If you’re fond of supernatural and adventure stories, comedy anime, and haven’t watched Noragami, then you’re clearly missing out on this not-so-hidden gem! Noragami has won several awards and hearts from its fans over the past years. However, it’s still not getting the attention it deserves.
For the past years, various anime series have been mushrooming and gaining fans’ attention. Some of the anime has been around for quite some time and are still being talked about today be it online or offline. Due to the immense popularity of mainstream animes, the downside is that some animes are going unnoticed, one of which is Noragami.
Watch Noragami – Official Trailer (Dub) by Crunchyroll Australia:
Though it is one of those anime that are well-written and animated, Noragami isn’t that popular in the mainstream media. The power of social media platforms in promoting animes that are loved and appreciated by fans is very significant. In Noragami’s case, unless you’re following a specific social media group created for the series, you will not encounter much content regarding the series.
Noragami: Plot, History, and Awards
Noragami, or Stray God, is masterfully created by a brilliant duo known as Adachitoka. The series was born from the brilliant minds of two female geniuses. First, Adachi, the character artist of Noragami together with her background character, Tokashiki. Noragami is Adachitoka’s first original series that was animated from the manga series of the same name during winter, specifically in January 2014.
In addition, Noragami was then produced by Studio Bones, popularly known for other famous animes, such as Mob Psycho 100, My Hero Academia, and Bungo Stray Dogs. However, it is not considered underrated just because of its producing studio, but all because of its plot.
Since its release, Noragami has bagged a few awards. In fact, during the annual Anime Trend Awards in 2015, it won Supernatural Anime of the Year, while Yato won Man of the Year. Also, during the seasonal awards in 2014, it won numerous titles such as Favorite Supernatural, Favorite Action and Adventure, Favorite Couple-Ship (YatoxHiyori), Favorite Male Character (Yato), and Favorite Character (Yato).
To give you a glimpse, Noragami follows the story of the God of Calamity, Yato. Unlike the real definition of Gods, Yato almost has nothing. Not even a shrine. Hence, Yato works hard collecting five yen as a “Delivery God” in order to build his own shrine someday, have countless followers, and change his title to God of Fortune.
One of the main characters, Hiyori Iki, wanted to save Yato from being hit by a truck. Without knowing that the guy is technically a God who doesn’t exist in others’ eyes. Due to Hiyori’s unawareness at that time, this didn’t turn out the way she wanted as it was herself that ended up getting hit by the truck.
As a result of the accident, Hiyori’s life changed as her spirit is now able to travel between the human world and the afterlife. Their fated encounter was the start of everything. Desperately wanting to go back to normal, Hiyori unwillingly works with Yato during the first episodes of season one.
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The story gets more exciting and intense because in season one episode two, Yato finally finds his stubbornly cute shinki or regalia, which he names, Yukine.
Regalias are known to be divine weapons that were former humans whose lives ended against their will. After a God’s possession of regalia its changes into a unique weapon.
From then on, the three of them spent their time fighting ayakashi or phantoms, goofing around, and growing together. Also, Noragami deals with more than that. As the series goes on the homeless God is slowly revealed to have been considered a very powerful one.
Noragami: Characters, Seasons, and Episodes
Supernatural. Adventure. Comedy. Action. Drama. If you’re a fan of these genres, then Noragami will surely not waste your time. The unquestionably underappreciated anime series has adapted 39 chapters from the original manga.
Season one has 12 episodes adapting chapters one to eleven of the original manga. The first season of Noragami premiered on January 05, 2014, and on March 23, 2014. On one hand, season two, titled Noragami Aragoto, was released on October 03, 2015, to December 26, 2015, adapting chapters 12 to 39 of the manga series.
Noragami has plenty of well-rounded characters. As we get to know more about Yato’s darker side in Noragami, characters who made or are currently making a significant impact in his life are introduced. Indeed, the combination of characters makes its story more exciting to follow.
Here is a list of the characters’ names and Japanese cast for reference:
| Character Names | Japanese Cast |
| Yato | Hiroshi Kamiya |
| Hiyori Iki | Maaya Uchida |
| Yukine | Yuki Kaji |
| Kofuku | Aki Toyosaki |
| Daikoku | Daisuke Ono |
| Bishamonten | Miyuki Sawashiro |
| Kazuma | Jun Fukuyama |
| Kuraha | Kazuhiko Inoue |
| Kugaha | Takanori Hoshino |
| Aiha | Hisako Tōjō |
| Ebisu | Ryōtarō Okiayu |
| Tenjin | Tōru Ōkawa |
| Mayu | Asami Imai |
| Mutsumi | Mikako Komatsu |
| The Stray | Rie Kugimiya |
| Kōto Fujisaki | Kaito Ishikawa |
Although no news regarding the renewal of Noragami season three has been announced. No doubt that it will still be able to provide its fans with the same level of promising addiction that the other mainstream anime series gives. So, if you haven’t watched it yet, it is never too late to start now!
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