"Legend of Korra", Eastern Views, T.V & Ethics: What Can Christians learn from Anime?

Gxg (G²)

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Concerning why I'm writing this....

Let me begin by saying that I don't think Christians should take an unequivocally hostile attitude to paganism or pagan themes, as not all Christians historically have done so in the Church - and I am wondering if others out there agree with me.

As shared in another thread that examined the issue of literature elsewhere - in On the Acquisition of the Holy Spirit, Seraphim of Sarov discusses the Greek sibyls, prophetesses or oracles, as examples of pagan sanctity. Additionally, many writers - from C.S Lewis to J.R Tolkien and many others - have consistently referenced other cultures when it came to expressing their views of who the Lord was....noting many cultures have partial truth and things the Bible supports. The way C.S Lewis was often demonized for promoting paganism is something that has always intrigued and fascinated me....

Being one who is an anime art style fan, I have long enjoyed differing T.V shows (i.e.Dragon Ball Z with its unique focus on martial arts fighting/the concepts of chi, Tenchi Muyo with the way that the spiritual world and science interconnect, Ronin Warriors with its focus on the spiritual realm having rules/systems just as with the physical world ....and many other shows besides that).

Currently, my favorite anime series is "Avatar: The Legend of Korra" (referenced earlier/here in # 15 ) - as the Avatar series occurs in an Asian-influenced world containing four nations associated with the classical elements (air, water, fire, earth). Some within each nation are able to manipulate their nation’s respective element through a form of “psychokinetic” martial arts called ”bending.” Apparently, the Avatar is the only one who can master all four elements and is charged with maintaining balance and peace. IMHO, with The Legend of Korra, it's amazing to see the animation as well as the focus on spiritual themes that have much basis in Eastern thought. The series is based on "Avatar: The Last Airbender" which wrapped in 2008 with a spectacular four-part conclusion. One of the groups discussed in the show are known as the Air Nomads, a monastic order of men and women practicing Airbending -- the mystical art of aerokinesis. They were pacifists and highly respected nature and creation....as well as ones into practices of deep spirituality (i.e meditation, restraint, etc). Many hints suggest that the Air Nomads are based on Chinese Shaolin monks (whom I've shared before on as being groups I respect for their culture/practice and economy) and Tibetan culture due to their peaceful nature, monk-ruled society, and geographical isolation due to elevation.


















However, The Legend of Korra , following the adventures of the next “avatar” in an Eastern-flavored fantasy world, took it even further. Aang, the preteen hero of The Last Airbender had to master all four elements (as regular folks can “bend” only one element a piece) to save the world dominated by the Fire Nation - while his successor Korra has far more time and more-peaceful lands, but still problems. Korra’s second “book” or season began last moth and the series appears to be continuing its success of weaving great people, efficient plotting, and beautiful visuals with in-depth themes of technology vs. spirituality, and family conflicts and forgiveness.

I’m personally a huge fan of the original series mainly because (from what I've been told and studied) it represents Asian culture extremely well, and secondly because of its LOTR-style plot mixed with a good sense of humor. Moreover, if you’re an animation fan - anime in particular - I feel this is a must-see. For the general consensus around the web is that the quality of the animation is astounding.


The focus on the latest season is entitled "Spirits" - and I've greatly enjoyed it thus far.. in where it's trying to go





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Indeed, the Avatarverse is definitely Eastern culture- and religion-flavored, with one titular mediation office-by-reincarnation and plenty of spirits, plus a natural-law magic system. Yet the worldview is of good versus evil, growth, and sin, repentance, and forgiveness.

And although some advocate that Christians shouldn't watch shows that are not explicitly Christian, I do think that it's really about what one can either get out of it from a philosophy perspective is in the same way that one can read literature from non-Christian sources that still has real concepts that harmonize with the Bible (more discussed on the matter here). The Spirit aspect of the show doesn't really perplex me that much when considering Eastern culture and even concepts taught within Eastern Christianity - one can go here, here, here, here, here, here, here ,here , and here, where another Orthodox believer and I were involved in a rather detailed discussion on the subject of Christians on Earth and in Heaven - and their interaction with the world around us.

And on anime issues, for places which gave some stances in support of believers engaging with anime, these are ones I had in mind:

  1. The Christian Anime Fan Perspective
  2. Eight Anime Recommendations for Christian Viewers |
  3. Christians vs anime and manga - ChristianManga.com
  4. Orthodoxy, Anime, and Hermeneutic | A Rather Silly Blog
  5. Next A Christian's Guide to Anime and Manga part 4-Discernment
Some forms of anime seem to be bad at even conveying Christian themes - but there are others seeking to address that while noting what Christianity means to many in Japanese culture - in the same way others debate what Anime means to them in Western Christian culture.

