Christian Horror

[CephasWhite]

I have a question...would anyone ever want to watch a Christian Horror Anime?

I have seen different cartoons and shows that deal with our faith in different situations...and all of them seem so...primitive...if I may be blunt. They seem very "sugar-coated".

I would love to make a series dealing with the realistic side of being a Christian: the hardships of being a Christian, the dangers/temptations we must face everyday, and the real truth about us.

Of course, doing this, there would be the fantasy side of it, where the hero could actually the evil in front of them, whether it's the spirit or demon of rage, lust etc., and there would be times where the horror genre would come in, for example:

- The psychological factor - Images of twisted lifeforms and the like, the question of what life is about, hopefully some of you know what I'm talking about.

- The physical terror factor - The images of monsters, the look of mysterious scenery, the use of camera work to highlight the tensity of something.

- The blood factor - Hopefully no one gets grossed out while I'm saying this. If I ever did a series with blood involved, I surely would never use the blood factor to an extreme (a man having 5 gallons of blood spurting from his body for example, that's humanly impossible). It would be more realistic, with the aspect of bloodflow and the like. I've seen that in many horror animes. Not only is it gross, but also not needed.

- The gore factor - There would definitely be no unnecessary gore that doesn't need to be there. I've seen that in many horror animes. Not only is THAT gross, but also not needed.

- The Nudity factor - Definitely not needed! We don't need full frontal nudity in every single horror genre we find! That's just stupid!

What I'm getting at here, is a good, meaningful, moral series that would bring people to think about what we as Christians face every day mixed in with the fantasy, action and adventure; the Lord of the Rings/Chronicles of Narnia sort of thing.

You guys want to leave comments or anything, be free to do so.

[CrimsonRyu17]

I know I'd watch it. In fact, I'd probably love to.

Of course, that is if it has a decent storyline, characters, artwork, and ending. If they all have a check mark beside them on the list, I'd be looking forward to it.

[K. Ayato]

Same here. Enough of the sugar-coating. We need something to show people what Christianity is and really involves.

[ChristianKitsune]

I dunno...when I think of Christianity..."horror" doesn't exactly come to mind... >_> I mean... I dunno I don't want to sound all high and might here... but I just don't think that Chrisitianity and horror should mix very well.

Of course it would make sense, if it was to prove a point about Christ or something... but gah I dunno.. I don't like horror movies to begin with...

Same here. Enough of the sugar-coating. We need something to show people what Christianity is and really involves.

and...Christianity is scary...how? O.o

[K. Ayato]

It's a challenge.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I'd watch it regardless of it being Christian. If it's horror that isn't just a big gore-fest, I'm down.

[Raiden no Kishi]

I ask you this: why would you feel it necessary to classify this theoretical work as "horror"? What does working in the horror idiom do to benefit your message? I can understand "horror" in, say, a Death Note-esque manner, because it had a point. The idea showing the death scenes, many of them unnerving, was to drive home a point that these were human beings dying ~ to emphasize the gravity of what Light was doing.

I am by no means saying it won't work or that you shouldn't do it ~ but I'd like to get a bit better look at your thought process.

.rai//

[Danderson]

If it showed the hardships of the Christian life (and everything you mentioned) I'd only watch it if it had redemption as an answer to all horrorible things....I mean, what would be the point of going through all of that to discover that it was all for nothing?....Yes, I believe this could be done without sugar-coating.......

[Sheol777]

Does The Screwtape Letters count?

I know there was a thread around here somewhere that spoke of it being made into a movie.

[CephasWhite]

I know I'd watch it. In fact, I'd probably love to.

Of course, that is if it has a decent storyline, characters, artwork, and ending. If they all have a check mark beside them on the list, I'd be looking forward to it.

I would either have the artwork the same style as Elfen Lied's...or Death Note's, and don't get the wrong impression, it was the clear, sharpness of the artwork that got me interested in both animes, although I've never seen any of Death Note, just clips. I've seen all of Elfen Lied; interesting series; good plot; wonderful beginning and ending.

