What’s Geeky in January 2024?

Happy New Year, geeks!

The new year is upon us and that means all new geeky media for us to consume. And we have a lot coming our way. From a new anime about eating monsters to the first Prince of Persia game in a decade, to more dark fantasy books that you can shake a sword at (including a new title by Sarah J. Maas), there are plenty of New Year’s goodies for us to enjoy.

Let’s dive right in, shall we?

Movies/TV Shows:

January 4^th:

Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale

AMC+

In a town where witches live in the open, the daughter of a witch has been accused of murdering a young man with magic. Protesting their innocence, the town’s women witness their former friends and neighbors turn against them.

Delicious in Dungeon, season 1

Netflix

After the party’s mage is devoured by a dragon in a dungeon, the remaining band of adventurers discover that they have also lost all of their supplies. In order to survive long enough to rescue their friend before she gets digested, the team is forced to cook and eat monsters.

January 7^th:

Attack on Titan, The Final Chapters, Part 2– English Dub

Crunchyroll

Having survived the destruction of Liberio, the remaining Scouts and Warriors engage in a last-ditch battle on the back of the Founding Titan—who was once their friend, Eren Jaeger. It looks like this will be the absolute last (for real this time) episode in the long-running anime.

January 9^th:

La Brea, season 3

NBC/next day on Peacock

Having found each other back in 10,000 BC, the Harris family along with the other survivors have once again been ripped apart by the time portal in a mysterious lab. But that is hardly the end for this group as they uncover new mysteries, and prehistoric monsters, as they try to get back together and go home in this third and final season.

January 10^th:

Echo, season 1

Disney+

This spin-off series from 2021’s Hawkeye sees Maya Lopez, former leader of the Tracksuit Mafia and adopted daughter of Wilson Fisk, return to her hometown in Oklahoma to come to terms with her past and reconnect with her Native American roots. 

Metallic Rouge

Crunchyroll

In this noir sci-fi anime, animated by the same studio that brought us Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, we follow Rouge, an android who has been tasked by the government to murder nine androids on Mars. But when Rouge and her partner Naomi start talking to their targets, they realize that not all is as it seems.

January 11^th:

The Witch and the Beast

Crunchyroll

Quiet Ashaf and the hot-tempered Guidea are two members of the Order of Magical Resonance who investigate mysterious cases of supernatural phenomena. Their job is to hunt down any monsters who prey on humans and they don’t care who they have to kill to get to their target… be it an army garrison or an angry mob.

January 12^th:

The Book of Clarence

In Theaters

This comedy-drama of biblical proportions sees LaKeith Stanfield as the debt-ridden conman Clarence (twin-brother of the apostle Thomas) who looks to the example of Jesus Christ as a get-rich-quick scheme. But when his antics run him afoul of the Roman governor Pontius Pilate (James McAvoy), he’ll have to see just how much of a believer he actually is.

T.I.M.

Netflix

When prosthetics engineer Abi is told to bring home her company’s android called T.I.M., she’s thrilled. T.I.M. also seems thrilled, a little too thrilled, and it isn’t long before the android starts to show a dangerous obsession with the young woman.

January 16^th:

Project Dorothy

Limited Release

After a botched robbery leaves two men wounded and on the run, they take refuge in an abandoned science facility only to later realize that the entire lab is under the control of a dangerous A.I. named Dorothy with the ability to hack into almost anything.

January 19^th:

Hazbin Hotel, season 1

Prime

Charlie Morningstar, a princess of Hell, opens a hotel with the help of her girlfriend to rehabilitate and redeem the souls of sinners in the black comedy animated musical series from the creator of the hit YouTube series Helluva Boss.

I.S.S.

In Theaters

As a world war erupts back on earth with nuclear blasts, both US and Russian astronauts are given a single order from their governments: take control of the International Space Station at all costs.

Distant

In Theaters

An asteroid miner crash lands on an alien planet and has to make it over to save his fellow crew member without enough oxygen as alien creatures begin to hunt him. In addition to starring Anthony Ramos and Naomi Scott, this movie also features Star Trek’s Zachary Quinto and Game of Thrones’ Kristofer Hivju.

