Angel Beats (2010) is a 13 episode anime about a group of teens in a “suspended” state before they move in to the afterlife. To answer the question posed in the title of this post: Yes, Angel Beats is a very good show, and it is definitely worth your time.
Although it might seem like it during some episodes, Angel Beats isn’t really a romance anime. It’s kind of like a sci-fi/slice of life/comedy anime, with some action elements weaved into the plot. Thinking about it now, I don’t even think I can really categorize Angel Beats anywhere because it’s touches on a variety of themes.
The series does a lot in 13 episodes, but it never feels too rushed. Of course there are episodes that are better than others, but nothing feels too out of place with Angel Beats. The main characters anchor the series emotionally, and it’s the emotional aspect that brings the series to life.
What Is It About?
As I mentioned before, Angel Beats is about the afterlife. To explain it simply, the series follows a group of teens as they resist “passing on” into the next life. So spoiler alert: Everyone in the show is already dead. This is where the sci-fi/slice of life genre come into play.
The main character is a teenage boy named Yuzaru Otonashi who arrives in the afterlife (which is in the form of a school), and he has no recollection of his life prior to dying. He meets up with a group called the “Afterlife Battlefront”— a group set on rebelling against God’s will to pass on—and he teams up with them for no true reason.
As the series progresses, the main cast of characters begin to uncover the true reasons why they are in this afterlife, and they are forced to face the things that they couldn’t in real life.
This quality alone gives Angel Beats a nuanced storytelling voice, as the “goals” of the plot aren’t established until later on in the show. Angel Beats might make people who watch it reflect on their own lives as they can draw parallels between themselves, and the characters.
Although this story is fictional, the emotions fleshed out feel real because the stories of the main characters can be real. Angel Beats seeks to answer the question many might have for those who have passed on too soon, or at a young age. How would they feel after their lives were cut short? What would their actions in the afterlife be like knowing they had a traumatic real life?
Even though the series deals with a gloomy subject such as death, it handles it in a very productive way. It answers all of the questions posed early on, and it does a lot of character building in 13 episodes.
Final Consensus
As Angel Beats is 13 episodes long, I would recommend watching the show in one sitting. I say this because the plot is very linear, and it might gel better for those who forget what happens in previous episodes. Emotions from one episode carry into the next.
Angel Beats is a show that deals with a unique topic for an anime series, and handles it with action an comedy elements. This show is a funny one, and a tear-jerker rolled into one. In a world where anime titles and genres can all start blending because of their similarities, Angel Beats provides a breath of fresh air to avid slice of life watchers.
In fact, Angel Beats is probably one of the more notable slice of life anime. It has been a mainstay in the anime community for years, and after watching it, I can agree that it’s pretty dang good.
Angel Beats is not a perfect anime by any means, but this doesn’t mean it isn’t great. This show is one that anime fans should watch. Another anime similar to Angel Beats is another popular one called “Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day.”
Watch Angel Beats, and I guarantee you will be able to identify with it. It is a very good show to watch!
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FAQs
What kind of anime is Angel Beats? ›
...
Angel Beats!
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Created by | Jun Maeda |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Seiji Kishi |
| Angel Beats! Stairway to Heaven | |
|---|---|
Clannad: After Story is the second season of the well-acclaimed romance anime and feels closest to Angel Beats regarding its utilization of supernatural elements.
Is ending of Angel Beats good? ›Taking these individual puzzle pieces and fitting them together, fans can come to the conclusion that the ending of Angel Beats sees Kanade moving on, Otonashi serving as student council president and eventually passing on himself, and the two souls reconnecting in the land of the living.
Is Angel Beats a classic? ›A decade on and Angel Beats has earned its place as an anime classic. While it does underperform in some aspects of its drama – it excels in combining disparate elements within a depressing premise to make something both joyful and heartfelt.
Why is Angel Beats so popular? ›Angel Beats might make people who watch it reflect on their own lives as they can draw parallels between themselves, and the characters. Although this story is fictional, the emotions fleshed out feel real because the stories of the main characters can be real.
Is Angel Beats worth watching? ›If you dislike drama/tragedy, you should drop the series, but it is generally a fan favorite. The fact that it is so popular is in itself a reason not to drop it. Also, it's only 7 more episodes, and that only takes about 2 hours. I have finished an anime.