That said, does anyone have any thoughts on what a Biblical response should be on the matter? What is the line when it comes to literature used and enjoyed by CHristians? Additionally, for those who are not saved, what do you feel believers should be learning from anime or the concepts found in Eastern religion?
 
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Gxg (G²)

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I'm sure most Christians think anime is evil because its Eastern. :p
Ha....:)

There are a lot of factors that can come into play...and thankfully, not all believers have the same reaction. This is something another brother in Christ noted to me when I asked elsewhere on the issue - for as he said:


I'm not the biggest anime or manga follower, but I do enjoy a few. My chief favorites would be InuYasha and Naruto, both of which have a heavy magic element to them and the former is clearly influenced by Shinto.

Quite honestly, I find such art forms to be informative and even educational on Japanese anthropology, sociology, and Shinto. It doesn't bother me at all that the protagonist in InuYasha is a half-demon and the protagonist in Naruto has a demon within him. We're not even talking about "demons" in the monotheistic sense but in the idea of any sort of spiritual entity that may or may not be benevolent. Even the seemingly nasty one within the character of Naruto (*spoiler*) turns not to be the bloodthirsty monster everyone thought, and while the character of Inuyasha has some definite character flaws, he (again, *spoilers*) nonetheless learns from his faults, including an incident that would have made him become truly evil, and in the end is able to conquer himself, make peace with his full-demon brother, and vanquish with his human girlfriend's help the true master of evil (interestingly enough a fellow half-demon). While InuYasha is in a similar vein like J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter as it is set in the real world (though with a Tolkienesque "prehistory" element), Naruto is clearly in a completely made up fantasy land, and even within InuYasha, it is clear that all the magical elements by the time-traveling Kagome's time is long gone. There's no real suggestion that anything should be taken seriously, let along religiously. And of course, there are plenty of morals that cross over practically any religion, which includes Christianity and Shinto.

Fundamentalism would have issues, but their theology is so utterly twisted by inherent Manichean dualism that they fail to understand the supreme logic of things that are good taught in other religions don't suddenly become non-good because of them, or otherwise what are we saying of our own Christian faith?

If people are bothered, then I honestly believe they need to get educated on paradigms and differences between two entirely different anthro-religious entities but also in the things that are similar or even the same. Most of the time, people will see then that anime and manga, while still perhaps not their taste in media, is not the Devil's product, and that I believe is the chief goal. It really is as harmless as Dungeons and Dragons; my level 30 paladin who casts cure serious wounds on the party's gnome bard is pure fiction; I'm not doing myself anything except rolling some dice (live action isn't my personal forte; good for them that enjoy it, and even then, 99.9% know it is just for fun and know when not to cross lines, especially personal ones of others').
Good thoughts and glad he shared them with me in dialogue....
Now that I have got the sarcastic quip out of my system, I'd like to revisit this thread in more depth later. Great subject
:)
 
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awitch

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I tend to focus mostly on American animation and I have to admit I'm not familiar with Dragon Ball Z or the Avatar franchises. Avatar is on my long list to watch, so I'll get there eventually. When I heard the live action movie bombed, it kind of dropped down on the list, but I'm sure the anime is far, far superior.
I am very familiar with Tenchi Muyo! (It's my favorite anime), but only the OVA, Tenchi Universe, and the first two movies. I loved the idea Ayeka's starship is powered by a tree but for me, the nature/technology integration was a little overshadowed by this:
219621-albums4829-47358.jpg
 
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Gxg (G²)

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I tend to focus mostly on American animation and I have to admit I'm not familiar with Dragon Ball Z or the Avatar franchises. Avatar is on my long list to watch, so I'll get there eventually.
American animation has a lot of good shows to consider - although you have to be selective...and some will never match what comes from Asian culture. Sailor Moon, Gundam Wing and many others come immediately to mind..

That said, I think you'd be benefited by putting Avatar as an immediate must-see series rather than for the future :)
When I heard the live action movie bombed, it kind of dropped down on the list, but I'm sure the anime is far, far superior.
The movie was ANYTHING but accurate - and I'm surprised they even tried it. The anime was beyond superior and I'm saddened it placed a bad taste in the mouths of others..
I am very familiar with Tenchi Muyo! (It's my favorite anime), but only the OVA, Tenchi Universe, and the first two movies. I loved the idea Ayeka's starship is powered by a tree but for me, the nature/technology integration was a little overshadowed by this:
219621-albums4829-47358.jpg
Ryoko was my girl - and I loved her ship being a pet. Tenchi was a very complicated series and that's part of why it was so memorable..

But my favorite version was Tenchi Muyo!

