Beyond his captivating acting skills and lyrical poetic abilities, Malcolm-Jamal Warner was a husband and father. Just as his talents brought joy to viewers across generations, Warner’s wife and daughter brought him immense joy. Though the actor never publicly posted their faces or names, he was not shy about talking about the impact fatherhood and marriage had on his life. 

“I talk about my wife and daughter but obviously I don’t post them,” Warner said, per Essence Magazine. “I talk about them because they are obviously the hugest parts of my life, the best parts of my life, the best decisions I’ve ever made, but I also like to keep them and their identity private.”

In interviews and conversations on his podcast “Not All Hood,” Warner openly discussed his satisfaction in getting married and starting a family later in life. During an appearance on Melyssa Ford’s “Hot & Bothered” podcast, the actor revealed that he met his wife at 45 years old, at a time when he was “not really dating.”  

“I remember our first date I was like, ‘I’m at peace with not having kids. I’m probably not going to have kids.’ During this period of time, doing all this self-reflection and whatnot, I thought maybe the next chapter of my life is something bigger than marriage and family,” he told Ford. “So I was ok with that. So our first date, I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m probably not going to have kids and she said, ‘I’m definitely going to have kids.’”

Deciding to move forward as friends, Warner explained how his mindset slowly began to shift, and five and a half months later, he asked the woman who would be his wife: “What do you think about starting a family?” 

“At some point, I was like, if I’m going to have a kid, this is the person that I would want to have it with,” he shared. “I also realized that if something happened and we weren’t together romantically, she would still be the person I would want to raise a child with, co-parent with.”

Warner continued: “There was a moment I realized, when people say, ‘when you know you know,’ that’s what that feeling is. I had always heard that, and being in long-term relationships for so much of life, I always felt like ok, that’s a cool concept. But I had that experiential knowledge of when you know you know. This is it.”

And he did not regret starting his family later in life. In fact in an episode of his podcast “Not All Hood,” the actor shared “there is almost a relief that I waited as long as I did to get married and start a family.” 

“It’s ok to wait. You don’t have to be in your 20s looking for your soulmate when you don’t really know who the f–k you are,” he noted, per Essence. “For so long, people were like he’s a womanizer. He’s never going to settle down. No, I did it when it was right. I did it the right way.”

Over the years, Warner has been very intentional about not posting or disclosing his daughter’s identity. While he shared subtle glimpses into his life as a father, he explained that his decision not to post her face was fueled by his desire to protect her. 

“She has the rest of her life for that life. Right now I just want her to BE..but it doesn’t stop me from BEing a proud papa!” he captioned a 2019 Instagram post. 

“Whatever ‘bigger than family’ ideas I had in my head before these two beautiful spirits came into my life are now fueled to be even bigger. Life is even more fulfilling,” he shared in a 2021 Instagram post reflecting fatherhood. “When people ask me how I’m doing,  I often tell them that I am living the motherfucking dream. And on the days it doesn’t feel like it, I just remind myself that I’m still living SOMEBODY’s dream. And I press on. I am so FULL now. Of Love. Of joy. Of gratefulness”

So as the culture grieves the loss of the talented actor, our hearts go out to Warner’s wife and daughter.

July 22, 2025

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A24 has made the trailer for the English-language adaptation of Ne Zha 2, the animated Chinese blockbuster that already conquered the worldwide box office. Originally released in Mandarin, the film made an estimated $2.2 billion in China earlier this year, topping the highest-grossing movie in 2025 to date.

While the initial language release of Ne Zha 2 previously reached select U.S. theaters, earning as much as $20 million, A24 is going wide with a dubbed version featuring all-star voice talent including Oscar-winning Michelle Yeoh.

What’s In The English-Dubbed Trailer?

The trailer starts off with a town on a mountain slope which appears to be very much like ancient China. We meet Ne Zha, a child who floats in mid-air with supernatural ability. A voiceover is soon informing the audience that Ne Zha is not an ordinary kid; he is an immortal god and one who has a penchant for breaking rules.

As the film goes on, audiences see glimpses of Ne Zha engaging with mythological dragons, shape-shifting beasts, and gods of great power, but also balancing the delicate human moments of childhood. In a moment of particularly affecting realism, Ne Zha is reminded to embrace his mother as she departs, a moment of earthy human emotion in a movie filled with fantasy spectacle.

