Natsume Yuujinchou

HelpTool

youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mea4xITAo_4) __`3 / 5`__ `Natsume Yuujinchou is an anime with no need of a straight story line. It has its unique way of representing the story to the viewers. The whole anime is based around the main protagonist and his ability to see youkais. With each episode you get a new and refreshing story about Natsume and his surroundings. This anime is not only showing one side of Natsumes life it shows its flaws and beauties mixed with the existence of the youkais that definetley play a big part in it. Storywise you could compare it with Mushishi. Natsume Yuujinchou finds the perfect mix between the genre of an Adventure and a Slice of Life. With each episode you get to see new people and new youkais.` __`4 / 5`__ `You have the humans on the one hand and then you have the youkais on the other hand! It's fascinating to see that each Character has its own personality and this is something that makes Natsume Yuujinchou interesting, different and worth to watch. Some characters may appear for only one episode but trust me 20 min will be enough to bond with them. Some characters reappear more often but it wont get boring, because with each episode you get to know them better. Natsume himself is a very grown, natural and warmhearted protagonist. It may take a few episodes but you'll love him and you'll stick with him till the end. A big plus is that youkais are able to communicate, it makes the anime more relevant and it points out on the importance of the youkais.` __`4 / 5`__ `Music wise I personally can't find anything bad. The music is very calm and warm it even fills the coldest heart with purity and love. Each episode has its perfect fitting music, may it be a sad, happy, dangerous or whatever moment. I'm a big fan of the OP and ED of Natsume Yuujinchou and with every season they bring something new and relaxing. The animation of Natsume Yuujinchou is not the best, BUT it fits in its own way. This anime has its warmness and gentleness partly because of his animations and his style. Some scenes may appear too normal compared to the situation but it gives you the chance to focus on the beautiful music in the background. Boom it harmonizes well! Music and animation together - breathtaking.` __`4 / 5`__ `Natsume Yuujinchou is not the normal anime you usually watch. It's a ball full of emotions when you need some break from all the casual stuff and just want to enjoy, not just an anime, but enjoy life and yourself. Natsume Yuujinchous best thing is not having a straight story line, making it perfect to watch everytime and everywhere you feel like. I highly recommend everyone who likes either Supernatural, Slice of Life or Drama genres to watch Natsume Yuujinchou! Hopefully you'll enjoy it like I did :)` _The Sequels just getting better and better._

AdmiralNyan

The series follows the everyday life of a young, fifteen-year-old boy named Natsume Takashi who inherited the ability to see and interact with yōkai, or spiritual and supernatural beings, from his late grandmother Reiko. As we tag along for the journey, we will witness him experience many things, such as loneliness, bullying, loss, friendships, the burden of responsibilities he never asked for, and much more. The series is filled with breathtakingly contemplative motifs that tackle serious elements with heart-warming empathy and grace, as well as the bitterness of reality. It instils into the watcher as much sorrowful emotional depth as it does feel-good, fluffy ones because at it’s core the series is built upon the fundamental beliefs of Japanese Buddhism: that life is suffering and that everything in life is impermanent. The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, regardless of the specific sect, all focus on the fact that life is suffering in one way or another, and that that suffering isn’t a permanent entity. They include: 1.) Life is Suffering, whether that suffering is subtle or more prominent, it’s always there. Even when you feel completely happy and at ease, beneath that joy, there will be an air of suffering to one degree or another. 2.) The Causes of Suffering almost always stems from craving and fundamental ignorance. People suffer because they are unable to see that we are not separate, independent individuals that leaves no effect on others around us; there’s this delusion of ego that we focus in on that is selfish. 3.) The End of Suffering arises when we realise that suffering is inherently temporary, like clouds that pass over our heads in the sky. Even though the clouds are always there, they are constantly moving, changing, and shifting. 4.) The Path is just living as a decent and ethical human being. Learning to be wiser about the decisions that we make and the negative emotions that we use to inflict pain and suffering upon others. In season one of Natsume Yūjinchō (the Romanised version of the Japanese title), we are introduced to these precepts, particularly the first one, very early on. We see it in Natsume himself as he struggles with terrible loneliness and the fear of abandonment due to his special abilities. People see him as strange and weird and constantly make fun of him for being an eccentric outsider whose family doesn’t want him (schoolmates) or they hand him off to the next family willing to take him in so they don’t have to deal with a bizarre orphan kid (relatives). This is the epitome of prominent suffering. The kid is also constantly being chased by scary monsters and he has no idea why. The concept of