Anime Kritik takes an unusual approach to the spit-filled first episode of Mysterious Girlfriend X, taking about, among other things, Biblical ideas regarding spit (and other bodily fluids) and the freedom of the New Covenant. [Kritik der Animationskraft]
Mira does an amazing job of unraveling the religious symbolism, including Hindu, Buddhist, and Shinto elements, connected to the opening myth (and therefore the locale) presented in episode one of Tsuritama. [Hachimitsu]
This week revealed that Christianity may play a significant role in the new anime, Sakamichi no Apollon. A number of bloggers mentioned this, with Tsuki giving more thoughts than most. [Emory Anime Club]
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As part of the Spirituality in the Anime Blogosphere series of posts, each week, Beneath the Tangles links to writings about anime and manga that involve religion and spirituality. If you’ve written such a piece or know of one, please email TWWK if you’d like it included.
The Christianity had been pointed out in one of my other forums for Kids on the Slope, and we all decided that the only thing surprising is that the creators portrayed that area of Japan pretty accurately- it’s part of the setting. Kyushu, Nagasaki in particular, is pretty much the center of Christian influence in Japan through history, having been virtually the only conduit for Western trade, philosophy, and science during the Tokugawa period. Therefore, having Christian characters in Kyushu actually makes *sense* – their presence here actually dates back to the first Christian missionaries from Europe.
Thanks for the background. I’ve read a little about the the persecutions of Christians and on what happened to the movement afterward, but I’m not all that familiar with the early missionaries and so forth.
Read Shusaku Endo’s novels. They’re great.
I’ve read “Silence” – brilliant and disturbing.
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That’s the one I was thinking of, actually 🙂 Deep River is awesome too. Those are the two books he asked to be placed in his coffin: Silence and Deep River.
Hmm…I may have to check out Deep River. Silence affected me profoundly.
I don’t think my top choices of self-made work put into my coffin would be so worthy. Fanfiction and blog post? 😛
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When I first saw Episode 2 of “Kids of the Slope”, I had a feeling you would mention the christian aspects of the show! I’m really liking it, and I’m intrigued to see how the religious aspects will play a factor in the story.
The little community of Christian anime fans, it seems, has sort of blown up over this revelation. I think we’re mostly really intrigued, like you are, to see what comes of this. Watanabe + Kanno + jazz + (now) Christian characters? This is gonna be an interesting ride!
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Well It seems as though Haru is meant to portray a Jesus figure. As you watch the show you see many characters already know him and he is able to call everyone out by name, and those who know him have a sense of “comfort” which is a predominate theme, while those who see him as a wide eyed kid do not know him but are attracted to him; also children are able to see a sort of halo about him.
The semi-antagonist Akira is shown as an middle eastern man Who is told Haru is an enemy but he sees no real wrong in him. He carries around a burden,the D.. Known as a duck but to me represents the devil or sin and Haru appears to be afraid of him ( more likely not able to stand looking at such a disgusting thing as sin. )
Haru is there to save the world announcing that he is an alien; which is comical in a way sense he knows everyone but no one seems to know him. He is a fisherman ( fisher of men ) and is trying to help the other two boys have more confidence in themselves so they may assist him in his quest. He isn’t able to fathom pain such as cancer or self contempt and is always marveling at the world. He is able to use water as his medium of “making miracles” ( telepathy/ control over the human body)
Yuki is a wondering man not able to settle down because he’s never able to get past his fears. He is a sheltered person afraid of the world because he cannot find comfort, but upon meeting haru he becomes more confident in himself.
Natsuki ( the prince of fishing) seems to be ready for the job at hand but is distrusting and disheartened by his family which Haru fixes by bringing him a friend (Yuki)
Just my two cents