Religious Influence on Anime

[krissti_neo_angel_ti]

Reminds me of:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/04/FMA_Yankee.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/79/FMA_Japan.jpg

Quote:

The content of the manga released by Viz in the United States were mostly consistent with the original material. As of August 2007, the only edits that have been made were to a set of twelve panels from volume 8, depicting the Homunculus Greed tied to a cross-shaped stone slab in crucifixion style. In the U.S. version the stone was redesigned to become round in each panel, as commented by Viz to avoid references to Christianity. This change in the manga was made with the approval of Arakawa.

[elpantalones]

I was watching this really boring anime called 'Maria-sama ga Miteru' (Mary Watches Over Us)-or something. It had the virgin Mary in it--and Catholic themes--like rosaries, etc.

...I think it was a yuri.

[herozero5]

Christianity is one of, if not the most, practiced religions out there, and the concept of God is similar in almost any religion you look at. Whether it's under a different name or form, the concept of God is usually present. I think a lot of times it just gives the story a basis that a lot of people can relate to, or at least know a little about.

The religion you're talking about is Shintoism, I think, which is only practiced by about four million people (not very many, considering the world's population) and is pretty much secluded to Japan. It makes sense that they use a more practiced religion, as more people are likely to understand it thanks to prior knowledge, or at least is more accessible to the general public.

[~Twilight Fairy Of Light~]

As far as examples, Higurashi no naku koro ni is a good one XD. The plot centers around a village's god, Oyashiro-sama, and how Oyashiro-sama 'curses' those who try to leave Hinamizawa.
But most people just call is the 'killer loli' anime XP.

[DarkDaisuke9]

Trinity Blood is based off of Catholicism I think but another religious one Chrono Crusade.

[Linedhel]

sherman the smurf

but i guess alot of people know those stories so it makes it more "realistic" i guess

There are many posts in this thread I could quote, but I'll go with this one.

This is, in almost every case, completely wrong.

Distinctions should be made between stories that draw from a religion and stories that use spirituality influenced by a religion. There are very, very few of the former in regards to Christian influence, perhaps because the Japanese seem to have very little knowledge of anything to do with Christianity. Good examples of this include Tsukihime, Chrono Crusade, Hellsing, and pretty much any series where the Roman Catholic Church is portrayed as a paramilitary organization with its own demon hunters. This has nothing to do with Catholicism. It's just creating a completely fictitious organization with its nomenclature and uniforms roughly based on that of a real organization. These series are not religious in the slightest.

And don't get me started on what happens when a Japanese writer gets his hands on scripture.

[Infecting]

The Atheistic Messiah v8

krissti_neo_angel_ti

Reminds me of:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/04/FMA_Yankee.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/79/FMA_Japan.jpg

Quote:

The content of the manga released by Viz in the United States were mostly consistent with the original material. As of August 2007, the only edits that have been made were to a set of twelve panels from volume 8, depicting the Homunculus Greed tied to a cross-shaped stone slab in crucifixion style. In the U.S. version the stone was redesigned to become round in each panel, as commented by Viz to avoid references to Christianity. This change in the manga was made with the approval of Arakawa.

I don't like censorship, but the people that complain about this are ridiculous.

80% of the US is Christian. If you released a children's series like the second picture, you will get thousands of complaints.

These are changes even most die hard fans wouldn't even notice.

[xMiss Muffinx]

Have some composure, where is your posture? Oh, no, no...

Agreed.
But, I don't believe Death Note is very religiously influential.
Okay, so, Light thinks he's God the whole time.
But it's not exactly religious.
Other than that, you're right.

...You're pulling the trigger, pulling the trigger all wrong.

[Mitsuki the ninja]

~Twilight Fairy Of Light~

As far as examples, Higurashi no naku koro ni is a good one XD. The plot centers around a village's god, Oyashiro-sama, and how Oyashiro-sama 'curses' those who try to leave Hinamizawa.
But most people just call is the 'killer loli' anime XP.

But Oyashiro-sama is just a cute little purple haired girl. And people die when they leave Hinamizawa because they have a parasite and the queen carrier of the parasite lives in the village. And the queen carrier stops the symptoms from going out of control.

[Sepherest Version2]

“Protecting and all that isn’t really a big deal. And because it’s not a big deal, I know I definitely won’t regret iiit~
Besides… the bonds between people aren’t something that can be cut so easilyyy~
It’s shapeless, just like air, so even if you wanted to cut it, it can’t be cut…"
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Wow guys, way to not mention anything about Angel Sanctuary.
Anyway, even as a Catholic none of this stuff has ever bothered me.
All of our religions can be considered fake, or mythologic in anyone else's mind,
so there's nothing wrong with playing around with it.
Besides, Megaten's been doing that for years.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
"But you knooow~? That’s only the case with bonds. Human bodies get carved up really easilyyy.
Because they have form, my scissors can damage them so, so easily.
This makes me sad and happy.”

[~Twilight Fairy Of Light~]

Mitsuki the ninja

~Twilight Fairy Of Light~

As far as examples, Higurashi no naku koro ni is a good one XD. The plot centers around a village's god, Oyashiro-sama, and how Oyashiro-sama 'curses' those who try to leave Hinamizawa.
But most people just call is the 'killer loli' anime XP.

But Oyashiro-sama is just a cute little purple haired girl. And people die when they leave Hinamizawa because they have a parasite and the queen carrier of the parasite lives in the village. And the queen carrier stops the symptoms from going out of control.

Yes, but the people believe that Oyashiro-sama is a vengeful, frightening god. And, actually, the parasite theory is only one of the Hinamizawa Syndrome theories. There are other theories, too since they never stated that was really what the Syndrome was..
In my opinion, Rena was so sick with Hinamizawa Syndrome when she mentioned that theory, she was just plain crazy. She was delusional and paranoid, like Keichii in Onikakushi.

[animelovr24]

Yeah there are many animes/mangas dealing with 'God'. But some of the ones you mentioned are not exactly what most people think of as 'God'. For example, in Fruits Basket, Akito is the spirit of the god but most definitely not the Judeo/Christain 'God'. You have to remember the differences between higher beings which can be known as god and the Judeo/Christian 'God' who is a specific being.

[xXxTifaHeartsxXx]

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.

Agreed..

[Dewitt Spitze Wilheim]

Monster lolz.. please. XD