joy is virtually alien to him. When he encounters Madara, otherwise known as Nyanko-sensei, they formulate an accord due to certain circumstances. However, no one could ever have imagined that this simple contractual relationship would turn into a powerful symbol of everlasting friendship that would eventually cause them to Enlighten one another. In the second percept, Buddhists learn that suffering is caused from desire, or cravings. One of the things that Natsume yearns for more than anything else is acceptance. He wants to be accepted by a family and finally have one to call his own, and he wants to be accepted by people around him so he’ll know what it’s like to have friends. Over time these wants fall into the territory of unfulfilled dreams. Having been neglected and hated, he concedes to the fact that there are some things he can’t have in life. His acceptance is the third noble truth. By acknowledging that he does suffer and that suffering is just a part of life, he was finally ready to learn what it felt like to end his suffering. Enter Madara. Through their accord, they begin to live together and spend most of their waking time with one another. Through everyday interactions of walking to school or sharing meals, an intimacy between them starts to take root. It is one of compassion, understanding, and respect. Slowly, like those shifty clouds that I mentioned earlier, Natsume’s loneliness and longing start to wither away. There is a comfortable companionship that fulfils the emptiness and the ache within his heart. They then began their journey with Noble Truth Number Four: being better, wiser individuals. Natsume’s wisdom stems from his interactions with other yōkai. The deeper his understanding of suffering and its many forms becomes, the more that he learns and grows as a person; the more that he realises the world isn’t about “I” or “me,” it’s about the people—living and corporeal, and non-living and non-corporeal—that inhabit the world together. The very same can be said about Madara. Through watching Natsume’s compassion at play in situations where his (Madara’s) way of dealing would be a quick and decisive one, he becomes enlightened to the human condition of suffering and mind-blowing ideal of mercy and forgiveness and trust. Throughout the series, we encounter various yōkai, one after another, who also encapsulate the Buddhist ideals of Suffering and Impermanence, it’s not jut limited to our two main characters. It is quite literally in every episode with every arc that is presented to us, thus making it the basic foundation of every other theme and motif to follow suit. Hishigaki was a very gentle and caring yōkai, as well as a terribly lonely one. Then one day she met Reiko and suddenly she didn’t feel as alone anymore. When Reiko leaves, Hishigaki is left waiting for a very, very long time. When she stumbles across Natsume, mistaking him for Reiko, she comes to learn that Reiko has passed. Hishigaki’s loneliness lasted for a horribly long time, but it wasn’t permanent. It came to an end, unfortunately so did those moments of reprieve that she felt. Hishigaki is also a prime example of suffering to the extreme because when her loneliness did return, it consumed her. Hinoe would be another great example that follows in the same line as Hishigaki. Hinoe holds on to a single hairpin with such vehement adoration. When the hairpin gets stolen, Hinoe is utterly devastated. That small item is a reminder to Hinoe of something very precious that she lost; a keepsake of the impermanence of life, death, and even affection. After Reiko assists Hinoe, she comes to love Reiko very dearly, which once again changes many years later when she encounters Natsume. Lastly, as far as yōkai goes, there is Madara, or Nyanko-sensei. His past is mostly a mystery for the vast majority of the series. The only things that a person can truly gauge about him is that he shares a similar loneliness with Natsume, as well as a demeanour in which he wishes to protect himself from emotional heartache. He keeps everyone at a distance to a certain point. The suffering he feels is very self-inflected, at least in regard to the chains he has around his heart. But the more time he spends with Natsume and the more people and yōkai that they help, the warmer and kinder he becomes, at least towards his human companion. That misery and isolation that he underwent for who knows how many years, was ending. The tides of suffering shifted. He learned that while it is an essential part of existence—supernatural or natural—there are many sides to it, and not all of them have to be forever. Natsume’s Book of Friends is my favourite slice-of-life serial of all-time and it forever shall be. Watching this series, specifically as a Buddhist, I grew to love and respect it for the wisdom that laces every chapter and every episode. Additionally, it helped me develop a deeper and sincerer appreciation for things such as friendship, family, compassion, companionship, and the power of pacifistic and selfless co-existence—elements that I take with me everywhere outside of the vibrant animation and soulful instrumental music of the anime, or the intricate and stunning designs of the manga. The lessons taught and the knowledge obtained are gems that I have never received from anything else that I have ever seen or read. Natsume’s Book of Friends has shown me that, yes, life is jam-packed with suffering and pain and sorrow, but it doesn’t last forever, and that gives me more hope and inspiration than I could ever ask for. 10 outta 10.

