As Kermit the Frog so famously put it, “It’s not easy being green.” Likewise, it’s not easy being a Christian who likes anime. I’m not saying at all that Christian anime fans endure any type of suffering – that’s both shallow and ignorant. However, many Christians struggle with joining their love of the medium with a belief that often runs counter to the ideas expressed in it.
At the same time, anime in manga can express spiritual truths, whether or not those were the intentions. This blog provides ample support for that. Spiritual ideals can be found in just about anything. I have a friend (currently attending seminary) who claims to have found God through Metallica; he is especially proud of this point.
Likewise, I ran across a most interesting post, dated 2009, written by Ed Sizemore of Manga Out Loud, who moved from the Evangelical tradition to the Eastern Orthodox one. His assertion is that anime and manga helped change his thinking. Take a look at his entry, which not only bridges anime with spirituality, but makes some very interesting, yet sensitive, critiques about modern Evangelical practice and culture.
An Eddy of Thought: How Anime & Manga Helped Me Become Eastern Orthodox.