In a small church atop a hill, Pastor Lawrence looks after Saint Cecilia. Her presence is a beacon of hope for the villagers, as her mysterious powers protect them from the weakness of their minds and outside evils. While she appears dignified in front of the villagers, Cecilia allows her lazy side to show when alone with the pastor. Although Cecilia is the guardian of the people, Lawrence is determined to shield her from harm.
Unbeknownst to Lawrence, Cecilia harbors a huge crush on him. She accompanies him on his shopping trips and provides him with divine protection every day. Despite Lawrence remaining oblivious to her true feelings, Cecilia continues to shower him with obvious displays of affection as the bond between them grows.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Comentários
Marinate1016
Simply put, Shiroseijyo is a “healing” anime in the truest sense of the word. It is one of the most emotionally soothing anime I’ve seen in a very long time. Utter and complete bliss throughout, and my life will be worse off without it on Wednesdays. There’s several things that really stand out about Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence. For starters, it’s one of the few anime I’ve seen that actually depicts Christianity(not explicitly stated, but clearly is) in a decent light. The role of the saints and pastors is to help townspeople with their spiritual issues and be a general pillar of support for thecommunity. Other than the magical elements of the story, I actually think they nailed what churches meant to small 19th century towns.
The other thing that stands out for me is just how warm and fuzzy this show makes you feel. Cecilia and Lawrence’s relationship is so delicate and pure you just can’t help but root for him to stop being an idiot and accept her feelings. But even with him being oblivious, just seeing their daily activities and home life is more than enough. It’s “slice of life” in the truest sense of the word. It really feels like we are just watching two people who’ve suffered loss, find a new family with each other.
Simple, seemingly mundane daily tasks like cleaning and cooking feel so nice in this because of the relationship between the two leads. There’s a few side-quest-esque episodes where the cast leave the main town and meet new characters, but for the most part the story is really self contained to the village. Coincidentally, those those few episodes where we did leave the village and learn about how unique Cecilia’s life as a saint was, were really the most emotional. There’s a couple episodes that almost had me in tears.
While the cast is small, the two main side characters, Hazelita and Abel were great. They both basically act as stand-ins for the audience who just want to see Cecilia and Lawrence finally end up together. Had so much fun watching Hazelita play matchmaker behind the scenes, and the budding feelings between she and Abel were also great. There’s a really cool dynamic that exists between Hazelita and Cecilia and Abel and Lawrence as well.
It’s Doga Kobo so you know the art is top notch. It’s bright, cheerful and has so much positive energy. The seiyuu castings were spot on as well, adding a lot of life to every conversation between the characters. The studio really created a pleasant experience with this one and big emphasis on “experience” I think watching this show is a spiritually healing experience that made my Wednesdays so much better. I’ll miss it. A must watch for any SOL or romance fan.
Shiroseijyo gets 9 out of 10
KANLen09
I know what you're thinking: our Dear Lord Jesus Christ loves all people regardless of sins, so how can Christianity be marketed to one of the least probable countries of the world: the Land of the Rising Sun? Given how much the religion was once persecuted in Japan as one of the most secular nations in the world, then opening up in blazes with the acceptance of other communities and denominations like Catholicism and Protestantism, it's no secret that the Japanese, primarily of either the Shinto or Buddhism faith, are particularly cautious of its approach, even in AniManga where the most prominent relation is mangakaHikaru Nakamura's acclaimed manga of Saint☆Oniisan a.k.a Saint☆Young Men.
In this Summer season, there is a new challenger to share the good faith of Christian contemporaries, and that lies with author Hazano Kazutake's Shiro Seijo to Kuro Bokushi a.k.a Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence, of which he/she would go on to be one of the illustrators to the work/source material that is one of this Winter's most notable shows: Otonari no Tenshi-sama a.k.a The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten. And I've gotta say that this show is one pure, decadent Iyashikei a.k.a slow-life, slice-of-life series that is unapologetic to its nature and themes of being akin to watching and listening to Christian sermons, but if conducted in anime form.
