Kaze to Ki no Uta Sanctus: Sei Naru Kana

Most of you, I assume, already know that this OVA is based on a 17-volume Manga (well if you didn’t know, now you do) so having this be only 1 hour was gonna make me skeptical.
Anyways, since the Manga isn’t fully translated (which is honestly outrageous) I can only imagine that not a lot of people outside of Japan have read the whole thing (correct me if I’m wrong) Having read all volumes, I feel like this OVA is really for fans of the Manga who know what’s gonna happen.

Aside from the obvious fact that this OVA was way too short for the whole story, ... I’m a bit confused as to which scenes the producers chose to animate. Like, I’m not really sure what they wanted to tell us, but I guess they wanted to focus on how the relationship between Serge and Gilbert developed, but they way they ended it seems like they just ‚got together in the end‘ when in reality, this is like 1/4 of the story. Again, I know it’s too short for the whole story. Maybe it was indeed more like a trailer for the Manga?
It’s just strange to me that they put in a single shot as a hint of how the story in the Manga is gonna end, but if you didn’t read it, it’s just really confusing. They hint at the weird relationship with Auguste, they hint at the end, at sorrows in the future, then ends.

My point is: as a stand-alone anime, I’d be like…what. It’s hard for me to understand the thoughts of people who have only seen this OVA (I don’t mean this in a offensive way at all, I’m saying I can’t forget the Manga while watching this so it’s harder to judge this on its own) I really hope more people will read the Manga after seeing this.

The animation itself was fine (not everyone likes older Anime, I personally like it a lot) and as true to the Manga as it could get, I think. The backgrounds and buildings were especially beautiful. The music itself I also liked, except that I personally expected something more melancholic (especially for Gilbert) but fine.

All in all, it’s a ‚trailer‘, in my opinion, or bonus material for fans of the Manga.

Thank you for your time.

As someone who has seen and read only a little yaoi (not counting dojinshi, that is) I was surprised at the depth this show offered.

I found this through a Youtube video debating yaoi which described this OVA as one of the best 'gay anime' of all time. After being the victim of a few disappointing anime like Koisuru Boukun and Citrus, I was waiting for another disappointment-- after all, most LGBTQ+ representation in anime and manga is notoriously poor as even I can tell, being a straight person myself.

However, I was pleasantly surprised. Even for an OVA that's just an hour long, they ... manage to encompass a heartwrenching story of two boys in a homophobic climate, one of whom is 'straightlaced' and the other is abused and broken. The writer manages to create realistic plot points that flow and reveal new aspects of the characters while exposing the tragic reality of the boys' lives.

While this may be an old work, I have to say that the art is still very beautiful. I can't say that it's realistic or anything of the sort, but it's well-done in a way that surpasses the technological innovations that lead to better animation today. It's just a classic style that takes your breath away every time.

The voice actors all did a very good job, especially Gilbert's. The piano pieces Serge played were also very beautiful, and all the other background music was breathtaking. Even with the heavy subject matter and the dread surrounding the premise of the story, the animation and music combined made it seem like a fairy tale, albeit quite the twisted one.

I also think the characters were the main highlight of this piece. Without fetishizing sexual assault, the author manages to create a work of art that is Gilbert. He is twisted, broken, pained, and doesn't know what the point of his life is. He's not the nicest person, and the things he does don't always make sense, but they're not supposed to. From what I can tell, he only craves to feel something, and if that something is pain, so be it. He's only human, and I enjoy that about well written characters. As for Serge, he's the honest, rule-following soul that every parent wants-- but when he interacts with 'depravity' and Gilbert's brokenness, we see another aspect of his character that really makes him more three dimensional instead of just being the 'good kid'.

All in all, I found this to be very poetic and beautiful out of what I have seen, despite being somewhat of a dark and startling story. Don't be fooled-- this isn't your typical feel-good romance or a yaoi with 'fun' sexual assault that's just supposed to be 'rough and sexy'. This anime is supposed to make you feel disgusted and angry and mad and unsettled. It's just the kind of show it is. It doesn't sugar coat anything-- the homophobia, the bullying, the rape, the pedophilia-- it's all there, and nothing is hidden. And that's what I love about it-- the unapologetic honesty.

I would recommend this if you: like honest/gritty shows, like watching anime about real issues, don't mind/can stomach rape/incestyish stuff/pedophilia, would not mind watching a 'gay' anime, would like a realistic representation of gay people instead of the classic heteronormative yaoi, like 1800's AUs, like the idea of children 'falling in love'

I would NOT recommend this if you: do not want to watch a 'gay' anime, like sugarcoated things, can't stand violence/depravity, don't understand/don't want to understand masochism/sadism, can't stomach rape/pedophilia

Have a great day everyone!

I enjoyed it. As a BL fan that usually tries to stay away from the more sexually explicit scenes, it's not bad at all.

The plot flowed nicely. Easily understood. It went through a more poetic like theme to the entire story. But the story was boys sharing the same room in a dormitory and developing a love-hate relationship. Kind of cliche for BL though.

One complaint, I have is more of a personal taste issue...I just don't like the art. It was bothering me the entire movie. I never had a taste for ... the...like any pre-00s art style, over beautifying eyes on characters/guys...just not my taste. (And what was with Rosemarine's eyes?!!?!...creepy)

I would say the voice actors did pretty well to portray each part of the story. I was questioning the feminine voice choices though, but I guess, considering when this was in production...

To be completely honest, I wouldn't rewatch it. It's not poorly done that's for sure. A decent BL film with palatable sexual scenes that don't go over the top...decent plot...poetic theme...good flow through out.