Saint Young Men is one of the best Christmas anime you can’t watch legally

Being an anime fan can seem like a divine test of patience. Licensing headaches, regional blocking, disappearing titles; someone really should ask Santa convincing every studio and publisher to finally come to a consensus, even if it means we have to swallow another subscription fee. The miracle seems overdue. If not for the sake of fandom, then at least for the sake of Jesus and Buddha in Holy youthswhose hysterical roommate banter is still legally unavailable for viewing in the US

Deep down Holy youths it's simply a story about Jesus and Buddha relaxing in a tiny Tokyo apartment, trying to blend in with the mortal world and failing hilariously. These two OVAs highlight the cold, silly atmosphere of the manga, turning everyday activities like shopping, sightseeing, or interacting with overexcited fans into holy comedy. The 2012 anime film takes this vibe even further, making their “day out” from heaven bigger and brighter without losing the cozy charm. Together they show why fans love this series, which makes it even more disappointing that there is still no legal way to watch it in the US.

Although there are probably some less than holy ways To watch both the OVA and the movie that could earn you a spot on Santa's naughty list, the OVA is much easier to find with a quick Google search than the movie itself. The first occurs in a few days after ChristmasCloser to the New Year, Jesus and Buddha are traveling on a train, going on vacation. This is probably my favorite track and the ending hits a completely silly note that still makes me laugh every time.

The combination of situational humor and light religious jokes works exceptionally well, and watching the two of them try to keep a low profile in their neighborhood leads to some truly hilarious moments. They want to blend in with the crowd, but they constantly stand out. Buddha falls into the rain with a snake in his hands. Jesus floats by accident. The children speculate that they might be aliens in disguise. When they give gifts, they give away goats, which is perhaps the most wonderful biblical joke in the series.

Not to mention the art is fantastic. A-1 Pictures, the same studio responsible for Solo levelinganime, directed both the OVA and the anime. It's clear that the animators and key artists tried to stick to the same aesthetic as the original manga, using literal sketches and outlines for the profiles of Jesus and Buddha. Combined with the very distinctive artwork is an animation style that is impossible to accurately replicate.

Holy youths works because it treats the divine with a wink rather than a lecture, turning two of religion's most iconic figures into the world's healthiest odd couple. The OVA and the 2012 film prove how far a simple idea can go when the comedy is sharp, the heart is sincere and no one overstays their welcome. If North American fans ever get a legitimate release, it will be a small miracle worth celebrating. Until then, all we can do is pray, manifest, or politely ask the licensing gods to finally answer our calls.