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Reading The Wrong Way #12 - Ghost In The Shell

J.D. Skellington @jdkelly.bsky.social · 18d

You know, I don’t think I ever had any interest in watching fighting game competitions but then I went to Sajam Slam tonight. Now, I understand the exhilaration of the close match followed by the perfect K.O. and a competition coming down to the very final match. #twitchcon

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J.D. Skellington @jdkelly.bsky.social · Oct 5

Game #11 of 2025: Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire by Obsidian

Another sequel I played in 2025 that gave the party a ship to sail around the world and let them be/fight pirates and this might be my favorite. Really liked the turn-based mode and the new party members especially Maia.

#beatit2025

A slide from the ending of the game. All of the player's companions stand on the deck of the ship with a parchment colored text box describes how the player and their actions affected the party.

The final slide of the ending. The player's ship sails off into the sunset as the textbox reads: "As the Watcher of Caed Nua and the former Herald of Berath, you return to your ship and begin the long journey home. You hope for clam weather."

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J.D. Skellington @jdkelly.bsky.social · Oct 2

Never thought I’d get to say “Memes. The DNA of the soul,” on a podcast but then, this episode came along.

A-to-J Connections @atojconnections.bsky.social · Oct 2

The latest episode of our Manga of the Month podcast, Reading The Wrong Way, is now available! This time around we took a look at Masamune Shirow's classic series Ghost In The Shell! We had a lot to say about this one, so be sure to check it out via the link below!

open.spotify.com/episode/2jdE...

open.spotify.com

J.D. Skellington @jdkelly.bsky.social · Sep 19

Game #10 of 2025: Hollow Knight by Team Cherry

Decided to replay this before starting Silksong and also wanted to fight the true final boss as well. I didn't realize just how many things I had failed to uncover my first time playing it. I nearly doubled my playtime.

The end of Hollow Knight showing that I got 104% completion in 43 hours and 14 minutes.

A blank screen with the announcement that I unlocked the quest/achievement "Dream No More"

A message of congratulations from the developers Team Cherry:
"Congratulations. Well done on achieving this great feat. You persevered and you triumphed. We hope you enjoyed yourself in the world of Hollow Knight. We'll meet again soon on the road ahead."

The screen after game completion showing that I unlocked the quest/achievement "Completion."

Shine More Light: An Interview with BLUE ENCOUNT

Reposted by J.D. Skellington

A-to-J Connections @atojconnections.bsky.social · Sep 8

BLUE ENCOUNT is a band that's known for the work on anime like My Hero Academia, Gintama, and YAIBA: Samurai Legend. We recently got the chance to interview them at Anime Boston 2025, and you can check it out now via the link below!

Link: a-to-jconnections.com/visual-kei-j...

#BLUEENCOUNT

BLUE ENCOUNT Interview (Anime Boston 2025)

J.D. Skellington @jdkelly.bsky.social · Aug 19

I read this series earlier this year as part of my manga book club. The things I learned from this article really help me understand some of the work’s peculiarities.

Heart-shaped Box of Memories: A Princess Ai Retrospective

Reposted by J.D. Skellington

Anime Herald @animeherald.com · Aug 19

Heart-shaped Box of Memories: A "Princess Ai" Retrospective - Megan D explores the origins of Princess Ai, its cynical merchandising and multimedia plans, and its whimper of an exit from the market in a biting essay.

#manga #princessai

What began as one of Tokyopop’s first forays into original English language content became a fandom-wide joke thanks to the company’s increasingly desperate attempts to make it a multi-media success. Twenty years have passed since its debut, so it’s time to face the music and trace its rise and fall from grace.

hera.fyi

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J.D. Skellington @jdkelly.bsky.social · Aug 6

Game #9 of 2025: SteamWorld Heist II by Thunderful Gothenburg

Another great entry in the series. I started like a week ago and couldn't put it down. I had so much fun heading out to sea looking for the next mission. I also liked the class/skill system for its interesting combos.
#BeatIt2025

J.D. Skellington @jdkelly.bsky.social · Aug 6

Game #8 of 2025: Golden Sun: The Lost Age by Camelot

The Golden Sun has set. Replaying this with Hao on Golden Sunday over at @atojconnections.bsky.social has been a great time. Played this game so many times as a kid and I think it really holds up. Can’t wait to play Live A Live next. #beatit2025

The start of the credits for Golden Sun: The Lost Age. The following text in white on a black background:

Golden Sun: The Lost Age Staff
Game Planning
Hiroyuki Takahashi
Shugo Takahashi

The final scene of Golden Sun: The Lost Age. A landscape showing what used to be Mt. Aleph and the town of Vale in warm sunlight with the words The End in the bottom right corner.

a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of an american flag and saying we did it

J.D. Skellington @jdkelly.bsky.social · Aug 5

Can’t wait to hear what yawns sound like in 3D.