Michelle Yeoh does the voice of Ne Zha’s mom, and A24’s trailer makes a special point of mentioning her Oscar-winning status. The other English-language voice actors are Michael Yurchak, Crystal Lee, and Vincent Rodriguez III (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), which again bolsters A24’s attempt to mix up overseas stories with standard Hollywood leads.

Sequels and Cultures Bridged

What makes Ne Zha 2’s English-language outing so fascinating is that it is a sequel. The first Ne Zha film to come out in 2019 and register some modest box office from the United States but never approached the cultural phenomenon levels that Ne Zha 2 has reached in China. That leaves most U.S. viewers who might be coming into the story cold, having not seen the original.

But A24 appears to be betting on broad appeal. The teaser establishes a simple yet engaging narrative: a boy of magic struggling with god-like powers but still tethered to mortal emotions, specifically the parent-child love. These are popular themes that are by definition universal and could help to straddle the cultural and narrative gap for Western audiences unacquainted with the franchise’s Japanese origins.

A24’s Global Ambitions

The trailer is leaning into the movie’s excellence overseas, using pull quotes like “a spectacular epic adventure” and terming it “the global phenomenon.” All of that on top of the August 22 release date suggests A24 is launching a full-court press to translate Ne Zha 2’s Eastern success into Western momentum.

Whether or not this strategy will pay off is to be determined. While anime and foreign animation have both had strong niches in America, few if any non-English language animated features have penetrated the mainstream. But with an internationally recognized star like Yeoh on board and engaging visuals that will hold their own with Pixar or Studio Ghibli, Ne Zha 2 can be an actual sleeper hit.

In essence, the trailer is promoting a vibrant, high-stakes, emotionally grounded narrative about a powerful child who must find balance between the magical and the mundane. If A24’s gamble pays off, Ne Zha 2 could be the tip of the iceberg in a wave of international animated features opening strong with American crowds, one dubbed dragon flight at a time.

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Federal records related to the investigation into the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. have been released, following the disclosure in March of tens of thousands of documents about the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

In January, President Donald Trump ordered the release of thousands of classified governmental documents about Kennedy’s assassination, while also moving to declassify federal records related to the deaths of New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and King more than five decades ago.

Trump ordered Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Attorney General Pam Bondi to coordinate with other government officials to review records related to the assassinations of RFK and King and present a plan to the Republican president for their “complete release.” Some 10,000 pages of records about the RFK assassination were released April 18.

Justice Department attorneys asked a federal judge to end a sealing order for the records nearly two years ahead of its expiration date. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which King led, is opposed to unsealing any of the records for privacy reasons. The organization’s lawyers said King’s relatives also wanted to keep the files under seal.

Scholars, history buffs and journalists have been preparing to study the documents to find new information about the civil rights leader’s April 4, 1968, assassination in Memphis, Tennessee.

The King family’s statement released after Trump’s order in January said the family hoped to get an opportunity to review the files before their public release. King’s family, including his two living children, Martin III and Bernice, was given advance notice of Monday’s release and had its own teams reviewing the records ahead of the public disclosure.

In a statement Monday, King’s children called their father’s case a “captivating public curiosity for decades.” But they emphasized the personal nature of the matter and urged “these files must be viewed within their full historical context.”

“We ask those who engage with the release of these files to do so with empathy, restraint, and respect for our family’s continuing grief,” the statement said.

Here’s what we know about the assassination and what scholars had to say ahead of the release of the documents:

In Memphis, shots ring out

King was standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, heading to dinner with friends, when he was shot and killed.

King had been in Memphis to support a sanitation workers strike protesting poor working conditions and low pay. The night before the assassination, King delivered the famous “Mountaintop” speech on a stormy night at the Mason Temple in Memphis.

An earlier march on Beale Street had turned violent, and King had returned to Memphis to lead another march as an expression of nonviolent protest. King also had been planning the Poor People’s Campaign to speak against economic injustice.

The FBI’s investigation

After a long manhunt, James Earl Ray was captured in London, and he pleaded guilty to assassinating King. He later renounced that plea and maintained his innocence until his death in 1998.

