There's a manga 「聖おにいさん」officially translated as "Saint Young Men", but I prefer my own translation "Holy Bros". The story answers the question "What Would Jesus (and Buddha) Do?" -- They would get an apartment in Tokyo and bro out.
I don't believe it's sold in the states, and I imagine it would only be met with protests and lawsuits. "Jesus can't enjoy cosplaying as a samurai!" "The interpretation of Jesus as an impulse buyer of knicknacks while Buddha stingily manages their household expenses is a subjugation of the Christian faith!" "How DARE you write a scene where Jesus goes to the convenience store and is mistaken for Johnny Depp!" Considering the state of religious extremists convinced they are the victims in America, I can't imagine it would go over well.
That said, I enjoy it thoroughly. To better describe the sacrilege humor, allow me to translate one particular scene from the first book.
「Jesus and Buddha are attending a street festival and are looking at stalls selling snack foods」
Jesus: Wow, there's really a ton of stalls here!
(Looking at a cotton candy machine)
Jesus: Ooh, what's this? It's like a cloud! Hey Mister, is this, food?
Shop owner: Its sweet!
Jesus: One please!
(Meanwhile, Buddha finds snowcones)
Buddha: Wow, and this one is like snow! So this is what festival food is like.
Shop owner: Try it!
Buddha: I'll take it!
(Close up on Buddha eating happily)
Buddha: It's just like a dream. This is great, huh Jesus? You're always staring at the clouds beneath your feet in heaven and saying how fluffy and delicious they look.
(Panel expands to reveal Jesus face deep into his cotton candy. Sound effect: STICKY)
Buddha: Huh? What's... is it... sticky?
Jesus, aside: It's not fluffy like a cloud at all...
(Painstakingly pulling it off his face and out of his hair)
Jesus: It's so long since I've felt this betrayed.
Jesus: This is like, Judas level. The most disappointed I've been since Judas.
Jesus, aside: And it shrank... just like how puppies shrink when they get wet...
Buddha: Cheer up! Even that time with Judas you came back after three days!
And then of course in the next scene they re-encounter their Yakuza friend, who in a hilarious case of mistaken identities thinks Jesus is a high level gangster. Classic mix-up!
Side panels often contain little fun facts about the characters, such as
"Buddha prefers soy sauce on his sunny-side up eggs. Sometimes he even wants to add a little red pepper."
"Jesus prefers worcestershire sauce. But since coming to Japan he's started liking it with soy sauce, too."
A lot of it is kinda inane except for the fact that its Jesus and Buddha broing out. But, its validating that I can read it now and appreciate the slightly twisted sense of humor - previously started it at the end of Senior year, at which I could comprehend it, but not enough that the sarcastic humor was actually enjoyable. So go me! And now I'm looking forward to getting the next three books in the series.
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