Noragami: Stray Stories Review: Side Stories from the World of the Stray God, Featuring Shorts and Extras Unavailable in the Main Series
by Adachitoka
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Quick Take
- An honest companion anthology: the content here is specifically for Noragami fans who want more time with these characters
- The comedic short stories show a register of the main cast that the main series rarely prioritizes
- 5 volumes complete; supplementary reading for fans of the main series
Who Is This Manga For?
- Noragami readers who want additional content with the main cast
- Anyone who wants to see the comedic register of characters primarily shown in dramatic situations
- Fans who want to understand more about the gods and spirits of the Noragami world
- Readers who have finished Noragami and want extended time with the setting
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: T (Teen) Content Warnings: Supernatural action in some stories; Japanese god and spirit mythology; comedy situations
T rating — same as the main series; companion volume content.
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★☆☆ |
| Art Style | ★★★★☆ |
| Character Development | ★★★☆☆ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Reread Value | ★★★☆☆ |
Story Overview
Noragami: Stray Stories collects short stories that take place in the world of Noragami but outside the main series' narrative. Some stories are pure comedy — Yato's various schemes for increasing his shrine's popularity, Yukine's adjustments to being a shinki, Hiyori's navigation of her dual-existence problem. Others extend mythology from the main series.
The content assumes familiarity with the main series and does not introduce the world or characters. It is supplementary material in the honest sense: more of what fans already want rather than an entry point.
Characters
The full cast of Noragami in side-story situations — Yato, Yukine, Hiyori, Kazuma, Bishamon, and others — each receive short stories that show them in circumstances the main series' more serious narrative does not prioritize.
Art Style
Adachitoka's art is consistent with the main series — clean, expressive, and appropriate to both the comedic and action-adjacent content in the anthology.
Cultural Context
Stray Stories material was collected from various supplementary publications alongside the main Noragami run. The short story format reflects the Japanese manga tradition of tankobon bonus content collected into companion volumes.
What I Love About It
Yato in pure comedy mode. The main series uses Yato's comedy as relief between serious developments; in the shorter format, the comedy is the entire register, and Yato's specific combination of genuine deity power and absolutely undignified behavior is at its funniest without the dramatic weight.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Western readers describe Stray Stories as exactly what it is — essential for fans, not an entry point for new readers. Specifically noted for the comedic stories being genuinely funny rather than padded, for the additional mythology content being useful context, and for Adachitoka's art being as strong in short form as in long form.
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
Any story where Yato attempts something for the specific purpose of increasing his shrine's popularity or his number of worshippers, and the attempt goes in a completely unexpected direction, is the anthology at its most purely enjoyable.
Similar Manga
- Noragami — The main series; required before this
- Natsume's Book of Friends — Japanese spirit mythology in similar tone
- Kamisama Kiss — Shinto deity romance with overlapping mythology elements
- xxxHolic — Short story supernatural format with similar atmosphere
Reading Order / Where to Start
Read Noragami main series first. Stray Stories is supplementary and references main series events.
Official English Translation Status
Kodansha published the complete English series. All 5 volumes available.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- More time with beloved characters in new situations
- Comedic register shows characters in new light
- Complete at 5 volumes
- Adachitoka's art is consistently strong
Cons
- Inaccessible without main series familiarity
- Not a substitute for reading Noragami
- Varies in quality across stories
Format Comparison
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| Individual Volumes | Kodansha; complete series |
| Digital | Available |
Where to Buy
Get Noragami: Stray Stories Vol. 1 on Amazon →
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Written by
Yu
Manga Enthusiast from Japan
I grew up in Japan and manga literally saved me during a tough time in elementary school. My English isn't perfect, but my love for manga is real — and I want to share it with you.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.