Kamichama Karin (anime review/comparison)

Kamichama Karin (anime)

Production: Satelight

Adapted from a manga: see here

sequal: coming soon

OAVs: none

Movies: none

Live-action: none

Genre: comedy, romance, magical girl/henshin, shojo(?)

Number of episodes: 26

ANNs Plot summary: "Karin Hanazono is an orphan, living with her relatives. Her life has never been easy, her studies are not well, she is not the best in sports and technically she is miserable. Left with only a ring as a memento from her departed mother, she suddenly finds her life changed, as she was mourning her pet cat, Shii-chan. On that she met a strange boy, Kazune Kujyou. After that event, she experiences several mysterious incidences that soon led her to find out that she is a little goddess. Finding others like her she soon sets out to understand herself better as her mysterious powers grow and she becomes beset by opponents."

My Ranking: 5 hoshi

My Rating: same as manga

My Review/Comparison: okay so the anime followes pretty accurately to the manga. On the contrary though the atmosphere is a little different. The anime plays up the comedy a lot more than the manga. Don't get me wrong. The manga is funny enough on its own. but the anime had me laughing so hard I was almost crying. The anime includes the bonus chapters from the special edition manga. I did not have the pleasure of reading these bonus chapters but I have the suspicion that there are even more bonus episodes. Filler eps if you would. For this reason I kinda see the anime as mostly fanservice. good fanservice but still.

One other thing is that I discovered that the manga is meant to be read first, the anime second, then the sequel. Unfortunately I had watched the anime first so I wasn't able to enjoy the manga with fresh perspective. The reason for this is because the anime begins in a part of Chu, the sequel, and then flashes back to the original series. Also there are two or three eps that have a merge effect where suzune, a character from chu appears and leads into an in between ep. So, the kamichama karn anime is a kind of bridge between the original and chu.

One other thing the anime does differently is that they change the end around a little. I guess you could say they soften it. Yuuki has no part in the main plot, there is no weird girl with a notebook, and karasuma is more stupid than evil. meh.

Anyway, the anime is good to watch if you've read and liked the manga. Its good for something extra and gets you ready for the sequel. Even though I liked it a lot before I read the manga, I still like it now that I have. It's all good.

Info: okay finding the subs for this anime was a pain in the ass. eps 1-17 were subbed by kedex. Unfortunately they completely stalled. Luckily a few months later a wonderful little group called sunflower was willing to pick it up out of impatience. They finished up eps 18-26. I personally thank these peeps because I think we all were getting pretty frustrated.

This series is not licensed in the U.S.

Kamichama Karin

Kamichama Karin

Story and Art by: Koge Donbo

Published by: Kodansha

Adapted into an anime: yes

Movie: no

Lived-action: no

Sequal: one - Kamichama Karin Chu

Genre: comedy, romance, magical girl/henshin

Number of Tankoubon: 7

ANN's Plot summary: "Orphan Hanazono Karin is a below-average girl who just lost another person dear to her; her best friend and loyal cat, Shi-chan. While visiting Shi-chan's grave, she meets Kujyou Kazune, a smart prettyboy who insults her right

after meeting her. She runs away from him, hoping to never see his face again, but fate seems to have other ideas -- the girl she bumps into the very next day is none other than Himeka, Kazune's cousin. During her second meeting with Kazune, something strange happens to her ring, the last thing she has to remember her mother by. Afterwards, strange events happen all around her, with no explanation. The fourth meeting with Kazune explains quite a bit; her ring has the power to turn her into a goddess. With Himeka's support and Kazune's guidance, Karin begins her training to become one of the divine."

My Ranking: 5 hoshi.

My Rating: PG

there is nothing really objectionable about this series in the least. there is some rare mild swearing and a moment or two but again, very very mild.

My Review: Once again I am reviewing a series that literally has captured my heart. Not only is it beautiful in art style and content, but its laugh out loud funny. Its not another mahou shojo nor a dn angel. Its a really cute butterfly feel good series. Though the concept isn't quite original, the story is still a lot of fun. The one thing I really noticed about this series is that it doesn't spend a lot of time on the exposition. Its leaves you to contemplate for yourself as you read and doesn't explain anything until the climax at the end. In any series this can be good or bad. To do this correctly it has to give you enough so that you'll keep reading. Luckily, Kamichama has a lot of qualities that make it worth the read.

For one thing, its hilarious. Just when its about to get kinda mushy or teary (and believe me it does. in a good way) one of the characters pops in as a chibi and says something ridiculous. It also helps that Karin is a little reactive and Kazune just can't help pushing her buttons. And also who can't forget the Brit who needs a lesson in proper etiquette of other cultures. Its definitely

packed full of fun. It certainly made me laugh.

Above everything else though, this series is adorably beautiful. Okay so the romance factor might not seem very strong at first but it definitely adds to the series' appeal. Its incredibly cute and you just can't help but go "aww". (I know. I'm such a girl) The art style seemed kinda wispy to me at first but either my opinion of it improved or the artist did because by the end I was in love with it. It definitely gives that "divine" quality the series calls for.

So, all this being said, I can conclude that I did not waste my time with this series. I found it just by freak chance and ended up really really liking it. Its cute but not overbearingly so. Its a well balanced series and really enjoyable.

Comparison: having watched the anime I'm giving a separate comparison/review here.

This series is on onemanga.com and was scanned by Syuura. I give a personal shout out of thanks to these guys both for doing the entire series and for putting it back up.

This manga is licensed by TOKYOPOP.