Brittany Vincent
April 8, 2017 
Inari Kon Kon begins with one of the more interesting premises out there, especially when it comes to romantic comedies. As a result, it’s an entirely different beast than most of what’s on the market, and deserves your time and attention, especially if you like your romantic comedies and slice of life shows a little yuri-flavored.
The tale follows middle school student Inari Fushimi, who’s got her own set of typical middle school problems. She’s not great with showing others how she feels, and she’s especially broken up about a boy she likes who she just can’t seem to confess her feelings to. It seems like a typical story where the heroine doesn’t know how to carry herself or how to speak to others, but there’s an important twist. Because Inari can’t possibly tell the boy she likes how she feels, her life goes through some massive changes. But when it seems another girl has beaten her to it, she’s brokenhearted, crying out to God and whoever can hear her for help to make things better.
Someone answers her prayers—but it’s Uka, a special guardian deity who wants to grant her wish, so Inari asks that Uka turn her into the girl that the boy she likes might have eyes on. She realizes this is a mistake, however, and in the end Uka gives her part of her life essence, which allows her to transform into any human form. Thus, Inari is able to learn about opening herself, loving others, and being true to her heart, even when she’s transformed into someone else.
From there, Inari Kon Kon itself turns into something pure and innocent, exploring Inari’s life as she navigates friendships, relationships, and even her life with Uka. You might be quick to judge with several of the characters, but each has a warm and inviting personality in addition to the world of the gods, which Inari ends up exploring by way of Uka.
It’s engaging watching them grow ever closer, and despite the somewhat motherly tone Uka takes with Inari, one can’t help but shake the impression of a love that may be brewing between the two of them. There’s even more of a yuri presence with one of Inari’s classmates, but it can’t hold a candle to the relationship that takes center stage.
It’s not only the relationships and plot threads that keep you watching; the animation is absolutely gorgeous as well. Inari herself has a unique appearance and look that’s unlike most of the other “goddess” characters you typically see in these types of shows, and Inari is a breath of fresh air. Even the secondary characters get a chance to shine.
Overall, Inari Kon Kon is a sugary sweet watch with a candy-coated, warm center. A lovable cast, a relatable catalyst for the adventure to begin, and issues viewers can sympathize with make for a heartwarming narrative that’ll stick with you long after you take it in. Unlike Inari, you don’t have to be careful what you wish for with this show. It’s a wish come true.
studio/company: FUNimation
available: Now
rating: TV-PG