Who is the real villain in Angel Beats? ›Type of Villain
Yuri Nakamura is the deuteragonist of Angel Beats!. She is the founder and leader of the Afterlife Battlefront, a brigade that exists to rebel against God, whom she blames for their cruel fates.
The Shadows serve as the main antagonists of the anime series.
Who is the pink haired girl in Angel Beats? ›Yui has long, pink hair and hot magenta eyes. Her hair is two bunches tied up with dark red laces and two twintails on the sides of her face.
Who is God in Angel Beats? ›The self-proclaimed "God", Naoi initially uses extremely violent methods to remain in the Afterlife, but later joins the Afterlife Battle Front after encouragement from Yuzuru Otonashi.
Is there blood in Angel Beats? ›
There is a blood splatter on the wall. not graphic, but may be disturbing to some young kids. There's a scene where Otonashi and Kanade go to the school's sport field and most of the main and secondary characters are severely wounded. Some characters are in a pool of blood.
What age is Angel Beats? ›Content Rating: 13+ (Some violence.)
What gender watches anime the most? ›A 2020 survey conducted in the United States found that anime movies were generally more popular among men than women, with 13 percent of male respondents reporting that they found anime to be very favorable, compared to nine percent of women who said the same.
What are the 3 most watched anime? ›- 8 My Hero Academia.
- 7 Death Note.
- 6 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
- 5 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
- 4 One Piece.
- 3 Naruto & Naruto: Shippuden.
- 2 Pokémon.
- 1 Dragon Ball & Dragon Ball Z.
Angel Beats! is another that often ranks highly on "most heartbreaking anime" lists, with good reason. When a show's very setting takes place in purgatory, it's a good bet that things will get emotional and all hearts should proceed with caution.
Was Angel Beats supposed to be 26 episodes? ›Originally written as a 26 episode series until producers forced it down to 13. Director Seiji Kishi was very unhappy about the decision. The vending machines are stocked with a coffee brand called Key which may be a tribute to production company Key/Visual Arts and a real life coffee brand by the same name.
Why do people disappear in Angel Beats? ›They are brought there after they have died and, alongside others, try to live there with fulfilled existences to make up for their pain. After, they disappear as their happiness has been granted.
Does Angel Beats have 13 or 15 episodes? ›Angel Beats! is a story about the afterlife in which unruly girl, Yurippe, starts a rebel group to fight against an army of people trying to delete them forever led by Angel. This series is a ten for many reasons. The first being that it's a short series, spanning 13 episodes.
Is there a love story in Angel Beats? ›The five remaining residents of the afterlife hold a graduation ceremony before Naoi, Yuri, and Hinata are obliterated. When Otonashi is alone with Kanade, he confesses to having fallen in love with her, expressing a desire to remain with her in the afterlife and help other lost souls move on.
Which show is better Buffy or Angel? ›Overall, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the better show. While Angel is a strong competitor and really shows the best of Whedon and company in a completely different way than the original show, there's a reason why Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a continual talking point in pop culture.
Is Zack a villain? ›
Early on in the show he is portrayed entirely as a villain, but through his season-long arc he gradually develops into a kind of anti-hero. Despite later developments, he could still be considered the main antagonist of the season. Zack starts off extremely positive, actively helping the team.
Does Angel turn evil? ›Does Angel turn evil again? After Buffy and Angel sleep together, Angel loses his soul, reverting to his supremely evil Angelus persona and teaming up with Drusilla and then villainous Spike.
Who disappears in Angel Beats? ›Yuzuru Otonashi (音無 結弦 Otonashi Yuzuru) is the main protagonist of Angel Beats!, coming in as one of the newest members of the SSS, and a newcomer to the Afterlife. After suffering from an accident during his lifetime, he wakes up in the Afterlife without his memories.
Who is the blue haired guy in Angel Beats? ›Appearance. Hinata has soft royal blue hair that ends at his neck along with somewhat messy bangs and sharp royal blue eyes (they have been a lavender/purple color in some appearances) that match the shade of his hair. He wears the same mandatory uniform as the rest of SSS (excluding Ayato Naoi).
Is Archangel a hero or villain? ›Warren Kenneth Worthington III, originally known as Angel and later as Archangel, is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Who is the main character in Angel Beats? ›Angel Beats!