Same here. Enough of the sugar-coating. We need something to show people what Christianity is and really involves.

I dunno...when I think of Christianity..."horror" doesn't exactly come to mind... >_> I mean... I dunno I don't want to sound all high and might here... but I just don't think that Chrisitianity and horror should mix very well.

Of course it would make sense, if it was to prove a point about Christ or something... but gah I dunno.. I don't like horror movies to begin with...

and...Christianity is scary...how? O.o

Well, it's also what kinds of things that you think about when you hear the word "horror":

It could be the gore aspect, or the blood, or the psychological, like "Signs" for example; it was tagged as horror and psychological...it kind of did mess with your mind...but in the end it was all put together and God did actually win.

Christianity can be scary...because of what K-chan said: The Challenges of being a Christian, tests is another way of putting it. The fear factor that comes in is pretty high.

- Take for example, you're going against a group or party that believes that this new movement is the next thing as popular as new cell phones; the product in question gives you the greatest high...the only problem is it will kill you in the long run say...2 days to a week. Now the horror aspect comes in because after the person takes that product: BANG! The ultimate pleasure sweeps in, and millions buy it...unfortunately the consequences make them deteriorate and melt.

Now stay with me, the topic before-hand is coming...

- The opposing group, the ones who have done the research and have never taken the product, resist the movement. Once these people have gone to far, in the product manufacturers minds, they will actually resort to tortures and killings to shut those people up.

The horror factor comes in referring to this, the torturing and killings of these people and the realization that this actually happens today and will probably happen again in the future:

- Now replace the people stated above with the people told in the Bible...the ones who create the mark of the beast, and replace the opposing people with Christians...see where I'm getting at?

I guess to put it in short, the horror aspect, to me, comes in when I see the evil that takes place in torturing and killing innocent people as well as the "jump" parts and the "surprising moments" in stories.

I hope this made sense.

I'd watch it regardless of it being Christian. If it's horror that isn't just a big gore-fest, I'm down.

I'm absolutely against gore-fest horrors, "Saw" "Hostile" "Ginger Snaps" *shudders* Just mindless gore, it's stupid!

I think I'd only go as far as having someone loose their limbs, someone decapitating, mostly towards evil monsters, demons, and the like. To put it in short, Lord of the Rings-esque or "Saving Private Ryan".

I ask you this: why would you feel it necessary to classify this theoretical work as "horror"? What does working in the horror idiom do to benefit your message? I can understand "horror" in, say, a Death Note-esque manner, because it had a point. The idea showing the death scenes, many of them unnerving, was to drive home a point that these were human beings dying ~ to emphasize the gravity of what Light was doing.

I am by no means saying it won't work or that you shouldn't do it ~ but I'd like to get a bit better look at your thought process.

.rai//

The reason is this: It seems the most popular genres of movies these days are horror/drama/action/adventure/fantasy. Most of people, in general, like to get a "jump" or a "scare" once in a while. If the Christian faith was to be portrayed in this manner:

Drama: The concepts of "The Meaning of Life", "Love", "Trust", "Friendship", "God", and the like.

Action: Times where the demons/monsters/evil try to take over and the hero or heroes fight to keep peace and balance between good and evil if they can't be stopped simply by prayer. The hero or heroes are portrayed as the protagonist, or "The Answer to their Prayers".

Adventure: The story takes a trip around to different worlds to help keep evil from the depths to take over if they can't be stopped, and the hero or heroes become, once again, the answer to their prayers.

Horror/thriller: It's what happens when the true form of a beast is revealed, whether it's totally grotesque, lidless or just plain weird and demonic. It also happens with the outcome of battles and war; the sufferings of civilians taken down from the demons. The images of very detailed work showing the intense moments. This dealing with Christians shows how God gives them the strength and courage and bravery to face them.

Suspense: The agony of waiting for what happens next. The fear of the unknown; are we gonna live or are we gonna die...waiting anxiously.

