(L) Junketsu no Maria (Maria the Virgin Witch)

[Tenzen12]

Originally Posted by Kismet-chan

So what should she be instead? Fully mature, idealized in stature, and somewhat androgynous like Micheal? They're angels. What she looks like doesn't really matter all that much.

Biblical Ezekiel wasn't Angel but married guy over thirty. But as I said before loli is fine too, especially when she get bullied by these two sex fiends.

[GMT]

Originally Posted by Tenzen12

Ezekiel isn't even supposed be angel in first place. Whether loli or not is not realy important in comparison.

And thus I am fine with it.

Indeed. Ezekiel was an ancient Israelite prophet, and was decidedly not a girl. Bear in mind that I haven't read the source materials (nor do I intend to until the series is done.)

With that being said, if Ezekiel is getting a bump up from Bronze Age man to angel, then sure, why not make Ezekiel a feminine loli angel?

[TAAP]

Originally Posted by GMT

Indeed. Ezekiel was an ancient Israelite prophet, and was decidedly not a girl.

I think it's just anime taking liberties genderbending historical figures again.
Yes, I'm looking at you, Fate/Zero and Fate/Stay Night.

[Nicaea]

Not sure how free interpretation of historical figures is something to fuss so much over.

[Gohan78]

Originally Posted by GMT

Indeed. Ezekiel was an ancient Israelite prophet, and was decidedly not a girl. Bear in mind that I haven't read the source materials (nor do I intend to until the series is done.)

I don't see the problem. She's just a random angel with the same name as the biblical prophet.

[Tenzen12]

That actualy make perfect sense! It wouldn't be even suprising if no angel had such name considered it's meaning.

[AC-Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Kismet-chan

So what should she be instead? Fully mature, idealized in stature, and somewhat androgynous like Micheal? They're angels. What she looks like doesn't really matter all that much.

I'm generally against the concept of Immortal or thousand year old little girls.

What she should look like is 'according to her age' that is if she is not indeed just 10 or 12 years old, but considering how she was entrusted with the power to basically give a death sentence thats really unlikely.

[VORTIA]

Originally Posted by AC-Phoenix

I'm generally against the concept of Immortal or thousand year old little girls.

Are you against the concept of immortal or thousand year old 20-somethings? That's not really "according to their age" either. I'd rather every immortal character in fiction didn't look like a rotting lich. Any fantastically long-lived character in fiction is going to have an appearance that is either horrifying or chronologically incongruent.

[GMT]

Originally Posted by Nicaea

Not sure how free interpretation of historical figures is something to fuss so much over.

It's all in good fun. After all, we know that the actual Hundred Years War most decidedly did not feature mercenary witches and actual, no kidding, miracles (you know, archangels descending from the heavens to dispense divine smackdowns) ... but we like this show anyway.

[Kismet-chan]

Originally Posted by Nicaea

Not sure how free interpretation of historical figures is something to fuss so much over.

Originally Posted by VORTIA

Any fantastically long-lived character in fiction is going to have an appearance that is either horrifying or chronologically incongruent.

Quoting both of these posts for emphasis/echoing my general thoughts.

[mangatron]

NSFW

bathing virgin

Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload?

[Legendzerox]

Maria the Virgin Witch thoughts:

Something I found interesting is that Jesus Christ's parents were named Joseph and Mary, and Jesus was born of a virgin. Seeing as how religion takes a big roll in this anime, I can see this happening.

[AC-Phoenix]

Originally Posted by VORTIA

Are you against the concept of immortal or thousand year old 20-somethings? That's not really "according to their age" either. I'd rather every immortal character in fiction didn't look like a rotting lich. Any fantastically long-lived character in fiction is going to have an appearance that is either horrifying or chronologically incongruent.

Originally Posted by Kismet-chan

Quoting both of these posts for emphasis/echoing my general thoughts.

You know a few years ago I would have cared less now I only need 4 words to describe why no such char should imho appear in any anime at all: Dance in the Vampire Bund - Only anime I ever intentionally dropped after watching more than 2 episodes.

[Calca]

Originally Posted by Legendzerox

Maria the Virgin Witch thoughts:

Something I found interesting is that Jesus Christ's parents were named Joseph and Mary, and Jesus was born of a virgin. Seeing as how religion takes a big roll in this anime, I can see this happening.

