Review: Natsume Yuujinchou Shi

Natsume’s Book of Friends Fourth Season

Liam: Just like the past three seasons, this is a great and lovable series as always. This is something that stays close to me and I always look forward to it. To summarize, Natsume is just a heartwarming, yet dark, mysterious anime about a child’s past, and how he’s overcome it, yet how he became a better person too. He can see youkai, and it kinda ruined his childhood, yet he’s still able to help youkai, and people alike. Natsume can make you cry, happy, joyful, and put you on the edge of your seat at times. It’s an enjoyable anime that can be exciting, sad, and dark at the same time.   It has always been my favourite to watch and I love Mondays because of it. Just the good vibes it gives you as you’re watching, and a nice, funny, heartwarming story in every episode.

Alex: Considering I blogged the majority of this series, i’d like to contribute somehting to the review. I was ever-so-slightly sad to see the very last episode of Natsume, but it’s hit a fine 52 episodes, and i’m glad it ended before it became bad. This season focused more on Natsume’s past and how it affected him into the future, but the one thing I did miss was a Reiko-centred episode. He meets people who used to hate him and people who used to be interested in him, and along the way he does he usual act of making the youkai world a better place.

The big youkai twist this time around was how his friends are slowly starting to get involved in the youkai world, and how he’s started to walk down a path where nobody walked before. The dark episodes of this season were probably the best ones, yet I can’t help but want more of them…which is sad because I doubt Natsume will be coming back.  Anyway, as usual, Natsume scores a perfect 10/10 from me…surprise surprise. xD

If you havn’t watched Natsume, then this review probably isn’t the best place to start. If you go through the review index, you can find all 3 past seasons there. But if you have, then know that this season takes what the others had and expands on it even more, creating a perfect experience for viewers to enjoy.

Alex’s Score: 10 out of 10 Meeps (Masterpiece)

Liam’s Score: 10 out of 10 Meeps (Masterpiece)

Natsume Yuujinchou Shi Episode 13

A Long Way Home

This final episode of Natsume, I think really ended well. It had a nice lovable ending to it, and a very upsetting beginning. It really really bothers me how Natsume use to be treated by his classmates. Like…it’s just so messed up at how they reacted to him. Even after all that he tried to stay their friends. I just love this show, though. I can relate at times, and it’s very enjoyable. I felt like crying when he finally got to his house too. Memories are a very strong part of us, and can hit us real hard at times. I was out of tears though~ They ended the series nicely with something simple to remember. I hope that’s not the end of Natsume, I want more of it D: It’s my addiction.

Natsume Yuujinchou Shi Episode 12

 The Door to Memories

Wow, what a way to end the episode. I was kind of expecting it to end somewhat happily, but nahh. We learned a little more about his past, and he spent time with Tachibana when he got ‘kicked out’ of his…I guess I can say foster home? It’s really upsetting that no one liked him, even Tachibana’s daughter. It’s because of that Youkai in the house, and he couldn’t even act that normal while he was there. I think Natsume deserves a hug for all that he goes through. It’s kind of surprising that he ended up liking Youkai after being outcasted by people though. It seems like the last episode will be interesting, and I’ve got a feeling he’ll find something that he hadn’t seen in a long time. I’ve got a good feeling about this last one.

Natsume Yuujinchou Shi Episode 10 & 11

The God, Enshrined & A Single Photo

Natsumeee ❤ This episode was so heartwarming at the end. Gotta love this series. Again, I was on the edge of my seat at points saying “Oh jeez, Oh jeez” hoping he wouldn’t get caught in certain parts. xD The beast reminded me of a purple Nyanko. In his own beast form. Great episode no matter what anyone says. It was just a big adventure, and was really interesting being as Natsume dressed up as a God. I was wondering how everything was going to turn out.

What a wonderful episode. Had me on the verge of tears. They’re all so innocent. The entire episode…I was just like “Why does Tohko look so upset?” So many questions to be answered! Luckily it wasn’t post-poned till another adventure of Natsume, I think I’d die from not getting my answers. xD It really was a nice, relaxing episode. Basically about Natsumes family, and he looks just like his parents.

