Opening Thoughts

Oh my goodness! Sisters and brothers, 2025 is here! As a dedicated homebody who watches dramas, follows anime, and listens to music daily, I've been absolutely thrilled lately. All the major platforms are releasing their big news for the new year, and it's keeping me up at night! Today, I'll share the new releases that have me crazy excited - I guarantee they'll get you jumping with excitement too! Whether you're a drama fanatic, music enthusiast, or merchandise collector, these releases will definitely make you scream!

Classic Remakes

Sisters, you won't believe it! The remake news I've seen recently has me exploding with excitement! Guillermo del Toro's "The Shape of Water" is being re-released on November 26th, and I'm already screaming! This film dominated the 90th Academy Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Production Design, and Best Original Score! Honestly, I've watched it more than ten times, and I discover new details each time. The love story between the cleaning lady and the amphibian man really hits my emotional spot! Especially that scene when they meet in the laboratory - two lonely souls finally finding each other, that moment when their eyes meet just melts my heart!

Another huge announcement! William Wheeler's "Funny Girl" is getting a remake on November 19th! As a Broadway musical fangirl, this news has me jumping with joy! The original film tells the story of a young girl pursuing her dream of becoming a comedy performer on Broadway. You know what? Despite all the setbacks and failures the protagonist experiences in the show, she never gives up on her dream. Every time I see her shining on stage, I'm moved by her courage and persistence. The remake reportedly has major improvements in special effects and sound, plus some new musical elements - just thinking about it gets me super excited!

Artistic Treasures

Ahhh! Akira Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai" is being re-released on November 12th! As a Japanese film fan, this news is like a gift from heaven! This 1954 classic is absolutely the pinnacle of samurai films, no question! The movie tells the story of seven samurai protecting villagers against bandits, but it's not just an action film - it's an epic showcasing human nature and courage. The director portrays each character with incredible detail; the seven samurai each have their own unique personalities, stories, and beliefs. Especially the final battle scene - it's truly a classic among classics in film history!

Speaking of documentaries, "Ryuichi Sakamoto | Works" will meet us on November 19th! Oh my goodness! As a die-hard Sakamoto fan, I'm already counting down the days! This documentary, directed by Neo Sora, chronicles Sakamoto's musical journey from his golden age to later years. Have you heard his soundtrack for "The Last Emperor"? That theme song is so beautiful it brings tears to your eyes! In the documentary, we'll not only see his creative process but also understand his unique perspectives on music. By the way, I heard it includes many precious live performance footage - it's absolutely heaven for music fans!

New Music Releases

Oh my, oh my! 2025 starts with such a huge surprise! Beatles legend Ringo Starr has released a new album "Look Up"! I've been a Beatles fan since childhood, and my vinyl records are almost worn out from playing. Being able to hear Ringo's new work in 2025 feels like a dream! In the new album, Ringo maintains his signature style while incorporating many new elements. Especially the drum arrangements in the lead single - you can tell it's the work of the drumming god!

Speaking of new generation musicians, several recent albums are super impressive! Early James's "Medium Raw" perfectly blends blues and folk, each song telling a heartbreaking story. Sons Of Silver's "Runaway Emotions" goes to another extreme, full of rock elements with powerful songs throughout. Then there's Philmore Greene's "The Grand Design," a perfect combination of hip-hop and R&B with amazing lyrics!

The "Moana 2" soundtrack is coming too! "How Far I'll Go" from the first movie had so many people playing it on repeat until they went crazy. I remember listening to it for a whole month without getting tired! This time, they've reportedly invited more heavyweight musicians to participate in the creation, and the lyrics will be even more touching. I'm already anticipating the birth of new hit songs!

Merchandise Shopping

Sisters! This wave of merchandise is going to bankrupt me! The recent Pokémon plush toy series is explosively cute! The 15-inch giant Snorlax with its soft belly is perfect for sleeping with! The 20.25-inch giant Meowth with that expression is absolutely adorable, making it the perfect desk decoration! And the 12-inch giant Corviknight is super detailed, with amazing feather texture! Plus, the fabric used this time is especially comfortable, with better quality than previous series.

The recent badge series is super attractive too! The three evolution chain badge sets are stunning! The Litleo evolution chain design is super cute, from Pyroar to Luxray to RöntgenLeo, each design is super cool. The Pawmot evolution chain has great metallic finish, looking super stylish on bags. The Hatterene evolution chain has amazing color schemes, especially the Brionne one - it's full of girly charm! Plus, each badge has special pattern designs on the back that show different lustrous effects in sunlight - such thoughtful detail!

Shopping Advice

As an experienced shopper often criticized by my roommates for being a "shopaholic," I really want to share my shopping tips! First, for movie remakes, I suggest watching trailers on Bilibili first to see how much the picture and sound quality have improved. If it seems worth it, definitely support it in theaters! The visual impact on the big screen is on a totally different level from watching at home.

For music albums, I suggest listening first on NetEase Cloud Music or QQ Music, then buying physical albums for collection if you really like them. Many albums now come with special bonuses like posters, photo cards, or lyric books - getting limited editions is totally worth it!

I've learned so many lessons about merchandise! You must follow the official flagship stores! Many first-release specials are gone once they're missed. Plus, official stores guarantee quality - you won't get high-quality fakes. Oh, and if you want to save money, you can group order with friends, as many stores have discount promotions.

Closing Thoughts

Ahhh! Writing this gets me excited again! I really feel like 2025 is going to empty our wallets with all these new products! But looking at these amazing works, spending money seems worth it! Whether it's classic movie remakes or brand new music works, each one is full of sincerity. The cultural industry has developed so fast in recent years, with various new forms emerging constantly. It feels impossible to keep up, but this feeling is amazing!

Which works are you most looking forward to? Is it the remake of "The Shape of Water," or Ryuichi Sakamoto's documentary? Or the adorably cute Pokémon merchandise? Tell me in the comments! Let's look forward to the surprises these new releases will bring us! I've already started saving money, just waiting to go on a shopping spree!