Yeah but Mary was apparently sinless. Don't think the same can be said about our little witch lol

[BWTraveller]

Originally Posted by Gohan78

I don't see the problem. She's just a random angel with the same name as the biblical prophet.

Indeed. There are several people in the Bible with the same names. Ezekiel fits fine with the style of heavenly naming, doubling as an expression of some aspect of divine will or action (in this case "The Lord will strengthen").

In any case, this show touches on some touchy issues. Considering the way Maria is opposing the church and accusing God of never taking any action, it'd be interesting to have some actual examination of the reasons that He sometimes doesn't take action or acts in unseen ways or through people. I know that the reasons theologians have come up with are hard to understand and perhaps harder to accept, but there is real truth and value to many of them, and it would be interesting to show some of the possible reasons God doesn't just do something to put and end to the fighting. Maybe show some of the potential consequences of the intervention Maria accuses them of refusing, or some of the ways that they really do intervene. It'd be refreshing to see God and the angels represented as something more than "Lawful Anal".

BTW, while the Japanese may see it that way since most of their impression of Christianity is based on a single denomination, it bears mentioning that not all denominations viewed Mary as sinless. And indeed the four Gospels present her as just a good Jewish girl fixing to be married, good not perfect. The only sin that the Gospels clearly insist she didn't commit was sleeping with a man who was not her husband. Just saying, we're not all Catholics and many of us find no problem in thinking Mary was just an ordinary girl. That said, I'm quite certain Mary would have died of embarrassment if she were to find herself in public dressed like that.

[Calca]

Originally Posted by BWTraveller

Indeed. There are several people in the Bible with the same names. Ezekiel fits fine with the style of heavenly naming, doubling as an expression of some aspect of divine will or action (in this case "The Lord will strengthen").

In any case, this show touches on some touchy issues. Considering the way Maria is opposing the church and accusing God of never taking any action, it'd be interesting to have some actual examination of the reasons that He sometimes doesn't take action or acts in unseen ways or through people. I know that the reasons theologians have come up with are hard to understand and perhaps harder to accept, but there is real truth and value to many of them, and it would be interesting to show some of the possible reasons God doesn't just do something to put and end to the fighting. Maybe show some of the potential consequences of the intervention Maria accuses them of refusing, or some of the ways that they really do intervene. It'd be refreshing to see God and the angels represented as something more than "Lawful Anal".

BTW, while the Japanese may see it that way since most of their impression of Christianity is based on a single denomination, it bears mentioning that not all denominations viewed Mary as sinless. And indeed the four Gospels present her as just a good Jewish girl fixing to be married, good not perfect. The only sin that the Gospels clearly insist she didn't commit was sleeping with a man who was not her husband. Just saying, we're not all Catholics and many of us find no problem in thinking Mary was just an ordinary girl. That said, I'm quite certain Mary would have died of embarrassment if she were to find herself in public dressed like that.

The time is France in the 15th century which is pretty much 100% Catholic. Going by the belief and doctrine of the era it is probable that the world and the Christian doctrine shown here is most likely based on Catholic faith which is also shown by Michael being addressed as "St. Michael" which is something only Catholics and Eastern Orthodox (and later Lutherans and Anglicans would years later) do. Even though the dogma wasn't officially defined until the 19th century it was actually accepted very early in Christianity.

[Stark700]

Episode 4:

Lol, I just love the little rivalry between Viv and Maria so far. Some ideology clash aside, I find this episode to be funny with how assertive Viv is. She should of been more prepared herself when showing Maria that practice session LOL

[ookamigirl]

Mercenaries playing bad & pillaging.
Of course Maria had to intervene..
Poor Maria stepped on Michael's & other witches toes.
Seems like Maria is really tempted in letting her virginity go.
Priapus & Ezekiel doing chores LOL
Nice episode.

[HandofFate]

Other witches getting annoyed by Maria.

Guns popping up and being more popular looks like it can spell trouble for Maria, since doesn't seem to have any better durability than a regular human.

[cupumanager]

Just like usual, great attention on detail: La Danse Macabre mural, Purple Carrots (Orange Carrots appeared in Europe only after the 17th Century)

Isn't it too easy of a trick to just cover the eyes of an envoy of heavens to hinder her from send a warning above? It is nice for Ezekiel to hear for herself from the ones Maria helped.