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To put 'Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle' in a nutshell, imagine watching a game of chess between two supposed grandmasters, with the added bonus of being able to hear snippets of the players' thoughts. There is just one catch: you cannot see the chessboard.

Story:
Phi Brain's concept is not out of this world: a genius highschooler taking on a dark organisation by relying on his wit to solve some of the most difficult of puzzles known to man. And the show could have been a hit, if not for the fact it decided that viewers do not need to know how the puzzles were solved. ... The whole kick of a psychological anime, then, is lost, as viewers simply don't feel the engagement, or the experience of sitting at the edge of your chair trying to glimpse what is going on inside the protagonist's mind.

Sound:
(Bypassing the category of Art, which is really not noteworthy) OP song is apt, ED song is generic, and the soundtrack is nothing amazing to speak of. The factor that adds points to the sound factor is actually the casting of voice actors, which are generally appropriate and convincing.

Character:
Like everything else in this show, the characters are run-of-the-mill: a reluctant hero with a supportive female sidekick and a rival who is always trying to outdo him. While I will not go so far as to state that they are completely one-dimensional, they are predictable enough that interactions quickly become bland.

Enjoyment:
Despite all these mediocre qualities, Phi Brain does provide decent entertainment. The caveat though, is that you have to see it as an average highschool action/game anime and approach it without expectations of seeing Death Note's level of analysis, or Liar Game's level of sheer genius.

Overall:
While this anime obviously flopped when it tries to provide a mental ride for viewers, I have to be fair and say that true psychological masterpieces are rare. For all its merits, Phi Brain is not bad; it just induces you into the familiar state of passive viewership. And if Phi Brain was even trying to be intelligent, there would probably be no greater insult.

Natsume Yuujinchou San builds on its solid foundation, continuing to weave a heartwarming tale for all viewers. The over-arching theme has evolved from one of loneliness, to acceptance, and finally to warmth over these three seasons, and this one seems to be the most gentle, most stirring, and most impactful yet.

Story:
The storytelling remains largely episodic, and while each episode may be rather unconnected to the previous, they all reveal much about the protagonist. This season has seen a clear shift, from the more Youkai-centred storytelling of the first two seasons to one focused on the exploration of Natsume's character and his past, giving viewers ... a more complete picture of Natsume.

Art:
The art remains soft and unobtrusive, and the animation is fluid. While this is not breathtaking material, it complements the simplicity of the anime, and undoubtedly leaves viewers satisfied.

Sound:
Like the art, the sound works closely with the overall theme of the anime, and is gentle, atmospheric and flowing. Voice acting is top notch, and emotional levels are kept at just the right level, for viewers to be able to relate to the characters, yet never allowing the anime to degenerate into angst and melodrama.

Character:
Rarely do we have a hero who is selfless yet discerning, strong yet frail; rarely, do we have a protagonist so real. Natsume is not one who defies all logic and overcomes insuperable odds, but is one faced with hesitations and uncertainties like the rest of us.

The supporting characters also hold their own, especially the greedy and increasing obese Nyanko-sensei. Despite their rather short screen time and lack of recurrence,the Youkais are also well developed and believable, each with their own story to tell. Overall, the characters are all colourful, well thought-out and add their own distinctive touches to the story.

Enjoyment:
Natsume Yuujinchou San follows its predecessors in presenting viewers with something relaxing, poignant and thought provoking.

Overall:
Despite the high bar set by the first two seasons, Natsume Yuujinchou San lives up to, and even surpasses all expectations. With a more pronounced touch of optimism than the last two seasons, the show really gave all viewers what they wanted deep in their hearts: to see Natsume get his 'happily ever after'.