It’s official: the Internet just can’t get enough of “KPop Demon Hunters.” The latest visual spectacle from Sony Animation joined our streaming watchlists on June 20 and came out swinging with spunky characters, fantastical story arcs, and a five-star chart-topping soundtrack that every idol fan, old and new, now swears by.
This musical adventure follows our all-rounder queens Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Yoo Ji-young) on an action-packed mission of a lifetime as hit idol girl group HUNTR/X (pronounced Hun-tricks, don’t get it twisted) by day and butt-kicking, sword-wielding demon slayers by night. Their unique personalities, undeniable star power, and heartfelt origin stories make it almost impossible to choose a bias, but we won’t judge. OT3 stans are more than welcome in this fandom that’s growing faster than you can say, “HUNTR/X don’t miss!”
Rumi, Mira, and Zoey aren’t the only reasons behind the world’s avid support for “KPop Demon Hunters.” Whether you’ve already spent years in the depths of the global idol world with a hundred groups on your stan list, or if the film is your introduction to the vibrant and restless industry, it only takes one watch to know that this animated original is a labor of love. It’s not every day that you come across an outpouring of talent and creativity that knows its audience by heart, and “KPop Demon Hunters” embodies that competence to a tee. And don’t get us started on the Filipino dub that’s sharp, punchy, and radiating with solid P-pop energy from our own voice actors and talents.
Photo: Netflix/YouTube
What’s not to admire about this modern-day love letter to eras’ worth of South Korean history, culture, entertainment, and art? “KPop Demon Hunters” is only on its first streaming week and we’re already craving more. But let’s not get ahead of any possible developments for a sequel or “This Patch” updates on the brewing romance between Rumi and her charismatic demon rival, Jinu (Ahn Hyo-seop). While we wait, these original animated masterpieces will add bursts of magic to your everyday life that’ll help you stay grounded and attuned to your roots.
Over the Moon (2020)
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As young, rebellious adventurer Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) nurses her grief, heartbreak, and familial conflict, she embarks on the most ambitious intergalactic quest of her life: building a rocketship, flying to the moon, and befriending the mythical goddess, Chang’e. You know you’ve found a gem in your streaming roster when Phillipa Soo, Broadway’s undisputed Eliza Hamilton, voices a cunning yet scorned space queen who throws parties on the moon like there’s no tomorrow. Soo is mesmerizing as Chang’e, elevating the film’s extraordinary storytelling of China’s traditions and ancient folklore through her jaw-dropping vocals. Some of you might’ve never streamed her song “Ultraluminary” (and the rest of “Over the Moon’s” superb soundtrack) before, and that changes today. Your Spotify Wrapped results this year won’t know what hit them.
Lost in Starlight (2025)
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One thing about South Korean romance dramas: they know a certified tear-jerker from the back of their heads. “Lost in Starlight” is no exception. Netflix’s first South Korean original animated film sees star-crossed lovers Nan-young (Kim Tae-ri) and Jay (Hong Kyung) traversing the earth and cosmos in a whirlwind of longing, loss, hope, and sky-high aspirations. If you’re a sucker for riveting, emotionally charged relationships—think “Your Name,” “Weathering With You,” and “Howl’s Moving Castle”—then you’re bound to make room in your heart for “Lost in Starlight.” Fair warning, though: if you’re chronically single and plan to watch this film, there’s a fair chance you’ll want to throw caution to the wind in the name of true love.
Ultraman: Rising (2024)
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If a professional baseball player with a sharp jawline, piercings, and spiky black hair has graced your TikTok For You Page at least once in the past year, don’t question it. That’s Ken Sato (Christopher Sean), protagonist and crime-fighting frontman of the thrilling animated superhero movie “Ultraman Rising.” It draws inspiration from the long-running “Ultraman” science fiction franchise that dates back to the 1960s. Fast forward to the 2020s, “Ultraman Rising” stays faithful to its original creators and the Japanese pop culture mainstays they shed light on. The animated film vividly portrays Japan’s city life through each character’s trials, tribulations, and jam-packed journeys that are equal parts grit and grace.
Nimona (2023)
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It’s gritty, it’s gutsy, it’s peak girlboss energy. Friends, foes, and freakishly endearing creatures take flight in “Nimona,” where our titular shape-shifting teenage girl (Chloë Grace-Moretz) crosses the line of “anti” and “hero” like it’s a jumping rope. Nothing beats the empowerment that comes with seeing a fictional fifteen-year-old lady make sense of the world through the fire in her eyes, passion in her heart, and total badass behavior in her veins. This medieval fantasy piece is nothing short of a swash-buckling trip, and Nimona’s fighting spirit remains strong and unshaken from start to finish. As early as the first watch, you can be assured that she’ll go places.
The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021)
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When the world is overrun by killer android assistants (hmm, sounds oddly similar to our current timeline, doesn’t it?), it’s up to the rag-tag Mitchell family to save humanity and put an end to the no-good robots’ shenanigans. This sci-fi comedy for all ages teaches us how acceptance, support, and constant communication in their most truthful forms are paramount to fostering love and harmony within a family. Like our own parents and siblings, the Mitchells will always be one another’s guiding lights in the real world. It’s only fair that they sort out their unaddressed problems, overcome their differences, brave through growing pains, and maximize their quality time together, robot uprising and all.
ALSO READ: New Filipino Animated Series “Sun Chaser” Is Making Waves Globally Ahead of Its Release
What are your favorite animated films and shows? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
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