Rurouni Kenshin Christian Arc- Degrading or Uplifting?

[Usso-M]

Although I stopped watching RK when Cartoon Network decided to put it next to it's kiddie cartoons and up the ante on editing, I still enjoy it. But I'm wondering, are the Christians in the 3rd Arc portrayed as Fire-breathing, murderous, heathens a la Ninja Reseructions, or are they seen in a more postive, or at least neutral light?

Thanks a lot

[Razgriz]

I've heard that he faces against a Christian kensai that has an interesting portrayal of a Christian in an anime, but more or less has his own interpretation. [spoiler=minor spoiler]He believes only he could save Christians[/spoiler]

[Psycho Ann]

Oh, the Amakusa Arc? Well, Amakusa Shiro (I think that's his name) was a *real* person who had hand in the uprising of Christianity in Japan. He disappeared somehow quite mysteriously and no one to this day know just where to.

Now, the anime does portray this guy, Amakusa, but I believe to be in a WAAAAYYY different light than the Amakusa of history. First off, they "censored" it a bit to make it seem more neutral and not religion-bashing--they did a poor job.

I wasn't offended, but just slightly miffed. After all, Amakusa and his sister (he has a sister!?) are leaders of a cult like thingy with weird miracles and what not. Yes, a *cult*, not Christianity as it was in real history.

He's the bishonen-bad-guy-of-the-arc and gets pummeled by Hiten Mitsurugi Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki (yes, I actually remember that move) in the end.

It's probably one of the worse arcs in all anime fandom (in my biased opinion) since I really don't find it necessary to char development at all (well, some good KenshinxKaoru moments were there and some Sanox-SPOILER-).

I loved the ending "1/3" to death though....

Sangoku: They actually stated he was a Christian? I really don't recall that, at least in the Indo/english dubs.... but I might be wrong.

[Razgriz]

Thats what I've heard from my friend and what I read on a RK website, dubs generally change meaning I guess...?

[supa dupa ninja]

Although I stopped watching RK when Cartoon Network decided to put it next to it's kiddie cartoons and up the ante on editing, I still enjoy it. But I'm wondering, are the Christians in the 3rd Arc portrayed as Fire-breathing, murderous, heathens a la Ninja Reseructions, or are they seen in a more postive, or at least neutral light?

Thanks a lot

I loved this ark, it showed that what can christians do if suppressed long enough. and besides it showed how my christian ancestors suffered during those days (im asian by the way) and showed we could kick alot of buddhist butt( no offence to anybody).

[blue elf]

I quit buying the dvds after the Kyoto arc so I've never seen the 3rd season. There were a couple main reasons I didn't buy it, I was a little nervous about how they portrayed Christianity and I had heard that this season wasn't all that good since it didn't follow the manga. I would've loved to see the Enishi arc animated though.*sigh*
_BlueElf ^^

[Saint]

Yeah, the 3rd saga wasn't as good as the 2nd (my fav. in any anime i think) and the portayal is a little off base, but i don't watch kenshin to find out about the Christian way of life. it did make me think about this: Christian persecution, living in the U.S. i really don't deal with any persecution for my faith. It is sad to think that so many people in the world face it.

[cmm]

I cried... I loved that arc... But when that girl forgot her name died in sanosuke's arms.. i cried.. and i thought it was a good arc.. I loved it.. very very much.. and kenshin kicked that soo called "son of gods" butt XD..Kenshin rawks..

[Joshua Christopher]

Glad to see you posting about, but please remember digging up a thread this old is usually frowned upon by the moderators. Just make a note of that. : )

[aule1701]

wow this i littel old but yeah i have mixed feelings on the third arc i like the later acrs but the christian one was a little weird

[Neko Niisan]

I think it was alright, I mean they were portrayed as a cult and the so called religious mentor of the 'heaven sent son of god' was a psychotic twisted samurai who watched his parents get crucified roman-style for being Christians.

I personally like it as a allergry between true faith a ocultish misleadings although I can see were there would be a problem for people who have no knowledge of the true Christian faith and watch this.

[Slater]

whoa, this thread is older than the lightbulb.

Hmm... my gf told me about this, but I didn't pay attention.

[eva-boy7985]

Bear in mind though that sadly enough, Christians are just as capable of evil as we are of good, mainly because our natural priority (due to a sin nature) is to be human men and women before we are Christians. The Body of Christ has misrepresented its King time and again throughout history (the Crusades for example). While I most certainly agree with you guys in that I myself am sometimes perturbed at the media's/movies'/animes'/etc. portrayal, I also can't help but partially side with the idea that we're to some extent "getting a taste of our own medicine." The world has lots of different stereotypes about all faiths/religions, and as sad and generic as some stereotypes may be, at some point or another, those stereotypes typically developed due to actual occurrences/actions on the very part of those people that they label. I'm speaking you might say in somewhat of a more overall general sense, not necessarily with specific reference to the Kenshin arc in question, though it was this thread that of course caused me to want to state my thoughts and observations.

[Kkun]

The Christian arc is neither degrading nor uplifting. It's kind of there. For what it is, though, I thought it was really enjoyable. Comparing it to the Jinchuu arc is ridiculous, but the Christian arc is still really good. The characters are developed fairly well (with the exception of a few minor villains) and the religious element is there but I never really found it to be overbearing. In fact, this arc is pretty rough on the Japanese government and their treatment of Christians.

I'd say it's definitely worth looking into. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Heart of Sword]

One of the "Christians" is nuts but the others are just portrayed as followers of Jesus. In my opinion, I think that the creators did an excellent job. The creators didn't favor Christianity, but they didn't make it look bad either. It really neither degrading or uplifting.