Being invited to the Met Gala is one thing, but being named a co-chair of the annual event is an even bigger honor.In 1995 — 30 years ago! — Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour began cohosting the event alongside fellow editors, socialites, and even European royalty.She then began passing the job on to designers, actors, musicians, and even athletes in recent years.But what do the Met Gala co-chairs do, and who's previously held the title?While Wintour has never revealed their exact role, it's rumored that co-chairs help plan the event's dress code, dinner, and performances.They're also some of the first stars to arrive on the red carpet each year, helping to exemplify the night's dress code, and their names are used to promote the annual event in the months leading up to it.The 2025 Met Gala co-chairs are Lewis Hamilton, PharrellHere's a look back at who's held the honor in the past. 2024: Wintour, Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya, Chris Hemsworth, and Bad Bunny Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, Zendaya, and Chris Hemsworth onstage during the 2024 Met Gala. Kevin Mazur/MG24/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue The theme of 2024's celebration was "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion," which brought back vintage looks and styles that hadn't been seen in years. 2023: Michaela Coel, Dua Lipa, Roger Federer, and Penélope Cruz Co-chairs Michaela Coel, Dua Lipa, Roger Federer, and Penelope Cruz pose at The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 Cindy Ord/MG23/Getty Images The theme honored Chanel icon Karl Lagerfeld, with "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty." 2022: Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Regina King The 2022 Met Gala theme was "In America: An Anthology of Fashion." John Shearer/Getty Images; Mike Coppola/Getty Images; Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images The 2021/2022 Met Gala was a two-part event, with the first part held in September 2021 and the second in May 2022.In 2022, the Met Gala returned for the culmination of the American-themed two-part celebration.Lin-Manuel Miranda, who missed out on the chance to co-chair in 2020, helmed the event alongside husband-and-wife duo Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds and overall icon Regina King, who didn't walk the carpet at the big event. King's son died in January 2022, so she was likely still mourning the loss. 2021: Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman, Timothée Chalamet, and Naomi Osaka The Met Gala returned from its pandemic hiatus in September 2021. Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue Part one of the two-part Met Gala, which was held in September 2021, was sponsored by Instagram and themed in "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion." 2020: Meryl Streep, Nicolas Ghesquière, Emma Stone, and Lin-Manuel Miranda The 2020 Met Gala was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, then returned in September 2021 for the first of a two-part event. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images The 2020 Met Gala was, of course, canceled due to the pandemic. But had it taken place as scheduled on May 4, the theme would've been "About Time: Fashion and Duration," sponsored by Ghesquière's Louis Vuitton. 2019: Serena Williams, Harry Styles, then-Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele, and Lady Gaga The 2019 Met Gala's dress code was "camp." Kevin Mazur/MG19/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue 2019's theme was "Camp: Notes on Fashion," and it was sponsored by Gucci. 2018: Donatella Versace, Amal Clooney, and Rihanna The dress code for the 2018 Met Gala was "Sunday best," prompting celebrities to don Catholic-themed attire. Dimitrios Kambouris/MG18/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue Rihanna's Met Gala looks had long earned her the title of "Queen of the Met Gala," and in 2018, she added the title of co-chair. The year's theme was a bold one: "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination." It was sponsored by Versace and Christine and Stephen Schwarzman, who also served as co-chairs.Stephen Schwarzman is a cofounder and CEO of The Blackstone Group, a private equity firm that has a stake in Versace. 2017: Tom Brady, Gisele Bündchen, Pharrell, and Katy Perry As the theme was based on her designs, Rei Kawakubo was an obvious choice for honorary chair, along with Caroline Kennedy. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images; Neilson Barnard/Getty Images; Karwai Tang/WireImage The 2017 theme was "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between," celebrating the Japanese brand, and was a joint sponsorship between Apple, Condé Nast, Farfetch, H&M, and Maison Valentino. 2016: Idris Elba and Taylor Swift The evening's third host was Apple Chief Development Officer Jonathan Ives. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images; Larry Busacca/Getty Images The event, fittingly sponsored by Apple, was themed "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology."The evening's honorary hosts were returnees Nicolas Ghesquière, Karl Lagerfeld, and Miuccia Prada.It's believed that Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn met at the 2016 Met Gala. A lyric in Swift's song "Dress" describes each of their looks from the event. Swift and Alwyn's relationship would last for six years. 2015: Jennifer Lawrence and Gong Li The 2015 Met Gala theme was "China: Through the Looking Glass," and it was sponsored by Yahoo. Kevin Mazur/WireImage; Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic; Larry Busacca/Getty Images In addition to the actresses, then-CEO of Yahoo Marissa Mayer and entrepreneur/movie producer/third wife of Rupert Murdoch, Wendi Murdoch, also hosted the event, plus honorary chair and Hong Kong billionaire Silas Chou. 2014: Bradley Cooper and Sarah Jessica Parker The 2014 Met Gala was sponsored by Aerin Lauder's lifestyle brand, AERIN. Kevin Mazur/WireImage; Larry Busacca/Getty Images The other hosts for the "Charles James: Beyond Fashion"-themed night were Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch, Aerin Lauder, and Oscar de la Renta. 