FBI documents released over the years show how the bureau wiretapped King’s telephone lines, bugged his hotel rooms and used informants to get information against him.

“He was relentlessly targeted by an invasive, predatory, and deeply disturbing disinformation and surveillance campaign,” the King family said.

King family’s response to the investigation

Members of King’s family, and others, have questioned whether Ray acted alone or if he was even involved. King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, asked for the probe to be reopened, and in 1998, then-Attorney General Janet Reno directed the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Justice Department to do so.

The Justice Department said it “found nothing to disturb the 1969 judicial determination that James Earl Ray murdered Dr. King.”

Dexter King, one of King’s children, met with Ray in prison in 1997, saying afterwards he believed Ray’s claims of innocence. Dexter King died in 2024.

With the support of King’s family, a civil trial in state court was held in Memphis in 1999 against Loyd Jowers, a man alleged to have known about a conspiracy to assassinate King. Dozens of witnesses testified, and a Memphis jury found Jowers and unnamed others, including government agencies, participated in a conspiracy to assassinate King. Jowers died in 2000.

What will the public see in the newly released documents?

It’s unclear what the records will show.

King scholars, for example, would like to see what information the FBI was discussing and circulating as part of its investigation, said Ryan Jones, director of history, interpretation and curatorial services at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.

“That’s critical given the fact the American public, at that time, was unaware that the FBI that is involved in the investigation, was leading a smear campaign to discredit the same man while he was alive,” Jones said. “They were the same bureau who was receiving notices of assassination attempts against King and ignored them.”

Academics who’ve studied King also would like to see information about the FBI’s surveillance of King, including the extent it went to get details about his personal life, track him and try to discredit him as anti-American, said Lerone A. Martin, director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University.

However, Martin said he doesn’t expect the documents will have a “smoking gun that will finally say, ‘See, this is 100% evidence that the FBI was involved in this assassination.’”

“We have to view these documents with an eye of suspicion because of the extent the FBI was willing to go to, to try to discredit him,” Martin said.

Why now?

Trump’s order about the records release said it’s in the “national interest” to release the records.

“Their families and the American people deserve transparency and truth,” the order said.

However, the timing has led to skepticism from some observers.

Jones questioned why the American public hadn’t been able to see these documents much earlier.

“Why were they sealed on the basis of national security, if the assassin was in prison outside of Nashville?” he said.

Jones said there are scholars who think the records release is a “PR stunt” by a presidential administration that’s “rewriting, omitting the advances of some people that are tied to people of color, or diversity.”

The Pentagon has faced questions from lawmakers and citizens over the removal of military heroes and historic mentions from Defense Department websites and social media pages after it purged online content that promoted women or minorities. In response, the department restored some of those posts.

Martin said Trump’s motivation could be part of an effort to shed doubt on government institutions.

“It could be an opportunity for the Trump administration to say, ‘See, the FBI is evil, I’ve been trying to tell you this. This is why I’ve put (FBI Director) Kash Patel in office because he’s cleaning out the Deep State,’” Martin said.

Another factor could be the two attempts on Trump’s life as he was campaigning for a second presidential term and a desire to “expose the broader history of U.S. assassinations,” said Brian Kwoba, an associate history professor at the University of Memphis.

“That said, it is still a little bit confusing because it’s not clear why any U.S. president, including Trump, would want to open up files that could be damaging to the United States and its image both in the U.S. and abroad,” he said.

Noir Nation, ‘Baby, This Is Keke Palmer’ just got real—and this episode? Definitely provided a safe space that quickly turned into a necessary cultural moment!

Chelley and Olandria, two standout faves from Love Island USA Season 7, joined Keke Palmer on her hit podcast in a new episode for an honest sit-down that peeled back the layers on the reality of being Black women on national television.

The conversation was an overall vibe as the ladies swapped notes of their experiences and journey in the villa to their final exits.

Keke moved to address everything from racial bias and tone policing to how they were received by fans online.

🛑 “Don’t Do That”

“There was a moment, Olandria,” Keke began. “I really actually liked that you did… when you said to Huda, ‘Don’t do that.’ I lived because to me, you were saying—don’t pity me. I’m good.”

