Christian imagery in Nagai's work?

[Sailor Barsoom]

Hi. I'm brand new here. For my first post, I'm going to ask about something, and I hope that you won't mind. There are two reasons why I'm a bit nervous about doing this.

I was once a regular church-goer, but not now. I haven't turned atheist or anything like that; I'm just not very religious any more. So in truth I don't entirely feel that I belong here. This is the first reason I feel nervous.

The second is because of the anime I want to talk about. No, it isn't hentai; I wouldn't post about that here. But it does have some violence, and some nudity. I don't want to offend, so that is the second reason I am nervous about asking this here. If you ask me to go away I will. But I didn't know who else to ask about this.

The anime in question is Go Nagai's Shin Cutey Honey, released in America as The New Adventures of Cutey Honey. The reason I want to talk about it is because I see so much Christian allegory in it that it’s hard to believe that it isn’t on purpose. Now, you wouldn’t think that a show about a shapely, transforming android would have this sort of thing, but it does.

Do any of you watch Smallville? You know how they are always putting Clark in crucifixion poses, and how a high percentage of buildings in that small Kansas town seem to have stained glass windows? Well, that’s what I see happening in Shin Cutey Honey. Some of the things which caught my attention are:
Honey died, but her father brought her back as an android, with an improved body that can transform. Or, to put it another way: she died and was resurrected in a glorified body. OK, so the same thing could be said about a lot of characters, and if it wasn’t for the other allegory, I probably wouldn’t have even thought of this.

An android is manufactured (born?) without sex being involved. Thus, Honey is the result of a virgin birth. Yes, this is even more tenuous than the resurrection thing, but again, with the other stuff, it adds up.

She spends a lot of time with, and is often pictured standing between, Akakabu and Daiko Hayami: two thieves. I think she even gets stuck to a wall between them in episode three.

She didn’t know she was an android, or that she had powers, until she found herself in an emergency and prayed to God for guidance. God, not Buddha or Amateresu or anything like that. Then God unlocked the seal on her programming, and she realized who and what she is. Sounds like enlightenment to me.

Finally, and this is the one that started me along this line of thought: in episode three, there is a villain who can inject people with a drug that mutates them into a monster. The drug works by seeking out that little bit of evil that even the best of people have in them, and causing that inner beast to manifest physically. No matter how good a person you like to think that you are, you (or I) have a bit of evil in you (or me). Christians call this the "sin nature." Well, the drug doesn’t work on Honey, because she doesn’t have that. Now, God answers her prayer, so she has a soul, but she has no sin nature. Cutey Honey is an unfallen being.

Then there is the standard superhero thing about being capable of "miraculous" deeds, being prepared to sacrifice herself for the sake of others, and other things which, if it hadn’t been for that unfallen bit, I wouldn’t think of as allegory. But that “no sin natureâ€

[shooraijin]

Considering that some of Go Nagai's other work includes Devil Man and Harenchi Gakuen, and given that Cutey Honey is primarily a fanservice vehicle, I think your analysis is a terrible stretch. Please explain further.

[Cap'n Nick]

Christians aren't very common in Japan, but Christian imagery is a bit more prevalent. Judging by the content of his work, I doubt Mr. Nagai is a devout Christian, but I think it's quite likely that he could have observed the imagery of this exotic (to him) religion and incorporated it in his stories.

[shooraijin]

Or at least some elements of it, and that's true as other series do that as well. As I understand the original premise, however, there is the implication that the plots as well as the imagery are based on Christianity (or at least obvious or stereotyped surface manifestations of same). This may have been on purpose, but it certainly seems at best superficial.

[Puritan]

Firstly, welcome to CAA! Glad to meet you, and I hope you will enjoy yourself here.