The Kitchen

Netflix

In a dystopian future in London, all social housing has been eliminated with the exception of The Kitchen, the last remaining community that refuses to leave their homes. This is the home of the criminal Izi and the orphaned Benji, both of whom struggle to forge relationships in a world that wants to get rid of them.

January 26^th:

Badland Hunters

Netflix

After an earthquake transforms Seoul into an apocalyptic wasteland, Nam-san is a relentless wasteland hunter who is tasked with transporting a doctor who had survived the catastrophe and his trusted partner, all while keeping an eye on the brave girl who insists on following Nam-san. This K-Drama is the sequel to the 2023 drama Concrete Utopia about the residents of the only apartment building to survive a devastating earthquake.

To Be Announced Titles

It is a very frustrating fact that the details about many movies and shows are not released early enough for us to include all of the facts in our articles. That said, here is a title that I couldn’t not mention.

Moonrise

Netflix

Not much has been revealed about this new anime show on Netflix (including the release date), but it is slated to come out in January. This show will follow a young man as he enlists in the army to fight rebels on the Moon, only to discover that his best friend is now his enemy. Also, fun fact, the characters for this anime were designed by Hiromu Arakawa, the same genius behind Full Metal Alchemist.

Video Games

January 11^th:

Laika: Aged Through Blood

Switch

Originally released for PlayStation and Xbox in October, this post-apocalyptic metroidvania is now available on Steam. In a world dominated by fascist birds, the coyote Laika is a cursed immortal who defends her home from the back of her motorcycle and with the help of her trusty revolver.

Momodora: Moonlit Farewell

PC

This Metroidvania game, and the sequel to Momodora III, follows the priestess Momo Reinol as she is sent by her village matriarch to hunt down whoever has begun ringing an ominous bell and summoning the demons that have begun attacking the village of Koho.

January 12^th:

Crystal Story: Dawn of Dusk

PC

This first installment in the Crystal Story epic takes us to a new world full of mystery and adventure. With turn-based battles, fast-paced action, and retro-style graphics there’s a lot to love about this adventure as you follow Mina on her quest to rescue her brother from the demon Termina.

Gungrave G.O.R.E. Ultimate Enhanced Edition

Switch

In Gungrave G.O.R.E. you take on the role of Grave, a resurrected gunslinger with a score to settle in the Ultimate Enhanced Edition of the classic JRPG. Arriving in Scumland to stop a powerful drug from being distributed, a mercenary named Grave and his crew take the fight to the evil Raven Clan.

January 18^th:

DreadOut 2

Switch

Originally released in 2020, this survival horror game is based on Indonesian urban legends. You play as Linda, a high school student with the ability to sense and see ghosts, who hunts down dark forces with the aid of her trusty smartphone and an array of other weapons she picks up along the way.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

PS 5, Xbox S/X, PS 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC

Now with heavy Metroidvania elements, this new game follows a new protagonist named Sargon, an elite warrior of the Immortals who must travel to the cursed city of Mount Qaf to rescue the kidnapped Prince Ghassan. While Sargon himself does not have the time power abilities of the original Prince of Persia, the game’s antagonist Vahram does.

Bulletstorm VR

PS VR2, Quest, PC

This brutal FPS, now redesigned for control in Virtual Reality, allows you to become the hotheaded space mercenary Grayson Hunt, stranded in the hostile and mutated world of Stygia. This VR game also comes with exclusive content that lets you also play as the badass Trishka in two all-new levels.

Turnip Boy Robs a Bank

Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, PC

This new wacky adventure with roguelike elements, follows Turnip Boy on a wacky new adventure: robbing a bank. With a massive array of weapons, shootouts with security guards and SWAT teams, and a big ol’ bank to explore and loot, this game is bound to be lots of fun.

January 19^th:

Another Code: Recollection

Switch

In this two-game collection, you play as Ashley Robins on your quest to discover what really happened to your parents, the mystery of the ghost boy you met on Blood Edward Island, and the lost memories of your time at Lake Juliet. Solve puzzles, gather clues, and uncover the truth.