Is Kanade male or female? ›Appearance. A boy is often mistaken for a girl because of his fair build. He has red eyes and curly red hair about the same length as Maples'.
Is Yuri the villain in Angel Beats? ›Yuri Nakamura (仲村 ゆり Nakamura Yuri) is the deuteragonist of Angel Beats! and the female protagonist of Heaven's Door. She is the founder and leader of the Afterlife-based school organization Afterlife Battlefront. She leads the campaign of the many students who fight against God, whom they blame for their cruel fates.
How tall is Angel Angel Beats? ›Kanade is one of the shortest characters in the series, being only 150 cm (4'11") tall. After her seeming reincarnation, Kanade is shown with short hair tied in a ponytail.
What does Yuri mean in Japanese? ›Borrowed from Japanese 百合 (yuri, “lily”), by analogy to 薔薇 (bara, “rose”), indicating love.
What is Kanade age? ›
According to the event's flashback, Kanade and Mafuyu would currently be 17 years old.
Is Angel a vampire? ›However, their relationship is complicated by the fact that Angel is himself a vampire cursed with remorse and a human soul, which motivates him to assist Buffy in her duties as Slayer.
How old is Yuri from Angel Beats? ›...
About.
| My Rating | |
|---|---|
| Japanese | 仲村 ゆり |
| Romaji | Nakamura Yuri |
| Age | 16 |
| Height | 160 cm |
...
Angels of Death (Anime)
| Angels of Death | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Adventure, Horror, Mystery, Psychological, Thriller |
Though labeled as an isekai, the show strays from the fantasy world-building of the genre and instead transports protagonist Yuzuru Otonashi to a place that everyone knows all too well — high school.
Is Angel Beats appropriate for 12 year olds? ›Content Rating: 13+ (Some violence.)
Are Angels of Death 18+? ›The prequel is coming out soon, so get bingeing. It's been a day of massive reveals for Warhammer 40,000 – see what else we've shown off. * 18+.
Is Angels of Death Rated R? ›Recommended Audience: Extremely violent, including domestic violence; extensive bloodshed (including some self-inflicted.) Movie R/ TV-MA.
Who is the strongest angels in anime? ›- 8 Ireul.
- 7 Sahaquiel.
- 6 Arael.
- 5 Zeruel.
- 4 Armisael.
- 3 Kaworu.
- 2 Lilith.
- 1 Adam.
- 1 STRONGEST: Ainz Ooal Gown (Overlord)
- 2 WEAKEST: Sato Kazuma (KonoSuba) ...
- 3 STRONGEST: Shin Wolford (Wise Man's Grandchild) ...
- 4 WEAKEST: Subaru Natsuki (Re:Zero - Starting Life In Another World) ...
- 5 STRONGEST: Tanya Von Degurechaff (Saga Of Tanya The Evil) ...
What anime is popular isekai? ›
Sword Art Online is one of the most popular and commercially successful anime in the Isekai subgenre. Unlike the traditional fantasy world, this anime features protagonist Kirito being transported into a virtual realm.
What anime started isekai? ›The concept of isekai started in Japanese folk tales, such as Urashima Tarō. However, the first modern isekai works were Haruka Takachiho's novel Warrior from Another World and Yoshiyuki Tomino's television series Aura Battler Dunbine.
Why is the angel rated R? ›There is some violence: characters shot and killed, a prisoner whipped by jailers, news footage of war battles.
What age rating is Angel? ›Mature tv show good for 13 and up.
Angel is more mature than Buffy and has darker themes. You can expect at least 3 intense fight scenes every episode, so yes this show is filled with violence. A few kiss scenes, some more passionate and intense than others. Some rough (implied) sex and nudity.
Incredibly touching adaptation of a graphic novel series
Watched this series with my 10 and 12 year olds. We loved the story, the characters, and the LGBTQIA+ and other intersectional representation.
Character Voice
Yuka Makoto better known as Sniper Mask, and also known as "Mr. Mask" is the anti-heroic supporting character of High-Rise Invasion. He is the brother to Rika Honjo and a stepbrother of Yuri Honjo.
After he betrayed Makarov during the airport massacre, he served with the Loyalists and the Task Force 141 disavowed soldiers named John Price and John "Soap" MacTavish. However, Yuri was killed by Makarov in a joint effort between him and Price to kill Makarov to avenge Soap's death.