Read or Die
Episode 10: “Christmas Carol”
- From an Official R.O.D. artbook via E-shuushuu
The Christmas Story
As the episode begins, Nenene receives two invitations to Christmas parties. The three sisters want to go to the second, a party for a recipient of an author’s award which Nenene once received. They all go, and Nenene is admonished by a senior, though she’s then defended by Lee, her editor. Later, Nenene finds out that the second party is actually a birthday party for the sisters, as they tell of how they came to be sisters on Christmas Day.
Christmas Gifts
The Christmas theme is barely present at all at first, but grows as the episode goes on, including the present given by Nenene to Lee and later discussions about Santa, God and Christmas. Look out for the homeless (or charitable?) Santa early the show.
The true meaning of Christmas is…
Making a miracle. Though Jesus is never mentioned by name, this episode contains a suprising amount of references to Christian themes, particularly toward loving others. While Anita decries the lack of miracles and wonders about God’s existence, Michelle and Maggie each decide to make their own miracles by coming to the abandoned girl. The imagery of Mary and baby Jesus is repeated and strongly infers a familial love, as well as the expectation of miracles on this special day. I’ve never watched the famed series, but if this episode is any indication of the show’s heart, I’m definitely interested. The last third of the episode is very touching, but manages to stay away from being over-the-top or corny.
Stocking Stuffers
If you’re interested, Temporal Vortex had a nice post about this episode last Christmas.
On the second day of Christmas, anime gave to me:
a Paper Sisters birthday,
and Sakura knitting a nerdy dollie.
Tomorrow’s Forecast
The skies should be clear for viewing a comet flying by.