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Entertainment

7 Most Universally Beloved Anime of All Time, Ranked

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Edward Elric preparing a transmutation move in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Just as nothing is perfect, there is nothing that doesn’t have its share of hate. But even in anime, one of the most toxic communities, exist relatively beloved series. Shows such as One Piece and Attack on Titan are universally praised for their creativity, story, originality, and entertainment value, but as some of the most popular anime series ever, they have an equal amount of hate that comes with their praise.

It seems that everything has its haters nowadays, especially when something gets popular, then the haters suddenly appear to spread their dislike. However, there are a handful of universally beloved anime series, and this list will rank the seven of them based on how little hate they get, how much love they get, creativity, writing, animation, consistency, critical acclaim, and overall quality. Of course, even these anime get some hate, but it is hard to come by when compared to the majority of shows. Note that this list will only contain popular anime series that are beloved, and will not include lesser-known shows.

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Edward Elric preparing a transmutation move in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Edward Elric preparing a transmutation move in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Image via Crunchyroll

It is only natural for some of the most popular anime series to have a lot of negativity tied to them, but one show that has best avoided that is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Brothers Ed (Romi Park) and Al (Rie Kugimiya) lose parts or all of their bodies in a taboo experiment, which prompts them to search for the philosopher’s stone. However, when they uncover a government conspiracy, the duo must stop it before it consumes the entire world.

Out of all the anime listed here, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood does get some hate or claims of it being overrated, just because it is regarded by many as the greatest anime series of all time. Still, the massive amount of love proves that this anime has something for everyone, whether it be the action, story, comedy, drama, mystery, romance, worldbuilding, or well-written characters. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and for those who haven’t seen it, watching it will surely make them a fan.

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6

‘Azumanga Daioh’ (2002)

Girls in a music class in the anime series 'Azumanga Daioh'
Girls in a music class in the anime series ‘Azumanga Daioh’
Image via TV Tokyo

Comedy in anime isn’t for everyone, which is why when a good one comes along, it is often remembered for decades and goes down in history as a staple of the community. Azumanga Daioh follows a group of high school girls and the daily shenanigans they get up to. However, when an elementary student is fast-tracked because of her genius, she joins this group and changes the dynamic instantly, getting along with this eccentric, yet opposite bunch of endearing characters.

In a community untouched by hate and a show that is so fun, goofy, and wholesome that nobody could dare say anything bad about it, one hater does exist: the creator. It is ironic that the only hater of Azumanga Daioh is the manga author, who did not appreciate or enjoy the anime adaptation one bit. Either way, this anime is still a beloved comedy classic that features an eccentric group of characters and the hijinks that they get up to. Azumanga Daioh is silly and nonsensical, but that is exactly why so many people adore it.

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5

‘Haikyuu!’ (2014–Present)

Karasuno volleyball team celebrating on the court with a sparse crowd watching in Haikyu!!
Karasuno volleyball team celebrating on the court with a sparse crowd watching in Haikyu!!
Image via Crunchyroll

Volleyball isn’t the most riveting sport out there, but if one show will change the minds of fans, it is Haikyuu! Hinata (Ayumu Murase) may be undersized, but he has big aspirations of becoming a star volleyball player at his new school. However, he instantly clashes with a prodigious rookie setter known for being stubborn. The only thing they share in common is their goal of being the best, and the two will have to work together if they want to make this former powerhouse school relive its glory days.

The sports genre is one of the best in anime, constantly delivering exhilarating action and tense drama for fans to fall in love with. Haikyuu is the ultimate underdog story, and the way it develops characters, shows their flaws, and highlights their dynamics with others is a spectacular aspect that fans can agree is what this show does perfectly. Haikyuu doesn’t just show volleyball; it teaches it, allowing fans to learn with the characters, which builds a stronger bond between anime and fandom.

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4

‘Mob Psycho 100’ (2016–2022)

Mob pointing at a bunch of glowing spirits in Mob Psycho 100 Season 3.
Mob pointing at a bunch of glowing spirits in Mob Psycho 100 Season 3.
Image via Bones

ONE is a prolific author best known for One Punch Man, but after its most recent season, it is definitely not beloved. However, his other work, Mob Psycho 100, is universally acclaimed. Shigeo (Setsuo Itō) is the world’s strongest psychic, but despite his overwhelming strength, he only wants to have an average high school life and win over his crush. But because he suppresses his emotions, his psychic powers explode when he is overwhelmed, making life difficult for him, his friends, and his enemies.

Finding someone who dislikes Mob Psycho 100 is difficult because even if they aren’t a fan, it is rare for anyone actually to hate this anime. Mob is such an endearing character with some of the best character development in anime. But he isn’t the only adored character, as the entire cast is brimming with personality, especially Reigen (Takahiro Sakurai), whom the anime fandom universally agrees is one of the best side characters. Mob Psycho 100 is a modern masterpiece that excels at everything it does: animation, characters, action, comedy, and story, making it a flawless and beloved classic.