Fantasy: Most people like to have an "escape from reality". The fantasy part comes in with the hero or heroes experiencing transformations, witnessing demonic transformations. The powers of light (Gandalf for example) fighting against and the powers of darkness (Sauron). Fairies, etc.

All these concepts, I believe, are what we as Christians must face once in a while, or every single day of our lives, with the exclusion of fantasy. This is what I'm trying to say about Christian Horror.

If it showed the hardships of the Christian life (and everything you mentioned) I'd only watch it if it had redemption as an answer to all horrorible things....I mean, what would be the point of going through all of that to discover that it was all for nothing?....Yes, I believe this could be done without sugar-coating.......

Exactly, I hate it when I see senseless killing and it's just seen as "oh yeah, whatever, it's just there for entertainment wise".

Of course, some parts of the series will have the question of "Why?" "what?" and all that. Sometimes the episodes will end on a sad note, as do some Sherlock Holmes episodes. It goes where not everything goes well in the end; there are good times and some bad times, it has to balance, and live with it.

What I DO NOT want to do, is leave the audience guessing; unsatisfied. The ending has to have loose ends tied up, finished and put together. I don't really like depressing endings, unless I understand what has happened throughout the series and I can understand what the reason was that this happened.

Does The Screwtape Letters count?

I know there was a thread around here somewhere that spoke of it being made into a movie.

I never read The Screwtape Letters, but I will later.

----------------------------------------

I hope you guys didn't mind me writing this so long. Thanks for taking time to read this It's pretty much the soul reason I want to do this.

I guess you could call me a Christian Realist. I believe everything must be worked for. You can pray for things, but I believe God wants you to put your share into it; don't expect it to be brought to you in a silver-platter.

[12praiseGOD]

my opinion is that I would like to watch it, but I would like it to in some way show people that are not Christians that there is a master plan behind it all. i don't want them to watch and be scared away from it, before they know the good part of it, and why we go through all of this, anyways were would you show it, just wondering, do you mean really on tv, on this site,on another site what? Anyways, sounds like a good idea, would love to see the final aspect, just don't want to scare away unbeliever, so i recomend to inclued a big part of it at the end a glorious and marvelous reward,and even throught the series to show there is confort and love, we don't just suffer for the fun of it, you know what I mean. anyways go for it, I'd love to see it!

[creed4]

This Present Darkness, would be incredible animated.

[K. Ayato]

YES! Frank Peretti stuff would be awesome! Even the series he wrote for young adults.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I'm absolutely against gore-fest horrors, "Saw" "Hostile" "Ginger Snaps" *shudders* Just mindless gore, it's stupid!

Yeah, except that Saw isn't a mindless gore-fest.

[AsianBlossom]

From what I've heard about it, it seems that way to me. It may seemingly have a message in there, but still, what I've heard is gross...

[ChristianKitsune]

YES! Frank Peretti stuff would be awesome! Even the series he wrote for young adults.

HangMan's curse was made into a movie.... >_>

[CephasWhite]

I saw the entire series of Hellsing too. It had great plot and great artwork, and I was incredibly surprised that Sera, being how developed she is, was never shown naked or molested (except by a vampire in a split second, nothing serious) or sexually shown, thanks to that, the show was very entertaining. Though I still go against the concept of vampires being the ones to save the day...you know...evil against evil. So now it's a three way decision whether it's Elfen Lied or Death Note or Hellsing style.

For anyone who has seen any of these anime, you'd know what I'm talking about with art style and graphic material: Not as strong as Elfen Lied, but thoughtful and makes sense like Hellsing.

my opinion is that I would like to watch it, but I would like it to in some way show people that are not Christians that there is a master plan behind it all. i don't want them to watch and be scared away from it, before they know the good part of it, and why we go through all of this, anyways were would you show it, just wondering, do you mean really on tv, on this site,on another site what? Anyways, sounds like a good idea, would love to see the final aspect, just don't want to scare away unbeliever, so i recomend to inclued a big part of it at the end a glorious and marvelous reward,and even throught the series to show there is confort and love, we don't just suffer for the fun of it, you know what I mean. anyways go for it, I'd love to see it!

