It's been exactly a year since The Apothecary Diaries' anime swept fans off their feet, and Natsu Hyuga's newest manga series is already shaping up to be her next big hit. Putting a spin on a classic shojo series, The Failure at God School is already a massive hit in Japan and it is easy to see why,
With similarities to beloved Hana to Yume series like Julietta Suzuki's Kamisama Kiss and Gakuen Alice, The Failure at God School by Natsu Hyuga has been trending in Japan for quite some time, garnering over nine million likes on Piccoma. The series follows Nagi, who after a fateful encounter is enrolled in god school despite appearing to have no divine powers at all and is immediately reminiscent of Kamisma Kiss, albeit with a high school setting that sets it apart.
The Failure at God School Reinvents the Premise of Kamisama Kiss
Both Series See an Inept Girl Becoming a God
Serialized since August 2021, The Failure at God School is set in what appears to be modern-day Japan but in a world where gods are a common occurrence, as are individuals called "himiko" who are gifted with various magical powers. Though her brother is a himiko, Nagi herself possesses no powers that she knows of.
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Yet, Nagi surprisingly manages to catch the eye of a god named Tsukuyomi, and next thing she knows, Nagi finds herself enrolled in the most elite god school in the country through the recommendation of a god. With her family shrine falling into ruin without a god for years, Nagi strives hard to be certified as a god despite her poor grades and thus takes off the rest of the series.
Right off the bat, the Failure at God School's premise follows almost the same pattern as Kamisma Kiss wherein Nanami also draws the attention of an unknown god who then starts her on a journey of learning to become a god herself. Tsukuyomi and Nagi's character designs are also immediately reminiscent of Nanami and Tomoe from Kamisama Kiss with Nagi and Nanami sharing the same brown hair and bangs while Tsukuyomi's long hair is sure to remind fans of Tomoe.
The Failure at God School Blends Two of the Most Iconic Shojo Manga
Kamisama Kiss Meets Gakuen Alice
Interestingly, Natsu Hyuga has stated that The Failure at God School's story was inspired by old Hana to Yume series and this influence is quite apparent. The series almost seems to be the perfect blend of Kamisama Kiss and Gakuen Alice, and with these two being some of the most beloved shojo anime of all time, it is no surprise that The Failure at God School is already shaping up to be a huge hit.
The Failure at God School currently has nine volume available in Japanese.
That said, The Failure at God School is still most certainly its own distinct story. Putting a stronger emphasis on drama than romance, The Failure at God School quickly moves past these initial similarities and evolves into its own intriguing story that is sure to appeal to fans of Natsu Hyuga's other works. Fortunately, the series has finally been licensed by Yen Press with the first volume set to release in March 2025, which means it won't be too long until fans can get their hands on the series.
Don't miss The Failure at God School when it releases on March 25, 2024.
The Apothecary Diaries is an anime adaptation of the light novel series by Natsu Hyūga. Set in ancient China, it follows Maomao, a young apothecary kidnapped and sold into the imperial palace. Utilizing her medicinal knowledge, Maomao solves various medical mysteries within the palace, catching the attention of the palace's noblemen. The series combines historical intrigue, medical knowledge, and a strong female protagonist in a richly detailed setting.
Release Date October 22, 2023
Creator(s) Natsu Hyūga
English (US) ·