wagnerincrivel

~~~___Natsume Yuujinchou é uma jornada pela humanidade dos Youkais___~~~ Natsume é um jovem que durante toda a vida foi desacreditado pelos pais pelo fato de conseguir ver Youkais, herança de sua avó. Reiko, a avó de Natsume, fez durante a vida vários acordos com Youkais e conseguiu guardar o nome de cada um deles em um livro, chamado livro dos amigos. De modo geral, o objetivo do Natsume é devolver o nome dos Youkais e durante esse processo vive histórias únicas com cada um deles. ~~~__Enredo/Roteiro (3.0/3.0)__~~~ O anime é episódico, ou seja, segue uma linha cronológica mas os episódios não são conectados entre si, cada um trás uma nova história. Temos aqui o maior acerto do anime. Cada história é única e todas elas variam de boas a espetaculares. São 13 episódios e neles somos levados a refletir a respeito de várias situações diferentes. Existem episódios que tratam a respeito da nossa relação com a fé que outras pessoas depositam em nós, solidão, gratidão, amizade, nosso lugar no mundo, entre outros sentimentos e ações. Durante o anime, o Natsume conhece vários Youkais, e com cada um deles ele aprende uma lição valiosa. Todas as histórias a que somos apresentados buscam trazer uma reflexão que no final trata da humanização dos Youkais. Em cada história eles são mostrados, em um determinado momento como monstros, mas no decorrer do episódio, são desenvolvidos, e fica claro que cada uma deles carrega dentro de si o que nós chamamos de humanidade. Nosso protagonista percebe isso e cria nos Youkais amigos que ele não teve durante toda a vida, a solidão do Natsume é amenizada a partir do momento que ele começa a conhecer cada Youkai. A relação que ele cria com cada um é linda e forte, a ponto de em um determinado episódio ele chorar pelo fato de um Youkai ter conseguido cumprir o desejo que tinha. ~~~__Personagens (1.3/1.5)__~~~ As duas estrelas aqui são o Natsume e o Nyanko-Sensei. Natsume funciona muito bem como protagonista humanizado que se preocupa com o bem estar de todos. Nyanko, como mestre e protetor de Natsume também é muito bem utilizado o guiando pelo caminho que deve trilhar e, além disso, é um ótimo alívio cômico. Em todos os episódios são com eles 2 que nós vamos embarcar na história. Como o anime é episódico, os Youkais raramente aparecem uma segunda vez, mas cada um, individualmente, é um bom personagem e todos são muito bem desenvolvidos. ~~~__Opening, Ending e Trilha Sonora (1.0/1.0)__~~~ A opening e a ending desse anime são maravilhosas, são tranquilamente uma extensão antes, e depois, de cada episódio. A trilha sonora não fica nenhum pouco atrás, é uma composição calma e muito aconchegante que corrobora perfeitamente para as cenas e nos dá uma imersão ainda mais profunda no sentimento e na reflexão que estamos fazendo. Simplesmente perfeita! ~~~youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrbfAU2UZqI&list=PLZ4dvCpiDKGX31q9NAZHACszD-hTiVR_r&index=3)~~~ ~~~__Arte/Produção/Direção (2.0/2.5) __~~~ A produção do anime é satisfatória, visto que não tem tanta ação e é um anime bem estático. Infelizmente como é de 2008 a qualidade da imagem não é tão atrativa assim, talvez seja o maior defeito do anime. Já a direção do anime é primorosa, os diretores de episódios conseguiram de maneira muito efetiva tirar o máximo de cada cena e fazer com que os sentimentos fossem valorizados ao máximo. ~~~__Entretenimento (1.7/2.0)__~~~ É um anime MUITO gostoso de se assistir, super leve e com um tom dramático mas na medida correta. Penso que seja uma jornada que vale totalmente a pena e que qualquer pessoa que goste de refletir a respeito da vida vai curtir demais assistir. Um ou outro episódio é menos bom e não toca tanto quanto os outros, mas mesmo assim são todos bons de assistir. ~~~__Opinião pessoal/Veredito__~~~ Natsume Yuuchinjou é um anime para quem gosta da vida, e de aprender sobre ela. É sobre como nos tornamos mais humanos e amáveis. Indico pra qualquer pessoa que tenha interesse nesse tipo de tema. Por favor assistam! Obrigado a quem leu até aqui!

