Final Post of 2023

This year might have presented its challenges for many, but for me, it brought forth a plethora of positive moments. As this marks the final post of 2023, I wanted to make it special by recounting the nerdy highlights that I am grateful for. While I might have overlooked some events, the essence of this post is to emphasize that this year has been remarkable, notwithstanding the trials, and that amidst adversity, there were still moments of joy. 

1. The Year of Sanderson:

   One of the standout nerdy moments of the year was the "Year of Sanderson," during which Brandon Sanderson not only published four secret project books, and Defiant, but also surprised us with a novella he had written in college. You can read about the Secret Projects on our blog posts from throughout the year.

1. "Tress of the Emerald Sea" blog post by Michael
2. "The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England" blog post by Rob
3. "Yumi and the Nightmare Painter" blog post by Michael
4. "The Sunlit Man" blog post by Michael

2. The Boy and the Heron:

   Another unexpected delight was Hayao Miyazaki's release of a new film, The Boy and the Heron. Known for animated masterpieces like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, and Howl's moving Castle. Miyazaki had previously declared retirement. The announcement of The Boy and The Heron was a pleasant surprise, and the movie lived up to expectations. The dub cast featuring Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Hamill added to the enjoyment.

3. David Tennant's Return for the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary:

   In a unique turn of events, David Tennant reprised his role as the Doctor and assumed the role of the Fourteenth Doctor. Notably, Catherine Tate also returned as Donna for these three Doctor Who specials, creating excitement among fans. The specials are available for streaming on Disney+. 

4. The Super Mario Bros. Movie:

   Personally experiencing this movie in theaters left a positive experience. Surprisingly well-made, the film boasted a great dub cast, an enjoyable Bowser's Peach song, and a decent plot. If you haven't watched it yet, you're missing out—it's a highlight of 2023. 

5. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom:

   Shifting focus from books and movies, let's not forget the highly anticipated game release of the year: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Serving as a sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, this game merges the mechanics of its predecessor with elements of Minecraft, offering an open-world experience where players can construct anything they desire. It's a brilliant fusion and well worth the wait.

 

Looking back, what nerdy highlights from this year brought you excitement, and what are you eagerly anticipating in the coming year?