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10 Anime About Gods You Must Check Out ASAP

anime about gods

The Anime culture has always drawn heavily from the rich religious and mythological history of Japan as there are endless allusions to Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism and other religious factions. We have curated a list of anime about gods that depict these very religious and cultural references.

Shinto (The Way of the Kami), is an indigenous Japanese spiritual practice where the belief in Kami is a prevalent one. Kami are spirits that inhabit natural phenomena like trees, mountains, rivers and also concepts like wealth and fertility. With the introduction of Buddhism, some of these kami were anthropomorphized and given human attributes. The appearance of the kami is what is most popularly depicted in anime. While there may be some specific technical differences in the portrayals, most religions follow similar patterns, therefore allowing for an immediate connection with the viewers.

List Of Anime About Gods

  1. Kamisama Kiss
  2. Oh My Goddess
  3. Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu
  4. Noragami
  5. Spice and Wolf
  6. Kamichu
  7. Nekogami Yaoyorozu
  8. Kamisama Kazo
  9. Cautious Hero
  10. Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens

1. Kamisama Kiss (2012)

This lighthearted supernatural shoujo anime is an interesting take on the usual romantic storyline. A kind-hearted Nanami Momozono finds herself on the streets after getting kicked out by debt collectors as she fails to pay rent. While sitting at a park, trying to make sense of what her situation looks like, she happens to save a former God, Tomoe. Soon, she is made the new Land God by Tomoe and must learn to accept and execute her new godly duties. 

Here’s a fan-made trailer you can watch: 

Tomoe here, is a yokai which simply put, is a monster. These entities, also called kami, are deeply rooted in the ancient Shinto religion of Japan and reside in natural objects like the sun, land, and trees. Much of this anime is focused on folklore and the relationship between Nanami and Tomoe, who believes their relationship is a forbidden one, but eventually finds himself falling for her too. As expected in an anime about god, it has an amazing grip of folklore and tradition.

2. Oh My Goddess! (2005)

How cool would it be if god had a hotline number that we could call whenever we ran into trouble? Oh well, maybe we’re just not as lucky as Keiichi Morisato who just so happened to ring the right digits and now he has the gorgeous Goddess Belldandy to keep him company forever.

Come to think about it, is it really that easy living with a goddess? Keiichi finds out the hard way as he gets kicked out of his all-male dorm and then has to figure out his life around other gods, demons and supernatural entities. Oh My Goddess! is an extremely fun watch with its easy plotline and great comedic timing. If you enjoy light fantasy anime about gods and goddesses, this one is an absolute treat.

3. Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu (2006)

On the surface, this shounen drama seems like your usual run-of-the-mill high school anime. Trust me, it is anything but! This story follows the narrator Kyon, a tired cynic who encounters the eccentric Haruhi Suzumiya and soon realises that she’s either a being beyond this world or she’s definitely got a few screws too loose. Kyon, along with Yuki, Mikuru and Itsuki soon get together on a mission to keep life interesting enough for Haruhi to keep her from using her extraordinary powers.

While in most anime, the gods are intentional or at least aware that they have godly powers, this anime stands out with its fresh characters. Haruhi is the one who creates the SOS Brigade which is essentially a group that saves her from boredom one crazy mission at a time. There’s time travel, aliens, great characters, and good animation. What’s not to love in this eccentric, funny supernatural anime about a clueless god-wreaking chaos?

4. Noragami (2014)

Noragami showed us that gods can be a lot cooler than we think they are. It’s not really surprising that this supernatural shounen took the anime community by storm with its stunning visuals and amazing storyline. Yato,a minor god, finds himself displaced and meets Hyori who develops the ability to see supernatural entities after a strange incident that separates her soul from her body.  Check out more anime like Noragami.

As Yato teams up with Hyori to gain fame and recognition which would grant him at least one shrine to receive worship at, there ensues romance, amazingly smooth fight sequences and of course characters that aren’t cardboard cut-outs of cliche tropes. Grab some snacks and a comfy seat, because this binge-worthy anime about gods is gonna take a while. 

