Noragami is a very short anime series consisting of only 12 episodes and 2 OVAs (manga ongoing). I started watching this series at Sunite’s (@ Daily Anime Art) recommendation and was instantaneously hooked. I rarely come across anime shows where I’m instantly impressed from the first episode, so this was definitely a welcomed surprised.
RATING: 7/10
SYNOPSIS: While walking home with her friends from school one day, Hyori saved a boy around her age from an on-coming bus. In doing so, she gets hit by the bus and her spirit separates from her body. Although her spirit reentered her body shortly after, it continued to leave her body without her realizing, causing her actual body to “fall asleep” at random places, including in class. Tracking down the boy she saved, she learned that he’s actually a god named Yato, albeit vastly unknown and unpopular compared to other gods. He tells her that she is what’s considered a “half-phantom” (phantom being what they call spirits), which is the reason why her spirit randomly becomes detached from her body. Since the problem started ever since she helped Yato, she demands that he help her find a solution.
GENRE: Fantasy, Comedy, Action, Supernatural
Hyori’s spirit unexpectedly escapes from her body as she strolls along in a park.
THOUGHTS: Noragami recycled many elements from other series, but did so in a way that isn’t offensive or tiring. In fact, I think it did a pretty good job in paying tribute to some of the more popular animanga themes. The highlight of the series appears to be Yukine’s adjustment and transformation as Yato’s weapon. Yukine is actually a pure spirit of a young deceased boy, who struggles with not having lived out his full life. Every time he gives into temptation (stealing, vandalism) it causes Yato severe pain. When Yukine first met Hyori, he had this instant puppy-love attraction, which I thought was really cute. I also thought that the “stings” that Yukine’s thoughts caused Yato were quite humorous…until I saw Yato’s cursed condition. What a holy shit moment!
Yato expressing pleasure of having picked Yukine as his weapon / regalia.
Yukine’s regalia / weapon form. Such a handsome sword.
For a “supernatural” anime, there is very little focus on the phantoms, who exist more as annoyances rather than enemies. Most of the anime is focused on character development and relationship building, which was done surprisingly well for such a short series. Then again that does make sense, since phantoms are merely seen as beings in the after life and counterparts to those that are alive, rather than evil spirits that absolutely must be purged. Some must be, but not all. Although I enjoyed the series, there are a few things that I felt the anime left opened / unanswered.
First. How did Hyori become just a “half-phantom” after clearly being hit by the bus? I suspect that it might be because she was with Yato during the accident, but it wasn’t quite clear. During the entire series, I was hoping she’d just die already and become a part of Yato’s arsenal – or at least half-arsenal. Even though she has better fighting abilities in her spirit form, it’s all wasted since she can’t endanger her lifeline (a tail attached to her body, which if severed, will cause her to die). Not saying that she will ever become one of Yato’s regalia, but if she does, what form do you think she’d be? A pipe like Mayu? Gloves? I think it would be something to increase Yato’s defense rather than attack power…but she is a huge martial arts fan, so it’s really a toss up.
Hyori would have been an awesome regalia …I really want to see it! Maybe when she figures out her whole half-dead situation.
Second. How are a god’s association determined? How does one become the god of misfortune or the god of education? From the anime, it seems that gods have a choice in choosing the type of wishes they answer – which in turn, will create their association. So couldn’t a god answer only prayers for good luck to become a god of good fortune, just as a god can answer only prayers of ill-will and violence to become a god of war? Of course it depends on which prayers come your way to begin with, but I can see a god having much more control over his or her destiny than it seems in the anime. Kofuku, however, is an aberration – her title has more to do with her clumsiness and irresponsible behavior rather than answering any wishes.
These issues might have been addressed in the manga, but I have not decided whether I want to read it yet, seeing that it is unfinished. If anyone of you have some insight, please clue me in and don’t hold back on any spoilers!