Abenobashi Magical Shopping Arcade is an anime series that aired in 2002. It was produced by Gainax and directed by Hiroyuki Yamaga. The story revolves around two childhood friends, Sasshi and Arumi, who find themselves transported to different parallel universes within their local shopping arcade, Abenobashi. Each episode follows the duo as they navigate through these fantastical worlds, which are often parodies of popular culture and alternate realities. The shopping arcade serves as the gateway to these dimensions, and each one presents unique challenges for Sasshi and Arumi to overcome. The anime combines humor, action, and drama to create an entertaining and unpredictable storyline.
Copyright © 2011 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
With the circle completed and the sacred space thereby defined, she moved to each point of the compass to summon the four Guardians, symbolic of the four elements earth, air, fire, and water. Along the way I discovered there were a few Satanists, but they, worshipers of the Christian Devil, are not part of nor welcome within the Pagan Witchcraft community.
The anime combines humor, action, and drama to create an entertaining and unpredictable storyline. With each episode, the two protagonists face new trials and tribulations, all while attempting to find a way back to their own reality. As they encounter various characters and situations, they also learn valuable life lessons and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their friendship.
Warning on Witches
A recent rise in the number of people accused of witchcraft—particularly African children—isn't just an issue for missionaries to address, say scholars. It's also a problem they may be contributing to.
An entire track of the annual missiology conference at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School this February was devoted to witchcraft, a topic usually neglected by the field.
"We had thought this was a phenomenon that would die out," said Robert Priest, professor of missions and intercultural studies at Trinity. "Instead we are finding that the conditions of modernity—urbanization and social differentiation under capitalism—are contributing to accusations getting stronger and stronger."
Presenters hope the conference will prompt missionaries to focus more on the subject.
"Most missionaries go out knowing the answer—namely, Christ—without knowing the questions the local people are asking that the local religion answers," said Carol McKinney, an anthropologist who teaches at the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics. "Questions like, 'Why did something happen to John and not to Joe when John and Joe were at the same place?'?"
Witchcraft often provides answers, whether in traditional African cultures, India, or Papua New Guinea. Someone is accused of bringing evil on another, often because the "witch" is jealous of that person's good fortune.
Missionaries have commonly responded in two ways, said Priest. The power of witches to harm others is dismissed as superstition, but this seldom persuades local Christians to abandon the concept; or the reality of witchcraft is endorsed by missionaries not wanting to be "post-Enlightenment rationalists" with a non-biblical skepticism of spiritual warfare.
The result is that traditional witch ideas are fused with Christian theology, which obscures the social consequences: Accused witches are often destitute or outcast, and thus socially defenseless. Instead of seeing old women or children as scapegoats, said Priest, Christian leaders suggest that witchcraft participates in genuine spiritual evil and that the accusations are reasonable. "The church is providing the cognitive underpinnings for the past system in the contemporary world."
Priest says the approach is unbiblical. "Nowhere in Scripture do we find anyone attributing affliction or death to a human third party acting through evil occult means," he said. "We're not questioning Satan's power; we're questioning the diagnostic system that blames another person."
The series is known for its vibrant animation and clever references to popular culture. It often satirizes genres such as fantasy, mecha, and horror, creating a unique viewing experience that keeps audiences engaged throughout. Abenobashi Magical Shopping Arcade showcases the creativity and storytelling capabilities of the anime medium. Its blend of comedy and drama, along with its imaginative worlds and memorable characters, have solidified its reputation as a cult classic. Overall, Abenobashi Magical Shopping Arcade is a must-watch for anime enthusiasts who appreciate a mix of humor, action, and clever storytelling. Its unique premise and charming characters make for an entertaining viewing experience that continues to captivate audiences years after its initial release..
Reviews for "Abenobashi Magical Shopping Arcade: An Anime Fan's Paradise"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to watch "Abenobashi Magical Shopping Arcade" because I had heard good things about it, but I ended up being disappointed. The plot felt disjointed and confusing, with too many random jumps between different worlds. The characters were also quite annoying and not very likable. Overall, I found it hard to get invested in the story and ended up feeling unsatisfied by the end.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I couldn't stand "Abenobashi Magical Shopping Arcade". The animation style was cheap and unappealing, and the humor fell completely flat for me. I found myself cringing at the attempts at comedy and wishing for something more engaging. The story itself was also lacking, with no real clear direction or purpose. I had high hopes for this anime, but sadly it was a huge disappointment. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on it.