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Collider Exclusive · Action Hero Quiz
Which Action Hero Would Be
Your Perfect Partner?

Rambo · James Bond · Indiana Jones · John McClane · Ethan Hunt
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Five legends. Five completely different ways of getting out alive — with style, with muscle, with charm, with luck, or with a plan so intricate it probably shouldn’t work. Ten questions will reveal which action hero was built to have your back.

🎖️Rambo

🍸James Bond

🏺Indiana Jones

🔧John McClane

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🎭Ethan Hunt

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01

You’re dropped into a dangerous situation with no warning. What do you need most from a partner?
The first few seconds tell you everything about who belongs beside you.





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02

You have to get somewhere dangerous, fast. How do you travel?
How you get there is half the mission.





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03

You’re pinned down and outnumbered. What does your ideal partner do?
This is when you find out what someone is really made of.





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04

The mission is paused. You have one evening to decompress. What does your partner suggest?
Who someone is when the pressure drops is who they actually are.





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05

How do you prefer your partner to communicate mid-mission?
Good communication is the difference between partners and a liability.





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06

Your enemy is powerful, well-resourced, and has the upper hand. How should your partner approach them?
The approach to the enemy defines the partnership.





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07

Things go badly wrong and you’re captured. What do you trust your partner to do?
Who someone is when you need them most is the only thing that matters.





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08

What does your ideal partner bring to the table that you couldn’t replace?
A great partner fills the gap you didn’t know you had.





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09

Every partnership has a cost. Which of these can you live with?
No one comes without baggage. The question is whether you can carry it together.





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10

It’s the final moment. Everything is on the line. What do you need from your partner right now?
The last question is the most honest one.





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Your Partner Has Been Assigned
Your Perfect Partner Is…

Your answers have pointed to one action hero above all others. This is the person built to have your back — for better or considerably, spectacularly worse.

Rambo

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Your partner doesn’t talk much, doesn’t need to, and will have assessed every threat in your immediate environment before you’ve finished your first sentence. John Rambo is not a man of plans or politics — he is a force of nature shaped by survival, loyalty, and a capacity for endurance that goes beyond anything training can produce. He will not leave you behind. He has never left anyone behind who deserved to come home. What you get with Rambo is the most capable, most quietly ferocious partner imaginable — one who has been through things that would have broken anyone else, and who chose to keep going anyway. You’ll never need to ask if he has your back. You’ll just know.

James Bond

Your partner will arrive perfectly dressed, perfectly briefed, and with a cover story so convincing it’ll take you a moment to remember what’s actually true. James Bond is the most professionally dangerous person in any room he enters — and the most disarmingly charming, which is the point. He operates in a world of layers, where nothing is what it appears and every advantage is used without apology. You’ll never be bored. You’ll occasionally be furious. But when it matters — when the mission is genuinely on the line and the margin for error has collapsed to nothing — Bond is exactly the partner you want. He has survived things that have no business being survivable. He does it with style. That is not nothing.

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Indiana Jones

Your partner will know the history, the language, the cultural context, and exactly why the thing everyone else is ignoring is actually the most important thing in the room. Indiana Jones is brilliant, reckless, and occasionally impossible — but he is also one of the most resourceful, most genuinely knowledgeable partners you could find yourself beside. He approaches every situation with a scholar’s eye and a brawler’s instinct, which is an unusual combination and a remarkably effective one. He hates snakes and gets personally attached to objects of historical significance, both of which will slow you down at least once. It doesn’t matter. What Indy brings is irreplaceable — and the adventures you’ll have together will be the kind people write books about. Assuming you survive them.

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John McClane

Your partner was not supposed to be here. He does not have the right equipment, the right information, or anything approaching the right odds. He has a sarcastic remark and an absolute refusal to accept that the situation is as bad as it looks. John McClane is the greatest accidental hero in the history of action cinema — a man whose superpower is stubbornness, whose contingency plan is improvisation, and whose capacity to absorb punishment and keep moving would be alarming if it weren’t so useful. He will complain the entire time. He will make it significantly more chaotic than it needed to be. And he will absolutely, unconditionally, without question come through when it counts. Yippee-ki-yay.

Ethan Hunt

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Your partner has already run seventeen scenarios by the time you’ve finished reading the briefing, and the plan he’s settled on involves at least two things that should be physically impossible. Ethan Hunt operates at the absolute edge of human capability — technically, physically, and intellectually — and he brings the same relentless precision to protecting his partners that he brings to dismantling organisations that shouldn’t exist. He is not easy to know and he will never fully tell you everything. But he will carry the weight of the mission so completely, so absolutely, that your job is simply to trust him — and the remarkable thing is that trusting him always turns out to be the right call. The mission will be impossible. He will complete it anyway.

