-12.
They didn't have JJK Vol. 24 & 26 so I'll get them later.
In town yesterday I bought three more films on 4K Ultra HD via HMV.
Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula (aka the adaptation with Gary Oldman and Keanu Reeves), Christopher Nolan's Inception, and Luca Guadagnino's Queer.
Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula (aka the adaptation with Gary Oldman and Keanu Reeves), Christopher Nolan's Inception, and Luca Guadagnino's Queer.
January 18, 2026 at 1:06 PM
In town yesterday I bought three more films on 4K Ultra HD via HMV.
Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula (aka the adaptation with Gary Oldman and Keanu Reeves), Christopher Nolan's Inception, and Luca Guadagnino's Queer.
Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula (aka the adaptation with Gary Oldman and Keanu Reeves), Christopher Nolan's Inception, and Luca Guadagnino's Queer.
Diebuster arrived on the 9th but wasn't able to take a look until recently! This is the UK collector's edition Blu-ray from Anime Limited.
Was supposed to have shipped in mid-December but the booklet issue delayed it.
Unboxing link: wp.me/pajoBm-eXx
Was supposed to have shipped in mid-December but the booklet issue delayed it.
Unboxing link: wp.me/pajoBm-eXx
January 18, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Diebuster arrived on the 9th but wasn't able to take a look until recently! This is the UK collector's edition Blu-ray from Anime Limited.
Was supposed to have shipped in mid-December but the booklet issue delayed it.
Unboxing link: wp.me/pajoBm-eXx
Was supposed to have shipped in mid-December but the booklet issue delayed it.
Unboxing link: wp.me/pajoBm-eXx
Just got back from watching 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and it's really good. Part 2 of the story but also different to the others. Ralph Fiennes was excellent and his arc stood out the most, whilst Jack O'Connell was also very good as the Jimmy dude. The final act was my favourite part.
January 17, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Just got back from watching 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and it's really good. Part 2 of the story but also different to the others. Ralph Fiennes was excellent and his arc stood out the most, whilst Jack O'Connell was also very good as the Jimmy dude. The final act was my favourite part.
I know I haven't posted much. I was working every day between Friday 9th to Friday 16th so it's been non-stop. I'll have to do the same for a bit tomorrow night and then Monday 19th to Monday 26th. This month was irregular hence the busy workload.
January 17, 2026 at 10:50 AM
I know I haven't posted much. I was working every day between Friday 9th to Friday 16th so it's been non-stop. I'll have to do the same for a bit tomorrow night and then Monday 19th to Monday 26th. This month was irregular hence the busy workload.
Finally got shipping updates on two LRG physical games. System Shock 2 is in the UK and since its from Evri it may arrive either tomorrow, Monday or Tuesday at its current pace. Nobody Wants to Die meanwhile has just been dispatched, which I reckon will arrive around the start of February.
January 17, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Finally got shipping updates on two LRG physical games. System Shock 2 is in the UK and since its from Evri it may arrive either tomorrow, Monday or Tuesday at its current pace. Nobody Wants to Die meanwhile has just been dispatched, which I reckon will arrive around the start of February.
Finished a playthrough of Dispatch. Man I really enjoyed playing this game. Absolutely loved everything about it. The dispatch and hack mini-games were a lot of fun once you figure out the mechanics. I plan to go for the Platinum trophy which means a second playthrough for the other romance route!
January 16, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Finished a playthrough of Dispatch. Man I really enjoyed playing this game. Absolutely loved everything about it. The dispatch and hack mini-games were a lot of fun once you figure out the mechanics. I plan to go for the Platinum trophy which means a second playthrough for the other romance route!
Had a look at my Nintendo Year of 2025 review. I primarily played Ring Fit Adventure with 29 hours playtime followed by Mario Kart World at 5 hours.
Ring Fit Adventure is a turn-based RPG with exercise. Still not finished it yet as the story mode is super long.
Ring Fit Adventure is a turn-based RPG with exercise. Still not finished it yet as the story mode is super long.
January 13, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Had a look at my Nintendo Year of 2025 review. I primarily played Ring Fit Adventure with 29 hours playtime followed by Mario Kart World at 5 hours.
Ring Fit Adventure is a turn-based RPG with exercise. Still not finished it yet as the story mode is super long.
Ring Fit Adventure is a turn-based RPG with exercise. Still not finished it yet as the story mode is super long.