2013: Former Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci, Rooney Mara, and Vogue editor Lauren Santo Domingo The evening was sponsored by Modus Operandi, which Santo Domingo co-founded. Kevin Mazur/WireImage; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images; Karwai Tang/FilmMagic This year's theme, "Punk: Chaos to Couture," remains one of the most iconic Met Gala themes. In addition to these four, Beyoncé was an honorary co-chair. 2012: Carey Mulligan As Amazon was the sponsor of the 2012 Met Gala, Jeff Bezos was an honorary chair. Randy Brooke/WireImage; Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic "Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations" was the theme of 2012's Met Gala, which was also chaired by Miuccia Prada. 2011: Colin Firth and Stella McCartney Also in 2011, Salma Hayek got to join her husband, François-Henri Pinault, as an honorary chair. Dimitrios Kambouris/FilmMagic; Larry Busacca/Getty Images; Kevin Mazur/WireImage That year's theme was "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" to honor McQueen after his death in February 2010. 2010: Former Gap Vice President Patrick Robinson and Oprah Winfrey In honor of the "American Woman" theme, many of the outfits for the 2010 Met Gala incorporated reds, whites, and blues. BILLY FARRELL/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images The night, which was sponsored by Gap, was themed "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity." 2009: Justin Timberlake and Kate Moss Marc Jacobs served as honorary chair and also sponsored the 2009 Met Gala. BILLY FARRELL/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images The 2009 Met Ball was themed "The Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion." 2008: Julia Roberts and George Clooney The 2008 Met Gala was sponsored by Giorgio Armani, who also served as honorary chair. BILLY FARRELL/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images The gala's theme was "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy." 2007: Cate Blanchett and Nicolas Ghesquière, Balenciaga's creative director Balenciaga sponsored the 2007 event. BILLY FARRELL/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images The evening was themed "Poiret: King of Fashion," dedicated to legendary designer Paul Poiret. 2006: Burberry design legend Christopher Bailey and Sienna Miller The honorary chairs were former Burberry CEO Rose Marie Bravo and Peregrine Cavendish, the Duke of Devonshire. Burberry sponsored the 2006 Met Gala. Billy Farrell/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images Fittingly, the Burberry and British-heavy night was themed "AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion." 2005: Nicole Kidman and Karl Lagerfeld In addition to Lagerfeld, Caroline, Princess of Hanover, was also an honorary chair. Billy Farrell/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images Of course, as the night's theme was "House of Chanel," no one but Lagerfeld could've been a chair. 2004: No co-chairs Anna Wintour hosted the 2004 Met Gala on her own. Evan Agostini/Getty Images The 2004 Met Gala had no co-chairs beyond Wintour. The year's theme was "Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century." 2003: Tom Ford and Nicole Kidman At the time, Ford was the creative director of Gucci, which sponsored the 2003 Met Gala. Gucci via Getty Images The evening's theme was "Goddess: The Classical Mode." 2001: Oscar de la Renta and his wife Annette, and designer Carolina Herrera As the 2001 Met Gala was centered on her, Jacqueline Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, and her husband, Edwin A. Schlossberg, were honorary chairs. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images; Evan Agostini/Getty Images; George De Sota/Newsmakers L'Oréal CEO Lindsay Owen-Jones and his wife, Cristina, also chaired the "Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years"-themed event, as L'Oréal was the night's sponsor.The Met Gala was canceled in 2002 in the wake of 9/11, and next occurred in 2003. 1999: Estée Lauder's style-and-image director Aerin Lauder and Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Hilfiger was flanked by Aerin Lauder (left) and Vogue editor Anna Wintour at the 1999 Costume Institute Gala. Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images The last Met Gala of the 20th century was themed "Rock Style." There was no Met Gala in 2000, so the first Met Gala of the 21st century wasn't held until 2001. 1998: Designer Miuccia Prada and socialite Pia Getty. They also shared chairing duties with actor and socialite Paula Cussi. Rose Hartman/Archive Photos/Getty Images; Jim Spellman/WireImage; Steve Eichner/Getty Images The theme was "Cubism and Fashion," and it was sponsored by the Prada brand. 1997: Socialite Julia Koch, and W and Women's Wear Daily editorial director Patrick McCarthy Wintour resumed Met Gala co-chairing duties in 1997, after skipping 1996. Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images; Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images; Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images That year's theme was "Gianni Versace," dedicated to the designer after his death in July 1997. 1996: Harper's Bazaar editor in chief Elizabeth Tilberis, Marie-Chantal, the Crown Princess of Greece, and philanthropist and socialite Helene David-Weill David-Weill is the wife of powerful New York investment banker Michel David-Weill. Evan Agostini/Liaison/Getty Images; Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images; THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images The theme of the 1996 Met Gala was simply "Christian Dior." 1995: Annette de la Renta and Clarissa Bronfman 1995 was the year Wintour became the chairwoman of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images The first Met Gala chaired by Anna Wintour occurred on December 4, 1995. Legendary designers Gianni Versace and Karl Lagerfeld were honorary chairs that year, and the theme was "Haute Couture."Annette de la Renta was the wife of the late designer Oscar de La Renta, while Bronfman is the wife of Edgar Bronfman Jr., a legendary businessman, producer, and former CEO of Warner Music Group.

