What I’m Watching, Playing, and Listening To

Lately, I’ve been in one of those great phases where I’m bouncing between films, games, and music depending on my mood. Some of it is comfort media, some of it is discoveries, and some of it is deep dives into classics. Here’s what’s been in rotation recently.

What I’m Watching 🎬

Sounds of Winter: This has been a perfect slow-watch series for colder evenings. It has that quiet, reflective tone that makes you want to slow down and really take in the atmosphere. I've talked about this show a lot at this point, so I am going to spare you for now.

One Piece – Season 2: The live-action adaptation has been a lot of fun to follow. Seeing the world and characters translated into live action is fascinating, especially when you already know the story beats. I do have issues with the show, but it is what it is at this point with anime/manga adaptations.

One Piece Anime (Rewatching Old Arcs)At the same time, I’ve been going back through older arcs in the anime. It’s a reminder of just how strong the early storytelling is. There’s a lot of nostalgia here, but it also holds up surprisingly well.

Ozu and Kurosawa Films: I’ve been diving into some classic Japanese cinema recently:

• High and Low – A gripping crime drama with incredible tension and social commentary.

• Early Spring – Much quieter and more reflective, focusing on everyday life and emotional distance.

Watching these back-to-back really shows the range of storytelling styles in Japanese film.

Price of Confession: This one hooked me with its mystery and psychological tension. It’s the kind of show where every episode leaves you questioning what you thought you understood.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: As a fan of the wider GoT universe, I’m really curious to see how this more grounded story unfolds. It feels like a smaller, more character-focused look at the world.

What I’m Playing 🎮

Ghost of Yotei: A beautiful world to explore. I’ve been taking my time with it, wandering more than rushing through the main story.

Resident Evil RequimSometimes you just need a good survival horror experience. The atmosphere and tension are exactly what I want from this series.

Pokémon Pearl: This is pure comfort gaming. Revisiting Sinnoh feels like stepping back into an earlier era of Pokémon, and the slower pace is oddly relaxing.

Cairne: A bit more experimental and different from the others I’m playing. It’s the kind of game where discovery and atmosphere matter as much as gameplay itself.

What I’m Listening To 🎧

Spirited Away Soundtrack: Joe Hisaishi’s music is timeless. It’s perfect background music for reading, writing, or just relaxing.

Hikaru Utada: Hikaru's voice and songwriting always pull me in. I’ve been cycling through older and newer tracks lately, but One Last Kiss and Bad Modo are on repeat.

J. Cole: For a completely different vibe, J. Cole has been in my regular rotation. Thoughtful lyrics and laid-back production make his music easy to return to.

Let’s Get Divorced Soundtrack: One of the best J-dramas in recent years. Another soundtrack that’s been surprisingly enjoyable on its own. It captures the tone of the show really well.