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Nanami Momozono

Nanami Momozono (桃園 奈々生, Momozono Nanami) is the titular heroine of theKamisama Kissseries. She is known for her kind and optimistic nature. Nanami is the daughter of Kumimi and Mr. Momozono, serving as the human land god of the Mikage Shrine. As a descendant of Yukiji and Hiiragi, she has a rich lineage that influences her character and relationships.

In the series, she becomes the love interest and eventual wife of the fox yokai Tomoe. Their relationship evolves throughout the narrative, highlighting themes of love, sacrifice, and personal growth.

There’s no human or yokai when it comes to a girl’s heart.
— Nanami Momozono

Appearance

Sultan Abdulmejid (left) with Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Emperor Napoleon III of France

Nanami’s full appearance.

Nanami Momozono is described as a very beautiful young girl of average height. She closely resembles her late mother, sharing similar features, such as their eyes and smiles. Nanami has medium to dark brown hair that falls to her mid-back, with bangs swept to the right. Her appearance includes a slender figure, fair skin, rosy cheeks, and large chocolate brown eyes that exude purity and innocence, as noted by Yukiji.

n terms of attire, she is generally seen in her school uniform but also wears casual and girly clothing. Additionally, she dons kimonos or formal wear when the occasion calls for it. Despite being overlooked by boys in school, Nanami has a unique ability to capture the hearts of supernatural creatures she encounters.


Personality

Sultan Abdulmejid (left) with Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Emperor Napoleon III of France

Nanami Momozono possesses a kind, gentle, and understanding heart, caring for those around her, even if they are considered bad people or yokai. She is emotionally expressive, often crying when faced with difficult situations or when someone is in trouble, which affects both humans and yokai who dislike seeing her upset.

Despite her gentle nature, Nanami is plucky and determined, refusing to give up even when the odds are against her. Her role as a land god frequently lands her in precarious situations, but her wit, resourcefulness, and tenacity, along with support from her friends, help her navigate these challenges successfully.

Throughout the series, Nanami is depicted as a loving and fiercely protective individual toward those she cares about. Her optimistic disposition drives her to assist those in need, sometimes to the annoyance of Tomoe, her white fox familiar. Her idealistic belief in the possibility of harmony between humans and yokai often leads to conflict with Tomoe, who views such beliefs as naive.

The Tengu of Kurama Mountain regard her with great admiration, referring to her as “Tennin” or “Celestial Maiden/Fairy.” Through her efforts, a long-dormant thousand-year-old sakura tree was revived, leading Tengu children to affectionately call her “elder sister” and describe her as beautiful and warm.

Despite appearing weak, Tomoe notes that Nanami possesses a strong spirit, which frequently gets her into trouble. She exhibits considerable courage and determination, standing up for herself and others. Her stubbornness is evident when she refuses to beg Tomoe for help despite being in danger. Although human, she will go to great lengths to assist those she cares for and those in distress.

Nanami’s human emotions, which many yokai and immortal gods struggle to comprehend, contribute to her strength as a character. Her determination and kindness enable her to influence others positively, while she too can be influenced by those around her.

Characterized by her busybody nature and tomboyish behavior, Nanami often makes promises without considering the consequences, worrying both Tomoe and Kurama Shinjirou. She is known for her creativity, frequently devising unconventional plans. Despite her human limitations, she possesses significant physical strength, as demonstrated when she lifted a heavy clamshell to confront Tomoe directly.

Nanami is not afraid to confront those she perceives as wrongdoers, sometimes resorting to physical confrontation, as seen when she strikes Tomoe and Mizuki. Overall, her primary goal is to ensure the happiness of others, even at her own expense.

One of her defining traits is her belief in the potential for love between yokai and humans, a sentiment she expresses frequently. Although she initially vows never to marry, she is later seen agreeing to a proposal from Tomoe while in a childlike state, although she has no recollection of this event.

Nanami’s experiences, including having her soul implanted in Yukiji’s body, reveal her resilience. Even when faced with Tomoe’s past hatred for humanity, she fights back, demonstrating her strong will. After escaping and returning to her own time, she is relieved when Tomoe shows concern for her well-being rather than hostility. This reflects her forgiving nature, as she is willing to overlook past grievances and accept Tomoe’s growth, underscoring her capacity for empathy and forgiveness.

History

Nanami Momozono was significantly influenced by her mother, Kumimi Momozono, during her childhood. Kumimi imparted crucial lessons, advising her daughter to “never trust papa, never tell him where the money is even if he begs you” and “grow up and don’t ruin your health like mama, grow up and become an adult on your own.” These teachings instilled in Nanami a sense of independence and self-reliance.