But what followed, Keke noted, was a swift shift in energy. Suddenly, Olandria was painted as the “mean girl,” all over a calm boundary being set. That observation led her to a broader question: How often do Black women have to “tone it down” just to exist in these spaces?

🗣️Olandria Spoke Up On The Emotional Labor Behind The Scenes

“It’s very exhausting to say the least,” Olandria said. “Me and Chelley had to tone down a lot just to not cross that invisible line. Because the moment we do, it’s a problem. But others are praised when they act out.”

“Me and Chelley had to tone down a lot… because the moment we get emotional, we’re labeled the aggressor. Meanwhile, others get coddled.”

Chelley added that while they were seen as emotional support in the Villa—people came to them for peace and advice—the internet painted a wildly different image:

“We’re loving, honest, level-headed. But we come home and see ‘angry’ or ‘disrespectful.’ It’s like, wow… y’all really don’t know us at all.”

✊🏾✨ Keke Took It There: “You’re Afraid Of Something I Can’t Take Off”

The Emmy winner broke it down with truth that hit hard:

“Just because I’m saying something sternly doesn’t mean I’m a threat… That fear is rooted in something anti-Black.”

She tied the moment to her own memories watching reality shows growing up—recognizing the same biased narratives playing out over and over again.

🩷So What’s The Advice For The Next Generation?

Keke closed the episode with a powerful question about what advice they’d give to the next generation of Black or non-white women entering reality spaces.

Chelley answered:

“Be yourself. You can’t control how they portray you. Just stay true to who you are.”

Olandria added:

“Have confidence in yourself. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

And Keke? She co-signed it all with this final gem:

“Because at the end of the day, you can’t win for losing yourself.”

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The Cosby Show star Malcolm-Jamal Warner has passed away at the age of 54.

TMZ, the first to report, stated Warner passed away from a suspected drowning. The other details surrounding the incident have not yet been released.

A Nation in Shock

Warner’s death was a shock wave of grief across Hollywood and the globe. Admired for his success early on as the brilliant, charming, and often humorous teenage son of Cliff and Clair Huxtable, Warner’s performance on The Cosby Show made him one of the most recognizable child stars of the 1980s.

At the age of 14, Warner was hired to play Theodore “Theo” Huxtable, the only son in the Huxtable family, when the NBC sitcom premiered in 1984. The show would become a cultural phenomenon and continue for eight seasons, revolutionizing the American television scene. Warner remained on the show through its final season in 1992, maturing before the cameras of millions of viewers.

While at the height of his fame from The Cosby Show, Warner guest-hosted Saturday Night Live, appeared on Sesame Street, and even brought his Theo persona back in a handful of episodes of the spinoff A Different World. His on-screen presence and comedic skill earned him praise from critics, as well as a devoted fan base that followed him long after the show’s end. 

A Quiet Life Offscreen

Although he was well-known, Warner was notoriously discreet. He is reported to have left behind his wife and a daughter, born in 2017. Although he would sometimes post photos of his family on social media, he ensured that their names remained private.

This same discretion accompanied him in his career endeavors. Warner never sought the limelight aggressively, opting instead for quality, solid work in television, film, and music.

A Multi-Hyphenate Talent

Warner was a television star of the highest order. After The Cosby Show, he transitioned to several different roles, showing versatility and depth as an actor.

He provided the voice for “The Producer” on the popular children’s science show The Magic School Bus from 1994 to 1997. He later co-starred with comedian Eddie Griffin on the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie from 1996 to 2000. His versatility in switching between drama and comedy distinguished him from most of his contemporaries.

Subsequent credits included legendary guest star roles on Showtime’s Jeremiah, BET’s Reed Between the Lines, and Sherri, starring Sherri Shepherd, as well as high-profile guest star appearances on FOX dramas The Resident and 9-1-1.

But Warner’s talents did not lie exclusively on the screen. He was a talented oral and word performer, as well as a musician. In 2015, Warner won a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance as a participant in “Jesus Children,” a performance by Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway. The popular song paid tribute to Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims, blending haunting vocals with spiritual gravity.