Now, onward to your analysis. I think shooraijin and Cap'n Nick make the excellent point that the use of Christian imagry apart from actual Christian content is extremely common in Japan due to a prevailing apathy towards religion (or so I was told by a Japanese Christian I know and have heard from other sources). So, even if you have found this imagry, which wouldn't be surprising, what does the anime do with the Christian imagery? Does it actually mean anything in context, or is it simply a thing added into the anime by someone who doesn't understand it? I have seen many anime shows with seemingly significant Christian imagery that adds absolutely no Christian message to the show, or even denigrates the imagery by using it in a manner counter to the Christian message. Did you see otherwise in the show, or was the imagery simply an exotic addition to the anime for a Japanese audience? I would find an anime with an overt Christian message significant and interesting, but given the warnings I have heard about Cutey Honey having large amounts of fanservice, I would wonder if there is any real significance to the imagery.

[Sailor Barsoom]

Thanks for the warm welcome. Again, I really didn't know who else to talk to about this. I have been asked for further explanation, and will attempt that now. I will start with the things which (by themselves) mean nothing, and which (by themselves) I would say are not deliberate Christian imagery.

Virgin Birth
This could be said of any robot/android character. Cutey Honey. Astroboy. Artoo Deetoo. Except for Honey, I don't think any of them are intended as Christ-figures.

Resurrected in a Glorified Body
Again, this could be said of a lot of characters (especially the "resurrected" part). Gandalf (where the allegory is deliberate). Smallville's Clark Kent (where, again, it is deliberate). Even Steve Austin the Six Million Dollar Man, though I seriously doubt that we were ever intended to take the bionic secret agent as a Christ-figure.

Two Thieves
Another case of “if that’s all there was.â€

[Mave]

I would like to think that imagery such as crosses and concepts such as self-sacrifice doesn't automatically make something Christian per se. The only analysis I would be curious about is the prayer to God. Are you sure it's God and not god?

[White Raven]

Welcome to caa AKA the loony ben.

I think it sounds like the Christian undertones were deliberate.

BUT that does not mean the writer is Christian, or is portraying a Christian message.

Ie, if I wrote a fantasy about fairies and druids. I would want to do a lot of research about fairies and druids.
I would want to know all about the old folklore. And I would put that in the book.
It doesn’t mean that I believe that there are fairies or fae running around on this earth.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I know Naoki Urasawa has a LOT of christian imagery in both 20th Century Boys and Monster (infact Monster even starts out with a verse from revelations). He also has elements of virgin births, and even shows Catholism in a positive and uplifting manner. I don't believe he is a Christian though.

[Joshua Christopher]

We seem to be forgetting that most religions have a lot of similar beliefs on things like "self-sacrifice" and other things. Look at what Buddha said. All these "moral concepts" are NOT exclusive to Christianity.

I mean, look at Evangelion. The creators have explicitly stated that there is absolutely no message or commentary on Christianity or any religions, but the show uses Judeo-Christian symbolism as something for aesthetics and atmosphere.

[Sailor Barsoom]

Welcome to caa AKA the loony ben.

I think it sounds like the Christian undertones were deliberate.

Yeah, it's kind of hard to believe otherwise. The only thing that gives me pause is that I've never heard anybody else mention this. And if I'm the only one seeing it, then it almost certainly isn't there. I don't think that I'm so amazingly smart that I see deliberate allegory that everybody else misses. I don't belive that only Nagai and I are sharp enough for this.

BUT that does not mean the writer is Christian, or is portraying a Christian message.

Right. I have no idea what Go Nagai's background is. Also, he is the guy who created Devilman, Kekko Kamen, and Violence Jack (none of which I have seen).

Ie, if I wrote a fantasy about fairies and druids. I would want to do a lot of research about fairies and druids.
I would want to know all about the old folklore. And I would put that in the book.
It doesn’t mean that I believe that there are fairies or fae running around on this earth.

