WARNING! SOME SPOILERS!If there are fans out there that loved, and still love, Rumiko Takahashi's Inuyasha, then you'll love Kamisama Hajimemashita (Kiss)! I discovered this manga earlier last year, browsing for a new shoujo to become obsessed with XD! Suzuki really hooks you with Nanami's story, and you completely fall in love with her character and how selfless and determined of a God she is! And then there's Tomoe, who reminds me so much of Inuyasha, but is also very unique with his background and characteristics. He is funny and cocky and in later chapters, a complete sweetheart at times! Their story unfolds together in each chapter, and the plot has great twists and turns that keep you reading through.I think Suzuki's art is really beautiful; I marveled at how it got better and better with each volume I read. The art is traditional manga style, but also unique, and I really have fallen in love with the entirety of the story! I honestly recommend this story to anyone that loves romance, the supernatural, and a great story (that I hope continues for many more chapters)! It's actually more like 3.5.This is a good first volume. The story moves at a brisk pace. Nanami's reasons for suddenly finding herself kamisama were actually both sympathetic and interesting, and she hasn't done anything especially stupid yet. Her mistakes make sense.Tomoe intrigues me. I'm very glad it's pointed out in the manga that foxes aren't usually shinshi to the kamisama (it's usually a pair of dogs). Plus, there's little hints here and there that his past is more complex than Nanami may like. (I really hope this is a story about redemption. I can't get enough of those.)The first arc is mostly set-up, with Nanami's potential as a kamisama, and Tomoe's conflicted feelings regarding his servitude presented in a way that made me feel for both of them.The second arc in this volume is adorable, and sets up the basic conflict of later volumes without being too obvious about it. Just obvious enough that you know what's going to face Tomoe and Nanami later. Plus, the himemiko of the swamp is just ADORABLE. Have I used that word yet? Because she is, and the situation is, and the reason she has for visiting Nanami is so well-played in this that I squealed. The artwork when it comes to the men doesn't impress me most of the time. It looks like they're always wearing mascara or something. However, the action is always clear, the expressions are well-done, and the way Tomoe is drawn is starting to grow on me. Not to mention I love how Suzuki draws the more fantastical elements of her world. The car Tomoe drives is gorgeous without turning into pure eye candy. And the onibiwarashi are sooooo cute!For those who are unfamiliar with things specific to Japan, there are notes in the back, but don't finish the book and then hope to go back. Look in the notes as you read, because they reference page numbers, but there are none on the pages themselves (it gets in the way of the artwork). So, when I saw "page 63, panel 1" and realized I couldn't even figure out page 1, let alone 63 without counting, I decided to just forget it and look it up online.Anyway, overall, a light-hearted read with hints of greater depth to come.
What do You think about 神様はじめました 1 [Kamisama Hajimemashita 1] (2008)?
It definitely reminded me of Inuyasha when I read this. The blend of humour and romance is delightful. Nanami is forced to leave home and her dad takes off to avoid debt. With nowhere to go she meets Mikage and becomes the new master of the shrine, unknowingly. Tomoe, a fox yokai, served as Mikage's shinshi and is unwilling to serve Nanami, though has no choice as they enter a contract through a kiss. A regular highschool girl, Nanami must take new responsibilities as a tochigami. I want to watch the anime too and will keep reading to see how this story develops.
—srngdrgn
It definitely reminded me of Inuyasha when I read this. The blend of humour and romance is delightful. Nanami is forced to leave home and her dad takes off to avoid debt. With nowhere to go she meets Mikage and becomes the new master of the shrine, unknowingly. Tomoe, a fox yokai, served as Mikage's shinshi and is unwilling to serve Nanami, though has no choice as they enter a contract through a kiss. A regular highschool girl, Nanami must take new responsibilities as a tochigami. I want to watch the anime too and will keep reading to see how this story develops.
—Kathleighya
So...kind of confused. When I finished, I was like...what just happened?
—rob
