Maria the Virgin Witch is an anime series that aired from January to March 2015. The show takes place during the Hundred Years' War between England and France and follows the story of Maria, a powerful witch who wants to end the fighting by using her magic to prevent battles. However, her interference angers both Heaven and Hell, leading them to send angels and demons to stop her. The show explores various themes, including war, religion, and morality. It raises questions about the role of divinity in human affairs and the consequences of interfering with free will. Maria's actions and beliefs challenge the established order and challenge the audience's understanding of what it means to be a virgin witch.
Interpersonal synchrony, one of the features involved in chanting, may also mediate the effect of chanting on mystical states. Chanting in a group promotes social connection and cooperation through synchronized rhythmic vocalization and movements. These coordinated temporal predictions have been found to increase social connection and promote oscillatory entrainment, in which brain rhythms and external rhythms synchronize [37,38,39,40,41]. Further, rhythmic coordination with others requires divided attention, which is cognitively demanding. Participants must integrate perceptual feedback from multiple sources simultaneously, attending both to their own vocalizations and movements and to those of others [41]. In the context of chanting, not only is an individual synchronizing to the chanting but is also interacting to the motor responses of others via facial expression, hand gestures, clapping, dancing, or swaying. Perception–action coupling promotes social interaction by combining a cognitively demanding task with high sensory engagement. This rhythmic social interaction often promotes the sense of merging with others and the music, which is a common experience of altered states of consciousness [17,42]
Chanting can be performed silently or vocally, and individually or in a group, but most chanting practices involve the use of a predictable, repetitive rhythm, focused attention and, if practiced in groups, synchrony 36. Therefore, as well as chanting sounds, individuals may also have intentions during the chanting practice to act compassionately and kindly to others, or to focus attention on the oneness of the universe , reinforcing community and connection to others.
Maria's actions and beliefs challenge the established order and challenge the audience's understanding of what it means to be a virgin witch. The series is notable for its mature themes and realistic portrayal of the darker aspects of war. It does not shy away from depicting violence, sexual content, and nudity, which is why it is often referred to as "Maria the Virgin Witch uncensored.
WHAT THE OCCULT REVEALS
Where does occultism fit on the map of modernity? Frank Miller Turner proposed an intriguing answer in his 1974 study Between Science and Religion: The Reaction to Scientific Naturalism in Late Victorian England . The book examined the lives and struggles of six Victorian men: the philosophers Henry Sidgwick and James Ward, the scientists Alfred Russel Wallace and George John Romanes, and the writers Frederic W. H. Myers and Samuel Butler. Of the six, three cultivated a serious and sustained interest in the occult. Sidgwick and Myers engaged in psychical research, while Wallace immersed himself in phrenology and spiritualism. Raised as Christians, all of them came to find Christian belief inadequate. Yet the scientific naturalism that might have provided an alternative pole for their allegiance, that was the alternative pole of allegiance for much of their generation, failed to entice them. All had ethical qualms about its refusal to comment on God's existence or on life after death. All, too, wondered about the soul and bemoaned the reluctance of scientists to investigate the immaterial and subjective aspects of human nature. Caught between the Christianity of their upbringing and the scientific naturalism of their adulthood, Turner argued, these men “came to dwell between the science that beckoned them and the religion they had forsaken.”
Type Review Essays Information Modern Intellectual History , Volume 6 , Issue 3 , November 2009 , pp. 611 - 625 Copyright Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009" Despite its controversial elements, Maria the Virgin Witch has been praised for its strong character development, thought-provoking storytelling, and unique take on historical events. The show delves into complex ethical dilemmas and showcases the consequences of Maria's choices, forcing viewers to question their own beliefs about war and peace. Although Maria the Virgin Witch is not for everyone due to its explicit content, it is a captivating series that pushes boundaries and challenges traditional anime storytelling. It offers an unconventional take on historical events, blending fantasy and realism in a way that sparks interesting philosophical discussions..
Reviews for "The Role of Witchcraft in 'Maria the Virgin Witch Uncensored"
1. John - 1/5 stars - "I found Maria the Virgin Witch to be incredibly boring and slow-paced. The plot had potential, but it failed to deliver any excitement or intrigue. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with any of them. Additionally, the animation quality was subpar, with choppy movements and poorly rendered backgrounds. Overall, I was disappointed with this series and would not recommend it to others."
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "While Maria the Virgin Witch had an interesting concept, the execution was lackluster. The show seemed to focus more on the sexualization of its female characters rather than developing a strong storyline. The fan service was excessive and detracted from the plot, leaving me feeling uncomfortable and disengaged. Furthermore, the animation style was inconsistent, with awkwardly drawn characters and distracting CGI effects. Overall, I was left unimpressed with this anime and would not watch it again."
3. Michael – 2/5 stars - "Maria the Virgin Witch started off with a promising premise, but it quickly devolved into a mess of confusing storytelling and inconsistent character development. The plot lacked coherence and seemed to jump from one event to the next without any clear direction. The animation quality was average at best, with mundane fight scenes and unremarkable visuals. The excessive nudity and sexual content felt forced and gratuitous, adding little to the overall story. I was left unimpressed and would not recommend this series to anyone looking for a well-executed anime."