Tenshi Kinryouku

Angels are God's messengers that protect humans from danger because they are the good guys. Wrong! Unlike most stories, the bad guys (the daemons) are the good guys in Angel Sanctuary. Some viewers may find this OVA offensive and sacriligious; however, it isn't an insult on Christianity. It's a fictional story reversing the roles for once and isn't meant to be persecuting Christianity; just showing the other side of the coin. There are far more films and television shows using crude humour towards Christianity in North America, which are a million times more offensive than Angel Sanctuary. Putting that aside, the mood for Angel Sanctuary ... is very dark. It's a gothic drama dealing with the supernatural. It's gory and mature, so younger viewers may not like it.

The animation is very good for the year 2000. It doesn't have any computer graphics but it wasn't necessary: the pencil and ink animation was perfect enough. The low-lights in the hair, also the texture of the hair (pretty much everything about the hair) to characters is very wispy and detailed. Short haired people would be envious of the long, flowy hair that these two-dimensional anime characters possess. There isn't anything bad about the animation other than it's a little out of date. (But not by much)

The sound is simplistic, but sets the mood to the OVA. The music has the dark motif to the OVA, which makes Angel Sanctuary more gothic. Could have used more instruments and a more difficult melody, but the music does what it's supposed to: give the viewer the dramatic feeling.

Although English dubs aren't nearly as bad as many Japanophiles claim, the English dub to Angel Sanctuary was terrible. The acting was alright, the voices were what killed the dub. They sounded way too cartoony for a serious drama that was aimed at a mature audience. Crispin Freeman saved the dub as he showed his genius skills in the role of Rosiel. The voice of Setsuna (Scott Cargle) sounded more like a fourty year old than an older teenager. Watch this OVA in Japanese, it's much better.

The Characters were well developed and didn't have cliche personalities. Sarah's personality is a little too happy, which was the only problem. There is incest in this story line, but Kaori Yuki pulled it off. The incest shows how Setsuna and Sarah struggle to ignore their feelings in a forbidden relationship and not an episode of Jerry Springer. (They know incest is wrong) Like the theme, they are condemned sinners. Without the mood the incest wouldn't work. The bad guys aren't extremely evil as most antagonists are portrayed. Then again, everything is reversed.

Those who are into dark anime aimed at a mature audience would like Angel Sanctuary. It's tragic, but doesn't require a box of Kleenex. (just a couple) The manga has twenty volumes while the OVA has three episodes, meaning the end of the OVA isn't the end of the series. Angel Sanctuary should have been an anime series because the storyline scratches the surface. Also, the OVA hooks you into wanting more. It's a promotion or teaser for the manga. With the exceptional storyline and excellent animation, Angel Sanctuarty is one of the best OVA's made.

I first watched Angel Sanctuary after seeing pictures of it and reading about it for quite some time. Personally, some of my favorite animes are always demons, angels and fantasy, so I really wanted to see this anime and learn a lot about it. Unfortunately, it is too short and where it ends, is where the anime finally gets interesting, but for what you do see, the anime is very good and very catchy.

This may sound strange, but I enjoy incest stories when they are done tastefully and make the storyline actually interesting, and in this case, it is. The love between them is real, ... but they can't be together and the reasoning for their love is just awesome.

You cheer for them and yet you do not and the story that goes on is very deep and very meaningful and then it takes an insanely drastic turn and then it ends and all you want to know is - WHAT HAPPENED.

The art is splendid and some of the nicest I had seen for the time and also just made me want to see more, so it was really beautiful characters, and I really think others should see it.

However, I would totally recommend this if you plan on going and learning about the rest of what happened and reading it!

Eh, I know it seems like my review isn't going to be that good by the rating alone ... but don't get me wrong. I'm a huge fan of Kaori Yuki and was really excited when I heard about Angel Sanctuary. The anime is so different from the manga and I felt like it didn't do it justice. I felt as though some of the characters were dulled down and honestly, the English dubbing wasn't that impressive.
Angel Sanctuary itself is a great story, with great characters and many twists and lots of action, sure to satisfy anyone that likes romance and fantasy. But unless you're ... a big fan, I'd say skip this and read the manga, you won't be disappointed.

After all that is said about Angel Sanctuary the premise is simple: a mix of Orpheus, Divine Comedy and the Apocalypse Myth set in a futuristic display of Biblical Characters.

This is what makes this story so revolutionary, even shocking. There are a series of side stories that include homosexuality, incest and your average imorality that serve almost exclusevely as motto to present the Heaven and Hell and its characters.

This great premise is acomplished by fine art, extremelly detailed and, overall, beautiful. Even though the story is left at the Hades Arc in this OVA (for my great disappointment) just the art makes it worth to ... watch.

However, even though the beauty of the characters makes it all worthwile, their personalities are left incomplete due to the shortness of the series. You don't get enough information on the Angels and Demons, just the basics to understand who they are and how are they (somewhat) related. Some of the relationships are blur and in the end you get the feeling that you wanted to know more about them.

The music is appropriate, even though not brilliant, and the voices... Well, they were exactly like I had imagined after reading a few chapters of the Manga. That must mean that they did a fine job!

Overall, this is highly recommended for the art quality and the story premise but it leaves you at the edge of a cliff: you want to know more, but there is no more. Only manga.

Where do I begin? A friend of mine recommended this to me and I was very skeptical. A brother in love with his sister and reincarnations of angels and such? I believed I would surely hate it.