ResurgentRex

__Minor spoilers for season 1 and this is only review for the first season__ After a long anime burnout and pausing/dropping so many series because of my obsession to find a favourite, Nastume's book of friends seems like the series I needed the most, not an extraordinary tale but one brimming with emotions. And experiencing it; made me nostalgic of the time, when the 9 year old me discovered this medium for the first time img300(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/566284200404320258/958785329278640138/IMG_20220330_195516.jpg) Natsume's Book of Friends is a series about a boy named Natsume who has the ability to see supernatural entities known as 'Youkai,' and his daily life of helping these creatures despite the fact that this ability have caused him nothing but trauma his entire life. His personality is really endearing and I always have a huge grin of my face seeing him help these youkais against all the odds. This scene perfectly expresses why I adore him so much img300(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/566284200404320258/958784291318407320/IMG_20220330_195826.jpg) The story is not perfect or unique in anyways, heck it gets formulaic and is filled with cliches but at the end of every single ep it still makes me tear up. The series strongest point for me how it's able to humanize youkai's in such a short amount of time, they are filled with so much personality. Coming to the main youkai and my favourite character in the series, Madara. HE IS SO ADORABLE and his over the top personality is such a perfect coil to Natsume's. There interactions always makes me smile and its hilarious how he goes from badass fox to such a goofy fat cat. I am still not sure why he is so friendly with Natsume from the get go. Maybe its because he owes something to Reiko but i guess I will find out as i progress more. Reiko is also another character I already adore without knowing much about her. But the glimpse we see of her through flashbacks makes her feel like such a fun person(She kinda reminds of Arisa from fruits basket). Also I really like inclusion of Natsume's current family and them being so delightful , they don't really standout but subtly add so much to the series. img300(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/566284200404320258/958785617884512316/IMG_20220330_225406.jpg) Another one of my favourite aspects of the series is how it handles the relationship between youkais and humans. From a beautiful relationship of a love between a youkai and a human to a pure relationship of a woman and her god, Natsume handles these bonds so beautifully. img300(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/566284200404320258/958786307830734938/IMG_20220330_232357.jpg) The adaptation is subpar, but the incredible soundtrack makes up for it at times, perfectly capturing the tonal shift. The last episode felt like the perfect send off to the season and honestly looking forward to watch more of Natsume's Youkai adventure. 7.5/10

Juliko25

~~~img600(https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/joyousmenma93/38772952/56156/56156_800.jpg)~~~ (This review will cover seasons 1-4, and as of this writing, I still haven't seen seasons 5 and 6, along with the movie. I really need to change that) Man, _Natsume's Book of Friends_, or its Japanese title, _Natsume Yuujinchou_, is such an important series to me, you can't imagine. I remember seeing a promo image of it on the AnimeSuki forums and thinking it looked nice, along with thinking Nyanko-sensei looked cute. But I'm not gonna lie, the second I finished the first episode of this series, way back in 2008, I was hooked, and continued to devour more of it as the series churned out more new seasons...until the fourth season ended in 2012. Four years passed until a new season came out, and another one after that...but I couldn't bring myself to watch them, because it was during that time that I was in my massive anime burnout phase. It didn't help that since it had been years since season 4 ended, I wasn't sure if I could keep up with any new developments the new series had, and I had no motivation to just go back and rewatch the series in Japanese. It also didn't help that in 2011, NIS America announced that they would release the seasons that were available later down the line, and with no English dub. I couldn't afford to buy the DVDs NIS put out back then, as they were too expensive for me and I didn't have a job. As of this writing, I still keep up with the manga and even own the volumes that are out in the US right now, with intent to keep buying them until the series reaches its conclusion, whenever that'll be, and since I have a job, I can actually buy the manga volumes as they come out! So as much