Belldandy (ベルダンディー, Berudandī; transliterated: Verðandi (Old Norse), meaning "Norn of the Present") is a fictional character in the popular anime and manga series Oh My Goddess!.

She was created by Kōsuke Fujishima as one of three Goddesses who come to Earth to reside with Keiichi Morisato, and she serves as his love interest.

She is depicted as a beautiful and powerful young woman, with strong nurturing tendencies, a trusting and innocent character, and an extremely kind heart.

[2][8] The character's very conservative nature, however, which almost completely subordinates her to her fictional boyfriend, Keiichi,[9] has led to some concerns from critics and has polarized the audience.

Belldandy's original concept was loosely based on a depiction of Miyuki Kobayakawa, one of the main characters of You're Under Arrest, which was also created by Kosuke Fujishima.

When the English translations were being prepared, Toren Smith considered returning the name to "Verthandi", (which Smith had determined to be the correct translation of the Old Norse), but chose to stick with Belldandy on the grounds that Fujishima was already "playing fast and loose with the mythos" and thus felt that no further harm was likely to come from employing Fujishima's transliteration.

"[22] This is supported in-universe, in the manga, when Peorth mentions that gods and demons are essentially immortal, ageless beings - but they'll never forget those they meet.

[33] As noted by Perper and Cornog, Belldandy, as a depiction of what they term "kirei", is comfortable "being loved and admired" and very much aware of her own beauty[31]—yet this does not equate to vanity.

Her power is so great that she is required to wear a special earring on her left ear which constantly seals the full brunt of her magical strength.

Among those seen in the manga, she has a Valkyrie diploma - as demonstrated when she neutralizes Thrym the Invincible in hand-to-hand combat[52] - and she's a champion flying broom racer.

She will go to great length to not hurt others provided Keichi isn't in harm's way, otherwise she will "deal" with anything and anyone standing in her way (see Thrym above for the most out of character example) whatever the cost on herself.

[56] Belldandy is introduced to the series when Keiichi Morisato, portrayed as a typical college student with a notable lack of experience with women,[9] accidentally dials the "Goddess Relief Agency" when attempting to order take-away noodles[57] (the reason is simply explained as fate in the manga and anime adaptations).

[3] Forced to leave his dorm, as women are not permitted to stay on the premises,[11] Keiichi and Belldandy end up living at the Tariki Hongan Temple in the city of Nekomi, Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

[3] The story then follows the numerous misadventures of the not-so normal household, their growth over the course of the series and the budding romance between an ordinary young man and an angelic goddess.

[60] This was reinforced at the conclusion of chapter 39: with the "System" down, Belldandy's contract with Keiichi is effectively suspended, yet she chooses to stay because, as Fujishima has her explain in the manga, "...

Then at the start of the current storyline in Volume 38, in which the demon Hagall overthrows Hild, Keiichi asks Belldandy if she will walk with him as his companion in life; she hesitates, saying "I... Of course I will", without meeting his eyes.

Once passing the test, Belldandy and Keiichi are allowed by the heavens to live together as a proper couple, with their wedding ceremony being held in the final chapter.

As described by Perper and Cornog: Belldandy in particular is drawn in kirei style—her prettiness is not the youthful innocence of bishojo or kawaii, but instead centers on composure, tranquillity, and utter self-possession coupled with great loveliness.

[63] As part of this process the depictions of Belldandy within the manga have undergone change, with the later drawings displaying greater refinement than those in the earlier chapters.

[64] In Chapter 293 of the manga, Belldandy's original design was depicted in a flashback prior to coming to Earth using Fujishima's current drawing style.

[68] The TV series saw slightly greater change, with the producers opting to update and redesign the characters in line with modern anime, especially when contrasted to the earlier manga.

[5] Nevertheless, as reviewer Zac Bertschy described the situation: "People tend to go either way on the Belldandy character; either she's an obnoxious, archaic fantasy girl for men who prefer their women to act like indentured servants, or she's the archetype of perfection, a flawless example of graceful femininity".

[10] The critique that Belldandy represents a negative stereotype of women, placing them in a subservient role to men, appears a number of times in the literature.

Annalee Newitz states that the manner in which Belldandy is portrayed in the series would, in all likelihood, be impossible in the United States—especially, as she goes on to say, since "the advent of feminism and the women's rights movement".

[9] While Newitz sees this as reflective of Japanese culture, arguing that characters such as Belldandy are possible because feminist issues do not have the same recognition within Japan as they do in many Western countries, Susan J. Napier takes a very different line.

The episode begins with disorder, as Keiichi is evicted from his dorm after Belldandy's chaotic appearance into his life, but ends with a return to "traditional values", signified through the restoration of the old temple.

[78] Carlos Ross of THEM Anime Reviews considers Belldandy's characterization in the film much better than in the OVA series, where he describes her as a "doormat".