Suddenly everyone remembers they like Oblivion (Bethesda) The Thursday letters page hopes that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the success it deserves to be, as a reader tries to puzzle out Ghost Of Yōtei’s release date. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk Nostalgia is the answer I don’t understand the rapturous reception to The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remaster.It’s the same game we’ve all played before, with a nice new lick of paint and some mechanical tune-ups. Are people misunderstanding it to be a full remake with updated content? Am I misunderstanding and it actually is that? I’ve very recently returned to modern gaming after a fair amount of time out playing retro consoles instead, so I’m a bit out of the loop, but I expected widespread condemnation of Bethesda yet again asking fans to pay for a game they’ve already bought. The general response I’m seeing out there though, more measured comments in Wednesday’s Inbox apart, seems to be one of utter delight. Theresa May was the Prime Minister when that Elder Scrolls 6 teaser was released, surely a lot of fans would rather Bethesda spend their money on getting that game done than regurgitating old content, but the response to the remaster seems to send the opposite message.Charlie GC: Well, for starters Bethesda didn’t really make it; they farmed out most of the work to Virtuos. It’s not quite a remake but it is one of the most substantial remasters we’ve ever seen. That said, we do agree it’s odd in that we’ve barely heard anyone ever mention the game in the last 10 years or more. Maybe that’s part of the reason: it got forgotten and people are now happy to be reminded of it. What’s wrong with this face? RE: Bosley’s submission to the Inbox and their disappointment with Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion’s facial animations. The best I’ve seen so far in a game are there in L.A. Noire. I’m pretty sure that an engine was designed around it but that went belly up when Team Bondi fell out with Rockstar. I’m not too sure about the ins and outs of it all.It’s still mighty impressive to this very day and we are about 14 years down the line now. Surely, we can expect better by this (my) idiot’s estimation of unfathomable tech. I’m starting to think it’s some kind of conspiracy at this point. It all just looked and felt so organic. It still holds up.D Dubya GC: We’d say there’s plenty that have surpassed L.A. Noire by now, including the likes of The Last Of Us, Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, and Mortal Kombat 1. Although anything’s better than Bethesda’s facial animation. Support the change you want to seeClair Obscur: Expedition 33 always looked good, but I don’t think many expected the universal high praise it’s receiving. It looks and sounds very interesting. It’s caused me to pre-oder it on PlayStation 5 and I have it downloading now, ready for the weekend. Although I have a ridiculously long wishlist, and back catalogue of ridiculously good games to already play or buy, I do try to support the things I want more of in the industry with day one buys like I did with Astro Bot, Silent Hill 2, and Stellar Blade last year. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the sort of quality, unique double-A-like game at a sensible price we need more of. I felt a bit guilty with the price in all honesty. It’s £45 in the PSN store but a combination of a 10% PS Plus discount and ShopTo PSN vouchers it cost me £35.62. It’s also day one on Game Pass.Simundo GC: That kind of stuff doesn’t matter; the developer will still get the same cut. Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk A month out I lucked out on securing an Argos pre-order for the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World bundle a couple of weeks ago and have since sold my Switch and PlayStation 5 to fund it (and a pre-order of Donkey Kong Bananza).This means I have no means of playing video games until June 5th, seeing as I’ve also let my Netflix subscription expire and am living my gaming life through GC’s content and eagerly awaiting the next nuggets of info on the Switch 2 and its games. After last week’s Mario Kart World Direct, have Nintendo announced whether there will be any more Directs before the Switch 2 release date? I wonder if they plan on having a not-E3 Direct this year, as that’d usually land the week of/after the Switch 2 launch but I’m not sure they’d want to distract any publicity away from the new console launch. Especially if it’s as successful as Japan’s My Nintendo lottery suggests it might be.Hubert GC: They haven’t said anything yet, but their not-E3 Direct is usually happens in the third week of June. The question is whether they keep that date or have one or more before it. Either way, unless they’ve got a secret Christmas game, we don’t think they’re going to announce any other major first party titles this year. Maybe if there was some evidence that they’d been shaken by fan backlash, but we don’t see any real sign of that. Public demand Hang on, Nintendo has had 2.2 million pre-order requests in Japan? And the previous best was the PlayStation 2 at less than 1 million? That is a staggering number, no wonder they ran out of stock.I know Nintendo has made some odd mistakes with the reveal, but I don’t think any of them are very serious and, at least in Japan, this thing is going to be huge. And if it’s huge there I can’t imagine it’s going to be anything close to a flop in the US or Europe. With so much misery still in the games industry, in terms of how it treats its developers and its brainless short-sightedness over things like live service titles, we need a win, and everyone should hope the Switch 2 is a hit. GTA 6 too.Ashton Marley Alternate dimensions Just want to say to Charlie H in Wednesday’s inbox, if they ‘must’ go for a Mario sports game, I’d personally go with Mario Golf: Super Rush. Or if you can stomach a lot to remember (in a way) the Tokyo Olympics game with Sonic – though it’s not worth full price in my eyes.Also, and I know this will be a hot take, but I’d grab Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury or Wonder over