 
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awitch

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Technically Avatar isn't anime, its western animation. Yes it has anime influences, but several western cartoons have that as well, doesn't make it anime.

Good catch. Air Bender and Korra have two American creators and were produced by Nickelodeon Animation (who is doing TMNT 2012 which is awesome).

It's actually anime-style? (like Teen Titans). I guess it moves up the list then.
 
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Zoness

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Technically Avatar isn't anime, its western animation. Yes it has anime influences, but several western cartoons have that as well, doesn't make it anime.

Correct, this is an important distinction to make.
 
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Gxg (G²)

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Technically Avatar isn't anime, its western animation. Yes it has anime influences, but several western cartoons have that as well, doesn't make it anime.
That distinction can easily be used to miss a lot of the larger aspects that anime is focused on and miss where something being made in the West doesn't mean it's divorced from what anime is about. It's similar to the difference between someone not being deemed "Black" because they don't identify with African-American culture (or happen to be Caucasian) even though they grew up around/were influenced by Blacks in how they communicate - and not all things "Black" are automatically African-American when you have many other variations (i.e. Afro-Asian, Afro-Hispanic, etc.).

There are levels and categories.

In example, the Boondocks is a successful and controversial anime-influenced American animation based on the comic strip of the same name - aimed at adults and airing on Adult Swim. The creator of the series, Aaron McGruder, noted that the series was influenced by his love of anime and manga - with him citing Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo as sources of inspiration for the series' fight scenes.

However, that is not the same as having a show made in the West - with both Anime Style animation and concept that are found predominately within Anime. With Avatar, it is a prime example of a Western animation influenced by anime, or, as it has recently been called, an "Amerime".....for though technically not an anime because of its American origin, many fans have considered it anime due to its plot/style being very similar to ones normally seen in anime. As one review noted, "Avatar blurs the line between anime and (US) domestic cartoons until it becomes irrelevant." Avatar is closest to eastern anime in that the plot continuously develops as opposed to "every episode ends the same way" - in addition to how the story is very similar to anime adventure stories while the martial arts are well researched and there's inclusion of more classic anime stereotypes, though they are slightly changed for American television.

There was a good review on the issue as seen in Avatar the "Anime"? - Eastern Religion and Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Influence of Japanese Animation on Avatar - Serious Artist Kat - and for others:

Frost Bite: The Definition of Anime​


Anime's strengths are evident - diverse genres, more experimental/esoteric subjects, etc. However, it's weaknesses can be just as evident, like its ability to get stuck in trends. Western Animation is kind of the exact opposite - for aside from exceptions like Aeon Flux, Adventure Time, and Avatar, most US/Western stuff tends to be more "safe" or nothing more than an advert.
 
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Gxg (G²)

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Air Bender and Korra have two American creators and were produced by Nickelodeon Animation (who is doing TMNT 2012 which is awesome)..
Makes you wonder - would it be consider Anime if it was made by Japanese American creators since so many define Anime as being based in Japan.....
 
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awitch

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Gxg (G²);64277846 said:
Makes you wonder - would it be consider Anime if it was made by Japanese American creators since so many define Anime as being based in Japan.....

Watched the Frost Bite video and I do see both sides of the argument.
I think I still go with the origin side. Cartoons produced in Japan, by Japanese creators, primary for a Japanese target audience is anime. That means the cartoons were written in Japanese, recorded by Japanese voice artists in Japanese, and released primarily for the Japanese market. Examples include Tenchi, Phantom Quest Corp, etc.

"Anime-style" would describe animation that emulates many of the conventions used in anime, but are not produced in Japan or were not intended for a Japanese audience (for example, original voice recording is in English for a US release). For example, Air Bender and Teen Titans.

And then Western Animation would be Disney, Warners, HB, etc. (note that even Disney and WB have cells painted by Korean and Japanese studios).
 
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Gxg (G²)

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Watched the Frost Bite video and I do see both sides of the argument.
I think I still go with the origin side. Cartoons produced in Japan, by Japanese creators, primary for a Japanese target audience is anime. That means the cartoons were written in Japanese, recorded by Japanese voice artists in Japanese, and released primarily for the Japanese market. Examples include Tenchi, Phantom Quest Corp, etc.

"Anime-style" would describe animation that emulates many of the conventions used in anime, but are not produced in Japan or were not intended for a Japanese audience (for example, original voice recording is in English for a US release). For example, Air Bender and Teen Titans.
I'd probably argue that the origin side you're noting is more so a matter of "Golden-Age" anime while the side of anime-style/anime shows made in the West would be "Modern-Anime" since it includes much more - with each group having sub-categories.

And then Western Animation would be Disney, Warners, HB, etc. (note that even Disney and WB have cells painted by Korean and Japanese studios).
True...
 
