Latest news with #Leviathan
Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
The author Russia sentenced: 5 detective novels by Boris Akunin
Boris Akunin carved his literary legacy with detective novels set in imperial Russia, works that made him one of the country's most beloved authors. Now, the same pen has made him a wanted man. A Russian military court sentenced Akunin in absentia to 14 years in prison for voicing support for Ukraine and criticising President Putin's rule. Writing under the pen name Boris Akunin, Grigori Chkhartishvili redefined crime fiction for a post-Soviet readership. His most famous creation is Erast Fandorin, a Russian detective with Japanese swordsmanship. These mysteries are filled with conspiracies and the menace of unchecked power. That's what has made his books beloved by readers and threatening to those in power. Here are 5 detective novels that brought Boris Akunin global fame and continue to be relevant today. This is where the game begins. A promising young student shoots himself in a public park in 1876 Moscow and no one seems particularly surprised. Except for Erast Fandorin, new to the force and already too perceptive for his own good. A puzzling suicide turns into a tangle of clues. A photograph of a mysterious woman, an English orphanage, a will rewritten just before death. A whodunit that shows how easily one life can fall apart. A single question can echo across continents- what really happened? Fandorin is just trying to understand a world that doesn't always make sense. And that hunger for truth is what makes Boris Akunin's detective truly unforgettable. A mansion in Paris. Ten bodies. One golden whale shaped key. The trail leads to the Leviathan, a luxury steamship sailing to Calcutta, and now a crime scene at sea. Among the suspects are- a secretive doctor, a relic obsessed aristocrat and a Swiss woman with secrets. Also aboard is none other than Erast Fandorin, unbothered by the waves or the rising body count. A locked-room mystery. And a floating theatre of suspicion, where manners mask murder and every alibi is rehearsed. Claustrophobic and tightly plotted. A must-read for locked-room mystery fans. The city is dressed in gold and expectation. Moscow prepares for the grand coronation of Tsar Nicholas II and that's when chaos strikes. The heir to the throne is kidnapped. A deadly ransom demand follows. Then enters Erast Fandorin, who must solve this mystery. A case of abduction that quickly turns into a critique of power and corruption. With time slipping away, Fandorin races against court politics and cold-blooded villains to rescue the future of Russia. Trains, spies, ninjas and a double life across continents. In 1905, Fandorin races to stop Japanese sabotage along the Trans-Siberian Railway. Bombs tick and war hangs heavy in the air. But the real origin of this conflict is decades earlier. We rewind to 1870s Japan. A younger Fandorin arrives in Yokohama. He learns swordplay, earns scars, meets Masa and uncovers a murder. This case quickly takes a turn into betrayal and heartbreak. Past and present collide in a gripping finale that bridges two eras and reveals what truly forged Erast Fandorin. War is chaos. But in Akunin's hands, even the battlefield becomes a chessboard. In 1877, amid the Russo-Turkish War, Erast Fandorin is sent to the front, undercover and still recovering from past wounds. His mission is to unmask a saboteur tipping the war's balance. He's joined by Varvara Suvorova, a journalist with no love for empire or for men like Fandorin. But when her fiancé is accused of spying, she's forced to rethink everything. As ideologies blur, so do the loyalties drawn in war. A taut, slow-burn mystery where alliances shift like the frontlines. (The writer is an intern with
The Review Geek
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Has Leviathan been renewed for Season 2? Here's what we know:
Renewed or Cancelled? Leviathan is the latest anime on Netflix, sporting thrills, drama and adventure across its 10 episodes. Having watched the first season in its entirety, you may be wondering if this one has been renewed or cancelled. Well, wonder no more! What is Leviathan about? Based on the novels by Scott Westerfeld, Leviathan is a steampunk anime set in an alternate 1914 at the onset of World War I, where the world is split between two technological superpowers. The Clankers (including Germany and Austria-Hungary) are pit against the Darwinists (like Britain) who engineer living creatures as weapons, including massive flying whales and airships made of bio-engineered beasts. At the heart of the story is Prince Aleksandar 'Alek', the orphaned heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now on the run after his parents' assassination. Meanwhile, Deryn Sharp, a brave Scottish girl, disguises herself as a boy to serve in the British Air Service aboard the living whale-ship Leviathan. Fate throws these two teenagers from opposite sides of the conflict