Don't let the simple nature of this show fool you into thinking that this has nothing to offer other than the simple rom-com aesthetics that's plastered everywhere, thanks to the show's titular yet peculiar MCs: Lady Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence. As expected of being figures in their small town of a close-knit community, both the Lady Saint and Pastor are the centre of attention whenever they are run into on the streets. But as soon as they're back at the church (or its more appropriate form, chapel) and communion rooms, they are not what you expect them to be: Cecilia is the Lady Saint who just wants to laze and daydream, whereas Lawrence is every bit as dense as he comes, for a fact that Cecilia adores and loves him from even close distances, but for the whack that Lawrence doesn't get things like love and romance. Yeah right, talk about keeping up the facade and converting back into their faith whenever people are involved within sight.
Of course, that's not to say that both Cecilia and Lawrence have their limelight alone. Meet Lawrence's friend Abel, who's just as much as both a smart aleck and a joker, being in the same profession as fellow pastors dealing with their own issues. As to Abel's issues, he's the one doing the teaching as a home tutor, most particularly to a house of nobles: the Aldridge family with younger sister Hazelita, whose older brother Gieselbert is a rather uncomfortable sis-con obsession of a sibling. That said, Hazelita is another girl worth protecting, as her kind yet unforgiving nature sometimes creates worries for the people around her, though she is always the straight girl who sits in the middle of Cecilia and Lawrence's romantic problems. I really adore Hazelita's character quite a lot.
The simple nature of the show also gives rise to one of its appeals: the mystery-fantasy factor. You see, lady saints exist to protect the people, especially those who have been given divine powers, and the people have to do the same and vice versa. But just like the world itself, which doesn't think straight, lady saints can also get persecuted if their roles are wrongly committed, and/or even worse, they can get exploited by the nobles in higher power in regard to their blessings, which is the direct discourse of a lady saint's role. This is the sole reason why Lawrence was raised to this tradition by his late grandfather since he was young, and the way that he treats Cecilia is the same for the most part, while not being completely absent from her growing feelings towards him; she treats him as her saviour for trusting in her intuition.
When it comes to adapting 4-koma a.k.a 4-panel manga, Doga Kobo always finds a way to make this one of the studio's core traits, simply because they have been masters at it for years now. Simply put, the anime is pretty, gorgeously beautiful, but I can't help but feel that the art style has looked the same since Winter 2019's Watashi ni Tenshi ga Maiorita! a.k.a WataTen! An Angel Flew Down to Me (that's exclusive to 4-koma adaptations), which while isn't a bad thing to keep improving upon it, it's a formula that I have a hunch that this show will not be the last time that Doga Kobo will re-use WataTen!'s reference designs.
On the music front, I've heard better songs from ClariS, not to say that their OP song here is bad. Even sasanomaly's ED song, while exhibiting the soothing Iyashikei feels, it's a simple, mellow song that does its job. Poppy, cheerful music that fans of either music artists will love, but sorry, I'm not one of them.
If you hate generic rom-coms, this is definitely a show to keep away from. But above all, a rom-com with Christianity themes on display, it's a unique take on a 4-koma manga that's now 6.5 years old (as of this review). Simple shows like this get their job done right and can be downright enjoyable without any pretences or any kind of overblown drama.
Heretics, be gone! Be purified in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Lady Saint; pour blessings onto everyone with this wholesome show.
izureki
A Dose of Sweetness and Diabetes! 🍰👫💘 "Shiroseijyo" is a true gem in the world of anime, and it's a "healing" experience like no other. If you're in need of a soothing, emotionally uplifting show, this is it. It's an absolute bliss, and my Wednesdays will feel emptier without it. One remarkable aspect is how "Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence" portrays Christianity in a positive light. While not explicitly named, it's clear what it represents. The saints and pastors serve as pillars of support and spiritual guidance for the community. Beyond the magical elements, it captures the essence of small 19th-century towns perfectly. The heart of the show,however, lies in the delicate and pure relationship between Cecilia and Lawrence. You can't help but root for Lawrence to realize Cecilia's affection for him. Their daily lives are filled with seemingly mundane tasks, but it's their connection that makes these activities heartwarming. It's a true "slice of life" that feels like watching two people who've found a new family in each other.
While the main cast is small, Hazelita and Abel shine as side characters. Hazelita plays matchmaker behind the scenes, and the budding feelings between her and Abel add another layer of sweetness. The dynamic between Hazelita and Cecilia, as well as Abel and Lawrence, is both cool and heartwarming.
