In recent years, Anime has experienced a surge in popularity in Western culture. Accordingly, the theology of anime, reflecting a fusion of eastern and western beliefs, has become increasingly influential. The diverse array of storylines reflect deep thought and lively speculation on an equally diverse array of theological themes. The proposed paper will examine one area of such theology by focusing on the nature of death and the afterlife. More specifically, I will examine the ways in which the fictional settings absorb and blend eastern and western eschatological concepts, noting common points of convergence and divergence. The paper will argue that such theology contributes to the complex narratives in such a way that the fictional worlds become more compelling and influential in the worldviews of the audience.
As the category of Anime is too vast for an exhaustive study, several noteworthy examples will be highlighted. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End explores the impact of mortality upon the meaning of life, as a group of adventurers search for “Heaven.” In Fullmetal Alchemist, two young boys attempt to resurrect their deceased mother to horrifying results. The narrative follows the boys as they attempt to rectify the consequences of their actions. The Boy and the Heron similarly follows a young man who loses his mother, then tours the afterlife seeking to find her. Finally, Death Parade is a dark thriller in which deceased souls are forced to confront their true selves before being allowed into heaven or sent to hell.
My primary methodology will be narrative analysis. However, comparative analysis will also be utilized in parsing divergent strands of thought between eastern and western theology, most prominently represented by Shinto, Buddhism, and Christianity.