There are only one or two anime series I've vowed never to watch again. Oddly enough, I'm writing a blog post about one of them. Kill la Kill was so strange, half the time I had no idea what I was watching. Sentient alien outfits, beheadings, vampire suspenders, clothing cults, giant scissors. I was confused and disgusted while watching it, but now I've developed a bit of a love-hate relationship with the show.
My husband and I have a Spotify playlist with our favorite anime and video game soundtracks, and the music in this show is so stellar, I had to include it. There's one song I really love called Blumenkranz. It only plays when the main villain (with inexplicable rainbow hair) comes on the screen, and this lady is crazy. She is made of alien thread and is nearly impossible to kill. She experimented on one daughter at birth and sexually assaulted the other to make her stronger. She's fine with killing nearly everyone on earth so she can "evolve" the remnants into clothing. Horrible as she is, her theme is so empowering, I can almost feel my determination building as I listen to it.
My husband and I have a Spotify playlist with our favorite anime and video game soundtracks, and the music in this show is so stellar, I had to include it. There's one song I really love called Blumenkranz. It only plays when the main villain (with inexplicable rainbow hair) comes on the screen, and this lady is crazy. She is made of alien thread and is nearly impossible to kill. She experimented on one daughter at birth and sexually assaulted the other to make her stronger. She's fine with killing nearly everyone on earth so she can "evolve" the remnants into clothing. Horrible as she is, her theme is so empowering, I can almost feel my determination building as I listen to it.
This song is basically the villainess, Ragyo, trying to convince her oldest daughter to join her in her quest for world dominance. It talks about becoming strong because the world is vicious and cruel. Ragyo's view of strength is giving in to the powerful so you can become one of them. She abuses her daughter to break her, to prepare her for the real world. "No room for wilting flowers," the song says. Why, then, does it resonate with me, a loyal Christ-follower? | |
Jesus Christ's view of strength is different. Since this is Easter, I think it's important we note His ultimate showcase of strength was dying. He gave his life for people who could not give two craps about Him. Yes, the world is hard, but we do not have to face it alone. We are not the only ones left, as Ragyo would have her girls believe.
Rise and take flight, darling. Let's soar high. For the first time in forever, you're alive. Don't you forget that. Rise and take flight, darling. It's your time. There's no room for wilting flowers here. Smile and wipe away your tears.
Sounds suspiciously like a certain Bible verse to me. "But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31). Unlike Ragyo, we don't have to fight the world on our own. God gives us His strength. Their war may just be beginning, but ours is already won. Christ Himself told us in John 16:33, "I have told you all these things so that may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take hearts, because I have overcome the world.'"
This song is empowering to me because it reminds me of this. I am strengthened by the one who created strength itself! My life is not over, and I agree with Blumenkranz here. I want to fight against the viciousness and cruelty in this world. In fact, that is my mission, to turn others to Christ. He is the one who smiles and wipes away my tears. Only in Him will our cruelty be replaced by real strength.
This song is empowering to me because it reminds me of this. I am strengthened by the one who created strength itself! My life is not over, and I agree with Blumenkranz here. I want to fight against the viciousness and cruelty in this world. In fact, that is my mission, to turn others to Christ. He is the one who smiles and wipes away my tears. Only in Him will our cruelty be replaced by real strength.