Hello,
everyone! This is the first post in what I hope is going to be a new
series on this blog: I Learned That in an Anime. Basically, each post
is going to focus on a certain character, event, or symbol in an anime
series, and show how this character or moment shows the universality of Catholicism. I'm sure
that when I say "Japan" or "anime," Catholic is not the first thing that
comes to you mind. It certainly wasn't for me. But, remember,
Catholic means "universal" and so there are times when religion bleeds
into other forms of media, including those where you would not expect to
find it. Please read and enjoy! One quick note, these posts will contain spoilers, so please be warned before proceeding.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
The Drum Kingdom arc from One Piece introduces us to the quack Dr. Hiriluk. Despite his heart being in the right place, Dr. Hiriluk continues to torment the people of Drum Kingdom with his cockamamie "cures" which end up doing more harm than good. But, he honestly believes he is performing a service--after all, there are no doctors left in the kingdom after the corrupt King Wapol drove them all away, keeping a small collection of medical men at his beck and call, forcing the people of Drum Kingdom to beg him for their services.
What makes Dr. Hiriluk such a powerful figure is the life he leads. While he is a terrible doctor, he genuinely tries to help his fellow citizens. And when he finds Tony Tony Chopper, the blue-nosed reindeer who ate the Human-Human fruit, injured in the woods, Dr. Hiriluk not only takes him in, but treats him like a son. For me, though, the story that he tells him is perhaps the most powerful aspect of the character.
He tells Chopper the story of a terrible thief who had been diagnosed with an incurable heart condition. He went to many doctors, but no one was able to cure him. Then, one day, he witnessed the most beautiful sight: cherry blossoms blooming. He was so moved by the sight that when he returned to the doctor, he was told that there was no heart condition. He had been completely and miraculously cured. Because of this, he came to believe that no disease could not be cured, and returned to his home village of Drum Island to cure the people there of their apathetic, icy hearts by making cherry blossoms bloom in the eternal winters there. (In case you weren't able to guess, this thief was actually Dr. Hiriluk). He flies a pirate flag with cherry blossom petals on it, saying that this is a symbol that anything is possible. Even for a man like him to be given a second chance.
In the end, of course, things do not go well for our good Doctor. First, he discovers that the grave illness that had plagued him all his life has finally come back to finish him off. He kicks Chopper out of the house so the little reindeer won't have to watch him die. Chopper returns bringing a poisonous mushroom which he believes will save his friend (confusing the skull and crossbones in the field guide to mean "cure," like the doctor's pirate flag, instead of "poison"). Dr. Hiriluk is so touched by Chopper's gift he eats it anyway. Then, when he learns that King Wapol's private doctors have all fallen ill, he goes to save them, falling into a trap so that Wapol can finally have him killed. Before the guards shoot him, Hiriluk ends with this inspiring quote:
inspiring and heart-wrenching scenes in One Piece. After all the love and kindness this man has shown, even in the face of death, he manages to keep his pride and his compassion. I am not ashamed to say that I bawled like a baby while watching this.
Now, what does this mean for Catholics (or Christians, or really anybody)? Well, it deals with the concept of second chances, which is very near and dear to my heart. I had a rough time at the start of my teenage years. I was bullied to the point where my self-esteem was so bad, I wouldn't say that I had any. I honestly felt like dirt on the ground, unlovable and discarded. Through the support of my family and the love of God, I was able to pull through. But, at the time, and for years afterwards, I didn't think of it like that. I was angry that I had been made to suffer, and I held onto that anger like a lifeline. In fact, I held onto it for so long that there came a point when I didn't even realize I was angry anymore. It was just how I was. And then, one day, on a beautiful retreat, I had my moment when I realized that God was giving me a second chance. I had decided that I was worthless and that nobody cared about me. I had given up on God, but He had not given up on me. In that moment, he brought me back, and showed me that while the scars are never going to go away, I should not allow those experiences to define who I was. I had to change how I viewed myself if I wanted to change my life. I needed a second chance.
God gives all of us second chances. Again and again. He never gives up on us. And like Dr. Hiriluk, we should use these opportunities for good. God allows us to start over, gives us a clean slate, and we should take that message of forgiveness to do something great with our lives, to reach out and help other people. Like Dr. Hiriluk, my heart was changed. And perhaps God is calling me to melt the icy hearts of a world that has stopped caring. I'm really not sure yet. But, I'm open to hearing what I'm supposed to do, and I am so grateful for my second chance!
Perhaps there is something going on in your life right now. Perhaps you feel like you're in a slump, or maybe you've done something and feel like you can never be forgiven. Don't allow yourself to fall into that trap. No matter what you have done, even if you've killed someone, God is ready to forgive you if you are willing to ask for his forgiveness. When you do, take that forgiveness and use it to help someone else. Melt the icy hearts of those around you, or help someone else to find meaning, forgiveness, or love--just as Hiriluk helped Chopper to find acceptance and love when everyone, even his own family, wanted nothing to do with him and drove him away.