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3

‘Gintama’ (2006–2018)

It is difficult for a long-running battle shōnen to remain universally beloved because the longer it goes on, the more flaws and mistakes it opens itself up to. However, Gintama managed this perfectly and established itself as a legendary anime. Set in an alternate version of Japan where aliens took over, Gintoki (Tomokazu Sugita) is a former samurai who spends his days doing odd jobs with Kagura (Rie Kugimiya) and Shinpachi (Daisuke Sakaguchi). However, taking on these jobs puts them face-to-face with terrorists, the police, aliens, and space pirates on a daily basis.

Gintama has its fair share of flaws, including the slow opening that resulted in many viewers dropping it. However, this anime picks up in a big way, instantly becoming one of the funniest pieces of media fans will ever see. On one side, its style of referential, parody, satirical, and goofy humor creates a hilarious atmosphere, and on the other side, it is a gripping action series with political intrigue and grand fights. Gintama is a rare anime that achieves so much, cementing its legacy as a beloved classic that appeals to comedy, action, and story lovers.

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2

‘Yu Yu Hakusho’ (1992–1995)

Group picture of Team Urameshi from 'Yu Yu Hakusho'
Group picture of Team Urameshi from ‘Yu Yu Hakusho’
Image via Pierrot

Yoshihiro Togashi is an influential manga author best known for Hunter x Hunter, a series that still hasn’t ended, constantly going back and forth between publishing and hiatus. While that show has some haters, his other work doesn’t: Yu Yu Hakusho. Yusuke (Nozomu Sasaki) is a street punk who uncharacteristically sacrifices himself to save a kid. The underworld doesn’t know what to do with him, and therefore gives him a second chance at life, now working as a spirit detective who must keep the balance between the human world and the supernatural.

If there is even a morsel of hate towards Yu Yu Hakusho, it comes from the atrocious ending that suddenly concluded the series, with fans missing over half of the fights. It is a terrible conclusion, but even that wasn’t enough to tarnish its name, with Yu Yu Hakusho being the most beloved long-running battle shōnen out there. Older fans love it because they grew up with it, and many toxic newer fans haven’t seen it yet, making it a perfect time capsule of the 1990s that is untouched by the haters of the community. Yu Yu Hakusho is a defining anime that has earned its reputation as a universally loved series.

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1

‘Gurren Lagann’ (2007)

The cast of Gurren Lagann standing against the backdrop of a beautiful sky.
The cast of Gurren Lagann standing against the backdrop of a beautiful sky.
Image via Gainax

Every anime has its haters, but this list contains the few shows that are mostly exempt from this, especially Gurren Lagann. Simon (Tetsuya Kakihara) and Kamina (Katsuyuki Konishi) live in a subterranean village with dreams of one day going to the surface. This dream comes true when they discover an ancient mech that drills them into the light of day. However, their ambition doesn’t stop there, with the duo planning to pierce the heavens and create a lasting family in this world.

The anime community at large adores Gurren Lagann, with many going years before seeing anything negative about this masterpiece. Maybe haters are scared to display their dislike because they know so many people love it, but the likely scenario is that this anime is just universally beloved. Gurren Lagann is an easy binge-watch, portraying a highly entertaining story with high-octane action that has mechs throwing galaxies at each other. Any amount of praise underscoring Gurren Lagann‘s overall popularity and collective love is because that amount of positivity around this anime is unheard of. But this just proves that Gurren Lagann needs to be on everyone’s watch list, because it might just be their new favorite anime.

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‘Jackass’ Stars Get A Cheeky Celestial Send-Off

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Bam Margera Blames ‘Jackass’ For His Addiction To Adderall And Pain Killers

Jackass” is coming to a close with the fifth and final film in the franchise, marking the end of an era for the stunt-driven series that defined a generation. As anticipation builds for the upcoming movie, the cast is being honored with a fitting tribute that reflects the humor and chaotic energy of its cast members. Now etched into the night sky, their legacy is set to remain visible for generations to come.

Bam Margera Blames ‘Jackass’ For His Addiction To Adderall And Pain Killers
MEGA

On June 24, days before the release of “Jackass: Best and Last,” the show’s official social media accounts shared a final tribute to the cast who helped bring the franchise to life.

“While this is indeed the last jackass movie, you can always look up to the night sky and see their legacy in the stars. yes, that’s right, they’ve got their very own c-ckstellation,” the message read.

The post was accompanied by photos of Star Name Deeds for cast members, including Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Jason “Wee Man” Acuña, Preston Lacy, Dave England, Ehren McGhehey, Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Jasper Dolphin, Sean “Poopies” McInerney, Zach “Zachass” Holmes, Compston “Dark Shark” Wilson, Rachel Wolfson, and producers Jeff Tremaine and Spike Jonze.