Tributes Begin to Pour In

Once news of Warner’s death becomes public, condolences from friends, co-workers, and fans will flood in. Many actors in the entertainment industry have long credited him with paving the way for young Black male performers on television.

Although he had distanced himself from The Cosby Show in recent years due to the controversy involving Bill Cosby, Warner’s legacy as the lovable, witty, flawed, and highly endearing Theo stands unrivaled.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as new information becomes available.

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Former Vice President Kamala Harris commemorated the one-year anniversary of her historic 2024 presidential campaign against Donald Trump, sending a message of hope to her supporters.

“One year ago today, I began my campaign for President of the United States,” wrote Harris in a post on Tuesday, marking the official launch of her campaign, which later led to her becoming the first Black and Indian American woman to win a presidential nomination.

“Over the 107 days of our race, I had the opportunity and honor to travel our nation and meet with Americans who were fighting for a better future. And today, millions of Americans continue to stand up for our values, our ideals, and our democracy. Their courage and resolve inspires me,” said Harris.

Seemingly referring to the political pushback in the first six months of Trump’s second term in office–including controversial immigration raids and deportations, and massive cuts to federal programs—the former presidential candidate added, “Whether you are attending a protest, calling your representatives, or building community, I want to say: Thank you. We are in this fight together.”

On July 21, 2024, then-President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race amid pressure from high-level Democratic Party officials and party donors who grew concerned about his advanced age and cognitive abilities. Following a disastrous June 27, 2024, debate against Trump, where Biden often struggled to make coherent statements, many Democrats expressed a lack of confidence that Biden could win re-election.

Within hours of Biden’s shocking decision and endorsement of Harris, the then-vice president announced she would seek the party’s nomination. She ran unopposed and went on to embark on a presidential campaign in just over three months, raising a record $1 billion in just one quarter. However, Harris’s aim for the White House ended in defeat, devastating the Democratic Party.

Reflecting on Harris’s loss, Reecie Colbert, a Democratic analyst and longtime political influencer who supported Harris, sarcastically told theGrio, “Didn’t we almost have it all?”

She explained, “We were this close to not just making history but also truly investing in a future that was going to be brighter for everybody. Instead, this country chose vitriol and chose a criminal for president who is unfit, mentally and qualifications-wise.”

Amid ongoing protests over Trump’s immigration and economic policies, Colbert said, “We have the country that we deserve based on the choice that this country made in November.” She said the U.S. is “worse off by pretty much every metric under Donald Trump than what it would have been if we had elected Kamala Harris.”

Despite her loss, Harris has not ruled out another bid for president in the 2028 election. However, the 60-year-old Democrat is also considering a run for California governor in 2026. Harris has given herself a deadline of the end of summer to make a decision.

As Harris weighs her next political move, Democrats are still reeling from her loss as they navigate their voice post-election—and a winning message for upcoming elections.

Colbert, the host of Sirius XM’s “The Reecie Colbert Show,” said that there is still room for Harris in the political arena, but said the former vice president has to “take up space” and “make the decision that she’s going to be a prominent and consistent voice.”

As other Democrats like California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and Congressman Ro Khanna, engage in shadow 2028 presidential campaigns, Colbert said of Harris’s chances, “I don’t think popping up every couple of months is really going to be enough to keep her in the conversation.”

The Democratic expert said Harris is likely weighing all of the pros and cons of another run for president, including the fact that, historically, nominees who lose typically don’t go on to win the nomination again and subsequently the presidency. The only presidential nominee to lose an election and later win the presidency in modern history was former President Richard Nixon, who lost the general election in 1960 but later won the nomination and presidency in 1968.

However, Colbert cautioned, “If [Harris] wants to run for either [governor or president], she should probably get started yesterday.”

PHOTO : Getty Images

Noir Nation, the WNBA All-Star Game wasn’t all about scores and signature plays—this year, it turned into a powerful protest as the ladies demand to be paid their worth!

Before tip-off, all 22 All-Star players came together as a unit wearing black T-shirts with the message: “Pay Us What You Owe Us.”

The movement is a direct callout to the WNBA’s league executives as contract negotiations around the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) reach a critical point—with players demanding a fair share of league revenue.

