Eight Anime Recommendations for Christian Viewers

Note: This page has been replaced by a reformatted and more up-to-date listing.

One question Christian anime fans frequently ask is, “Is there such a thing as a Christian anime?” As I mentioned in the FAQ, besides Tezuka Osamu’s collaboration with the Vatican, The Flying House, and perhaps another exception here or there, the answer is “no.”

But, that doesn’t mean that “Christian anime” is an oxymoron.

It’s not unusual to see Christian symbolism in anime. Some series even place a central focus on these symbols, though some (like Neon Genesis Evangelion or Toaru Majutsu no Index) controversially depict these elements. Instead, anime can be viewed through a Christian lens. Although the series may not refer directly to the Christian God or to Jesus, important themes in Christianity are ever-present in anime, including grace, sacrificial love, being just, seeking to do what is right, turning the other cheek, and finding that there may be a higher being in the universe. Below are eight shows that contain some or several of these qualities, or which espouse other themes related to Christian spirituality. This list will expand as I watch shows which I think are befitting of it. The newest additions are Puella Magi Madoka Magica (4.28.2011) and Ookiku Furikabutte (5.31.2011).

The List

Eden of the East

Though the title may indicate a religious anime, the series is more of a mystery, romance, and action story, which touches of comedy. This intelligent show follows a young man, Takizawa, who has lost his memory and is caught up in a game to become the “Savior” of Japan. Vocabulary related to religion, particularly Christianity, abounds in the story. One can also find strong symbolism regarding some of the characters. Eden of the East contains some violence, foul language, and brief nudity.

Haibane Renmei

Perhaps the most overtly Christian series on the list (for as much as that means), this series focuses on angel-like entities known as haibane, who are born into a world where they work and live among human townsfolk. This beautiful work can easily be viewed as a Catholic vision of the afterlife and features heavy emphasis on the ideas of sin, grace, forgiveness, and love. It’s a powerful work that I believe should be at the top of a Christian otaku’s viewing list – indeed, it’s a become a classic for any fan of anime.

Kino’s Journey

Anime episodes are often self-contained, and this is especially true of Kino’s Journey. The fable-like story follows the title character as she travels from country to country in an unknown world. The show is wonderful at expressing the human condition in all it’s sin and depravity, but it also reveals the beauty of the world and of people. There is also a particularly powerful moment involving a Christlike sacrifice that plays a very important role in the series. The show contains a lot of violence, though little (or none) of it is graphic.

Ookiku Furikabutte

Art by DraNKa (Pixiv)

A baseball anime? Oh, it’s much more than that. One of the best series in the genre of sports anime, Oofuri is chock full of themes that are ripe for application in the Christian life. The show explores ideas such as courage, character, friendship, strength, transformation, and selflessness.

Puella Shoujo Madoka Magica

Pixiv Artist Nuage

What starts out as a slightly atypical magical girl show becomes one the most inventive, daring, and powerful anime in recent memory. This intense journey into the consequences our choices bring is heavy on violence and death and contains foul language. But nothing is gratuitous and the show is purposeful, emphasizing the themes of friendship, sacrifice, and hope.

Rurouni Kenshin

Pixiv Artist 1548455

This long-running series is about a ronin named Himura Kenshin who was once the “Battousai,” a manslayer, but has now resolved to live a life of peace. The idea of living a life of peace and doing what is right, even if it means sacrificing oneself, is a vital theme of the series. The television show works particularly well in contrast of the first two OVAs, which brutally and violently portray Kenshin’s earlier life. One may want to avoid the third arc of the show, however, which not only is poorly executed, but which portrays Christianity in a negative life and in which Kenshin supports a view of Christianity as just another religion rather than as “the truth, the way, and the light.”

Samurai Champloo

This critically acclaimed work follows two swordsmen as they accompany a young woman on her search for a mysterious “samurai who smells of sunflowers.” Full of substance and stylistically unique, Samurai Champloo is a powerful series from the creator of another classic, Cowboy Bebop. Christian characters play a major role late in the show, and themes of forgiveness and justice are heavily present. Not all Christians in the story are “good people,” with many being flawed and others outright hypocrites, though I feel the series treats them fairly. You may want to avoid Samurai Champloo if bothered by foul language and extensive violence.

Trigun

Vash the Stampede is the hero of Trigun, a man wanted for enormous destruction (of entire towns…and of part of the moon!). Starting out in a slapsick manner, the series becomes more and more serious as it goes along. Vash is pacifist who will not kill; his foil and frequent partner, Wolfwood, calls himself a priest, though he is more than willing to take lives. Their interaction and their beliefs are ripe for discussion, as the series asks tough questions for such a fun show. Every episode features gunplay and violence, and there is foul language in the series.