together aboard the Leviathan, where they look set to change history… Has Leviathan been renewed for Season 2? At the time of writing, Leviathan has not been renewed for season 2. Generally Netflix would gauge numerous metrics before renewing a show, including how many people initially watch it and then looking at the drop-off rate. With some shows, cancellations or renewals happen quickly. Other times, it can take months before a decision over a show's future is made. So far, Leviathan has had a pretty mixed reaction online from audiences and critics alike. Given the way this show is set up, and the ending we receive, we're predicting that this will be renewed for a second season. We may be going out on a limb here, but given the recent news about Netflix's impressive anime stats, plus the fact there are two other novels to adapt, this one seems tailor-made for a multi-season arc. Completion rate is also an important point to note here too, and we do know that Netflix examine this closely with any show. It can sometimes take a while for the numbers to be collated though. However, we could be proven wrong here and there may be a massive audience for this one. For now, we'll have to wait and see what happens! What we know about season 2 so far: Barely anything is known about Leviathan season 2 at this point given Netflix haven't officially renewed or cancelled this one. Given the first season's conclusion, it does seem like it could be brought back for more drama and pick up where it left off. If Leviathan does return, expect another 10 episode season and the same style of grandiose adventure and drama from before. Until Netflix makes an official announcement, we'll keep this article updated with any new information. Would you like to see Leviathan return for a second season? What's been your favourite part of the show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Gizmodo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
How Netflix's ‘Leviathan' United Japanese Animation and Western Imagination
Leviathan, the latest collaboration between Beastars' Studio Orange and Star Wars: Visions producer Qubic Pictures, marks Netflix's entry—alongside Crunchyroll—into the realm of Western novel-to-anime adaptations, echoing a path carved by the Answer Studio's Anne Shirley. Based on Scott Westerfeld and Keith Thompson's 2009 steampunk alternate history of World War I (featuring mechs and living animal airships), the anime aims to go beyond a copy-paste replication of its source material. With the original creators actively involved in its production, Qubic and Orange endeavored to create an adaptation that evolves into a culturally rich, visually stunning reimagining for both old and new audiences of its fantastical story. io9 spoke with Yoshihiro Watanabe, the producer from Studio Orange, along with Justin Leach and Kat Minett from Qubic Pictures about how their collaboration to adapt Westerfeld's novel into an anime came about, the technical and artistic breakthroughs and challenges they faced in bringing the 3DCG anime to life, and whether there are plans for further projects in the world of Leviathan. Isaiah Colbert, io9: What drew Qubic Pictures and Studio Orange to adapt Leviathan's Western steampunk work into Japanese animation? Justin Leach: We were captivated by Scott Westerfeld's vivid world-building and Keith Thompson's intricate visual storytelling. Leviathan uniquely blends steampunk machinery with organic biotechnology, resonating deeply with anime's affinity for imaginative, detailed universes. The narrative's exploration of cultural exchange and identity perfectly aligns with Qubic Pictures' commitment to bridging Japanese and Western storytelling. For Studio Orange, known for pioneering cutting-edge 3D animation, Leviathan offered an exciting opportunity to showcase their distinctive visual style through the dynamic interplay of mechanical and organic aesthetics. Yoshihiro Watanabe: We were looking for the next project after Trigun Stampede at the time we were just releasing the first season of Beastars. Leviathan had wonderful and strong attractive characters that works best and also challenge new things with our storytelling and animation principles. io9: Last time Qubic spoke with io9, CEO Justin Leach mentioned that the teams collaborated with Scott Westerfeld and Keith Thompson on the show. What kind of input and suggestions did they bring into the anime's production to reimagine their world into the anime medium? Leach: Scott and Keith were deeply involved from the outset, offering invaluable insights into maintaining the novel's essence while adapting it into an anime format. Scott provided guidance on character depictions, narrative pacing, and character arcs to ensure emotional resonance within our adaptation. Keith's detailed visual references, encyclopedic knowledge, and original designs helped Studio Orange faithfully translate the Clanker and Darwinist aesthetics into animation, providing a strong