Throughout episode 11 of Sword Art Online, I couldn’t shake a peculiar feeling I had. The characters’ actions all felt very strange, and for once, I wasn’t enjoying this episode. I soon realized that one particular point of peculiarity had to do with the theme of “relationships going in reverse” in this episode. And this… Read More Sword Art Online, Episode 11: Family from Finish to Start
The history of the wedding ring is an interesting one – this piece of jewelry was not always a symbol of romance and devotion. But it’s certainly taken on a different connotation in our times. When Jenny and I wed six years ago, our pastor mentioned two particular symbols of the wedding band – ideas… Read More Sword Art Online, Episode 10: You Complete Me
It’s so much easier when you have someone around who knows what she’s doing. – Kirito If episode eight of Sword Art Online emphasized anything, it’s this: Asuna and Kirito need each other. In some ways, their needs are more wants, like Kirito’s desire for someone of Asuna’s cooking skill to whip up some rabbit stew. … Read More Kirito, Asuna, and Complementary Couples
I don’t pronounce myself an expert on dating, but as a married man and father of two, I feel I have some wisdom to share. I also believe anime, with all its quirks and make-believe scenarios, can teach us something about relationships. With this in mind, I’ll be sharing a bit about relationships over the… Read More Atypical Dating, Day 1: Women Who Can’t Cook and Reversing Expectations
Clannad After Story Episode 10: “Season of Beginnings” In this aptly named episode of the second season of Clannad, Okazaki Tomoya and his friends have just graduated from high school, with the important exception of Tomoya’s girlfriend Furukawa Nagisa. Having missed too many days of school due to illness yet again, Nagisa will be repeating… Read More The Eighth Day of Christmas Anime: Clannad After Story
Cross Game is an anime that is suprisingly mature and very subtle in its depictions of romantice love. On Tuesday’s post, I posited that people should stop playing games in love and that it’s important to be honest in what one expects from a relationship. Today, we’ll finish off with a couple more topics related… Read More Cross Game of Love, Part II: Letting Go
Even though the breakup rates among anime couples are notoriously high, like a Disney fairytale, we still expect that once our couples have overcome adversity, they will settle down and live a happily-ever-after marriage. But life isn’t always so easy (see Clannad’s possible future and Suzuka as examples). For many years, it’s been quoted that around… Read More 50% of Anime Marriages End in Divorce
The easiest way to keep up with Beneath the Tangles is to sign up for our email newsletter, Above Anime, on Substack!
Each Friday, you’ll receive an original anime devotional along with links to all our reviews, analysis, videos, and other content for the week. It’s the easiest way to keep up with our ministry!