The Last of Us Part II: Remastered

PS 5

This beautiful game needs no introduction. The remastered version features improved visuals specially designed for the PlayStation 5. Jump back into the shoes of Ellie and Abby as they traverse the post-apocalyptic US in an epic and tragic quest for survival and revenge.

January 23^rd:

Graven

PC

In this first-person puzzler with a 90’s aesthetic, you play as a priest who was wrongly convicted of a terrible crime, who now must fight against the heretical sects in a dark fantasy world in order to earn his peace.

Howl

PS 5, Xbox X/S

A terrible “howling plague” has engulfed the land, turning all of the infected into feral beasts. You, however, play as a deaf heroine searching for a cure and her missing brother in this turn-based strategy game. Forge your own destiny in this imaginative and beautifully crafted adventure.

Neptunia: Sisters vs. Sisters

Switch

Now available on Switch, Neptunia follows the Goddess Candidates, the younger sisters of the four Goddesses of Gamindustri, in their quest to save the world. After accidentally unleashing the evil Ashen Goddess, the Goddess Candidates awaken from their two-year slumber to hack and slash their way through a sea of monsters.

January 25^th:

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy

PS 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC

All three games, featuring all 16 episodes (including the DLC-only episodes), follow rookie attorney Apollo Justice and his mentor Phoenix Wright in this anime visual novel. Begin the legal career your parents always wished you’d had and shout “Objection” in a packed courtroom to defend your client.

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon on Serpentcoil Island

Switch

The sixth main entry in the Shiren the Wanderer roguelike series sees our heroes Shiren and Koppa chase after a fortune said to be guarded by a monster on Serpentcoil Island—a journey into the depths of the ever-changing Mystery Dungeon with a wide cast of characters in unforgiving combat.

Touhou Luna Nights

PS 4, PS 5

The head vampire of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Remilia Scarlet, has sent her maid Sakuya Izayoi into a different world full of interesting and dangerous youkai for unknown reasons. But Sakua Izayoi is not defenseless with an array of martial arts skills and a time manipulation ability that allows her to stop time in this Metroidvania title.

Under Night In-Birth II

PS 4, PS 5, Switch, PC

Choose from a roster of 24 characters in this 2D Fighter Arcade with beautifully rendered HD pixel art graphics and the first numbered sequel in the Under Night In-Birth series. Join the fight in the final chapter of The Hollow Night.

January 26^th:

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

PS 5, Xbox X/S, PS 4, Xbox One, PC

Ichiban Kasuga is on a quest to find his mother who takes him from Tokyo to Hawaii. Along the way, after being drugged and left naked on a busy beach, he’ll team up with Kazuma Kiryu, a broken man facing down his last days, as they take on the Hawaiian yakuza to save the day.

Tekken 8

PS 5, Xbox X/S, PC

Having defeated his father, Kazuya Mishima continues his conquest of the world with the help of the forces of G Corporation in an ultimate reign of terror. Standing in his way is Kazuya’s son, Jin Kazama, who must meet his fate in an earth-shattering father-and-son grudge match.

January 30^th:

The Lost Legends of Redwall: The Scout Anthology

PS 5, Xbox X/S, PS 4, Xbox One, PC

Return to the Mossflower Woods of Brian Jacques, in this new adventure in three acts. Follow the adventures of Liam and Sophia, the newest fieldmice members of the Lilygrove Scout Corps, who must defend their woodland friends, and their home at Redwall Abbey, when an army of vicious Sea Rats invade.

January 31^st:

BlazBlue Entropy Effect

PC

This action RPG sees you journey into the cyber world to save the physical one in this spin-off series based on the BlazBlue series of video games. Play as ten different characters with vibrant personalities and immersive voice-acting in this game that will allow you to choose humanity’s future.

