One of my favorite things about attending anime conventions isn’t the guests, the art, or even the anime itself—it’s the people. I never felt that more strongly than last year, when I cohosted a panel at Anime Matsuri. This year, we’re coming back, as Tiff of ShortStuffArts (Etsy/YouTube) and Few of the Many (Instagram/ YouTube)… Read More Christian Themes in Anime and Church Community at Anime Matsuri 2026
When I opened our Patreon account almost a decade ago, I hoped that we’d gather about a half-dozen supporters who would help us defray the costs of having a website. What I didn’t expect was to see names of those who had already long supported what we did here on Beneath the Tangles come to… Read More BtT’s Fall Campaign: The Love of Sustained Giving
Once again, Ya Boy Kongming proves to have some surprisingly rich depths beneath its catchy surface this week. The hidden pearl this time lies in the developing relationship between Kongming and Eiko, which is part professional, part friendship, and in this episode at least, all allegory for the believer’s relationship with God, as Eiko’s growing… Read More Ya Boy Kongming, ep. 4: When God Leaves You Hanging
Kurau: Phantom Memory is a character-driven sci-fi series from 2004 that stands the test of time. It does so not simply because of the clean, classic animation, the evocative soundtrack, the adept world-building, or the lack of filler episodes. No, it does so primarily because of its thought-provoking exploration of a relationship that is deeper… Read More The Abiding Love of Kurau: Phantom Memory
Police in a Pod keeps getting better each week, to the point where this latest episode made me want to sit up and take notes on how to do life—as a believer, as a professional, and simply as a person. Today, Sgt. Fuji demonstrated the power of honor to change lives. Back in the heady… Read More Police in a Pod, Ep. 3: The Power of Honor
Time and time these days, I find myself explaining what it is our ministry does. I’m not complaining—in fact, I’m delighted that people are interested! And it’s natural to wonder exactly what the heck Beneath the Tangles is: What are you guys? What does anime have to do with Christianity? Why do you do this?… Read More A Christian Anime Ministry: Why We Do What We Do
There are many lessons to learn from The Heike Story: the cost of pride, the trauma of war, the insidiousness of bitterness. Every episode conveys these truths with both the elegance and firmness of a martial artist’s killing blow. But the true heart of this series is far subtler and as such can be easily… Read More The Heike Story: A Tale of Forgiveness?
Interested in watching thoughtful, human-centered conversations with people connected to anime?
Watch Something Genuine, our interview series that cuts through the noise and focuses on the people behind the costumes, in front of the mics, and watching anime, just like you and me. Season two premieres on May 27th.