as I absolutely love _Natsume's Book of Friends_ to death, I couldn't bring myself to get back to it for some reason. That is, until this past July. My friends, when the news dropped that Crunchyroll was giving the first season of _Natsume's Book of Friends_ an English dub 14 years after the first season aired, I absolutely SCREAMED with joy! Right in the middle of a work meeting, no less! It was here that I realized: Now I have a reason to go back to the show now! I really hope to God Crunchyroll not only dubs the rest of the seasons and movies, but puts them out on home video! I did manage to acquire the NIS DVDs at some point, but if CR re-releases the series, I'm more than happy to sell my old copies and buy the series anew! Seriously, _Natsume's Book of Friends_ in general is absolutely one of my favorite anime of all time, and one of many anime that influenced my tastes when I first began dipping my toes into the anime/manga fandom as a whole. And honestly? Even after all these years, I still think the series holds up fantastically well, a few minor nitpicks notwithstanding. But enough of my fangirling, what's the series actually about? For the uninitiated, the series centers on a young boy named Takashi Natsume, who has the ability to see spirits—referred to as youkai—something that's caused him quite a lot of grief growing up. It doesn't help that these spirits keep mistaking him for his grandmother, Reiko, who could also see and interact with youkai. When he unwittingly sets a cat spirit named Madara free, Madara, or Nyanko as he gets called in his round cat form, tells him that his grandmother Reiko collected the names of various youkai in a book she made called the Book of Friends. If a youkai's name is in said book, they are bound in servitude to whoever has their name. Natsume inherited the book, and upon learning of its true purpose, he decides to make it his mission to return the names of all the youkai in the book, including the ones that want to kill him. Nyanko decides to become his bodyguard and adviser, though he also wants the Book of Friends, and Natsume promises to let Nyanko have it if he should die before he has the chance to return the names Reiko collected. The series mainly centers on Natsume releasing the various spirits that either come to him for help, try to kill him, have some beef with Reiko, and so on. Other series have done similar things before this, centering on kids who can see spirits, but few have ever done it with the subtle touch that Natsume has achieved, and maintained for six whole seasons, at that! One of the things that make Natsume as a show so charming is its relaxing, dream-like atmosphere. It doesn't try to be the epic of the year, nor does it try to make every youkai out to be monstrous beings who want to eat Natsume. There are just as many nice youkai as there are malicious ones, and all of them are varied, with charming characterization that you won't find in other series. Many of the episodic stories lean more on the heartwarming and laid-back side, though that's not to say the series can't be dramatic and serious when the situation calls for it. The series does remain episodic, but rather than use that as an excuse to maintain the status quo and remain stagnant (Looking at you, _Mrs. Pepperpot_ and _Digimon Ghost Game_), Natsume instead makes every episode throughout every season varied, changing every week, focusing more on how Natsume and his friends overcome whatever adversaries they face, whether they be other youkai, regular people, or even their own personal issues and inner demons. Natsume really takes its time in exploring the various aspects of the supernatural world in depth, preferring subtlety over bombast. It helps that Natsume as a series actually takes the time to develop its cast of characters, from the main cast and the minor characters, giving them the right amount of depth and nuance that makes them feel like they're more than just one-note archetypes, all throughout every season, so even while the series remains episodic, there's still some degree of progression happening. To quote another reviewer, every season of Natsume also has a slightly different tone from the other. The first was about quiet and relaxing stories about all sorts of youkai Natsume meets. Season 2 instead put the focus more on the main plot and various recurring characters. The third season was dedicated to Natsume’s development, and the fourth season is about Natsume’s relationship with the people around him. Imagine what a wonderful total picture this all creates! And I can only imagine what the fifth and sixth seasons manage to tackle, along with the movie! Every member of the cast gets fleshed out over the course of these four seasons, probably further