The deeds from Star Name Registry were registered on June 9 and show each star’s position on the night sky.

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Fans Can View The Constellation Online

Johnny Knoxville at Jackass Forever Photocall
MEGA

The post also provided a website where fans could view the stars, which form a p-nis-shaped constellation aptly named The Little D-cker.

As information on the site notes, “14 unique gaseous stars” make up The Little D-cker. “When you next look up into the night sky, gaze past Ursa Major, Draco, and Camelopardalis to see the greatest astrological erection our galaxy has ever known,” the blurb read.

Many fans were amused by the send-off, while others commended the “Jackass” family for including Ryan Dunn, who died in a car crash in 2011, and Bam Margera, who had a falling out with Knoxville and Tremaine after being let go from the fourth “Jackass” film.

Steve-O Confirms Upcoming ‘Jackass’ Movie Is The Last

In 2022, before the release of the fourth movie, “Jackass Forever,” Knoxville implied in interviews that it would be the last film. However, he ultimately changed his mind. This time, the fifth movie will definitely be the final one, as confirmed by both Knoxville and Steve-O.

In an interview with Playboy, the stunt performer said, “One hundred percent it’s the end. Really, the end of ‘Jackass’ was when Knoxville got hit by that bull in the last movie. That was the f-cking final hit for Knoxville’s head. Had to be. If Knoxville is no longer willing to get hit in the head, you really can’t do ‘Jackass’,” Steve-O said.

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Knoxville has suffered many injuries in the past, including multiple concussions. The worst injury, however, was from “Jackass Forever,” when he was thrown into the air after being rammed by a bull. He later revealed that he had a brain hemorrhage, which led to a cognitive decline and mental health struggles. It took several months for him to recover, and his doctors warned him that he could no longer take any injuries to his head.

Johnny Knoxville Got Emotional While Filming

Johnny Knoxville At Global Radio
MEGA

In a February interview with Rolling Stone, emotions got the best of Knoxville as he talked about the final film, noting that he would no longer get to “play” with bulls, which he revealed was his favorite animal to “f-ck with.” While doing a press interview, Knoxville said the last movie “was a very emotional film to make. It’s the first time I cried in a ‘Jackass’ film.”

As Steve-O shared, “Jackass: Best and Last” consists of never-before-seen footage they filmed over the years that was never allowed to be shown. “I genuinely don’t know why it’s allowed now, but it’s in there. That’s what this movie is: finding a home for such f-cked-up sh-t that never had a home, and one last hurrah of all of us getting together and doing whatever we have in us to do,” he said, adding that he was “beyond moved” while watching footage.

Johnny Knoxville And Jeff Tremaine Launched A ‘Jackass’ Podcast

Johnny Knoxville was all smiles as he arrived for dinner at 'Craigs' Restaurant in West Hollywood, CA
MEGA

On June 18, Knoxville and Tremaine launched “Jackass the Podcast.” The show delves into the franchise’s history, including the most memorable pranks, outrageous stunts, and painful injuries, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at how the cultural phenomenon came together. The hosts will be joined by special guests from the cast and crew.

“Jackass: The Best and Last” features unseen footage from the past two decades, along with new stunts and cast interviews. It will be released in theaters on June 26.

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Paramount+ Officially Finds Its Taylor Sheridan Replacement With New Spy Hit

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Following the success of Taylor Sheridan‘s shows, Paramount+ dedicated itself to producing and procuring more shows targeted at the same audience demographic. Sheridan’s magnum opus, Yellowstone, was infamously passed on by several networks and streamers, nearly all of which tried to create their own replacements once it became a sensation. Sheridan himself went on to create several other hit shows for the streamer he called home for nearly a decade. He has chosen to strike a new deal with NBCUniversal, leaving his legacy in the hands of a new group of leaders at Paramount. The streamer has attempted to expand the Yellowstone franchise without Sheridan’s direct creative involvement and has released similar series such as MobLand, which is due to return for a second season this year.

Now, a third show aimed at the same demographic has been moved from Showtime to Paramount+ for its second season, which was released recently. The show in question premiered in 2024 and received mostly positive reviews from critics. It was headlined by the Oscar-nominated Michael Fassbender, with Jeffrey Wright, Richard Gere, Katherine Waterston, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Hugh Bonneville in supporting roles. The show was created and executive-produced by the brothers John-Henry Butterworth and Jez Butterworth, the latter of whom also worked on MobLand.













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Collider Exclusive · Taylor Sheridan Universe Quiz
Which Taylor Sheridan
Show Do You Belong In?

Yellowstone · Landman · Tulsa King · Mayor of Kingstown
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Four worlds. All of them brutal, complicated, and built on power, loyalty, and the price of survival. Taylor Sheridan doesn’t write heroes — he writes people who do what they have to do and live with the cost. Ten questions will reveal which one of his worlds you were made for.