Of course 12PG.

The hero will not be a vampire or any demon of the sort but more of a mysterious person, with gifted, and I mean "gifted" abilities and his/her background is unknown.

He/she develops an interest in the Christian faith and the church. The setting will be either in a place in Ireland, England, or anywhere in Europe or North America. He/she will live in the church, have either a monk or a pastor as a father, live as a normal person by day, watch the streets at night, not just for thieves and wrongdoers, but for bloodthirsty ghouls, vampires and a new breed of demon called the "Sythers".

Sythers: Large beasts with skin a touch of dark navy blue; eyes, lidless, yellow with tiny pupils; teeth: razor sharp. These beastly creatures only come out at night, but their have known to be rogues. Where these things came from is unknown at this time, and will be spoiled if I give it out.

Vampires: The same kind of vampires that you see from "Hellsing".

Ghouls: Same as "Hellsing".

Greatly detailed, the series will look like another form of Hellsing but the title would be named "BloodCross".

The plot in the beginning deals with the hero becoming who he/she is, the introduction. The first couple episodes deal with the hero or heroine protecting the city/town/whatever from the wrongdoers and taking them to the authorities, spending time in the church either praying, reading, spending time with people in need or making plans for the next mission to protect the city/town/whatever.

The hero or heroine will have a small cross with a silver chain around his/her neck, wearing a long black coat with all his/her clothing black with thin skin armor covering his/her entire body underneath all their clothes (being where it's set, at night it gets cold).

He/she has have the strength and looks as a vampire, but always remember, the hero/heroine is not and never will be a vampire or any demon of any sort.

Weapons he/she will be carrying will either be a sword of some kind or a gun, I haven't decided yet, but tilting towards the sword.

Questions asked here will most likely be:

- What's the reason were here?
- What does it take to be free?
- Is there really a God?
- What is the reason for all this pain and evil?
- Where did this evil come from?
- Where am I from? (the hero/heroine)
- How did I get here?
...and many others...

At the end of each show there will be a moral word narrated, maybe something philosophic, a verse from the Bible, or a line from a poem. Then, of course, a preview for the next episode.

Music wise, I will state later. It's late, and I need sleep...

[Mr. SmartyPants]

From what I've heard about it, it seems that way to me. It may seemingly have a message in there, but still, what I've heard is gross...

As it is gross, I still can't help but thing that it's an interesting piece of work. How far will you go to survive a timed deathtrap? I'll never go see Saw, but I still do think that the synopsis is interesting and one that can show a certain side of human nature.

Anyhow, I digress.

[mitsuki lover]

Simply get the rights to C.S. Lewis' novel That Hideous Strength and turn it into an anime.

[Cap'n Nick]

I'm always excited to hear about new genre frontiers for Christian expression, and what you're describing has some real potential. But remember now, you've told us what you're planning, so if we don't see anything happening we'll all wonder why you gave up!

That's my pet peeve about this place. In the bright sky of ideas, the CAA is an airplane hangar, and all the doors are boarded.

[CephasWhite]

Well, I have these great ideas in my head and these characters are clear as crystal in my head...I just...can't draw them...worth beans...

SO! If there is ANYONE out there, AN ARTIST, willing to take some time and help put my characters onto paper, that would be SUPER!

In truth, I've been planning this thing for a span of at least 5 years...and most of the story involves characters used by other members of this board...but THEY don't come in till LOOOOOOOOONG after the first season.

We as a group have been RPing for years together, and I've finally decided to take our roleplaying onto the pages of manga...I hope...but again...I NEED WILLING ARTISTS TO BRING MY CHARACTERS TO LIFE FROM MY HEAD!!!

[CephasWhite]

This is the look of my main character. It's from the series Torchwood:

The long coat he's wearing would be more leather with black gloss to show shine. Of course, the hero does not look like this guy, instead here are two chibi versions of what he would look like, but I'm leaning towards the second one...

