"I Don't Know Why It Was a Hit": Angel Beats Exec Addresses Rumors Of the Anime's Revival at Last

Angel Beats premiered in 2010 and quickly became renowned among anime fans, who fell in love with the story, characters, and beautiful animation. The narrative was deeply emotional and memorable, and paired with snarky comedy, the anime solidified its place as a modern classic. Yet, the series creator, Jun Maeda, recently admitted that he still doesn’t understand how the anime became such a hit.

As Angel Beats approaches its 15th anniversary, the series is stepping back into the spotlight once again, but with a surprising twist. As Maeda introduces Angel Beats to a whole new audience, longtime fans get the chance to see their favorite beloved characters again in a different medium. The cast's return is thrilling, and fans are raving over the opportunity to revisit them.

Angel Beats Became a Massive Hit That Shocked Jun Maeda

Fans Have Been Drawn to Angel Beats for Its Heartfelt Narrative and Memorable Characters

Otanashi and Kanade walk with the rest of their classmates in the afterlife from Angel Beats.

When Angel Beats first aired, it quickly caught attention and became a massive sensation. Many fans were drawn to its heartfelt exploration of loss, redemption, and the human experience through the characters’ journeys. These themes helped propel the anime to success, but in a moment of reflection, Maeda revealed that he still doesn’t fully grasp why or how Angel Beats was able to strike a chord with so many. In an interview, he stated,

“I am the kind of person who is not interested in past projects at all. This collaboration was guided by the enthusiasm of Light Flyer Studio, so to me, Angel Beats! is nothing but a past project that became a hit with the support of those around it... Even though I am the anime's producer, I still don’t know why it was a hit.”

Maeda downplays his role and influence, but many fans and critics alike attribute Angel Beats' success to his distinctive style. Despite his success with other series he took part in, such as Air, Clannad, and Charlotte, to name a few, he underestimated the weight Angel Beats had on audiences. In a narrative that masterfully blended tragedy with moments of cheerfulness and hope, Maeda was able to truly create something touching and beautiful. Paired with the musical score throughout the anime, with a real band, Girls Dead Monster, Maeda’s anime was enriched and resonated with fans all over the world.

Focusing on the characters’ individual struggles and wishes allowed audiences to see fragments of their own lives reflected in the storyline. Whether through the pain of unfulfilled dreams, the burden of guilt, or longing for acceptance, Angel Beats managed to tackle universal themes. By diving into the messy and bittersweet complexities of life, the series captured an honest and emotional narrative that continues to resonate with fans 15 years after its release.

Angel Beats Lives on Through Its Collaboration With Heaven Burns Red

Heaven Burns Red Revisits Fan-Favorite Characters and Expands on the Anime's Story

While Angel Beats is a standalone masterpiece, its legacy lives on through Heaven Burns Red, an RPG developed by Light Flyer Studio and Jun Maeda. Through collaborative events, the game had the opportunity to expand on the untold stories of the characters in Angel Beats, including lesser-known characters like the members of Girls Dead Monster; Irie, the drummer; Hisako, co-founder and guitarist; and Sekine, the bass guitarist. This interconnected narrative between Angel Beats and Heaven Burns Red allows both stories to grow in depth and explore otherwise unexplored narratives.

The third collaboration event began on December 27th and is diving into Sekine’s character, whose backstory was entirely absent in the original anime. This event marks the first time Maeda has written her story, allowing fans to have the opportunity to see how the bubbly bass guitarist fits into the larger narrative of Angel Beats. Maeda has admitted that “it’s difficult to get the characters from Angel Beats and the six members of 31A to intertwine,” and balancing the cast of Heaven Burns Red with those from Angel Beats has been no easy task.

Despite the challenges, Maeda meets them with grace and returns the cast of Angel Beats to screens in a different medium. Their collaboration serves as a callback to the characters and music that define Angel Beats and presents it to new audiences. Through Heaven Burns Red, the legacy of Angel Beats lives on and continues to grow fifteen years after its initial release.

Source: natalie.mu