J.D. Skellington @jdkelly.bsky.social · Aug 5

Are you currently locked in a box with a flask of poison and a radioactive source?

J.D. Skellington @jdkelly.bsky.social · Aug 4

Spoiler Alert:

Alt: a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of an american flag and saying we did it

media.tenor.com

Alt: Star Wars GIF. Darth Vader yelling out, “No!” at the end of Episode III.

Reposted by J.D. Skellington

A-to-J Connections @atojconnections.bsky.social · Aug 3

The Golden Sun rises for what may be the final time. The Mars Lighthouse is ready to be lit but a few more bosses still stand in the way of J.D. and Hao. Will they finish their quest? Find out on #GoldenSunday live now on our Twitch: twitch.tv/atojplays

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J.D. Skellington @jdkelly.bsky.social · Aug 3

Star Wars GIF

media.tenor.com

Reposted by J.D. Skellington

Suzanne ✨🌑 @tendermiasma.com · Jul 28

PC Gamer is also covering steam/itch now
www.pcgamer.com/gaming-indus...

4 880 1.5K

J.D. Skellington @jdkelly.bsky.social · Jul 28

We lost to the last bonus boss...twice but we'll get 'em next week.

Reading The Wrong Way Podcast #10 - Dementia 21

Reposted by J.D. Skellington

A-to-J Connections @atojconnections.bsky.social · Jul 27

Reading the Wong Way is our monthly "Manga of the Month" podcast, and you can catch the latest episode over on Spotify! This time around we took a look at Shintaro Kago's English-language debut, Dementia 21! Check it out, and keep reading the wrong way!

open.spotify.com/episode/5S0g...

Reading The Wrong Way · Episode

open.spotify.com

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Reposted by J.D. Skellington

A-to-J Connections @atojconnections.bsky.social · Jul 27

The Golden Sun rises for what may be the final time. Only one more Djinni and a handful of summons remain before J.D. and Hao take on the final boss. Will they wrap it up the game this week? Find out on #GoldenSunday live now on our Twitch: twitch.tv/atojplays

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Reposted by J.D. Skellington

A-to-J Connections @atojconnections.bsky.social · Jul 21

We were lucky enough to attend the premiere of Science Saru's anime adaptation of Paru Itagaki's (Beastars) manga Sanda while at Anime Expo, and you can check out our thoughts on it via the link below!

Link: a-to-jconnections.com/animemangafi...

#SandaAnime

Sanda Anime Premiere Review (Anime Expo 2025)

Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine North American Premiere Review (Anime Expo 2025)

Reposted by J.D. Skellington

A-to-J Connections @atojconnections.bsky.social · Jul 16

We were lucky enough to catch the North American premiere of Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine at Anime Expo 2025, amd you can check out our thoughts on both the movie, and the recent franchise, via the link below!

Link: a-to-jconnections.com/animemangafi...

#DetectiveConan

The Summer Hikaru Died: Anime Expo 2025 Premiere Review

Reposted by J.D. Skellington

A-to-J Connections @atojconnections.bsky.social · Jul 20

We recently got the chance to attend the New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt premiere at Anime Expo 2025, and you can check out our thoughts on the long-awaited continuation via the link below!

Link: a-to-jconnections.com/animemangafi...

#NewPantyStocking

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Reposted by J.D. Skellington

A-to-J Connections @atojconnections.bsky.social · Jul 13

We were lucky enough to attend the premiere of the anime The Summer Hikaru Died at Anime Expo last weekend, and you can check out our thoughts on the show (which is now streaming on Netflix) via the link below!

Link: a-to-jconnections.com/animemangafi...

#TheSummerHikaruDied

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Reposted by J.D. Skellington

A-to-J Connections @atojconnections.bsky.social · Jul 13

After a break for AX, the Golden Sun rises once again again. Will J.D. and Hao complete Magma Rock and move on towards the final Lighthouse? Find out on #GoldenSunday live now on our Twitch: twitch.tv/atojplays

Twitch

Twitch is the world

twitch.tv

J.D. Skellington @jdkelly.bsky.social · Jul 10

Game #7 of 2025: Pepper Grinder by Ahr Ech

A fun game I could beat in a few hours while I play through longer ones and ones that never end. Fun design and overall gameplay. Some levels were more frustrating than difficult and felt like it wanted more precise control that it gave me.
#beatit2025

The dev credits for Pepper Grinder: "A game by Ahr Ech LLC, Riv Hester with music by." The composer's name is not in the screenshot.

The final stage clear screen of Pepper Grinder. The main character and one of the bosses look over a sea of gold and treasure while some of the final boss's minions stand in the foreground.