Natsume Yuujinchou

Before you turn away from this anime review because the title speaks of loooong japanese words and doesn't at all sound like it'll come up in a conversation as a common hype, I really like you to just browse through this review because I assure you it's a sweet series you'll slowly fall in love with, or at least I did. 

There are 4 seasons for this and in order, are

Natsume Yuujinchou
Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou
Natsume Yuujinchou San
Natsume Yuujinchou Shi

Boy, that was a mouthful.

*Do also note that they released an OAD in 2013 called Natsume Yuujinchou LaLa Special: Nyanko sensei and First Errand (you can watch it here) and an OVA in 2014 called Natsume Yuujinchou: Itsuka Yuki no Hi ni (you can watch it here, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)

Each season has 13 episodes; the first one came out back in 2008 while the last one ended in 2012. I've only watched it in 2014, and I was so glad I managed to pull through the bland colours and inferior quality in the first episode (I was watching 1080p HD before this series can you feel me), because I would have never regret watching this soul-stirring anime. This entire series has never failed to warm up my heart time and time again, and made me sob uncontrollably every now and then.

Each episode has its own story, so it's a daily-life kind of plot.

Plot in a jiffy

The story is about how a boy, named Natsume Takashi (more commonly addressed as Natsume in the show), who initially hated ayakashi/youkai, has gradually come to love and accept them.

Ayakashi are ghost/spirits which are not visible to people. However, Natsume, like his grandmother, Natsume Reiko, were born with the ability to see them.

Reiko when she was young

These ayakashi come in many different forms:

Since young, Natsume is always being chased by spirits and when he tells his friends or teachers about it, they would think that he was weird and attention-seeking. His parents passed away long ago and as he was being passed around his relatives, he was constantly changing houses and schools. Reason being the relatives too, could not stand his 'weirdness'. This resulted in him becoming very lonely and introverted.

He finally ends up in the Fujiwara household, where the kindhearted Shigeru san and Touko san took him in. 

This couple genuinely regarded Natsume as their son and were always concerned about him. They wanted to make sure he always felt at home. At the point of time when he just shifted in however, Natsume was already quite a grown up (15/16 years of age) and decided not to tell the Fujiwaras anything about his ability to see spirits, lest he lose another home. 

I personally felt that even if Shigure or Touka san knew about that, they would still accept him. Because they are not like the other SCUMS 凸(｀0´)凸

You can find this scene in Season 3 Episode 12 where Natsume has a flashback of his past and how this kid who was desperately in need of affection was finally found by two loving parents.

Natsume then comes to learn about the Book of Friends (also known as the Yuujinchou) when he accidentally broke a barrier and released the powerful Madara in episode 1. It contained numerous names of the ayakashi who Reiko had defeated in the past. The name being kept in the book meant that that particular ayakashi would be a follower of Reiko, and she had the power to call upon them anytime.

Reiko however, passed on and the Yuujinchou was inherited by Natsume. He then plans to return the names to the spirits and was able to since he is a blood relative of Reiko.

The ol' dusty yuujinchou

This was how he returned the names

Madara, like any other youkai seeking power, had initially wanted to take the book away from Natsume, but decided to fulfill Natsume's wish upon hearing that he wanted to cherish this dear possession passed down to him. It was promised that if Natsume were to pass on, Madara would inherit the book. Madara then became Natsume's bodyguard and the family's pet cat.

 Madara in his true form is a very formidable spirit

But he takes on a cat form most of the times

He is a very wise and cautious spirit who would often nag at Natsume. Many a times when Natsume encountered danger, Madara would come right in to save his ass. Although his real name is Madara, he is addressed as Nyanko Sensei. AND I LOVE NYANKO SENSEI KYAAAAA~ he is sooooo cute and fat !!!

NYANKO SENSEI APPRECIATION SECTION

He behaves rather sloppy and was always making funny scenes in the cat form. This glutton was also ALWAYS eating. LOOK AT WHAT KIND OF FOOD HE EATS FOR DINNER EVERYDAY

 There was one time he demanded for 200 yen to buy pork buns

I'LL GIVE YOU 20000 YEN SO COME WITH ME

And just so you know, the voice actor for nyanko sensei is...

GOTOU FROM KISEIJUU

なんじゃこれわ！∑(;°Д°)

In season 1, Natsume finds another person in school who was similar to him. Tanuma Kaname is a son of a priest residing in a shrine, but his ability limits to only being able to vaguely see ayakashi shadows or merely sense their presence. 

Another friend of his who knows about Natsume's situation was Taki Tooru. She only appeared in season 2.

Tanuma and Taki

She however, would only be able to see the spirits if they were to step into her youkai circles:

And she is just like me because

I WOULD TOTALLY HUG NYANKO SENSEI TO MY DEATH. How is she the only normal person in the anime? Nyanko sensei is way beyond adorable I would go crazy over him but everyone was just like hm ok a cat...?!?!?! 

Taki is the only one who goes gaga over him. There was even once someone exclaimed BUSAI NEKO meaning ugly cat:

And the guy was like 'SHOO SHOO'

...

Faith in humanity lost.

Other friends who Natsume has made over the seasons include:

Sasada Jun

Nishimura Satoru on the left and Kitamoto Atsushi in the center

These three kids know nothing about Natsume's ability, although Sasada did suspect something peculiar going on and had many times tried to stalk him which often turns out unsuccessful.

By season 3, all 6 of them had eventually became closer and were seen as a bunch of really good friends. 

