CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

Are there any actual CHRISTIAN Anime series? I realize not much of the Japanese population is Christian...but surely someone there or here in America has put together a real christian anime series? I see some Manga..but no animation...

Try searching for "Superbook". It's made for kids (not 4Kids, mind you - thank God), but I have fond memories of that show.

.rai//

I believe "Flying House" is another Christian anime title.

I once tried to do a search for Christian anime but the only two I ever found were Superbook and Flying House. Both are for children I believe and can(could?) be found on Trinity Broadcasting (we don't get it here, is it Network?). People are starting to produce more Christian manga though (okay..so Serenity and anything in Anime Angels, lol), so hopefully a company will try to start up some Christian anime. If not, I'll just have to start up my own business! (seriously, anybody want to start an anime company? I'm all for it!)

Raiden no Kishi wrote:Try searching for "Superbook". It's made for kids (not 4Kids, mind you - thank God), but I have fond memories of that show.

.rai//

Nothing more mature and well..recent?

GhostPoet wrote:Nothing more mature and well..recent?

Not really :/ Even in manga the only one is really just that Serenity, and it's more one of those "Amerimangas" but illustrated by a Japanese person (I think it is). To my knowledge, don't think there's any actual Christian manga from Japan. BUT there is also Anime Angels stuff (see link at top of site) where it's a manga anthology of people in North America that have made Christian manga^^

Either than the two listed above, you're outta luck :/ Some have Christiany themes, like Haibane Renmei (the pic as my avatar is off of it) but either than that, mostly just warped Christian ideas mixed in with Shintoism/Buddhism/whatever^^

EDIT: I do remember one more series: Osamu Tezuka DID make a series of Christian anime, from stories of Moses to Jesus. Can't remember the title though. Even then, more aimed at the younger generation I would suspect :/

Raiden no Kishi wrote:Try searching for "Superbook". It's made for kids (not 4Kids, mind you - thank God), but I have fond memories of that show.

I remember that!
Good times.

Considering how few good Christian movies and TV series there are to begin with, I would be SHOCKED to find an out standing and mature Christian anime series. Remember, something like 3% of all Japanese profess Christianity. The likelihood that someone in that 3% is going to be an animator who has the influence to get a studio to back a project like this is, unfortunately, almost impossible.

My suggestion is that you look into a title like "Haibane Renmei" which has some very morally uplifting themes and symbolisms, rather than hunting for an intellectual, explicitely Christian anime which, sadly, doesn't exist.

Mangafanatic wrote:Considering how few good Christian movies and TV series there are, I would be SHOCKED to find an out standing and mature Christian anime series. Remember, something like 3% of all Japanese profess Christianity. The likelihood that someone in that 3% is going to be an animator who has the influence to get a studio to back a project like this is, unfortunately, almost impossible.

My suggestion is that you look into a title like "Haibane Renmei" which has some very morally uplifting themes and symbolisms, rather than hunting for an intellectual, explicitely Christian anime which, sadly, doesn't exist.

I thought the stat was less then 1%, if you remove the missionarys from the equation.

Anyways, yeah, trigun has some possable christian themes, i'd recommend that one too if you're looking for something like that

Doe Johnson wrote:I once tried to do a search for Christian anime but the only two I ever found were Superbook and Flying House. Both are for children I believe and can(could?) be found on Trinity Broadcasting (we don't get it here, is it Network?). People are starting to produce more Christian manga though (okay..so Serenity and anything in Anime Angels, lol), so hopefully a company will try to start up some Christian anime. If not, I'll just have to start up my own business! (seriously, anybody want to start an anime company? I'm all for it!)

Lets DO IT!!! I have a perfect character... *ahem* anyway, No I do not believe im my fourteen years that there is anything else... maybe Kimba the white lion... but thats also old, made for kids, and myabe not Christian... just not bad.

Tenshi no Ai wrote:EDIT: I do remember one more series: Osamu Tezuka DID make a series of Christian anime, from stories of Moses to Jesus. Can't remember the title though. Even then, more aimed at the younger generation I would suspect :/

It's called "In the Beginning." Right Stuf sells it on VHS still, but you have to buy the whole collection for like $200 or something. That's a bit too expensive for VHS, I think. Worth looking into, though, perhaps at other stores?

