5 Reasons Why You Should Watch Kamisama Kiss

3–5 minutes

5 Reasons Why You Should Watch Kamisama Kiss

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Some romance anime thrive on angst. Others lean hard into slapstick comedy. Kamisama Kiss sits comfortably in the middle, weaving romance, Japanese mythology, humour, and emotional growth into a story that feels warm rather than weighty. It’s cosy without being shallow, funny without undercutting its feelings, and surprisingly tender, especially if you love supernatural love stories with slow-burn chemistry.

What is Kamisama Kiss about?

Kamisama Kiss centres on Nanami Momozono, a bright and kind-hearted teenager whose life collapses when her gambling-addicted father abandons her, leaving her homeless and drowning in debt. While sitting alone in a park, she helps a strange man named Mikage escape from a dog. As thanks, he offers her his home, only for Nanami to discover it’s a rundown shrine perched on a hill. Before disappearing, Mikage kissed her forehead and transferred his divine powers to her, making Nanami the new land god of the shrine. Along with the title comes Tomoe, a powerful fox yokai who has served as Mikage’s familiar for centuries. Tomoe is beautiful, sharp-tongued, and absolutely livid that his master has been replaced by a weak human girl.

5 Reasons to watch Kamisama Kiss

I was tempted to just say “Tomoe” for every reason and show screenshots of him for different angles and reasons, but I felt this list needed more than just my crush showing up. So yes, while Tomoe is a valid reason to watch Kamisama Kiss, here are 5 other reasons to watch.

1. A Romance That Takes Its Time and Earns Every Step

A close-up of two anime characters interacting intimately. One character has white hair and fox-like ears, while the other has dark hair and is dressed in light clothing. They are gazing at each other with expressions conveying affection and surprise.

Kamisama Kiss takes its time with romance, and that patience pays off. Nanami and Tomoe don’t fall in love instantly. They start off frustrated, mistrustful, and very much at odds. Their relationship grows through shared struggles, small acts of care, and emotional vulnerability rather than dramatic confessions. Nanami earns Tomoe’s trust through persistence and compassion, while Tomoe’s guarded heart softens gradually as his past is revealed. When the romance finally settles in, it feels natural, layered, and genuinely satisfying.

2. Japanese Folklore Is Woven Naturally Into the Story

Two animated characters with animal ears and vibrant hair are smiling broadly, expressing excitement and camaraderie.

Rather than explaining its mythology outright, Kamisama Kiss lets you learn by immersion. Yokai, kami, divine contracts, and supernatural rules are introduced as Nanami stumbles through her new role as a land god, often with real consequences. The folklore isn’t just an aesthetic; it shapes the power systems, relationships, and conflicts, making the world feel lived-in and coherent. It strikes a lovely balance between educational and entertaining without ever feeling like a lecture.

3. A Female Lead Who Is Kind, Capable and Likeable

A young woman with long brown hair and large expressive eyes, smiling gently while wearing a traditional Japanese kimono, viewed from behind a window at night.

Nanami isn’t powerful, trained, or secretly special; she starts with nothing but determination and empathy. What makes her compelling is that she solves problems emotionally and thoughtfully rather than through strength. She makes mistakes, gets hurt, and fails often, but she learns and adapts instead of giving up. The series treats her as an active participant in her own story, not someone who exists only to be protected, which makes her growth genuinely rewarding to watch.

4. Supporting Characters Add Life

An animated scene featuring two characters. One character has short, light blue hair and is playfully hugging a blonde character who is holding a small object. The background consists of a gradient of blue dots.

The story doesn’t revolve solely around the main couple. Characters like Mizuki, Kurama, and the various gods Nanami encounters all have their own motivations and histories, adding depth to the supernatural world. Even Nanami’s human friendships matter, highlighting the loneliness of living between two worlds. This attention to the supporting cast makes the setting feel richer and the emotional stakes more grounded.

5. A Romance Anime That Actually Reaches a Conclusion

A girl with dark hair and a white shirt is playfully hugging a boy with long white hair and cat ears. A small monkey is perched on her head. The background features dark trees, indicating a night scene.

Unlike many romance anime, Kamisama Kiss offers a mostly complete story across its two seasons and OVAs. Nanami and Tomoe’s relationship reaches a clear resolution, and major questions about their pasts and futures are answered. While the pacing can feel uneven due to condensed manga content, the overall narrative still delivers emotional closure, something shoujo romance fans don’t always get.

One Reason Not to Watch Kamisama Kiss:

Classic Shoujo Tropes Front and Centre

A character with short, reddish-brown hair, wearing a black shirt, is sitting with a hand on their head, looking slightly distressed or contemplative. The background features orange hues with white flowers.

Kamisama Kiss fully embraces traditional shoujo romance conventions: the aloof male lead, the determined heroine, romantic misunderstandings, and sparkly emotional beats. For fans of the genre, this is part of the charm. However, viewers who dislike shoujo tropes or prefer romances with more balanced power dynamics may find elements like Tomoe’s protectiveness or the humour style less appealing. It’s well-executed, but very firmly aimed at its target audience.

Will you watch Kamisama Kiss?

If you enjoy supernatural romance with Japanese folklore elements, character-driven stories about mutual growth, and shoujo anime that doesn’t drag on indefinitely, Kamisama Kiss delivers a complete, charming experience. It won’t reinvent the genre, but it executes familiar elements with enough heart and creativity to stand out.

Overall, if you’re into light romance, yokai fun, and cute dynamics, Kamisama Kiss is really an older romance gem worth the hours it takes to watch.

Kamisama Kiss is available on Crunchyroll, Hulu and Netflix with its English Dub.