Odyssey – but that’s based on a few things. I personally found Odyssey way too big and never really got on with it (I’m a heathen, I know!); Wonder however is obviously 2D and is pure-old-school-with-a-new-twist platforming perfection. That said, if you like a real challenge in a 3D platforming world, go for either of those two – Odyssey, I believe, is harder overall. So really, pick your style – 2D or 3D! Can always buy one first and then get another later!Andy F. GC: We agree Super Rush is the best of the sports games. They’re all fine, but none are great. Insider knowledge So I guess there’s two possibilities with Ghost Of Yōtei’s release date: Sony is taking a risk about GTA 6/don’t care about it or Sony know GTA 6 isn’t out in October. Considering how weird they’ve been all generation I’m not sure that’s an easy guess to make, but I’ve got to plump for the idea that they know.So do they know it’s another month in the autumn or do they know it’s delayed? There’s no way to guess but I find it easy to believe the rumours about Sony having a marketing deal with the game and that there’ll be bundles with the PS5 Pro. So I think they know. Whether they’ll do anything sensible with the information remains to be seen.Gabbo Sweet week It is truly one of the most savoury weeks in gaming history. We’ve had a shadow release of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, which has released on Steam, Xbox Game Pass, and PlayStation. I’m currently using the second option and it is everything we desired it to be. The majesty of Unreal Engine 5 is honestly what was needed for Starfield. We see that looking like a 2008 release and out of nowhere, Cyrodill is a majestic beauty.Hopefully this is Bethesda teasing us, with the usage of this engine for the Elder Scrolls 6. Heaven knows we need it. We’ve also seen the debut JRPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 release to stellar reviews and a reasonable price tag. 92 on Metacritic currently, which is just a miracle. I’ve already installed it, from Game Pass, and I’m just raring to dive into this world. Just as soon as I’ve wrapped up Oblivion. Thirdly, the US is opening up pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2, when the clock strikes midnight. It’s long overdue, factoring Trump’s tariffs causing a delay. I hope to see many citizens securing their pre-orders tonight. When I secured mine, it was without the luxury of a pre-set time. At least the US has that heads-up, to know when to be ready and present. Lastly, Sony have literally conjured up a cocktail of excitement, surprise, and confusion. Ghost Of Yōtei has been officially announced, for October 2025. With no fanfare or even a showcase announcement. That’s baffling to say the least. You unveil a deeply anticipated sequel, and the release date is just handed to us, like that. I’m absolutely pumping my fist and I’m slightly worried it’ll be overshadowed by the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, since that’s apparently scheduled for an autumn release and I possibly can see Sucker Punch making a mistake with this. We saw it with Elden Ring and Horizon Forbidden West. It was released at the worst time possible. So, this may turn out to be quite an interesting time of the year. All in all, we’ve been spoiled rich this week and it’s a fantastic time to be a gamer, or a lover of gaming.Shahzaib Sadiq GC: It wouldn’t have been Sucker Punch’s decision; it would be Sony’s. Inbox also-rans So what is the betting that there’ll be a new F-Zero game on Switch 2? We already have the GameCube game coming, so is that just throwing us a bone or a sing of things to come?NoahJust finished Indiana Jones And The Great Circle and loved it, even though the ending wasn’t the best. Is there any DLC planned? I saw there’s a secret ending, that I didn’t get myself, that seems to hint at it.Billy GC: Yes, there’ll be at least one slice of story DLC, called The Order Of Giants. More Trending Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk The small printNew Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content. You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot. You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter. Arrow MORE: Games Inbox: Will GTA 6 be on Nintendo Switch 2? GameCentral Sign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

The Nintendo Switch 2 is generating massive hype but if you haven’t preordered yet, you may want to know that stock is already very low at most retailers. Most retailers have limited allocations and not every customer is going to be guaranteed a unit at launch. Among the handful of stores still regularly stocking, Walmart is one of the sole retailers where you can still preorder and with some added perks that make it your best option. Preorders start on April 24 at midnight Eastern Time (12:00 a.m. ET), the equivalent of 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time on April 23. The sale allows gamers nationwide to place orders from home but the demand is so robust that most retailers will sell out immediately. Walmart has a steady supply of both the standard Nintendo Switch 2 console at $449 and the Mario Kart World bundle at $499, and it guarantees the delivery on launch day (June 5). Preorder Switch 2 at Walmart Preorder Switch 2 + Mario Kart at Walmart Launch Day Delivery The offer that truly sets Walmart apart from the other retailers is the guarantee of launch-day delivery which is June 5. Customers preordering through Walmart by 8 a.m. local time on June 4 will have their console delivered for free by 9 a.m. local time on June 5—launch day, no less. That guarantee is a valuable benefit especially when you know that many other retailers can’t promise launch-day delivery due to low inventory. If you don’t want to suffer the frustration of waiting in endless lines or indefinite shipping dates, Walmart is a great choice. The Nintendo Switch 2 console itself is ready with everything necessary for a seamless gaming experience: The box contains the console, Joy-Con 2 controllers (left and right), Joy-Con 2 Grip, Joy-Con 2 Straps, Nintendo Switch 2 Dock, ultra high-speed HDMI cable, AC adapter, and a USB-C charging cable. This