I cried in 5 out of 6 episodes of Takopi’s Original Sin. The me of 2020 wouldn’t believe it.

First time it happened was on completing Violet Evergarden the Movie on late 2021. Haven’t cried for more than 10 years prior to that, and it was the first I did so because I’m very happy for Violet.

What’s yours?

  • mindbleach@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    31·
    2 months ago

    Quite possibly Elfen Lied, but not for anything in the show itself. It’s kind of an edgelord relic for violating every taboo it can get away with.

    But the fucking gorgeous OVA, “Lilium,” has an extended version… which I did not realize I was listening to. So when the choral section continued past where the Gustav Klimt references would have ended at two minutes, I was not prepared. Admittedly this video also continues into the much-less-effective instrumental and music-box versions. The web is an archive the way a grocery store is a food museum.

    If we’re counting anything short of outright weeping… yeah, Eva-01 going feral. A wave slapping against a van, and whats-her-name covering her face.

    • Lvxferre [he/him]@mander.xyzEnglish
      3·
      2 months ago

      Lilium has an even bigger impact if you contrast the lyrics with the manga - because unlike the anime, the manga shows themes like: “what’s even a human being?”, “does evil come from nature or nurture?”, “is redemption even possible?”.

      …and the lyrics are basically a prayer for redemption, I’ll coarsely translate them here:

      The mouth of the just will repeat wisdom
And his tongue will utter the evidence (i.e. declare judgment)
Blessed the man who endures temptation
Since he was tested, he'll get the crown of life

Oh Lord, [you are the] source of goodness
Oh Lord, [you are] divine fire, have mercy [of us]

Oh, so holy, so serene
So benign, so delightful, the one believed to be the Virgin (Mary)
Oh, so holy, so serene, so benign, so delightful
Oh, lily of chastity

      It fits perfectly once you identify Lucy with the sinner: she knows she’s guilty, and she’s asking God for redemption. With Kouta intervening in her favour, always showing compassion, much like the Virgin Mary would do in Christianity.

        • Lvxferre [he/him]@mander.xyzEnglish
          2·
          2 months ago

          Yup. I actually recommend it; it still shows gore as the anime, but since it’s contextualised it doesn’t feel so edgy.

          Another good series from the same mangaka is Gokukoku no Brynhildr / Brynhildr in the Darkness.