Books:

January 2^nd:

• Weird World War by Sean Patrick Hazlett—Military Fantasy/Sci-Fi
• Hana the Thunder Dragon by Maddy Mara—Book 13 of Dragon Girls, Kids’ Fantasy
• Among the Gray Lords by D.J. Butler—Book 3 of Indrajit & Fix, Sci-Fi, Space Opera, Adventure, Comedy
• The Curse of Eelgrass Bog by Mary Averling—Kids’ Fantasy, Horror, LGBTQ
• Sky’s End by Marc J. Gregson—Book 1 of Above the Black, YA Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror
• Okay, Cupid by Mason Deaver—YA Fantasy, Romance, LGBTQ
• A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft—YA Fantasy, Romance
• Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amelie Wen Zhao—Book 2 of Song of the Last Kingdom, YA Epic Fantasy

January 9^th:

• Somewhere in the Deep by Tanvi Berwah—YA Dark Fantasy, Horror
• The War of the Witches by Zetta Elliott—Book 5 of Dragons in a Bag, Kids’ Fantasy, African American
• The Lost Ones by Lauren DeStefano—Book 2 of The Dark Ascension Series, YA Dark Fantasy, eBook
• The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake—Book 3 of Atlas, Dark Fantasy
• The Slain Divine by David Dalglish—Book 3 of Vagrant Gods, Epic Fantasy
• Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire—Book 9 of Wayward Children, Dark Fantasy

January 10^th:

• Also the Cat by Rachel Swirsky—Fantasy, Horror, eBook

January 16^th:

• Pillar of Ash by H.M. Long—Book 4 of The Four Pillars, Epic Fantasy, Adventure
• A Drop of Venom by Sajni Patel—YA Dark Fantasy, Rick Riordan Presents
• Machine Vendetta by Alastair Reynolds—Book 3 of The Prefect Dreyfus Emergencies, Space Opera
• The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler—Sci-Fi
• The Parliament by Aimee Pokwatka—Dark Fantasy
• Beasts of War by Ayana Gray—Book 3 of Beasts of Prey, YA Fantasy, Adventure
• Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett—Fantasy, Adventure
• To Challenge Heaven by David Weber—Sci-Fi, Space Opera
• Kit and the Nine-Tailed Fox by Lauren Magaziner—Book 3 of The Mythics, Kids’ Fantasy

January 23^rd:

• Kinning by Nisi Shawl—Book 2 of Everfair, Fantasy/Sci-Fi, Alternate History, African American
• Destroy the Day by Brigid Kemmerer—Book 3 of Defy the Night, YA Fantasy, Romance, Steampunk
• Luck of the Unicorn by Amy Krouse Rosenthal—Kids’ Fantasy
• Into the Sunken City by Dinesh Thiru—YA Fantasy, Romance
• Exordia by Seth Dickinson—Space Opera
• Emma and the Love Spell by Meredith Ireland—Kids’ Fantasy, LGBTQ
• Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase—Sci-Fi, Horror
• Faebound by Saara El-Arifi—Book 1 of Faebound, Epic Fantasy, Military, Romance, African American
• The Last Ice Phoenix by Megan Reyes—Book 2 of Heroes of Havensong, Kids’ Fantasy
• From the Forest by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.—Book 23 of The Saga of Recluce, Epic Fantasy

January 30^th:

• A Reckless Oath by Kaylie Smith—Book 2 of Heartless Fates, YA Dark Fantasy, LGBTQ
• These Deadly Prophecies by Andrea Tang—YA Fantasy, Comedy
• The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers—Dark Fantasy
• A Quantum Love Story by Mike Chen—Sci-Fi, Romance, Comedy
• Once a Queen by Sarah Arthur—YA Fantasy, Fairy Tales
• The Dark Fable by Katherine Harbour—YA Fantasy
• House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas—Book 3 of Crescent City, Dark Fantasy, Romance
• The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland—YA Dark Fantasy, Mystery
• Escape from Valo by Daniel Jose Older—Star Wars: The High Republic, Sci-Fi, Space Opera

That’s January

That’s January, folks!

We’ve got a lot of stuff to look forward to this month and even more stuff to look forward to next month. Sign up for Geek Alerts to be the first one to hear all about it.

Keep it Geeky!