This week was particularly rife with great posts and articles relating to anime and religion, mythology, or spirituality. Let’s get to them!
Anime News Network posted a report on mangaka Kazuo Koike’s interview with Madoka Magica writer, Gen Urobochi. Among the things they discussed was Madoka’s ultimate status and the role she and Homura played by the end of the series [Anime News Network]:
When asked about Homura’s position at the end of the work, [Gen Urobochi] described her as an evangelist who is the only person within the world she lives in who understands Madoka’s existence and role.
Mike Huang, who once graciously wrote an aniblogger testimony for us, posts a wonderful piece reflecting on some events of his youth and drawing comparisons to Ano Natsu de Matteru for the Diary of an Anime Lived series. Much of the story takes place at a Christian youth retreat and Mike’s memories about how those teens acted is telling (and unfortunately, not unique). [Anime Diet]
Tommy calls anime conventions a “culture of hate,” explaining what he sees as an anti-Christian attitude exhibited by con attendees. [Anime Bowl]
JoeAnimated talks about the redemption of three important characters in Eureka Seven, framing his post around the hymn, “Amazing Grace.” [We Remember Love]
Marina chats about real life speculation involving transplanting a “soul” along with organs, while discussing the surprising turn in episode 3 of Area no Kishi. [Anime B&B]
Bitmap surmises that kijimuna spirits, famed in Okinawan culture, are the models for robot characters in the anime, Asobi ni Iku Yo!. [The Untold Story of Altair and Vega]
Kermit Bayless relates his New Year’s experience in Japan, including attending hatsumode, sleeping in a capsule hotel, and seeing loud, sign-holding, Japanese street evangelists. [Jesus Loves Japan]
Cyberpunk addresses what she sees as the unsettling end to Texhnolyze, calling the series an “eschatological heresy.” [Cyberpunk]
Landon draws some great connections between Greek mythology and Shin Mazinger Z. Warning: click on the link only if you’re not adverse to f-bombs. [Mecha Guignol]
Richmond Lee presents a series of interesting connections between Buddhism (his religion) and the game, Asura’s Wrath. [Kotaku]
Hippiefreak reviews Saint Young Men, giving a brief overview of the series and giving recommendations on how believers and non-believers might take it. [Anime Tree]
In a post on episode thirteen of Fate/Zero, Sofiel mentions her own reservations about Christianity when discussing the much-dissected discussion between Caster and Ryunnosuke. [Hiroi Sekai]
Thanks for the linkback! Yeah, one of the reasons why I’m still rather cynical about the Christian subculture (though not Christ!) is that even in youth group it didn’t feel all that different from middle school or high school. But I had a few crucial lifelines: that Sunday School teacher in the story, an unusual and perceptive youth pastor, and a few stalwart friends. It didn’t help that I took myself waaaay too seriously then and in retrospect was a bit of a stuck up snot. We’re all human at the end of the day and whatever good we have or do isn’t ours.
Thanks for the comments, Mike – I’ve seen/experienced similar things in youth group and later in college, so I share some that cynicism.
Thanks for the linkback as well!
I’ve mentioned personally that I’m no catholic but I did take a class in catholicism and I understand many things that I have not understood before.
Now that I look at the anime world, I can see that Christianity isn’t the most saavy thing out there
I really appreciated your post! I would have to disagree with your statement about Christianity, though. 😛
I meant that anime doesn’t portray christianity correctly
Haha, woops, sorry. You’re absolutely right there. I can’t blame them, though, since the country has so few Christians.
Thank you for the linkback! As I’m new to anime blogging, I appreciate you reading and forwarding on to your followers!
No problem! I’ve been following your writing and enjoy it – I’m also a father (of two), and I enjoy reading your posts, from the perspective of a parent.
It doesn’t look like Tommy understands that anime conventions are not a gathering of Christians. These are people just sharing their beliefs.