Is Shaman King bad?

[shamanking343]

Im studying shamanism is that bad, no not really shamans are medicine men and or women, its really cool

[uc pseudonym]

I think you're joking, though some punctuation would make that clearer. Studying Shamanism from the perspective of gaining more knowledge is fine, but if you're seriously considering it... that's not so fine.

[Kat]

Does anyone else have anything to say on the issue?

The only thing I have to add besides what I've already posted on the Anime board regarding Shamen King (and if I'd read this thread first I probably wouldn't have bothered posting my thoughts there-- ) is that *both* Tolkien and Lewis wrote their stories from their Christian worldviews. Both are fantasy, although Lewis' Narnia stories are far more allegorical than Tolkien's ever purported to be, which Tolkien never did purport them to be (anybody figure out that last sentance??? ). Shamen King and most of the manga written in Japan are from a non-Christian worldview, often containing elements of Buddhism, Shintoism, paganism and New Age thought. If the Japanese do put any elements of Christianity in their stories often they are misunderstood and distorted to fit their worldview. So as Christians we can freely read LOTR and the Hobbit and Narnia without fear--the worlds represented there will reflect for the most part a Christian worldview. But we must be aware when reading or watching Japanese manga and anime that a whole different worldview is contained therein; so we must tread with caution, especially when such material contains elements of the occult.

That's all I wanted to add.

--Kathleen, who's said far too much on this topic already.

[uc pseudonym]

I wouldn't put nearly as much stock in worldviews, myself. Often the Christian worldviews that create unChristian results are the most dangerous.

Take LotR, for example (not of the previous statement, I don't have an issue with it). You'll find a great deal of violence within: is a world filled with battle at all Christian?

Allow me to note that I really don't take that much issue with your argument, I'd just like to state that all fantasy, unless it is of a strange variety indeed, will contain elements we must be cautious of. Likewise, unless one is reading an allegory, they shouldn't really be read for truth of any kind. This holds true in some other genres as well, but that exceeds the boundaries of this discussion.

[MasterDias]

I have one thing to point out.
It is true that, as devout Christians, Tolkien and Lewis did put in Christian elements in their works.
However, many of the elements in their works; elves, dwarves, centaurs, giants, fauns, and the like came from traditional, non-Christian, European mythology.

I don't have a problem with either author. Just though I'd point that out.

[MillyFan]

I wouldn't put nearly as much stock in worldviews, myself. Often the Christian worldviews that create unChristian results are the most dangerous.

Take LotR, for example (not of the previous statement, I don't have an issue with it). You'll find a great deal of violence within: is a world filled with battle at all Christian?

Allow me to note that I really don't take that much issue with your argument, I'd just like to state that all fantasy, unless it is of a strange variety indeed, will contain elements we must be cautious of. Likewise, unless one is reading an allegory, they shouldn't really be read for truth of any kind. This holds true in some other genres as well, but that exceeds the boundaries of this discussion.

Agreed: I believe the worldview idea is a problem. Sometimes, rarely, works from non-Christian worldviews can actually have a better message than works from "Christian" worldviews.

What we need to consider is the message and the general quality of the artwork, and how it personally affects us.

For example, if watching something like Shaman King or Yu Yu Kakusho or Inuyasha makes you want to worship according to Shintoism or practice occultism, then it shouldn't be a part of your interests. If watching Trigun or Cowboy Bebop makes you want to shoot people, then it shouldn't be on your personal faves list. . .and so on.

However, for those of us who aren't tempted to practice occultism or Shinto, Inuyasha etc is fine. If you don't feel tempted to commit violence, it isn't necessarily wrong for you to watch violent animes. It's a thing called personal conviction.

[Aka-chan]

Hm…I'd say Shaman King is definitely a series to be cautious with. I know you mentioned the occult themes, but another problem I have is that it portrays many, many different theologies (from Buddhism to Christianity to Native American mysticism) and uses them as if they’re all compatible. The other thing that irritated me was that the only representation of Christianity, the group called the X-Laws, is a gang of trigger-happy justice freaks wielding robot-like angels (all named after angels named in the Catholic church.) The characters and art really grow on you (which is why I like it) but it does have some flaws. Also be careful of the artist: his other manga, Butsu Zone, is a Buddhist-centered storyline; similarly vibrant characters, same great art style, but Buddhist all the same.

[uc pseudonym]

That is true. The X-laws are hardly a positive representation of Christianity, and I would be more comfortable if they weren't there. However, they're so far off the mark that I basically discount them.

Furthermore, I would argue that anyone in a world system such as has been set up cannot possible count as Christian.

[Aka-chan]

You've got a point. It annoyed me how it was kind of their fault Lyserg ended up even more messed up than he already was, though.

Speaking of Lyserg, what do you think of all the drug-derived names and imagery?