Started Dispatch today! Finished Episodes 1 & 2. Really enjoyed what's on offer. Great vibe, cool art style, fun gameplay and invested in the characters & story so far. Playing the game using Interactive mode since it has quick-time events and figured it added more intrigue.
January 13, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Started Dispatch today! Finished Episodes 1 & 2. Really enjoyed what's on offer. Great vibe, cool art style, fun gameplay and invested in the characters & story so far. Playing the game using Interactive mode since it has quick-time events and figured it added more intrigue.
I finished 1000xRESIST last night and got the Platinum trophy too (14 hours playtime). I absolutely loved this game. Really intriguing story with a lot of great surprises throughout. Each chapter has different gameplay changes to avoid it from being repetitive and I liked the setting too.
January 11, 2026 at 6:45 PM
I finished 1000xRESIST last night and got the Platinum trophy too (14 hours playtime). I absolutely loved this game. Really intriguing story with a lot of great surprises throughout. Each chapter has different gameplay changes to avoid it from being repetitive and I liked the setting too.
Started and played 8 hours of 1000xRESIST today, not finished the story but about over the half-way point. This game has turned into some Evangelion/NieR style insanity with its story and I'm looking forward to continuing it tomorrow.
If the ending hits the landing, I might give it a perfect 10/10.
If the ending hits the landing, I might give it a perfect 10/10.
a close up of a person 's face with glasses and a surgical instrument
ALT: a close up of a person 's face with glasses and a surgical instrument
media.tenor.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Started and played 8 hours of 1000xRESIST today, not finished the story but about over the half-way point. This game has turned into some Evangelion/NieR style insanity with its story and I'm looking forward to continuing it tomorrow.
If the ending hits the landing, I might give it a perfect 10/10.
If the ending hits the landing, I might give it a perfect 10/10.
I finished Metal Eden again, this time on Brutal difficulty and got the Platinum trophy. Still very fun and a lot of challenging fights here and there.
Playtime was 6 hours for Hard difficulty playthrough, 4 hours for trophy clean-up and 6 hours for Brutal difficulty playthrough.
Playtime was 6 hours for Hard difficulty playthrough, 4 hours for trophy clean-up and 6 hours for Brutal difficulty playthrough.
January 6, 2026 at 11:10 PM
I finished Metal Eden again, this time on Brutal difficulty and got the Platinum trophy. Still very fun and a lot of challenging fights here and there.
Playtime was 6 hours for Hard difficulty playthrough, 4 hours for trophy clean-up and 6 hours for Brutal difficulty playthrough.
Playtime was 6 hours for Hard difficulty playthrough, 4 hours for trophy clean-up and 6 hours for Brutal difficulty playthrough.
I finished Metal Eden today but replaying it on Brutal difficulty so that I can get the final trophy. It's a really good game but the story does falter at the end. Gameplay is super solid and I recommend the higher difficulties for a good balance of challenge and chaotic fun.
January 5, 2026 at 12:02 AM
I finished Metal Eden today but replaying it on Brutal difficulty so that I can get the final trophy. It's a really good game but the story does falter at the end. Gameplay is super solid and I recommend the higher difficulties for a good balance of challenge and chaotic fun.
Started my first game for 2026 with Reikon's Metal Eden. This game is really good, a mix of Metroid, Quake and Doom 2016 combined with Ruiner's aesthetics. Playing on Hard mode as I might go through the game on Brutal difficulty later.
January 3, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Started my first game for 2026 with Reikon's Metal Eden. This game is really good, a mix of Metroid, Quake and Doom 2016 combined with Ruiner's aesthetics. Playing on Hard mode as I might go through the game on Brutal difficulty later.
Feels good to get a lot of those blog write-ups out of the way as it took hours to get it all done. From this point I can decide what to do with no rush. May start another game or watch something I haven't decided yet.
January 3, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Feels good to get a lot of those blog write-ups out of the way as it took hours to get it all done. From this point I can decide what to do with no rush. May start another game or watch something I haven't decided yet.
Catching up on Fallout Season 2 on Prime Video. These bloody ads are so random. One moment it's tidying up dust and then the next round of ads is baby milk and tampons... on a FALLOUT EPISODE.
January 3, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Catching up on Fallout Season 2 on Prime Video. These bloody ads are so random. One moment it's tidying up dust and then the next round of ads is baby milk and tampons... on a FALLOUT EPISODE.