Natsume Yuujinchou Shi Episode 9

The Moon-Splitting Festival

What a great episode! Ergg, how I wish it didn’t end. It really was getting interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I can’t wait for Monday to come xP
Natsume always tries to help out, but I think he got himself into something bad this time. He’s just sitting, letting the wind blow threw his hair, and all of a sudden Youkai out of nowhere! As silly as Natsume is, he decides to help them out with the festival since their “God” is sealed away. Natsume has to hunt this beast for the festival, while searching for the White Hats leader/god. I’m really curious on what the outcome of this entire situation will be. Just, everything about this episode was perfect to me. Boy, do I hate cliffhangers.

I was sick at the beginning of the week, and I kinda kept forgetting to blog this. Then I had some trouble getting the videos to play. I’ll get it up Monday or Tuesday this week for sure.

Natsume Yuujinchou Shi Episode 8

When I was Decieved

This weeks episode of Natsume was a sweet episode. The episode takes place in the past (or most of it at least.) xP Nanase looks for her old friend, who is sealed in an exorcists stone type of thing, but it starts from when she was a kid and gives us some background on Nanases past. Exorcists seem to go through a lot. I’m sure I’d do what she did. I stand by what Natsume thinks on Youkai. They’re all equal. And, being raised by exorcists could kinda be like being raised by religious families. You have a set of rules to follow and you can’t break those rules.

Nanase probably never would have been able to find the stone, since that one Youkai grabbed it when the barrier was getting weak. Luckily that small Youkai wanted Reiko, but found Natsume. That Jade guy was pretty cool, it sucks since he was turning evil slowly and had to be purified. It’s wonderful that he was able to come back into his original state and not some evil crazy spirit. Never the less, another great episode of Natsume.

Natsume Yuujinchou Shi Episode 7

The Gap Between Humans and Youkai

Alex: So, Shuuichi returns in this episode, and Tanuma takes a large role like expected.

I was reading on a forum somewhere that Tanuma x Natsume is a really popular fanshipping pairing, and I see why the more that Natsume and Tanuma spend time together. But that isn’t the right way to be looking at Natsume Yuujinchou…xDD

Even though this episode seemed to ship the Natsume x Tanuma pairing big time :L It was sweet and cute and touching and “awwww”, though.I just wanted to give Natsume a hug at the end of this episode when he collapsed on the floor D:

Ahem. That aside, another wonderful episode and a great conclusion to the two-parter. I really hope that this isn’t the last series of Natsume…someone said that the title means Natsume Yuujinchou: Death. Anyone able to confirm this?

Natsume Yuujinchou-Shi Episode 6

On The Other Side of the Glass

Alex: It’s been a while since we had a Nyanko centred episode. They’re an important part of any Natsume series, so when this one went both in both the comedic and the serious direction, it really nailed what makes Nyanko such a great character. See, not only did it bring Nyanko to the spotlight and give him more time to shine than ever before, it brought the whole theme of how Natsume doesn’t want to get anyone involved into the fray…and showed exactly what Nyanko thinks of that idea.

The episode oddly ended up on a cliffhanger, so i’m wondering if there’s something more to Natsume getting trapped in a jar and Nyanko taking his place than appeared at first site..but I don’t think i’d complain if there isn’t, and the next episode is mostly focused around fixing everything Nyanko screwed up. Which he did a lot of. Bless dat cat.

Natsume Yuujinchou-Shi Episode 5

To you; From Bygone Days

Alex: My reaction at the start of the episode was something along the lines of “OMG, really?!”It’s the episode I always wanted to see. Flashback episode of what could be known as “dark Natsume”, from back when he transfers into a middle school before meeting any friends, Nyanko or any nice family members.

It was dark and even upsetting in some points, mostly due to how brilliantly it portrayed Natsume’s persecution from all the humans he met and how he doesn’t understand the youkai yet, and well…how everyone ‘hates’ him.

In other words, a pretty perfect episode in terms of Natsume Yuujinchou, and another amazing instalment into this fourth series. I want more of the younger Natsume, damnitttt @_@

Natsume Yuujinchou-Shi Episode 4

Stand In

Alex: Once again, Natsume’s 4th season delivers an amazing episode, but this time, one not focused around a cute youkai, or Natsume, but focused around an average youkai who fell in love with a human. It focuses on guilt, innocence and pure hearted love.It shows just why youkai can’t love humans, but it also shows why that shouldn’t make a difference.It was amazinggg. Like usual xD

Also; I found it hard to find a funny Nyanko this episode. 😦