Noragami is a captivating Japanese manga and anime series crafted by the talented manga artist duo Adachitoka. The manga series, spanning from December 2010 to January 2024, entranced readers with its narrative, which unfolded across 27 tankōbon volumes.
However, despite the manga’s completion, the anime adaptation was limited to just two seasons and a few OVAs. Despite this disparity, the series remains a rich tapestry of Japanese culture and mythology, immersing viewers in its exploration of gods and supernatural powers.
At the core of the story is Yato, a lesser god facing challenges. His struggle to gather followers tells a deeper story about finding who he truly is and what he’s meant to do.
Noteworthy is the animation’s vibrant palette, which breathes life into the intricately woven storyline. Amidst its exploration of gods and the supernatural, Noragami manages to infuse humor seamlessly, evoking laughter even amidst intense action scenes and battles.
This balance of action and comedy is a testament to the series’ versatility and its ability to engage audiences on multiple levels.
Noragami: Storyline
When in a time of need, you stumble upon a mysterious number scrawled in a public restroom and decide to call it. On the other end of the line, you encounter a young man who introduces himself as Yato, claiming to be a deity.
Yato harbors aspirations of attaining godhood with millions of worshippers, aspiring to build his own shrine. To achieve this goal, he operates as a minor deity and a self-proclaimed “Delivery God,” offering his services to those in need in exchange for donations of five yen apiece.
The tale truly commences when Hiyori Iki narrowly escapes death while rescuing what she believes to be an average individual, who turns out to be the god Yato. In the aftermath of the rescue, she realizes that the event has caused her soul to become loose and hence able to leave her body. Hiyori demands that Yato return her to normal, but upon learning that he needs a new partner to do so, she reluctantly agrees to help him find one. With Hiyori’s assistance, Yato’s luck may finally be turning around.
Exploring The Mythology: Shinto Influences in Noragami
The anime Noragami delves into Shinto mythology as a means to delve into Japanese culture and traditional identity. The anime or manga series revolves around a “stray god” named Yato and his quest, accompanied by two companions, to acquire his own shrine to enhance his legitimacy. Hiyori, who was inadvertently saved by Yato, becomes his reluctant friend, while Yukine serves as Yato’s shinki, or weapon.
While Yato himself is not a deity in Shinto mythology, other prominent gods, or Kami, mentioned in the series play significant roles. These gods are integral to Shinto mythology, Japanese history, and the everyday lives of the Japanese people. One such deity is Tenjin, the god of academics, who boasts millions of worshippers and numerous shinki in the series. Another prominent figure is Bishamonten, the god of fortune, who stands alongside Tenjin as one of the most revered gods in Japanese culture.
Unveiling Noragami Anime’s Midway Drop Factors
After its manga debut in December 2010 in Kodansha’s shōnen manga magazine Monthly Shōnen Magazine, Noragami swiftly captured the hearts of the anime community upon its televised adaptation in January 2014.
Crafted from the original manga series penned by the skilled duo Adachitoka, whose work has been consistently serialized for the past 13 years in the same monthly shonen magazine, the anime garnered widespread acclaim. However, despite its initial surge in popularity, the anime’s progression ceased following its second season.
Produced by the esteemed studio Bones, there have been various speculations as to why the anticipated third season of the anime has yet to materialize
Despite the wealth of source material available from the original manga, Noragami’s anime adaptation abruptly halted, leaving fans longing for more. One significant reason behind this hiatus stemmed from unexpected delays in the manga’s production, attributed to health issues faced by one of the manga’s co-authors.
Additionally, declining sales figures after the second season of the anime could have contributed to the decision to discontinue the series. Blu-ray sales plummeted by a staggering 60 percent between Season 2 and Season 1, indicating a significant drop in
