Kamisama Kiss (Kamisama Hajimemashita) is a delightful, heartwarming supernatural romance that blends Japanese folklore, comedy, and emotional depth. The story follows Nanami Momozono, a homeless high school girl whose life takes a dramatic turn when she saves a man from a dog and is given his home—a dilapidated shrine. She soon discovers that she has inherited the role of a land god, and she must learn to navigate the world of gods, spirits, and yokai with the help of her reluctant familiar, the fox spirit Tomoe. Their relationship evolves from mutual annoyance to deep affection as they face challenges together.
The series is defined by its core themes: a power system rooted in Shinto mythology and the bonds between gods, spirits, and their familiars, where true strength comes from trust and loyalty. Nanami is a quintessential underdog—an ordinary girl thrust into an extraordinary position, who must prove herself worthy through determination, kindness, and courage. Kamisama Kiss masterfully subverts expectations by presenting what appears to be a simple reverse-harem romance and gradually revealing a deeper, more emotionally resonant narrative about belonging, identity, and the transformative power of love. It is a series that understands the importance of finding your place in the world.
For fans of Kamisama Kiss, finding similar anime can be a challenge. The series occupies a unique space—part supernatural romance, part comedy, part exploration of Japanese folklore. Yet, many underrated series share its core DNA: a focus on a young woman who is thrust into the world of spirits and gods, an exploration of the bonds between humans and supernatural beings, and a willingness to blend comedy, romance, and emotional depth. These shows deserve far more attention for their charm, their character development, and their refusal to provide easy answers.
Here are 15 underrated anime that capture the spirit of Kamisama Kiss.
1. The Morose Mononokean (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.3
- Episodes: 13 (Season 1)
- Studio: Pierrot Plus
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Kiri Wazawa.
Plot Summary: Hanae Ashiya, a high school student plagued by a yokai, seeks help from the Mononokean, a mysterious tea room run by Abeno Haruitsuki. They work together to help yokai return to the Underworld.
Similarities to Kamisama Kiss: Both are about a protagonist who is drawn into the world of yokai and spirits and must learn to navigate its complexities. The focus is on the bonds between the protagonist and their supernatural companion. The series is a warm, gentle exploration of Japanese folklore.
2. Inu x Boku SS (2012)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.4
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: David Production
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Cocoa Fujiwara.
Plot Summary: Ririchiyo Shirakiin, a girl from a prestigious family, moves into a high-security apartment building for people with supernatural bloodlines. She is assigned a Secret Service agent, Soushi Miketsukami, who is also her spirit companion.
Similarities to Kamisama Kiss: Both are about a young woman from a difficult background who forms a deep bond with a supernatural companion. The focus is on the development of their relationship and the warmth of their connection. The series is a blend of comedy, romance, and supernatural drama.
3. The Eccentric Family (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.8
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: P.A. Works
- Notable Staff: Based on the novel by Tomihiko Morimi.
Plot Summary: Yasaburou Shimogamo, a young tanuki, navigates the complex social dynamics of Kyoto while dealing with the aftermath of his father’s death. The series explores the bonds of family and the search for identity.
Similarities to Kamisama Kiss: Both are set in a world where the supernatural and the mundane coexist, and focus on the bonds between humans and supernatural beings. The focus is on the quiet, everyday moments that define a life. The series is a blend of comedy, drama, and fantasy.
4. Noragami (2014)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu
- Rating: MAL: 7.9
- Episodes: 12 (Season 1)
- Studio: Bones
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Adachitoka.
Plot Summary: Yato, a minor god who dreams of having his own shrine, performs odd jobs for five yen. He is aided by his “Regalia,” a spirit weapon named Yukine, and a human girl named Hiyori.
Similarities to Kamisama Kiss: Both are about a young woman who becomes involved with a god and helps him with his supernatural duties. The focus is on the bonds between the characters and the challenges they face. The series is a fun, action-packed adventure with a strong emotional core.
5. The Ancient Magus’ Bride (2017)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 8.0
- Episodes: 24 (Season 1)
- Studio: Wit Studio
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Kore Yamazaki.
Plot Summary: Chise Hatori, a young woman who has been abandoned, is purchased by Elias Ainsworth, a mysterious magus. She becomes his apprentice and learns magic while discovering her own worth.
Similarities to Kamisama Kiss: Both are about a young woman who is thrust into the world of magic and supernatural beings, and must learn to navigate its complexities. The focus is on the relationships between the characters and the supernatural beings they encounter. The series is a rich, atmospheric fantasy.
6. Natsume’s Book of Friends (2008)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 8.3
- Episodes: 13 (Season 1)
- Studio: Brain’s Base
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Yuki Midorikawa.
Plot Summary: Takashi Natsume, a boy who can see spirits, inherits a book from his grandmother that contains the names of spirits. He decides to return the names, forming connections with the spirits.
Similarities to Kamisama Kiss: Both are about a protagonist who can see spirits and forms bonds with them. The focus is on empathy, compassion, and the healing power of connection. The tone is warm, melancholic, and deeply emotional.
7. Kamisama Hajimemashita: Kako-hen (2015)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 8.0
- Episodes: 4 (OVA)
- Studio: TMS Entertainment
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Julietta Suzuki.
Plot Summary: An OVA series that explores the past of Tomoe and the origins of his relationship with Nanami. It delves into the history of the shrine and the bonds that connect the characters.
Similarities to Kamisama Kiss: As a direct continuation of the original series, this OVA shares the same themes, characters, and narrative style. It is underrated because it is often overlooked by fans of the main series, but it provides essential backstory and emotional depth.
