Anime, like any form of art, is a reflection of the culture that created it. Because of this, many anime reflect on the history, spiritual beliefs, and tales of Japan. One popular series that is well-loved and beautifully reflects elements of the history of Japan, as well as a more modern representation of the country, isInuyasha. While the two-part anime series concluded in 2010, and has four films and a spin-off series that’s still being made, many fans are eager to consume more, similar content.
One placeInuyashafans can find similar contentis in the 2012animeseries,Kamisama Hajimemashita(Kamisama Kiss). While the story doesn’t leap between Feudal Japan and modern Japan the wayInuyashadoes, it does still intertwine the two worlds. It examines the spiritual beings that come from a much earlier time in Japan, but in a modern world, which changes how others interact with or see these beings.
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The protagonist of the story is a teenage girl who comes into possession of spiritual powers that enable her to embrace her full potential, while also finding love in someone that challenges her and helps her achieve her goals,much like Kagome inInuyasha. Both characters don’t have plenty of suitors, but fall for the complicated relationships that challenge them and help them grow. This detail illustrates the importance of healthy relationships rooted in loyalty, sacrifice, and companionship in these storylines, as they fall under a similar romance genre.
The tone between the two shows is also similar, as both balance light-hearted comedy and romance with intense, and sometimes dark action. While the primary focus of each show is rooted in the developing relationships between the protagonists and the love interests, there is constant inclusion of demons and fighting off enemieswhile simultaneously growing their individual powers. This genre-blending approach to romance storylines in anime is likely what makes them so successful, as they aren’t just sappy love stories.
Of course, that’s not to say there isn’t more emotional content present inKamisama Kiss. While there’s more resistance for a longer period of time between Inuyasha and Kagome, the outward expression of mutual interest between Nanami and Tomoe happens more quickly inKamisama Kiss. In fact, the romance plotline inKamisama Kissis like a mixture of the romance inInuyashaand the romance inFruits Basket.
Like withInuyasha, Kamisama Kisshas several overlapping traitswithFruits Basket, as well. One significant example is the spiritual beings that make up the characters, which are centered around the Zodiac animals.Kamisama Kisshaving so many qualities in common with other successful animes from similar genres, while still having plenty of unique features of its own, speaks to the potential of its storyline. While it shares many of the qualities that anime fans enjoy in other series, it offers a new perspective of the world to fans.
The protagonist ofKamisama Kiss, Nanami, isthe epitome of a character down on her luck, an underdog. Nonetheless, it’s not the opportunities that she inherits that make her a better version of herself, but how she responds to them. Just like inInuyashaandFruits Basket,her ability to consider others is what allows her to grow and inspires others to do the same. In an anime genre where the characters are such a driving force in the story, it takes strong yet empathetic characters to make the story work in a dark and threatening environment.
In terms ofthe actual story style and structure,Kamisama Kiss’sauthor, Julietta Suzuki, has commonly been compared to that of Rumiko Takahashi’s, the author ofInuyasha. Beyond both being successful, influential, female mangakas, their stories feature strong female characters that use their feminine qualities as strengths, rather than weaknesses as their environments often suggest. Perhaps it is really this progressive and more relatable representation of female characters, in a medium of writing that commonly features sexist tendencies, that makes such shows so successful. While it’s clear that the vibrant culture, suspenseful action, and humorous comradery are easilypart of what draws viewers in, it is the inspiring experiences of the characters that really bring each of these stories to life, and keep the viewers around. That’s why it’s so disappointing to finish, or catch up on, a series without any idea of what to fill the hole left behind.
Fortunately, similar storylines exist. Though fans of animes likeInuyashaandFruits Basketmay feel saddened to run out of storyline to consume, they can take comfort in whatKamisama Kisshas to offer. It has enough similarities to suggest that it will be appealing to those fans, but also has enough of a fresh perspective tomake it worthwhile to watch.
Although there are currently only two seasons ofKamisama Kiss(which can be viewed on Hulu or Crunchyroll) there are hopes of a third season happening in the future. However, nothing’s been confirmed yet.
