Review of Natsume's Book of Friends
Natsume Yuujinchou. It makes me think of frozen raspberries and a relaxed, unhurried fuzzy feeling - because that’s what I was doing when I first watched it, all five seasons that had aired at the time - consuming raspberries as though they were popcorn and trying to survive the sweltering summer holidays. The premise, it is something fairly simple and relatively familiar. The main character is an orphan, has grown up with no one there to care about him, has been ostracised from society for being either weird or abnormal and in this case, being capable of seeing supernatural beings which others cannot. Until now, hehasn’t been capable of finding his own place in the world, and this is where the story starts; a new family, a new town and a new chance to, finally, discover what is is to have a place to call home.
From this, you might think this is nothing you haven’t seen before. But what really took me by surprise was how well it was done. The author took this idea and made it her own.
Natsume Takashi, the main character, what with his background, does indeed illicit some sympathy and melancholy feelings from the viewers. But - how to put this - it’s not thrown in your face. It’s merely presented as fact. And these facts shape him for the character he is today; introverted, quiet, used to bottling things up and dealing with things on his own. A completely unhealthy mindset to be in, but that is perhaps, one of the biggest messages in the story, and unfortunately there is also truths in these states of being for the everyday lives of many people.
Naturally, this creates a lot of basis for character development. And it is there, masterfully so even if you don’t notice at first glance, at a step by step pace so slow one can hardly tell the difference. Perhaps this isn’t a show for people pressed for time, I’m not one of them and I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is a masterpiece so grand it should be compulsory. You see him open up, make friends, learn how to share his cares. And as a person it is revealed that Natsume is unmeasurably kind, generous and will go out of his way to help those in need - even if all he gets in return is a bad night of sleep, and perhaps might find him self in the face some form of supernatural peril. Each episode will definitely leave a smile on your face.
Nyanko-sensei, well, he is a contrast. The largest source of humour, with a not dislikable unvirtuous demeanour. He is great. Just great, and Natsume Yuujinchou wouldn’t be Natsume Yuujinchou without him.
And then we get to the title: Natsume Yuujinchou, in English, Natsume’s Book of Friends. It’s a positive name which embodies the themes, the story and the characters. Quite literally, it’s named after The Book of Friends, created by his grandmother, Natsume Reiko and the only memento Takashi has of his family. Each page has a “name” belonging to a youkai (those supernatural beings I mentioned earlier) and the show’s episodic nature tells his journeys to returning them.
As a result, this isn’t something one might feel pressed to watch all at once. Far from it, this is something one can relax with after a long, stressful day. I know I have my favourite episodes for when I’m feeling anxious.
Seriously, if you haven’t watched this by now, you, reader, are missing out. I cannot emphasise this enough.