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2025 Fall Anime Season Preview + 2026 Anime

This is probably the shortest fall anime season preview I've written. There are lots of sequels this season. The nostalgia trend continues with a reboot of Cat's Eye (the first episode is already out) and the second season of Ranma 1/2. Disney Twisted Wonderland Season 1 will finally be out at the end of October.

As always, I'm only including the series I'm interested in. For a full list of anime airing this fall season, see AniChart.

( 2025 Fall Anime Season Preview. )

( 2026 Anime and Beyond. )

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Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 2, part 2

Zhao Yunlan sprawled on a couch, grinning at his phone. The background shows a purple sky with stars. Text reads, "Slo-Mo Rewatch. Guardian - half an episode per week @ sid_guardian.dreamwidth.org"

Hi, welcome to this week's instalment of the Guardian drama Slo-Mo Rewatch! Watch half an episode a week, and then come and chat about it here in comments. Or you can just jump into the comments without rewatching, of course!

Here is last week's half-episode. On to the second half!

Episode 2, from 22:11

Summary: Zhao Yunlan puts some puzzle pieces together and confronts Li Qian, accusing her of killing her grandma. She doesn't deny it. Gao Tianyu intercepts Zhao Yunlan's car, drags Li Qian out of it and attacks her. Li Qian's grandma's spirit comes out of the Sundial to protect her (and to scold her for admitting to what she didn't do). The Envoy takes Gao Tianyu away. Zhao Yunlan and Professor Shen have a moment at Li Yufen's grave. At the SID, Zhao Yunlan summons the Envoy, and they talk about the Sundial. Chu Shuzhi meets up with the Envoy and draws some parallels between him and Zhao Yunlan. Meanwhile Zhu Jiu plans his next move.

Quote:

Li Qian: When someone you cherish is dying in front of your eyes, what would be the main thought in your mind?"
Shen Wei: "I'm willing to exchange my life for his."

(Yes, I know this is iconic and maybe doesn't need quoting again, but it gets me every time!)

Detail:

One of my favourite details that I only noticed during the last rewatch: Shen Wei interfering with Gao Tianyu's attack on Li Qian from inside the car! There's a moment when it cuts to Shen Wei very conspicuously and intently narrowing his eyes - and then suddenly there's a brief blue shield effect flash, Gao Tianyu's hold on Li Qian breaks, and he's thrown back.

Questions:

What's your favourite moment in this half-episode? How much are you feeling for Li Qian? Do you think Zhao Yunlan had sufficient reason to accuse her of murder? Any thoughts about how this compares to the novel? Which of the many things Li Qian says on the rooftop resonates the most with Shen Wei? What does Zhao Yunlan think about the Envoy at this time?

(These are all just conversation starters - feel free to answer all, some, or none, and to say as much or as little as you like! You don't have to be keeping up with the rewatch to join in!)

And here is our schedule - please do sign up to host a post if you can!

[ SECRET POST #6841 ]

⌈ Secret Post #6841 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

01.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 41 secrets from Secret Submission Post #977.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

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Fic: Beta-Omicron-Omicron - Stargate Atlantis - Parrish/Lorne - PG

Title: Beta-Omicron-Omicron
Author: squidgiepdx
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Characters/Pairing: David Parrish, Evan Lorne
Words: 1,342 words
Notes: Betaed by Cassiope25. For the prompt "grand" and/or "storm"
Warnings: None
Summary: David Parrish gives Evan Lorne an unexpected present - and gets one in return.

The fic is found over here on AO3 or alternatively, Over here on SqWA.

Current Mood: artistic
Current Music: Bulletproof - La Roux

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Drew Sucy

Sharing another portrait, this time from poison potion master Sucy from Little Witch Academia

[ SECRET POST #6840 ]

⌈ Secret Post #6840 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 50 secrets from Secret Submission Post #977.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 1 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ], [ 1 2 - secrets made from copy pasting other people's random FS comments? There's probably more I don't recognize in this week ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

[ SECRET SUBMISSIONS POST #978 ]

[ SECRET SUBMISSIONS POST #978 ]

The first secret from this batch will be posted on October 4th.