Doga Kobo delivers top-notch art and animation, radiating brightness and positivity. The voice acting is spot-on, adding life to every conversation. "Shiroseijyo" creates a spiritually healing experience, making Wednesdays so much better. It's a must-watch for fans of slice of life and romance. 🌞💒❤️
lobotomylover
Did you enjoy highschool romance? How about workplace romance? Well get ready for fucking church romance. Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrance or Shiro Seijo to Kuro Bokushi is a unique romance anime in a mix between a fantasy world and reality featuring a small European village’s pastor and a “lady saint” in a strange marketable Christian show adapted from a 4-koma. Plot 6/10 The show is extremely simple. It’s a romance show, there isn’t much story. Cecilia is missionary of God who helps the people. After a long struggle to save a community causes her to become exhausted, she ends up in a small village wherethe local community’s backbone, a church’s pastor – Lawrance – takes her in and looks after her throughout the rest of the show. I can’t say I really cared for all the religious references, but the utter overprotective and adorable nature of their relationship really saves what little story was; so, you can pretty much forgive it not existing. The simple nature of the story does allow it to develop slightly and give way to an element of mystery as it explains some concepts such as “divine protection” and a few characters backstories, but unfortunately by the time it does that all you want to see is Lawrance and Cecilia interacting.
Characters 7/10
The show is mainly centred around this lovely close-knit community featuring a few notable characters. Cecilia is absolutely adorable, and all her interactions are the only reason you’d be watching this show. She has a fair bit of depth behind all of the extremely red faces, a “lady saint” – a messenger of God sent to protect the people who can bestow her protection on people and someone who can’t stop lazing around when not having to put on the extreme sparkle-inducing front that is the Lady Saint. Lawrence is the village’s pastor and the backbone of the village, he gives more to the table than the average black haired self-insert but is still dense as ever when it comes to any form of romance. The other main pair – Haiselita & Abel don’t really scream romantic interactions at all but provide a nice straight reality into the romcom problems experienced by the 2 main characters. I quite enjoyed these two as Abel is designed to be a “tutor” but is the stupidest character in the show and Hasielita is some fancy rich noble with an obsessive sister-complex brother; she is pretty much the embodiment of the audience getting irritated at how dense Lawrence is. As a result of such contrast, the chemistry they provide is great. Finally, the cast of side characters doesn’t leave much room for desires. A dress maker and her son, a fortune teller and several other reappearing characters heighten the show and solidifies that close-knit community that gives the show a great feeling to watch.
Art & Animation 7/10
It looks good - It’s not bad, It’s not amazing. Just good. The art style aims to be quite vibrant and cutesy which it does well - quite nice to look at.
Music & Sound 7/10
Still Pretty okay, the intro and outro aren’t Spotify playlist material by any means but they get the job done. I’m not even going to lie to you I did not pick up on the background music as well – I suppose it succeeded on the “background” quite well.
Closing Thoughts
Well I never expected Christianity to be marketed in an anime, but I think they’ve done it well. If you hate romcoms - don’t even try it. If you like romcoms – give it a shot, this could be one of the better shows where you want to punch the main character for being so dense. I personally had quite a bit of fun watching this, the interactions cured my daily depression and the anime resulted in 0 progress between Cecilia and Lawrence.
Score: 7/10 - Good
RyanXY
This anime has very effective healing properties. I would go as far as to say that this anime heals more than being healed by a sage in valorant. My soul has truly been cleansed and I am in a very happy mood right now. If you ever find yourself feeling sad or other complicated feelings. This will definitely help as it helped me tremendously to soothe my soul and made my day a lot better. However as I have already finished this lovely anime, I have now returned to reality and it isn't quite what I imagined when compared with this anime. Conclusion: I wholeheartedly recommend thisanime to anyone in need of a slice of life , no drama , pure sweetness overload anime.
That's it from me. If this review helped you in any kind of way, then I am already satisfied. Thanks for reading.