🤠Yellowstone

🛢️Landman

👑Tulsa King

⚖️Mayor of Kingstown

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01

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Where does your power come from?
In Sheridan’s world, everyone has leverage. The question is what kind.




02

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Who do you put first, no matter what?
Loyalty in Sheridan’s universe is always absolute — and always costly.




03

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Someone crosses a line. How do you respond?
Every Sheridan protagonist has a line. What matters is what happens after it’s crossed.




04

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Where do you feel most in your element?
Sheridan’s worlds are as much about place as they are about people.




05

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How do you feel about operating in the grey?
Nobody in a Sheridan show has clean hands. The question is how they carry the dirt.




06

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What are you actually fighting to hold onto?
Every Sheridan character is fighting a war. The real question is what they’re defending.




07

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How do you lead?
Authority in Sheridan’s world is never given — it’s established, maintained, and constantly tested.




08

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Someone new arrives and tries to change how things work. Your reaction?
Every Sheridan show has an outsider disrupting an established order. Sometimes that outsider is you.




09

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What has your position cost you?
Nobody gets to where these characters are without paying for it. The bill is always personal.




10

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When it’s over, what do you want people to say?
Sheridan’s characters all know the ending is coming. The question is what they leave behind.




Sheridan Has Spoken
You Belong In…
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The show that claimed the most of your answers is the world you were built for. If two tied, both are shown — you’re complicated enough to straddle two Sheridan universes.

🤠
Yellowstone

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🛢️
Landman

👑
Tulsa King

⚖️
Mayor of Kingstown

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You are a Dutton — or you might as well be. You understand that some things are worth protecting at any cost, and that the modern world’s indifference to history, to land, to legacy, is not something you’re willing to accept quietly. You lead from the front, you carry your family’s weight without complaint, and when someone threatens what’s yours, you don’t escalate — you finish it. You’re not cruel. But you are absolute. In Yellowstone’s world, that combination of ferocity and loyalty doesn’t make you a villain. It makes you the only thing standing between everything that matters and everyone who wants to take it.

You thrive in the chaos of high-stakes negotiation, where the money is enormous, the margins are thin, and the wrong word in the wrong room can cost everyone everything. You’re a fixer — the person called when a situation is already on fire and needs someone with the nerve to walk into it. West Texas oil country rewards exactly what you are: sharp, adaptable, unsentimental, and absolutely clear-eyed about what people want and what they’ll do to get it. You’re not naive enough to think this world is fair. You’re smart enough to be the one deciding who it’s fair to.

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You are a Dwight Manfredi — someone who has served their time, paid their dues, and arrived somewhere unexpected with nothing but their reputation and their wits. You adapt without losing yourself. You build loyalty through respect rather than fear, though you’re not above reminding people that the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Tulsa King is for people who are still standing when everyone assumed they’d be finished — who find, in an unfamiliar place, that they’re more capable than the world gave them credit for. You don’t need a throne. You build one, wherever you happen to land.

You carry the weight of a system that is broken by design, and you do it anyway — because someone has to, and because you’re the only one positioned to do it without the whole thing collapsing. Mike McLusky’s world is for people who are comfortable operating where there are no good options, only less catastrophic ones. You speak every language: law enforcement, criminal, political, human. That fluency makes you invaluable and it makes you a target. You’ve made your peace with both. Mayor of Kingstown belongs to people who understand that keeping the peace is not the same as being at peace — and who do the job regardless.

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Paramount+ Has the Perfect Alternative to ‘MobLand’

We’re talking, of course, about the gripping spy drama The Agency. The series features Fassbender as a CIA agent who returns to his home base after being in the field for a number of years, during which he made personal decisions that his bosses would have preferred he hadn’t. The first season of The Agency holds a 66% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Emphasizing spycraft’s heavy toll to both intriguing and tiresome effect, The Agency situates its all-star cast in a sumptuously-shot world of espionage.” The second season, which was released on June 21, holds a perfect 100% score on the aggregator.

The Agency returned with a bang; according to FlixPatrol, it’s already the number two show on Paramount+, both domestically and worldwide. It’s trailing the latest installment of Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe, Dutton Ranch. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.


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Release Date

December 1, 2024

Network

Paramount+ with Showtime

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Showrunner

Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth

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Directors

Joe Wright, Zetna Fuentes, Neil Burger

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Bunnie XO’s Ex Reveals Painful Relationship Fallout

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Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo at the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year Honoring Jon Bon Jovi

The end of Bunnie XO and Jelly Roll’s nearly decade-long marriage has sparked plenty of headlines, but now, attention is shifting to a chapter of her life long before the country star entered the picture. 

As Jelly Roll publicly insists their split remains amicable, one of Bunnie’s former husbands is sharing deeply personal memories about their relationship, their struggles, and the heartbreak that followed. 

