Puppy Bowl XXI to feature 142 adoptable dogs

Puppy Bowl XXI airs on February 9, 2025, Super Bowl Sunday, at 2 p.m. EST across Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max and Discovery+. Featuring 142 dogs from 80 animal shelters, the three-hour event will showcase Team Fluff and Team Ruff competing on a miniature football field.

Returning for his 14th year, Dan Schachner will referee, with commentary by Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks. Notable players include Julep, a St. Bernard mix, and Smoosh, a Pekingese, for Team Fluff and Mr Pickles, a Pug-Chihuahua and Tuani, a Chihuahua-German Shepherd, for Team Ruff. James Gunn will also preview his upcoming Superman movie, inspired by his dog, Krypto.

League of Legends’ new champion, Mel Medarda

Riot Games has unveiled League of Legends 2025 Season 1, Act 1, introducing Mel Medarda, a champion inspired by her appearance in Netflix’s Arcane. Mel, the daughter of Noxian warlord Ambessa, will officially join the game in the Season 1, Act 2 update on January 23, featuring a Noxian-themed appearance that reflects her heritage.

A gameplay trailer released highlights Mel’s abilities, including one that reflects enemy attacks back at the caster. Riot also released a champion spotlight detailing her skills.

Season 1, Act 1 brings Noxus-themed updates to Summoner’s Rift, including the new Epic monster Atakhan, and a ‘Feats of Strength’ system.

My Melody & Kuromi stop-motion series out soon

Netflix has unveiled a first look at its stop-motion animation series starring Sanrio characters My Melody and Kuromi. The series, inspired by My Melody (introduced in 1975) and her ‘rival’ Kuromi (introduced in 2005), will debut in July.

A teaser shows My Melody with hearts in her eyes, smiling in front of a frosted cupcake, while Kuromi sits angrily in a dark room on a pink chair. Director Tomoki Misato expressed excitement for the handcrafted series, promising an ‘exciting story set in Mariland, thrilling action, and dynamic characters.’ A specific release date is yet to be announced.

Published in Dawn, Young World, January 25th, 2025