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| image from MyAnimeList |
I have to admit that I didn’t know about the previous incarnations of Saint☆Onii-san, which included the original manga and OVA outings on TV. But when I encountered an opportunity to watch it and after learning what it’s all about, I just had to give the film adaptation a try.
Jesus Christ and Buddha decided to vacation together on Earth, living as roommates in an apartment in Japan. The two decide to experience what Japan and the modern world has to offer, while trying to avoid blowing their cover and revealing their true identities as deities.
I know some people would immediately shout blasphemy at the concept, but if you’re the type not to get religiously crazy and judgmental, then I can tell you have much to gain from watching this anime film from both a comedic standpoint and in the telling of a story rooted in slice of life goodness.
Saint☆Onii-san isn’t a sweeping epic fantasy story, nor does it feature an overarching story except for the premise of Jesus Christ and Buddha living in modern Japan during their vacation. I suppose it’s more akin to a situational comedy, featuring different stories that center on the various experiences of the two deities. The comedy is good, provided you know the basics of the religion that both deities represent.
I found that I had a great appreciation for the film’s attempts to poke fun at both religion and the everyday life (in Japan, at least) that humans experience. And it all is in good fun, with the humor never reaching a point of being satirical or sarcastic.
What makes the humor work in Saint☆Onii-san is their depiction of Jesus Christ and Buddha, playfully factoring in the characteristics that they are known for. Their reaction to the different experiences they encounter, whether it’s their first time in a public bath, trying out a thrill ride at an amusement park, or participating in a shrine festival, is a lot of fun to watch. Buddha’s virtuous and Jesus Christ’s innocent natures play into the various situations they encounter. And injecting the more supernatural or holy parts of their nature doesn’t feel forced, and I found myself laughing every time Buddha’s head would glow every time he’s being extra virtuous and Jesus Christ would randomly perform miracles when he finds something funny.
There’s something sincere about Saint☆Onii-san, despite its roots in comedy. There’s a sense of wide-eyed wonder in the two deities’ exploration and they are genuinely invested in every activity they take part in, making it a very compelling slice of life story as well. While most of the scenes are designed to place the deities in various comedic situations, you can’t help but feel like the humans around them do… which is find the two deities to be genuine people worth noticing and interacting with. They share a camaraderie that’s believable and you get a sense that they value the very idea of sharing experiences together.
The storytelling of Saint☆Onii-san is broken into segments, covering different scenes or experiences. I won’t delve into my favorites or what those experiences are to avoid spoilers, but I can at least tell you that every individual story within the film has its strengths. As I mentioned previously, Saint☆Onii-san doesn’t feature epic storytelling, despite the main characters it features. But it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t translate to something great for you as a viewer.
All you need to do, just like how you should deal with discussions of religious differences in real life, is to suspend your biases and you will enjoy Saint☆Onii-san as the great work of fiction it is.
Happy viewing!!
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