Omamori Himari

Another manga adaptation airing this season in anime form is “Omamori Himari” . Based on the manga created by Matra Milan, the story revolves around the adventures of Yuuto, a high school boy protected by cat spirit Himari when he becomes the target of vengeful demons.

But next to Himari and Yuuto’s childhood friend Rinko, other girls soon appear to take part in the fiercest battle, the one to win Yuuto’s heart.

From that short synopsis alone most veteran anime viewers will suspect an average school romance comedy using a tried and true plot formula with an ecchi or supernatural penchant, like “Wagaya No Oinari-sama”.

Based on the first episode, everything indicates that’s exactly what we will get and “Omamori Himari” doesn’t pretend to be otherwise. However, where “Wagaya No Oinari-sama” focused more on comedy and less on ecchi harem action, “Omamori Himari” clearly pulls the card of ecchi scenes next to action and comedy.

Produced by Zexcs, the animation is average to good, most viewers will observe the anime characters design style does diverge from the manga original drawing style.
Doubt this shall bother anyone though as the style used does fit the characters and series genre with clear and sharp facial contours as well as bright, colorful characters.

While not all fans may readily appreciate or agree, personally love Koshimizu Ami’s voice work as the katana wielding, sultry feline spirit Himari which in terms of speech mannerism and language leans very close to her performance as Horo from “Spice & Wolf”.

A sensual animal spirit temptress with that speech pattern as only Koshimizu Ami can voice them so well, that’s instant adoration for me. In fact her voice acting is not only the character Himari’s selling point but also one of the series’ strong suits in my book.

Will not be making any comparisons between Himari and Horo or between “Omamori Himari” and “Spice & Wolf” though as next to Koshimizu Ami’s voice work these characters and series have nothing that should deserve to be compared, they couldn’t be more different.

As far as comedies with ecchi scenes go, “Omamori Himari” clicked more for me than “Chu-Bra!!” did, so think I will be picking this series up as comic relief with that nice zest of ecchi scenes to spice things up.
And let’s confess, who could resist a sensual sultry cat girl like Himari?