User Reviews

The plot is quite interesting,the characters are good.The only thing I don't like is the animation....it just gets on my nerves.It's look over-computerized(real term?)but besides that I recommend it.The dub ain't the worst.In fact the dub lines are exactly the same as the english subtitles,but the voices are rather annoying.Stick to the sub.

I give it a 6/10

I'm going to say this right off the bat, so that we're all very clear....this movie WILL insult, repulse, and offend some people. This series touches on at least three of the most socially and even morally taboo subjects one can conjure up in any culture, incest, heresy, and bisexuality, and touches upon them in a way that many will see as glorification. Matter of fact, let's not sugar coat it; they ARE glorified. Those of you with highly strict, rigid moral/religious values, I tell you this for your own good. You have been warned. This anime will test, taunt, and challenge that which you hold so dear. I repeat...you have been warned. ...Still with me? Good.

That having been said, Angel Sanctuary is one of the most stylish, imaginative, story-driven, dramatic, tragic, and yes, even romantic anime series I've ever laid eyes on.

So, where does the whole mess from that first paragraph fit in? Let me try to explain...

Angel Sanctuary's main set up takes its cues from a number of religious texts, but mostly Milton's Paradise Lost. You have three levels; in heaven, you have the choirs of angels, in hell, the damned. And in between, the 6 billion humans on earth who either acknowledge or deny that either side exists, even though beings from both sides interact with them on a regular basis.

However, neither side is what they seem. Heaven is full of vain, self-righteous, elitist choirs of angels; Hell is a barren wasteland out of the sight of God, and more or less seems to just want to be left to its own devices. Sorta like a demonic Switzerland.

The thing is, God seems to be rather indisposed somehow. In his stead, the angels are now in charge of heaven. And they're almost all greedy for the throne.

One of the big exceptions is Organic Angel Alexiel, a high level angel who, tired of all the clashing egos and self-righteous slaughter, decides to defect over to the other side, and lead a revolt against Heaven itself. Eventually, though, her revolt fails, and after a climactic battle with her twin brother Rosiel, she is caught, and sentenced to be split into two parts; her body is trapped in an unbreakable crystal in heaven, her soul is condemned to an eternity of being resurrected on Earth in some sort of lowly existence, and to meet an inevitable horrible death each and every time. Her soul will be stillborn within a human body, and will have no choice but to experience existence laying dormant.

Enter Setsuna Mudo, the most recent incarnation of Alexiel, though he's obviously unaware of this. He's your pretty average hopeless romantic high school student in love....with his biological sister, Sara.

Here's the thing, though. This is not your expected "Yee-haw we're marryin' our own cousins while tippin' the cows" type of brother-sister attraction story. No, folks, seriously. Setsuna LOVES his sister. The way that Seth loves Maggie in City Of Angels. The way that Eric Draven loves Shelly in The Crow. The way that, i dare say, Romeo loves Juliet. How the hell that happened, i don't know, but it's the truth. Setsuna knows damn well he's going to hell for it, and doesn't care. When he loves, it's, as his best friend put it, "clumsy, but straightforward", and complete. Sara is the one true point of happiness in his life, and vice versa. Not even the threat of hell, the scorn of an angry parent, or the hand of God himself can render that asunder.

However, both sides are sure as hell going to try. See, in order to stop the conflict, beings on both sides have been trying to hunt down Alexiel and force her dormant spirit to fully awaken. In this search, bonds are made, emotions grow where there were none, and love is tested.

What follows is a very unique take on a love story, borrowing elements from various religions, fantasy/fiction, and even Greek tragedy, coming together in a divine tapestry that breaks so many rules, and is unlikely to be copied anywhere in the foreseeable future.

As I said, undoubtedly, this will freak some people out. Putting aside the sexually ambiguous look and character of the beings from both sides, the seemingly constant statements of blasphemy, and the depiction of wicked angels, sympathetic and emotional demons, there is the film's main love story between Setsuna and Sara. Yes, it's blatant incest. And yet, i daresay, if you arent cheering your ass off for these two by about 2/3 of the way through the film, check your pulse, you might be missing a heart.

