Ah! My Goddess

[Senkusha]

"A kindergarten romance" is how this anime, originally began as a manga in 1988, had a major television animation adaption in 2001 (with a five episode OVA in the late 90s), is still one of my favorite anime series. There are a total of three seasons (I believe, but I haven't had a chance to watch the third season just yet), so I don't know if the series is concluded. I do believe that the original Mangaka, Kosuke Fujishima finally wrapped up the manga only a couple years ago.

This is a loving story (originally titled "Oh! My Goddess", a pun on the American phrase "OMG") about a typical looser Japanese man, a college kid with a love of old machines and motorcycles, accidentally calls the wrong phone number and reaches the Goddess Help Line. When Belldandy answers his call in person, and arrives in his very presence, he thinks that this must be an elaborate joke from his upperclassmen roommates (remember, Keiichi is your typical looser, right?), makes a wish off-handily "I wish for a goddess like you to remain by my side forever!".

The series follows this unique couple for a number of episodes, until eventually Belldandy's sisters also visit Earth, and unleash Heavenly Chaos into the life of Keiichi Morrisato. Throw into the mix a First Class Demon running amuck, and you've got one interesting romantic comedy!

 

[Zack]

Ah, Manga about Goddesses. Belldandy, was one of my fav anime chicks

 

[Senkusha]

When I discovered Ah! My Goddess, Skuld was my attachment. She represented the future, and solving problems by using technology. Being that I was a Software Support Specialist back then, she resonated with me.

However, watching the series now, I'm finding Skuld to be quite the ill-mannered brat and obnoxious. I'm finding some compatibility with Urd, but see that she uses the crutch of Alchemy/Chemistry instead of her true being, unlike her sister, Belldandy, who I'm resonating with now, because she lives her life in the present, as we all should be doing anyway.

 

[Zack]

Wow seriously lol can't recall anything about Skulld, really surprised of her character right now as I read your comment

 

[Senkusha]

Not to worry too much. Skuld had a fairly smaller part as a character in the TV series. Urd had more plot points than Skuld ever did. I think Skuld was just used as a counter-force to Urd's relationship meddling, as an opposite, to try to prevent Belldandy and Keiichi from truly connecting. (If that makes any sense.)

 

[Zack]

That actually makes a lot of sense. Skuld does feel more like a protective force than just a troublemaker. Maybe she wasn’t trying to block Keiichi and Belldandy, but testing whether he was truly worthy of her sister. Urd pushes things forward emotionally while Skuld resists change, as you have implied(sorry if I got it wrong), almost like past vs. future dynamics playing out around Belldandy, who represents the present. That balance might’ve been intentional storytelling.

 

[Senkusha]

Indeed.
I mean, the story did start in 1988 and just recently ended a couple years ago, I believe. There's probably a lot more story buried inside the manga.

 

[Zack]

Wait what, I didn't notice and know it ran that long

 

[Senkusha]

Oh yes!
I remember reading a portion of the manga I found a couple decades ago, I think it was like Chapter 50?? where Skuld begins going through puberty, and Keiichi totally misunderstands, leaves some menstrual relief tablets for Skuld-- But Skuld's body is growing to start using magic, and I believe it begins her Angel's Egg arc. Anyway, I thought it was hilarious and cute at the same time. Such a long time ago.

Maybe I need to go find the manga and start reading it again. The manga went on for so long that you can actually see the beauty standards changed from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s (I read an article about that a while ago too showcasing the illustration style differences.)

 

[Zack]

Yes, I kinda remember how innocent and funny that misunderstanding was. Keiichi trying to be thoughtful but completely missing the point was so on brand. Maybe it’s time for a reread, it’d be fun to see how the art evolved over the years too.

 

[Tanla]

“Ah My Goddess” is actually a soft life anime to be honest. That calm romance can even make you forget whatever you are passing through at that moment. But we shouldn't lie, some parts are too slow for today’s pace. Back then you could sit down, enjoy it, but now, our attention span has reduced so much.