Good point. And again, I don't think it is there spread the Gospel. I don't think the almost constant imagery in Smallville is for the sake of spreading the Word either, but at least Smallville is made for an audience most of which can be expected to be somewhat familiar with Christianity. I have to wonder who some of Nagai's imagery is aimed at. Certainly, crosses and stained glass are for atmosphere. But the unfallen thing is a biggie.

I don't suppose that anybody here has actually seen Shin Cutey Honey?

As for the question of whether she prays to God or god, I must admit that I do not know. The first ep is one that I have yet to see. I did see the one where the "no sin nature" is stated, but not the one with the prayer. The episode guide I read says that she "prays to God," but this is the webmaster's take on it, and may or may not be perfectly accurate. I hope to be getting the first eight eps on DVD for my birthday before the end of the month. Certainly, if I see her walk on water, or feed multitudes with a little sashimi and mochi, or change water into wine, I'll know for sure. BTW, I've figured out to write scenes for two of those. It isn't hard to do.

[White Raven]

Yeah, it's kind of hard to believe otherwise. The only thing that gives me pause is that I've never heard anybody else mention this. And if I'm the only one seeing it, then it almost certainly isn't there. I don't think that I'm so amazingly smart that I see deliberate allegory that everybody else misses. I don't belive that only Nagai and I are sharp enough for this.

It’s very doubtful that you will find your answers here. It seems to me that this is something only Nagai can answer.

Good point. And again, I don't think it is there spread the Gospel. I don't think the almost constant imagery in Smallville is for the sake of spreading the Word either, but at least Smallville is made for an audience most of which can be expected to be somewhat familiar with Christianity. I have to wonder who some of Nagai's imagery is aimed at. Certainly, crosses and stained glass are for atmosphere. But the unfallen thing is a biggie..

Assuming that he did want the show to be, (lets say inspiring) what would he be portraying this Honey girl as?
A reincarnation of Christ? (Pleas note that I am not trying to be smug. I just wish to know your thoughts on this)
Anyway as I was saying, if she was supposed to be some kind of reincarnation. It would seem to me that is sounds like the Buddhist philosophy.

I don't suppose that anybody here has actually seen Shin Cutey Honey?

Nope, I don't get to see much anime.

[Sailor Barsoom]

It’s very doubtful that you will find your answers here. It seems to me that this is something only Nagai can answer.

Yeah, but I don't have access to him. ]Assuming that he did want the show to be, (lets say inspiring) what would he be portraying this Honey girl as?
A reincarnation of Christ? (Pleas note that I am not trying to be smug. I just wish to know your thoughts on this)
Anyway as I was saying, if she was supposed to be some kind of reincarnation. It would seem to me that is sounds like the Buddhist philosophy.[/QUOTE]
No, not a reincarnation. She isn't the Second Coming, or a new Jesus, or anything like that. Rather, I see her as a character who shows some of the attributes of Jesus, and who reminds the viewer of Jesus. Again, like Frodo, or Clark Kent, or Gandalf, or Aslan.
BTW, how do you guys feel about this sort of thing? When the WB manages to "crucify" Clark yet again, or Aslan the Lion is so obvious that even young children say "this is really about Jesus, isn't it?" Is this a good thing? If we were to find out that indeed Honey was meant as a Christ-figure (but not actually as Christ), would this be cool or offensive? I can say this much: I've been thinking over bits and pieces of the Gospels more than I have in years, trying to see what all might be there.

Nope, I don't get to see much anime.

Ah, well I understand that. I still haven't seen Key, the Metel Idol or Spirited Away or a host of others.

[Rogie]

I mean, look at Evangelion. The creators have explicitly stated that there is absolutely no message or commentary on Christianity or any religions, but the show uses Judeo-Christian symbolism as something for aesthetics and atmosphere.

Just a friendly reminder that Evangelion is on the Do Not Discuss List.

