CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

(After doing a site-wide search, this topic didn't come up, so I hope this isn't an accidental copy of some older thread.)

I am of the opinion (with evidence) that God likes to tell me/show me some of the wonderful lessons of life and thought through all kinds of media: books, movies, music... and of course, anime series.

I started watching Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann earlier this month, because my friend mechana2015 recommended it to me. I had also heard him mention in the first "new" episode of CAA Radio that it was one of the most uplifting series he'd ever watched. Having seen over half the series now, I can't help but agree; its amazingly written and seems to be overflowing with all kinds of good thoughts and lessons. Which got me to thinking... what other moments like that exist in other series?

So, here are my questions/topic for discussion:

In anime, what have been some of the most uplifting/teaching/epiphany-like moments you've experienced? Why are those moments important to you (backstory)?

Spoiler coding for the specific moments from each series is HIGHLY recommended.

For example... the first moment that comes to mind (aside from Gurren Lagann) is at the end of Trigun, where
[Spoiler]Vash learns that he IS his brother Knives' keeper, and that he has a responsibility to take care of him, despite their almost exact opposite ways of thinking about life and treating other people.[/Spoiler]
Its an important moment to me because I never thought that a series would have such a strong reference to a theme from the Bible. I was (and am) glad that such things exist in anime.

Your turn!:)

Maybe while watching Hayate no Gotoku because it's always full of random mishaps and after all is said and done life just works out somehow no matter how different it can be.

Sorry don't have any specific examples that could go in spoilers
I'll look for some other moments later.

Kinda relating to Job and his hardships.

In Tsubasa, just about every Kurogane moment. He seems like the generic warrior type, but I found him to be the most stable, deep character in the show.
To me, Kurogane is the epitome of who I want to be. He's not someone you want to hassle, but he's someone you can go to for help. Though I can't link exact verses right now, he fits the Christian walk fairly well. With my personal struggles, seeing a character like Kurogane (someone respected, taken seriously, somewhat scary but still easy to approach, thoughtfull of others, unhesitant, indomitable, etc.) , and seeing the characteristics I admire blended perfectly with basically Christian principles really gives me encouragement.

In Tekkonkinkreet Black and White can be seen as two parts of one person ("I have screws that Black needs, and he has some that I need"). One child like innocence (faith like a child) one the old sinful self. Both striving together to be one person in harmony. Black has a scar on his hand that is a constant reminder of what he could become if he totally gives in to his real self.


I know it could also easily fit into yin and yang, but I see this angle when I watch because of my world view.

[spoiler] The ending to Haibane Renmei. When Rakka saves Reki.[/spoiler]

Fact: If people enjoy uplifting moments, then they should watch more sports anime.

At this point, pretty much any given episode of Giant Killing contains at least one (sometimes more than one) uplifting moment. Initially what comes to mind is [spoiler]when, after giving the ball away over and over and over, Tsubaki makes both an amazing defensive play and score the winner.[/spoiler]

BTW: thoughtful post, Rusty.

TheSubtleDoctor wrote:Fact: If people enjoy uplifting moments, then they should watch more sports anime.

Sure thing! I'll go order Master of Martial Hearts immediately!

Nate (post: 1416414) wrote:Sure thing! I'll go order Master of Martial Hearts immediately!

---
Episode 11 of Gurren Lagaan.

Maya has the best facial expressions.

Nate (post: 1416414) wrote:Sure thing! I'll go order Master of Martial Hearts immediately!

In a quick glance I read that, "Master of Marital Arts"

I lagged for a second when I processed that. XP

1st off, Rusty you rock for posting such a wonderful post about Kurogane. XD!

2nd, here are mine:


Haibane Renmei: The ending had such a wonderful message about redemption and forgivness. It was scarily similar to the Christian belief....and I cried happy tears. It's interesting as well the Rakka's english VA is a Christian herself. !

Hikaru no GO, Kiki's Delivery Service, Whispers of the Heart, Spirited Away:....a wonderful coming-of-age message was in all four of these anime. I especially relate to Shizuku (Whispers of the Heart) being a writer myself. I always get touched by stories about growing up for some reason, cause I relate to that topic very well.