The main problem I have with the series is the way it ends. It's a To Be Continued of the worst kind. And last I checked, Kaori Yuki, the original manga's creator, has no plans to make an anime out of the rest of the series, so the only way to get any sort of closure to the story, apparently, is to wait for Marvel or Dark Horse to bring it over here, or go import the manga, and learn much Japanese.

It's not often you have a film come along, let alone an animated one, and just blow every preconception you might have out of the water, and Angel Sanctuary does this in spades, and beautifully. But, when films like Dogma and Stigmata can offend some at the drop of a hat for their content, i also know that some will end up hating it for the same reasons. The open-minded will enjoy this story to the full hilt. The stagnant will find themselves challenged, and probably confused. To them, i say, just dont watch if you think you can't take it. It's simply your loss. But should you watch, and choose to be repulsed, well, look up at the first paragraph again...you can't say I didn't warn you.

okay, this is by far the best anime series i have EVER seen, it deals with a more realistic view of "the almighty". Its about the reincarnated soul of a fallen angel who went up against god's passifistic and uncaring ways and decided to pass judgment on him, but at the crucial point of the battle , Alexiel exhausts her powers and losses.She is then split in two, body and soul, the body is locked away in a crystal deep within the angelic domain and her spirit is casted into the human world to be reborn over and over again and to die in a horrible tragic way in every life.

One of her reincarnations is within a boy named Setsuna who has a "biblical" affection for his blood sister. Since incest is considered a very big "taboo" in japan, they are cast out by their friends and loved ones. So the story focuses on both Alexiel's role in the battle with god and on Setsuna and Sara's love ,and the question becomes, can their love survive the wrath of god?

Although the story is interesting, due to the length of the anime viewers can't seem to understand it or get into it. The anime is not even finished - it was left with a cliffhanger which is really annoying. The artwork is pretty average. It's not bad, some of the characters are well drawn but overall it is not good enough considering all the other anime out there. Characters were not fully developed or should I say not developed at all. I know little can be done in 3 episodes, but some characters from 1 episode anime are better developed then those in this one. I can't recommend this anime although the idea behind it is really good and unusual it's not executed well.

This story is controversial to say the least. Many people are automatically turned off by the topic of forbidden love, but I believe that this is a strength. How many stories ask you to re-evaluate your perceptions of life, love and morality? Don't let this aspect of the story turn you away. The animations are gorgeous and the story is solid. Everything is challenged. Heaven and Hell. Good and Evil. Love. A mature show with complicated morality.

I fell in love with Angel Sanctuary the first time that I say it. The only drawback is that it is not a movie and the one disc/tape leaves you with a major cliffhanger. However, if you enjoy this show, the manga form is now available at any major bookstore.

I saw this OVA before I even knew that a manga series existed, and fell in love with it the very first time I saw it, as have the friends I've shown it to. We've all gotten terribly into the manga now, and madly check the nearest Barnes & Noble whenever it seems like the next volume is coming out.

You have to be a very open-minded person to enjoy and even just to accept the plot the amazing Kaori Yuki has created, as there are many topics sensitive people may find upsetting (incest, God being evil, etc.) Once past these topics, you find a very unique plot, a strange, but touching love story, and characters who you can truly love. Combined with Kaori Yuki's gorgeous art, Angel Sanctuary is a masterpiece. It will leave you desperate to find out what happens next.

The only things that were disappointing is absence of some of the background that's present in the manga and the fact that there are no plans (that I know of) to make any more volumes into OVAs. As to be expected, however, the American voice acting is far from fabulous (I recommend watching it in Japanese with the subtitles at least once, as with all anime).

I also recommend seeing this before beginning manga, or only reading the first two volumes before seeing it (basically what the OVA covers). If you've gotten too far I have a feeling it'd become just an opportunity to look at Kaori Yuki's pretty art--not that there's anything wrong with that.