[Cap'n Nick]

You make some compelling arguments, Mr. Barsoom. Judging by what you say, I don't think it'd be a stretch at all to assume Nagai was borrowing elements from the Christ narrative and grafting them onto his characters. But, what does this mean? Is it just stylistic, or is Nagai trying to show us the merits of Christianity by exemplifying them in this character? I'm not in Mr. Nagai's head, but, I doubt it. Allegory or no, it doesn't make this show more edifying.

[Yumie]

BTW, how do you guys feel about this sort of thing? When the WB manages to "crucify" Clark yet again, or Aslan the Lion is so obvious that even young children say "this is really about Jesus, isn't it?" Is this a good thing? If we were to find out that indeed Honey was meant as a Christ-figure (but not actually as Christ), would this be cool or offensive? I can say this much: I've been thinking over bits and pieces of the Gospels more than I have in years, trying to see what all might be there.

When it comes to the symbolism in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, due to the fact that it was written by someone who knew Christ personally, I can appreciate it a lot, because it's written that way because C.S. Lewis understood that every good story relates to the Great Story. But when the WB does it, my reaction is more of an "eh" than anything. I mean, yeah, Clark gets himself "crucified" a lot. . . but doesn't he also have flings with Lana too? I've only seen the show a dozen or so times, but that was the impression I got. And if that's the case, I can't feesibly see Clark as purely being an intentional Christ character. A savior, but not a symbolic representation of Christ. Basically, I guess that for me, that's what it all boils down to: Is the character a true Christ representative, through and through, every episode, or does the symbolism just give the show more artistic merit?

Personally, I don't want someone symbolically representing my Jesus who also does things that He would never do; seems like that would kind of send a double message to the viewers.

[Sailor Barsoom]

First off, sorry I brought up Evangelion. Didn't know it was verbotten. Having seen almost none of it, it won't be any great sacrifice for me to avoid discussing it. I will not mention this anime again.

Here are my conclusions on Shin Cutey Honey and the Christian allegory I see in it:

1. I really can't draw a singular, firm conclusion with the information available. I would need to know several things which I do not. For instance: is Nagai a Christian? Maybe he isn't, but has a lifelong friend who is? Maybe he thinks of Christianity as "that dumb religion from the West." I just don't know.
   
2. Some of the supposed allegory coult be coincidence. i.e., if you want to create an android character who has a real human personality, one way to do this is that the genius scientist's child (perhaps now-grown) is critically injured, the father creates an android body, the child's mind is transfered to the android, and then the original body dies. This is essentially Cutey Honey's origin story, and gives us "resurrected," "glorified body," and "virgin birth" by default, whether or not the mangeka intends (or is even aware of) any Christ imagery. Indeed, this basic plotline is fairly common in anime.
   
3. Go Nagai is familiar with the concept of the sin nature. This is too big a thing to be "default imagery." This isn't mentioned until Shin, however.
   
4. Just because I see something doesn't automatically mean that it is there. Then again, it doesn't mean that there isn't.

I haven't had any luck finding a Cutey Honey or Go Nagai board, but I'll keep trying. I need to be able to ask other fans of the character if they see any of this. I'll let you know what they say. I will share some of the views I picked up here, too, but won't mention any usernames or CAA by name unless you say it is OK. I don't want to run the risk of attracting trolls who will assume that you spend every spare moment burning hentai DVD's and bombing abortion clinics.


Finally, I want to thank you guys for talking to me about this. As you can guess, I was already thinking about this quite a bit before posting here. I'm still thinking a lot about it, but now I'm thinking in some new directions.

[Lynx]

just wanted to make a quick mention of the similarites between buddhism and christianity (strictly going on the basic ideas about how to be a good person on this one, not the theology, the philosophies). in some of the things you mentioned, like compassion and such, could easily be ment as buddhist too, and i tend to think in some animes a lot of that stuff was ment as a general buddhist ideals.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

just wanted to make a quick mention of the similarites between buddhism and christianity (strictly going on the basic ideas about how to be a good person on this one, not the theology, the philosophies). in some of the things you mentioned, like compassion and such, could easily be ment as buddhist too, and i tend to think in some animes a lot of that stuff was ment as a general buddhist ideals.

