Kamisama Kiss

Kamisama Kiss

Company type	Manga series
Industry	Manga, anime
Founded	February 2008
Founder	Julietta Suzuki
Defunct	May 2016 (manga serialization ended)
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Manga, anime adaptation, original animation DVD (OAD)

Kamisama Kiss is a Japanese manga series authored by Julietta Suzuki. It was featured in Hakusensha's shōjo manga publication Hana to Yume from February 2008 until May 2016, culminating in 25 compiled volumes. The series was officially licensed for English distribution in North America by Viz Media under the Shojo Beat label.

The franchise expanded to include an anime adaptation consisting of 13 episodes, produced by TMS Entertainment and directed by Akitaro Daichi, which aired on TV Tokyo from October through December 2012. A second season, comprising 12 episodes, followed from January to March 2015. Subsequently, a four-part original animation DVD (OAD) titled Kako-hen was released intermittently between August 2015 and August 2016.

Plot

Nanami Momozono is a compassionate high school student who becomes homeless after her father’s gambling debts force her eviction. In a moment of despair, she saves Mikage, who, in gratitude, offers her his residence. Upon arrival, Nanami discovers that the dwelling is actually a shrine and learns that Mikage was its Land God. He passes on his divine position to her, designating her as his successor. Although initially reluctant, Nanami gradually embraces her new responsibilities, managing both her academic life and divine duties with the assistance of Tomoe and the shrine’s other protectors.

As Nanami grows closer to Tomoe, she develops romantic feelings for him; however, Tomoe initially rejects her due to the taboo surrounding human-yōkai relationships. Despite this barrier, their connection strengthens, complicating their coexistence at the shrine.

Main characters

Nanami becomes homeless after her father’s debts lead to abandonment and inherits the role of land god with limited spiritual capabilities. She learns to wield white talismans and commands a shikigami named Mamoru to aid in cleansing malevolent forces. Her sincerity earns respect from both gods and yōkai. Ultimately, she marries Tomoe—who becomes human—retires from teaching to raise their child, and continues visiting Mikage Shrine as an adult.

Tomoe is a formidable fox yōkai who once served as Mikage’s familiar. Upon being bound by Nanami as his new master, he initially harbors resentment but grows to admire her resolve. Renowned for his transformation magic and Fox-Fire abilities, he fiercely defends Nanami while avoiding killing in her presence. After realizing his love—which connects to Nanami’s past self through time travel—he chooses humanity to stay beside her. They marry and have a son.

Mikage is the previous land god who abandoned his position twenty years earlier and transferred his title to Nanami, believing she was more suitable for the role. His intentions remain ambiguous but imply orchestrating events to demonstrate that humans and yōkai can form loving bonds—particularly that Nanami could reach Tomoe. His plan involves time-travel elements revealed through a past encounter with Nanami.

Kurama is a crow tengu idol from Mount Kurama with a "fallen angel" image. Initially attempting to steal Nanami’s godhood, he is defeated and spared. He befriends Nanami and provides refuge when she loses her powers. Though harboring resentment toward Tomoe, Kurama adapts well to human society and flirts with Nanami before accepting her relationship with Tomoe. After developing feelings for Ami, he returns to Mount Kurama to assist in selecting the next Sojobo, abandoning his idol career.

Mizuki is a snake familiar associated with Yonomori Shrine whom Nanami rescues from mistreatment. Deeply infatuated with her, he once kidnapped her in an attempt at marriage but becomes loyal following Tomoe’s intervention. While occasionally resentful toward Tomoe and manipulating situations, Mizuki finds comfort being himself around Nanami. He brews exceptional sake and remains at Mikage Shrine after Nanami marries Tomoe.

and

The bald, childlike yōkai attendants at Nanami’s shrine wear masks and possess shapeshifting abilities similar to Tomoe’s. They are devoted followers of Nanami, Tomoe, Mizuki, and Mikage. Their masked faces suggest an unpleasant appearance beneath.