I'm going to echo Osaka here.

Since the vast majority (if not all) of Christian media--movies and such--are really awful, a Christian anime series that was actually even average is near impossible to come by.

But if any of you young animators out there want to make something, and something good, be my guest. Just remember that it is not necessarily good just because you think it is. Get opinions from others.

Voodoo Wolf wrote:Hellsing is :3 only its pretty mature and has like fighting and language etc in it,but the Hellsing organization on the show there Christians and even Alucard a vampire on there is hristian xDF.ANd Trigun isnt really one I dont think BUT there is Wolfwood on there and he's a priest :3

I think Hellsing was more intended to parody religion. The conflict of the Protestants and Catholics, and all. Hellsing isn't meant to be taken very seriously, and I definitely wouldn't call it a Christian series.

I'd have to agree with Impact here...I believe that it's a satire of religion.

gungrave wrote:

Doe Johnson wrote:I once tried to do a search for Christian anime but the only two I ever found were Superbook and Flying House. Both are for children I believe and can(could?) be found on Trinity Broadcasting (we don't get it here, is it Network?). People are starting to produce more Christian manga though (okay..so Serenity and anything in Anime Angels, lol), so hopefully a company will try to start up some Christian anime. If not, I'll just have to start up my own business! (seriously, anybody want to start an anime company? I'm all for it!)

Lets DO IT!!! I have a perfect character... *ahem* anyway, No I do not believe im my fourteen years that there is anything else... maybe Kimba the white lion... but thats also old, made for kids, and myabe not Christian... just not bad.

Count me in! We also can do a video game branch, I already have a whole storyline...

Well, mostly I will be echoing everyone else here. Super Book and Flying House. I did a search and that was all I found. What I do now is actively seek Christian themes in anime and manga, even if they are hard to find. Also, I am starting to write Christian fanfiction, so I can at least imagine Christian story lines in the anime I love.

heh Doe...you know I am in..we have discussed this in the past deer!

Lynx wrote:I thought the stat was less then 1%, if you remove the missionarys from the equation.

I am in no way sure about that number. I could have sworn the figure I heard was less than 3%, but, again, I'm not certain. Your guess is as good as mine.

I don't know if I'd call Hellsing a satire of Christianity, but it definatly wasn't supporting it in any way I found. The only place I really remember the name Jesus used was on the gun. - Of course, I could be completely wrong - I didn't really care for the show. Not quite sure why I finished it actually.

So gungrave, Rjdreamer, ChristianRonin and me are in. Anybody else want to join? Since I'm broke and in college and you three are younger than me, I suppose we won't be able to afford equipment - nor attract any VAs. gungrave will have to do most of the guy voices! hehe...we could always try a short animation and put it on youtube! (I was actually being quite serious about that statement, tho. If I ever heard a company was going to start producing Christian anime, I'd more than likely call them and ask for a job)

btw, CR, did you call me "deer" on purpose?

Doe Johnson wrote:I don't know if I'd call Hellsing a satire of Christianity, but it definatly wasn't supporting it in any way I found. The only place I really remember the name Jesus used was on the gun. - Of course, I could be completely wrong - I didn't really care for the show. Not quite sure why I finished it actually.

So gungrave, Rjdreamer, ChristianRonin and me are in. Anybody else want to join? Since I'm broke and in college and you three are younger than me, I suppose we won't be able to afford equipment - nor attract any VAs. gungrave will have to do most of the guy voices! hehe...we could always try a short animation and put it on youtube! (I was actually being quite serious about that statement, tho. If I ever heard a company was going to start producing Christian anime, I'd more than likely call them and ask for a job)

btw, CR, did you call me "deer" on purpose?

YEAH! LET'S DO IT! We can be a great team! ^_^

hehehe...you got me pun DJ?

