Angel Beats
Angel Beats is a 13-episode anime about a group of teens stuck in a suspended state before moving to the afterlife. It’s a blend of science fiction and comedy. If by seeing the title of the series, you assume it’s a romance anime, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. You be the judge because the show touches multiple themes.
The story of this confusing anime series takes place in the afterlife and focuses on Otonashi, a boy who lost his memories of life after death. He signs up for the afterlife school, where he meets a girl named Yuri. She invites him to join her organization called “Afterlife Battlefront,” where she fights against Kanade Tachibana, the student council president people call Angel, who is believed to possess supernatural powers.
13 episodes only? Wouldn’t the series end in a rush? Absolutely not! At first, I had the same feeling, but I was stumped as soon as I dove into the show. Nothing feels out of place! This quality makes Angel Beats fun to watch. Pretty much like me, you would finish watching the series in a day!
In the show, everyone is dead; hence, the mention of an afterlife and the afterlife is like a school. The main character, Yuzaru, a teen boy, arrives in the afterlife with no recollection of his life before death. Afterlife Battlefront, a group he joins, is set to rebel against God’s will to pass into the next life. The boy joins this group for no valid reason, which is confusing.
As the series progresses, the character starts uncovering the truth behind their presence in the afterlife. It gives them the courage to face things they couldn’t have in real life. The plot’s goals are established as the series progress, and this nuanced storytelling keeps you glued to your screen till the end of the show.
I must say Angel Beats encouraged me to stop for a moment and reflect on my own life. Yes, it can be that intense at times. But there’s a prominent touch of humor. On occasions, you might end up laughing like a nutcase. The timing of the comic scenes is on point.
The first few episodes explain the rules of the story and focus on comedy. The team members drop to the traps of the school like flies. As the story sets in, you will realize each character is given an emotional send-off before departing. There is another rule they can pass on once they make up for a regret when they were alive.
As you reach the 8th episode, you will realize the end is coming. And no high school student can relate to the ending because the characters have to say goodbye to each other, possibly for the last time.
Most characters have a backstory, which is relieved piece by piece. Let’s dive into each character for more details:
Yuzuru Otonashi
Otonashi dies in a train accident. He is an emotional teen boy who is deeply caring and doesn’t want anyone to experience sadness or pain. Although he loses his memories after death, he regains them later.
Yuri Nakamura
She is also known by the name Yurippe. On the surface, Yuri seems to have a determined personality but is sensitive. She vows to fight against God after losing her three siblings. She has excellent leadership qualities.
Kanade Tachibana
Known as the Angel, she is the student council president at the school. Kanade doesn’t show any emotions, so it’s hard to tell what she is thinking. She is dedicated to helping everyone overcome their regrets and move on to the next life. Don’t judge her by her size; she has great physical strength, which will unravel as the show progresses.
Hideki Hinata
He is closest to Otonashi. Call him the type of friends you can count on. He is the one who nicknamed Yuri and secrets wishes to marry her.
Ayota Naoi
He is a non-player character. After death, he develops hypnotic powers that allow him to control others. He has a soft corner for Otonashi.
Yui
Yui is hyperactive and a big talker. Initially, she is an assistant to Girls Dead Monster, but she joins the SSS team later on. She doesn’t contribute to the group much.
The crisp light, groovy music, and art add to the compelling story. The vibrant colors are quite pleasing to the eyes.
Spoiler Alert!!
The show’s tragic ending is tied to Angel’s backstory. Kanade reveals that her regret was being unable to thank her heart’s donor, none other than Otonashi. Otonashi confesses his love for Kanade and says he wants to stay in the afterlife and help others move on. She thanks him and moves on, leaving the poor boy alone in the afterlife.
It is later shown that two people resembling Kanade and Otonashi see each other on the streets of real life.
Otonashi, in the afterlife, becomes the student council president and helps lost souls move on while he waits to see Kanade again. Sniffs, keep a box of tissues with you.
The ending makes little sense. The final conversation between Angel and Otoanshi should put her at peace, but she disappears, which means she never wanted to stay, or is there something else to the story? It’s impossible to tell because Angel’s backstory is never fully revealed to the audience. So you are likely to be more confused than heartbroken by the ending.
Angel Beats is a tearjerker yet a comedy series. Its thematic exploration of teen life makes it so unique. While the anime has some weaknesses in the plot’s structure and the characters’ backstories, you will find it enjoyable and might as well feel sad when the series ends.
If you haven’t yet watched Angel Beats, I recommend it 100%. In no way is it a perfect anime, but it’s intriguing. It is going to breathe fresh air into the lives of those who enjoy watching “slice of life.”
