My Top 3 Lessons from "The Seven Deadly Sins" [Nanatsu No Taizai]

Nanatsu No Taizai (NNT) has to be one of my favorite manga series thus far. The blend of adventure, passion and excitement keeps readers like me engaged as we watch the series unfold. The plot twists and unexpected surprises really drive in the creative flair of Nakaba Suzuki in his creation of this piece. While it has recently come to a close (Eagerly awaiting its successor, "The Four Knights of Apocalypse"), the lessons learned will continue to impact my life and the lives of others.

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

On the left you see our love-able main protagonist Meliodas, the Dragon's Sin of Wrath. On the right, you see the most terrible demon to have ever lived (behind the Demon King), Meliodas, the leader of the Ten Commandments. The same person, two drastically different personalities, two sides of the same coin even! Yet, what does this tell us about people and how we should perceive them in reality?

As the adage goes,"Don't judge a book by its cover", we should not be judging a person solely on the surface but to also take into account the struggles and events that led them to be who they are today. Be it a kind, gentle soul or a gruff, brusque individual, we have all went through our fair share of struggles that made us into the character we are now. The stark contrast in Meliodas reminds us to be open to what a person is, not only on the surface but on the inside as well.

Sacrifices Happen, Make It Count

"You will come to know that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make"

~ Gordon B. Hinckley

Sacrifices happen everyday, and mostly by choice, in the ever unfolding story of our lives. It is typically done with the aim of achieving a greater good that we feel is worth, be it for the happiness of others, potential opportunities or even to fulfill a greater desire. These are events which do not come easy and should not be taken lightly, which was greatly exemplified by Escanor in the last arc of the manga series (No spoilers please!).

Sacrifices are events we should take into careful consideration, not only of what we will lose and what will be gained but also why we are doing so. Understanding the why and believing deeply enough in it makes sacrifices bearable as we come closer to achieving a goal or aspiration. Therefore, my dear reader, before any sacrifice, think not of just what, but also why it must be done before coming to a conclusion.

Love Comes In All Shapes And Sizes

Throughout the story, love and relationships play an integral part towards its development. In fact, the beginning of our beloved tale would not even be possible if not for the love of Meliodas and Elizabeth (for both who know, please, no spoilers!). This love can transcend boundaries, as can be seen above in our Fairy protagonist, King, and his partner Diane, a giantess. The unique pairings seen in the series really brings to your attention the possibilities that love can bring forward.

Applied to the real world, it is true that love can transcend so many boundaries. Couples of different races, ethnicity and cultures exist all around us (including for yours truly!) and show just how far we have come from times where interracial couples were scorned. It is enlightening to see how these developments in NNT mirror those seen in real life! (For non-romantic love, do have a look at the story between Ban and Zhivago, if that isn't love, I don't know what is!)

Note: The author does not condone relationships that extend beyond the legal sphere and basic tenets of society (such as in romantic adult-minor relationships, human-animal relationships, etc.). The context of this point solely revolves around the idea of cross cultural and interracial relationships.

So, what can we learn from manga/anime?

From what I've shared, there is a ton to learn from manga/anime. While they suit a different demographic from the more professional type, the intertwined life lessons strike true in the hearts of readers. I shall continue to explore this theme in manga/anime so stay tuned for more! :)