You'd need some art, scripts, and probably Flash. Short episodes could be done over a few months time, assuming you're actually serious about this, and I would like to see I get done. Just remember to let others give their opinions. Long-haired bishounen-angst fests with random Christian messages makes good entertainment not.

Well, there is a thread in the MangaMania thread on Serenity, but don't worry, we wont flame you.

An anime company? That WOULD take a lot of work. I'd do it if I was any use.

As for christian anime, when I did a search for that, I got this SITE, but other than that, Superbook and Flying House are the only ones I know of. Very nostalgic stuff...

Ah, the 80s...

Impact Alberto wrote:Just remember to let others give their opinions. Long-haired bishounen-angst fests with random Christian messages makes good entertainment not.

Hmmm. As a writer (whose writings can get angsty on occasions), I'd like to know how you would define an "angst-fest" and how to avoid this cliché? Just asking a question I know other aspiring writers around here would like to know.

Hey! I made a new thread for the project! You WILL participate in it! *gives everyoen a no-nonsence stare* Of course, it might take a few months to get it done well since most of us have never really practiced our skills in this area, but I would definately want to have at least a promo and an episode(stand alone more than likely) done by the end of May.

http://www.christiananime.net//showthread.php?threadid=30539

bigsleepj wrote:Hmmm. As a writer (whose writings can get angsty on occasions), I'd like to know how you would define an "angst-fest" and how to avoid this cliché? Just asking a question I know other aspiring writers around here would like to know.

Well, let's see here.

Angst is fine. It's when you over-do it, it gets annoying.

A good story needs conflict, but when all the characters ever do is sit around and whine about how everything sucks, and then make angry faces and fight each other and scream things like "Nnnnnnnnnnnnnngh!" and "Uwaaaaah!!" it just gets to be hard to read.

Varied characters help a lot, but avoid the cliches. Your main character does not need to be a spunky/angsting youth or a battle-hardened silent badarse. Try something different. Try adding humour into things. I think that's something Fullmetal Alchemist does well. Though I'm not much of a fan of the show, the writers aren't afraid to sometimes spoil an otherwise serious situation and it works well. Again, Fullmetal Alchemist ties things together in a way that never seems forced.

I think that's the key, is when writing something, you have to have a lot of skill to not make things come off as forced, and that's not easy to do. Scripts, stories, everything must go through numerous rewrites. Don't get this attitude that whatever you're making is some brilliant piece of material, because a lot of the times--I'm sorry to say--it's not. But you need to balance this out with confidence in your abilities. There's a difference between arrogance and confidence. The problem I see with lots of aspiring writers and such is they have too much arrogance. They can't take any constructive criticizms. Learn to realize that everything you do is, again, not necessarily really good.

Practice makes perfect. Read a good story for ideas, but don't rehash said story. Don't be afraid to do some different things. Not everything has to be about fighting or magical abilities. Something more cerebral or introspective will come off as much better and professional.

And there's my really long take on everything. Enjoy.

A good story needs conflict, but when all the characters ever do is sit around and whine about how everything sucks, and then make angry faces and fight each other and scream things like "Nnnnnnnnnnnnnngh!" and "Uwaaaaah!!" it just gets to be hard to read.

*Makes notes*

Yes, that kind can irritate the crap out of me too. Especially if its overdone in that attempted low-budget Sundance way. But I think most people are tempted to do that because they perceive it to be "realistic". Off course not everyone is that way, but they think it is.

Varied characters help a lot, but avoid the cliches. Your main character does not need to be a spunky/angsting youth or a battle-hardened silent badarse. Try something different. Try adding humour into things.

I believe that one must see the humour in every situation without treating it entirely as a joke. Its a hard balance to achieve. I don't think I always succeed.

I think that's the key, is when writing something, you have to have a lot of skill to not make things come off as forced, and that's not easy to do. Scripts, stories, everything must go through numerous rewrites. Don't get this attitude that whatever you're making is some brilliant piece of material, because a lot of the times--I'm sorry to say--it's not. But you need to balance this out with confidence in your abilities. There's a difference between arrogance and confidence.

That reminds me of something Roald Dahl said in his "Seven tips for Writers" (unfortunately I've lost those). "A writer who thinks his work is the best thing ever is heading for trouble." However yours seems like an expansion of the point.

