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 186437186,437 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: #409
Members: 540,679
Favorites: 15,836

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8.31
Ranked #254Popularity #409Members 540,679
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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

Satou, Yumi
Producer
Oomori, Takahiro
Director, Sound Director, Episode Director, Storyboard


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Opening Theme

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




Reviews

May 2, 2024
I have so much love for this anime and I'm still so surprised that I didn't know about it till recently. I always love stories that have a supernatural touch to them however this anime it's just everything. It teaches so much for the loneliness that we feel during stages of life and how creating relationships and bonds lessen the sadness that the loneliness carries. This anime makes you at peace for all the time you spend watching. There isn't any episode till now where I didn't feel connected to. Though loneliness is heavy , this beautiful story shows Natsume that still grew up into ...
Nov 17, 2020
Mixed Feelings
This anime definitely has some interesting aspects but for me it kinda felt like a cartoon for children. BTW this was my first review I've ever written so take it with a grain of salt.

STORY 6/10
All of the episodes are pretty much the same and it makes it kinda boring. Each episode pretty much goes like this: A spirit or "youkai" needs Natsume's help with a problem and then the whole episode is them solving it. That's why it reminded me of a childrens cartoon because it's a very repetative and simple structure. Even though all of these negative aspects it still felt pretty heartwarming ...
Apr 27, 2024
One of the most boring shows I've ever had the misfortune of seeing. It could have been a lot better but at this point it put me to sleep more than Mr. Roger's Neighborhood when I was a child. A lot of promise but it quickly becomes one-note. Repetitive, slow, boring, and die cast characters that show absolutely zero growth.

Dear God, don't get me started on the "music" and sound. The few times they tried to use sound to build tension were totally lost on me, because there never seemed to be anything really at stake. It's serialized slice of yokai with characters fitting neatly ...

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