foundation from which the studio could expand creatively while remaining true to the source material. Minett: We talked a lot with Scott and Keith in the early stages of production. They gave us a lot of advice regarding their initial inspirations and the research they did to make the books and illustrations. Scott gave us a lot of advice about the characterization and we talked a lot with Keith about the mecha and creature designs, such as what real-world elements he incorporated into designs like the Loris and the Huxley. Watanabe: From the studio side, how Scott and Keith worked with us was very encouraging as a creative ensemble. They have much respect to other creatives, bringing the best things they can to the table at the same time, very observant and precise in conducting what defines the world and characters of Leviathan. io9: Studio Orange is renowned for being one of, if not the best, animation production studios in terms of 3D animation. Leviathan features a mix of mechanical war machines and genetically engineered airships, giving the show a unique visual style compared to Orange's previous works. How did Orange approach balancing organic and industrial aesthetics in the animation design? Leach: Studio Orange aimed to create a sharp visual contrast between the Clanker and Darwinist worlds to highlight the distinct backgrounds of Alek and Sharp. For the Clankers' mechanical contraptions, Orange employed advanced 3D modeling and rigging techniques, collaborating closely with a dedicated mecha designer to meticulously integrate detailed mechanical complexity that emphasized their rigid, industrial precision. The team also worked alongside a military historian, ensuring intricate details—from buttons to military uniforms—were accurately depicted. Conversely, the Darwinist airships featured fluid, organic designs to underscore their biological and lifelike warmth. This deliberate juxtaposition between mechanical rigidity and organic fluidity not only heightened visual depth but also reinforced the narrative impact by vividly illustrating the contrasting worlds from which the characters originate. io9: What were the most significant technical or artistic challenges the team faced in bringing any of the novel's Darwinist vs. Clanker grandeur—be it the HMS Leviathan and its metal automatons or the expressive character actions of its cast—to life? Leach: A significant challenge was capturing the immense scale and intricate detailing of the HMS Leviathan in relation to the characters onboard and the various enemies Leviathan confronts throughout the series. Studio Orange developed new animation workflows to seamlessly blend dynamic interactions with subtle and nuanced emotional performances. They created an innovative system allowing animators to rotate the camera around their characters, with faces automatically adjusting to maintain a visually correct 2D anime style appearance. Artistically, portraying the grandeur of Leviathan's battles alongside intimate character-driven moments required balancing epic scale with personal narratives—an intricate yet deeply rewarding creative process. io9: Can you discuss how the team secured the collaboration with Joe Hisaishi for the original songs for Leviathan? Did his role play a pivotal role in sonically shaping the tone of the series? Leach: Collaborating with Joe Hisaishi was a dream scenario. Our team reached out early in the development process, drawn to his iconic compositions that blend emotional depth with grand thematic scales—perfect for Leviathan's rich narrative tapestry. We wanted to create a timeless, classic, and epic adventure and felt his music could serve as a vital element of the story. Joe enthusiastically embraced the vision, crafting original music that significantly shaped the series' emotional identity. His involvement was transformative, adding layers of emotional resonance that elevated pivotal scenes and the overall storytelling experience. Additionally, our composers, Nobuko Toda and Kazuma Jinnouchi, created their own unique, powerful, and cinematic orchestral score for the show, paying tribute to and incorporating themes created by Joe Hisaishi. Minett: The songs from Joe Hisaishi were made quite early on as they are performed by the characters within the show, so we needed to make the animation around them. From the start, the director wanted music to be a key part of the show, and the songs were windows into the characters' emotions. The music Hisaishi made fulfilled this purpose and more—setting the tone for the series. One thing in particular we wanted to achieve was to have the songs sound like they had existed for a long time as folksongs from their various cultures. We made sure period instruments and motifs were used in the creation of the songs to further enhance this point. Watanabe: Qubic brought the opportunity to work with the master, Joe Hisaishi. The music played a core element of the show's concept. In the first discussion of the music, I