Tsubasa Chronicles: Saoyran is willing to save Sakura, even though she'll never remember him from the past....that is powerful selfless love there! XD!

Castle in the Sky: That one line when Sheeta say's, "no matter how much power or technology you have, the world cannot live without love." or something like that....XDDD! SO TRUE!

Avatar: The last Airbender: Yet, another show that deals with growing up. It's not an anime, but still it's worth a mention. Everything, especially when the kids kept having to come in to terms with their issues....just how everyone changes and develops is really touching to me. What surprised me more is that this is a kids TV show that aired on Nickelodeon....that station tends to be teeny-bopper, yet this particular show broke those bounds by dealing with some real and hard stuff that REAL people go through sometimes. Loss of a loved one, forgivness, relationships with parents, relationships with your girlfriend/boyfriend, relationships with the people you love, morality, having mercy even on the people who hurt you.....it's all there. :')

steenajack (post: 1416494) wrote: It's interesting as well the Rakka's english VA is a Christian herself. !

Considering that over 60% of America is Christian (actually, it's somewhere around 80%) that really shouldn't be so surprising!

But I agree, the end of Haibane was uplifting- though I think for me it was more bittersweet.

The ending to Aria also did it for me. Probably the entire third season. Heck, the entire show! Seriously, they all got their dreams, and had such happy times!

Excellent contributions so far, everyone! I can't wait to watch some of the series mentioned to see for myself... interesting that I haven't even heard some of them, but when there's so many series out there, that's just the way of things, everyone has a different list of series they've completed. (Just fine with me. )

Hm... lets see... another uplifting moment I know of is pretty much the end of FMA Brotherhood. [Spoiler]It's the entire ending that feels so uplifting. Good triumphs over evil, and people get their lives back. The reunions, the moving on with life, the happiness of it all... [/Spoiler] Sorta gives one a glimpse of heaven.

Another series that does a good job of that, in a different way, is Last Exile. People say that the ending was flawed, and I am inclined to agree, because there were still several loose ends that were not tied up, but still... the idea that it can all be over, without pain or sorrow... I can't wait for heaven when I think about that! (And of course, I still want to enjoy life down here on Earth, and serve God in that life. I'm as split as Paul was in Philippians, lol.)

Almost every episode of "Eyeshield 21".

In FullMetal Alchemist, Alfonse and Heinkel are recovering from Kimbley's ambush to free Pride. Alfonse's legs are completely destroyed, and Heinkel himself is near death. Without hesitation, Heinkel produces the Philosopher's Stone he discovered earlier, telling Alfonse to use it to defeat Pride and Kimbley. Alfonse refuses because he knows there are human lives in trapped in it, and Heinkel responds that's why only Alfonse can be trusted use it. "You still see people inside this little pebble. Please, let them help too."

And then Alfonse repairs his legs and becomes a WALKING GAME BREAKER.

Excuse me, there's something in my eye.

Nozomi (post: 1416513) wrote:the idea that it can all be over, without pain or sorrow...

Except, you know, for those fifty million guys who died needlessly.

Oooh! Thought of a few more!

The ending to Baccano! was a HUGE up. After all that pain and suffering and fear, and they all could [spoiler]walk away to live up eternity with the best friends they could ask for- eachother? Totally awesome![/spoiler]
Eve no Jikan- [spoiler]They come to realize that they're all so similar, and that friends can be friends forever- I was so touched! It was so great![/spoiler]
Higashi no Eden- it was just awesome. Saving the world, one phone call at a time!

Macross Frontier- even though it didn't have the finality that I like from my endings, it still made me happy

Monster- And life went on. Could it have ended better? (well, the answer is in the eye of the beholder).

Victorian Romance Emma- For sure, an uplifting ending! And it was so deserved!

Fish and Chips (post: 1416564) wrote:Excuse me, there's something in my eye.

Except, you know, for those fifty million guys who died needlessly.

Pardon me, I overlooked that part. Also, perhaps I made too much of a generalization, or I worded it poorly. Actually, I didn't even have a full thought there.

What I was intending to say, now that I think of it again, was that heaven is a place to look forward to because of the rewarding things in store there (like the reunions and closure (to some degree) in FMAB).

Episode 25 of Eureka Seven.

