Review of Natsume's Book of Friends
The show that started it all. Natsume Yuujinchou tells the story of Takashi Natsume, a boy who leads a lonely life because nobody understands his ability to see Youkai, but one day he finds the Book of Friends, the names of all the Youkai who were defeated by Takashi's grandmother, Reiko. The concept is so simple, yet the end result is a work of art. Natsume Yuujinchou takes the best parts of its genre and creates a near-masterpiece. Story - A+ Like i said above, the concept is so simple but in the end in blossoms into a strong, compelling and lovable show. Takashi goes about everyday the same as any other, with the glaring exception that he can see Youkai. They can be bad or good, Takashi at first doesn't know what to expect from them. Each episode is its own story, describing the Youkai in question, Natsume helping the Youkai and later returning that youkai's name to them. It manages to take a bland and linear formula and turn it into its own work of art. The real essence of the show is the relationship between Youkai and humans.
Animation - A+
Wonderful. Not too over the top, but nothing lacking. It strikes a balance, which is what Natsume Yuujinchou is essentially. Everything gets detailed: from the random background scenes to the characters themselves with precision to match.
Sound - A++
That's not a typo, i gave it another +. For every scene in Natsume Yuujinchou, there's a wonderful piece of music to accompany it. Every. single. scene. Once again, though the music is simplisitic it accels in giving the viewer something to look forward to. Nothing that screams "over the top", but not lacking either. The opening song "Issei no Koe" definitely fits the tone of the show. It's calm, uplifting and transitions a bit in the second half to more upbeat. The ending song, "Natsu Yuuzora"...Oh my god. This song is the very definition of perfect. Listening to this song definitely screams "the conclusion to another fine episode of Natsume Yuujinchou". Natsu Yuuzora represents the same qualities the show has: Uplifting and calming.
Character A-
Probably the only real negative to this show, and why its a NEAR-masterpiece. Natsume serves as the titular character and as such focuses strongly on him. We have other characters as well. Natsume's adoptive parents, the Fujiwaras, serve as one of the few people whom Natsume clearly cares deeply about, but alas they also don't know of his ability to see Youkai and constantly struggles to keep it that way. Occasionally, we see other humans but its mostly Youkai for the most part. Each Youkai has a compellling backstory when they meet Natsume.
Overall: A+
I couldn't picture myself watching Natsume Yuujinchou. I was always a huge fan of the mecha and shounen animes and (stupidly) claimed that they were superior in everyway. But boy, was i wrong. A show doesn't need flashy *pew pew* lasers (aka, animation effects) or over-used cliches to make a niche in its genre. Like most anime, you either love it, like it or hate it. This show falls in the "love it", but if you're not one who likes gentle, easygoing and slice-of-life shows, you may "like it". I can't picture anyone who can hate it, other than a lack of attention-span perhaps.
Natsume Yuujinchou's ultimate strength lies in its simplicity. That can also be it's downfall for many who don't have the patience for such simplicity.
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The good: Pretty much Everything.
The bad: One or two more human characters should be added, but that's it.