in the fifth and sixth seasons, so you have plenty of time to get to know the characters, their strengths, weaknesses, quirks, idiosyncracies, and everything that makes them tick, resulting in an awesome, memorable ensemble. The show puts in the effort to make you care about the characters and their individual journeys, something most things nowadays just don't give a shit about anymore. I know I very much identified with Natsume in particular, as while our situations are nothing alike, I could relate to feeling socially isolated due to being autistic and not keeping up with the ever changing social norms and expectations of the neurotypicals. Did I mention I love this show yet? The subdued animation also helps accentuate _Natsume's Book of Friends_' overall tone and atmosphere, with soft, airy backgrounds that don't skimp on the details, down-to-earth character designs for the humans, and the varied, creative designs for all the youkai. The series doesn't have a lot of kinetic motion, mainly saving it for when a scene or story beat calls for it, which is a smart move on Natsume's part, because when the animation gets going, it can be utterly fantastic. The early seasons do have a bit of a faded look to it, being made in the late 2000s and all, but as the series evolves with every season, so does the animation, which gets better and better, remaining consistent and staying strong throughout its entire run. That's not a feat most anime can boast, even long series. The soundtrack is also pretty stellar, also relying more on subtlety over bombast, with its pleasant woodwinds, pianos, kotos, and the occasional strings. That being said, with the different seasons having different openings and ending themes, I like some better than others. The first two seasons have great opening songs, and all the ending songs are beautiful and heartfelt, but some of the opening songs for the later seasons start to get a little grating on my ears. Thankfully, seasons five and six have better opening songs, so my worries about those have been assuaged. With the series being so long, I'm sure people who want to watch it for the first time may find it daunting, and there are some episodes that aren't as good as the rest of the series. But those episodes are few and far in-between, with the series retaining its top-tier quality throughout its entire run most of the time. I know I absolutely loved the episodes about Tama, Kirinoha, the Hotaru episode, everything involving the little fox youkai, and any episode that delves into Natsume's personal history. But I'm sure the main question you're asking is: Can you watch any season of Natsume by themselves? Well, not necessarily. The series does have an episodic format to it, but like I mentioned before, there is progression and continuity, and every season builds upon what its predecessors established previously, so I honestly wouldn't recommend watching later seasons by themselves without having seen the seasons before them. But that's no reason to miss out on _Natsume's Book of Friends_ at all, IMHO, because it's an absolutely amazing anime that 100% deserves the enduring popularity its gotten. In case I didn't make it painfully and obnoxiously obvious, I love love LOVE _Natsume's Book of Friends_. I own a Nyanko-sensei plushie that I've had since 2012, along with other Natsume-themed trinkets, I own the NIS America DVDs, I'm collecting the manga to this day, and I am impatiently waiting for the rest of the series to get dubbed and re-released on home video. Natsume is very near and dear to my heart. Discovering it as an insecure high schooler probably helped cement its place as one of my top five favorite anime ever, and it had a heavy influence on the stuff I tend to watch now, though not completely, in case you couldn't tell by other anime I've watched. I really need to get off my butt and watch seasons five, six, and the movies already. So yeah, the fact that _Natsume's Book of Friends_ continues to be popular to this day makes me very happy, and I can only hope that it remains strong for as long as it lasts, even the manga. The fact that the series is finally getting an English dub after over a decade renewed hope for this series in the US, and for me personally. This isn't an anime for people who want adrenaline-inducing action nor gaggles of girls with ridiculously huge boobs covering the screen. _Natsume's Book of Friends_ is, in my mind, a work of art that has absolutely stood the test of time. Few anime have impacted me like _Natsume's Book of Friends_ have, and for anyone wanting something laid-back and heartwarming, yet still cares about its story and characters, give Natsume a shot. I did and I don't regret it once bit, not now, not back in 2008, and I doubt I ever will!

