Review of Natsume's Book of Friends
Natsume Yuujinchou is a manga by Midorikawa Yuki who is known for being the author of the movie: Hotarubi no mori e (I recommend too). Natsume contains 6 adaptations in anime, totaling 74 episodes. making a short synopsis, The Takashi (Protagonist), since he was young he was able to see Youkais / Ayakashis, who are basically "Monsters/Demons", and since this was too much burden for a child, he ended up having a difficult life and was half isolated of others. At one point he inherits from his grandmother the so-called "Book of Friends." and then discovers that she actually shared the same ability to see youkais ashim.
I will not go into the details about the book and his grandmother, because it's more fun to figure out how everything works by watching.
Even the story spinning all the time around the youkais, natsume is also an analysis about humans. It focuses both on the bonds between humans themselves and the bonds between Youkais and Humans.
Every story you see is well thought out and crafted, and it always seeks to bring a deep message and thus more developmment for the show.
Natsume is that kind of sweet show that will always try its best to make you empathize with everything in it.
every bit of it brings a sad feeling. But that feeling is at once cozy you know?
And so he ends up holding you, Exploring your emotions to the fullest and making them toy all the time.
Speaking of the characters, Natsume is full of unique and iconic personalities, and this is not just about humans but true for youkais as well.
Takashi does not help the youkais because he has nothing better to do, he helps them because the bond he has with them is strong and very well explored throughout the anime. Enough even for him by himself at risk.
From a person who has been forced to move away from almost every human, takashi grows to trust humans once more, as he shares his experiences with those around him, conquering people who become totally dear to him.
The madara (Nyanko), for example, at first he only has one goal and demonstrates that he could do everything for him, but over time he clings to Takashi and despite his own contradictions, he seems to care more about his mate Takashi), than with the aim of it.
Another interesting part are the youkais, usually they do not get so much focus out of their respective unique episodes, but they always manage to leave their own mark, each one becomes quite memorable, their internal conflicts, their goals and personalities are all very well thought out and makes it even hard to believe that that character was only there for only 20 minutes.
about art and animation, Natsume is very simplistic mainly at the beginning, but this serves as a glove pro style anime, this gives you a much more complete immersion of the anime atmosphere, with beautiful designs, wonderful scenery and a beautiful color palette together with a fluid animation (and that improves with the passing of the seasons without losing the original essence).
Natsume has the best openings and endings I've ever heard, and I'm not just talking about the song itself but its lyrics, all instrumental composition, everything is done in detail to stay in a beautiful harmony with all elements of the anime, making you create an even greater affection throughout history.
Well is basically this, if you want to try, I assure you that it is worth mostly for those who like slice of life and sentimental things.