GakutoDeathGlare
This show started off well enough, but quickly fell off the rails with it's annoying and frustrating moments that eclipsed the more cuter and wholesome acts, and never really got back on track again. I was quite looking forward to this show, in an already packed Summer 2023 season. As a studio, Doga Kobo is a personal favorite of mine, so I was more than willing to check out Shiro Seijo to Kuro Bokushi. They are the creme de la creme of CGDCT and/or wholesome slow life anime at the moment, the synopsis reaffirming my feelings once again, anticipating another relaxing and funny Doga Koboadaptation. They "heal" you, so to speak, washing away the stress and exhaustion of another day of slaving away at work, unfortunately, there was no such healing this time around.
The sole reason is Lawrence, one of the two main characters in this show and our Male protagonist. He's also voiced by Kaito Ishikawa, somebody that I am so sick of hearing these days, it feels like he's in every 3rd show I watch, it was a double whammy personally, punched in the gut twice.
The reason I didn't like Lawrence, was simply because of how dense he was. Whether it be towards Cecilia's obvious feelings for him, friends throwing hints or questioning him, etc, it just did not matter, this dude took thick-headedness to the next level. Think of any other dense MC you know of and times that by ten, that's Lawrence. As a direct result to all this, Lawrence acts like a worried and overprotective parent all damn season, no matter what Cecilia did or didn't do, it was overbearing and frustrating to watch, which made it difficult to care or enjoy the small sparks of romance that would sporadically happen every now and then. "Seijo Sama, careful where you walk, Seijo Sama, leave some space for dinner, Seijo Sama, time to get up now, Seijo Sama Seijo Sama Seijo Sama", literally a parent taking care of a child.
This sort of density wouldn't usually bother me so much, in such a laid back anime, an anime that lacks a serious plot, and I felt that way in the first couple episodes, but it really just got to be too much. It's more of a threshold thing IMO, some won't care at all, others won't be able to stand it. It seemed so counterproductive to me, you want to relax or laugh, but then Lawrence does something moronic for the 127th time, ruining any chance of relaxation lol...He does show tiny amounts of progress, and you do get something out of it in the final episode, but by then I was already long gone.
It is a very aesthetically pleasing anime, I will give it that. Adorable character designs, simplistic but vibrant artwork, cozy enough soundtrack, it ticks all the boxes there. I don't think I've ever been let down by Doga Kobo in this regard.
Overall, it was a pretty disappointing experience, Hazano Kazutake's first adaptation excluding artwork that they've done for other projects like "The Angel Next Door". I won't say just stick to art, but their first story was a miss for me. 5/10.
KanzakiTeira
This is so good, I have to write a review Short review here so you can actually read all of them. I really enjoyed having a weekly diabetes watching this, it always gives me that cute and sweet satisfying feeling. Story: 8/10 Well the plot although it's not perfect, for someone that is not a tryhard anime reviewer and just simply wants to enjoy anime, I really enjoyed the story. Character: 9/10 You can't expect everyone to be perfect; No one is perfect. I'm quite sad when people lowering score because Lawrence was too dense. I mean, not everyone is perfect right? tbh he is getting better as the anime goeson.
also, Saint Cecilia is cute waifu
Overall, good anime 10/10. I always end up smiling in sweetness after watching this. If you just want a sweet relaxing romance anime, just watch this and enjoy it.
SpaceMan101
Story 9/10 The story can be easily summarized in one sentence "short and sweet". They really managed to pack some serious punch with only 12 episodes. Characters 9/10 Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed the interactions between not just the main cast but even the side characters. Every character we're introduced too has more than just five seconds of thought behind their existence. Personal review 9.5/10 I enjoyed every episode of this show. Nothing quite beats sitting down and enjoying a short 12 episode anime, really gets the dopamine flowing into my cranium. Highly recommend a watch if you're tired and just want a wholesome anime to relax awaywith.
i-like-this
The Hot Vicar of Dibley. If you’re looking for a slice-of-life rom-com that is cute but predictable, safe and at times a bit boring then here is Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence. The story revolves around Pastor Lawrence who lives with and looks after Cecilia, a mythical Saint said to be sent by god to solve the people's problems. However, Cecilia harbours an enormous crush on Lawrence who is so dense you could mistake him for rock. This is the beginning and the end of the joke spread over twelve episodes. Okay, that's a bit harsh. The show can be very funny in that cute waymost competent moé shows are. Studio Doga Kobo may not be pushing the boat out in terms of art and animation compared to the monster anime they made last season “Oshi no Ko”, but the painted backgrounds are pretty and the character expressions are very lively, charming and fun. Especially Cecilia, who is adorable.