5. Spice and Wolf (2008)

Spice and Wolf is gearing up for an all-new season and we could not be more excited! But fear not, there’s still plenty of time for you to catch up. This seinen anime revolves around Kraft Lawrence, a merchant and Holo, a forsaken goddess of harvest as they embark on a journey towards her homeland Yoitsu but not before going through some personal journeys of their own throughout the series. 

Watch this fan-made trailer:

There are some important concepts that get probed in this anime, like economics, trade or the way politics often meddles in man’s religious sentiments. This anime is like no other, whether it is the romance or the character development or the “unique fantasy” that is portrayed. If you are looking for something new in anime about gods, Spice and Wolf is an amazing slice-of-life tale.

6. Kamichu! (2005)

Kamichu is a one-of-a-kind slice-of-life, fantasy anime that is heavily influenced by Shintoism. Kami are divine spirits that take the form of things and concepts that are important to life. However, our little kami, Yurie in this anime, has no idea how she transformed into a goddess overnight or even what her powers may be. 

Here’s a fan-made clip:

What’s truly fascinating in this anime is the themes as well as the locales depicted in it are true to life, while keeping the fantasy of the story alive. Yurie, on her journey, goes through several discourses while continuously working on becoming a great goddess as well as a better human being. This adorable and relaxing anime is a heartwarming experience while being very informative at the same time. 

7. Nekogami Yaoyorozu

We all know about the running joke that cats really must believe they’re gods while we humans are merely their lowly slaves. Well, this anime will give you a glimpse into the mind of the Cat God and her shenanigans after she gets stripped of her rank and banished from the heavenly abode for her gambling habits.

Watch the adorable opening to this anime:

This anime is perfect for those times when you do not want to expend any energy whatsoever and just have an enjoyable experience. The characters are hilarious and drawn with inspiration from other gods and creatures in Japanese Mythology. This hilarious anime series about gods will keep you hooked, entertained and more.

Also Read: Anime About Friendship

8. Kamisama Kazoku (2006)

So we’ve established so far that gods aren’t beyond needing help or training in order to become good gods. And in this old seinen piece we have our young god-to-be Samatarou Kamiyama, who is sent to the human realm with his family to learn more about the world so when the time comes, he can step up to be a reliable god. 

Here’s the opening sequence of the anime: 

Samatarou might be a god but he still is your average schoolboy on earth and he isn’t beyond developing feelings for Kumiko Komori. This show stood out to me for how relatable the “god” is. He is shown to have human experiences while he tries to win over Kumiko without any help from godly powers. This anime is a no-brainer when it comes to chill anime about gods that blend the supernatural with the human world.

9. Cautious Hero

Can you ever be too careful? Ristarte, the goddess, finds out the answer is an annoyingly evident NO! She summons Seiya Ryuuguuin, a hero with stats that are off the charts and she’s sure he is the best contender against her enemies. Unfortunately, Seiya, while exceptionally powerful, turns out to be ridiculously cautious about everything as he overbuys armor, overtrains for minor challenges and uses his strongest moves against the weakest enemies. Why? Ya know, just in case! 

This anime is a comedic isekai that almost parodies the world’s issues as they go on their impossibly wild journey. This anime about gods is comical and interesting, and will definitely have you laughing for the most part. 

10. Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens (2008)

Anime has proven that gods and goddesses show up in the most unexpected ways possible. In this one, a student Jin Mruikiya creates a sculpture using the trunk of a sacred tree, unaware that a kami named Nagi resided there. With her tree gone, she begins living with Jin and takes over the statue. Jin and Nagi then begin working together to eliminate the impurities gathering in their town.

Kannagi has been rightfully credited with praise for its great cast, good comedy and very well-written dialogues and script. What stands out in this show is that the goddess is not without flaws, she is demanding, lazy and often rude but Jin manages to accept Nagi for what she is, flaws and all. Kannagi is another great anime about gods that is not only relatable but also hilarious.

Honourable Mentions 

Here are a few amazing anime about gods that didn’t make the list, but be sure to check ‘em out as well: 

  1. Saint Young Men
  2. Death Note
  3. Kamigami no Asobi
  4. Heaven’s Official Blessings

When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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