Angel Sanctuary

[valdrianth]

This is the same reveiw I did for the series for the GirlZ Anime Place.

Angel Sanctuary

Rating : 7 out of 10

To the point:
The three part OVA is filled with major Angst. The twisted plot spawning from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim beliefs that Kaori Yuki has created will make you sick to the stomach. Don’t eat before this one kiddies. The human body has 8 pints of blood and it all let out on this one.

Plot:
God has gone into an eternal sleep. His angels are intrigued by lust and violence, causing chaos in heaven and hell. The organic angel, Alexial has declared a revolt against God for the wicked actions her fellow angels have commited. In battle she sealed her twin brother Razial with the power of the Seven Bladed Sword (which is Lucifer) into the Earth. This caused Alexial to seperate into body and soul. Her body is seal inside an angel crystal in heaven and her soul is to incarnated into human. Each life she lives ends in a horrible death. Her resent incarnation is a 16 year old boy named Setsuna Muduo. Setsuna is in love with his younger sister Sara, but he knows he must hide it. The only one who is aware of it is his best friend and sempai, Sakuya Kira. (Who is really Seven Blades) . However there is a drastic turn around. The angel, Katan has broken Razial’s seal using the electric power of Tokyo in hopes he will save heaven. Razial insteads decided to persue Alexial (who he is in love with) and if she doesn’t except him he will kill her. At first Setsuna does not want to believe that he is an angel. All he wants is Sara. But then something happens. Katan kills Sara, unleashing Alexial’s rage. The power of Setsuna was so immense that all of Tokyo was destroyed. A seraphim then appears to Setsuna, restoring Tokyo, except that it is frozen in time. Setsuna, in awe, wants to know why Sara was not revive. The great angel tells him because without her death, Alexial’s awakening could not have been possible. He needs Setsuna’s help to free him from his prison if not the world will be detroyed. Setsuna comes to the conclusion that a world without Sara is not a world worth living. The seraphim, with respect for Setsuna says there is a way to bring Sara back. That is to go to Hades, and revive her soul. Kira, is the only one that could send Setsuna’s soul to Hades instead it being incarnated again. So, out of true friendship, he kills Setsuna’s mortal body by stabbing him in the heart.

Opinion:
In my opinon the anime was alright. I had gotten into it simply because I fell in love with Kaori Yuki’s artwork. However, as a Christian I couldn’t help but notice the twists and wrong in story of it. But being that I am an open minded human being I realize that fiction is fiction. The incest takes getting used to though. (Then again in Tenchi there is somewhat..incest...) However, if you are offended by quirks in Christian Mythology, then I suggest you stay away from this.

Animation:
Compared to the manga artwork it’s a little blah. However the character designs are decent. (I love Sara’s Hair) but the costume designs could use some work.

Voice Acting:
Horible! Well, the English version is. I haven’t seen the original yet. Yes they stick to the original dialog from the manga, but the way it was but together ..it just doesn’t flow right. The voice cast itself was actually decent. They did suit the characters. Just the dialog is hard to grasp.

Badies:
Blood, a lot of blood. Like I said above there are 8 pints in the human body and they loose it all in this one, kiddies. There is some langue. Okay, a lot of it! However the “Fâ€

[Ashley]

For the record, I haven't personally seen this anime, but this certainly sounds like something I'd stay AWAY from. The review alone made my stomach churn...so I think this also gets an official "not good" review from CAA, mostly because of it's twisted view of Christianity, which I find highly offensive...usually I don't mind if an anime uses an angel in it, but this is too much for me. And the incest/homosexuality are big turn offs too...anyway, there. CAA doesn't recommend this. 'Nuff said officially.

[valdrianth]

I know. If I had done some research on it before I watching I would've definately stayed away from it. I bought it two years ago when all I was watching at the moment was DBZ, and Gundam Wing. This was a major suprise for me, lol. The art is still pretty, however it's a definate stay away.

[richardh01]

I watched this and pretty much hated it. I was nervous about the subject matter, since it seemed way off base theologically, but I decided to give it a go anyway.

Boy, was that a mistake.

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possible spolier coming

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The plot and characters were good and it was certainly nice to look at, but the message wasn't simply non-Christian, it was positively anti-Christian - perhaps even Satanic. Several of the major characters are demons and they are drawn very sympathetically, which wouldn't have bugged me so much (despite the absurdity of it), if it weren't for the fact that these demons are sympathetic in such a way that they seem to encourage the viewer to rebel against God. One of the demons actually says something along the lines of (paraphrase) "We'll show God what a bunch of losers can do when they stand up against him!"

