It's no doubt that natsume yuujinchou was a booming iyashikei franchise. Manga has been ongoing since 2005, 6 seasons of anime adaptations, No 36th in NHK top 100 anime series, and doing very well in manga selling stats. Now after almost 3 years of adaptation absence, Takashi-kun blessed us with a 2-parts movie this spring.
First part is about helping mitsumi the Ishi-okoshi to do his quest. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. Nice combination of comedy and heartwarming moments with a slight touch of drama. And I always welcomed more hinoe screentime.
Second part was interesting in its own way and opened up the relationship between two friends and two neighbors. We saw more through misuzu, tanuma, and sasame, the neighbor/rival of misuzu. Overall great stories, first story was a bit better.
Artstyle remains almost the same, but nice tweaks have been applied.
Nothing special about the sounds. Usual osts used. Seiyuus were done good as usual.
Overall, natsume yuujinchou: Ishi Okoshi to Ayashiki Raihousha is another great movie which was nothing less expected from the franchise. Never misses the chance to make you mesmerized with its own world, characters and the story.