I admit it: I'm obsessed with FFVII: Advent Children and what it means to me as a Christian. So I just wrote a second essay on how rain represents grace and so on. I set the permissions so anyone can comment.

Regarding the movie itself, I think it hits the sweet spot between realism and fantasy. The characters and landscapes could exist, but you wouldn't expect Cait Sith to stroll down Main Street. (Then again, we are furries.) I was never pulled out of the story thinking, "that doesn't look right."

I want to research Japanese mythology to better understand where the filmmakers are coming from. Why do the demon-posessed have gray hair? Does the Lifestream come from Shintoism? Does the name Shinra have any special meaning?

I don't know; I just know a trip to the library is in order.