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo at the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year Honoring Jon Bon Jovi
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

While fans were stunned by news of their divorce, both Bunnie XO and Jelly Roll have made it clear that there is no public war unfolding between them.

During a concert in Saratoga Springs, the Grammy Award winner paused to address speculation surrounding the end of their marriage. The singer told fans that despite filing for divorce in May, he and Bunnie remain close.

According to the musician, they are still “best friends” and “will always be best friends.”

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Bunnie echoed a similar sentiment on a recent episode of her podcast, “Dumb Blonde,” where she described the breakup as ending “on the best possible terms.”

Their split came as a surprise to many followers who had watched the pair overcome addiction struggles, public scrutiny, and even an admitted affair during their years together. 

Yet insiders have suggested that the couple’s increasingly different public identities may have contributed to the decision.

One source previously claimed that Jelly Roll’s highly visible embrace of Christianity clashed with Bunnie’s candid discussions about sex and relationships on her podcast and social media platforms.

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Bunnie’s Ex-Husband Recalls Their Unusual Beginning

As Bunnie XO navigates life after Jelly Roll, her former husband Francisco “Frankie” Lombardo is shedding light on the relationship they shared years earlier.

Lombardo told the Daily Mail that meeting the podcast host in 2009 changed his life. At the time, he was confiding in her about problems with another relationship while she was married to Christopher Gilbert and working as a dancer in Las Vegas.

According to Lombardo, Bunnie was hustling to make ends meet and had financial support from several “sugar daddies.” Their connection developed quickly. He recalled meeting both Bunnie and Gilbert together before she unexpectedly whispered, “I want to make out with you.”

Within a week, Lombardo had moved in with her. Although the circumstances appeared complicated, Lombardo insisted there was no cheating involved and maintained that Bunnie and Gilbert had already separated before their romance began.

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After Gilbert’s marriage officially ended, Bunnie and Lombardo tied the knot in Maui on Valentine’s Day 2010. “We were like, ‘Hey, let’s go to Hawaii and let’s get married.’ And we did it,” Lombardo recalled.

He described their marriage as adventurous and intensely close, comparing their dynamic to Bonnie and Clyde. “We’re f*****g best friends,” he said while reflecting on that period of their lives.

Bunnie XO’s Lifestyle Became A Major Source Of Tension

Bunnie XO at CMT Music Awards
MBS/MEGA

Despite their strong bond, Lombardo said one issue repeatedly created friction in their marriage.

“When I met her, she said to me right out of the gate, ‘I just want to let you know that I have a couple sugar daddies,’” he recalled.

The arrangement became difficult for him to accept. “I was super jealous,” Lombardo admitted, explaining that he wanted Bunnie entirely to himself. The situation reportedly led to arguments throughout their relationship.

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Bunnie has openly discussed her history with wealthy benefactors in the past, previously revealing that she received “half a million dollars” from sugar daddies who showered her with luxury gifts.

She has also acknowledged that she was still financially relying on clients during the early stages of her relationship with Jelly Roll.

“I literally went on tour with him and was seeing clients just to fund our life at the time,” she revealed on her podcast.

According to Bunnie, she was working as a high-end escort in Las Vegas and earning significant sums while helping support their lifestyle.

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Lombardo said the reality of that world was often difficult for him, even though he understood it was part of who she was when they met.

Bunnie And Lombardo Faced Heartbreak Before Their Divorce

Beyond relationship tensions, the former couple also faced serious personal challenges. Lombardo revealed that his family’s legal troubles placed enormous strain on their marriage. 

After his parents lost their home following criminal proceedings, they moved in with them. The arrangement proved overwhelming.

“With everything crashing down,” Lombardo said he reached the “lowest point” of his life. He believes those circumstances played a major role in the collapse of the marriage.

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Another painful issue involved the couple’s efforts to start a family. Lombardo said both he and Bunnie XO desperately wanted children and pursued fertility treatments together.

“I really wanted a baby with her. She wanted to have a baby,” he explained. The experience mirrors fertility struggles Bunnie later discussed while married to Jelly Roll. On “Dumb Blonde,” she described IVF as “one of the loneliest, darkest journeys.”

She revealed that the process had left her emotionally drained and that Jelly Roll’s own treatment for a low sperm count created additional challenges.

Even so, she recently insisted that they still plan to become parents despite their divorce.

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Bunnie XO’s Former Husband Thinks Her Next Chapter Is Just Beginning

@infamous.viii

,📣📣📣 Good news NEVER MAKES HEADLINES. They say bad publicity is good publicity but this is bonkers, man. Ya’ll believe nothing you hear and half of what you see. Media is a sesspool of nonsense! Look guys, all this crazy crap and Bunnie and the allegations are not only false but they are ridiculous. Bunnie is really a great human. Y’all don’t believe the hype about her and J. Send them your love and your support and don’t buy into the garbage 🫵🏼 🙈 #news #tmz #dailymail #bunniexo #podcast

♬ original sound – Frankie Lombardo

Although Lombardo admitted their breakup devastated him, he maintained a friendship with Bunnie over the years.