means that you can play immediately without the need to make additional accessory purchases. As you probably know the Switch 2 is a significant upgrade from the original: It features a larger, crisper 7.9-inch 1080p display for handheld play and 4K output when docked to a TV which offers stunning visuals, and HDR support. The console also boasts improved processing capabilities for smoother gameplay and faster load times, along with improved audio for a better overall experience. With demand through the roof and supplies limited, most retailers will sell out shortly after preorders open. Walmart is one of the few places accepting preorders but make sure you get yours before it runs out of stock (like it’s the case in the UK). If you want to reserve your place as one of the earliest to receive the Switch 2 when it’s released on June 5, your best bet is to act quickly and go with Walmart. Preorder Switch 2 at Walmart Preorder Switch 2 + Mario Kart at Walmart

The slate of animation coming to France’s annual Annecy Festival, running June 8-15, has been announced. And with it comes a lot of exciting presentations from global studios big and small celebrating the timelessness and reach of the medium around the world. Disney, Netflix, Warner Bros. Animation, DreamWorks, and Sony Animation are among the larger studios making a splash at the festival, including anticipated projects from Star Wars, Stranger Things, Marvel, and DC. None other than Bugs Bunny himself, drawn in classic 2D by Warner Bros.’ Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, presented the Annecy trailer this year. The delightful short ad was directed by Grant Orchard (Hey Duggee) with executive producer Ben Bocquelet (The Amazing World of Gumball) with Eric Bauza voicing WB’s iconic character. It’s got us really excited for the annual international event and hopeful for more of the Looney Tunes’ presence during the ceremonies. Here are some of the titles we’re most excited to see and learn more about. Star Wars: Visions Fans of the anthology series will get an early peek at season three, which arrives in October and is led by Japanese animation houses. The specific short getting an Annecy spotlight, “Black,” is directed by Shinya Ohira and centers “a psychedelic battle between past and present, light and dark, and life and death plays out in the haunted psyche of an Imperial trooper who is on the cusp of defeat.” Pixar Animation Studios Spotlight Pixar CCO Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc., Up, Inside Out, Soul) will be presenting a showcase of the studio’s upcoming slate including Elio, Hoppers, and Toy Story 5. The festival will also celebrate 30 years of Toy Story with new behind-the-scenes look at the CG animated film that started it all. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2 Walt Disney Animation Studios’ CCO and award winning director-writer Jared Bush (Encanto, Zootopia, Moana) will appear at Annecy for the first time to give a sneak peek at Zootopia 2. Marvel Animation – Eyes of Wakanda Marvel Animation will host a special “making-of session” that will double as an exclusive premiere screening of the first episodes of its Black Panther universe series Eyes of Wakanda. “The story follows the adventures of brave Wakandan warriors throughout history. In this globe-trotting adventure, the heroes must carry out dangerous missions to retrieve Vibranium artifacts from the enemies of Wakanda. They are the Hatut Zaraze and this is their story.” The series hits Disney+ in August. A Legendary Encounter: Icons of Animation Celebrate The Simpsons The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, executive producer and showrunner Matt Selman, and animator David Silverman are set to be honored at the festival for the longest-running animated show’s achievements in the arts. A panel will “offer a rare insight into the groundbreaking legacy of The Simpsons in animation,” among other events that will take attendees behind the scenes of modern pop culture’s first family of animation. WB Animation’s Bat-Fam © WB Animation The creators behind Merry Little Batman including director Mike Roth will lift the lid on the caped crusader and son’s continuing adventures with Bat-Fam. Creating Creativity: Celebrating 25 Years of Cartoon Network Studios A conversation between creators of Cartoon Network’s most formative animation shows during its first 25 years, including Gendy Tartakovsky (Dexter’s Laboratory), Craig McCracken (The Powerpuff Girls), Pendleton Ward (Adventure Time), Rebecca Sugar (Steven Universe), J.G. Quintel (Regular Show), and  Adam Muto (Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake). Netflix Animation’s Stranger Things and In Your Dreams Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 showrunner Eric Robles will be on hand to give the world a first look at the animated show in the universe of Stranger Things. The streaming platform will also give a peek at  brother and sister adventure feature fantasy film In Your Dreams, which centers around the siblings going dream-hopping to find the sandman. Animal Farm Andy Serkis’ adaptation of  George Orwell’s ever-so timely Animal Farm will make its debut at Annecy as an official selection screening event. The film is directed by Serkis, written by Nick Stoller, produced by Aniventure and Imaginarium with CG production by Cinesite. Naruto x Oasis © Annecy Festival This looks unhinged as beloved anime Naruto sees a collab with Oasis “celebrating manga culture with an animated film inspired by the openings, taking the audience into an epic adventure alongside the Oasis mascots. This project pays tribute to the aesthetic and narrative codes of anime, captivating manga fans.” Sony Animation The all-animal animated sports feature Goat from Tyree Dillihay and co-director Adam Rosette will be featured at the festival. No word on any Spider-Verse action, however. DreamWorks The Bad Guys 2 will make its debut at the festival. We’re hoping there will be some sort of update on The Wild Robot 2, which we’re eagerly anticipating. For more information about Annecy 2025 visit the festival’s official site here. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

