Do you like manga and anime?

I like them because I can learn about many different world views.

When I was a child, I learned more about various languages from manga and anime than from textbooks.

And there are many Japanese manga works that incorporate religious elements such as Shintoism and Buddhism.

In this issue, I would like to introduce 10 of them.

1: Buddha (Osamu Tezuka)

This work depicts the life of Buddha (Gautama Siddhartha) and is ideal for understanding the Buddhist worldview. It is a masterpiece by Osamu Tezuka with creative writing.

2: A-Un (Mari Okazaki)

This work realistically depicts the story of Kukai, founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, and Saicho, founder of the Tendai sect. This powerful manga depicts people seeking religion in a difficult time and makes us think about the reason for the existence of Buddhism.

3：Please Don’t Recite the Nembutsu in the Hospital Room (Koyasu Tamayo)

This work depicts Teruen Matsumoto, a doctor and monk working at an emergency hospital. It makes you think about how Buddhist teachings can help people today

4：Monk DAYS (Du Kang Jun)

A comic essay by the author, whose parents live in a Rinzai Zen temple, about his days as an ascetic monk. It provides easy-to-understand explanations of temple life, funeral etiquette, etc.

5：Saint Oniisan (Hikaru Nakamura)

A bizarre story of Buddha and Jesus Christ living together in modern Japan. The religious situation is depicted in a light-hearted manner.

6: Hokusai Manga (Katsushika Hokusai)

The works of ukiyoe artist Katsushika Hokusai depict traditional Japanese religion and scenery.

7: Blade of Oni-no-Elimination (Goge Yoseharu)

This work is based on the theme of exterminating demons, and Buddhist elements appear throughout. You can explore the meaning of the characters’ beliefs and battles.

8：Hana no Keiji (Tetsuo Hara)

This work depicts the life of Date Masamune, a military commander in the Warring States period. Buddhist teachings and beliefs are incorporated into the story.

9：Vinland Saga (Makoto Yukimura)

Set in the Viking Age, this work makes us think deeply about life, death, and faith.

10：Jutsu Kaisen (Akutami Gedeshi)

Japanese history, mythology, and Buddhism are the themes of the work, and many of these elements are incorporated into the setting of the work.