Postby Raiden no Kishi » Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:37 pm
I could be pedantic and say that it's impossible to offend a set of beliefs, but possible to offend those who hold those beliefs, but that's really neither here nor there.
I actually thought of two titles when I read this thread.
The first is the series Black Lagoon, which I follow from time to time because it reminds me of classic action movies. I'm mostly thinking of the "Church of Violence" organization, which uses the theme of a Catholic church as a front for illegal smuggling. I consider it more of a use of Christian imagery for "flavor," which anime is notorious for. However, I can understand why others would be offended and would prefer if they had used a different theme. You could also cite many of the characters' philosophies, but it's a series about mercenaries, smugglers, organized crime, assassins, etc. - what do you expect? It would be ludicrous if they were moral people.
The second is the manga "Saint Young Men," which I actually enjoy. It's a silly slice-of-life series . . . about Buddha and Jesus sharing an apartment in Japan. I kid you not. Obviously, the theology of the manga's world is ridiculous. It seems to allow all the world's gods to exist simultaneously (as I recall). It's pretty funny, though - at least in my opinion.
I don' think there are many anime that are deliberately offensive, though. And I, at least, have a pretty thick skin about such things. You have to in this world.
.rai//
[raiden's liveJournal][color="Indigo"]"I believe whatever doesn't kill you simply makes you . . .
stranger."[/color]
Strollin' in at dawn, wakin' up at noon's gonna catch up to me soon
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