Mr. Hat'n'Clogs (post: 1416663) wrote:Episode 25 of Eureka Seven.

Snap. That is a great one.

I would say that, most recently in my anime viewing, that the most uplifting thing to me about Gurren Lagann has been the relationship between Kamina and Simon. This is because, when I was in college, I had a discipler who looked, talked, and acted A LOT like Kamina. There are so many similarities between him and Kamina that its not even funny. And likewise, when I was under his discipleship, I thought and acted a lot like Simon. And yes, my discipler and I had a really close bond like those two did. So, yay for crazy connections between life and story/character elements from anime.

Come to think of it, said former discipler has been known to occasionally watch a series or two. I think I'll suggest TTGL to him, the next time I see/contact him.

I am 100% sure "discipler" is not a word. Since "disciple" cannot be a verb.

I wish I could be Happosai's disciple.

Nate (post: 1416751) wrote:"disciple" cannot be a verb.

You need to send this memo to youth ministers across the freaking country. I have even heard it used in the present participle.

Throughout the entire Fruits Basket anime, there are moments that are very uplifting right after something sad, depressing, and heartbreaking happens.

[spoiler] Like the end, where Tohru chases after Kyo, that made me tear up. (Of course they need to make a second season STILL. Any way, Ignore my rant.) FB is full of em'. (Uplifting moments that is. ) [/spoiler]

Okay, if I went through every uplifting moment in FMA, I would probably be here all week. So let me just say that FMA has some of the most uplifting moments of any story I know. The relationship between the two Elric brothers also made me appreciate my own older brother more, and be more conscious about our friendship.

FMA also taught me how to do sweet romances

Haibane Renmei made me think a whole lot, like other people have said, and the ending was very uplifting indeed. You can sort of take an allegorical message from it, and it's been a great comfort to a friend of mine too, who feels like Reki a lot of the time.

The ending to pretty much every Miyazaki movie is uplifting too

Episode 19 of Kodocha was very uplifting. [spoiler]Sana's real mother comes, and Sana is faced with the choice of going to live with her real mother she doesn't know, or her adopted mother she's lived with all her life. In the end, she thanks her mother for giving her life, but she decides to stay with her adopted mother. Because she's always loved her like a mother.[/spoiler] I totally bawled then

the_wolfs_howl (post: 1416959) wrote:The ending to pretty much every Miyazaki movie is uplifting too

I totally forgot about Miyazaki movies! ...Most of which I have not seen. The one I have seen is Ponyo... but it was definitely an uplifting movie, and if that's any indicator of the rest of his stuff... I have GOT to get a friend of mine who has them all to host the Miyazaki marathon she's been planning/we've been talking about.

Nozomi (post: 1417163) wrote:I totally forgot about Miyazaki movies! ...Most of which I have not seen. The one I have seen is Ponyo... but it was definitely an uplifting movie, and if that's any indicator of the rest of his stuff... I have GOT to get a friend of mine who has them all to host the Miyazaki marathon she's been planning/we've been talking about.

If you loved Ponyo, you are DEFINETLY going to be crazy over the rest of Miyazaki's stuff. That guy's a genius!

So, after finishing Gurren Lagann today... I realize now that God has probably used the entire series to change my worldview just a bit, to restore my confidence/resolve, to encourage others, and to sum up my faith in a very neat way (see below).

I even took one of the quotes from earlier on in the series and turned it into a blessing of sorts at the end of my small group meeting yesterday (and I don't mean to make fun of or insult the series by saying this):

"Don't believe in yourself. Believe in God, who, because of Jesus, believes in YOU! With faith, walk on towards the future according to His Will and glorifying Him!"

PS: While TTGL's uplifting merits are blatantly obvious to those who have seen the series, I think this will be the last post I will contribute about that particular series to this thread. (Other people can still comment on it here though, that's fine with me.) Keep the moments coming from the other series too!

I second (or is it third) the Miyazaki movies! And just wanna put "Honey & Clover" up here cuz it reminds me of what I got out of college - not just about the education, but mostly the friends I made, the strange/growing experiences I had, changing relationships w/ family, & occasional crazy geniuses I came across! That, and you never know who or what's going to really change your life ;D