Also posted the Q1 2026 (January-March) UK home video release slates for #AsianCinema releases on my blog!
On the schedule we have Hard Boiled, Japanese Godfather Trilogy, Save the Green Planet!, Angel Guts Collection and more!
Read here: normanicgrav.co.uk/2026/01/03/q...
#PhysicalMedia #Bluray
On the schedule we have Hard Boiled, Japanese Godfather Trilogy, Save the Green Planet!, Angel Guts Collection and more!
Read here: normanicgrav.co.uk/2026/01/03/q...
#PhysicalMedia #Bluray
January 3, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Also posted the Q1 2026 (January-March) UK home video release slates for #AsianCinema releases on my blog!
On the schedule we have Hard Boiled, Japanese Godfather Trilogy, Save the Green Planet!, Angel Guts Collection and more!
Read here: normanicgrav.co.uk/2026/01/03/q...
#PhysicalMedia #Bluray
On the schedule we have Hard Boiled, Japanese Godfather Trilogy, Save the Green Planet!, Angel Guts Collection and more!
Read here: normanicgrav.co.uk/2026/01/03/q...
#PhysicalMedia #Bluray
Now posted the Q1 2026 (January-March) UK home video release slates for #Anime releases on my blog!
On the schedule we have Haikyu!! Season 1, Konosuba Season 3, Lycoris Recoil, Naruto Shippuden and more coming to Blu-ray.
Read here: normanicgrav.co.uk/2026/01/03/q...
#PhysicalMedia #Bluray
On the schedule we have Haikyu!! Season 1, Konosuba Season 3, Lycoris Recoil, Naruto Shippuden and more coming to Blu-ray.
Read here: normanicgrav.co.uk/2026/01/03/q...
#PhysicalMedia #Bluray
January 3, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Now posted the Q1 2026 (January-March) UK home video release slates for #Anime releases on my blog!
On the schedule we have Haikyu!! Season 1, Konosuba Season 3, Lycoris Recoil, Naruto Shippuden and more coming to Blu-ray.
Read here: normanicgrav.co.uk/2026/01/03/q...
#PhysicalMedia #Bluray
On the schedule we have Haikyu!! Season 1, Konosuba Season 3, Lycoris Recoil, Naruto Shippuden and more coming to Blu-ray.
Read here: normanicgrav.co.uk/2026/01/03/q...
#PhysicalMedia #Bluray
I've compiled my overall thoughts on the #VideoGames I played in 2025 in a two-part blog post!
Part 1 covers January through to June.
Read here: wp.me/pajoBm-eMB
Part 2 covers July through to December.
Read here: wp.me/pajoBm-eOz
Part 1 covers January through to June.
Read here: wp.me/pajoBm-eMB
Part 2 covers July through to December.
Read here: wp.me/pajoBm-eOz
January 2, 2026 at 11:32 PM
I've compiled my overall thoughts on the #VideoGames I played in 2025 in a two-part blog post!
Part 1 covers January through to June.
Read here: wp.me/pajoBm-eMB
Part 2 covers July through to December.
Read here: wp.me/pajoBm-eOz
Part 1 covers January through to June.
Read here: wp.me/pajoBm-eMB
Part 2 covers July through to December.
Read here: wp.me/pajoBm-eOz
Reposted by NormanicGrav
Some New Year's announcements!
First up...
Various things are waiting for approvals and/or aren't ready to discuss, so unfortunately, no January livestream.
We hope to be able to do one sooner rather than later, but just not the right time to do one right now.
But...
First up...
Various things are waiting for approvals and/or aren't ready to discuss, so unfortunately, no January livestream.
We hope to be able to do one sooner rather than later, but just not the right time to do one right now.
But...
January 2, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Some New Year's announcements!
First up...
Various things are waiting for approvals and/or aren't ready to discuss, so unfortunately, no January livestream.
We hope to be able to do one sooner rather than later, but just not the right time to do one right now.
But...
First up...
Various things are waiting for approvals and/or aren't ready to discuss, so unfortunately, no January livestream.
We hope to be able to do one sooner rather than later, but just not the right time to do one right now.
But...
Reposted by NormanicGrav
Stranger Things Season 5 "Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up". Directed by The Duffer Brothers
January 1, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Stranger Things Season 5 "Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up". Directed by The Duffer Brothers