[Tereya]

I, personally, think it's a wonderful idea and would definitely be interested in seeing it.

It would be a good way to sort of offset the "pink clouds and fuzzy bunnies," sterilized... er, stereotype that most Christian productions seem to be pegged with. (Though don't get me wrong, the pink clouds and fuzzy bunnies have their place. It just usually ends after a child has grown past nursery age.) A horror anime would be a great way to not only present our faith in a different way, but also to entertain people. :> Win-win, if you ask me.

[CephasWhite]

Thanks for the comments and questions guys and gals. They're helping me realize that this sort of thing might be what we are looking for.

I'm watching the Hellsing OVAs right now and the art and graphics are STUNNING! I wouldn't recommend it to children of course, or people with squeamish stomachs, but the plot, character developments, and settings are great!

NOW...

What would ShatterHeartArk think about this and watch it? He's the watcher of horrors, anime and the like.

[Yeshua-Knight]

I would either have the artwork the same style as Elfen Lied's...or Death Note's, and don't get the wrong impression, it was the clear, sharpness of the artwork that got me interested in both animes, although I've never seen any of Death Note, just clips. I've seen all of Elfen Lied; interesting series; good plot; wonderful beginning and ending.





Well, it's also what kinds of things that you think about when you hear the word "horror":

It could be the gore aspect, or the blood, or the psychological, like "Signs" for example; it was tagged as horror and psychological...it kind of did mess with your mind...but in the end it was all put together and God did actually win.

Christianity can be scary...because of what K-chan said: The Challenges of being a Christian, tests is another way of putting it. The fear factor that comes in is pretty high.

- Take for example, you're going against a group or party that believes that this new movement is the next thing as popular as new cell phones; the product in question gives you the greatest high...the only problem is it will kill you in the long run say...2 days to a week. Now the horror aspect comes in because after the person takes that product: BANG! The ultimate pleasure sweeps in, and millions buy it...unfortunately the consequences make them deteriorate and melt.

Now stay with me, the topic before-hand is coming...

- The opposing group, the ones who have done the research and have never taken the product, resist the movement. Once these people have gone to far, in the product manufacturers minds, they will actually resort to tortures and killings to shut those people up.

The horror factor comes in referring to this, the torturing and killings of these people and the realization that this actually happens today and will probably happen again in the future:

- Now replace the people stated above with the people told in the Bible...the ones who create the mark of the beast, and replace the opposing people with Christians...see where I'm getting at?

I guess to put it in short, the horror aspect, to me, comes in when I see the evil that takes place in torturing and killing innocent people as well as the "jump" parts and the "surprising moments" in stories.

I hope this made sense.



I'm absolutely against gore-fest horrors, "Saw" "Hostile" "Ginger Snaps" *shudders* Just mindless gore, it's stupid!

I think I'd only go as far as having someone loose their limbs, someone decapitating, mostly towards evil monsters, demons, and the like. To put it in short, Lord of the Rings-esque or "Saving Private Ryan".



The reason is this: It seems the most popular genres of movies these days are horror/drama/action/adventure/fantasy. Most of people, in general, like to get a "jump" or a "scare" once in a while. If the Christian faith was to be portrayed in this manner:

Drama: The concepts of "The Meaning of Life", "Love", "Trust", "Friendship", "God", and the like.

Action: Times where the demons/monsters/evil try to take over and the hero or heroes fight to keep peace and balance between good and evil if they can't be stopped simply by prayer. The hero or heroes are portrayed as the protagonist, or "The Answer to their Prayers".

Adventure: The story takes a trip around to different worlds to help keep evil from the depths to take over if they can't be stopped, and the hero or heroes become, once again, the answer to their prayers.

Horror/thriller: It's what happens when the true form of a beast is revealed, whether it's totally grotesque, lidless or just plain weird and demonic. It also happens with the outcome of battles and war; the sufferings of civilians taken down from the demons. The images of very detailed work showing the intense moments. This dealing with Christians shows how God gives them the strength and courage and bravery to face them.