I don't know what is the script writer think when made this UGLY AND FOOL LOVE STORY like this. May be the main idea of the story is good enough, but see brother and sister is being lover that's really make me sick, It was so disgusting. The illustration is not bad, but that doesn't enough for me to like this serial.

Angel Sanctuary is one of those shows that makes people uncomfortable intentionally by twisting around common perceptions. Some people may not like this, but if you approach this anime with an open mind and don't intend to be offended or disgusted, chances are you won't be. Graphically, the show is masterfully done and the blantant, almost disturbingly inverse plot makes it both a wonderful and frightening experience. As far as I can see, it's good to look at things from all sides and to see things from a very rare point of view- for example, from the point of view of a teenage boy in love with his biological sister rather than through the eyes of the masses- and this quality makes Angel Sanctuary both unique and thought-provoking.

This anime is based on the manga series by Kaori Yuki. Alexiel was an angel who waged war against God and she was punished by being imprisoned in a human body. Setsuna lives with horrific dreams and strange powers while the demons and angels try and awaken Alexiel inside him to continue the war against God. Also, he and his sister love each other. I thought it was a beautiful and interesting story. Great animation. The English dubs weren't too good, I recommend the Japanese version with subtitles. I suppose it's for opened minded people who won't mind a little incest in their supernatural anime. A little background: In this story, angels aren't necessarily good and demons aren't necessarily bad. Alexiel saved a demon who was being raped by angels and thats what began the war against God.

Now this is where it really gets me.... why create any movie to end the way that Angel Sanctuary did? Why leave your viewers or devoted anime/manga fans in such a true state of dismay? Who and why anyone or any creator would ever want to do sure is beyond me.

So with that in mind.... does anyone know if Kaori Yuki, Kiyoko Sayama or ANYONE will be or is going to be continuing the episodes/series? The story is AMAZING and completely goes against every sort of "Ideal" that any sort of "normal" society tells you to believe, act etc.

These characters truly touched my heart, by all their anguish in just trying to be happy in their current "life".

There's not too much that I can say, as I think the other commenter's did phenomenal jobs portraying everything this anime/manga is about.

****Again, if anyone knows anything about them bringing the rest of the series or episodes to life..... please I would really like to know.*****

After I saw this film I tried to start a discussion of it on a manga board, only to find myself being branded as a 'sicko'. One of the central themes to Angel Sanctuary is the love affair between the hero and his sister, a theme that many are given to dismiss out of hand as perverted without actually having seen the film. It is therefore perhaps ironic that the exploration of a consensual incestous relationship is one of Angel Sanctuary's greatest strengths. The whole thing is handled with sensitivity, and one truly feels for the heros torment when he declares "I am weird, I am abnormal, I am condemned by my mother, by all of them". There is no graphic sex, and the couple's one carnel indulgence is implied rather than actually shown.

As to the rest of the story, Angel Sanctuary has a cast of colourful characters, including the heros deranged angel brother and a pair of cross-dressing demons,all fighting to either eliminate him or recruit him to assist in their war against heaven. Some may find the idea of god being the enemy offensive, though I personally do not.

I would go as far as to describe Angel Sanctuary as one of the best anime that I have ever seen.

This is the sad story of Setsuna Mudo, a 16 year old high school student who is in love with his younger sister, Sara. It turns out, a host of demons and angels are after his soul, as he is the reincarnation of Organic angel Alexiel, an angel who, disgusted with her fellow angels, declares a revolt against God. I'll stop there so I don't reveal anything, I hate it when people do that.

I think that this is a truely epic story. Sure incest is wrong, and Setsuna and Sara both know that they will pay for their sins, but their love is less a desire of the flesh, and more of a soulmate sort of bond. You wind up rooting for them in the end, because they are really the innocents of the story.

I loved the powerful relationships, especially that of Kira and his father. Kira is by far my favorite character, but all the characters are easy to relate to, Setsuna is denyed what he really wants, Sara is heartbroken, Kira, torn between what he was and what he is, and Kurai(sp?) searching for her hero.

