Natsume Yuujinchou


Natsume's Book of Friends

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Alternative Titles

Synonyms: Natsume Yujincho, Natsume Yujin-cho
Japanese: 夏目友人帳
English: Natsume's Book of Friends
German: Natsume Yujincho
Spanish: Natsume Yujincho
French: Natsume Yujincho
More titles

Information

Type: TV
Episodes: 13
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Jul 8, 2008 to Sep 30, 2008
Premiered: Summer 2008
Broadcast: Tuesdays at 01:00 (JST)
Studios: Brain's Base
Source: Manga
Genres: Slice of LifeSlice of Life, SupernaturalSupernatural
Themes: IyashikeiIyashikei, MythologyMythology
Demographic: ShoujoShoujo
Duration: 24 min. per ep.
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older

Statistics

Score: 8.311 (scored by 186132186,132 users)
1 indicates a weighted score.
Ranked: #2542
2 based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity: #408
Members: 539,916
Favorites: 15,814

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8.31
Ranked #254Popularity #408Members 539,916
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Episodes: /13

Synopsis

Due to an unusual ability to see strange creatures called youkai, Takashi Natsume has never fit in. Passed around from one foster home to another, he was left isolated and lonely. Over time, he has accepted that no one would ever believe him and has closed himself off to his current caretakers and classmates.

When Natsume accidentally breaks an intangible barrier, he frees Madara—a mighty spirit in the form of a lucky cat. Madara notices that Natsume bears a remarkable resemblance to his late grandmother Reiko Natsume, an outcast girl who became known across the youkai world for creating the Book of Friends. It is now in Natsume's possession, along with its power to call upon the written names of the youkai Reiko had defeated.

With no interest in its powers, Natsume decides to keep the book for the sake of his grandmother's memories and to protect it from scheming youkai. Therefore, he makes a deal with Madara: he will hand him the book once his time is up, and in turn, Madara will act as Natsume's unofficial bodyguard, nicknamed Nyanko-sensei. With his newfound goal of freeing those Reiko had sealed, Natsume's relationship with both youkai and humans slowly begins to improve.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Background

Natsume Yuujinchou was licensed for an English release as Natsume's Book of Friends by NIS America, Inc. It was released October 9, 2012 as a Season 1 and 2 DVD Premium Edition followed by a DVD Standard Edition release February 4, 2014. It is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

Episode Videos


Related Anime


Characters & Voice Actors

Kogitsune

Supporting
Yajima, Akiko
Japanese

Hinoe

Supporting
Okamura, Akemi
Japanese

Fujiwara, Touko

Supporting
Itou, Miki
Japanese

Hiiragi

Supporting
Yukino, Satsuki
Japanese

Tsubame

Supporting
Yuzuki, Ryouka
Japanese

Staff

Miyake, Masanori
Producer
Oomori, Takahiro
Director, Sound Director, Episode Director, Storyboard
Kosaka, Harume
Episode Director
Kawamura, Tomoyuki
Episode Director


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Opening Theme

Preview
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Amazon Music
Youtube Music
"Issei no Sei (一斉の声; Simultaneous Voice)" by Shuhei Kita




Reviews

Nov 17, 2008
-INTRODUCTION-

I've been looking forward to this anime ever since I saw one of the promotional images -- Natsume sitting on a tree branch with his foot slightly touching the water underneath, and an unusual looking cat by his side. I fell in love with that image alone and could not stop thinking about it. Needless to say, I watched Natsume Yuujinchou while it was still ongoing and waited eagerly for the subtitles to come out. Now that it's over, I can say for sure -- it was a short but beautiful experience, and became one of my very special personal favorites.

-STORY- 10/10

"Thank you... for not ...
Feb 8, 2017
Mixed Feelings
Natsume Yuujinchou is a series that began as a shoujo manga by Midorikawa Yuki. In 2008 an anime adaptation by Brain's Base aired. You may remember them from such anime as Baccano, Durarara, Penguindrum, Ixion Saga DT & Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. So, their stuff has been pretty mixed from what I've seen. With Oregairu at the upper end and Ixion Saga & Penguindrum tied at the low end. How will this one place? Let's have a look.

Story:

Natsume Takashi is a lonely boy. He's been ostracised for most of his life due to his ability to see youkai. After accidentally freeing ...
Feb 8, 2016
Honestly, I don't really understand why this anime has so many amazing ratings. This isn't the worst anime i've ever seen- no, but I certainly do not think it's anywhere near the best.

Now, let's talk about the story.
3/10
One of the things I hated the most about this anime was the fact that it's episodic, and it doesn't work. In my opinion, this only makes it painfully predicable and underdeveloped. Honestly, you've seen the first three episodes you've seen the whole show. A youkai comes. Cool. They want Natsume's help. Oh. They get their help. There's a revelation. Ok. The majority of the episodes ...

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