Yōkai

A cruel servant under Akura-ou, Kirakaburi takes pleasure in beheading victims and adorning their severed heads with flowers. Devoted to Akura-ou, he avoids confronting more powerful beings such as the Izumo deities. Although he regards Tomoe as beautiful yet aloof, he harbors contempt for anything unattractive—including the furball that ultimately ends his life. Tasked with capturing Yukiji/Nanami (with orders to spare her head), he falls for Nanami's talisman ruse and allows her to flee. Gravely injured by Tomoe, he is ultimately consumed by the vengeful furball. His downfall stems from his arrogance and underestimation of those he deems inferior.

The catfish princess of Tatara Swamp governs an underwater palace attended by fish servants. Enamored with the lost human Kotarō Urashima, she seeks Nanami’s assistance to reunite with him. Assuming a human guise, her romance with Kotarō flourishes despite his initial shock upon discovering her true identity. Expecting Kotarō’s child conceived during her temporary human form, she confronts resistance from traditionalists demanding she sever ties with humans. During Nanami's wedding, the couple flees together, choosing love over convention.

The Dragon Lord of the sea has harbored a grudge against Tomoe for 526 years since losing his right eye in an assault on Ryūgū Castle’s northern gate. After rescuing Ami from drowning, he located Tomoe. His eyes, called the Longevity Elixir, bestow immense power on those who consume them. Fierce but wary of his wife’s wrath, he relinquishes his vendetta once she befriends Nanami and is stunned to learn of Nanami and Tomoe’s engagement.

The Dragon King’s wife disapproves of his confrontations with Tomoe, aware that victory is unlikely and the risk of injury high. She forms a friendship with Nanami by chance, further discouraging her husband from fighting.

An invincible who once fought alongside Tomoe during chaotic times until their alliance fractured over Yukiji's demise. Now residing within Kirihito Mori's body—a deceased boy whose final wish he fulfills—he regains some followers while obsessively searching for his original form. He disrupts the God's Summit and opens the Kyo Gan Mon gate. After descending into Yomi-no-Kuni, Nanami rescues him despite his cruelty. He nearly kills her by draining her life energy; however, her compassion bewilders him—especially when she declares her connection to Tomoe.

Once a feeble named Furball serving Akura-Oh, Yatori gained strength by consuming adversaries of himself or Akura-Oh. Occupying Yukiji's servant Sukeroku's body to appear human, he remains fiercely loyal and eagerly awaits Akura-Oh’s return to resume serving him.

Jirō, the fourth leader of Kurama Mountain, commands tengu with absolute authority and ruthless discipline, banishing weakness as he once did Kurama in his youth. His stern demeanor softens after encountering Nanami beneath an ancient sakura tree but he denies developing feelings for her. Preoccupied by thoughts of her, his protective wards weaken—a fact noted by his servant Yatori. When Yatori betrays him leading to Nanami’s assault by Raijū, Jirō sacrifices himself to protect her, confessing love in what he believes are his final moments.

Unari, a hybrid mermaid-dragon , governs Okinawa’s sea creatures. Her scaled visage and horns caused rejection by her mother, compelling her to conceal herself with a feathered robe. When Akura-Oh steals this fireproof garment crucial for reclaiming his body, Nanami recovers it in exchange for part of her lifespan. Enraged, Unari kidnaps Ami suspecting involvement; Mizuki and Kurama intervene—Kurama is shocked by Unari’s appearance while Mizuki calls her beautiful. They briefly become engaged until Unari recognizes Mizuki's affection for Nanami. As they part ways, she gifts him her robe as he vows to visit annually.

Deities

A male wind deity with feminine traits who initially doubts Nanami's role as the land god but later respects her after she neutralizes the miasma he unleashed upon the shrine.

A spoiled and self-centered sky deity harboring an unreciprocated affection for Tomoe. She seizes Nanami's mark, reduces Tomoe to toddler size, and temporarily takes control of the shrine. Noted for her demanding personality and frequent changes in attendants.

The Wealth God who presides over a prominent shrine in Izumo and organizes the yearly Divine Assembly of gods.