I mean, come on! This is just too far for my own standards. I never felt the HS telling me to stop watching, but I was quite repulsed. I am pretty surprised that I watched the whole thing.

[SailorX]

I I never felt the HS telling me to stop watching, but I was quite repulsed. I am pretty surprised that I watched the whole thing.

He tends to do that huh? I know there are times I'm watching something and He tugs at me untill I can't stand it anymore. My paster calls Him the "Holy Hound"

But this is similar to the "I Wish" subject in Magna Mania.

We really gotta get going on this, We have a giant Ministry that alot of us are called to, weith Magna or going over there as a Missonary (Not just to Japan), We as Christians have a huge Job ahead of us **wipes sweat from brow"


Big just from the summary I was very disturbed. I do belive the "It's onlt a story fiction" for your self only if you are strong in faith. I use that for Inuyasha alot. It involves Reincarnation, Buddism and Shintouist beliefes, but They don't use it as a theloegical thing, it's just part of the storyline, plus though he's supossed to be a Buddist Monk, I truely think miroku just does it for the ladies LOLOLOLOL

But yah, this sounds like one to stay away from!

[richardh01]

He tends to do that huh? I know there are times I'm watching something and He tugs at me untill I can't stand it anymore. My paster calls Him the "Holy Hound"

There have been movies which I have grabbed from my DVD or VCR and thrown right into the trash.
Rental places don't like that to much!]
But this is similar to the "I Wish" subject in Magna Mania.

We really gotta get going on this, We have a giant Ministry that alot of us are called to, weith Magna or going over there as a Missonary (Not just to Japan), We as Christians have a huge Job ahead of us **wipes sweat from brow"
[/QUOTE]

I've been thinking about dusting off the old pencils for a while now. I've got some vauge ideas but nothing firm yet. I'll keep y'all informed.

[Gremio]

Ive actualy had the misfortune to watch some of this and Id never do it again. The animation may be nice but who really cares? The main characher gets possesed by the devil who is a female on this called Alexial, he lusts after his little sister, and gets followed by cross dressing demons from hell.

Theres alot more besides this too, I would highly recommend noone even consider watching this. Its pure demonic.

[DanekJovax]

I already got this impression from the reviews I read from animenfo.com and an article I read from Animerica, and I guess I'm doubly lucky to not have seen an ep of it myself.

As an artist, I can appreciate well-done work, but my sense of spirituality in viewing a title comes first.

I'd rather watch Akira and Utena than see Angel Santuary, if that means anything.

That's my 3 yen.

[DanekJovax]

Oh, Valdrianth, I meant to say great review! I think this is just the stuff we need to be more informed viewers. :2)

[Spiritsword]

Yes, I watched this awhile ago. There's not a lot I find offensive in anime, but some of the themes in there were very un-Godly. I don't know that it was written to draw Christians away from God, but yes, the demons are presented as sympathetic characters. I wasn't interested enough and there were themes in there that I found less than palatable, so I didn't watch any more of it. I don't like to try to influence others' views on anime or tell others what to watch and not watch, but this is one of the few animes where I would advise caution, especially for those not as strong in the faith.

Spiritsword

[valdrianth]

Oh, Valdrianth, I meant to say great review! I think this is just the stuff we need to be more informed viewers. :2)

Your very much welcome. I think we should review the bad ones just as much as the goods ones. So people know exactly what to watch and don't watch.

[DanekJovax]

Pin-pon! ;2)

[Gypsy]

Your very much welcome. I think we should review the bad ones just as much as the goods ones. So people know exactly what to watch and don't watch.

I agree that people need to know about the bad ones as much as the good ones. I know there are a few animes that I wish I had never watched, or I ended up turning off. Even one review from a Christian perspective would have given me more of a heads up and perhaps I would have known what I was getting myself into. It's also important to try to review from a neutral standpoint. I know that's next to impossible, since no matter how objective you attempt to be, your own personal feeling about the anime in question is going to surface, either out in the open or between the lines.

[DanekJovax]

Have you guys read reviews from animeondvd.com and from animenfo.com? If so any takes on them?