One of the most painful periods came when she entered a relationship with another man after their split. Lombardo said watching her endure alleged abuse was “a nightmare.”

Referencing a figure identified as “Karma” in Bunnie’s memoir, he recalled seeing her arrive at his home seriously injured and said he preferred not to revisit those memories.

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Lombardo’s own life has not been without controversy. He faced domestic battery allegations in 2023, though the case was dismissed in 2024. He has denied wrongdoing, stating: “I would never put my hands on a woman.”

Despite everything that has happened, he believes Bunnie is entering a transformative period. “I think we’re going to witness her really kind of blossom now and kind of step into herself a little bit more as an individual and not really be in the Jelly shadow,” he said.

Still, he could not resist offering one final piece of advice to the woman he once thought he would spend forever with. “I was like, ‘Just do me a favor. Don’t get f*****g married.’ It’d be the fourth time. It makes no sense,” he shared.

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The Biggest Multi-Billion Franchise Starter Is Finally Coming to Hulu Next Week

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This year, Christmas will come early with Avengers: Doomsday and Robert Downey Jr’s return to the MCU. While Downey Jr picked up an Oscar for Oppenheimer in recent years and has a huge filmography, for most fans around the world, he’s best known for his embodiment of Tony Stark. His portrayal of Marvel’s playboy, billionaire, philanthropist is so iconic that it’s hard to separate the art from the artist.

So, when he decided to return to the MCU in a different role, fans were blown away. But good things take time, and so does Doomsday. The original SDCC announcement reintroduced the fan-favorite actor with the catchphrase, “new mask, same task,” which could mean many different things. Among them is the fact that Iron Man kick-started the entire universe and pulled Marvel Studios from financial struggles at the time. Now, with his return, fans are expecting the MCU might get a soft reboot, which makes space for better stories than what we’ve been getting since Avengers: Endgame.

The original Iron Man, directed by Jon Favreau, establishes Stark’s origin story after being held hostage in a cave. In those days, Marvel didn’t have Disney’s backing, so the movie was made with independent sensibilities and more practical effects, while Downey Jr brought a panache and overconfidence to Tony Stark that had not been seen before in a superhero. The movie was a big hit, earning $585 million at the box office and saving Marvel from bankruptcy.

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Originally an underrated comic book character, Iron Man instantly got everyone’s attention on the big screen, becoming a cornerstone of the MCU, setting a template for years to come. Its success was followed by Iron Man 2, with Favreau and Downey Jr. returning to entertain fans once again. Though the movie’s portrayal of Mickey Rourke’s antagonist Whiplash remains controversial, the sequel introduced many characters that play a huge role in the larger MCU, like Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow and Don Cheadle’s Rhodey.



















































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Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz
Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive?
The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars

Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you’d actually make it out of alive.

💊The Matrix

🔥Mad Max

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🌧️Blade Runner

🏜️Dune

🚀Star Wars

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01

You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do?
The first instinct is often the truest one.





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02

In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely?
What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires.





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03

What kind of threat keeps you up at night?
Fear is useful data — if you’re honest about what you’re actually afraid of.





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04

How do you deal with authority you don’t trust?
Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything.





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05

Which environment could you actually endure long-term?
Survival isn’t just tactical — it’s physical, psychological, and very much about where you are.





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06

Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart?
The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are.





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07

Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all?
Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they’re actually made of.





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08

What would actually make survival worth it?
Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another.





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Your Fate Has Been Calculated
You’d Survive In…

Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for.

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The Resistance, Zion

The Matrix
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You took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You’re a systems thinker who can’t help but notice the seams in things.

  • You’re drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it.
  • You’d find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines’ worst nightmare.
  • You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it.
  • The Matrix built an airtight prison. You’d be the one probing the walls for the door.


The Wasteland

Mad Max
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The wasteland doesn’t reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That’s you.

  • You don’t need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon.
  • You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you’re good at all three.
  • You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider.
  • In the wasteland, that distinction is everything.


Los Angeles, 2049

Blade Runner
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You’d survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely.

  • You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer.
  • In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional.
  • You’re not a hero. But you’re not lost, either.
  • In Blade Runner’s world, that distinction is everything.


Arrakis

Dune
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Arrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards.

  • Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they’re survival tools.
  • You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory.
  • Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You’d learn its logic and earn its respect.
  • In time, you wouldn’t just survive Arrakis — you’d begin to reshape it.


A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Star Wars
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The galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

  • You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion.
  • You’d gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire’s grip can be broken.
  • You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn’t something you’re capable of.
  • In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference.

