It’s common to adapt a popular manga into an animated series, but Angel Beats! does it with a twist. This original story debuted as an anime in early 2010, directed by Seiji Kishi and written by Jun Maeda and earning widely positive feedback, especially for the way it blended musical performances, action and humor. The smooth animation of the action sequences, attention to detail and visually colorful cast are also praiseworthy.
The Angel Beats! anime's brief run, however, was a major problem according to critics, as it left many of the characters' backstories unexplored. This inspired Maeda to write official light novel and manga adaptations, which expand on plot details and character histories that were not included in the anime's original run. Here's how newcomers to Angel Beats! and fans of the anime alike can dive into the franchise.
The Plot of Angel Beats
When protagonist Otonashi Yuzuru wakes up, he realizes he is dead. He’s in a high school version of the afterlife, a kind of purgatory for people who experienced trauma or tribulations in their lives. Before moving on or being reborn, these people must make amends with their past selves, but it isn’t going to be easy. To begin with, the only thing Otonashi recalls is his name, thanks to a gunslinging gal named Yuri.
Yuri is the leader of the Shinda Sekai Sensen, the army of the Afterlife, which is at war with a mysterious God and their henchman, the beautiful, silver haired Angel. Angel takes the form of the student council president but also possesses supernatural powers of her own.
With all the mystery surrounding his situation, Otonashi joins the SSS, where he meets a colorful cast of characters including Hideki, a co-founder, Masami, the lead singer of the band Girls Dead Monster, and Yui, a GDM groupie. With the help of his new friends, Otonashi gradually unravels the secrets of the afterlife while attempting to restore his memories and atone with his former self.
Where to Watch the Angel Beats Anime
The 13-episode Angel Beats! anime was produced by the studio P.A. Works and is readily available to stream on each of Crunchyroll, Funimation or Netflix. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD are harder to find, so fans who prefer this route will have to check resale sites like eBay. However, they should be warned that the prices are quite high as physical copies are out of print. A recent listing shows the DVD collection going for over $700 now.
Where to Read the Angel Beats Manga and Light Novels
Angel Beats!: Heaven's Door dives into Yuri's backstory and takes place before the events of the Angel Beats! anime. Unfortunately, no official digital copies of the manga and light novels are available in English.
Luckily, fans who prefer physical copies are encouraged to check out resale shops like Abebooks and eBay, while Amazon also carries Vol. 1 of the Heaven's Door manga in English. Prices can be high though, ranging from $20 to over $100 for a complete set.
