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Description
The angel Alexiel loved God, but she rebelled against Heaven when she saw how disgracefully the other angels were behaving. She was finally captured, and as punishment sent to Earth to live an endless series of tragic lives. She now inhabits the body of Setsuna Mudo, a troubled teen in love with his sister Sara. Setsuna's misery mirrors the chaos among the angels, and their combined passions threaten to destroy both Heaven and Earth.
Angel Sanctuary's art is great but like all of Kaori Yuki's stuff, the plot can be a bit twisted and isn't going to be for everyone. If you can get past the incest plotline between Setsuna and his sister at the beginning, you're going to find yourself with plotlines that involve a whole lot of religious blasphemy that only seems to increase. The themes of this one are too mature for the fact that Viz released it in the US as being just "shojo" manga without any shrink wrap.
If I have to be unbiased, then it must be said that "Angel Sanctuary" is a convoluted, twisty mess. Yuki Kaori clearly goes with the flow as far as plot development is concerned, and it does make the series at times very difficult to follow, take seriously, or finish. But I still can't help loving "Angel Sanctuary". The characters, with all of their flaws and concerns, are terribly fascinating; the politics and setting of Heaven and Hell are extremely intriguing; and I love the mix of cyberpunk and Judeo-Christian (and Japanese) mythos that forms of the basis of the story. Like any cult series worth it's salt, the reader will either love "Angel Sanctuary" or be unimpressed. And while I see why there are many people who don't care for it, I'm happy to admit that I adore it...about 99.5%.
First off, the Bible is nothing like this. It comes purely from man-made traditions and mythology, misusing the names in the Bible and the identity of all the people in the Bible. In fact, some of the places are derived from Greek, Persian, Babylonian, and Pharisaic influences, coupled with the unnecessary jargon that the Catholic Church has developed.
Spoiler (mouse over to view)
It became a bit too annoying because I just knew, just knew, that at the end most people will mostly attain their happiness since that is Setsuna's motto.
[edit by mod, Warning: Possible spoilers] *spoilers*
First of all, art of this manga is very nice, the proportions and lines are a bit off and messy at times but it stays very constant.
Storywise I think this is one of the best, the incest theme doesn't feel sick to me, later on in the series it gives you a more tolerable explanation to the whole relationship, if you bothered to read and appreciate the story as a whole that is. Infact the theme matched the story quite nicely, the fact that no one in the whole world accepted them makes a huge contrast to Kira's relationship with Setsuna. Kira's actions and what he does for Setsuna, etc, are explained later on, which leads to past and backstories, not only with setsuna but also with his angel's half.
Character developments were the best I've ever read in a manga, everyone of the characters had a perfect ending, like it or not. It didn't feel confusing at all since everything in the manga was explained, hence I think it's pretty perfect. =) One of my favorite manga of all time.
I read AS a few years ago. I don't like Kaori Yuki's works that much anymore, but there are a lot of good and bad points in AS.
First, the topic (love between siblings) is interesting, I'm glad it was approached. It was also nice to see her version of the angels/demons, etc., she even made it look interesting to an atheist like me.
One of the less enjoyable facts is the load of characters... it's hard to keep track of every one and I have to admit that I didn't even recognize Arakune when he appeared again around volume 10...
Now that I think back, there were some really touching scenes, but overall, I forgot a lot as well, because the storyline tends to be confusing sometimes... there are just so many things I sometimes lost overview, just like with the characters.
Kaori Yuki's works are kinda dark and full of angst, but i like it. Angels Sanctuary
ARTS: The artwork grows and as the manga progress so is the artwork, ALEXIEL is beautifully drawn likewise to ROCIEL. I love the manga cuz, it has all the details and URIEL, RAPHAEL and MICHAEL sure is not your ordinary Four GREAT ARCHANGELS, the first being disturb and quite scary (but i love him still), 2nd being a chauvinist lecher well.... he hits every female angels... hehehe and the 3rd having height and brother name problem... hahahaha!!! i like all their art forms and aesthetics, so is LUCIFER!!! WOW!!! I like the dresses!!! Zaphikel really is sexy... hahaha. and what i like about the manga is not not every character are HUMAN, i mean, Prince Abaddon is a dragon, NidHegg and so on and on... really Kaori Yuki rocks...
THEME/ PLOT: Very good and very deep!!! The story is not your typical im in love with my little sister and that im the earth saviour... but rather im in love with my twin sister and i dont care bout the lots of you, but the hell, sure save the earth for my sister... hahaha, i like setsuna's attitude and crankiness! he sure can get URIEL's vein pop and can cause the other ANGELS be amaze and give him stupid looks!!! hahahaha
ALL IN ALL: Its one dark and very good manga. And if you come across the OAV - please listen or buy the OST. Fall of the roses one of the best music and so is Rociel the Inorganic Angel...
unlike most people, i have no problem with all of the taboo subjects in the story. what bugs me is the broken taboos merged with a story of angelic wars, combined with some romance. i made it halfway into the 2nd volume when i realized i didnt have the slightest clue what was going on. im sure its a good story if you can follow it, but i just couldnt get into it
This manga series is truly amazing. It is my favorite manga. No other manga was able to make me become so attatched to each and every character and really get to /know/ them. I cried on multiple occasions while I was reading this wonderful series. The plot is easy to follow even though it's quite complex, with a battle between heaven and hell and all. It's just a really great series all around and I would recommend it to anyone.
Story/Plot:- It has a very interesting plot about forbidden love and the lives of Angels and Devils however it is extremely hard to follow, making it easy to get lost .
Artwork:- It has a unique artwork with beautiful characters however some characters are so beautiful is hard to tell the guys from the girls .
Final Thoughts:- AS is an interesting manga with a completely original view of heaven & hell and their different societies. The story is very exciting and full of plot twist to keep it going but it makes AS confusing and herd to follow :?. I didn't mind how they portrayed the angels and devils but the way in which God was portrayed is offensive to Christians.
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