Due to an unusual ability to see strange creatures called youkai, Takashi Natsume has never fit in. Passed around from one foster home to another, he was left isolated and lonely. Over time, he has accepted that no one would ever believe him and has closed himself off to his current caretakers and classmates.
When Natsume accidentally breaks an intangible barrier, he frees Madara—a mighty spirit in the form of a lucky cat. Madara notices that Natsume bears a remarkable resemblance to his late grandmother Reiko Natsume, an outcast girl who became known across the youkai world for creating the Book of Friends. It is now in Natsume's possession, along with its power to call upon the written names of the youkai Reiko had defeated.
With no interest in its powers, Natsume decides to keep the book for the sake of his grandmother's memories and to protect it from scheming youkai. Therefore, he makes a deal with Madara: he will hand him the book once his time is up, and in turn, Madara will act as Natsume's unofficial bodyguard, nicknamed Nyanko-sensei. With his newfound goal of freeing those Reiko had sealed, Natsume's relationship with both youkai and humans slowly begins to improve.
Natsume Yuujinchou: A Treasured Blend of Fantasy and Emotion
Synopsis: As with many anime and manga, ‘Natsume Yuujinchou’ or ‘Natsume’s Book of Friends’ takes us to a magical world where the ordinary collides with the extraordinary, the human world melds seamlessly with that of spirits and supernatural beings. Reflected through the eyes of high school student Takashi Natsume, the main character, who has the rare ability to see spirits since his childhood. Inherited from his deceased grandmother, Reiko, is a peculiar artifact known as the ‘Book of Friends,’ which contains the names of spirits she had managed to leverage into servitude during her lifetime.
Set within the modern Japanese rural countryside, ‘Natsume Yuujinchou’ is centred on Natsume’s attempts to free the spirits bound within the Book of Friends, while tackling day-to-day life challenges and delving deeper into Reiko’s mysterious past. Accompanied by a feline spirit protector-come-self-proclaimed-bodyguard, Madara (affectionately referred to as ‘Nyanko-sensei’), Natsume’s high school life becomes anything but ordinary!
Review
Narrative Front: ‘Natsume Yuujinchou’ is a shining example of episodic storytelling done right! The series chronicles Natsume’s encounters and interactions with various spirits. The show manages to tell poignant, self-contained tales within each episode while drawing threads to plait an engrossing overarching narrative. Yet the show never loses focus of its mission – Natsume’s quest to free the spirits from the Book of Friends. The storytelling is delicate, poignant and often moving, capturing the fragility, resilience, and contradictions inherent to both human and spirit worlds.
Characters: To the delight of every viewer, ‘Natsume Yuujinchou’ focuses on character growth. Natsume’s transformation from a lonely teenager to a more sociable and understanding individual is heartwarming to watch. In parallel, the secondary characters like Nyanko-sensei offer plenty of comedies, and it’s hard not to get attached to them. Plus, each spirit introduced has a rich backstory that adds depth to the overall narrative.
Animation and Sound: The series’ animation is fluid and visually appealing. It portrays the tranquil countryside of Japan beautifully and brings a tangible feel to the ethereal world of spirits. Sound-wise, the soothing soundtrack aligns perfectly with the anime’s tranquil vibe to convey emotions effectively.
Final Thoughts: Overall, ‘Natsume Yuujinchou’ is a touching exploration of the supernatural – layered with aspects of friendship, personal growth and relatable life lessons. It is a series that will make you smile, cry and ponder with its heartfelt narratives and well-developed characters. Whether you’re into fantasy, comedy, drama, or simple slice-of-life types of anime, ‘Natsume Yuujinchou’ has it all.
Recommendation: Should you stream, rent, or buy? If you’re a casual viewer looking for an enjoyable, easy-to-digest anime with a healthy dose of fantasy and heart, then streaming it is the best option. However, if you’re like me who easily fell in love with Natsume’s world, buying it for frequent revisits might be worthwhile. Regardless of the viewing medium, ‘Natsume Yuujinchou’ is a standout series that will resonate long after the final credits roll.
Rating: 4.5/5
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