Try it, and try to put the incest out of you mind. Be open, and you may be surprised.

Tenshi Kinryouku (aka Angel Sanctuary) is one of my favorite manga (comic books) ever, so I was really thrilled when it came out in America on DVD. The story is obviously not for everyone, as it centers around the romantic love between a brother and his sister, but viewers with open minds have thoroughly enjoyed it, as my friends and I have. Though certain characters were taken out of the episodes in order to condense the 3-4 graphic novels it was based off of into 3 half hour long episodes, the story does not suffer too much (though there were some changes that I disagree with, such as the combination of Kirie and Katan into a single character).

The voice acting in the original Japanese language is done very well, and I recommend that version over the English dub version (though I can tell they worked hard on it, I prefer the original Japanese casting). I think the 3 episodes on this DVD (unfortunately there are no more) are best enjoyed after having read the manga (which can be purchased at various anime stores and Japanese bookstores) because you can then get a better grip at what is going on.

I did overall enjoy watching these three episodes. I'm disappointed that there isn't anymore (the ending is nerve-wracking if you haven't read the comics, because you don't know what happened) I still think this movie is worth at least a rent, especially if you can look past the Setsuna/Sara relationship and into the rest of the movie. The movie is not focused on incest, it is focused on love, and if you take it at that, it is a charming 3 episodes to watch, seeing how deeply Setsuna cares for Sara.

Overall, though some of the differences between the comic and video are irritating, and though the English dub could have been better, and though there are many controversial issues within it, I think it is worth a viewing if you can open your mind for an hour and a half.

I'm not very big on anime, but I absolutely loved every second of this three-part serial.

Dealing with angels waging war against God, reincarnation in human form, and incest, ANGEL SANCTUARY handles every aspect with expertise and sensitivity, making it not only tolerable and acceptable, but making it seem normal. The animation was superb, and animation in anime typically bugs me to no living end. I didn't mind it here. It seemed to be not only a step above, but a whole flight of stairs above, other anime. The ending was perfect, tying up the story as presented but still leaving the viewer to figure out what happens next.

In conclusion, ANGEL SANCTUARY is an anime that I would gladly watch again and again.

Sure,the story about brother and sister in love is quite strange when you think about it. But it's also absolutely perfect as it is. The Love between the two characters is just beautiful explained and after all this there's another really interesting story. The Idea that there's a love, big enough to fight the death is may not the newest but excellent. The background with the bad angels and the demons being killed by them is also something that made me think about the whole god and bad thing in religion and history. Of course, the paintings are good and fitting the story. The series is not like the original comic(manga) but to complete the story you'll need it if you want to know what happens and if they will have an happy end

Angel Sanctuary is quite a complicated anime. It is not meant for young viewers or ones that get weirded out by certain love interests. Kaori Yuki has a very unigue style of art that is both mysterious and beautifull. This anime is probably one of her best works. It is about an angel that rebelled against God and lost, thus being reborn as a human boy. However now, Angels and Demons alike flock towards his awaking, thirsting for battle that only Alexiel can bring.

I think this movie is the best anime in the world. Why? You ask me, well I didn't saw many anime films but I saw many series like Escaflowne, Lupin III, DragonBall Z & Ranma 1/2. So I still think that Angel Sanctuary has the best style. I think that Kaori Yuki is a Genius. His drawings are special to me.

Anime is style of the future, and I think everyone should see this anime and manga. Kaori Yuki is a god!

I saw a comment (more like an essay) on here awhile ago about this beautiful piece of art Yuki Kaori has made for us. Yes, this anime displays, even glorifies bisexuality, incest...this anime forces you to despise it or vastly change your views. It forces you to see past the fact that Setsuna falls in love with his sister. Take a chance and just watch it, don't pick it up in Blockbuster and put it down in disgust. What do you have to lose? If you aren't cheering them on at the end, if you don't hunger for more, you have no heart.