Side Quest #002

Welcome back to Side Quest #002 — your nerdy little corner of the internet covering anime, JRPGs, and the weird, wonderful myths behind them. We're dropping every other Friday for now (ramping to weekly soon, we promise), so grab a snack and let's get into it.

Continue? — what's worth your time right now

On the anime front, summer 2026 is shaping up to be absolutely stacked. Youjo Senki II and Mushoku Tensei III are headlining a stacked seasonal slate, and Bleach: Sennen Kessen-hen continues to demand your attention — if you haven't started TYBW yet, there is no better moment. Spring 2026 already delivered what fans are calling one of the greatest seasons on record, with Frieren S2 and JJK S3 doing serious damage to sleep schedules everywhere. The hype train has no brakes.

On the JRPG horizon, things are equally exciting. Trails Beyond the Horizon is one of the most hard-locked releases of the year for series fans, and RPGFan's most-anticipated list is overflowing with intriguing titles like Code Vein II and Coffee Talk Tokyo. Meanwhile, the team behind Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default is cooking up something new — details are still scarce but the pedigree alone is enough to put it on your radar.

One Deep Cut

Kappa: The River Trickster with a Filled Head

Most people jump straight to ghosts when they think Japanese folklore, but the kappa deserves its moment. Part turtle, part child, part deeply unsettling river demon — kappa are water-dwelling yokai with a bowl-shaped depression on their head that must stay filled with water or they lose their power. They're mischievous, occasionally dangerous, but also famously bound by a strict code of etiquette: bow to a kappa and it bows back, spilling its water and becoming helpless.

That tension between chaos and obligation is pure storytelling gold. You see echoes of it in games like Nioh and Okami, where yokai operate by their own ancient rules rather than simple evil. In our own Neon Yokai lore here at Geeky Inc, that same idea runs deep — our yokai aren't villains, they're entities shaped by forgotten contracts with the world. The kappa reminds us: every monster has its ritual, and every ritual has its loophole.

Play / Watch This

With Bleach: Sennen Kessen-hen rolling on, now is the perfect time to go deep on the lore. We broke down the best Bleach Zanpakuto to 3D print for the TYBW Theatrical Edition — a great read whether you're a cosplayer or just want to know which sword slaps hardest. Pair it with a fresh rewatch and some Bleach manga volumes to fill in the gaps.

From the Forge

Zanpakuto not your vibe? We've got you. Our guide on 3D printing custom jewelry and cosplay props at home is an absolute must-read if you want to level up your builds in 2026. Whether it's rings, accessories, or small props, resin printing has never been more accessible. Stock up on resin 3D printing supplies and start experimenting.

Join the party

Want to argue about kappa lore, share your latest print, or just find people who get it? Come hang with us — join the Geeky Inc Discord and say hello. We don't bite. (The yokai might.)

Until next time — may your print bed stick and your gacha rolls be legendary. ⚔️

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