Spotlight Character: Takashi Natsume (Natsume Yuujinchou) MAL Character Information Page: Takashi Natsume MAL Favorites: 377 For the next week I would like to have everyone familiar with this character discuss what they think makes it an exceptional character. What attributes make it stand out in the ocean of interesting characters that exist in the realms of anime and manga. Unlike the other two subjects I will not force this conversation to fall into any set structure. Characters that are nominated typically get here because they are adept at breaking the existing character moulds and defying definition. Because of this freedom I encourage everyone to do their very best to stay on topic and keep any and all debate civil. Have fun and I look forward to seeing what everyone has to say about this character. RESULTS OF THE YOU DECIDE POLL Takashi Natsume was NOT inducted into the club Character list: 20 Yes - 41.6% 28 No - 58.4% 43 Don't Know - 47.2% of the total number polled |
santetjanSep 21, 2009 12:27 PM
| You do not beg the sun for mercy. |
| I identify with him. I was pretty much like him druing all my high school except for the fact I could not see shintoist elements in my life. So I know he's well done and realist. However, he does not grow out of it. "nagnagnag he gets social in the manga" it's what I'm told. But I've never read the manga. He finds through yokai that humans are actually nice creatures, but it seems that he ignores those facts and keeps being reserved. He does not even try to get out of the situation. So bland. Love him, but this flaw is too great for me. |
 Waratte Oemashou Sore ha Chiisana Inori |
| Like ladyxzeus, I know the lad only from the anime. If so desired, one is able to read in Natsume a person who is different from others, has to suffer because of it, is, therefore, socially a bit withdrawn, yet slowly grows to become less of a loner and more integrated into human society; or, in short, the story of the 'special' kid who gets accepted. There are two main detractors to that interpretation. First, if the mangaka wanted to make this character's tale that of social acceptance and integration, she would have actually referred to it and used some actual reason for the aloofness instead of 'being able to see ghosts'. Second, for all that Natsume himself refers to a desire to not want to burden others with his ability and keeping away from others, he is in fact very seldom alone and is able to get on perfectly fine with others. With that out of the way, what is there to the boy? Apart from being able to see ghosts and spirits, he is refreshingly normal. No wild dreams, passions or insane desires, no need to seek or deliver justice or a penchant to trip and in doing so pull down a girl's knickers. Though his ability is every now and then portrayed as a thing that might have resulted in a traumatic experience, this is not highlighted and not made into any overbearing plot element. There is something of a desire to help others, but instead of the usual proclamations that it's all for great justice or a man's duty or whatnot it seems to be common human decency that drives him; on the other hand, he is not above being irritable and grumpy. As far as development goes, little is shown, but then again, little is needed. The most that can be said is that he is seen as slowly settling in to his new life, which is no more than can be expected, and finding a couple of new friends. From what's there, Natsume Takashi seems quite an average human being. Though that is rather rare in anime, the question is what to make of it when considering his worth as a character. When a description of 'well, he's nice' comes to mind, it usually does not bode well and I have to say that I'm having difficulty in finding anything of real interest here. Perhaps that's because I'm looking at it from the wrong angle. Given that Natsume Yuujinchou as a show perhaps works best when given a 'for the entire family' moniker, a description of 'boy who sees things others don't and helps out from the good of his heart' compares well with a hero from children's novels and provides for a character that's less flat and especially less obviously driven into a dramatic, comedic, etc. role than your general 'for the entire family' cartoon hero. It is in this capacity that his interactions with the youkai work out best. Being ghosts or spirits, the youkai as a rule are very simplistic creatures, having singular desires that border on the obsessive, and function more or less as either non-obtrusive moral lessons in how to handle something or how to avoid some trap. The way they are dealt with is generally peaceful and charming, with little true ingenuity but usually with a (small) flash of inspiration and a willingness of Natsume to help out. While Natsume certainly is more mature than the great majority of boys his age in anime, being able to handle things without either getting all riled up or keeping his cool in a flashy way, I tend to see him as functioning best as something of a children's book hero, not a protagonist from something aimed at an older public. Is that something to be held against him? Certainly not. However, there's little in the way of any real depth to keep one's interest, and in the end I can only consider him better than average. |
| You do not beg the sun for mercy. |
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