Mashable

1. Fans say Netflix's dub of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' erases queer subtext

   

   

   Some fans are not happy with the new dub Netflix put on Neon Genesis Evangelion. 

   It's a time-honored media pastime at this point to bend over backward in order to avoid describing gay relationships as, well, actually gay. Just look at these gal pals! Just a couple of guys being bros! Those aren't lesbians, they're, uh, cousins. 

   But there's a difference between an animation studio choosing to keep LGBTQ relationships subtle, and censorship of queer themes and language. Translation falls right into a grey area between the two.

   Neon Genesis Evangelion, one of the most popular and influential anime series to come out of the '90s, was recently released from licensing hell, and has found a new home on Netflix. For unknown reason, Netflix updated the whole series with a new script translation. Read more...

   More about Twitter, Netflix, Lgbtq, Translation, and Neon Genesis Evangelion

2. 10 brands that tried too hard during Pride Month in 2019

   

   

   It's Pride Month, the time of year when corporations do their very best to prove just how supportive they are.

   Rainbows are everywhere: in clothing stores, on public storefronts, and on nearly every brand logo on Twitter. And while some of the profits from specialty Pride merchandisedo go to worthy nonprofits, other brands donate a paltry amount, and some merch is simply used to generate additional profit. (It's worth noting as well that many companies that plaster their brands with rainbows for Pride also donate large sums to politicians who actively oppose LGBTQ rights.)

   Then there's the merch and branding that just takes it a step too far. Either these products are far too corny for public consumption, or the brands themselves are too hypocritical to be involved.  Read more...

   More about Brands, Pride Month, Lgbtq Pride, Culture, and Identities

3. Meet the robotic strawberry harvesters that are picking fresh produce — Strictly Robots

   

   

   Named the “Agrobot,” the robot’s designed to carry out its tasks autonomously. Read more...

   More about Mashable Video, Robot, Artificial Intelligence, Agriculture, and Strawberry

   

4. New giant squid footage shows they're not terrible monsters, after all

   

   

   We love tales about monsters.

   Especially monsters that dwell in the dark, and have only been glimpsed alive in grainy, murky pictures or videos. But recent footage of the legendary giant squid — including a new video captured during a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expedition on June 19 — shows the elusive cephalopods likely aren't beasts of horror. They're a somewhat cautious, though huge, deep sea species.

   "When we think of the giant squid we think of the Kraken dragging sailors to their deaths and images of doom," said marine biologist Nathan Robinson, who helped seek out and find the recent giant squid.  Read more...

   More about Science, Ocean, Deep Sea, Giant Squid, and Science

5. Wendy's just sent everyone a mysterious Google Calendar invite for a lunch date

   

   

   It's not every day that you receive a Google Calendar lunch invite from Wendy's. Yes, the entire corporation, Wendy's, is going to wine and dine us.  

   Today, Wendy's official Twitter account teased us all with the promise of something when they posted a subtle GCal link with the caption "Let's hang." Since using something as official and business-y as Google Calendar to announce a potential new item is new territory for brand marketing,I'll bite — but the internet has so many questions. Is this a casual hang, a professional lunch, or does Wendy's want something more? Do we have to bring a greasy bouquet of french fries?  Read more...

   More about Twitter, Brands, Wendy S, Culture, and Social Media Companies