Summary
With roots infiction and fantasy, most anime series tend to feature otherworldly elements and spiritual creatures, and celestial beings such as angels, demons, and deities are naturally referenced the most. Celestial beings are often seen as arbitrators between the heavens and the earth, though not all celestial entities bear a positive regard for humanity, as some can take on the form of devils and demons.
Anime series feature this very concept but with a fantastical twist of their own. With a mix of different theologies and mythologies influencing the concept of celestial beings, anime series present their own interpretations of these heavenly entities. From gods of destruction to guardian angels, these anime showcase all manner of celestial beings that lead to oddly intriguing narratives.
Unlike its action-focused shonen counterparts,Gabriel Dropoutis a lightweight fantasy anime that makes use of celestial beings in a thoroughly amusing way. To become a legitimate celestial entity, angels and demons have to spend time in the real world and gain experience. Unfortunately, the top-of-the-class angel Gabriel succumbs to Earthly pleasure, turning intoa game-obsessed NEET.
With two angels and two demons as the primary cast,Gabriel Dropoutlargely focuses on the everyday adventures of these cutesy girls trying to navigate their way on Earth. While the show is largely a slice-of-life anime, fantasy elements such as the heavens, angels, and demons are present in the series.
High School DxDmight be known for its harem anticsand frisky fanservice, yet the anime actually offers a decent lineup of angels and devils. Since the anime is set in a covert training center for demons and angels alike, the series is laced with all manner of supernatural phenomena and celestial events.
Issei Hyoudou gets entangled with these otherworldly beings after he is killed by his fallen angel date, though he later gets resurrected by a demon. WhileHigh School DxD’sracy scenes overwhelm its fantasy theme, the anime still manages to present a decent premise with its angelic characters.
Rage of Bahamut: Genesisis set in a world of two rival factions: gods and demons. Instead of fighting each other, the two sides are forced to work under the same objective of sealing away Bahamut,a dragon that wreaked havocin Mistarcia. Despite the dragon being sealed away, the peace in this world remains fragile, either due to the threat of Bahamut’s resurrection or the teetering peace between gods and demons.
While the primary characters of the show are mostly humans, several deities and demons make appearances. From the leader of the devils, Lucifer, to the Jewish demon Azazel,Rage of Bahamut: Genesisdraws its celestial inspiration from various theological sources.
While the title hints at a raunchy premise with all sorts of harem antics,Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?defies expectations with a sound plotline and plenty of action-packed scenes. With a dungeon in the center of Orario, adventurers test their luck by venturing into the Tower of Babel to slay monsters, in turn gaining riches and reputation.
The anime references almostevery single ancient mythologyand religion out there, with gods from Shinto, Hindu, Buddhist, Greek, Norse, and Middle Eastern mythologies making appearances in every episode. These deities are a central part of the show’s premise, as adventurers are unable to venture into the dungeon without being signed under the protection of a god.
Set in a world of magic and sorcery, it comes as no surprise that celestial beings are a central concept in the series. However,Fairy Tail’s notion of celestial entities differs significantly from the norm, with the show featuring its very own rendition of celestial spirits by personifying the zodiac signs and other major constellations.
From the leader of the zodiac Leo to the fierce Water Bearer Aquarius, each of the twelve zodiac constellations is personified in the form of celestial spirits. The strongest of these spirits isthe Celestial Spirit King, the all-powerful ruler of the Celestial Spirit Realm.
6Noragami
Draws Influence From Japanese Religions And Folklore
Noragamifeatures its own rendition ofJapan’s various religions and mythologies, albeit with an amusing twist. For a god to live in heaven, they must have a shrine on Earth, coupled with several followers to boot. While famous gods such as Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi have thousands of worshipers, lesser-known gods often end up forgotten, leading to their banishment from heaven.
The primary protagonist, Yato, finds himself in a similar state, as he has no followers, nor a shrine for his worship. Yato’s adventures with Hiyori lead to their interactions with several different gods and celestial deities. Witnessing the personification of gods from ancient mythologies is certainly intriguing, andNoragamidoes an impressive job of presenting accurate renditions of these entities.
With a run spanning multiple decades, theDragon Ballfranchise is arguably one of the most expansive universes in the anime landscape. The series started with mere humans, yet it has progressed to the point of introducing Gods of Destruction, Kais, and even angels. Some of these characters play the role of peacekeepers, while others are hell-bent on destroying universes.
While characters such as Beerus or the Grand Priest take on the role of literal gods and angels,Shenron is arguably the first celestial beingto be introduced into the series, with the dragon referencing Shenlong, the spirit dragon in Chinese mythology. The series continues to expand on its divine hierarchy, incorporating new celestial beings as the narrative progresses.