Douzeries

img1000(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/721078635251105873/1138476883386847363/Banniere-NatsumeYuujinchou-e1624597538164.png) (Spoiler free) Natsume Yuunchijou is an episodic iyashikei slice of life. We follow Natsume, an highschooler who inherited his grandmother's ability to see things others don't : yokai. He learns about his grandmother's "Book of Friends," which contains the names of the yokai she defeated, and allows its wielder to command the yokai named within. Since then, yokai now visit him on a daily basis, seeking to either get their names back or take possession of the Book of Friends. Basically each episode deals with a different yokai and its story. While the strong point of the anime definitely resides in its ability to make the audience emotionally moved and invested, I think what makes the story really worth watching is how each episode resonates with the main character : Natsume. ____ __NATSUME IS A YOKAI__ He has been an outcast for all his life. His ability to see yokai could be called a curse as he was incapable to differentiate humans and yokai at a young age. He could never integrate in classes because his life experiences were too different from others, making it hard to relate to them. He sees two worlds at the same time while being unable to fully integrate any. ~~~"You're putting on that face again Bitting your lips And hiding your weakness But deep into your eyes, I can see you cowardness"~~~ The lyrics from the opening theme describe the character well. Natsume has learned to seem neutral. He doesn't show his emotions in front of others often and when he does, it's not always sincere or spontaneous. He's a withdrawn individual who never get into a relationship to the point it could hurt him or the other person. Socially speaking, he stays in his safe zone. He's scared of being vulnerable. To others, Natsume is a gloomy, mysterious, bizarre person. He might be similar to yokai as he spends more time whith them than with humans. He's like "a yokai pretending to be a human". Each episode highlights an aspect of his personality, mirrored by the yokai he encounters. His growth is very satisfying to watch and I like how his character doesn't end up being a _"I'm so special I just don't fit in"_ neflix-like trope or _"I must absolutely fit in and make friends"_ trope. His conflict precisely lies between accepting and enjoying the mundanity of his lonely life and his desire to relate to people and fit in despite his fear of it. If you relate to the character, there's no way you're not enjoying his slow burned pace journey. ____ __NATURE & CAUSALITY ACCEPTANCE__ For me, Natsume Yuunchijou definitely was a breath of fresh air. It's as peaceful as heartwarming and its contenance of unique themes made the overall experience unique. Inspired by japanese buddhism and folklore, the anime promotes the acceptance of causality in our lives. The yokai, which are gods, ghosts, incarnations of human feelings etc, are symbols expliciting the fact that our actions have consequences. The tales told to japanese kids aren't simply meant to keep them obedient ; it's also a way to make them take their responsibilities. We live in a world built by others, we breathe the air given by nature and we were being protected by our parents. Respecting one another is being grateful and it's giving back the love that was gifted to us. In Natsume Yuunchijou, being mean and malicious can have impact on the "other" world, creating evil spiritual beings or annoying them. You must accept that some unfair situations caused by others aren't your fault, nonetheless it's your repsponsiblity. Accepting the existence of suffering leaves you with the choice of being as kind as possible and evade unecessary conflicts to ease the life of everyone, including yourself. ____ __CONCLUSION : PROMISING FIRST SEASON__ img500(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/721078635251105873/1138477248249335808/natsume-and-nyanko-2.png) I read a bit of the manga and I recommand it as much as the anime. While the anime's pacing instil a fitting atmosphere, I think the manga art is much better and fitting for the story, the drawings strokes are gentle and soft. The counters of the characters are blurry and a little shiny, making it seem either eerie or fluffy and the masterful contrast of colors permit impressive panels. ~!img5000(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/721078635251105873/1138477541284380752/123048140_396259378446307_6458118672457243898_n.png)!~ To conclude, Natsume Yuunchijou is an incredible work. Despite the simple plot, its narration allows the conveyance of great emotional complexity and depht to the viewers. It's a story deeply rooted in japan's culture while being a breath of fresh air still revelant to this day. I'm sure it gave inspiration to many other recent works like the manwha __Eleceed__ and it reminded me a lot of __Mushishi__, which is the one of the only manga with similar themes that I know of. I truly love Natsume and I'm eager to follow the rest of his development.

