If you’re searching for high-quality Bible anime, then consider yourself lucky because the 90s brought us the best-animated Bible stories ever made! In this article, we’ll explore how this incredible series came to be and why it remains the greatest Bible anime of all time.
The concept for “In the Beginning: The Bible Stories” was conceived by none other than the legendary Osamu Tezuka, known for his iconic creation Astro Boy. Tezuka partnered with the Italian television network RAI to bring this biblical anime series to life in the late 90s. Even to this day, it stands as the finest adaptation of the Bible in the world of anime.
In the Beginning
Before Tezuka’s masterpiece, there were other attempts to adapt the Bible into anime series. Tatsunoko Productions created “Superbook” and “The Flying House,” which aired on the Christian Broadcast Network in the United States between 1981 and 1983. These shows featured modern children traveling back in time to experience the stories from the Old and New Testaments. However, RAI and Tezuka Productions took a different approach to their adaptation.
Osamu Tezuka’s Old Testament Stories
Tezuka accepted RAI’s request to adapt the stories of the Old Testament into an animated series. This adaptation aimed to be more mature and less kid-friendly than its predecessors. Tezuka began working on a pilot film based on the story of Noah’s Ark in 1987. Sadly, he passed away from stomach cancer in 1989, leaving his pilot film unfinished and the future of the Bible anime uncertain.
Osamu Dezaki Picks up the Torch
Fortunately, Osamu Dezaki, one of the co-founders of Madhouse Studio, took over as the director of the series. He continued Tezuka’s vision and completed the series. With worldwide distribution in mind and a partnership with RAI, this Bible anime had a significantly higher animation budget than average at the time. This generous budget allowed for a cinematic feel and animation quality that surpassed most other shows of its era.
Tezuka’s Bible Anime Releases Globally
The international airing of Tezuka’s Bible anime took several years to materialize due to funding and differing opinions on how to depict the stories in alignment with Catholic church doctrine. Here’s a rough timeline of its release:
– 1992: The show aired in Italy on the RAI network.
– 1995: The show was released on VHS in the United States with an English dub.
– 1997: A Japanese dub aired on the WOWOW Satellite Channel.
– 1997: The English dub aired on Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN).
Although the show didn’t become an international sensation, it remains significant as one of Osamu Tezuka’s final works. If you’re fortunate enough to find a copy of the show, it’s a true gem.
The Anime Story of the Old Testament
“In the Beginning: The Bible Stories” covers the Old Testament from the creation of the Earth to the birth of Christ. Throughout its 26 episodes, the series explores famous stories such as Noah’s Ark, the Tower of Babel, and Moses and the Pharaoh. The show maintains a serious tone with occasional comic relief from a cartoonish fox character that appears throughout the stories.
Where Can you Watch Tezuka’s Bible Anime?
It’s worth noting that this anime doesn’t shy away from violence and mild nudity, making it less suitable for young children. However, it remains enjoyable for young adults and teenagers.
Currently, the show is only available on out-of-print VHS and DVDs. However, you can watch the unedited version on the Studio 100 Junior YouTube channel. We’ve conveniently embedded the first episode below for your viewing pleasure.