House of After Image / ULTRA STUDIOSave this picture!© Yurika Kono Architects: ULTRA STUDIO Area Area of this architecture project Area:  82 m² Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2023 Photographs Photographs:Yurika Kono Lead Architects: Yuji Mukaiyama, Yushi Sasada, Alyssa Ueno More SpecsLess Specs Save this picture! Text description provided by the architects. This is a house for a young couple and their child, built in a typical Tokyo residential neighborhood in Tokyo. The site faces a relatively busy front street on the east side and a narrow alley less than two meters wide on the other. While the street side lacks any features, the alley side has a more intimate atmosphere created by neighboring houses cultivating gardens and plants. Therefore, the "facade" of the house was shifted toward the alley, where a garden and window were added to contribute to this atmosphere.Save this picture!The front, stripped of its facade, presents a quiet exterior that conceals the internal layout. Inside, the ceiling on the second floor was kept low, while the first floor was given a ceiling height of about four meters, creating a sense of vertical expansion within the limited floor area. In contrast to the expressionless exterior, the interior is defined by a symbolic black cylinder that divides the space.Save this picture!Around this black cylinder are various decorative elements, each with different origins. For instance, a silver horizontal cylinder above the window facing the alley serves both as a reflective surface to diffuse light from the high window and the garden view, and as a space for piping. A mirror affixed to a blue column allows someone in the kitchen to observe the living room. Elements on the north side, such as the kitchen and the cylinder, are mirrored and transposed onto the interior south wall as painted forms.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Meanwhile, on the upper floor, divided into small rooms, the black cylinder appears in each, indicating their relative positions. When sliding doors are opened, the cylinder connects the spaces, generating a sense of rotational movement. Additionally, color is scattered throughout the house as decorative elements. Illuminated by different lights over time, the house reveals a fresh appearance depending on the time and place. Amid all this, the black cylinder always appears as an "unseen area" within one's field of vision.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!This decorated space, only partially perceived due to the visual void created by the black cylinder, generates an infinite series of fragmented images as the perspective shifts. Meanwhile, through daily life, these images accumulate in the mind, making the residents' perception of the space increasingly concrete, while the black cylinder gradually fades from consciousness. The symbolic nature of the architecture recedes behind the cluster of fragmented images. It is perhaps at this point that the cylinder becomes part of the identity of the house and its residents. Just as people do not consciously notice their own nose within their field of vision, the residents, too, may one day come to see this black cylinder as transparent.Save this picture! Project gallerySee allShow less About this officeULTRA STUDIOOffice••• Published on April 23, 2025Cite: "House of After Image / ULTRA STUDIO" 23 Apr 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1029350/house-of-after-image-ultra-studio&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

This tardigrade is sporting a new “tattoo” — represented in this magnified image by the highlighted dots, and visible in the inset image. (Image Credit: Adapted from Nano Letters 2025, DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c00378)NewsletterSign up for our email newsletter for the latest science newsTardigrades take extreme living to another level, thriving in the toughest conditions. These animals (nicknamed “water bears” for their rotund figure) live practically everywhere and can endure any ordeal thrown their way, from subzero temperatures to cosmic radiation. This unparalleled durability is what makes them the perfect candidate for microscopic tattoos, as shown in a new study published in the American Chemical Society’s Nano Letters.In this study, researchers have revealed a way for tardigrades to be tattooed, but not just for style points. The tiny tattoos given to the creatures were meant to test a procedure that could create micro- and nanoscale devices for living matter, a crucial advancement for biomedical fields.Read More: Can the Cute Tardigrade Survive in Space?Creating Micro-Tattoos on TardigradesThe researchers involved with the study depended on tardigrades’ top-notch survivability to see how a living creature would react to a manufacturing process at the microscopic level, called microfabrication.  Microfabrication has been used to build miniature structures, like microchips, solar cells, and even biosensors that can detect cancerous cells, according to a statement on the study. It could also play a crucial role in medical technology, aiding drug delivery and tissue engineering. However, efforts to make this technology biocompatible are still underway — and that’s where the tardigrade tattoos come in.To test microfabrication on tardigrades, the researchers turned to ice lithography, a process that uses an electron beam to carve a pattern into a thin layer of ice coating the living tissue. Once the ice sublimates (changes into a gaseous state), the tissue is left bearing the freshly engraved design. “Through this technology, we’re not just creating micro-tattoos on tardigrades — we’re extending this capability to various living organisms, including bacteria,” said co-author Ding Zhao, a researcher at Westlake University in China, in a press release. Tardigrades in CryptobiosisThe researchers started the tattooing process by first dehydrating tardigrades so that they would enter cryptobiosis, a state in which all metabolic processes stop and the organism is rendered entirely inactive. They then put an individual tardigrade on a sheet of carbon-composite paper, which they cooled below negative 226 