In season 1, Natsume also met a guy outside who was an exorcist, Natori Shuuichi.

They weren't really quite friends at first, because Natsume disapproved of Natori's actions of exorcising spirits. They both share quite the same background, having their childhood ruined by ayakashi. You could say this is the other route our current Natsume could have taken - to go against and dispel ayakashi. 

But given some time, Natori was able to be slightly influenced by Natsume's beliefs as seen in season 4. 

Natori also became more concerned about Natsume as the series progresses, to the point I was seriously wondering 

IF THEY LIKED EACH OTHER. 

 This seriously looks like it's advancing into some yaoi scene

But I guess it was just... bromance? On the highest level bahahahah

Anyhoo, this show also has an antagonist:

Matoba Seiji is the head of his clan that captures ayakashi and makes them their 'slaves'. He often has his eyes on powerful ones and even attempted to capture Nyanko sensei...

HOW DARE HE TOUCH MY NYANKO SENSEI

This tard has a partner in crime called Nanase.

Natsume would come across Matoba occasionally, and that would usually become a 2 episodes long story. Matoba only appeared in season 3 though, and the entire series ended without any serious conflict happening etc., both parties remained rather neutral although they are still aware of each other's position and beliefs.

Other than human friends, Natsume has come to make many new ayakashi friends as well. Some of the recurring ones are:

 Benio

 Misuzu

Hinoe

Chobihige

The unnamed Chuukyuu

As the series progresses, you'll find times where Natsume gathers together with the Ayakashi

 They were celebrating in the middle of the night hahahaha

And yeap that is about all. Proceeding on with...



MY TWO FAVOURITE TEAR-JERKING EPISODES

1. Young Days (Season 3 Episode 4)

I really liked this one (You can watch this here).

It first begins with Natsume deciding to go a trip to an art museum with his friends. Nyanko sensei initially didn't want to tag along but...

Nyanko sensei was so cute here, you NEED to hear him squealing for ramen at this part

On the way there on the train, passing by the area reminded him of an ayakashi he met when he was young. It then showed a flashback of the scene. She was one bored spirit who spent her days sitting on a tree, and always tried to scare some kids passing by but to no avail.

To cut the long story short, she and Natsume did come to know of each other, but had never since saw each other after a sour incident. She sat on the tree for many years, now and then wondering how is 'that boy' doing, wondering if he was smiling again.

What happens next... YOU NEED TO WATCH IT IT MADE ME TEAR. I REPEAT AGAIN FOR THE LAST TIME. YOU CAN WATCH IT HERE.

*starts crying hysterically*


2. Natsume's Book of Play (Season 3 Episode 13)

This one ended with a bang, a gentle one that is (You can watch it here).

It started off with Natsume and his mundane life in the first half of the episode and then he got

KIDNAPPED.

And was greeted by this:

It was a really rowdy party and they ended up playing a game of shadow tag which was hilarious hahahahah

He was quite hesitant at first probably because he didn't want to go off so soon. He clearly was enjoying the company. The episode then ended with his thoughts:

"I used to hate being able to see youkai.
But it's also because of that, that I meet so many people.
That is really how I see it now.
They're my friends.
Right now, humans and youkai, are equally...
irreplaceable to me."

I can't begin to tell you how much this episode has made me go all warm and fuzzy. I've been through with Natsume in season 1, witnessing all his struggles and simple desires, and to see that the boy who was once broken all pieced up together by different people, makes me want to pat him gently and tell him that he has come a long way.


The verdict

I very much love how this story gradually unfolds to reveal a blessing in disguise. From a wrecked life he had detested so much because of ayakashi, to a life he'll never ever see it beautiful without them. He has gained so many precious friends, both humans and ayakashi, and most importantly, found a place he could call home.

I reckon you watch the opening song for season 3, just the last 30 seconds, to see how boisterious his environment has become. It truly is a sight that makes my heart pleasantly happy.

I also slowly came to love the art, especially the bountiful ideas of character designs for the ayakashi:

And there were so much more for every different episodes.

But they got lazy when it was the humans, because honestly

1. Natsume looks like Reiko if he had his hair longer
2. Tanuma, Taki and Natsume looks the same because of their eyes
3. Sasada looks like Natsume with his eyes closer and glasses on
4. If you were to make their eyes more almond-shaped like, it becomes Natori
5. Tanuma also looked like a bigger eyed Matoba

Meaning to say, if you were to manipulate with the eyes and hair a little...

EVERYONE IS THE SAME

Not to forget, the colours seem a lot less vibrant and dusty initially but it did improve tremendously in the subsequent seasons. It was a lot more vivid, and they splurged on many warm colours which were very befitting for this genre. The countryside setting was phenomenal too, I loved how they paid so much attention to the scenery making it as beautiful and detailed as always. I have to thank Tataka Akira.

One time I must applaud is the pace of the anime. The slow yet satisfying pace resulted in a very subtle change - only when I was in the midst of season 3, I had looked back at the past episodes and realised how much the main character has developed. Even though each episode was a different story, it was all stepping stones for the character development and really, Natsume has grown in many ways throughout.

As much as I am only interested in and considerably biased towards action-packed animes, I give this exceptional series an 8/10. For this, you'll need a lot of patience for the tree to bear the fruit.

This is one of the best anime capable of making your reluctant heart all gooey. Fact, not opinion.

Natsume's first family photo

Praying for a season 5........................