Christianity and Anime: A Greater Mission. A Clearer Vision.

What is Beneath the Tangles all about? Those who stumble upon us probably think of this site as just another anime blog. Those who have discovered us by searching “Christian anime” know otherwise, but still might not understand what our mission is. Are we just a bunch of Christians writing about anime?

No, not quite. There’s more to it than that.

When I began this blog more than ten years ago, it was always with the idea of it being an outreach tool, a way of spreading the gospel message. We’ve featured that idea as part of our mission and vision statements. And as we’ve grown and spent more time, effort, and prayer in the ministry, we’ve rethought those a bit, too, and today are sharing changes in both statements.

Mission Statement

Old: Beneath the Tangles bridges the gap between anime fans and the Christian church by discussing Christianity as expressed through anime, supporting and loving Christian anime fans, and demonstrating faith through interaction with our readers.

New: Beneath the Tangles bridges the divide between anime fans and the Christian church by developing anime-related content and discussing anime and also Christianity as expressed through anime, manga, and light novels; ministering to and loving Christian anime fans; and demonstrating faith by modeling Christ through interaction with our readers and followers.

This one was easy, and largely based on what we do here. We’ve grown in breadth and depth, and these minor tweaks reflect that.

Vision Statement

Old: Beneath the Tangles is developing a community where our staff members can use their passion for anime and Japanese media; love for God and for people; and skills and talents to reach out to the English-speaking otaku community and share the gospel message through our words and actions, participating in the Christ’s command to teach about faith and make disciples, and care for the church by supporting Christian believers who are part of the otaku community.

New: Beneath the Tangles is developing a transformative community where our staff members can use their passion for anime and Japanese media; love for God and for people; and skills and talents to grow into brand that is well-known and regarded among anime fans in order to facilitate a mission to reach out to the otaku community and share the gospel message through our words and actions, thereby participating in Christ’s command to teach about faith and make disciples, and care for the church by offering authentic and loving support to Christian believers who are part of the otaku community.

The vision statement was really the focus of this entire effort. I’ll be forthcoming—I’ve been very judgmental of Christians and preachers who put forth the message of dreaming big for the kingdom. I think it ends up being more about them and not about God, and really starts to convey a pride where these individuals feel they know what God specifically wants of them, as if they are prophets.

But lately, I’ve been convicted that, at least in me, there’s a different kind of pride, a sneakier one, as I try to keep this ministry under my control and not dreaming big. Jesus promises to give us what we desire when it comes to seeking him. I want to have faith in that. So here’s the goal—let’s get really big and make it about the biggest one of all.

As a final note of closure, these statement changes were run by our leadership team, who made important contributions, and to our kage level patrons as well. We feel good about this direction, and hope you’ll join in supporting us through prayer and all other ways as we seek to reach more non-Christians and support more believers as well in this rich and wonderful field of anime, manga, and light novel fans.

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