Netflix’s WWE, Abbott’s Always Sunny crossover and more new TV this week
We’re already well into the new year (six days), which means we’re well on our way to an onslaught of new TV.
Most of today’s shipping comes from Crunchyroll, where the winter anime season is in full swing. We only offered a handful the many premieres this week there, but suffice it to say: hard to go wrong! Especially with titles from CloverWorks, MAPPA and Toho all launching (and again, for starters!).
Of course, this week’s biggest Event™ comes in a few flavors: are you watching the brutal and cutthroat crossover event (Abbott Elementary meet It’s always sunny in Philadelphia), or are you watching WWE Raw on Netflix?
These are the best new TV premieres of the week.
Genre: Wrestling
Release date: January 6 at 5pm PST/8pm EST
Hosts: Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett
Netflix continues its streak of live programming with perhaps its biggest addition (after the NFL Christmas Beyoncé halftime show): WWE Monday Night Raw! If it’s anything like the rest of WWE, it’ll be surprisingly good, after about a year of the wrestling program remaking itself. If it’s anything like Netflix’s other live offerings, it’ll be glitchy as hell. Either way, it will definitely be an event.
Genre: Aging killer who just wants to live his life
Release date: January 11, with one episode
Studio: TMS entertainment
You know the story: a legendary assassin, Taro Sakamoto, was once feared by all who knew him. Then, one day, he retired, fell in love, gained weight, and now strives to live a conflict-free life with his wife and children. But his skills are still there, and so are his enemies. And so, Sakamoto will break his one rule to preserve the life he has, even if it means some crazy chaos ensues.
Abbott Elementary/It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover
Genre: Sitcom Hairstyles
Release date: January 8 at 8:30 PM EST; next day on Hulu
Showrunner/creator: Quinta Brunson
Form: Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph and more
Two shows, one hometown. How do Abbott’s teachers deal with Paddy’s Pub fuck-ups? My guess would be: Philly style. Beyond that – or even what that will actually mean – I don’t know. But something tells me that Frank and Mr. Johnson could hang up.
Genre: Cutthroat reality competition
Release date: January 9
Host: Alan Cumming
Form: A cast of killers who want to play the glorified mafia
A beautiful Scottish castle, a boisterous Scottish host and a host of ruthless gamers all out to grab the pot of money for themselves. Who will be called a traitor, who will be voted out and who will be assigned to eat shit in the Scottish countryside for one of the tasks?
Dr. Stone: Future of science
Genre: Fantasy
Release date: January 9
Studio: TMS entertainment
The gang returns to the Kingdom of Science after the battle on Treasure Island. But first they must gather all the necessary materials (via a trip to America) to continue their fight to save humanity once and for all.
The Apothecary Diaries season 2
Genre: Palace intrigues
Release date: January 10
Studio: Toho Animation Studio and OLM
There are increasing dangers in the palace, but Maomao must remain calm and do food testing. But there are plenty of developments that make that more difficult than ever: a favorite concubine who becomes pregnant, an attempt on Jinshi’s life and a foreign envoy with impossible demands – all just a day in the heart of the empire.
I may be a guild receptionist, but I’ll make every boss work solo to clock off on time
Genre: Boss bitch
Release date: January 10
Studio: Clover Works
Alina had the perfect stable, secure job as a guild receptionist. But her super cute uniform isn’t enough to deal with adventurers stuck clearing a dungeon. And so Alina does the only logical thing: hire bosses herself, under a secret identity. Is she powerful enough to stop her secret from turning her life upside down?
Toilet-bound Hanako-kun season 2
Genre: Paranormal jokes
Release date: January 11
Studio: Lerche
Kamome Academy has a rumor going around: is there a traitor among the Seven Wonders? Hanako, Nene Yashiro and Kou Minamoto work together to find the truth. With only five left, can they find the traitor before it’s too late?
The 100 Friends Who Really, Really, Really, Really Love You season 2
Genre: Romance x 100
Release date: January 12
Studio: Bibury Animation Studios
Rentaro Aijo was rejected countless times – until the God of Love promises that he will meet 100 people he is destined to date. Now in its second season, The 100 friends‘ A hundred girlfriends are all there and clamoring for Rentaro’s attention, leaving him to figure out how to deal with all these romantic entanglements.