Review of Natsume's Book of Friends
I can't believe it took me so long to watch this. Initially I wasn't sure I would like it because the premise just didn't sound that appealing to me, but now that I finally got around to it, well, this is probably the first time I'm genuinely happy a slice-of-life series has a bajillion seasons. Story 10/10: This is a very interesting show because, though it is certainly episodic, each episode presents an entire story, and that's what sets it apart from other such anime. The stories unfold slowly and the messages are subtle, but by the end of each episode I felt as though Ihad learnt something.
Art 9/10: The art is not incredibly polished, but it's colourful without being jarringly bright, and the backgrounds are drawn in a watercolour-y way, thus giving the entire show an aura of softness. The creatures we encounter are wonderfully diverse, ranging from cute to weird to sometimes creepy, which I really appreciated.
Sound 9/10: My only complaint about the sound is the voice acting, which was good but could have been better at times. Other than that, the soundtrack is absolutely beautiful, especially the ending theme. The background music is very peaceful and atmospheric, and, though not upbeat, it can be uplifting even when listened to outside of the anime.
Character 10/10: Natsume has become one of my favourite protagonists, because even in such a short amount he learns and grows, but he still has a long way to go. My favourite thing about him is how kind he is, especially towards the youkai, though they have inadvertently caused him a fair bit of suffering. He desperately longs for human connection, but at the same time finds it hard to open up to others, which is something a lot of us would find relatable. Other than him, there are a few recurring characters, and there are of course the creatures themselves, whose personalities and stories are just as diverse as their designs, and they are really what make the show as interesting as it is.
Enjoyment 9/10: There were some moments I found dull, though few, and I have to be in a particular mood to be able to watch this show. It's probably one of the least-bingeable shows I've come across, which might not necessarily be a bad thing, as I wouldn't really want to finish a season of it in an afternoon. Apart from that, it's certainly enjoyable, but not upbeat or comedic, more like peaceful or even melancholic.
Overall 9/10: It would be very easy to give this a 10/10 but I am reserving that for its future seasons which I'm sure are even better. I do understand why this is one of, if not the, most popular 'healing' type anime, - I wholeheartedly agree with it, and honestly? I would absolutely recommend it to anyone, especially if you enjoy slow and atmospheric shows.