Natsume's Book of Friends
Oshimeter
Synopsis
Shuffled between foster homes his whole life because he can see youkai, spirits from Japanese folklore, and nobody believes him, Takashi Natsume has learned to keep quiet about most things. Then he inherits his late grandmother's 'Book of Friends,' a notebook filled with the names of youkai she defeated and bound to her will. Now every spirit in the region either wants the book or wants their name back, and Natsume, accompanied by Madara, a powerful youkai stuck in the shape of a chubby lucky cat who serves as his reluctant bodyguard, decides to return the names one by one. This 13-episode TV series from Brain's Base is less about plot and more about mood. Each episode is mostly self-contained, following Natsume as he meets a different youkai with their own quiet story, loneliness, grief, waiting for someone who forgot them. It sounds melancholy, and it is, but in a way that feels warm rather than heavy. The rural setting, the soft soundtrack, the way Natsume slowly opens up to the people around him, it all adds up to something genuinely healing. If you liked Mushishi's meditative pacing and folklore, or The Ancient Magus' Bride's blend of supernatural and emotional storytelling, this is right in that space. Fukigen na Mononokean covers similar ground but with a lighter touch. Natsume Yuujinchou is the one that stays with you.
Episode Guide
Characters
Takashi Natsume
A kind, young man, Natsume inherits a book binding spirits and strives to free them, aided by his familiar, Madara.
Gibbs Adam
Madara
A powerful spirit, Madara is Natsume's familiar, often bickering but protective, bound to him by a promise.
Edwards Kara
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The first episode of Natsume’s Book of Friends is quiet but very moving. It’s not the kind of anime filled with intense, dramatic moments, and the pace is quite slow, but it still hits you emotionally. It introduces Natsume as someone who can see spirits, but more importantly, as someone who feels lonely and misunderstood. The story is gentle in tone, yet it makes you deeply feel his sadness and kindness. He is one of the most gentle characters I’ve ever seen.
great show!!
I can say this is the PERFECT episode for finale on this season. Its not action packed but I can feel the warmth of this episode. I really love it where all these familiar faces are gathered. MUST WATCH episode. Not gonna regret it.
Dang, this one is kinda scary and creepy 😅. I hate the creepy looking shadow. And this is the first time Natsume got cursed. And appearing a new yokai that really close with Natsume's grandma is a nice plot also. RECOMMENDED to watch this episode.
THIS EPISODE LITERALLY SO COMFORTING. It just purely vibe. No deep yokai lore, no sad back story, it is just a fat cat being chaotic and somehow ending up stuck in a hole with a little girl. Worth it and very enjoyable episode. Nyanko-sensei is the best~
The moonlit koto scene near the end lives in my head rent free. Everything about this episode is quiet and bittersweet, the crumbling yokai, devoted bodyguard, the music. Natsume just keeps on helping even when it costs him. Really classic episode. Feels like a short film TBH.
NGL this episode caught me off guard. A new character reveal. Watching Natsume try to figure out if this guy's trustworthy is lowkey the best part. RECOMMENDED please watch it 😁
Not me tearing up again 😭 during a firefly scene this time. Even though this episode is quieter than usual, but the atmosphere does all the heavy lifting. The lake setting is very nice, I can say bittersweet in the best way.
Guys! Need to ready a tissue for this episode, I got to see the cute little fox spirit 😍. But poor little fella 🥺 Thanks Natsume for being kind to the little fox spirit. The setting and how the flow going on with the episode really makes my heart teary 🥺. MUST watch this episode but prepare a tissue.
If episode 6 doesn't make you feel something, you're built different. I never thought that Natsume could get possessed by a yokai 🤣 at the dam. By the way, the dam setting is really nice. In this episode we can see Madara bonding with Natsume when Madara help him to get the yukata which I'm really touched by 🥺. And the storyline is SUPERB, how Natsume fights for his "friend". Great touching episode, you guys MUST watch this one.
En este episodio se puede ver el gran dilema de la bondad versus la frialdad en torno de como ver a los yokai y esto parte cuando Natsume conoce a otro humano que posee la habilidad de ver yokais pero desde una perspectiva muy distinta a la que el lleva.
El episodio se basa en amor y melancolía, donde Natsume se encuentra con una yokai que se enamora de un humano que sin ningún motivo perdió su habilidad de ver yokais pero aun así sigue visitando el lugar donde la conocio.
El episodio cuenta con un ambiente de mucha ternura y de emotividad, al demostrar la bondad que tiene Natsume al conocer a un pequeño zorrito yokai indefenso.
Este episodio es muy emotivo y conmovedor, donde te demuestra el valor de ser empático en la vida y es donde Natsume se da cuenta de eso al conocer a una yokai llamada Tsubame.
Este episodio se desarrolla en un ambiente de aventura, donde Natsume conoce a un amigable yokai llamado Santo y debe ayudar a encontrar a Mikuri para arreglar sus malentendidos del pasado.
El episodio vive momentos de tensión y misterio ya que el grupo de colegio de Natsume va a un edificio abandonado que se encuentra controlado por un yokai mas agresivo y. a la vez Sasada trata de averiguar que esconde Natsume.
En este tercer episodio se puede ver un ritmo lento pero que los dos yokai le dan un alivio cómico al tratar de pedirle ayuda a Natsume, donde esto mismo lo lleva a conocer a Tanuma y a comprender varias cosas.
En este episodio se puede vivir la melancolía y emotividad que nos lleva Takashi al ayudar a un yokai que trata de encontrar su nombre que se encuentra atrapado.
Es un gran comienzo ya que el episodio nos muestra al personaje de Takashi tratando de comprender el don que tiene de manera involuntaria y que lo ha llevado a tener que protegerse de ello mismo.
OMG I really love this episode! Natsume finds an old ticket of Reiko and for sure you know, Natsume will obviously go to the destination 🤣. But at the station there it is somehow sweet and sad also from what Santo feel. And the best part is, Santo is the most patient and fluffiest yokai ever! He is almost like me (Im capybara obviously). This episode is a MUST watch.
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