The War God who is hesitant to accept Nanami, a human, as the rightful Land God.

and

(Koume)

(Kotake)

Two of Narukami's 32 Dog-Lions, serving as her most devoted aides, distinguished by their dog ear-like hair accessories.

The deity tasked with overseeing the transition of the year.

Other characters

Nanami's earliest school companion who initially found her peculiar but bonded after Nanami, disguised as Tomoe, saved her from a demon attack. Ami believes Nanami is a shrine maiden and embraces the existence of supernatural beings alongside Kei. She harbors feelings for Kurama, who gradually returns her affection.

Ami's closest friend and the most level-headed member of their group, though prone to temper. She is perceptive and skilled with technology, offering Nanami advice on how to attract Tomoe's attention.

Nanami’s ancestor who survived an assault by yōkai, developing a profound animosity toward them. She exploited Tomoe’s past affections to gain protection from Akura-ou. Her illness prompted Tomoe to steal the Dragon King's eye for her cure, initiating a legacy where women inherit its protective power—accounting for Nanami’s inherited charm and vitality.

A young human boy who becomes Himemiko's romantic interest. Initially shy, he grew fond of her but rejected her after discovering her yōkai identity. He later accepted her true nature after she convinced him during their escape from an arranged marriage.

Nanami’s mother, who passed away due to an unspecified illness, leaving Nanami responsible for managing the household and caring for her father.

A schoolmate known for playfully teasing Nanami.

Another classmate of Nanami’s.

A female deity frequently observed sleeping during Izumo gods’ meetings, much to the irritation of others.

Manga

Created by Julietta Suzuki, Kamisama Kiss was serialized in Hakusensha's bi-monthly shōjo manga publication Hana to Yume from February 20, 2008, until May 20, 2016. The series comprises 149 chapters compiled into 25 volumes by Hakusensha, published between September 19, 2008, and August 19, 2016.

English-language rights were acquired by North American publisher Viz Media during the 2009 New York Anime Festival.

Anime

A television anime adaptation consisting of 13 episodes was produced by TMS Entertainment under director Akitaro Daichi. It aired on TV Tokyo from October 2 through December 25, 2012. Both opening and ending themes—Kamisama Hajimemashita and Kamisama Onegai—were performed by Hanae. Two original animation DVD (OAD) episodes accompanied the sixteenth manga volume released on August 20, 2013; one adapted material from volume fifteen while the other presented an original narrative. These OAD episodes featured Hanae’s songs "Kamisama no Kamisama" and "Ototoi Oide."

The second season comprised 12 episodes aired on TV Tokyo between January 6 and March 31, 2015. A four-part OAD series titled Kako-hen ("Past Arc") was released from August 20, 2015, to August 19, 2016. Additionally, an OAD named Kamisama, Shiawase ni Naru was included with the official fanbook Kamisama Kiss 25.5, published on December 20, 2016.

The English-language streaming and home video rights were licensed by Funimation (now operating as Crunchyroll LLC). In Australia, the series was broadcast on the free-to-air channel ABC3.

Musical

The stage musical titled Kamisama Hajimemashita: The Musical was performed from March 21 to 29, 2015. The production featured Saki Terashima portraying Nanami, Ren Yagami as Tomoe, Keisuke Minami taking on Kurama, and Shōta Takazaki playing Mizuki. Supporting roles included Mao Katō as Onikiri, Keita Tokushiro and Hiroki Takaoka both as Kotetsu, and Juria Kawakami in the role of Narukami. Akira Ishida made a guest appearance, lending his voice once again to the character Mikage. The musical saw a revival in 2016 with Yūta Higuchi stepping in as Mizuki, LinQ member Yūmi Takaki cast as Kotetsu, and Makoto Okunaka assuming the role of Narukami.

Reception

Jacob Chapman from Anime News Network characterized Kamisama Kiss as a fusion reminiscent of Inuyasha combined with Fruits Basket. By March 2016, the manga's print sales had reached a total of five million copies.

External links

• at Viz Media
• at TV Tokyo