Review of Natsume's Book of Friends
More and more studios are starting to hit their stride after the massive Studio increase around 2004 and 2005. The once rookie studios such as Natsume’s Book of Friends studio Brains Base (Baccano!) is now making a name for itself and trying to separate from the others. Brains Base decided to go with Takahiro Omori in the director’s seat once again, but for a much different show compared to Baccano. The story here focuses on a young 15 year old boy called Takashi Natsume. He has the inconvenient ability to see youkai (ghosts/spirits), and this power of his is inherited. Ever since he was achild Natsume was bullied, ostracized by his family and classmates, and even chased by the spirits he claims to see. Basically, everyone looks down on him like he is crazy. One day he comes across a book left behind by his grandmother Reiko, whom also had the ability to see youkai. This is a slice of life story focused around Natsume encountering youkai related to the book left by his grandmother called the “Book of Friends,” and how each day seemingly impacts his life.
The show is episodic with small little pieces of information to advance somewhat of a plot. It is very similar to another show that came out prior called Mushi-shi, but with a much lighter tone and atmosphere. In this first season, Natsume comes across and befriends through a spoken contract with a cat-like spirit becomes Natsume’s bodyguard of sorts. The story follows a very melancholy story as Natsume interacts with the spirits around him and how they relate to the book of friends.
This show is a wonderful story focused around our main character Natsume and it really does exhibit quite a bit of growth and development. The interactions between the cast and spirits never feel forced and the writing is very strong to say the least. As for storytelling, the episodic focus does tend to distract from any underlining plot from developing. However, it does maintain this melancholy, uplifting, and sentimental piece about the show to keep the audience engaged.
As mentioned before, no this does not meet up to Mushi-shi’s levels, but is still pretty enjoyable. Natsume’s Book of Friends focuses more on filling the show with emotional moments rather than tension, and touches further on sympathizing for Natsume as compared to going along with Ginko’s quest in Mushi-shi.
Each episode has some new emotional ride to go on ranging from Natusme listening to a youkai’s final request or youkai wanting the book for themselves forcing Natsume to make a tough choice. Each spirit has a backstory and is fairly well fleshed out even showing how Natsume feels about each one. However, the same circumstance and emotional reaction does dull over time rather quickly. The growth of Natsume is there, but definitely stretched out as much as possible to extend the show even if the audience does see him start out with a disdain for youkai grow into a more sentimental experience.
Backgrounds, music, art, character art each adds and mold well into the setting of the show. This is no doubt what a show like this needs. Just like in Mushi-shi and even another soft-toned simplistic show like Aria, Natusume’s Book of Friends does a decent enough job trying to pull out the viewer’s emotions one episode at a time.
There is a sort of honesty to the show and a cast to complement our main character to make the show worth something. Is it action pact, plenty of tension, have that plot advancement the show initially sets out? None of those seem to matter at the end unfortunately, which hurts what the show could have been. Other than that, the show is worth recommending for people looking to relax and have a melancholy feel while watching a very down-to-earth kind of anime.