💪🏾 “It Was a Very Powerful Moment”

Though some fans assumed it was a team-wide stunt, even WNBA Players Association Vice President Kelsey Plum admitted the execution was more impromptu than planned—but it still hit hard.

“It was a very powerful moment,” said Plum. “We didn’t know that was going to happen… but seeing it unfold gave me chills.”

💵 Fans Echo the Message: “Pay Them!”

During the post-game ceremony, MVP Napheesa Collier took the mic, but fans took it from there—erupting into chants of “Pay them!”

“The fans making that chant… gave me chills,” Collier told ESPN.

I saw those “pay us what you owe us” shirts WNBA players wore at the All Star game and my first thought was “and that’s on bitch better have my money.”

Everybody say thank you to @/ultrafamoustiktoker for this banger pic.twitter.com/AjDYLOl5na

— Cy Is On BlueSky (@CyDieyi) July 22, 2025

📝Here’s What The Players Want

At the heart of the protest is revenue sharing. Currently, WNBA players receive less than 10% of league revenue, compared to the 50% share that NBA players enjoy.

The league is experiencing massive growth—valuations of some franchises have skyrocketed from $10 million to nearly $500 million, and media deals have never been bigger. But the pay still isn’t matching the progress.

Players are demanding:

Greater revenue share Improved salaries Family and parental benefits More investment into player health and marketing

The current CBA expires October 31, 2025, and players are signaling they are ready to push back or even walk away if the new terms aren’t equitable.

🏀 Commissioner Responds—But Will It Be Enough?

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert called the protest “expected” and says she remains optimistic about “transformative” negotiations. But the message from the players is clear: No more patience. No more waiting.

With growing fan support, licensed “Pay Us What You Owe Us” shirts, and media buzz, the league might be facing a historic turning point.

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For over two decades, Beyblade has been the brand that effortlessly turned school lunch tables into high-adrenaline stadiums and friends into sworn rivals. But with the launch of Beyblade X, the series has gone from nostalgic classic to next-generation juggernaut. And it’s not just because the tops are faster. From tech innovations to community-powered global tournaments, this new era of the Beyblade franchise is engineered to hit harder, spin faster, and pull even longtime fans back into battle. 

We sat down with ADK, the global licensing partner behind the Beyblade franchise, to talk about how Beyblade X is reshaping the franchise, winning over new players while giving returning Bladers a reason to say: “Let it rip” one more time.

A Defining Moment for the Beyblade Franchise

In your opinion, what makes Beyblade X a defining moment for the franchise?

“The fourth generation of the franchise, BEYBLADE X, takes it to the next level, both in gameplay and global expansion. The new X-Celerator Gear System reimagines how battles are done, bringing a never-before-seen level of speed and intensity to the game. Additionally, the franchise is more globally connected than ever thanks to events like the World Championship and the integration of physical and digital play. We’ve seen this generation bring back longtime fans, while capturing a whole new generation of Bladers.”

The rips are sharper. The launches are louder. The fandom is larger. And with Beyblade X, the stakes feel higher,

New Era, Same Nostalgic Spirit

What do you think Beyblade X brings to a new generation that longtime fans will still recognize?

“Beyblade X brings an exciting new energy to the franchise, but doesn’t forget the core elements that longtime fans love, from the fast-paced battles and customizable tops to the epic competitions. New elements keep things fresh, including the new X-Celerator Gear System that entices new players. But at its heart, BEYBLADE X is still about launching your Bey and letting it rip – and that’s what’s keeping both new fans and returning fans hooked.” 

Shaped by Nostalgia, Designed for Today

Why do you think Beyblade has stayed globally relevant for over two decades?

“It’s no secret that there’s something special about BEYBLADE that has kept it so relevant for so long. BEYBLADE taps into something universal. Its friendly competition, creativity, and the joy of play keep fans coming back while still growing the community. It’s hands-on, fast-paced and offers customizability, which gives fans a real sense of ownership and strategy. Over the past two decades, the franchise has evolved with each generation, but doesn’t lose its core spirit. The excitement of the battle always feels fresh, and that timeless energy is what’s kept it alive across cultures and decades!”