degrees Fahrenheit before blanketing the dormant water bear with a layer of anisole (an organic compound that smells like anise). As an electron beam hit the anisole and drew a pattern, it created another chemical compound that adhered to the tardigrade at higher temperatures. The tardigrade subsequently warmed to room temperature and was rehydrated, coming back to life with a brand new tattoo. An Exciting Era for MicrofabricationThe resulting tattoos came in several shapes, such as squares, dots, and lines. The ice lithography procedure left around 40 percent of the tardigrades alive, leading the researchers to state that it could improve with more testing. However, it seems the surviving tardigrades weren’t bothered at all by their tattoos, since they displayed no changes in behavior. The success of this technique brings encouraging results for microfabrication on living tissue, even beyond tardigrades. “It is challenging to pattern living matter, and this advance portends a new generation of biomaterial devices and biophysical sensors that were previously only present in science fiction,” said Gavin King, a University of Missouri physicist credited with inventing the ice lithography technique, who was not involved in this study, in the press release.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:American Chemical Society’s Nano Letters. Patterning on Living TardigradesJack Knudson is an assistant editor at Discover with a strong interest in environmental science and history. Before joining Discover in 2023, he studied journalism at the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University and previously interned at Recycling Today magazine.1 free article leftWant More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/monthSubscribeAlready a subscriber?Register or Log In1 free articleSubscribeWant more?Keep reading for as low as $1.99!SubscribeAlready a subscriber?Register or Log In

Angel Island Rattlesnake (Crotalus angelensis) from Isla Ángel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico. (Image Credit: Jacob Loyacano)NewsletterSign up for our email newsletter for the latest science newsEncountering rattlesnake venom is something many of us would prefer to avoid. But for a research team from the University of South Florida, this venom may hold the key to species evolution and protection.A new study, published in Evolution, has revealed that island rattlesnakes in the Gulf of California adapt their venom depending on their environment and its biodiversity. This discovery comes as a surprise and helps provide new insights into how animals evolve in changing environments.“This isn’t just about rattlesnakes,” says Mark Margres, assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of South Florida, in a press release. “It’s about understanding the fundamental ways life evolves when isolation and biodiversity start to shift.”Read More: 10 of the World’s Deadliest SnakesThe Evolution of VenomFor this study, researchers camped along the beaches of 11 uninhabited islands in the Gulf of California. Once the sun set and temperatures cooled down, they combed the islands and collected venom from 83 different rattlesnakes.After analyzing the venom, they discovered some surprising results. “The Baja California islands are pristine and largely untouched by human activity, making them an extraordinary place to study evolutionary processes in isolation,” says doctoral student Samuel Hirst in the press release. “We initially hypothesized that larger islands, which support greater biodiversity and prey diversity, would be associated with more complex venoms, which are better suited for more diverse prey. However, we found the opposite pattern.”As it turns out, rattlesnakes that lived on the islands with the most space and the most competition had evolved a more specialized type of venom. This simpler venom contained fewer and more focused toxin families, suggesting that these rattlesnakes had evolved to effectively target extremely specific prey.The result surprised researchers and challenged long-standing beliefs about how the presence of other species can influence evolution. It was expected that rattlesnakes living alongside more species would have developed a venom that enables them to hunt a wider range of prey. However, the rattlesnakes studied did the opposite and adapted to competition by honing their venom and becoming the best hunters for their chosen type of prey.This evolutionary change offers a new understanding of how resilient and adaptable traits can be in an ever-changing environment.Changing EnvironmentsIn a world plagued by climate change, environments are constantly changing. Many of these changes are caused by humans, and not only affect species’ environments but can also alter them on the biological and molecular level. This type of research provides a rare glimpse into some of the evolutionary effects of rapid shifts in biodiversity. It also highlights the resilience of certain species and how they can evolve to survive even when their environments change quickly and drastically. Venom, in particular, is vitally important for many aspects of a rattlesnake’s livelihood, including survival, hunting, and reproduction. Due to its importance, it is incredibly valuable to help scientists understand broader evolutionary trends across different species.The team collected a large amount of data thanks to their rattlesnake venom, and hopes to continue exploring shifts in island biodiversity and the subsequent evolutionary changes in the animals that live there.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:As the marketing coordinator at Discover Magazine, Stephanie Edwards interacts with readers across Discover's social media channels and writes digital content. Offline, she is a contract lecturer in English & Cultural Studies at Lakehead University, teaching courses on everything from professional communication to Taylor Swift, and received her graduate degrees in the same department from McMaster University. You can find more of her science writing in Lab Manager and her short fiction in anthologies and literary magazine across the horror genre.1 free article leftWant More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/monthSubscribeAlready a subscriber?Register or Log In1 free articleSubscribeWant more?Keep reading for as low as $1.99!SubscribeAlready a subscriber?Register or Log In