Practice makes perfect. Read a good story for ideas, but don't rehash said story. Don't be afraid to do some different things. Not everything has to be about fighting or magical abilities. Something more cerebral or introspective will come off as much better and professional.

Thanks for the info. I'm currently writing a potential graphic novel or webmanga (which I plan to do with another member of the CAA, nameless here, forever more, should nothing stand in our way) and I'm finding your tips to be quite interesting. Although it does have Christian themes in it, I don't want to force it but have it come naturally out of the story, but that is hard. I myself can get irritated by such messages getting pushed down one's throat. In short the artistic view I attempt to aspire to can be summed up as this: "I am not a Christian artist, I am an artist who is a Christian." That was said by Johnny Cash.

The hardest part is keeping the characters interesting without making them have some silly revelation from their past (although one or two does have that, but not everyone can unless you're doing a pardoy). One trick is to try and not make everyone depressed or unhappy. Some people are under the impression that "if everyone is depressed and unhappy and suicidal, then you're being realistic."

Also just something to think of about clichés. Someone once said: "Not all clichés are bad. A private-eye movie without the clichés isn't worth the price of admission. You don't go to westerns to see the cowboys ride ostriches."

Thanks for commenting, Josh.

No problem, and I agree that some clichés are fine, it's just when you write something like A Midnight Opera, you run into trouble. Derivative works that include nothing really original are the bane of my existence.

That Johnny Cash quote is pretty much my philosophy in life, actually, heh. : )

Now I'm not trying to come off as some elitist. I'm not a professional writer or anything, I've just made a lot of observations over the years when reading things made by fans, and pros, not to mention having quite a natural talent for writing. That's not to say I think I'm fantastic, but I have confidence in my skills, and no matter what, I can always improve, and I work at that.

But I think difference stands out. Look at Death Note, for example. It runs in a magazine that's pretty much home to shounen manga about fighting and sports, yet it's one of the most popular and highest rated manga of all time because of two things: it's different, and it's really good.

Also, I liked your comment about things being a bit silly with a random depressing revelation from everyone's past coming up. Hopefully writers will realize that not everyone needs to have some dark past full of death and depression. It's fine for certain characters in your story, but it goes back to the aspect of varied characters. With variation comes the idea that people handle things differently, and not everybody has to sit around and be all angry and angsting when something dramatic happens. But I could go on forever.

As I said before, look, there's nothing wrong with fantasy or action, but you don't always have to do stuff like that. A bunch of crazy angsting people in black leather outfits with guns that fire exploding chainsaws fighting everyone and throwing around random terms that make no sense to anyone other than the writer is not something I want to read.

1 Berserk (manga)
2 20th Century Boys (manga)
3 Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (manga)
4 Yokohama Kaidashi Kiko (manga)
5 Monster (manga)
6 Death Note (manga)
7 Fruits Basket (manga)
8 Akira (manga)
9 Mushi-shi (manga)
10 Rurouni Kenshin (manga)

I copied the top rated manga list from Anime News Network. Look at that list. Out of all ten, only Berserk, Akira, and Kenshin are "action" titles. Akira isn't as much action as it was just extremely influential to everything that came after it. Kenshin, while not my personal favourite or anything close, is just an action series done right, and Berserk is a long-running and slow moving series that's my personal favourite, not because it has fighting or lots of violence and stuff, because the story is incredible, and well written. True it does fit a lot of the clichés I can't stand, but the thing is, Berserk just does all of them right. If you're going to use a lot of clichés, you're gonna have to be really talented to pull them off, like Kentarou Miura is.

But look at that list. Stuff like 20th Century Boys and Monster is a perfect example of really good stuff that doesn't need to be about lots of fighting and screaming.

Practice, and be original! : )

Impact Alberto wrote:No problem, and I agree that some clichés are fine, it's just when you write something like A Midnight Opera, you run into trouble. Derivative works that include nothing really original are the bane of my existence.