brought the idea of music that connects us, the one music that becomes our common language, that no matter where or who we are, it resonates with us. There is that one song, that is so influential, it makes way into every culture it crosses paths with. At times its tone and tune may change a bit so that we may not realize at first, but it connects us all. I believe that anime, animation, and music can become our common language for that moment that can connect all of us. io9: Were there any scenes or character moments that proved rewarding to adapt from the novels? Leach: Adapting the evolving relationship between protagonists Sharp and Alek proved especially rewarding. Their journey—from cautious strangers from conflicting nations to allies discovering shared humanity—captured the emotional heart of Leviathan. Visually depicting key moments, such as their initial encounters aboard the airship and pivotal battles, allowed us to fully explore their growing camaraderie and individual growth, making those adaptations deeply satisfying for both Qubic Pictures and Studio Orange. Minett: We wanted to keep the relationship between Alek and Sharp at the centre of the story, so their first meeting was an especially rewarding scene to work on. I also personally love all of the scenes with the Loris! Watanabe: There are many moments from Alek and Sharp that I cherish, especially how they realize their differences, admit one another as is, and choose the paths they continue to walk forward. When the two first meet at the cold glaciers, how their emotion and movements represents each side of warm beating Clankers and cold hard steel Darwinists, as they interact, each begin to influence the best of the elements to the other, eventually adopting those as their own Tesla's character came as a bit surprise since in the novels I did not imagine him to be as lively and fun a character as we had animated to. Hiroki Tochi, the VA of Tesla, added a much vibrant character, and hearing this, our animators had fun animating such energy that we wanted to see and hear from Tesla. io9: Should Leviathan resonate with viewers on Netflix, are there plans to adapt the rest of the trilogy into an anime series? Leach: Our series actually covers all three books; however, the richness of the Leviathan universe and depth of the trilogy's narrative are ripe for continued exploration. Should audiences respond positively—and early reactions have been encouraging—and we receive blessings from Netflix and Scott, we would be very open to creating further adventures in this fascinating world and deepening the character narratives introduced this season. Minett: When we started working on this project, it was decided that we needed to adapt all of the trilogy in one series, so we approached the project with that in mind. However, if the reception is positive and our partners are willing, we would love to see how Sharp and Alek's journey continues after the show ends— with more travel, more beasties and more mecha! Watanabe: [I] would love to hear what the viewers say after they are done with the show. io9: What do you hope audiences take away from Leviathan's story, especially with its elements touching on global conflicts within nations and young people's desire to be change makers? Leach: At its core, Leviathan explores empathy, identity, and cross-cultural understanding. We hope audiences resonate with the journey of young characters learning to see beyond national identities, discovering shared values and common humanity amidst conflict. By highlighting youthful courage and the transformative potential of mutual understanding, we aim to inspire viewers to believe in their ability to influence positive change in a divided world. Minett: Even the smallest actions can create waves of change. Leviathan is streaming on Netflix. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Toronto Sun
09-07-2025
- Toronto Sun
3 adults, youth charged after reckless driving incident in Mississauga
People wave Jordanian flags out of a car driving along Platinum Dr. in Mississauga, Ont. Photo by Police handout Three adults and a youth were charged in connection with a viral video of reckless driving along a Mississauga street. The video, posted widely on social media, depicts a number of young men hanging out of three vehicles — a white Audi SUV, a Mitsubishi Lancer and a Toyota Prius — that weave in and out of oncoming lanes along Platinum Dr. near Ridgeway Plaza in Erin Mills. In the video, people are seen hanging out cars while waving Jordanian flags, while another — the white Audi — had a red Jordanian keffiyeh stretched across its hood with a man hanging out of the sunroof with a similar keffiyeh draped over his shoulders. