Kobayashi's Dragon Maid Kanna is a young dragon character from the anime Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid who lives as a human child. The kanna plant in WAVO relaxation shots is a different thing entirely, a South African succulent used for mood support and social calm.
Who is Kanna from Kobayashi's Dragon Maid?
Kanna Kamui is a young dragon who appears as a human child in the anime series Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid.
Kanna Kamui is one of the main characters in the anime and manga series Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, created by Coolkyousinnjya. She's a young dragon who was exiled from her world and ends up living with Kobayashi and Tohru in the human world. She takes the form of a small human girl with distinctive white-lavender hair and a deadpan personality.
In the series, Kanna is known for being incredibly cute, innocent, and having a massive appetite. She attends elementary school, makes friends with a classmate named Saikawa, and often gets into adorable misadventures. Her dragon abilities include electrical powers, flight, and shapeshifting, though she tries to keep them hidden from humans.
The show premiered in 2017 and got a second season in 2021. Kanna quickly became a fan favorite character, spawning countless memes, fan art, and merchandise. Her blend of childlike innocence and dragon power makes her one of the most memorable characters in the series.
Is the kanna plant related to the anime character?
No connection at all. The character name Kanna and the plant kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) are complete coincidence. The anime character is named after a dragon from Japanese mythology, while the plant is a South African succulent used for centuries by indigenous peoples for mood support.
Kanna the plant has nothing to do with anime, dragons, or Japan. It grows in South Africa and has been used traditionally to promote calm and social ease. The spelling is the same, but that's where the similarity ends.
If you're searching for the anime character and landed here, welcome. If you're curious about the actual plant, keep reading.
What does the kanna plant actually do?
Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a South African succulent traditionally used to promote relaxation, mood support, and social ease without intoxication.
Kanna has been used by indigenous South African peoples for hundreds of years as a social herb. It works with your brain's serotonin system to help take the edge off stress and promote a sense of calm. The onset is smooth, and it doesn't impair your judgment or coordination like alcohol does.
People describe kanna as creating a relaxed, social mood without the cloudiness. You're still clear-headed, still yourself, but the social anxiety and tension dial down. It's become popular in modern relaxation products, often paired with other botanicals like kava.
The active compounds in kanna are alkaloids that interact with serotonin receptors. Research is ongoing, but traditional use and modern anecdotal reports point to mood-lifting and stress-reducing effects. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and kanna is not intended to treat or cure any condition.
How is kanna used in drinks and shots?
Kanna is showing up in relaxation beverages, mood support shots, and alcohol alternatives across the US. It's usually combined with other botanicals like kava to create a social, relaxed vibe without the hangover or impairment of alcohol. The format is convenient, the effects are smooth, and it fits right into a night out.
WAVO is a 2oz kava and kanna shot launching October 2026 that combines both botanicals in a Mango Pineapple flavor. It's designed for the social side of the night, the shot you take before heading out or meeting friends. No kratom, no alcohol, no hangover. You can find it at smoke shops and online at drinkwavo.com.
The drink format makes dosing consistent and portable. You're getting a measured amount of kanna extract in a convenient shot, not guessing with powders or capsules. For people looking to skip alcohol but still feel relaxed and social, kanna-based drinks are becoming a go-to option.
Why do people search for Kobayashi's Dragon Maid Kanna?
The anime is wildly popular, especially among fans of slice-of-life and comedy series. Kanna is one of the breakout characters, so people search her name to find fan art, merchandise, episode clips, character analysis, and memes. The search volume is high because the show has a dedicated fanbase and continues to attract new viewers.
Kanna's design and personality make her highly meme-able. Her blank stare, her love of bugs and food, and her wholesome friendship with Saikawa have all become iconic moments in the anime community. People search her name to relive those moments or share them with friends.
If you're here because you love the character, cool. If you're here because you're curious about the relaxation plant, also cool. Either way, you've learned something new today.
Where can you watch Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid?
The series is available on Crunchyroll, Funimation (now part of Crunchyroll), and various streaming platforms depending on your region. Both season one and season two are widely accessible with subtitles and English dubs. The show is produced by Kyoto Animation, known for high-quality animation and heartfelt storytelling.
If you're new to the series, start with season one to understand the character dynamics and how Kanna joins the household. Season two expands the cast and dives deeper into each character's backstory. The show balances comedy, slice-of-life moments, and surprising emotional depth.
Fair warning, once you start, Kanna's cuteness is impossible to resist. The show has a way of making you care deeply about dragons trying to navigate human life.
Quick Answers
Is Kanna from Kobayashi's Dragon Maid named after the kanna plant?
No, the character Kanna Kamui is named after a dragon from Japanese mythology, not the South African kanna plant (Sceletium tortuosum). The identical spelling is pure coincidence.
What kind of dragon is Kanna in the anime?
Kanna is a young dragon with electrical powers who takes the form of a small human girl. She was exiled from her dragon world and lives with Kobayashi and Tohru in the human world, attending elementary school.
Can you drink kanna like in WAVO shots?
Yes, kanna is used in relaxation drinks and shots like WAVO, which combines kanna and kava for a social, relaxed mood without alcohol. WAVO is a 2oz shot launching October 2026, available at drinkwavo.com.
Where can I watch Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid?
The anime is available on Crunchyroll and other streaming platforms, with both season one and season two accessible with subtitles and English dubs. It's produced by Kyoto Animation.
Does kanna the plant have any side effects?
Kanna is generally well-tolerated, but it can interact with certain medications, especially those affecting serotonin. Not recommended for pregnant people or anyone on medication without consulting a doctor. Always start with a low dose to assess your response.