8. Hotarubi no Mori e (2011)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 8.2
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: Brain’s Base
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Yuki Midorikawa.
Plot Summary: Hotaru, a young girl, befriends Gin, a spirit who lives in the forest. She can never touch him, or he will disappear. The film follows their relationship over the years.
Similarities to Kamisama Kiss: Both are about the bittersweet relationship between humans and spirits, and the pain of separation. The focus is on the quiet, emotional moments of connection. The tone is melancholic and deeply moving.
9. Kyousougiga (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 8.0
- Episodes: 10
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Notable Staff: Directed by Rie Matsumoto.
Plot Summary: In a mirrored version of Kyoto, a young girl named Koto searches for her family. The city is a chaotic, surreal place ruled by a monk and populated by strange creatures.
Similarities to Kamisama Kiss: Both are set in a fantastical version of Japan and explore the bonds of family and the search for belonging. The focus is on the surreal, whimsical atmosphere and the emotional depth of the characters. The series is a visually stunning exploration of family and identity.
10. Gingitsune (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.3
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Diomedéa
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Sayori Ochiai.
Plot Summary: Makoto Saeki, a young girl who can see spirits, inherits the ability to communicate with a fox spirit named Gintaro who serves as the guardian of her family’s shrine.
Similarities to Kamisama Kiss: Both are about a young woman who inherits a shrine and forms a bond with a fox spirit. The focus is on the warmth of the relationship and the importance of tradition. The series is a gentle, heartwarming slice-of-life.
11. Fruits Basket (2019)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu
- Rating: MAL: 8.2
- Episodes: 25 (Season 1)
- Studio: TMS Entertainment
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Natsuki Takaya.
Plot Summary: Tohru Honda, a kind-hearted girl, finds herself living with the Sohma family, who are cursed to transform into animals of the Chinese zodiac. She helps them heal their emotional wounds.
Similarities to Kamisama Kiss: Both are about a kind-hearted young woman who becomes involved with a family of supernatural beings and helps them heal. The focus is on the emotional depth of the relationships and the power of love. The series is a masterclass in emotional storytelling.
12. The Helpful Fox Senko-san (2019)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 7.1
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Doga Kobo
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Rimukoro.
Plot Summary: Kuroto Nakano, an overworked salaryman, is visited by Senko, an 800-year-old fox goddess who wants to pamper him and help him relax.
Similarities to Kamisama Kiss: Both are about a supernatural being who helps a human find peace and healing. The focus is on the warmth of the relationship and the comfort of being cared for. The series is a gentle, relaxing slice-of-life.
13. Noragami Aragoto (2015)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 8.2
- Episodes: 13 (Season 2)
- Studio: Bones
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Adachitoka.
Plot Summary: The second season of Noragami, continuing the story of Yato, Hiyori, and Yukine as they face new threats and uncover the secrets of Yato’s past.
Similarities to Kamisama Kiss: Both are about a young woman who becomes involved with a god and helps him with his supernatural duties. The focus is on the bonds between the characters and the emotional weight of their battles. The series deepens the emotional impact of the original.
14. The World is Still Beautiful (2014)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.5
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Pierrot
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Dai Shiina.
Plot Summary: Nike, a princess from a small country, is sent to marry the Sun King, a powerful ruler who is feared for his cruelty. She discovers that he is not what he seems.
Similarities to Kamisama Kiss: Both are about a young woman who is thrust into an unfamiliar world and must navigate its complexities while developing a relationship with a powerful male figure. The focus is on the emotional growth of the characters and the power of love. The series is a warm, romantic fantasy.
15. Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits (2018)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 7.3
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: Gonzo
- Notable Staff: Based on the light novel series by Midori Yuma.
Plot Summary: Aoi Tsubaki, a young woman who can see spirits, is taken to the spirit world to pay off her grandfather’s debt. She opens a restaurant for spirits and navigates the politics of the hidden realm.
Similarities to Kamisama Kiss: Both are about a young woman who is thrust into the world of spirits and gods and must learn to navigate its complexities. The focus is on the bonds she forms with the supernatural beings around her. The series is a warm, romantic fantasy with a strong supernatural element.
Why These Anime Work for Kamisama Kiss Fans
Fans of Kamisama Kiss are drawn to stories that are warm, romantic, and deeply invested in the relationship between humans and the supernatural. They appreciate a narrative that blends comedy, romance, and emotional depth, and they are invested in strong-willed female protagonists who must navigate unfamiliar worlds. They are not looking for dark or violent stories, but for stories that celebrate the power of love and the beauty of Japanese folklore.
The anime listed above all share this fundamental DNA:
- The Bond Between Human and Spirit: Whether it is Nanami and Tomoe, Hanae and Abeno, or Tohru and the Sohmas, these series understand that the most compelling relationships are those between humans and supernatural beings. The focus is on the trust, loyalty, and love that can form across worlds.
- The Underdog Heroine: The protagonists are often ordinary young women who are thrust into extraordinary circumstances and must prove their worth. Their strength lies not in their power, but in their kindness, courage, and determination.
- Subversion of the Romance Genre: These series reject the simple, idealized romance narrative in favor of a more nuanced, emotionally complex portrayal of relationships. They understand that love is not always easy, but that it is always worth fighting for.
These 15 anime, like Kamisama Kiss, are not afraid to be heartfelt. They are underrated gems that offer a warm, emotionally resonant, and deeply moving experience for viewers who are looking for stories about the power of love and the bonds that connect us across worlds.