Isn't that just focusing on morality though? Soooo many religious focus on "good moral values".

[Lynx]

Isn't that just focusing on morality though? Soooo many religious focus on "good moral values".

yeah but since a lot of japanese animes are put in a cultural setting where buddhism is commonly practiced (take saiyuki for example) i tend to believe they are intending them to be buddhist rather then christian in some cases.

and also "good moral values" isnt the same in every culture and religion, for example, christian and hindu views on sexuality are EXTREMELY different, but for the most part, buddhism and christianity have the same basic moral ideals and such.

[Cap'n Nick]

What does Buddhism say about sinful nature? As far as I know, inherent, irascible evil is a distinctly Christian-flavored idea. Besides, we already know Go Nagai knows a few things about the Christian religion. He made Devilman, which features a protagonist modelled (albeit loosely) on a horned, Western-style demon.

[Lynx]

in buddhism there's a comparable belief to the "sin nature" belief in christianity. I've seen the second noble truth explained and interpreted in different ways, but what stays consistant is that the suffering in this world is caused by people chasing after and craving their pleasures and such... it's really close to the sin nature belief.

oh and i wasnt implying that this was the case with nagia, just pointing out that it's important to consider when trying to make these connections in general.

[Sailor Barsoom]

That Buddhism has something similar to the Christian notion of sin nature I didn't know. Now this is interesting. I'll see what I can find on that.

Also, I'm asking my GF to get me the Vol. 1 & 2 DVD for my birthday, and thus I won't have to go on my three-years-ago memories and what I can find in episode summeries online. I can go back and watch some part that I suspect is significant.

I still haven't found a specific Cutey Honey or Go Nagai board, but I've posted some of my questions to a general anime board. They are saying some of the same stuff you guys are, though less detailed. Mixed in with all the "she's sure a heavenly body!" jokes, of course.

[Sailor Barsoom]

I was talking about all of this on another board, and when I explained Honey's unfallen nature, one guy responded with:

I get it: she's an Immaculate Contraption!

OK, I had to laugh at that one.

As often happens, I'm behind schedule with my plans, and hope to get my Shin Cutey Honey DVD within two weeks, hopefully within one. As in Friday (I hope).

[Sailor Barsoom]

Well, it finally came in. With what they charged for shipping, they should have sent Go Nagai to hand it to me in person. So I have seen more than the two or three eps from the VHS I had some time ago.

I can now answer such questions as "does she [Honey Kisaragi] pray to God, or to god?" Ep 1 has her being told to pray for the strength to fight, to pray to know what to do. Exactly to whom she is praying is never made clear, though the prayer is answered. This is the same in both sub and dub.

I'd stated that in ep 3 she is stuck to a wall between two thieves. I was a little off on that. First off, it is ep 4, not ep 3. The two thieves are several feet from Honey, and she is not between them. I no longer think that there is anything to this scene.

Hardly matters, though, as in ep 2 she is hanging on a cross, just before letting herself be "entombed" for the sake of others, and then coming back in a flash of light. As has been noted, hanging the hero on a cross is nothing new to anime, and seldom has anything of Christianity to it (other than that it happens to good guys who don't deserve such mistreatment). But this was a bit much.

It might also be pointed out that Shin Cutey Honey is sort of a Second Coming, though that might not have been Nagai's intention. Honey has been out of action for something like eighty years, but now she's back. Danbei has lived a lot longer than normal, waiting for her return. It may or may not be significant that Honey is not reincarnated, but has been living a normal life all that time, her true nature sealed away in her programming.

Again, I am not trying to say that Honey is supposed to be Jesus, or a reincarnation of Jesus, or a female Christ, or anything like that. I'm not claiming that Nagai or anybody else made Shin Cutey Honey with the intention of leading anybody to the Lord.