About

The world looks almost identical to modern-day Japan, but behind the scenes exists a world of gods invisible to the human eye. In Japan, it has long been believed that gods dwell in nature and various aspects of life—mountains, rivers, seas, food, and the wind. This world is built upon these Japanese beliefs and traditions. In this world, gods are not entirely detached from humans. Various gods play their roles to maintain order in the human world, and once a year, there is a special period when the gods gather in Izumo. In Japanese tradition, the tenth month of the lunar calendar is generally called Kannazuki, the 'Month of No Gods,' but in Izumo, it is called **'Kamiarizuki,' the Month of the Gods.** This gathering in Izumo is not just a festival. The gods hold a meeting called Kamihakari to decide on various matters concerning the human and divine worlds. Thus, Izumo becomes a vital place where the reality humans inhabit connects with the realm of the gods. Furthermore, in this divine world, there are not only the gods themselves but also successors who pass the roles of the gods down to humans. The most important among them is Idaten. Idaten is known as a god who runs extremely fast, and beyond being a simple 'god of running,' he is a being who performs crucial missions between the divine and human worlds. The protagonist, Kanna, appears to be an ordinary girl, but she is actually a child destined to inherit the role of Idaten. Kanna's mother also held this role in the past. Consequently, after her mother passes away, Kanna unknowingly inherits the divine role and mission her mother left behind. The most important element of the gods' Kamihakari meeting is 'Food.' While the gods are gathered in Izumo, the necessary food and offerings from each region must be delivered to them. A role is needed to transport these to Izumo within a set time. Kanna, the successor of Idaten, is the one to perform this task. Thus, Kanna's journey across Japan toward Izumo is not a mere trip. It is a sacred mission to deliver what is needed from the human world to the divine world. By Kanna's side, a rabbit-like being named Shiro appears. Shiro serves as a bridge between the divine and human worlds, helping Kanna understand her destiny and mission. On the other hand, there is Yasha, who stands in Kanna's way. Rather than being a simple 'villain obstructing Kanna,' Yasha is a descendant of a fast-running ogre who was once the god of running. However, after a racing incident with Idaten, his ancestor lost that divine status to Idaten. Because of this, Yasha harbors a deep grudge against Idaten's successors. Thus, the confrontation between Kanna and Yasha involves not only their current struggle but also the emotions and conflicts inherited from previous generations. Ultimately, the core of this worldview is that the divine and human worlds are not completely separate. Gods influence the world humans live in, and humans sometimes inherit the roles of gods. Human emotions and choices are also connected to the divine realm. Therefore, Kanna inheriting the role of Idaten is not just a story about 'gaining divine power,' but a process of accepting the role her mother left behind and her own past to move forward on her own. For Kanna, the act of 'running' serves as both the setting of the world and the theme of the story. Initially a child unable to move forward due to the grief of losing her mother, she begins to run herself to fulfill the gods' mission. Through her journey, she meets various people and gods, gradually facing what her mother left behind and her own emotions.