Depending on what you're trying to do, you can also SSH into the pi from just about any connected device. I haven't had my pi hooked up to a display device since I first installed it. Then again, I use it mostly for server-ish stuff - lots of file operations, git repo hosting, various other web projects. So if you're trying to do anything different (like launching video playback from the CLI) you might have better luck keeping a kb+m on hand.

On the other hand, Kodi has some very good keyboard-less interaction (joypads/smartphone remotes). I've also used the Rom Collection Browser add-on to some success on Windows, if you wanted an all-in-one deal for Kodi.