Posted by OP Sequence
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OP: 「(神様の神様」(Kamisama no Kamisama) by (Hanae)
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「神様またはじめました」 (Kamisama mata hajimemashita)
“I’ve Started the “Being a God” Thing Again”
What’s old shall be new again…
Welcome back, Old Friend. I can’t say I remotely expected a second season of Kamisama Hajimashita – the first one didn’t exactly sell like hotcakes and it’s been two years since it finished airing. So the announcement was one I greeted with a good deal of surprise and delight, given just how much esteem I held the show in by the time it was finished. It was a slow build, and this was never a series that blew you away with its brilliance – but when it was over, it was clear you’d just watched something pretty special.
Among other things, Kamisama Kiss is a fairly difficult show to blog because it thrives on charm above all else. “Just serious enough when it’s funny and just funny enough when it’s serious” is about the best way I can describe it, and in that it shares much with other hidden gems like Gugure! Kokkuri-san and Nekogami Yaoyorozu. Every schedule is better off when it’s blessed with a show or two like this – ones that are simply a pleasure to watch and easy to enjoy.
Kamisama Hajimemashita returns with much the same feel as it did when it left, and as a result there’s very much a feeling of picking up right where we left off. Of course a great deal of that is due to director Akitarou Daichi, who for my money is the greatest shoujo director in anime history. This show is always perfectly paced, brilliant at creating atmosphere and a feast for the eyes – it’s a gorgeous series and full of sight gags and memorable facial expressions.
With that said, there’s a sense that things may be a bit more plot-forward this time around. We open with another look at Kirihito, the character who briefly appeared in the S1 finale and is obviously an important part of Tomoe’s past, and hints that Mikage-sama (who always casts a large shadow over this story even though he’s rarely present) is still very much on the minds of all concerned. And the season immediately kicks off with a couple of important developments. We learn that Nanami is a candidate to attend the annual gathering of the Gods at Izumo in the missing Mikage’s absence. That is, if Nanami can pass a test administered by the mischievous Wind God Otohiko – the successful raising of a Shikigami he gives her in the form of an egg.
Mamoru stands to be a significant addition to the S2 cast, and he “hatches” in the form a tiny monkey. In this form he’s played by Kusunoki Hinata, but when he’s in the form of a human boy he’ll be played by Yamashita Daiki (who’s made a great impression as Onoda Sakamichi in Yowapeda). The dynamic we see at the start of all this is very much a carryover from S1 – Nanami is still rather helpless as a God, and that’s just fine with Tomoe since he very much prefers the role of her protector. But – perhaps somewhat surprisingly – Otohiko (who Nanami has taken to calling the “Guy-Girl-Guy”) proves a rather helpful facilitator in Nanami’s development. He teaches her that rather than waste her limited powers on white talismans, she can imbue Mamoru with her powers by naming him – and the choice of name (Mamoru means “Protect”) is a crucial one. By doing so, she’s able to fight off a vengeful spirit who’s possessed the school, and stained Tomoe’s hands once more with blood.
There’s a lot of interesting development that can arise from this, given Tomoe’s feelings about being the strong and competent one. The undercurrent of romance is always present between he and Nanami, and when he impetuously tells Nanami “I am yours” the vibe is thick enough to cut with a knife. The rest of the returning cast is minimally involved in the first episode, but it’s a safe bet they’ll be important factors as the season progresses – though things will always revolve around Nanami and Tomoe. There are really no red lights here – the cast of characters is a great one, the staff is top-shelf, and there’s enough new stuff going on to ensure things aren’t going to stagnate. It’s great to have Kamisama Hajimemashita back, and I find myself looking forward to it as much as any series this season.
ED Sequence
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ED: 「Ototoi Oide」 (Ototoi Oide) by (Hanae)
Watch the ED!: Streaming ▼
Preview
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I need to go back and watch season 1, this show looks super cute and reminds me of FRUITS BASKET.
Same director… Though thematically they’re very different. FB is arguably my #1 shoujo of all-time, and I don’t put KH on that level. But it’s certainly a good series and very loveable.
I’d say it’s pretty hard to find ANY series that measures up to the pure shoujo greatness that is Fruits Basket, but if that and Kodocha are any indication, I should definitely give this new series a try.
@kage I probably watched it around 10+ times 🙂 It is very enjoyable!
blog this, since animax asia airs the 1st season
ENZO! I am so glad you’re reviewing this its awesome! I was waiting at the end of the opening for that line at the end of opening 1 when it says slowly ‘ka mi a ma ha j mee mashitaaaa’! I love these series.
When the first one ended it was very special, I was sad with the ending but did not expect at all a second season! For all my waiting for Chihayafuru, TOkyo Ghoul, Shingeki no Kyojin, and hopeless forgotten not fully adopted animes like KAicho wa Maid-sama, this felt really great to see return! It gave me many laughs and I enjoyed it!!
I loved your review of the episode as usual, and I like how we are going to see some nice developments. I can’t believe its been two years since season 1! wasn’t it just like last year? bleh time.
Thank you and welcome back 🙂 Finally a show I watch is being reviewed!
M
Funimation (on Comcast) is airing the 1st season. Its dubbed (which sucks) but still enjoyable.
So glad, this series is back! It always makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside 🙂
That pretty much sums up Kamisama Hajimemashita for me too. I also love the fact when there are one or two series that I do not need to go into deep thought but just watch how each episode turns out; those types of anime are just as important as any other series for a season. I look forward to future episodes! Thank you for introducing the first episode, Guardian Enzo.
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On another note, Mamoru is one adorable monkey!
https://randomc.net/image/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita%202%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2014.jpg
https://randomc.net/image/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita%202%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2014.jpg
https://randomc.net/image/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita%202%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2030.jpg
I apologize for the double, I meant to put this as the second one.
https://randomc.net/image/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita%202%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2028.jpg
Excited to see the new characters.
https://randomc.net/image/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita%202%20-%20OP%20-%20Large%2001.jpg
Excited to see the Tomoe’s past.
https://randomc.net/image/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita%202%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2001.jpg
Excited to see Nanami blushing moments.
https://randomc.net/image/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita%202%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2015.jpg
Excited to see their romance.
https://randomc.net/image/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita/Kamisama%20Hajimemashita%202%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2032.jpg
Excitement is overwhelming. 😀
As someone who reads and adores the manga, I was actually a bit disappointed in this episode. The part in the manga is the same premise, but they completely cut out a character and some rivalry that also helps Nanami to think and grow. I get why they didn’t put the extra character in, but I felt like it was a bit fast and lacking a little because of it. Not that I didn’t enjoy the cuteness and Tomoe and Nanami’s interactions, but…
On the other hand, if they have to rush through this part to get the the section about Tomoe’s past by the end (and do it well!), then I’ll put up with it.