Tenshi Kinryouku

In a world where most manga can be summarized in a sentence or two, Angel Sanctuary stands out as refreshingly unique. It's the sole series I confidently rate with perfect 10s across the board. Expressing why it's so exceptional is challenging, more so than when critiquing negatively or mixedly. If I had to encapsulate its theme, it would be "What are the boundaries of love?" This isn't merely about the central incestuous romance but encompasses all characters, many affected by forms of love society and God deem unacceptable.

There are two primary reasons some readers abandon this series. Firstly, maturity matters. This manga delves into blood, incest, transgender issues, rape, homosexuality, religion, and death. Some react instinctively with "ewwwwwwww" to Kaori Yuki's approach. Honestly, not every reader is ready for narratives that handle these topics openly.

The second reason is understandable: Angel Sanctuary's early volumes suffered an identity crisis. Though excellent and gripping, they lacked clear focal points, especially Volume 1, leaving readers confused. However, persisting past this yields pleasant surprises.

Angel Sanctuary divides into three arcs: Earth Arc, Hell Arc, and Heaven Arc, reflecting Setsuna's primary locations. Each arc illuminates the intricate world differently—from deadly depths to heaven's hypocritical politics.

Beyond Setsuna, around twenty main characters receive equal attention and distinct backstories. This showcases Angel Sanctuary's elegance. Normally, such a large cast hinders development, making characters clichéd shells. Here, each character receives meticulous detailing, tasks to overcome, and opportunities to grow. You care equally for side characters as for the protagonist.

Most characters are morally ambiguous, blurring good and evil lines. Those you think are good act unforgivably, while seeming monsters become sympathetic victims. Redemption and corrupted innocence recur. The series questions divine nature, evil origins, and human love limits.

This series touches nearly everyone willing to embrace it openly. Bloody and action-packed, it appeals beyond shoujo fans. Early volume flaws don't diminish overall value; even those are commendable by manga standards. Everyone should try Angel Sanctuary at least once to see if they can endure the ride.

When you dive into this book, reality fades away. It feels like a vivid dream, precisely the experience I crave when engrossed in a story. Despite the numerous characters, each one manages to captivate your heart completely. This series left a significant impression on me because the profound love between Setsuna and Sara was almost unbelievable. It sparked a hope within me that perhaps someday someone would cherish me enough to seek me out, be it in heaven or hell. Trust me, this book is an invaluable investment of your time.

Of all the manga I have gone through, Angel Sanctuary stands out as one of my absolute favorites.

This isn't a light read or casual entertainment. You can't just breeze through it. To truly grasp its essence, you must read slowly and thoughtfully, digesting it bit by bit. The narrative is highly intricate, and it was only on my second reading that I fully comprehended the entire plot.

There are few stories I feel compelled to revisit as much as Angel Sanctuary. During my first read, I found myself crying through the final volumes, and every re-read still brings tears to my eyes. The story left a profound impact, and with each subsequent reading, the manga only grew on me more. I initially picked it up in 2006, and my love for it remains unwavering.

All characters are meticulously developed, with considerable thought poured into their arcs. The story tackles numerous societal taboos, prompting deep reflection. The world of Angel Sanctuary isn't simply black and white or even shades of gray; instead, it's a vibrant tapestry of colors. Each character embodies both good and evil, blurring the lines between what is truly malevolent and what is virtuous.

What captivates me most about Angel Sanctuary is its fearlessness in being unconventional. It doesn't aim for easy entertainment or broad appeal. I appreciate its emphasis on the importance of love and how each character evolves throughout the journey. I particularly adore Setsuna, the protagonist, who strikes me as relatable and endearing.

Beyond its narrative depth, Angel Sanctuary is profoundly inspirational. It illustrates how happiness can be found amidst adversity and how we shape our destinies. It teaches us that if we look closely enough, we might realize that those around us care more than we imagine, revealing our fundamental similarities.

The artwork is equally stunning—sometimes beautifully captivating, other times disturbingly bizarre, much like the real world itself.

I warmly recommend Angel Sanctuary to anyone seeking a complex, profound, beautiful, and intriguing story. It's ideal for readers willing to engage thoughtfully and approach it with an open mind, ready to explore diverse perspectives.

