Kumamiko: Girl Meets Bear

Kuma Miko: Girl Meets Bear (くまみこ, Kumamiko) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masume Yoshimoto. It was serialized in Media Factory's seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Flapper from May 2013 to December 2023. The story follows Machi Amayadori, a 14-year-old shrine maiden living in a rural village called Kumade in the mountains, and Natsu, her talking guardian bear. Machi, having lived her whole life isolated in the countryside, knows nothing of modern life. She aspires to attend high school in the city, leading Natsu to attempt to prepare her for the challenges of urban life. This series combines comedy and slice-of-life elements, portraying the growth and adaptation of a country girl in modern society. The manga was adapted into an anime television series by Kinema Citrus and EMT Squared, which aired from April to June 2016, faithfully capturing the humor and warmth of the manga. The anime's opening theme is "Datte, Gyutte Shite." and the ending theme is "Kumamiko Dancing."