Religious Influence on Anime

[lightapple]

Don't think I've ever seen this topic before. So, here it goes.


Lately, I've realized how many of the anime I watch and manga I read seem to have a bit of religious influence. Let me just list what I have:

Full Metal Alchemist: The fact that the alchemist are not gods, and cannot bring people to life. Although the idea behind going where you should not go reminds me greatly of Frankenstein.

Code Geass: Emperor wants to be greater then, and defeat, God.

D. Gray-Man: The whole thing is based off of Christianity. With the Noah, the Ark, Dark Matter and Light matter, and the Exorcists being God's soldiers. The Pope is in it for goodness sake.

Death Note: Light thinking he is God, and has the right to judge man.

Fruits Basket: This one not so much, just the fact that Akito is God, and believes everyone should do his bidding. The debate of free will could be brought up.

Godchild: Cain is named Cain, because he is said to be cursed like him. Although nothing more comes from that.


I know I had one or two others, but this is what I can remember.

After realizing this, I researched the religions in Japan, and Christianity/Catholicism is actually one of the less popular religions. With Buddhism and Ancient Japanese religion [I forget what it is called] being dominant. God of course is a universal figure in all religions, but not so much Cain and the story of Noah's Ark is exclusive to Islamic, Jewish, and Christian practices.

Personally, I just believe that it is just source information, to make the story more interesting, and the use of the Bible is supposed to make the plots in the stories seem more authentic, since they are based on events that are believed to be real by some.


So, what is your take on this?

[sherman the smurf]

wow, you took your time on this...
but i guess alot of people know those stories so it makes it more "realistic" i guess

[II Yami Bakura II]

SyriMoon

I actually like seeing different religious mythologies or stories played out in anime and manga. I had a "duh" moment when I realized how much of X was based off the book of Revelations, but it made the story a lot cooler, to me, to see it based not entirely in imagination and fantasy. As a Catholic, such elements ground the story, base it more strongly in the real world, to me.

You think you have won, and that the darkness will consume me, but you've yet to realize......

Agreed.
that I AM THE DARKNESS!!!!

[PAWD Rip Van Winkle]

Neon genesis evangelion had some of these themes in it as well

[II Yami Bakura II]

SyriMoon

Afternoon, Yami.

You think you have won, and that the darkness will consume me, but you've yet to realize......

Afternoon. 3nodding Note: I drank two cups of sugar tea, so I never when to bed last night...
that I AM THE DARKNESS!!!!

[Amylovesdeathnote]

I agree but it doesnt really effect how much i like or dislike the anime.Hellsing and Elfen Lied also had a pretty big religious influence but i still like both shows.

[lightapple]

sherman the smurf

wow, you took your time on this...
but i guess alot of people know those stories so it makes it more "realistic" i guess

I actually realized this a month or so ago, but I only really frequent Gaia and the A/M/C in the summer.

And there is only so much a person can take of seeing the same topics, over and over again.

[Talutah Kimimela]

The ideals are quite interesting to read in manga, how the authors percieve different aspects of religion. I myself am not really religious but still question the ideas, I'm open minded about it, despite what my family things because they are all really stuck up atheists, and I really can't be bothered to argue with my dad on my ideals, because he thinks religion is a breed of ignorance. -_-'

Well, on topic, quite a lot of manga's do have those themes, whether the author intentionally put those ideas there as a message or just a plot filler, it's still intriguing.

[Mitsuki the ninja]

I have but one thing to say:

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6105/motivator6727153lm2.jpg

[Son of Gallifrey]

"They could put me in a helicopter and fly me up into the air."
"Line the bodies head to toe on the ground in delightful geometric patterns."
"And it would never be enough."
"I don't keep count, but you do. And I love you for it."

[Well, everyone knows about God.]
[So it would make sense for people to draw a plot from that.]
[The fact that people know a bit about, limits the amount of things the author has to explain.]