I think animeondvd.com has some of the most in-depth reviews on recent dvd releases on the web, and they're about as neutral as I've seen 'em. Chris Beveridge does one great gob, and I almost wish I got to do what he's doing... getting paid to watch and review anime. ;2)

On the other hand, the reviews at animenfo.com are a mixed bag. Since they're primarily member-submitted reviews, most of them aren't worth the electrons they're transmitted on, but there's an occasional gem in there now and then. To top it off, there's a more recent addition of a Top 100 poll now, and you can see the top 100 rated anime according to the animenfo.com members (of which I am one).

Since I use animenfo primarily as a "what is this" search, reviews aren't my primary concern there.

Anyways, that's my 3 yen. ;2)

[Gypsy]

Thanks! I'll check them both out next time I'm looking for something.

[Mave]

Honestly, I was first bothered by the art, actually. So sorry, Kaori Yuuki artwork lovers, pls don't get mad. I just don't know why, guess the Holy Spirit was doing His 'red alert'. Maybe it was dangerous for me as an individual (come to think about it, when I came across AS the first time, I was still lukewarm).

"Ok I should at least give the plot a try." It was downhill after that. Just my two cents, there's like a hundred over OTHER titles in this world. I still say, it wouldn't hurt to avoid this one. Peace.

[SenseiPenPen]

Hmm, I guess I should post my impressions....

First- Not much offends me in Fantasy. It's just a story to me.

Second- Not many anime in my life have made me want to throw up. Like literally, physically run to the bathroom and hurl.... This did. (Genocyber being the other, for sickeningly gratuitious violence.Vivisections. Yuck.)

If you have syblings, or morals, stay away. Far away.

[Fsiphskilm]

I'm a very weird chrsitian....

when i first saw it, really i was like...oh my god this is sooo demonic...after a couple times really the fealing went away.....i don't want to own it i just want to see what hapens to setsun and the gang.....

THE REASON WHY I LIKE IT...is becaseu it's been so long since we chrsitians have seen chrsitian...anything.. at least angel sanctuary fully Acknownledges that there is a GOD, Holy sprit, Satan, and Angels.....it might be in a negative way but really at least it acknowledges it..... but i still think the way japanese give demons a sort of "poor me, the angels hate me" veiw is just disgusting... i kinda wanna bash'em in the face when they pull that trash on people.

really i always take what i see and turn it into something chrsitan...i've had a very long journey with god and he is in MY MIND ALL THE TIME...24/7/365... non=stop.....even in movies like final fantasy my imagination takes over and i sorta imagin and truely trick my self into beleaving that gaia is god and in my mind i twtist the story and make it chrsitian....i did the same with angel sanctuary...i just can't live in a world without god.....it's so plain and empty..so cold....i i put him in everything i do....

[lexicalunit]

For the record, I haven't personally seen this anime, but this certainly sounds like something I'd stay AWAY from. The review alone made my stomach churn...so I think this also gets an official "not good" review from CAA, mostly because of it's twisted view of Christianity, which I find highly offensive...usually I don't mind if an anime uses an angel in it, but this is too much for me. And the incest/homosexuality are big turn offs too...anyway, there. CAA doesn't recommend this. 'Nuff said officially.

This coming from the person with the Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne Avatar.

[Ashley]

And your point is? I'd watch it buddy, that's a bit on the rude side.

[lexicalunit]

Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne is kinda funny about the whole "twisted view of Christianity" thing. So I don't see how you can knock Angel Sanctuary for that, but your right about everything else, Angel Sanctuary is a horrible horrible anime that made even my stomach churn.

[Ashley]

Ok, this is horribly off topic, but first off, I haven't seen KKJ all the way through. I know they deal with Christianity, but from what I've read of the series, it's nothing outright blasphemous or near what Angel Sanctuary does. Secondly, I picked this avatar because I adore Tanemura Arina's art style, not necessarily her manga/anime titles.
Anyway, nwo that I'm done defending myself, we can get back on topic or let this thread die slowly again.

[HondaTooru]

I was definitely deceived by the pretty cover! The worst part is that when I saw this anime, I was with my brother! So that whole incest thing was EXTRA wierd for us... I have watched a lot of anime, lots of it having to do things like reincarnation or vampires, demons, homosexuals.. all sorts of non-christian plots. But never has any anime made me so uncomfotable as this one! It's like the author of this story was trying to make a plot out of every controversial issue he could think of and then spiced it up with a whole lot of blood and called it a day!
I was actually tempted to stop watching after the first episode, but I kept hoping that it would get better. Maybe there would be a grand turn-around and everything would finally make sense and you'd find yourself thinking "Oh, I get it now." But that doesn't happen. This anime left me with a sick feeling in my stomach that only Inuyasha could cure!