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Comments (17)

Chase | 02.11.2012 at 3:15am

Angel beats is good to even tho it may not seem like it at the begining.

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- TWWK | 02.11.2012 at 8:13am
  
  I did a little series on Angel Beats here on the website. It’s a certainly a series that brings up a lot of interesting themes. Thanks for the recommendation!
  
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Marimo | 06.04.2012 at 11:19pm

I was surprised to see Samurai Champloo on this list…it has a LOT more skanky content than many anime I have seen. It’s well done, sure, but after a while I just didn’t want to deal with it anymore.
About Kenshin…read the manga if you want a neatly-finished plot. The anime really glosses over the third story arc, which is central to the manga as a whole. Also, the odd mini-arc about the Christians does not exist in the manga.
These points alone push the manga far ahead of the anime.
That said, it would be really interesting if someone made an anime about the actual history of Christianity in Japan.

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- TWWK | 06.05.2012 at 7:28am
  
  Yeah, like I mentioned, the series is not for everybody. I’ve revised this page to put that series in a more proper category.
  
  And thanks for the recommendation about Kenshin. I have red the final arc in the manga, and it’s pretty amazing.
  
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- John | 12.06.2012 at 4:00pm
  
  That would be very cool. Samurai Champloo does have extreme amounts of sexual nastiness but it does actually touch on certain aspects of the persecution of the hidden Christians if you stick with it long enough.
  
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Chrissy | 07.29.2012 at 7:16pm

Personally, I think D.N.Angel is a good one to look into in a Christian perspective

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- TWWK | 07.30.2012 at 8:05am
  
  Interesting selection – it’s certainly an appealing series, has a terrific couple, and is very clean. I bet if I rewatched it, I’d find a lot of themes to talk about. Thanks for the rec!
  
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John | 09.19.2012 at 11:06pm

Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple and Romeo X Juliet are probably the two greatest Animes I have ever watched… I may have watched Romeo X Juliet recently, but Kenichi is truly my favorite Anime of all time. Kenichi has some perverted and suggestive parts to it, but overall it is about all the good teachings from the Word. And Romeo X Juliet has similar theme to it, though it is violent and has mild gore, it is still a realistic and reveals a bit of compassion to living for others as well as a great purpose. There are of course many other Animes, but those two in particular came to mind.

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- John | 09.19.2012 at 11:09pm
  
  Meant to say ‘greater purpose’ but I believe you understood what I was trying to say… sadly I wasn’t gifted to not make typos.
  
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- TWWK | 09.20.2012 at 10:08am
  
  Thanks for sharing! I would’ve never thought of checking out Kenichi.
  
  I have seen a good portion of Romeo x Juliet – a very pretty and heartfelt show. I have no doubt there are some great themes in there.
  
  Thanks for the suggestions!
  
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Tony | 09.29.2012 at 9:58pm

ah my goddess is a good anime series to watch.It gives a lot of good morals in it.

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- TWWK | 09.30.2012 at 12:35am
  
  Thanks for the rec! You’re right – there’s a lot of good stuff in the series.
  
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Leppalo | 01.05.2013 at 9:55pm

Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni could be added too. It has a lot of themes about forgiveness, trust, love, and how playing God/Viewing God as sacrificial hungry rather than a loving God can corrupt your morals.The only problem is that it is REALLY violent and is definitely not something easy to stomach. But if you can get through the first season, the second one will be no problem at all (But don’t say I didn’t warn you about the violent content).

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- TWWK | 01.08.2013 at 10:10am
  
  Thanks for the suggestion! I made my way partially through the manga long ago, but wasn’t particularly looking for those themes you mentioned. I’ve heard from others, too, that there is considerable depth to it.
  
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Heidi | 01.22.2013 at 4:53am

How about heallsing? It has heavy Christian theme but no way point back to God nor Lord Jesus ?
I have been longing so much for a good Christian manga which actually point back to Jesus and has Him as the central of the story …

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- TWWK | 01.22.2013 at 2:48pm
  
  Thanks for the recommendation!
  
  I might suggest you check out the OEL manga from . They are most definitely Bible-based (Catholic in nature) and are all very well done.
  
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- Kenshinshawnsherlock | 04.01.2013 at 3:50pm
  
  Hey, no worries!
  When I finally become a master at drawing, I’ll be making a Manga that’s Christian based.
  You should check out Manga Messiah!
  I haven’t read it, but I know it’s about the life of Jesus in Manga style!
  
  Reply