As a child, Nanami learned that relying on men or “husbands” was unwise and that living alone as an independent adult was preferable. This mindset was shaped largely by her mother’s experiences, which fostered Nanami’s independent nature. Instead of using “I” when referring to herself, she would often say her own name and frame her desires in terms of “want” or “don’t want.”

Kumimi noted that her family had a long history of choosing unsuitable partners, stating that they could only bear a single healthy baby girl due to an ancestor who drank from a “divine spring,” which granted her beauty. In the VIZ translation, the cause is described differently, attributing the beauty of Nanami’s ancestor to a god who provided her with a transformative medicine.

After Kumimi’s death from an unknown illness, Nanami took on the responsibility of managing the household and keeping her irresponsible father in check. One day, following an eviction from their home, Nanami encountered a land god named Mikage, who offered her refuge at the Mikage Shrine. In a pivotal moment, he kissed her forehead, leaving the mark of a land god between her brows.

This encounter marked the beginning of her duties as a land god, during which she gradually fell in love with her initially disliked familiar, Tomoe, the fox yokai. Despite her growing feelings for Tomoe, Nanami’s past upbringing and her mother’s advice linger in her mind, echoing the sentiment of remaining single and dedicated to her work.

Power & Abilities

Sultan Abdulmejid (left) with Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Emperor Napoleon III of France

Nanami causes the tree to bloom.

At the beginning of the Kamisama Kiss story, Nanami Momozono possesses no supernatural powers despite her appointment as a land god. However, she soon acquires various abilities through her role:

  • Purification: After becoming the land god, Nanami learns to use talismans, gaining the power of purification.

  • Mastery Over Familiar: As the master of Tomoe and Mizuki, she can compel them to obey her earnest commands, even against their will, a phenomenon known as Word Restraint, which signifies absolute obedience.

  • Sakura Tree Revival: During her time at Tengu Mountain, she demonstrated her ability to get a sakura tree to blossom amidst miasma, although the tree returned to its original, blossom-less state shortly after.

  • Mamorinogami’s Peach Elixir: Nanami possesses the Peach Elixir, also referred to as God’s Elixir, which she obtained by trading meat buns. This elixir has the power to heal any injury or disease. It was initially intended as a farewell gift for Tomoe, who had chosen to relinquish his familiar title and become a yokai. Although Tomoe ultimately declined the gift, Nanami keeps it for safekeeping and later intends to trade it with a fallen Kappa god to find another deity.

  • Perspective Alteration: Nanami has a unique ability to change others’ perspectives and inspire them to become better individuals through her actions and words. This is evident when she shows Tomoe that humans can be strong, challenging his preconceived notions.

  • Influence from Others: She is also shaped by the people and yokai around her, learning from their experiences. For instance, she recognizes Mizuki’s devotion to his shrine and his loneliness, observes Himemiko’s desire for a relationship with Kotarou, and witnesses Kamehime’sunwavering devotion to her husband, which teaches her about love and happiness in the face of loss.

  • Talismans: Nanami can inscribe words onto talismans, causing the written word to manifest, provided she is within the appropriate spiritual level. For example, she once wrote “air” on a talisman to enable Kurama to communicate with Ami, rendering him virtually invisible as he approached her.

Relationships

Family

  • Unnamed Father: Despite her father’s unreliability and gambling issues, Nanami loves him and defends him against bullies likeIsobe, who taunt her about her father’s character.

  • Kumimi Momozono: Nanami’s deceased mother, Kumimi, significantly influenced her upbringing. Before her death from an unknown disease, Kumimi advised Nanami to “never trust papa, never tell him where the money is even if he begs you” and to “grow up and become an adult on your own.”

  • Yukiji: An ancestor of Nanami,Yukijishares a striking resemblance with her. Yukiji is depicted as caring and protective, likely due to their similar backstories.

Friends

  • Tomoe: Initially, Tomoe mistakes Nanami for Mikage upon her arrival at the Mikage Shrine and reacts with hostility. However, as the story progresses, Nanami demonstrates her dedication to Tomoe, ultimately earning his loyalty and love. Tomoe’s feelings for Nanami develop from indifference to deep affection, viewing her as both weak and awe-inspiring. He experiences jealousy towards other boys who interact with her. Eventually, they acknowledge their feelings, leading to their engagement and marriage, as well as the birth of their son.

  • Mizuki: Nanami regards Mizuki as a brother, although he harbors romantic feelings for her. After saving a white snake, Nanami receives an engagement mark on her wrist from it, leading to Mizuki capturing her at the Yonomori Mitsuha Shrine. Despite the shrine’s origins being tied to Mizuki’s past, Nanami feels sympathy for him and promises to keep him company. In a moment of crisis, Mizuki’s actions demonstrate his respect for Nanami’s resolve, leading him to kiss her as a sign of admiration.