[uc pseudonym]

You're speaking to someone who is speaking about things they truly doesn't not understand. I've been trying to only read/watch what we have here in America, but I have more or less failed in this. Therefore, I understand far too much about the series, yet haven't actually read more than what is in Shonen Jump. For something more subtle such as that, I cannot really help you.

[Ren_sama]

So there are Buddist hintings and whatnot? Rurou Ken has it, and so does Tokyo Babylon, X, Inuyasha, Naruto, and some other animes you really wouldn't expect...
If I didn't watch an anime just because there are Buddist stuf in it, the only anime I'd be watching is Pokemon...(don't get me wrong, I luv pokemon!...oh, stop laughing...-_-)

. . .erk. . .

Almost every anime has some sort of religious oidea/belief behind it. . .I never really take into acount these things (haha) so I never had a problem...O__o''

As you can see, i'm a SK fan...and I think, as long as you don't *believe* what your watching, you're fine. . .

[Debitt]

Actually, if you want to be accurate, even Pokemon has some Buddhist influence in it.

[Ren_sama]

...really? O__O wow, thats...kinda scary.

[Debitt]

Not really. Anything that's made in Japan is bound to have a bit of a Buddhist or Shinto influence.

[Ren_sama]

...now that I think about it, you're right. . .
Except Angelic Layer...I can't find anything on that (lol)

I think the only anime that has a slightly more Christian influence is Trigun (Wolfwood)...oh, and obviously Saint Tail.

[Aka-chan]

You're speaking to someone who is speaking about things they truly doesn't not understand. I've been trying to only read/watch what we have here in America, but I have more or less failed in this. Therefore, I understand far too much about the series, yet haven't actually read more than what is in Shonen Jump. For something more subtle such as that, I cannot really help you.

OK. Got it. Though, actually, it's show up already in the US. In the most recent issue (March 2004), the shirt Yoh wears when he's on the balcony with Anna (at the end) sports a marijuana leaf right in the middle. He wears a lot of similar shirts later in the series too. Also, the "Asa" of Asakura is the kanji for "hemp" and the kanji for Yoh translates as "leaf."

Tao Ren is also the Chinese name of some herb or whatever, though it's not a drug as far as I know and the kanji is different, so I don't know if that counts.

There's a lot more, too, as the series goes on (though it doesn't have actual significance in the storyline.)

[MasterDias]

Not really. Anything that's made in Japan is bound to have a bit of a Buddhist or Shinto influence.

I wouldn't go so far and say that all anime/manga has Shinto and Buddhist influences.
There are quite a few that do of course.

...but there are some that don't.

[Ren_sama]

OK. Got it. Though, actually, it's show up already in the US. In the most recent issue (March 2004), the shirt Yoh wears when he's on the balcony with Anna (at the end) sports a marijuana leaf right in the middle. He wears a lot of similar shirts later in the series too. Also, the "Asa" of Asakura is the kanji for "hemp" and the kanji for Yoh translates as "leaf."

Tao Ren is also the Chinese name of some herb or whatever, though it's not a drug as far as I know and the kanji is different, so I don't know if that counts.

There's a lot more, too, as the series goes on (though it doesn't have actual significance in the storyline.)

lmao...yea, that's right. Yoh's anme means marijuana and he wears the symbol on his shirt and jacket. in the japanese manga, theres the marjuana leaf on the back of the cover...

And ren's name is the name of a drug...I forgot what tho...I gotta ask my friend...lol.

but i find that more amusing rather than somthin I would worry about. . .

[Elric_kun]

rofl yea thats funny:D *keeps watching SK over and over......and over again*

[uc pseudonym]

Trigun's influencing is just pacifist, not Christian. You can get that from a great many Eastern religions, particularly Hindu. Of course, it does work with a Christian worldview somewhat, but it probably didn't stem from that. Furthermore, however, I agree that not all anime/manga has influence.

About marijauna: I actually have no commentary, other than that it is kind of amusing.

[Aka-chan]

The drug stuff is all over. Honestly. I find it amusing too, though I KNOW it's all gonna be edited out by 4Kids. I figure if there's no content in the story itself supporting drug use, then it's not bad -- just pattern, like Shakespeare's repeated reference to liquids through metaphors in Macbeth. -_- What else is there? (I'll just give names, no background, to prevent spoilers.)

Lyserg Diethyl - lysergic acid diethylamide (aka LSD)
Morphin(e) - morphine (duh)
Peyote - peyote

Can anyone think of any others? I've found some possibilities, but the similarities could easily be coincidental.

[Ren_sama]

LOL! I usually don't hink about what peoples names mean while I watch the show..but maybe im just weird...which is highly possible ^____^''

[Aka-chan]

Here's some stuff on the tao ren herb, says it's a peach seed. I believe hu tao ren is also a walnut or something. And all the stuff it remedies... At least skim through it; it sounds lovely. ^__^