Second chances, forgiveness...what beautiful concepts. God's love is infinite, and so is His willingness to give us second chances. Embrace them, and make the world a better place!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
The Drum Kingdom arc from One Piece introduces us to the quack Dr. Hiriluk. Despite his heart being in the right place, Dr. Hiriluk continues to torment the people of Drum Kingdom with his cockamamie "cures" which end up doing more harm than good. But, he honestly believes he is performing a service--after all, there are no doctors left in the kingdom after the corrupt King Wapol drove them all away, keeping a small collection of medical men at his beck and call, forcing the people of Drum Kingdom to beg him for their services.
What makes Dr. Hiriluk such a powerful figure is the life he leads. While he is a terrible doctor, he genuinely tries to help his fellow citizens. And when he finds Tony Tony Chopper, the blue-nosed reindeer who ate the Human-Human fruit, injured in the woods, Dr. Hiriluk not only takes him in, but treats him like a son. For me, though, the story that he tells him is perhaps the most powerful aspect of the character.
He tells Chopper the story of a terrible thief who had been diagnosed with an incurable heart condition. He went to many doctors, but no one was able to cure him. Then, one day, he witnessed the most beautiful sight: cherry blossoms blooming. He was so moved by the sight that when he returned to the doctor, he was told that there was no heart condition. He had been completely and miraculously cured. Because of this, he came to believe that no disease could not be cured, and returned to his home village of Drum Island to cure the people there of their apathetic, icy hearts by making cherry blossoms bloom in the eternal winters there. (In case you weren't able to guess, this thief was actually Dr. Hiriluk). He flies a pirate flag with cherry blossom petals on it, saying that this is a symbol that anything is possible. Even for a man like him to be given a second chance.
In the end, of course, things do not go well for our good Doctor. First, he discovers that the grave illness that had plagued him all his life has finally come back to finish him off. He kicks Chopper out of the house so the little reindeer won't have to watch him die. Chopper returns bringing a poisonous mushroom which he believes will save his friend (confusing the skull and crossbones in the field guide to mean "cure," like the doctor's pirate flag, instead of "poison"). Dr. Hiriluk is so touched by Chopper's gift he eats it anyway. Then, when he learns that King Wapol's private doctors have all fallen ill, he goes to save them, falling into a trap so that Wapol can finally have him killed. Before the guards shoot him, Hiriluk ends with this inspiring quote: When does a man die? When he is hit by a bullet? No! When he suffers a disease? No! When he ate a soup made out of a poisonous mushroom? No! A man dies when he is forgotten! --Dr. HirilukHe dies shouting "I lived an extraordinary life!" This was, for me, one of the most
Now, what does this mean for Catholics (or Christians, or really anybody)? Well, it deals with the concept of second chances, which is very near and dear to my heart. I had a rough time at the start of my teenage years. I was bullied to the point where my self-esteem was so bad, I wouldn't say that I had any. I honestly felt like dirt on the ground, unlovable and discarded. Through the support of my family and the love of God, I was able to pull through. But, at the time, and for years afterwards, I didn't think of it like that. I was angry that I had been made to suffer, and I held onto that anger like a lifeline. In fact, I held onto it for so long that there came a point when I didn't even realize I was angry anymore. It was just how I was. And then, one day, on a beautiful retreat, I had my moment when I realized that God was giving me a second chance. I had decided that I was worthless and that nobody cared about me. I had given up on God, but He had not given up on me. In that moment, he brought me back, and showed me that while the scars are never going to go away, I should not allow those experiences to define who I was. I had to change how I viewed myself if I wanted to change my life. I needed a second chance.
God gives all of us second chances. Again and again. He never gives up on us. And like Dr. Hiriluk, we should use these opportunities for good. God allows us to start over, gives us a clean slate, and we should take that message of forgiveness to do something great with our lives, to reach out and help other people. Like Dr. Hiriluk, my heart was changed. And perhaps God is calling me to melt the icy hearts of a world that has stopped caring. I'm really not sure yet. But, I'm open to hearing what I'm supposed to do, and I am so grateful for my second chance!
Perhaps there is something going on in your life right now. Perhaps you feel like you're in a slump, or maybe you've done something and feel like you can never be forgiven. Don't allow yourself to fall into that trap. No matter what you have done, even if you've killed someone, God is ready to forgive you if you are willing to ask for his forgiveness. When you do, take that forgiveness and use it to help someone else. Melt the icy hearts of those around you, or help someone else to find meaning, forgiveness, or love--just as Hiriluk helped Chopper to find acceptance and love when everyone, even his own family, wanted nothing to do with him and drove him away.
Second chances, forgiveness...what beautiful concepts. God's love is infinite, and so is His willingness to give us second chances. Embrace them, and make the world a better place!
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