Angel Beats!
Abstract: Locked away in a little slice of Purgatory, a girl leads a rebellion against God. A man without a memory must unravel the reason for his life and death, all why trying to redeem those around him from their sins. A clever and engaging work from an industry leader in thought-provoking dramas, Angel Beats is a deep look at what it means to be human, while not skimping on a heavy dose of moe. Final Grade: A
Genre: Philosophy
Content: Excessive Blood
Reasons to Watch: Deep drama; Clever comedy; Shoot-em-up action; The utter moe of Tenshi
Reasons not to Watch: Takes deep thought; At times melodramatic
Plot: 9
Here at least
we shall be free; the Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice
to reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.
--Paradise Lost, Book I, Lines 258-63.
When Angel Beats! was first announced, it drew the inevitable comparisons to Haruhi. It didn't help in the least that the character design of Yurippe looked remarkable similar to the SOS Brigade Leader. But while Yuri's character quite divergent from Haruhi, both shows share one major point – the are both philosophical in nature. The philosophies themselves are quite different (Angel Beats focus mainly on theological points) but the rarity of a show about ideas is something to be celebrated. Angel Beats is intelligent, it is well scripted, and it is thought provoking. It cares Visual Art's/Key's signature blend of gut-busting comedy mixed with devastating tragedy that they have shown so well in past epics like Kanon and Clannad. While similar morality plays often become dry and preachy (cough...Arjuna...cough), Angel Beats avoids this trap by not taking itself too seriously. There are plenty of absurdities to balance the more dramatic scenes (case in point: the bloody adventures to The Guild). Probably the weakest point in the plot was the advent of the Shadows. They were necessary, for Yurippe needed something to rebel against, and they were rationalized into the story better than I though they would be, but I wish the writers could have come up with a better way to bring about Yurippe's final temptation. But I have to say, the finally temptation was carried out marvelously well. In Angel Beats, Yuri plays the role of Lucifer, the rebel against God. Unable to forgive God for the wretched word He created, Yuri spends most the show trying to destroy and foil all of His plans. So at the end, when Yuri is offered “all the kingdoms of this world, with all their authority and splendor”, it is the most dramatic point it the story. The choice Yuri makes is where the writers stake their claim on whether humanity is good or evil. And the role the character of Yurippe plays in the narrative is rather interesting as well. The story is narrated by Otonashi, and Yuri isn't even the most important character within Otonashi's story (that goes to Tenshi). But Yuri is at the heart of main plot. This can lead to moments at in the mid-story where there is a certain confusion in who is the main character here, but it works itself by the end. Otonashi may play Ishmael to Yuri's Captain Ahab, but unlike the Nantucket sailor he has enough sense to challenge Yuri's mad schemes. The final ending is the same syrupy-sweet ending I have come to expect from Key, but the inclusion of an Alternate Ending puts a spin on the story and in the overall, improves it. Every work by Key has a simple central theme to it. Kanon was about miracles. Clannad was about family. Angels Beats is about forgiveness. But it not the forgiveness of others, but rather the characters seek to forgive themselves. It is not atonement that is offered in this Purgatory, but the ability to finally accept who they are. Grade: A-
Art: 10
Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell
--Macbeth, Act 4, Scene 3
Clannad was very beautiful, although there wasn't much to show off in it. Angel Beats gets to show off. From the wonderful animation in the OP to exquisitely choreographed fight scenes, Angel Beats just glitters with delightful eyecandy. The guns are exceptionally well detailed and integrate well into the rest of the artwork. The backgrounds are always detailed. The concert scenes with the all girls band are just great (another thing
borrowed from Haruhi?) and I can not imagine the effort it took to make those crowds of NPCs. But it is the characters designs that really shine. From the little details, like the broken chains on Yui's hands (symbolize much?) to the bizarre costumes and antics of TK, this show really went all out. But the greatest point is Tenshi. Tenshi is unbelievably cute. Small, with a slight build and humongous eyes, everything about her just screams moe. Key is an expert at designing characters to fall in love with, and they crafted another with their angel. In an age companies are cutting corners and producing cheap animation to cover costs, to see this quality of animation in a TV show is a blessing. Grade: A
Sound: 9
If I can not bend Heaven, I shall move Hell.
--Aeneid, Book VII, line 312
Let me just put this right here: they got a native English speaker to voice TK. WHY DON'T MORE SHOWS DO THIS? IF you're going to have a character that speaks mainly English, get a native speaker! If Nanoha can do it, why can't other shows? Just grab a gaijin off the street and have him speak some lines! Anyway, along with TK, the rest of the characters have some great voice acting. Yuri is voiced by a newcomer Sakurai Harumi, who gave it the performance of her (currently limited) career. The veteran Kamiya Hiroshi gives another splendid performance as Otonashi, and again shows despite his frantic work as Nozomu Itoshiki and Ichinomiya "Rec" Kou, he can not be typecast. And Tenshi was given life by the elite Hanazawa Kana, who adds another masterwork beside her previous performances as Sengoku Nadeko (Bakemonogatari) and Kajiwara Sora (Sketchbook ~full color'S). Kitamura Eri, gives another of her enegetic performances as Yui. Ms. Kitamura might be only good as a genki character, by you can't deny she is good at it. Angel Beats has a large cast of characters, and side characters are a mix of veterans and rookies. This proves to the show's advantage, as the veterans give the show stability while the newcomers give us some fresh voices to hear. I must say while the OP is a delightful piano piece, I found the ED to be dry and lacking, which actually reduced the emotion response. A small thing, but damaging enough. Grade: A-
Characters: 10
A mind not to be changed by place or time.
