Natsume Yuujinchou

Due to an unusual ability to see strange creatures called youkai, Takashi Natsume has never fit in. ed 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]

Natsume, Takashi Main

Kamiya, Hiroshi Japanese

Madara Main

Inoue, Kazuhiko Japanese

Natsume, Reiko ing

Kobayashi, Sanae Japanese

Tanuma, Kaname ing

Horie, Kazuma Japanese

Natori, Shuuichi ing

Ishida, Akira Japanese

Kogitsune ing

Yajima, Akiko Japanese

Hinoe ing

Okamura, Akemi Japanese

Fujiwara, Touko ing

Itou, Miki Japanese

Hiiragi ing

Yukino, Satsuki Japanese

Tsubame ing

Yuzuki, Ryouka Japanese

Miyake, Masanori Producer

Satou, Yumi Producer

Yokoyama, Shuko Producer

Oomori, Takahiro Director, Sound Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Reviews

May 18, 2025

Jabberwocky69

Recommended

Natsume Yuujinchou is a refreshing twist on the "Monster of the Week" formula, where instead of exorcism, it's more like unique encounters that our solitary protagonist Natsume gets to meet. Some actively want to kill him, some kinda wanna be free of his grandma Reiko's binding and some want to get to know him.

It's a very chill slice-of-life show despite the fantastical elements, and it goes into Natsume's accommodating nature for those around him, humans and youkai alike. It must have been to grow up alone like this, and getting to know fellow humans who can see youkai gives him some solace from solitude.

I ... like it so far, but I don't think I should binge it. Watching it in its own pace is rewarding as a cool-down Zen show.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Nov 11, 2024

Eodis

Mixed Feelings

Short review of this show because I'm confused as to why it is so highly rated. To be clear i did not dislike it and i will keep watching the next seasons but this anime is kinda flat and empty.

The ingredients are always the same : You are in a countryside-like environment i would consider graphically "fine" for 2008, it does the job but nothing crazy. Obviously a show like this doesn't have the time and budget of a Ghibli movie. You put on a sad piano music and bring in a character with a sad story who needs help. And then the "hero" and ... his companion do their best to help, sometimes it works; sometimes not that much.

There is almost no character development even though you can see the beginning of some connections between a few characters, it stops right away so i'm not sure if it's something that is kept for the seasons after this one but it's lacking.

The main story is kinda a secondary thing as well. Hopefully something in next seasons too.

My guess is it's overrated because it has this "poetic" vibe but it's just meh.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Apr 27, 2024

StateofOhayo

Not Recommended

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 ... into their predetermined tropes with no room to move or grow. The voice acting was really good but the rest of the sound department was asleep at the wheel, and after hearing the OP, so was I.

The art is fine, especially for its era, my biggest complaint being how there seems to be a layer of fog over every scene. It just looks...dusty. The only good characters in the show are unironically the Yokai of the Week one and done characters. It's too bad we didn't get to see more of them and less of MC and the "cat".

If exciting anime is like a trip down some river rapids, then this is a safe and slow float in a blow up ring at a public pool, but no one else is there because they all got bored and went home to take their metamucil and go to bed early. Really disappointing because the show DID have its moments but the vast majority of the time spent was rehashed one-liners and excessively slow-walked episodes that seemed to be of no actual consequence because the week after it would be totally forgotten about.

In the end what are we left with? An overarching goal, outcome, message?
"humans and yokai CAN get along guys!"
How inspiring, I've fired up to do a marathon of watching paint dry now and doing some crappy post modern armchair philosophy over it.

Reviewer’s Rating: 3

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