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Gxg (G²)

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Just watched episode 1 of Avatar; so far so good. I'll probably get to episode 2 later tonight. First impressions are that Aang's a cross between Jesus and Anakin Skywalker.
The concept of the Avatar series (as it concerns Aang epsecially) definately has a Messiah aspect to it - although there are also militant aspects when seeing the diplomacy/peacekeeping dynamic. And the show is HIGHLY political in the themes it touches upon and how the central character (the Avatar ) comes to change things just as Christ came into the world to change things...
 
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Gxg (G²)

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Just watched episode 1 of Avatar; so far so good. I'll probably get to episode 2 later tonight. First impressions are that Aang's a cross between Jesus and Anakin Skywalker.
The best seasons are Book 2 and Book 3
 
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awitch

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Gxg (G²);64283248 said:
The best seasons are Book 2 and Book 3

I've watched the first 4 episodes. I don't really know anything about the story so don't tell me if I'm right, but here's my prediction:

Zuko is convinced by his uncle to switch sides and eventually helps Aang overthrow the fire kingdom. He's already exiled, already at odds with the fire kingdom leadership, has an unhealthy obsession with finding and capturing Aang, and now he's racing against the rest of the fire kingdom to do so. His Uncle, who is the only one who supports him comes across as a good guy, and his pursuit is going to be far more personal.
 
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Gxg (G²)

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I've watched the first 4 episodes. I don't really know anything about the story so don't tell me if I'm right, but here's my prediction:

Zuko is convinced by his uncle to switch sides and eventually helps Aang overthrow the fire kingdom. He's already exiled, already at odds with the fire kingdom leadership, has an unhealthy obsession with finding and capturing Aang, and now he's racing against the rest of the fire kingdom to do so. His Uncle, who is the only one who supports him comes across as a good guy, and his pursuit is going to be far more personal.
Interesting theory - and will be intrigued how you feel by the end of it.
 
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Tenchi Muyo is absolutely incredible as is Avatar. I highly recommend you bump it back up your list my good sir.
In regards to the OP, for anyone watching the series, one thing I appreciate is the ways it seems to do a really amazing job with reflecting the background of others who are Central Asian peoples. ..from spirituality to clothing styles and culture on differing levels.

One excellent piece on the issue which I could relate to:


And with Legend of Korra, I appreciated the ways the series sought to critique the dynamics of industrialization and inequality - as discussed before:

Taking more money in tax from people who can afford to pay more in taxes is how we can allow poorer people to benefit from healthcare/an education/firemen/policemen ETC who could otherwise never afford it.
That is a good thing in my opinion...

Or does only direct benefits/welfare fall under "redistribution of wealth"?
Gxg (G²);61419638 said:
The Redistribution dynamic does seem to be very interesting when considering the ways it often seems to follow right alongside the concept of Revolution...specically in cases where people wishing to have redistribution open the door for others to use the same language and yet do so in the name of a positive while promoting a negative---similar to the Communist Revolution where others were fighting against tyranny in one form of government but opened the door for others to use the movement that was started to address an issue...and in the process, hijack a movement for their own ends in the name of good (more shared here, here , here, here and here). Other revolutions have experienced the same realities many times and it's an ever present danger---as redistribution can be either good or bad depending on the people involved. On the issue, there are thankfully types of media that do help to get the point across.

In example, curious as to whether or not you've ever heard of the animated series known as Avatar: The Last Airbender or Avatar: The Legend of Korra? The series is truly amazing, IMHO..and within the show, there's a heavy emphasis on the abilities of those who are "benders"---people with the unique abilities to bend one of the 4 elements (Earth, Water, Wind, Fire). Those who are Fire Benders come in a variety of sizes and each have been show to either be extremely reckless in their handling of fire---or very graceful/pure in their use of it. The same principle applies to all other benders as well, depending on the elements they used.

In that universe, people have the ability to bend the elements (i.e. earth, fire, air, water, etc). Not all in that world are able to do so, but those who do have a distinct edge on those who don't---and there are others in that world who are both good and bad. Later on, it turns out that there's a lot of inequality between benders and non-benders---and even though people say that the Republic made by benders was meant to give non-benders hope, many are frustrated by much of the corruption done by benders and the injustices toward non-benders who can't defend themselves.

In the process, an anti-bending revolution rises up where the main leader decides to cleanse the world from bending and has the ability to erase bending---but in the process of trying to bring equality, the main leader/the revolution does JUST as much damage as any corruption done by benders..for they cannot appreciate the beauty in something that was used by others from the wrong---and those who still are symbolic of the beauty meant to be found in bending are terrorized.




For more, one can go here:
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Gxg (G²);61128103 said:

 
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