This anime nails the first episode introducing her as a kind, saintly, almost divine figure to the people of the village contrasting her adorably lazy and gluttonous self she only shows Lawrence when they’re alone. Abel and Aldridge don’t add much to the dynamic when they’re introduced apart from giving Cecilia and Lawerence some other people to talk to, but theirs and the villager's efforts to drop obvious hints about Cecilia’s obvious affection for Lawerence to the Paster can be very charming.
There’s some light world-building. Saints can communicate with angels/fairies in the form of little light blobs and also the dead later on(?). Still, it is mostly that sort of diet Christian-inspired religious inspiration anime uses but doesn’t fully commit to probably for Japanese historical cultural reasons.
Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence is fine. The first episode is really good but after that, it settles into genre tropes you see in most slice-of-life rom-com’s and fluctuates between good and dull.
The lord may be Cecilia’s shepherd but it's Lawrence she shall want but he's not laying her down in green pastures any time soon if you know what I’m saying.
6/10 It’s Okay.
rowanblack
Title: A Charming Blend of Fantasy and Romance: Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence Review Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence is a delightful addition to the world of casual fantasy romance anime, offering a heartwarming and consistently charming viewing experience. With average animation, the series focuses on its endearing characters and the blossoming romance that unfolds between them, making it an ideal choice for fans of slice-of-life narratives. The animation quality, while not groundbreaking, serves its purpose in bringing the fantastical world of Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence to life. While it may not boast the visual spectacle of some high-budget productions, the series compensates with its attentionto character development and emotional storytelling.
The characters are a highlight of the show, providing an enjoyable and relatable experience for viewers. The titular characters, Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence, are well-crafted and endearing, each contributing their own unique charm to the narrative. However, the male love interest, Pastor Lawrence, may come across as more than a bit oblivious, adding a touch of humor to the romantic elements.
What sets Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence apart is its commitment to maintaining a consistent level of romance throughout the entire season. Viewers looking for a romantic storyline that doesn't waver or lose its momentum will find satisfaction in the unwavering dedication to the central love story.
The series caters specifically to fans of slice-of-life, offering a relaxed and easygoing narrative that immerses viewers in the everyday lives of its characters. The fantasy elements add a touch of magic to the otherwise ordinary world, creating a unique blend that sets it apart from more traditional romance anime.
In conclusion, Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence may not boast groundbreaking animation, but it more than compensates with its endearing characters and a romance that remains consistently enjoyable, but does not develop deeper, from the beginning to the end of Season 1. For those who appreciate a casual fantasy romance with a slice-of-life feel, this anime offers a comforting and charming escape into a world where love takes center stage.
Kays90
A good anime with nothing really new, except for the fact that it wouldn't hook you from get go. You have to be patient, the show will then start to grow on you. Art & animation are the weaker links of the show. Even with the opted art style, the quality feels quite inconsistent. Character development is somewhat good, not the best. I feel the direction isn't great but feels somewhat intentional to let the show grow on you. Sound department is good. I watched the English Dub & felt it to be quite good. Sound effects weren't much dull down which usually happen in modern English dubs. Storyin itself is plain & simple, which isn't bad in my books. I like them that way only.
If you are patient with the show, then you'll like it. Give it a chance to watch 3-4 episodes, then you'll most probably binge watch it. Else, you're more likely to drop the show. I was ready to leave the show after Ep 1 & again after Ep2, but here I'm giving it a 7 Good Score.
MarlsMarsBars
Out of all the seasonal anime of Summer 2023, Saint Cecilia and Paster Lawrence was a pleasant surprise. I initially wasn't planning on watching this show, but the first episode had me hooked. The relationship between the two titular characters is fun and goofy while also maintaining a level of cuteness whenever they start revealing their more intimate feelings to one another. The dynamic between these two can feel repetitive at times, especially when it comes to how emotionally dense they are, but it doesn't harm the series too much. The side characters add another level of light-heartedness in an already wholesome anime. The romanceisn't too crazy here, but overall, Saint Cecilia is a cozy romcom, slice of life series that hits all of its intended beats.