  • Kurama Shinjirou: Prior to becoming the land god, Nanami idolizes Kurama, a crow tengu from Kurama Mountain. Initially, Kurama attempts to win her heart for selfish reasons, but later assists her in various challenges after realizing the depth of her character.

  • Mikage: The previous land god of the Mikage Shrine, Mikage plays a pivotal role in Nanami’s journey. He appoints her as the new land god, believing she can show Tomoe the strength of humans. Mikage’s faith in Nanami remains unwavering throughout the series.

  • MamoruMamoru is Nanami’s monkey shikigami, hatched from an egg given to her by Otohiko. He is deeply loyal, alerting her to dangers and assisting in purifying evil spirits. His affectionate nature allows him to sync with Nanami emotionally.

  • Numano Himemiko: Nanami considers Himemiko a close friend with whom she can discuss her feelings about boys. They initially meet when Nanami seeks to reconnect withKotarou, a human boy from Himemiko’s past.

  • Ami Nekota: As Nanami’s first friend from school, Ami is one of the few humans aware of Nanami’s status as a land god and her connections to demons.

  • Kei Ueshima: Introduced to Nanami through Ami, Kei becomes another friend she confides in, especially regarding her feelings for Tomoe.

Trivia

    • Tomoe and Nanami share a few similarities as they both have lost a loved one that they cared for with all their hearts. Tomoe lost Yukiji, and Nanami lost Kumimi Momozono.
    • Both were abandoned by someone; Tomoe was abandoned by Mikage, and Nanami was abandoned by her father.
    • Both have bad tempers, speak their mind, and are rebellious.
    • Nanami is the first woman in her family to give birth to a boy, as her ancestors were only able to give birth to a girl.
    • Both Tomoe and Nanami are looked down upon for their rank. Nanami is looked down upon for being a human who has the “Land God” title, while Tomoe is looked down upon for being a yokai but having a “Familiar” title. They are both disliked in their own worlds and in the divine world.
    • Nanami dislikes shiitake mushrooms.
    • If Nanami had given up (didn’t time travel) on Tomoe, both of them would cease to exist; Yukiji, her ancestor, would be killed by Akura-ou, and Tomoe would die on the riverbank.
    • Nanami likes cute things such as small children, babies, and cuddly animals.
    • After her mother’s death, Nanami had to take on a lot of responsibility, becoming the “woman” of the house, and she was left alone much of the time while her dad left to gamble. When Nanami was younger, her mother was always home, but after her mother’s death, there was no one home to welcome her back.
    • Through the story, Nanami is given many titles and is referred to by various different names. “Nanami-sama” is her most famous and most used one. Others include “Nanami,” “Celestial Maiden/Fairy,” “Elder Sister,” “Nanami-hime,” “Miko” or “Shrine Maiden,” “Human God,” “Human Land God,” “Land God,” “Human,” “Nanami-san” or “Nanami-Chan,” “Momozono-san,” “Dirt-poor Momozono-san,” “Dirt-poor girl,” and “Little Princess.”
    • Nanami tends to love romance novels, with “Beverly Hills Teenage Drama Diaries” being her favorite.
    • She likes to “sleep in” on Sundays; if Tomoe would let her, she would sleep in the whole day.
    • As a child, Nanami had her hair up in short pigtails, but now, as noted by Tomoe, she hardly ever puts her hair up.
    • To keep her classmates from questioning her high rank, Nanami told Tomoe that if anyone asked, he should tell them she was adopted into his family. This is somewhat true, as Mikage adopted her into becoming the Land God. Due to this, her classmates describe her as a “girl that had gone through a lot of hardships and has been adopted into a rich family,” making her similar to Yukiji.
    • Nanami seems to learn through the movements of things and responds well to competition. She has a habit of bragging about her abilities and talismans.
    • Kei Ueshima and Ami Nekota are the first human friends that Nanami makes.
    • Nanami inherited her mother’s beauty and spirit but also gets her father’s lack of discipline and slothfulness, as seen when she dislikes waking up on Sundays and how she sleeps.
    • Nanami is in a Music and English class at school.
    • As a child, her dream was to have a big brother.
    • Nanami has a fear of being useless to Tomoe and is constantly comparing herself to him and others.
    • She has a strong distaste for mushrooms.
    • Tomoe is Nanami’s first love, and the reverse is also true.
    • In chapter 100, it is revealed that Nanami is a descendant of Yukiji.
    • If Nanami gives up on Tomoe (never time traveled), he would have perished from his wounds on the riverbank.
    • Nanami’s birthday is on February 20.
    • Nanami is the first of Yukiji’s descendants to have a boy, as every member of her ancestors was only able to give birth to girls.