Being an anime fan can feel like a divine test of patience. Licensing headaches, region locks, vanishing titles; someone should really ask Santa to convince every studio and publisher to finally get on the same page, even if it means we swallow yet another subscription fee. A miracle feels overdue. If not for the sake of fandom, then at least for Jesus and Buddha in Saint Young Men, whose hysterical, holy-roommate hijinks still aren’t legally available to watch in the U.S.
At its heart, Saint Young Men is just about Jesus and Buddha kicking back in a tiny Tokyo apartment, trying to blend into the mortal world and failing hilariously. The two OVAs nail the manga’s chill, goofy vibe, turning everyday stuff, like shopping, sightseeing, or dealing with overexcited fans, into holy comedy. The 2012 anime movie takes that vibe even further, giving their “day off” from heaven a bigger, brighter showcase without losing its cozy charm. Together, they show exactly why fans love this series, making it all the more frustrating that there’s still no legal way to watch any of it in the U.S.
Although there are definitely some less-than-holy ways to watch both the OVAs and the film that might earn you a spot on Santa’s naughty list, the OVAs are much easier to find through a quick Google search than the movie. The first one takes place a few days after Christmas, closer to New Year’s, with Jesus and Buddha riding a train as they head off on vacation. It is probably my favorite setup, and the ending nails a perfectly goofy note that still makes me laugh every time.
The mix of situational humor and light religious jokes hits exceptionally well, and watching the two of them try to keep a low profile in their neighborhood leads to some genuinely hilarious moments. They want to blend in, but they constantly stand out. Buddha gets caught in the rain holding a snake. Jesus accidentally floats. Kids assume they might be aliens in disguise. When they give gifts, they hand out goats, which might be the most wonderfully biblical gag the series pulls off.
Not to mention, the art is fantastic. A-1 Pictures, the same studio in charge of Solo Leveling’s anime, helmed both OVAs and the anime. It’s evident that the animators and key artists tried to stick close to the same aesthetic as the original manga, with literal sketches and outlines being used for Jesus and Buddha’s profiles. Coupled with the very distinctive artwork is an animation style that can’t precisely be duplicated.
Saint Young Men works because it treats the divine with a wink instead of a lecture, turning two of religion’s most iconic figures into the world’s most wholesome odd couple. The OVAs and the 2012 movie prove just how far a simple premise can go when the comedy is sharp, the heart is sincere, and nobody overstays their welcome. If North American fans ever get a legal release, it will be a minor miracle worth celebrating. Until then, all we can do is pray, manifest, or politely beg the licensing gods to answer our calls finally.