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The Iron Man Movies Head to a New Streamer in 1 Week

For fans who’d like to start their MCU binge now for Doomsday or simply want to revisit their favorite movies, you’re in luck. Iron Man and Iron Man 2 are coming to Hulu, per CBR. Check them out for some great practical effects, improv moments that have become pop culture moments now, quotable dialogues, and compelling performances. The cast also includes Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer, and everyone’s favorite Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury.

Iron Man and Iron Man 2 are coming to Hulu on July 1. Avengers: Doomsday will come out on December 18. Stay tuned to Collider for more such updates.


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Release Date

May 2, 2008

Runtime
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126 minutes

Writers

Matt Holloway, Art Marcum, Hawk Ostby, Mark Fergus

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Ryan Lochte Escapes Foreclosure Days After Engagement

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Ryan Lochte and wife Kayla Reid.

Ryan Lochte is thanking his lucky stars! According to new reports, the Olympic swimmer and his estranged wife, Kayla Reid, have narrowly escaped foreclosure on their Florida home after working out a deal with their neighborhood HOA.

Lochte has been the topic of conversation for the last year, as he’s been in the middle of a nasty divorce with Reid, who, by the way, accused him of having illicit drugs in front of their minor children and of cheating on her with his new girlfriend, Molly Gillihan.

And speaking of Gillihan, she recently became engaged to Ryan Lochte, who proposed to her at a fancy restaurant in Gainesville, Florida.

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Ryan Lochte and wife Kayla Reid.
Instagram | Ryan Lochte

Lochte and Reid will not lose their home, as TMZ reported that the estranged couple has reached a settlement with the Fletcher Park Owners’ Association.

Don’t forget, The Blast reported on Lochte and Reid’s financial troubles last year, including the lawsuit the HOA filed against the pair, claiming that they failed to pay nearly $4,000 in associated fees.

While the details of the new deal remain unknown, Lochte and Reid can rest easy knowing that their nearly 3,000-square-foot home won’t be snatched out from under them.

Ryan Lochte And Reid Were Reportedly Dealing With A Massive Six-Figure Debt

Ryan Lochte and wife Kayla Reid.
Instagram | Kayla Reid

According to a previous report from The Blast, Lochte and Reid were facing even more financial woes last year, including a reported $99,000 in back taxes owed to the IRS for the years 2021 and 2022.

Adding to the drama, a nonprofit named Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinic filed a $127,000 lien against the former couple, accusing Lochte of failing to pay for services he reportedly received while spending days in their care.

And to make matters worse, the nonprofit organization also requested an additional $40,000 for treatment Lochte allegedly received in February 2024.

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Ryan Lochte Is Going Through A Contentious Divorce From His Estranged Wife

Kayla Reid and Ryan Lochte posing in front of a football stadium.
Instagram | Kayla Reid

The news about Lochte and Reid’s Florida home comes a year after the latter filed for divorce from the 41-year-old. She opened up about her decision in a candid Instagram post, telling her hundreds of thousands of followers that she had reached it after much thought.

“Sometimes we face trials we didn’t choose or see coming. And in those moments, we’re forced to make the hardest decisions to protect our peace, our children, and our future. I’ve come to the understanding that staying isn’t always the most loving decision someone can make. For me, leaving was an act of love — for those around me and for myself,” she said.

Reid Appeared To Accuse Lochte Of Cheating Before Filing For Divorce

Ryan Lochte and Fiancée Kayla Rae Reid seen arriving at the Dream Hotel party for the Opening of TAO in Hollywood.
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Since announcing their plans to split, Reid has accused the swimmer of alarming behavior, including drug use and cheating. During an episode of her “The Comeback Era” podcast, she appeared to throw shade at Lochte and his new relationship with Gillihan, stating that the pair had been together well before she filed for divorce.

“Well, your technically still-husband is already living with his girlfriend,” Reid’s co-host said about Lochte’s new partner after calling her Lochte’s “mistress.”

Reid replied, saying she was happy for Lochte and adding that the pair have known each other for “many years.”

Lochte clapped back in a statement to PEOPLE, saying, “I absolutely was not faithful to my ex-wife. And I have no excuse but to continue to say I have grown and learned so much from my past and I am working on myself and my character every single day.”

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He added, “I love Molly and the family we have so much and it breaks my heart to see Molly dragged into this because never, not one time, did Molly and I have any sort of inappropriate relationship while I was with Kayla. I reached out to Molly after I was served divorce papers and living on my own.”

Lochte Is Engaged!

Ryan Lochte posing on the red carpet.
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Lochte’s love for Gillihan is something serious, according to The Blast, as the swimmer recently popped the big question at a Florida eatery.

Lochte reportedly surprised Gillihan with an overflow of flowers and a letter containing the question. “She immediately started crying and said, ‘What took you so long?’” Lochte said.

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Jerry O'Connell weighs in on “that ”conversation with wife Rebecca Romijn's ex-husband John Stamos

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