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~~~img220(https://i.imgur.com/z6fZzo7.png) There is not a single episode or chapter of this series that doesn’t make me tear up. By the end of each episode and chapter I have been thoroughly beaten to a bloody pulp by the feels gang. With my heart being so warmed up by the graceful nature of this manga and show, my entire body’s temperature begins to rise. Natsume’s Yuujinchou is a series that manages to heal and satisfy me as if I’m a yokai having their name read by Natsume himself. This is a series I never tire of, as the experience I embark on throughout each episode takes me on a surreally healing expedition that no other series has before, or since. How does this show manage to excel at transcending my consciousness into a state of blissful content? It achieves it through various means, as not only is this a beautifully healing experience both visually and aurally, but you’re bound to come out of watching this series with more pearls of wisdom under your belt then you had going in. And if you can apply those to your life then in turn, this show helped heal your quality of life. But I digress, what even is this show about? This series (both anime/manga) follows the story of a boy named Takashi Natsume who has the ability to see Yokai. One day he accidentally trips over a rope that releases a powerful yokai named Madara who informs Natsume about the book of friends he possesses. In that the book was originally his grandmother’s, who all the yokai mistake Takashi for since they can’t differ gender, who’d challenge yokai to games and defeat them. Upon defeating them she’d write down their name to own them, for they’d be in her debt. After she’s passed, there’s still an endless amount of Yokai who are desperate to either move onto the afterlife, or to have the book of friends all to themselves. Natsume forms a bond with Madara, aka Nyanko-sensei, who he promises to give the book of friends to after he dies. From here, Takashi’s journey begins as he finally has the opportunity to send the Yokai into the afterlife, adapt to social life with this ability, and endure all sorts of hardships as he defends Natsume’s book of friends. The series is mostly episodic, which is perfect for this anime. This just might be the greatest episodic anime of all time since each episode can be taken as a tale of folklore you’d hear around the campfire. I won’t go into any specific details about the stories of the episodes themselves as going in with as little knowledge as possible is the best and most powerful way to watch this series. I’m not kidding when I say this is the pinnacle of Iyashikei anime, and for those who don’t know, Iyashikei is a subgenre of anime/manga that evokes a healing, soothing effect in the audience. There is not a more calm and compassionate story than this, and if there’s one thing you should take away from this experience, aside from the plethora of life advice and emotions it hurls your way, is to have compassion for others. To put yourself in their shoes and to come up with a solution as you’d want them to do for you. This anime is the golden rule of life personified. img220(https://i.imgur.com/sWnzy2q.gif) Each episode is a unique experience, distinct from the last. Each one is overflowing with so much wonder and majestic beauty that I can’t help but have my creative juices refilled after watching. The designs of the yokai are varied and are also creatively clear-cut from the last. They carry a sense of grace and elegance basked in Japanese folklore and tradition. Even the scary, and intimidating ones still have a sense of refinement, finesse, and dignity. It’s Natsume’s relationship and bonds with both these yokai, and other humans that really take this series to another emotional level. Without spoiling much, I’d advise that you have a box of tissues at your disposal not far from you when watching this. Some episodes will leave you emotionally drained by a Yokai moving on, paranoid that someone out there might have Natsume's ability and expose him, or laughing at Nyanko-sensei’s juvenile yet endearing sense of humor. It also helps that Natsume is a likable and relatable protagonist, whose personal vices lie in his naivety and opening up to others, but that’s warranted given his upbringing. The other way this show bolsters its powerful healing effect on the viewer aside from its cast is through its immaculate visuals. The show is draped in forest foliage, vast green fields, and dark hiking paths illuminated by nothing but the moonlight. It excels delivering a calming atmosphere when it flourishes itself in either orange and dark blue. Though the lighter color schemes during day time scenes are also picturesque like a detailed water painting. The final piece of the healing puzzle lies in the show’s music. The music carries so much raw emotional prowess behind it that putting it on while doing the laundry will make the t-shirts shed a tear. If the music isn’t the sound of the actual outdoors, it’s likely traditional Japanese folk music filled with wind instruments. Invoking a feeling of peace, content, accomplishment, and preparing for what lies ahead. The ED is one of the most beautiful songs in the world, perfectly encapsulating the feeling of saying goodbye to those you love, but on a good note. There is not a single episode of this series that doesn’t make me tear up. How does this show manage to transcend my consciousness into a state of blissful content? It’s because this show manages to perfectly pack in an entire life’s adventure and what it means to live in a twenty minute slot. The atmosphere, the stories, the characters, the music, and the animation all manage to culminate to forge one of the most emotionally exacerbating experiences I have the pleasure of viewing. The series holds a feeling like a kid by their lonesome concocting worlds beyond our imaginations in their notebook. And the fact that this series is largely episodic, makes each episode easy to sit back, relax, and transcend yourself without requiring a recap of the last episode. Though an occasional recap episode is warranted, and will only leave you in a nostalgia riddled existential. Pick up Natsume’s Book of Friends, you won’t regret it. img220(https://i.imgur.com/9o8Jx8X.jpg)~~~