Just Wow. I have finally caught up to the last chapter and just couldn't resist writing a review. This story was loveable to begin with and the anime was very fun (if too short), but the later volumes have exceeded any of my high expectations as if too say "Hah, you thought that was good?"


STORY: As others have stated the summary and beginning alone has some very standard shoujo elements though the anime version had enough hilarious moments my fiance was able to enjoy it as well. In my late twenties now I can't help expecting and wanting more from a shoujo title. This delivered everything. This story was a treat to begin with, but then it becomes a full blown feast of characters and story plots. There is so much more depths to the characters (antagonists or protagonists), and things that seem like fun plots devices in the beginning or random hints become extremely important later on.

ART: I was disappointed by some poor scans in the beginning, but as this has improved I can truly appreciate how the art style has bloomed. As an artist I truly appreciate the flow of the art and some amazing scenes. Especially in later chapters I have found myself helplessly staring and admiring a page or even a single panel.

CHARACTERS:
-The characters may seem predictable at first, but they are all quite three dimensional. Nanami is a much stronger character than she looks. Despite being very optimistic and cheerful, she had a very lonely pass where she was used to being self reliant. Though her feelings for Tomoe may at first seem Juvenile, her honesty, devotion, and the lengths she would go for him rise into a truly great love story. Can a human and a youkai's love for each other work? This question is asked a lot.

-Tomoe can be volatile, strict, and demanding but all his personality quirks and devotion make him endearing. There's usually a reason for his temper and he's quite gentle and protective (if he's not gleefully threatening to turn an enemy into sashimi and cook them for namami). I admit I had fangirl moments when you see his past fox demon self hundreds of years ago. Gone is the protective familiar and enter in a dangerous and notorious youkai. Learning more about the mystery of his past, who he was, how he became who he is in present adds so many layers to his character and the story.

- Secondary characters also shine in this manga. Mizuki the snake familiar is quite endearing in his own way and his past is both happy and sad. The Tengu Kurama seems like he is going to be the stereotypical love rival at first but he really breaks that mold and becomes a great character to have a round. Interactions between Mizuki, Kurama, and Tomoe are usually hilarious. Other characters that are introduced never completely disappear either, and sometimes even come back for a more surprising and deeper plot. Every single character in this series interests me, and there is no real black and white. Even the ones who seem most evil and you are prepared to hate... you just can't. And finally Mikagi, the land God who started this all is such a mysterious and great character. He seems outright silly in the beginning when he meets Nanami and randomly makes her the land God in his stead but there are reasons for everything.

ENJOYMENT: You would be blind not to see how much I have enjoy this series by now, but I will say it again. This is such a perfect blend of humor, romance, intrigue, fantasy, and character development. I would say it feels something close to if you threw Fruits Basket and Inuyasha in together, but is still quite original by itself.