Unfortunately it is obviously not everyone's bane. ]...I can always improve, and I work at that.[/QUOTE]

I think as long as an artist admits that, even when he became successful, that he still can learn and improvethen he has nothing to fear artistically.

Impact Alberto wrote:But I think difference stands out. Look at Death Note, for example. It runs in a magazine that's pretty much home to shounen manga about fighting and sports, yet it's one of the most popular and highest rated manga of all time because of two things: it's different, and it's really good.

I still have to get acquainted with Death Note, but I know its pretty darn popular.

Impact Alberto wrote:Also, I liked your comment about things being a bit silly with a random depressing revelation from everyone's past coming up. Hopefully writers will realize that not everyone needs to have some dark past full of death and depression. It's fine for certain characters in your story, but it goes back to the aspect of varied characters. With variation comes the idea that people handle things differently, and not everybody has to sit around and be all angry and angsting when something dramatic happens. But I could go on forever.

It could be very funny in a parody. "My father was a pumpkin and my mother a turnip - the vegetable patch never accepted me and sent me off to be diced at an early age." Just kidding.

Well, strictly speaking there is something bothering each of us somewhere in our lives. But not all our flaws, thorns in the side and such are traumatic in nature. Only one or two of the characters (if it is a big cast) should have some obnoxious revelation from his past - the rest can just be normal problems like a failing body, deteriorating eye-sight, illiteracy, etc. These things make things interesting. Bruce Willis' character in Sin City is almost a perfect person, almost the best person in the story, too bad his heart is no good. Real problems, like a faltering faith in God, or a bad heart, is more compelling than "I was stolen from my mother by Rumpelstiltskin and I'll never escape his evil grip from beyond the grave".

Impact Alberto wrote:As I said before, look, there's nothing wrong with fantasy or action, but you don't always have to do stuff like that. A bunch of crazy angsting people in black leather outfits with guns that fire exploding chainsaws fighting everyone and throwing around random terms that make no sense to anyone other than the writer is not something I want to read.

I know. I like comics with action and stuff in it, but I'm not dependant on it. In fact, I like it when it spends more time building atmosphere and character rather than trying to entertain people with attention defecit disorder (although I have attention defecit disorder and I prefer movies and comics that can artistically achieve a slow deliberate pace). I mean, too much action can be very monotonous in itself.

A book like Crime and Punishment (not a comic, though) for instance has no action, but the 'action' takes place in the character's head entirely it, and that is what makes it interesting - his spiritual and philosophical struggles and attempts to justify his actions. I prefer character developement and good dialoge to action-scenes. Always have, although good original action-scenes are good too.

I think though another thing that writers shouldn't do is have the stories explain themselves. Things left unsaid (that is limited exposition and 'pay-off') or implied make stories more interesting than those that have long-winded explanations. I find that exposition sometimes make a movie or book only more confusing (or sillier) rather than clarifying it. A good example is the anime movie "X" (I never read the manga or saw the anime series). The more they explained the plot, the more the movie got confusing and the more I found the whole ordeal just plain silly.

Impact Alberto wrote:I copied the top rated manga list from Anime News Network. Look at that list. Out of all ten, only Berserk, Akira, and Kenshin are "action" titles. Akira isn't as much action as it was just extremely influential to everything that came after it. Kenshin, while not my personal favourite or anything close, is just an action series done right, and Berserk is a long-running and slow moving series that's my personal favourite, not because it has fighting or lots of violence and stuff, because the story is incredible, and well written. True it does fit a lot of the clichés I can't stand, but the thing is, Berserk just does all of them right. If you're going to use a lot of clichés, you're gonna have to be really talented to pull them off, like Kentarou Miura is.

Hmmmmm. I'll really have to check out Beserk someday.

Impact Alberto wrote:But look at that list. Stuff like 20th Century Boys and Monster is a perfect example of really good stuff that doesn't need to be about lots of fighting and screaming.

Hmmm. I've only heard of those. I'll read those some day. Oh how the list just keeps on growing.

of course, one could go the route of showing people in situations where their morals are tested and they choose the Christian action. Maybe an anime-like version of Touched By an Angel would be a good model.