Yato - (夜ト)

“You shouldn't judge people by how they look.” – Yato

Yato is one of my all-time favorite characters, and once you watch Noragami, I’m pretty sure you’ll fall in love with him too—promise, one hundred percent!

Yato, also known as Yaboku, is considered one of the lesser-known gods. His biggest goal is to become a god of fortune, though some remember him from the past as the fearsome god of calamity.

When it comes to Yato’s personality, he’s a fascinating mix. He can be gullible and childish at times—traits that sometimes get on people’s nerves. He’s also unpredictable and often acts on a whim, which makes him even more entertaining (and occasionally frustrating) to watch.

In his dreams, Yato sees himself as a wildly successful god with countless followers, living in luxury with maids attending to him around the clock. To make that dream a reality, he works hard doing odd jobs for just 5 yen. He’s also pretty materialistic—he carries around a bottle to collect his earnings, but it never actually gets full because he tends to spend his money on unnecessary things like gambling or so-called “good luck” trinkets. (Honestly, if you’re already a god, why would you need luck charms?!)

His past, however, tells a very different story. Back when he was the god of calamity, Yato was ruthless, viewing killing as both a game to please his father and something to share with his sister. But everything began to change when he met someone named Sakura, whose influence helped him see humanity—and the world—in a new light.

I think those moments, and the experiences that followed, helped Yato grow into someone who can feel more deeply and form genuine connections with the people closest to him.

At his core, Yato’s greatest wish is simply to be remembered—and to always stay by the side of Yukine and Hiyori. Sadly, there are forces determined to keep that from happening.

He’s endured a lot of abuse from his father and others during his childhood, which explains many of his defense mechanisms. And yet, one of the things I admire most about him is his ability to forgive and his constant desire to make others happy.

“The brain may forget but the heart will remember.” – Yato

A little about Yato’s appearance—he could pass for someone in his late teens or early twenties, depending on who you ask.

He has dark, slightly messy (and sometimes a little greasy) black hair paired with striking blue eyes. His go-to outfit is a navy blue tracksuit with a golden crown logo, brown boots, and a faded blue scarf. And while it’s not exactly part of his look, it’s worth mentioning—Yato is also known for having very sweaty palms!

In flashbacks to his time as Yaboku, his hair is tied back in a ponytail, and he wears a dark-colored kimono, giving him a more traditional, somber appearance.

When he daydreams about being a wealthy god of fortune, though, the image is completely different—he sees himself draped in a large red cape, wearing a crown, and holding a pink fan.

“Never let the past destroy the present you.” – Yato

What do we learn from Yato?

I think Yato teaches us just how important our relationships—and sincerity—really are. He shows remarkable patience with the flaws and mistakes of those close to him, always quick to forgive and move forward.

Through his actions, Yato becomes a reminder to love others wholeheartedly and to embrace true forgiveness.

What do you guys think about Yato? Let us know in the comments!