New Pagan anime (yes, would you believe it!)
By scammerwear
@scammerwear (1433)
Singapore
February 18, 2008 12:58am CST
There's a new Japanese anime released (its still airing in Japan) which is based on a Pagan theme.
"Spice and Wolf" is about a 25 year old traveling merchant who finds a 900 year old pagan wolf-deity, Horo, sleeping in his wagon one day. The story revolves around they journey to Horo's homeland, with the church hot on their tail.
I have to say that the Pagan god theme was what caught my attention first, but the songs and the quality of the drawing won me over immediately. The story is a little slow pace for fan of action animes, but is one of the more beautiful ones that I have seen. Watch it!
2 people like this
10 responses
@scammerwear (1433)
• Singapore
27 Feb 08
Its still running in japan, so there's lots of fansubs around :E
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
26 Feb 08
Hi, scammerwear. Thanks for the recommendation. It sounds very interesting. I know people who are huge anime fans that I will pass this information on to. I am not personally a big fan, but I do appreciate the art form.
1 person likes this
@scammerwear (1433)
• Singapore
27 Feb 08
You're welcome :) I hope you and your friends will enjoy it as much as I do!
@d0n_minion (86)
• Philippines
26 Feb 08
ive senn that already. there are alot of animes with that theme. not just Spice and Wolf. try Shounen Omnyouji, Haruka, Haruka no toki---not sure bout the title, among many others. X-tv too.
@scammerwear (1433)
• Singapore
27 Feb 08
Shounen Omnyouji is about Shinto isn't it? Not too sure about Haruka no toki though, haven't watched it
@quetzalcoatl2435 (222)
• Indonesia
28 Feb 08
Hmmm. Doesn't sound so strange. Many animes in Japan have religious and pseudo-religious elements. From my observation, it seems elements from Shinto, Buddhism, Christianity, and pagan religions are quite popular. Although 85% of the Japanese are Shinto, 11% are Buddhist, and less then 1% are Christians, it seems that Christian religious elements are very popular. Don't know why... I'll try and watch it if I can get my hands on it. :p
1 person likes this
@scammerwear (1433)
• Singapore
1 Mar 08
Hehe, its a little slow but I really like the art work and feel of it.
Btw, interesting nick feathered serpent ;)
@puccaLOVESgaru (554)
• Philippines
27 Feb 08
im currently watching it. its good. but i dont really bother myself bout the genre.
yep Tactics is mix shinto and pagan. but they focused on shinto because most of the incantation are shinto prayers.
@scammerwear (1433)
• Singapore
28 Feb 08
Hehe, that anime confuses me a little cause I'm chinese and I have NEVER heard of a monster call 'ban ban' hehehe
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
22 Feb 08
Hey, thanks for the recommendation! I'm trying to find it to watch an episode of online right now! :)
I think there are a lot of pagan themes in anime if you know where to look, but I haven't found many that are that overt. Most of the ones I've seen that seem to have a lot of pagan themes are fantasy or spellcraft-focussed more so than religious.
I'll have to let you know what I think after I find it and watch some!
1 person likes this
@scammerwear (1433)
• Singapore
25 Feb 08
You're right, there are a lot of bits and pieces in different animes that is somewhat occult related:
Silent Mobius - You'll find the LBRP in japanese here (if you're watching japanese voiced of course), I kid you not
Angel Sanctuary - Some elements of gnosis believes
3X3 eyes (My fav!) - Hindu believes, thought forms, summoning lesser demons, etc etc.
Full metal alchemist - A very err.. dramatic version of alchemy
I even found a little of it in naruto (Rasengan, need I say more?), but so far Wolf and Spice is the only anime I have seen so far that is unapologetically pagan. We must have more of that! :p
Maybe if I ask, the Lady might really make me a successful pagan mangaku, though that could be a dangerous thing to do... (flash backs of last successful request, *shivers*) what do you think?
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
26 Feb 08
Huh? Weren't there already "pagan" anime out? That's how I remember it. But then again I can recall as far back as a few anime from the 70s and a couple from the 60s. Well, either way! Animes are pretty cool and span a variety of topics. If they can have giant mechas, lifelike alien androids capable of outdoing Superman, mystic sentai, odd curses, dramas, randomizers... I'm sure that pagan can be done. I still think its been done, depending on how one personally wants to define pagan. Also note I've encountered a couple of people with the mindset that gaming and anime all equal pagan and "you're going to hell", etc. Incidently, these same clowns watch other forms of TV similar to some anime and gaming themes. -_- (yes I know... just put on some good music, enjoy what you want and do your own thing, forget the clowns in my opinion.)
Oh yes I'll have to look into this one anime. I'm still a bit behind but I've caught up a bit on late 07 animes and I'm up to date on several Early 08 animes.
1 person likes this
@scammerwear (1433)
• Singapore
26 Feb 08
Actually I was referring to anime with direct referrals to paganism theprogamer :p I agree that there are a lot of pagan elements in anime, but so far this has been the only one which refers to paganism and rituals :)
@Insanekitten (11)
• Canada
25 Feb 08
Would Wolf's Rain sort of count as a Pagan anime?
1 person likes this
@scammerwear (1433)
• Singapore
25 Feb 08
Honestly I'm not sure, haven't watched it yet. Let me watch a few episodes and get back to you :D