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The law exemption for those with keffiyehs & Palestinian flags has now been applied to Ontario vehicles allowing cars to veer onto oncoming traffic & ignore lanes. No laws apply to those in the Free Palestine movement as seen here on Platinum Drive in Mississauga @PeelPolice — Leviathan (@l3v1at4an) May 26, 2025 The video shows cars swerving into the path of oncoming vehicles, forcing some to pull over to avoid a collision. The video was shot on May 25, the day Jordan celebrated its 79th year of independence. Read More Yazzeed Alshawabkeh, 28, Amer Alykid, 21, Faisal Al-Azzam, 21, and a 16-year-old youth face a slew of charges, including careless driving, dangerous operation, operating without insurance and failing to wear a seatbelt — as well as a G1-level licence holder not being accompanied by a qualified driver. Anybody with information should call Peel police at 905-453-3311 or Crime Stoppers. bpassifiume@ X: @bryanpassifiume RECOMMENDED VIDEO Olympics Basketball Uncategorized Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA
Time Magazine
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
Here's What's New on Netflix in July 2025
We're going to need a bigger boat for Netflix's July lineup. For the 50th anniversary of Jaws, find Jaws, Jaws 2, Jaws 3, and Jaws: The Revenge on Netflix July 15. On July 4, Netflix is releasing its own shark movie All the Sharks, a documentary series about shark experts photographing sharks around the world. And speaking of oceans: catch Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Thirteen, and Ocean's Twelve before they leave the streaming site on July 1. Here's everything coming to Netflix in July 2025—and what's leaving. Here are the Netflix originals coming in July 2025 July 1 Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel July 2 The Old Guard 2 Tour de France: Unchained (Season 3) July 3 Countdown: Taylor vs. Serrano The Sandman: Season 2, Volume 1 July 4 All the Sharks July 5 The Summer Hikaru Died July 8 Better Late Than Single Nate Jackson: Super Funny Quarterback (Season 2) Trainwreck: The Real Project X July 9 Building the Band The Gringo Hunters Under a Dark Sun Ziam July 10 7 Bears Brick Leviathan Off Road Too Much July 11 Aap Jaisa Koi Almost Cops Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3 Tyler Perry's Madea's Destination Wedding July 14 Apocalypse in the Tropics Sakamoto Days: Season 1 Part 2 July 15 Trainwreck: Balloon Boy July 16 Amy Bradley Is Missing July 17 Catalog Community Squad (Season 2) Untamed July 18 Almost Family Delirium I'm Still a Superstar Superstar Vir Das: Fool Volume Wall to Wall July 22 Trainwreck: P.I. Moms July 23 Critical: Between Life and Death Letters from the Past July 24 A Normal Woman Hitmakers My Melody & Kuromi The Sandman: Season 2 Volume 2 July 25 Happy Gilmore 2 Trigger The Winning Try July 29 Dusty Slay: Wet Heat Trainwreck: Storm Area 51 WWE: Unreal July 30 Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes Unspeakable Sins July 31 An Honest Life Glass Heart Leanne Marked The Sandman: Season 2 (Special Episode) Here are the TV shows and movies coming to Netflix in July 2025 July 1 17 Again Annie (1982) Blow Born on the Fourth of July Captain Phillips The Deer Hunter Friday Night Lights Here Comes the Boom The Hitman's Bodyguard The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard Horrible Bosses The Karate Kid The Karate Kid The Karate Kid Part II The Karate Kid Part III Mission: Impossible Mission: Impossible II Mission: Impossible III Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation Mom: Seasons 1-8 The Notebook Pacific Rim PAW Patrol: Seasons 2-3 Portlandia: Seasons 1-8 The Sweetest Thing Tangerine V for Vendetta White Chicks Yellowjackets: Season 2 Zathura: A Space Adventure July 3 Mr. Robot (Seasons 1-4) July 8 A Star is Born Sullivan's Crossing: Seasons 1-2 July 9 Mad Max: Fury Road July 10 Sneaky Pete (Seasons 1-3) July 15 Entitled (Season 1) Jaws Jaws 2 Jaws 3 Jaws: The Revenge July 16 Mamma Mia! Wanted July 19 Eight for Silver July 21 The Hunting Wives (Season 1) The Steve Harvey Show (Seasons 1-6) July 23 Hightown (Seasons 1-3) House of Lies (Seasons 1-5) July 28 The Lazarus Project (Season 1-2) Here's what's leaving Netflix in July 2025 July 1 13 Going on 30 28 Days 3 Ninjas: Kick Back Annabelle Colombiana Constantine Couples Retreat Crazy, Stupid, Love. Do the Right Thing Draft Day Dune: Part Two Friends with Money Geostorm Get Him to the Greek Hotel Transylvania Hotel Transylvania 2 I Know What You Did Last Summer Loudermilk: Seasons 1-3 The Net The Nun Obsessed Ocean's Eleven Ocean's Thirteen Ocean's Twelve Resident Evil: Retribution Runaway Jury Sicario: Day of the Soldado Sisters Twilight The Twilight Saga: New Moon The Twilight Saga: Eclipse The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2 The Wonder Years: Seasons 1-2 July 3 Insecure: Seasons 1-5 July 4 80 for Brady July 5 The Addams Family July 8 This Is Us: Seasons 1-6 July 13 Life or Something Like It July 15 Barbie July 16 Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga July 22 Call My Agent!: Seasons 1-4 July 25 Scream VI July 26 Wynonna Earp: Seasons 1-4 July 28 Sonic the Hedgehog 2 July 30 The Kingdom
