Gomenasai like always but minor spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk.
Story: 7
A small cutscene starts us off with our Yato being a slayer of the a 'Phantom' which are the creatures that consume and are the evil existence of the human world. Yato 'Shinki' which is his weapon that was once a living person, which died prematurely. Decides to leave him to find a better God to serve, leaving Yato weaponless.
Our story starts with Hiyori a highschool student going on about her everyday life. Until her faith is intertwined with a Yato a God without a Shrine working on any task at the cost of a five yen coin. His current task is finding a cat known as 'Milord'. Eventually, he spots Milord in the middle of street with a bus going at a rapid speed. Hiyori spots Yato and pushes him aside to take the fault and hit. She's rushed to the Hospital, were Yato comes to check up on her. Hiyori is soul is separated from her body becoming a wandering soul where it's in the state of the living and dead.
Hiyori thus pays Yato to restore her to her original state. Although it it’s Yato main task right away having other side jobs. That’s really the first episode with very vague detail. Yukine comes in later into the picture, the first few episodes are filler and establishment a feel of their world that’s incorporated with Phantoms. The first few episodes are filler but are pleasant it starts picking up around episode five taking its first real arc centered around Yato and Yukine.
Art & Sound: 7 | 8
The animation is gorgeous without a doubt. There weren't any drops in quality that were too noticeable. Phantom should have been characterized or have a more appealing design but that’s not to much of a trouble. Everyone has distinct and unique design nothing too absurd nor believe. Even Kofuku was the most eye-catching character with her pink characteristics and one of my favorite side characters. The fight scenes felt like were most of the budget went towards to even if they were short. The Opening Ost nice and easy flowing, but distinct from the show being that it was more on serious tone unlike the show overall comedy aspect but the Ending Ost wasn't all that great didn’t keep me watching but visually was more appealing than the Opening.
Characters: 7
Yato is driving force without a doubt. A God with much mystery, backstory, and harsh past. Often times his past seems to haunt him and label him the person he doesn’t seem to be. His personality is often a silly one trying to make the best of a situation and when he needs to take a serious tone you can feed of from his expression and know when something going down. He’s really a charismatic and deep person. Each one of his actions have very much meaning and though even if they seem cruel at times.
Hiyori on the other half is pleasent surprise a bit dense airhead that's fanatic of Wrestling World. Having her new profound abilities she's able to hold her own being able to against Phantoms. She’s the common sense and the brains of the operation of times when Yato & Yukine seem to get in trouble.
Yukine is Yato new 'Shinki' a Katana that died a young age, around Hiyori age. He's incredibly stubborn and hot head being a nuance to Yato since Master and Shinki share mind and body. Being a teenage boy there are troubles since he seemed to have trouble past that doesn’t expand in this season. He doesn’t receive the most character development at the main Arc focuses on him the most.
Enjoyment: 8
I enjoy anime that are built from the ground up. However, I wish the world was affected more by the Phantoms they weren’t or didn’t seem like to much of a trouble. It did feel overhyped but it was definitely a surprise anime from that season.
Final Thoughts/Overall: 7
I’d say give a this Noragami a shoot. You shouldn’t drop until you reach past the halfway point as the first 3-4 episodes are really filler with establishment of the world and giving us an insight of their personalities. Each character is fun and are there own believable person that you feel for and care for. The first season was without a doubt setting itself up for a Second Season giving us all these other Gods that will perhaps take a larger role in the Second Season
