Review of Natsume's Book of Friends

To me, this anime is like a warm cup of hot chocolate on a freezing cold day. True, it has it's suspenseful moments, but the kindness and warmth that can be felt through the story telling here is what really got me hooked. If I had to compare the feel of this anime to anything, it would be Kino no Tabi. However, some episodes of that anime left me feeling let down by the entire human race. Natsume Yuujinchou and all of it's sequels have so far left either a smile on my face or a groove on my lip from biting too hardlol.

I can't decide if the best thing about this anime is the incredibly detailed, life-like characters, or the beautiful stories they tell. The art is simplistic in style, but I think it lends credence to the story telling. I'm not running out to get the theme/ending song, but I'm not fast-forwarding through it either.

I have also read the manga, or, at least as much as I could find of it. If you can, read it and watch it. However, I have noticed that the anime has a few characters and stories that so far have not appeared in the manga. These additions flow seamlessly into the story and I would suggest watching the anime just for those extra stories. Aside from that, the only differences between the manga and anime is some differences in the order of stories, and that the anime has a soundtrack and the picture moves.

I cannot encourage people strongly enough to watch this anime. It's one of those beautiful treasures you don't find very often, quiet, unassuming but completely lovely. Before I found this anime, I had almost given up watching it entirely. Natsume Yuujinchou has re-kindled my love of anime.
:3