RULES:
1. One secret link per comment.
2. 750x750 px or smaller.
3. Link directly to the image.

More details on how to send a secret in!

Optional: If you would like your secret's fandom to be noted in the main post along with the secret itself, please put it in the comment along with your secret. If your secret makes the fandom obvious, there's no need to do this. If your fandom is obscure, you should probably tell me what it is.

Optional #2: If you would like WARNINGS (such as spoilers or common triggers -- list of some common ones here) to be noted in the main post before the secret itself, please put it in the comment along with your secret.

Optional #3: If you would like a transcript to be posted along with your secret, put it along with the link in the comment!

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Art: Storm Off Grand Banks

Title: Storm Off Grand Banks (on AO3)
Artist:

mific
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Pairing/Characters: John Sheppard/Rodney McKay
Rating: Gen
Warnings: No AO3 warnings apply
Summary: "I'll hold the lines! You're needed below, Rodney, the engines are failing!"
Notes: Possibly the whackiest crack AU art I've ever made - the boys as cod fishermen!
Created for the prompts "storm" and "grand".

[ SECRET POST #6839 ]

⌈ Secret Post #6839 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 00 pages, 00 secrets from Secret Submission Post #976.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

[ SECRET POST #6838 ]

⌈ Secret Post #6838 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

01.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 10 secrets from Secret Submission Post #976.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 1 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Entry tags:

fandom_actor,
icons

celebrity20in20 Round 17

Link: Round 17 Sign Ups | Round 17 Themes

Description:

celebrity20in20 is a 20in20 community dedicated to making icons of actors and actresses. You have 20 days to make 20 icons about a celebrity of your choice, based on a set of themes for the round.

Schedule: Round 17 sign ups are open NOW. Icons are due October 13, 2025.

Entry tags:

celebrity20in20 Round 17

( You're about to view content that a community administrator has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

[ SECRET POST #6837 ]

⌈ Secret Post #6837 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 20 secrets from Secret Submission Post #976.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

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Poll: The Sundial and the Box (drama)

Changcheng nervously holding the mysterious box.

The Longevity Dial's computer schematics.

Zhao Yunlan pointing at Shen Wei, but laughing off to the side.

Poll #33654 Episodes 1 & 2

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 13

View Respondents

What is the deal with the little metal box in Li Qian's grandmother's couch cushions?

View Answers

the Shadow Man was hiding in it??
4 (30.8%)

it's a portal to Dixing
0 (0.0%)

the Shadow Man just happened to be lurking at Li Qian's house, looking for the Sundial, and sprang out the moment Changcheng opened the box
0 (0.0%)

Li Yufen used to keep the Sundial in the box, and it still smells of Hallow
8 (61.5%)

the Shadow Man recognised it as Hallow-adjacent, and that's why he pounced
5 (38.5%)

it smells of weed, and that's why the Shadow Man pounced
1 (7.7%)

it's an ancient artefact made of leftover meteorite
2 (15.4%)

it's just an ordinary cute little box, and the Shadow Man collects them
1 (7.7%)

other
0 (0.0%)

Where did Li Qian’s grandmother get the Longevity Dial?

View Answers

she had an affair with a Yashouren who took her to the Yashou Market, where she picked it up at a charms & jewelry stall (she has an interesting past)
3 (23.1%)

she had an affair with a Dixingren who gave it to her as a token of their star-crossed love (she has a tragic past)
1 (7.7%)

she found it while burying a body in her garden (she has a dark past)
1 (7.7%)

she found it while hiking in the mountains, near where the Mountain-River Awl was found (she has an outdoorsy past)
7 (53.8%)

other
4 (30.8%)

When the SID sees Li Qian wearing the Longevity Dial, Lin Jing brings up a 3D model of the Dial on his computer. Where did the computer model come from?

