Book Review: Anime Parables, 366 Daily Devotions
Sam T. Rajkumar. Anime Parables: 366 Daily Devotions. Notion Press, 2023. 332pp.
Review by Rev. Shraddha Patole
Anime Parables is a daily devotional book that features 366 single-page entries designed to be read throughout the year. As a typical one-a-day devotional, its sizing is also perfectly designed for ease of carrying along during travel or to place at one’s bedside. Yet, it is so much more than just another daily prayer guide.
Like most devotionals, Anime Parables begins each entry with the date, a title to focus the reader’s attention, a Bible verse to meditate upon, followed by the devotional writing for the day. This, however, is where it deviates from any other devotional one may pick up.
What sets this one apart is firstly, as the title suggests, its emphasis on ‘Anime’, i.e., Japanese animated media, as a functional resource in a Christian’s quiet time. Each daily entry names the anime referenced at the top of the reading itself, and also ends with a direct quote from the same anime. Classics like Cowboy Bebop, Death Note; cult favourites like Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, One Piece, Pokémon; some notable Ghibli films; and even Avatar – an Asian inspired American animated series are among the vast source material cited in this encyclopaedic anime devotional.
Secondly, the use of the term “parables” displays the author’s intent to bring out biblical metaphors from characters and incidents depicted in his selected anime. As one who has already noticed theological undercurrents and overcurrents in Japanese animated media — both manga and anime, I am glad to know that more people will also be able to discover the depth of spiritual insight within these media through this book. The employment of a simple, to-the-point language and direct style of writing ensure that it remains suitable for those on the go, as each devotional entry could be read through in five minutes and its message meditated upon throughout the rest of the day. Perhaps additional subdivisions would have made it easier for the reader by having monthly or quarterly themes based on one specific genre or biblical theme. Nevertheless, it must be noted that the straightforward language employed throughout the writing belies the heavy research that the author has undoubtedly and quite evidently conducted in order to draw out key theological and spiritual insights from the many anime and characters referred to in the book.
It goes without saying that this book is an unprecedented blessing for all Christian otakus who may struggle to reconcile or connect their love for anime with their Christian beliefs. Undoubtedly, the reader would be able to engage more with the writing if they had priorly watched the cited anime, yet even non-anime lovers could pick up this devotional and find themselves relating to the themes from everyday life touched upon in each entry. Even while reading entries centered on anime I had never watched before, I never felt disconnected from the core message being conveyed, nor from the Biblical truth being unveiled through it.
In these contemporary times when there is an increasing awareness of the intersectionality of disciplines, this parabolic devotional is a pertinent way to reach out to, and relate with the modern youth and also the community of anime lovers of all age groups. Evidence of God’s salvation as well as principles of Christian living and discipleship can be found all around us in our own lives and contexts. As it is written in the Bible, all of creation emulates the nature of God (Romans 1.20). This devotional therefore opens up its readers’ perspectives to seek spiritual insights that align with the teachings of the Bible in all of the media that they are exposed to. It is vital to understand, however, that a truly beneficial devotional must not let believers take the easy way out, by quickly going through a single-page entry, but must instead encourage them to pick up their Bible and read more for themselves, connecting even deeper with the themes introduced in the devotional. This book must hence be used in companionship with the Bible, reading and meditating on each biblical passage mentioned in order to get the full impact of the devotional by earnestly seeking and discovering the steadfast presence of God’s voice within its pages (Jeremiah 29.13).
Right from the mesmerising cover art, all through each well-placed entry, this book undeniably presents itself as a much-awaited boon for anime lovers and, simultaneously, as a testament to the research skills, creativity and perseverance of the author. Never did I imagine I would gain theological insights while watching “Maid Sama” on repeat. Yet, this devotional has inspired me, for one, to relate the media I consume every day, to unwavering Biblical truths, and also to rewatch my favourite anime with a renewed theological mind as I eagerly hope for and await the author’s next installment of anime devotionals with more in-depth biblical parallels and many more anime to read about.
Rev. Shraddha Patole is a priest from the church of North India (CNI)
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