Angel Beats main story takes place on the school campus in the afterlife. Our first introduction of it is at night and this generally is a reoccurring theme. Something to take note of is that the moon is always shining bright illuminating the floor and characters faces. This gives of a feeling of “oh yes you are dead after all and this is the afterlife” which contrasts nicely with when other times the sun is setting (which by the way is another reoccurring theme) that gives of this feeling of hope and that there is a better and brighter tomorrow which plays a lot into the main story.

Yuzuru Otonashi

Introduction

Coming into the afterlife without any memories of his past Otonashi finds himself joining the Shinda Sekai Sensen, a group lead by another character called Yuri who tries to beat Tenshi (otherwise just known as Angel) who is assumed to be in contact with God.

Background

As we get to know in episode 7 titled “Alive” his life seamed unremarkable. He didn’t have any friends nor did he like school. His job where he only worked enough to get through the month directing traffic around construction sites was more of a chore to him rather than something he liked or enjoyed. The only thing he had that made him happy was his younger sister who was sick and who had to stay at the hospital. Contrary to him she was always cheerful and happy with what she had. He didn’t know to appreciate that at that time but when she died he had realized it.

Some time after her death he saw a random little girl being released from the hospital. There it had become clear to him that he wanted to study again to become a doctor to help others. It is because he had figured out that it was that what had fulfilled him when his little sister was alive. Buying her books and manga that she enjoyed to read, working extra hours and getting an additional job just to be able to take her out where ever she liked and to buy her even more gifts. It was her little “thank you” that made him happy and that gave his life purpose.

On the way to the entry exam to becoming a doctor he was riding the train when it suddenly crashed causing him to be knocked out for a little while. When he woke up he saw that the train had crashed and that the tunnel they were in collapsed on it. He notices that there are others who have survived the accident and helps them. After having helped everyone to make it out of the train wreck he announces that he will go to look for the exit to get help and that he’d come back.

Upon going through the tunnel he finds that they are shut in from both sides with no other possibility to get out of there other than surviving and waiting for help. Otonashi with the help of another guy who’s friendly and supportive of him and his actions announce to everyone what the situation looks like and that they need to ration food and water in order to get through this. When someone of the group tries to steal the water two others try to keep him from doing so. The guy stealing the water falls and spills some of it leaving the rest question what to do about it. Despite his misbehavior Otonashi says that the water spilled was his ration and that the others don’t have to have less because of that.

As the days went on one of the survivors who had a bad injury died. Otonashi tried to save him giving him CPR but failed reviving him.

After 7 days of being trapped in the tunnel Otonashi asked his new found friend if he had a pen that he could borrow. The friend gave him a pen and pulled out a pass for organ donors from his wallet. He filled it out in hopes that he would save somebody’s life even if his ended. That would give his life purpose. Following his act the others who were just as desperate him followed and also filled out their organ donor passes.

As suddenly the rocks were cracking and a bright light was seen and rescue was there Otonashi died.

Development

When Otonashi woke up in the afterlife world he was greated by Yuri who was aiming at Angel with a Sniper Rifle. He was socked and confused to see that Yuri was aiming at a seemingly not harmful girl and refused her invitation to join the SSS.

Following that he went to talk to Angel who then killed him after he had asked her

Personal thoughts

Otonashi’s character is one of my favorite if not my favorite fictional character regardless of the type whether it is Anime, a live action movie, book or some other form of of existence. Not only do I like how he’s introduced at the beginning of the story leaving everyone including himself in the dark about who he actually is/was. I love his backstory where we get to see what a seemingly meaningless and boring life he had not having any goals or dreams about the future nor appreciating the here and now.

Nakamura Yuri

Introduction

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Background

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Development

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Personal thoughts

Yuri is a strong character who played a massive role in setting the scene and developing the plot of the story. I like how brave she is and how much of a leader role she takes yet her vulnerable side is the reason that I think makes this character is so good.

Kanade Tachibana

Introduction

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Background

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Development

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Personal thoughts

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Hideki Hinata

Introduction

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Background

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Development

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Personal thoughts

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Yui

Introduction

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Background

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Development

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Personal thoughts

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Introduction

We’re pretty much thrown into the world where the Anime mainly takes place. The first interaction with the characters feels a bit out of touch, uncomfortable and random yet that is most likely wanted. Following scenes of the first episode quickly seem to put us in place. We were not fooled around by

Flashbacks

Flashbacks are used to tell us more about the backstory of the characters, for example when Iwasawa tells Otonashi about herself when she was alive and how she came to play music.

Main Events

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Overall Pacing

The overall pacing feels a bit rushed. From the first episodes we’re just kinda dragged into the story. Everything happens really fast and the anime doesn’t “waste time” by giving us an easy introduction and settlement.

Stylistic Help

Various stylistic devices are used in order to help convey the message and feeling of that Anime to the viewer. The use of music alone gives this anime so much touch and feel that it alone brings the message across without anything else. Of course, this in combination with the dramatic shots and the whole buildup and anticipation that we get plays in too well that most times I’ll just think about the Anime because I have the music of it in mind.