View Answers

free with Windows 10
1 (7.7%)

bundled with a particular flavour of Linux
4 (30.8%)

the Hallows don't want to be forgotten, so they send periodic reminders across space and time – like Netflix!
5 (38.5%)

a mysterious source (Shen Wei) provided detailed schematics on paper, and Lin Jing digitised them
6 (46.2%)

a mysterious source (Zhang Shi) created the computer models from memory
5 (38.5%)

other
0 (0.0%)

How do you solve a problem like Zhao Yunlan?

View Answers

How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
4 (33.3%)

How do you keep a wave upon the sand?
4 (33.3%)

How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?
6 (50.0%)

other
5 (41.7%)

Entry tags:

Calling All Volunteers!

( You're about to view content that a community administrator has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

Current Mood: apathetic

Entry tags:

tv: wednesday

Wednesday Icons

Preview

See the icons here @

magicrubbish

[ SECRET POST #6836 ]

⌈ Secret Post #6836 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

01.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 29 secrets from Secret Submission Post #976.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

[ SECRET POST #6835 ]

⌈ Secret Post #6835 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

01.

( More! )

Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 38 secrets from Secret Submission Post #976.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Entry tags:

!event

Two weeks till Guardian Wishlist reveals

Just a reminder that

guardian_wishlist reveals are in two weeks, on 6 October (Reunion Festival).

If you've been meaning to take a look at the requests and make a little something or two, all wishlists are tagged for fandoms and media and open for receiving gifts. (Previous years' tags are labelled with their respective years, so check the plain fandom and media tags at the bottom for this year's wishlists.) Wishlist comments are screened.

Gifts must fit the requests and not include any DNWs. Prompts are optional. There are no minimums. Gifts must be unique to the recipient.

For posting guidelines, links to the Wishlist Spreadsheet and AO3 collection, and more information about the fest, please check the Rules/FAQ post.

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My latest Guardian fanworks

Likely the last set of works before

guardian_wishlist gifts are revealed. :) ~~But who knows.~~

All fics, 1x drama Weilan, 2x novel Weilan, 1x Zhubai. :)

Peaches and Hope (1989 words) by facethestrange
Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV 2018)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan
Characters: Shen Wei (Guardian), Zhao Yunlan
Additional Tags: Ye Olde Haixing Era, Accidental Engagement, and intentional engagement too, Misunderstandings, Dixing Culture & Customs (Guardian), Lollipops, Kissing, Getting Together
Summary: "The sweet treat you gave me... What was it made of?"

Asking this simple question makes Shen Wei's heart race in a way that only the fiercest battles have ever managed to do before.

Not the Plan (1937 words) by facethestrange
Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian - priest
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan
Characters: Shen Wei (Guardian), Zhao Yunlan, Original Yao Characters
Additional Tags: Married Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan, Fluff and Smut, rated purely for smut, there's zero violence and no Crows get harmed, Porn with Feelings, Blow Jobs, Some Humor, Post-Canon
Summary: A couple of Crows with a nefarious plan are unlucky enough to interrupt the Soul-Executing Emissary's honeymoon.

At Last (970 words) by facethestrange
Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian - priest
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan
Characters: Shen Wei (Guardian), Zhao Yunlan
Additional Tags: Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, Porn with Feelings, Drunk Sex, (but the consent is not particularly dubious because it's Weilan), Drunk Shen Wei (Guardian), Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, First Time, Grinding, Hand Jobs, Coming In Pants, Coming early, Rough Sex Turned Tender
Summary: Drunk Shen Wei finds a different way to slow things down, without throwing his entire self out of his body.

Love, Spilling Over (1672 words) by facethestrange
Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV 2018) RPF, Chinese Actor RPF
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Bai Yu/Zhu Yilong
Characters: Bai Yu (Actor), Zhu Yilong
Additional Tags: Tenderness, Established Relationship, set during the promo tour, Crying, Light Angst, Hopeful Ending, Soft, Guardian Bingo
Series: Part 12 of Guardian Bingo 2025
Summary: "Tell me about that life," he murmurs against Bai Yu's skin. "Not what we can or can't have. The life you want."