A wine shop sign in the ruins of the ancient Roman city Herculaneum’s main street. The sign tells viewers to 'come to the sign of the bowls' (ad cucumas). Some of the wines also have vintage dates. The city near Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. CREDIT: Werner Forman/Universal Images Group via Getty Images. Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Just like the aging of a fine wine, the domestication of grapevines throughout Italy was a pretty slow process. One of the country’s signature exports developed over thousands of years. The earliest evidence of domesticated grapes in Italy dates back to the Bronze Age, between 1400 and 1200 BCE. The findings are detailed in a study published April 23 in the journal PLOS One. Seeds of discovery Today, grape cultivation produces about 80 million tons of fresh grapes annually. While Italian wine is very prominent, less is known about the history of viticulture in the western Mediterranean compared to other parts of Europe and Asia. “Winemaking has had a profound significance for human culture and continues to do so today, both in religious ceremonies and cultural traditions,” study co-author and archaeobotanist Mariano Ucchesu tells Popular Science. “From an economic standpoint, grapes are among the most widely cultivated fruits in the world, so much so that more than 260 million hectolitres of wine are produced every year.” In 2008, Ucchesu and other researchers on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia discovered a large amount of plant remains inside of a Bronze Age well. Due to the environment within the well, the plant remains were very well preserved–including thousands of grape seeds. Ucchesu began studying the seeds and plant remains for his doctoral thesis and the research team discovered that the archeological seeds belonged to domesticated–or farmed–variaties of grapes. “Until then, it was believed that it was the Phoenicians and later the Romans who spread domesticated grapes in Italy, while our study showed that domesticated grapes were already present in Sardinia around 3,000 years ago,” says Ucchesu. “This discovery led me to further investigate the phenomenon; I wanted to understand whether the case of Sardinia was an isolated one or if there were similar cases elsewhere in continental Italy.”  A view of the vineyards located in the ruins of ancient Pompei– with the Vesuvio (Vesuvius) volcano in the background–during the harvest on October 13, 2009. The vineyards, located on the same sites as 2000 years ago, will produce for the 10th time, the “Villa dei Misteri” (Mysteries’ Palace), a wine made from the same grape variety as the one used in ancient Pompei. CREDIT: Mario LaPorta/AFP via Getty Images. MARIO LAPORTA A new wine timeline In this new study, Ucchesu and a team from institutions in France, Italy, and Spain analyzed over 1,700 grape seeds uncovered from 25 archaeological sites in and around Italy. The seeds span 7,000 years, from the Neolithic Period up to the Medieval Period.  In the sites older than 1000 BCE, nearly all of the grape seeds share the size and proportions of modern wild grapevines. This suggests that these fruits were gathered from the wild. Things started to change from roughly 1000 BCE up to 600 CE. The majority of the grape seeds from this time period appear shaped more like modern domesticated varieties. However, there still appears to be considerable variation in the seed size and proportions and the ratio of both domestic and wild grapes from site to site. By the Medieval Period–about 700 CE–domestic grape seeds are plentiful and very similar to modern cultivated grapes. This timeline indicates that grape cultivation in Italy likely started during the Late Bronze Age. Many centuries of gradual domestication likely followed, with mixing of wild and cultivated wines to create new domestic varieties.  [ Related: Trojans of all classes enjoyed a nice jug of wine. ] Two Italian regions particularly show evidence of these first traces. Campania, in southeastern Italy, had grape seeds that were more domesticated and found in the Grotta di Pertosa caves. In Sardinia, thousands of grape seeds were discovered at the archaeological site of Sa Osa. According to Ucchesu, understanding how grape seeds evolve over time was one of the most surprising parts of this study. The radical shift in seed shape that occurred in the Sixth Millennium BCE indicates that communities began to take a real interest in grape cultivation around this time. “The shape of the seeds continued to evolve up to the Roman period, during which grape cultivation intensified, giving rise to new varieties through the crossing of wild and domesticated grapes,” he says.  ‘Echoes of a thousand-year journey’ While these results do align with some precious research, future study at more archaeological sites will help fill in this picture of Mediterranean grape cultivation. The team from this study is currently planning a project to analyze the ancient DNA from archaeological materials to identify which ancient seeds led to today’s grape varieties. For any and all wine enthusiasts, Ucchesu also says it’s important, “to imagine that, with each sip of fine wine, we are tasting the echoes of a thousand-year journey, a story woven through time to arrive at our palate.”

Nature, Published online: 23 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01173-1Quantum communication over long distances can be achieved by exploiting a property of light called coherence. The coherence-based exchange of a ‘quantum encryption key’ over an optical telecommunications network demonstrates the feasibility of implementing a large-scale quantum network in existing telecommunications infrastructure.

Nature, Published online: 23 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01167-zThe high-resolution structure of a bridge-like lipid-transfer protein that moves lipids between cellular compartments shows how these ‘lipid superhighways’ operate.