Kamisama Kiss 2

Episode 4

Take one part semi-tragic backstory. Add a dose of Nanami's oblivious/infectious optimism and season with a pinch of humor. Bake with a lovers' embrace and let cool with a touch of Tomoe's irritation with his human god soulmate. Spice with intriguing villain angst and you have the perfect recipe for a Kamisama Kiss 2 story. By these standards, episode 4 is this season's best episode to date.

The series separated Tomoe and Nanami early on so Nanami could evolve as a god without always relying on Tomoe to come save her. Since Tomoe does ride in on a white horse (or more precisely a white light) and save her, you could see it as a regression. However, romance often includes the damsel in distress trope for a reason—it's appealing when lovers are separated for a while to have that epic, touching reunion later. Besides, Tomoe saving the day is played more humorously than seriously, and Nanami fights tooth and nail to find her own way out of the situation without relying on anyone else until that moment. Nanami may still have a way to go before she can be the superheroine god she wants to be, but it's not for lack of effort. Nanami needs to stand on her own two feet when she can but also accept Tomoe's help when she needs someone to lean on. So long as she doesn't give up on becoming a more powerful god, the show is headed in the right direction.

The episode finally explains Kirihito's connection to the malevolent Akura-oh. His interactions with Nanami and his time spent in a human body are softening him, in a retread of Tomoe's own journey from wild, untamed fox spirit to grumpy-but-affable shrine familiar. However, the demon king Akura-oh started out even more evil, and his arc is sure to head in a different direction, one that might tempt Tomoe down a darker path. At the very least, Kirihito's clear attachment to Tomoe from the days they spent wreaking havoc together, as well as the gradually growing effect Nanami has on him, should make him an interesting third wheel in the starring couple's relationship.

The brief journey to the Netherworld ends in episode 4, so it didn't outstay its welcome. Now that Tomoe's with her and Akura-oh is up to no good, it will be intriguing to see how Nanami participates in the remainder of the Divine Assembly. Nanami's desire to become a more competent god makes a good focal point for the second season, but previous episodes may have ignored the romance at the heart of the show's appeal a little too much. That's not to say a love triangle is the answer. It's nice to see Nanami in no danger of falling for (what she mistakes as) another handsome man's advances. However, a character who's sure to shake up their relationship in one way or another can add an entertaining new dimension to the budding romance.

Rating: A-

Kamisama Kiss 2 is currently streaming on Funimation.

Amy is a YA fantasy author who has loved anime for two decades.