Quite honestly, it's challenging to find the precise words to capture the essence of this manga. However, according to my tastes and interests, this is undoubtedly the best one I've ever read. I adore Kaori Yuki's work; the artwork is stunning, and the characters are varied with distinct looks and personalities. The storyline might not appeal to everyone, especially those with strong religious beliefs, but as someone who is open-minded, I found it a fantastic read. It features plenty of action and a touch of romance. If you're looking for an abundance of romance and minimal action, this might not be your cup of tea. But if you prefer action over heavy romance, this will be perfect for you.

I stumbled upon this manga out of curiosity one day. The plot seemed a bit peculiar from the book's summary, but I decided to give it a shot and ended up unable to put it down. So far, I haven't come across anything better, although I'm sure there's something out there that could rival my affection for this story.

This manga can be somewhat perplexing due to its intricate storyline. It revolves around an ordinary high school student named Sentuna Mudo. However, there's something unique about him compared to his classmates: he harbors feelings for his younger sister, Sara, and houses the soul of the fallen Organic Angel Alexiel, one of the most powerful beings in existence. From this point, his life undergoes a dramatic transformation, and the story truly takes off. You'll be drawn into realms of both hell and heaven, encountering a myriad of different devils and angels. It's a must-read for anyone seeking a good time.

If you enjoy bizarre and dark tales that are complex and make you ponder the line between good and evil, paired with excellent artwork, then this series is for you.

The premise revolves around a boy named Setsuna, who is the reincarnation of a rebel angel called Alexiel. Her crimes against heaven have led to her being reincarnated endlessly until the end of time. Each of her lives ends tragically until her brother Rosiel awakens, pulling Setsuna into the chaos. Confused yet? It gets even more intricate with political machinations in Heaven and unsettling developments in Hell.

The narrative unfolds in a way that introduces fascinating characters, each evoking both sympathy and repulsion in various ways. Nearly every character has motivations that will either make them loved or loathed. The same can be said for the supporting cast.

Setsuna, the protagonist, is a typical reluctant hero. I found nothing particularly appealing about him nor could I relate to him. This might be due to the implausible nature of the series' premise. The parts focusing on him were simply boring to me.

The same goes for Setsuna's sister Sara. She was spirited but still fell into the damsel-in-distress trope. However, I do commend her for her loyalty to Setsuna.

Some elements may appeal to some readers while leaving others indifferent: the shocking romantic relationship between Setsuna and Sara, who are blood siblings; gender-bending scenarios; a somewhat sympathetic Satan; and the rapid pace of the story which transitions from one arc to another without much pause.

ONE of my favorite manga that I've ever read. I had just started reading manga after this, and it made me want to read more!!! It's full of tension, romance, and outstanding ART!!!!! Even though the romance seems disturbing due to the sibling relationship, I felt the dilemma of whether they should be together or not. THIS IS SUCH A CRUEL WORLD AHHHH (I said to myself).

Also, I'm not very serious about religion because people who are would hate this story about devils and angels. It's a war between those two factions. It feels like reading about how reality could be in a different world if we could see it.

As for other characters, I loved almost every minute of it. I laughed and cried, including moments when you never know who might betray you, even someone you've grown to love. I can't say who, but you will be surprised.

Arguably one of the most perplexing mangas I have ever encountered, packed with numerous twists and turns that it feels like a rollercoaster ride. This manga is not suitable for younger readers or those who adhere to religious beliefs, as it contains themes of blasphemy, including incest, gay angels, angel rape, heaven depicted as a corrupt place, and a "God" portrayed as a maniac intent on destroying Earth merely because "it" desires to. The artwork is decent but suffers from characters being drawn too femininely by the artist, leading to considerable confusion about who is who. Nonetheless, the character depth is quite commendable, as the author delves deeply into the protagonist's conflicts.

This manga shares similarities with Neon Genesis, particularly in its themes of gods and Armageddon. However, unlike Neon Genesis, Angel Sanctuary left me feeling uneasy and was not as enjoyable (not solely due to the incest theme). If you decide to read this, be forewarned.

* Additionally, avoid watching the anime adaptation; it is a complete disaster, missing many elements (it only consists of 3 episodes).