Suspense: The agony of waiting for what happens next. The fear of the unknown; are we gonna live or are we gonna die...waiting anxiously.

Fantasy: Most people like to have an "escape from reality". The fantasy part comes in with the hero or heroes experiencing transformations, witnessing demonic transformations. The powers of light (Gandalf for example) fighting against and the powers of darkness (Sauron). Fairies, etc.

All these concepts, I believe, are what we as Christians must face once in a while, or every single day of our lives, with the exclusion of fantasy. This is what I'm trying to say about Christian Horror.



Exactly, I hate it when I see senseless killing and it's just seen as "oh yeah, whatever, it's just there for entertainment wise".

Of course, some parts of the series will have the question of "Why?" "what?" and all that. Sometimes the episodes will end on a sad note, as do some Sherlock Holmes episodes. It goes where not everything goes well in the end; there are good times and some bad times, it has to balance, and live with it.

What I DO NOT want to do, is leave the audience guessing; unsatisfied. The ending has to have loose ends tied up, finished and put together. I don't really like depressing endings, unless I understand what has happened throughout the series and I can understand what the reason was that this happened.



I never read The Screwtape Letters, but I will later.

----------------------------------------

I hope you guys didn't mind me writing this so long. Thanks for taking time to read this It's pretty much the soul reason I want to do this.

I guess you could call me a Christian Realist. I believe everything must be worked for. You can pray for things, but I believe God wants you to put your share into it; don't expect it to be brought to you in a silver-platter.

i'd like to throw my two cents in here

perhaps doing a series on the persecuted church is more what you're aiming for here, throughout history and in various parts of the world christians are constantly facing the choice of whether they will deny christ and live, or hold to him and die (often times a very horrible torturous death) all that in addition to the same temptations that those who aren't openly persecuted face

[CephasWhite]

That's a good thing to think about there Yeshua What you just said is what's happening in parts of the world where you either don't be a Christian, be something else, or die.

What I'm actually going for here is a series that has the graphic and real life of how Christians live, mixed in with creatures from different planets with the same thought pattern, a massive adventure that takes place later on in the series which leads to all the answers to questions we've been wanting to know for ages.

On a different subject, I was thinking of having a woman figure being the messianic figure for this series. I'm a big feminist towards anime (and who isn't considering the obvious).

[Kat Walker]

There's actually a lot of material to work with to make a "Christian horror" movie. Just make sure you stay away from the dumb stereotypes that go along with secular horror - shallow characters, sexualized violence, villains that are reduced to mindless killing machines without any psychological complexity, an over-reliance on extreme gore, etc... and sequels. Don't catch "sequel cash-in" syndrome! XD

[CephasWhite]

Thanks Kat And I agree. Stupid stereotypes XP

Sequels? Well, maybe...but I will want it better then the first of course (Lord of the Rings Two Towers and Return of the King)

I just remembered...

Music wise for this: Rock and roll, heavy metal, but mostly Orchestrated.

I'm a big Within Temptation/Demon Hunter fan. The heavy metal, rock and orchestrated music fits this style very well

I was thinking of having the title sequence like Elfen Lied: professional art portraits and canvases that are full of awe and wonder.

The intro-music would be the Lord's Prayer in a different language, Latin maybe...Greek? Hebrew? German?

The thing I like most about this genre is the fine detail that the artist gives in a scene to heighten the tension and suspense...that's a biggie in my case.

[Stephen]

Moved to the right area. As for a Christian Horror series, I would probably avoid it. Every time I have tried watching a "Christian" movie, it has felt C-Grade at best. The acting is most times horrible, and the storyline has more holes then a cheese grater. I guess if someone told me it was really good I would give it a shot. But chances are, I would avoid it.

[Kaligraphic]

We definitely need full frontal nudity. It can be part of the horror. Ugly naked peoples, o noez!