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Before I start, I have to preface that this is not a detailed breakdown but instead a description of what this manga encompasses emotionally, as I think that's far more fair and appropriate to the story -- as such this might be all over the place, sorry. Applies to both the manga and the anime -- the anime elevating it even further with it's unforgettable soundtrack.
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Natsume Yuujinchou is the only story I can wholeheartedly tell was and can only be created by a truly kind and loving person. I yearn to be able to put that much soul, emotion and love into a story to ... the point that it oozes from the pages.

It never depends on intense drama, shock, bawling, etc. - anything that'd want to force you to feel something from the weight or display of it, instead the story's greatness is in the quiet and subtle moments. The character's very eyes often hold entire slews of information about how they might be feeling or what they are thinking despite the manga's simple art. It's best moments most often delivered from one tiny panel, accompanied at most by a string of few words - but that's all it takes to deliver the most heartfelt of messages.

It's a true masterpiece through and through, among the likes of Mushishi and Aria, and there's not many that would ever be capable of executing it the same way. It's a very underrated style of expression and storytelling because of it's gentle nature, so fickle that'd it slip through your fingertips if you were to hold it. It's truly ephmeral.

People of today want to experience stories and cinema that make it obvious for them when and what to feel instead of truly immersing oneself in the world and lives of said characters. Personally, most often I'm brought to tears outside the ''peak'' moments of Natsume when reading, because a lot of it's impact is experienced in echoes or when your mind is wandering after the scene. It's after things are said and done that it slowly dawns on you, some kind of realization or just your heart opening to the quiet beauty of ''human'' condition.

It's always gentle and gives the reader a choice of what to feel instead of going: ''This is a sad moment, you should feel NOW''. A part of that is thanks to the setting of the story and the episodic nature, there rarely are extremely dire stakes or some great twists/revelations, instead - it's characters trying to make it through another day or parting with regrets, developing in an organic and drifting manner. Even when things are at their most tense, the story always relays an air of ''things don't have to be this way'', encouraging one to get in touch with their own emotions and talk it through - be it with someone else or yourself.

You get to live through dozens of lives and see dozens of resolutions thanks to it's episodic storytelling. Nothing ever overstays it's welcome and you are inevitably bound to find a favorite chapter, perhaps one that would make you realize something about yourself.
These chapters are the embodiment of that feeling of just being on a balcony, reminescing of something dear that might be gone or realizing it too late, quietly ushering yourself into the sentiment and nostalgia of whatever it may be.

It's a manga that exemplifies that to have something great you only need simple ingredients that are well cooked - in Natsume's case, however, they are cooked to perfection.
You don't need anything grand or groundbreaking to leave a mark on people.. Truly a manga that will make you kinder and more peaceful -- a must-read for the soul, the very epitome of a healing story.