Vatican Miracle Examiner as Philosophy of Religion: The Intersections of Faith, Science, and Philosophy in an Anime Adaptation
Carl Jayson D. Hernandez
Religion and Social Communication July 1, 2026 DOI: 10.62461/cjh042926 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Vatican Miracle Examiner communicates a philosophy of religion centered on the complementary relationship between religion and science, and that its allegorical treatment of miracles and prophecies remains relevant to contemporary times. Proposes that anime and other artistic creations can evoke transformative religious experiences. |
Abstract
Ideas concerning religion are often communicated through popular media, such as anime. One of the anime adaptations that explicitly engages the intersections of religion, science, and philosophy is Vatican Kiseki Chōsakan (2017) or Vatican Miracle Examiner. This study reflects on how the anime representation communicates religious ideas about miracles, prophecies, and other spiritual matters to its viewers. This critical reflection reveals how anime promotes a philosophical view centered on the complementary relationship between religion and science. With these in mind, this study proceeds as follows. The first part presents an overview and contextualizes the Vatican Miracle Examiner. The second part elaborates the theoretical approach of this study. Third, given the specific approach, the study proceeds to the conceptual elements needed for discerning miracles through the lenses of philosophy, science, and religion. Then, the fourth part showcases how Vatican Miracle Examiner serves as an allegorical communication of a unique philosophy of religion. By focusing on the mysterious events that transpired and were later investigated, the interpretation of their symbolism demonstrates the relevance of the conveyed religious ideas to contemporary times. Lastly, the utilization of artistic communication for religious ideas is considered. This study argues that anime, along with other artistic creations, can evoke transformative religious experiences.