That universal thrill of strategy, skill, and spinning chaos is why playgrounds and anime forums alike still light up every time a new Beyblade generation drops. 

Many Cultures, One Spirit 

How did you localize the brand across cultures while keeping its core identity?

“While we know that the brand’s core identity is universally beloved, we also recognize the importance of really listening to each community, from how kids play, what part of the story excites them, and more. Whether it’s through localized tournaments, language-specific dubs, or culturally relevant marketing, we tailor the experience while keeping the brand’s core spirit front and center.” 

It’s not one-size-fits-all. Beyblade thrives when it listens. With Beyblade X, ADK has been paying attention to every corner of the fandom.

Excitement in Motion

What’s a moment in Beyblade X that made you emotional or proud?

“This month, I was on the ground at Anime Expo, where we held the World Championship U.S. qualifying tournament for bladers 13+. It was incredible seeing firsthand the level of excitement for the franchise, with more than 350 fans lining up to compete (some arriving at 2 a.m.!). We’ve been building BEYBLADE X for the past few years, and seeing the passion and excitement that both returning and new fans have for the franchise made us so appreciative of Bey-fans everywhere!”

The Fans Are the Fuel Behind the Franchise

What kind of fan feedback are you already seeing with the Beyblade X Beyblades and tournaments?

“The fan response to BEYBLADE X has been electric. Bladers are blown away by the speed and intensity of the new products – the competition has never been more fierce. We’re seeing longtime fans excited to return and a whole new wave of Bladers joining the community for the first time. Fans have been buzzing this summer about the World Championship tournaments. We feel the excitement on the ground and see it in conversations happening on social media. This generation is taking the franchise to new heights.”

Nostalgia and Innovation Breathes Longevity

How does ADK balance nostalgia with innovation?

“The team here at ADK strikes that balance by honoring the legacy while being bold in our decisions of how to push the brand forward. We know what made BEYBLADE iconic, from the spirit of competition, the customizable tops, and the stories that resonate with fans. We strive to keep those elements front and center, but with every generation, we also challenge ourselves to innovate.” 

Built With the Fans, Not Just For Them

How important is community engagement when marketing a legacy franchise like this?

“Community engagement is key when marketing a legacy franchise like BEYBLADE. The passion and creativity of Bey-fans have always helped the brand thrive, whether it’s kids battling on the playground, collectors customizing their Beys, or fan clubs organizing tournaments together. We never want to think of it as marketing to the community; rather, we aim to market with them. From fan-driven content and influencer partnerships to regional tournaments and online challenges, we strive to make our fans feel seen, heard, and involved to build a two-way connection.” 

How Beyblade Still Rips The Competition in 2025

What trends do you think help Beyblade thrive in today’s world of fandom?

“BEYBLADE thrives because it taps into many current fandom trends, including hands-on play, customization, competitive gaming, and storytelling all in one. BEYBLADE X offers something truly special for fans – an experience they can interact with both physically and emotionally. The rise of content creation on platforms like TikTok has also been key, as it lets Bladers share battles, unboxings and strategies globally. Lastly, the nostalgia trend inspires longtime fans to introduce the brand to their own kids, creating a multi-generational fandom that feels fresh and familiar all at once.”

Fans Went Wild for This One

What innovations in Beyblade toys have fans gone wild over?

“Fans have really loved the X-Celerator Gear System in BEYBLADE X. The way the new gears interact with the stadium’s X-Celerator Rail creates never-before-seen speed and explosive battles. The burst mechanics are sharper, the customization options are more extensive, and the new launchers offer more precision and power, which adds real strategy and intensity to the battles. It’s innovation that fuels excitement!”

Let It Rip… Everywhere!

Any plans for more fan conventions or Beyblade tournaments?

“Yes, absolutely! We’re excited to keep growing the BEYBLADE community with more fan tournaments worldwide. Looking beyond the World Championship this year, we can’t wait to celebrate our passionate community with innovative experiences that are designed to bring fans together across all generations next year and beyond.”

From school cafeterias to living rooms and international conventions, Beyblade has always been more than just plastic tops and launchers. It’s a culture, a community, and a connection across generations. With Beyblade X, the franchise isn’t just evolving, it’s accelerating. And as it continues to rip ahead, one thing’s for sure: no matter where you are in the world, if you hear the words “3,2,1..Let it rip!”, you already know, you’re part of something bigger.

