More than ever, Mawaru Penguindrum gave its audience food for thought in the way of religious symbolism in episode 20. ajthefourth compares Himari’s punishment to those of Adam and Eve. Draggle also mentions the Adam and Eve symbolism and discusses the portions of the episode in terms of Christianity, the Gnostics, and Buddhism. Finally, SnippetTee… Read More Adam, Eve, an Apple, and a Spinning Penguindrum
Mawaru Penguindrum continues to deliver week after week, defying conventions on the way. Among other things, episode 20 was a beautiful episode about romantic fate. The flashback to Himari and Shouma as children is both touching and difficult to watch. There’s little as heartwarming as watching two kids love on a stray kitten (and little… Read More Mawaru Penguindrum, Episode 20: Himari and Shouma, the First Man and Woman
Draggle discusses Himari’s comments in episode 19 of Mawaru Penguindrum about not amounting to anything in terms of free will. Omo uses The Passion of the Christ to illustrate a point about how viewers watch anime. Katie reviews chapters two and three of amateur Christian OEL, Send Me an Angel. Animekritic briefly mentions an allusion… Read More Himari’s Will, Passion of the Anime, and Guadalupe of Narutaru
Draggle sees Momoka of Mawaru Penguindrum as a Christ figure with disciples, including Tabuki as Judas. Roghek responded to that post with one of her own, discussing the episode in terms of the Biblical ideas of sin affecting future generations. Draggle then wrote another post focusing on our attitudes toward victims and again quoting scripture.… Read More Penguins at Jesus’ Arrest, Tabuki as Judas, and a Proliferation of Christian OEL Manga
I don’t think sad and painful things are pointless. If that’s fate, then they must happen for a reason. I will accept it and become stronger. As Mawaru Penguindrum marches toward its fateful conclusion, one of the most interesting developments has been the change in how the audience views the show’s characters. Episodes 17 and… Read More Mawaru Penguindrum Episode 18 and a Painful Response
Taylor Ramage reviews the anime-influence Because the Angels, writing that the author “isn’t afraid of including things that most Christians would consider “dirty” and because of that, she’s produced a story in which Christianity actually has life.” Ephemeral Dreamer suggests a “serpent in the Garden of Eden” allusion in episode 16 of Mawaru Penguindrum. In… Read More A Serpent in the Garden of Penguins, a Buddhist Ritual in Last Exile, and Giving Thanks for Bento
In his review of Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84, a three volume work in which cults and Jehovah’s Witnesses play a role, Boyd Tonkin describes the protagonist as “clearly belong[ing] on the manga and anime planets of Japanese pop culture.” Among other analysis, Draggle delves into Momoka’s function in as the title character of Mawaru Penguindrum episode… Read More Momoka as Jesus, Waiting on YWAM, and Buying Religious Manga
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!