But...

I didn't. The art was beautiful. The story was fair, although I believe there were a few plot holes in the whole angel reincarnation line, but on the whole, a good adaptation of a manga that was so very long. (I assume. I have yet to finish the books myself.)

okay.. angel sanctuary.

story: 10/10
when i first read about it, i was turned off by the idea it was incest BUT nonetheless interested. it deviates from the norms of society, you might get a little shocked about it. i'm a traditional person so it was difficult to ingest it to my system. ehe. but the supernatural side is also another noteable feature. it is one that attracts most of its viewers.

art: 9/10
art is actually good too! considering the time it was produced, i'd say it was one of the best. even now, the art isn't as far from what we're seeing. although you'd see some ... slight errors in animation, it still is acceptable, if you ask me.

sound: 8/10
the seiyuus were able to deliver their roles well. there weren't much music to this but it's fine for a passive listener like me :p

enjoyment: 9/10
being it a 3-episode OVA, it must not waste even a second and it really optimized the time given to it. when i got to finish it, i was satisfied although i know there should be a sequel to this. but it was fine as it is since they ended the season well.

overall: 9/10
i wouldn't say it is at its best. i wish they're going to remake it. (of course, that stays as a wish for the time being) but if one day, you're bored and you want to escape from reality, you should watch this :)

ugh. sorry, that was too long. i'm emotionally unstable right now. haha!

owaru :)

This was a very interesting anime, it keeps your attention and is enjoyable. Its not for people who dont normally watch anime however, because it can get at some points confusing. It touches on several sensitive topics as well..such an incest, and god and death. As for the manga its alittle better in terms of..mental strain? the manga can be overbearing because it has ALOT of dialog
its one of those "not tell the story with pictures" type dealies. If your up for an exciting ride however..with no end i have to add this is for you.

Angel Sanctuary Anime Review
By: Yuki Kaori
May 14, 2019

Overall: 9.4

Plot: 9

I can't actually remember how and why I downloaded this anime. It only consist of three episodes about the war between angels. The opening of the story is really interesting as it mentioned Lilith, who other people believe to be the first wife of Adam. Though along the story, that opening seems to be not related at all. The story actually show a tragic love between siblings, how they tried to stop their feelings and the consequence of falling in love. Apart from that, it was also a fantasy themed anime where war between God, angels ... and demon exists. A reincarnation of an angel named "Alexiel" who, in the past, opposed God's doing is residing on the body of a high school boy "Setsuna" who loved his twin sister "Sara". Along the way, the angel's sister "Rosiel" keep on trying to anger Setsuna in order for Alexiel to bring himself up. However, it seems that the angel himself want to stay in the body of the boy, having those innocent and pure love.

Characters: 10

Each character has properly introduced even if there's only three episodes of this anime. Though the development of some characters are clearly not visible, others did change standing up on what they really want and feel. In such a short span of time, it was shown how people can change from being discourage on everything about his life to accepting it all and facing it head on. Though not everything end up the way they want, at least they choose to try it.

Sound and Animation: 10

The animation is really great, given that it was created way back year 2000. Every character is too gorgeous and each of their expression are well shown. I love how the faces of the characters are different from one another, adding to the personality of each of them. The animation and music of this story is kind of dark and heavy, so I don't think everyone will appreciate it. But yeah, it's literally too good from the year it was created.

Enjoyment: 10

I love reading and watching Incest genre story. Many will think that it is filthy, and unacceptable, and a sin. But if it is love, it is love. Apart from that, it is interesting how people will stand up on what they really feel and close their mind from every criticism thrown at them. Watching this anime is not exactly fun, it is rather an eye opener. It tells you to choose what your heart feel before you regret it. It tells you that not all decisions you'll make is right and it is fine. Lastly, it show how important it is that you, yourself, will choose the path you want and not anyone else.

Ending: 8

It is confusing, the ending, that is. Another character has been shown, another gorgeous character and it will make you want to have more. But you'll know that wanting more meant digging deeper on the dark side of the story. After watching it, the other reviews made me need to read the manga as it is completed in there. Before the confusing part, it seems that the continuation of the story will take place on the realm of God, heaven or hell. Unlike the anime which only shows the present world, our world, human world. I think, the manga is waaay more interesting than the anime.

A very critical work in my view, as it contradicts everything we are taught through the bible, where the "good guys" would be demons instead of angels. And all the teachings passed by the bible how not to relate to brothers, the work makes exactly that happen, because we are seeing it from the perspective of the fallen angels, where they are contrary to God, that is, it makes no sense for them to follow the teachings of their own, so that they can live as they want and love who they want. This becomes clear when people (who worship God) discover this character's incestuous ... relationship, and fallen angels are already concerned and even help our protagonist to save his beloved.

If you are an open-minded person, I recommend watching.

Angel Sanctuary made my mind twirl. Its basicly about girls pretending to be guys, siblings making love, evil angels (which, mind you, have three wings), emotional demons, a bit of blood and gore squirting around, and an imortal hot guy with a sword. Oh, and apperently, God is a 'no no' here.
Don't know about you, but thats the opposite of what i grew up with. But none the less, that only makes it unique. Like nothing you've ever seen before.. and will never want to see again.

Do keep in mind, the dubbed version is absolutly ridiculous. None of the voices match. But then again, ... what more can you expect from a dub ? -_-"