On This Day in Anime

Premiering fifteen years ago, The World God Only Knows introduced Keima Katsuragi, a high schooler obsessed with dating simulation games who finds himself tasked with conquering the hearts of real girls to capture escaped evil spirits. This Shounen comedy, based on a manga, offered a clever meta-commentary on dating sim tropes while delivering genuine romantic development across its multiple seasons.

Fans of the series often point to its surprisingly effective character arcs and the genuine emotional stakes that develop beyond its initial comedic premise. It’s a show that starts with a gag about capturing girls but evolves into a heartfelt exploration of connection, proving that even a self-proclaimed 'captor god' can learn a thing or two about love.