To find out more about the Beyblade world championships, please see here.

Related

A federal judge on Monday sentenced a former Kentucky police officer to nearly three years in prison for using excessive force during the 2020 deadly Breonna Taylor raid, declining a U.S. Department of Justice recommendation that he be given no prison time.

Brett Hankison, who fired 10 shots during the raid but didn’t hit anyone, was the only officer on the scene charged in the Black woman’s death. He is the first person sentenced to prison in the case that rocked the city of Louisville and spawned weeks of street protests over police brutality five years ago.

U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings sentenced Hankison at a hearing Monday afternoon in which she said no prison time “is not appropriate” for Hankison. She also said she was “startled” that there weren’t more people injured in the raid.

She sentenced him to 33 months in prison as well as three years of supervised probation. Hankison will not report directly to prison. Jennings said the Bureau of Prisons will determine where and when he starts his sentence.

Jennings expressed disappointment with federal prosecutors’ sentencing memo filed last week, saying the Justice Department treated Hankison’s actions as “an inconsequential crime,” and said the memo was “incongruous and inappropriate.”

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who helped Taylor’s family secure a $12 million wrongful death settlement against the city of Louisville and was present Monday, had called the Justice Department recommendation “an insult to the life of Breonna Taylor and a blatant betrayal of the jury’s decision.”

After the sentence, Crump yelled to the crowd outside the courthouse, “Say Her name.” The crowd yelled back: “Breonna Taylor!”

Hankison fired his weapon the night of the March 2020 botched drug raid, his shot flying through the walls of Taylor’s apartment into a neighboring apartment without hitting or injuring anyone.

The 26-year-old’s death, along with the May 2020 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, sparked racial injustice protests nationwide that year.

Last week, the U.S. Justice Department recommended no prison time for Hankison, in an abrupt about-face by federal prosecutors that has angered critics after the department spent years prosecuting the former detective.

The Justice Department, which has changed leadership under President Donald Trump since Hankison’s conviction, said in a sentencing memo last week that “there is no need for a prison sentence to protect the public” from Hankison. Federal prosecutors suggested time already served, which amounts to one day, and three years of supervised probation.

Prosecutors at his previous federal trials aggressively pursued a conviction against Hankison, 49, arguing that he blindly fired 10 shots into Taylor’s windows without identifying a target. Taylor was shot in her hallway by two other officers after her boyfriend fired from inside the apartment, striking an officer in the leg. Neither of the other officers was charged in state or federal court after prosecutors deemed they were justified in returning fire into the apartment. Louisville police used a drug warrant to enter the apartment, but found no drugs or cash inside.

A separate jury deadlocked on federal charges against Hankison in 2023, and he was acquitted on state charges of wanton endangerment in 2022.

In their recent sentencing memo, federal prosecutors wrote that though Hankison’s “response in these fraught circumstances was unreasonable given the benefit of hindsight, that unreasonable response did not kill or wound Breonna Taylor, her boyfriend, her neighbors, defendant’s fellow officers, or anyone else.”

On Monday, the Louisville Metro Police Department arrested four people in front of the courthouse who it said were “creating confrontation, kicking vehicles, or otherwise creating an unsafe environment.” Authorities didn’t list the charges those arrested would face.

“We understand this case caused pain and damaged trust between our department and the community,” a police statement said. “We particularly respect and value the 1st Amendment. However, what we saw today in front of the courthouse in the street was not safe, acceptable or legal.”

A U.S. Probation Office presentencing report had said Hankison should face a range of 135 to 168 months imprisonment on the excessive force conviction, according to the memo. But federal prosecutors said multiple factors — including that Hankison’s two other trials ended with no convictions — should greatly reduce the potential punishment.

The memorandum was submitted by Harmeet Dhillon, chief of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and a Trump political appointee who in May moved to cancel settlements with Louisville and Minneapolis that had called for overhauling their police departments.

In the Taylor case, three other ex-Louisville police officers have been charged with crafting a falsified warrant, but have not gone to trial. None were at the scene when Taylor was shot.