I usually enjoy stories that have themes and settings on folklore and the supernatural. There’s a new anime series Natsume Yuujin Chou (Natsume’s Book of Friends) 夏目友人帳 that has started airing recently. Adapted from manga by Midorikawa Yuki 緑川ゆき, the series is slated for 13 episodes. It stars Kamiya Hiroshi (Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, Gundam 00) as the lead and Inoue Kazuhiko (Junjou Romantica, Kyou Kara Maoh) as a spirit cat.
Official Website: http://www.natsume-anime.jp/
Rating: Recommended
Season 1: Natsume Yuujin Chou
Season 2: Zoku Natsume Yuujin Chou
Season 3: Natsume Yuujin Chou San
Season 4: Natsume Yuujin Chou Shi
Summary & Comments:
Natsume Takashi (Kamiya Hiroshi) has the ability to see spirits. He has learned to keep it a secret from the people around him as they refuse to believe what they cannot see. Having lost his parents at a young age, he shuffles from relative to relative. He moves into a town where his deceased grandmother, Reiko had spent her childhood and finds himself pursued by seemingly malicious spirits. One fateful day, Natsume accidentally releases a spirit in the form of a cat who pointed him to a strange book that belonged to his grandmother. The book contains the names of many spirits whom Reiko defeated. It is said that the owner of the book wields absolute power over the spirits whose names are written in the book as a form of contract. Having known the reason why these spirits are after him, Natsume is now determined to free the spirits from their bonds. With the help of the spirit cat (Inoue Kazuhiko), the journey of discovery begins.
I’ve watched the first episode and so far, I like the general atmosphere of the anime. It draws you into the story immediately with action, drama, humour and heart. The animation is fluid and the environment has a very soft feel to it. I like Kamiyan and the way his voice lends vulnerability as well as resolve to the gentle and kind-hearted Natsume. And Inoue-san’s spirit cat is a gem! I didn’t even recognise him until he spoke in his normal voice ^^ Good soundtrack too. I enjoyed it pretty much. I watched it again and discovered a couple of hints which I think will lead to even more interesting plot in the future… looking forward to the next episode!
Cast:
Kamiya Hiroshi 神谷浩史 as Natsume Takashi
Inoue Kazuhiko 井上和彦 as Nyanko-san
Kobayashi Sanae 小林沙苗 as Natsume Reiko
Ishida Akira 石田彰 as Natori Shuuichi
Suganuma Hisayoshi 菅沼久義 as Kitamoto Atsushi
Horie Kazuma 一眞堀江 as Tanuma Kaname
Itou Miki 美紀伊藤 as Fujiwara Touko
Sawashiro Miyuki 沢城 みゆき as Sasada Jun
Kimura Ryohei 木村良平 as Nishimura Satoru
2. Right-Click then Copy
3. Paste the HTML code into your webpage
You might also like
 |  |  |  |
Love this anime!! Its one of my top fives! XD And season three its just as beautiful as the previous seasons!
@Nekokratik: yeah and I’m glad they’re going to make Season 4 next year :D
will watch! now the only thing left to do is actually finish watching season 1 and 2 thats been on stand by for months now on meh computer xD
@Shirokaze: oh my you’re missing out! You will definitely love Natsume anime :) go watch it soon!
yay there’s going to be a third season =D so happy!
@idd: Me too :D definitely one of my top fav anime series. Looking forward to it!
I really liked your blog! Bookmarked :) keep up the great Work. Valuble Info.
(^_^)b Enjoy!!!
Ooooh – every now and then I just want a break from ordinary, hardcore BL or general shounen-ai, so count me in definately now!
Hmmm… possible BL tendancies? Despite of the great-looking animation and storyline, count me in for a look-in. If I can find subs, it’s a definate.
The only episode with some fan service was when Natsume became possessed by a female ayakashi and got his friends mesmerised. Too cute! The BL/shounen-ai is done very shoujo style, so there wasn’t much ^^ But even so, it is a very enjoyable, heartwarming series with some quirky humour + slice of life stories. I recommend it to everyone! Please watch it! XD
Yep… *sweat drop*
I sometimes buy movies and OVA too but those were VCDs. I’m planning to “refresh” the collection with DVD eventually ^^”
Yea, you also still got unfinished Rose of Versailles too
Besides series, do you also bought anime movie?
Yeah… much as I want to watch those, they are just too darn long x_x I also have DVDs of series which I bought but have not watched yet o_O
yea hopefully can manage time to watch it.
Glad tht this isn’t long runnig series such as OP, Bleach or Naruto.
His voice (for a really minor character) only lasted 5 secs in this episode. Not sure if his character will surface in the future.
The spirit cat is VERY cute and cool. Funny too cos Inoue-san gave it great character and quirks on top of the animation kekeke. Don’t miss it. Watch it and you’ll understand why. He is definitely plushie material.
Is it just coincidence tht your ‘Ishida Akira’ is on the seiyuu list of Natsume?
Hee hee hee
So the spirit cat talks too instead of just Nyaoo Nyaoo Nyaoo, tht’s great.
This is quite interesting coz of its setting. will watch it when i have the time.
and i might consider look for its merchandise for sell.
the cat will look good as a plushie.