The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a heav'n of hell, a hell of heav'n.
--Paradise Lost, Book I, Lines 253-55
Despite all the flashy shoot-em-up scenes and numerous gags, Angels Beats, in its heart, remains a story about the internal conflict with characters. The characters are forced to question their very reason for existence. But for Yurippe, her internal conflict spreads outside. Her personal rebellion against God pulls the others to orbit around her, like a rouge planet ripping through an asteroid belt. She is very much like Haruhi in this. But Yuri differs from Haruhi in everything else. Haruhi is self-centered and arrogant, while Yurippe is self-conscious and wracked by uncertainty. Haruhi is always looking towards the future, while Yuri is haunted by the ghosts of the past. And Haruhi, despite my love for her, is a one-dimensional caricature out of plot necessity. Yuri is a very deep and tortured character, and a very human one for that. As for the other characters, we don't get this deeply into all of them, but that is probably for the best. As much as I would like to hear the backstory of characters like TK, in a limited number of episodes, we are given everything we need. Besides, too many sob stories and they would start to lose their power. The story of the narrator, Otonashi, is classic Key, and unlike so many male leads, is both intelligent and interesting (of course, Visual Art's/Key has always had strong male leads). The character of Tenshi is the most straightforward, and in this case, the most boring. They really missed the mark with Tenshi – she is beautiful to look and has a moe personality, but she is not particularly interesting. She is overshadowed by the flamboyance of Yuri and the healing nature of Otonashi. She is extremely important to the both development of Otonashi and Yuri, but she can not hold a story by herself. For the other characters, we do learn some of their stories, the sins they committed and the regrets they hold. There are some emotionally moving scenes, particularly with both female vocalists, an the conversion of Naoi is also touching, if somewhat unbelievable for a more cynical viewer. But it is the end of the series, that the writers really pour on the heavy emotional stuff. Again, the more cynical would find this overwrought and somewhat tacky, but in certain ways, this is as important as the temptation of Yuri. As Yuri represents Lucifer in this morality play, Otonashi represents Jesus. Like Jesus, Otonashi is sent to this world in which he doesn't belong to redeem the sins of every man and woman. As we learn the truth of his past, he becomes such a noble and self-sacrificing soul that it starts to piss you off. How can one man be so saintly? Well, like Yuri, he too has his trial. This final scene is one of the best of the show, because it stripes away the god-part of his soul and leaves the human side bare. Here we see that Otonashi is not the Japanese Jesus, he is no compassionate Buddha, but a man, flawed and hypocritical, who is more than willing to send people off to heaven but is unwilling to move on himself, too afraid to lose his love again. Like Yuri must choose between hatred or forgiveness, Otonashi must make a choice that will define him. He must decide whether humanity still needs a guardian or if we are strong enough to stand on our own. He must decide whether he wants to move forward as an adult, or stay trapped in the past. This is why it is great to have this alternate ending. It adds a level of uncertainty to Otonashi's actions, and make us question if he every does learn how to live for himself, instead of living for others. All in all, Angel Beats is one of the best character studies produced in 2010. Grade: A
Value: 9
A samurai once asked Zen Master Hakuin where he would go after he died. Hakuin answered 'How am I supposed to know?'
'How do you know? You're a Zen master!' exclaimed the samurai.
'Yes, but not a dead one,' Hakuin answered.
--A Zen mondo
Watchability: The story is gripping and fast moving, although it is dense enough to prevent marathons. You really need to take breaks between episodes, just to digest what is happening. While the story did get a little unbalanced with the introduction of the shadows, it remained a clever and surprising show throughout its run. Grade: A
Re-watchability: Most of the episodes are great, and even after you know the ending, you still can enjoy the series a second time. But, as I said, most of the episodes are great. There are a few that are overly dramatic or too slow to really enjoy. Grade: B+
Historical Value: Visual Art's/Key is rather famous, and their work is always relevant. I don't see Angel Beats going anywhere anytime soon. Grade: A
Enjoyment: 10
'Twas now the hour that turneth back desire
In those that sail the sea, and melts the heart,
The day they've said to their sweet friends farewell
-Purgatorio, Canto VII, lines 1-3
Loved it. It was clever. It had none of the visual novel flaws that infest other Key works. The slapstick comedy was amusing and kept the show from being a downer, while the heavy drama kept things serious enough to actually tell a story (very similar to Clannad in this respect). Tenshi is really, really cute, and she was a major draw. And there were plenty of twists and turns, and it made me wonder how they could fit all this story into thirteen episodes. The religious motif was masterfully done, and I haven't had this much fun watching a show about the afterlife since Haibane Renmei. Grade: A
Errata:
I watched Angel Beats with subs by Unlimited Translation Works. Tenshi was so moe I fell completely and utterly in love with her. If you hadn't figured it out by my username, theology is a bit of a hobby of mine, and so I was destined to love this show. All reviews are done independent of the original format or other adaptions.
Final Grade: A