[Gypsy]

Considering the title's subject matter, I feel the number of views before I saw it was appropriate.

That was great. Leave it to you to point that out.

[Griffin]

yeah, i hear ya. i know what it is like to lover the work. I asked mom for it one christmas. i have never been so humiliated. I watched it and felt that i should have somehow known. *thought that it was going to be about the Angel triumphing over her bad past* I am going to get rid of it to some shop asap because i dotn want any of my non-christian friends to start thinking its ok.

[Fsiphskilm]

I see what you mean...I have a secret desire for Bible Black...

Well WAIT FIRST, DON"T DRAW ANY CONCLUSIONS!!! Yes Bible Black is possibly the worst Hentai ever created...But it does have a story, and a very nice one at that, It's about satanic rituals bla bla, this girl, stuff happened and she survived only because she made a deal with satan to extend her life a bit more, well her time is almost up and so now she must , get this "Find a way to defeat SATAN" I mean isn't it just sad how one of THE MOST CHRISTIAN anime in japan is the most hard-core Hentai...

I simply refuse to Own the Box set, BUT i wish i could download it, and edit it using Final Cut Pro into a nice Christian Version... I in no way support hentai or like it...(duh, that's why i want to edit it) but You get what I'm saying... Maybe some day Someone will Edit up Angel Sanctuary to make it go WITH god instead of Against him....

well....WHY are you all looking at me like that? Hey put those rocks down! What? 4Kids does that all the time..... LOL

What does this have to do with Angel Sanctuary??? well uhmmm...

[indent]Oh yea Becasue I don't want my friends finding out about this... I don't want them to think it's okay to watch Hentai, (I have a very clean image to them) and so If i watch it then they'll think it's complety OKAY...But it's not...I mensioned on another post. I'm just a very weird person, I like films like "Lilya 4 ever" Films that might be waaaay to sexual but they offer a wisedom, a chance to learn from mistakes or sins that you personally don't have to commite...the character does and you can learn from it...I'm just strange[/indent]

[shooraijin]

With all due respect, I think it's a bit of an undue stretch to say that an anime that desires to defeat Satan is, per se, Christian.

[ShiroiHikari]

Volt, please remember that CAA doesn't advocate pornography in any way...so please don't post like that again, alright? Any questions, PM me or one of the admins.

Back on topic, folks...

[HondaTooru]

I like films like "Lilya 4 ever" Films that might be waaaay to sexual but they offer a wisedom, a chance to learn from mistakes or sins that you personally don't have to commite...the character does and you can learn from it...

I kinda see his point though. Volt, have you ever seen the movie "Vanilla Sky"? That's a good example of a movie that is not christian, involves sex as well as many other sins, rated "R" and all that rot. Tom Cruise lives a life you wouldn't want to repeat. But in the end, he learns some valuable lessons. He has to choose between either living in a perfect dream world while not conscious of it, or going back into the real world and living a real life, with all its problems. (I thought that to be rather like Matrix.)

Like I said, definitely not a christian movie. But you see his sins and the trouble it brings him. The life he led was not glorified, and you end up getting a good "moral of the story." I did anyway. My friend Wendi, whom I've long looked up to as a mentor in my growth as a christian, ABHORS this movie.

The point is: Some plots are just inherently intrieging. Some artists are visionaries. Some authors can have talent dripping from their pores... But rarely does all this come together for the glory of God. It's nice when they're on the right track, but that doesn't help much in the case of AS or Bible Black.... In fact, neither is really on the right track.. Just take from these experiences
1) What are the good aspects? Superb artwork? A certain twist or angle by which a familiar theological issue can be made interesting to a contemporary audience?
and 2) How can I use these two things to come up with something that is on the right track?

I mean, it's sad but true... A very talented team worked together to create Angel Sanctuary. From an artist's perspective, I can see that. So learn from these people and hope that someday, equally talented teams of christians will send forth anime of an even more inticing nature that glorifies nothing but the one who gave them that talent.

[Griffin]

I agree, shooraijin. There is nothing Christian about same sex *thats like in male and female, i am NOT a pervert* relationships. God did NOT create two males or two females. he meant things to be done his way. Please do not get the wrong idea. i understand that defeating Satan is a good thing, but if you are dealing with him in your "affairs" then how can you defeat him?