Natsume Yuujinchou

Due to an unusual ability to see strange creatures called youkai, Takashi Natsume has never fit in. Passed around from one foster home to another, he was left isolated and lonely. Over time, he has accepted that no one would ever believe him and has closed himself off to his current caretakers and classmates.

When Natsume accidentally breaks an intangible barrier, he frees Madara—a mighty spirit in the form of a lucky cat. Madara notices that Natsume bears a remarkable resemblance to his late grandmother Reiko Natsume, an outcast girl who became known across the youkai world for creating the Book of Friends. It is now in Natsume's possession, along with its power to call upon the written names of the youkai Reiko had defeated.

With no interest in its powers, Natsume decides to keep the book for the sake of his grandmother's memories and to protect it from scheming youkai. Therefore, he makes a deal with Madara: he will hand him the book once his time is up, and in turn, Madara will act as Natsume's unofficial bodyguard, nicknamed Nyanko-sensei. With his newfound goal of freeing those Reiko had sealed, Natsume's relationship with both youkai and humans slowly begins to improve.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Natsume, Takashi Main

Kamiya, Hiroshi Japanese

Madara Main

Inoue, Kazuhiko Japanese

Natsume, Reiko Supporting

Kobayashi, Sanae Japanese

Tanuma, Kaname Supporting

Horie, Kazuma Japanese

Natori, Shuuichi Supporting

Ishida, Akira Japanese

Kogitsune Supporting

Yajima, Akiko Japanese

Hinoe Supporting

Okamura, Akemi Japanese

Fujiwara, Touko Supporting

Itou, Miki Japanese

Hiiragi Supporting

Yukino, Satsuki Japanese

Tsubame Supporting

Yuzuki, Ryouka Japanese

Miyake, Masanori Producer

Satou, Yumi Producer

Yokoyama, Shuko Producer

Odawara, Akiko Producer

Reviews

Feb 5, 2026

philiwilly

Recommended

It does what it intended; that is a relaxed anime that you can have playing in the background as you're having breakfast or something (non-derogatory). The episodic nature of the anime and overall quiet atmosphere enforces this. Overall a pretty charming show; I would describe this as Mushishi but for a younger audience.

However, with a score of 8.3 I was expecting something a bit more engaging. The MC is slightly dull, and his misadventures basically comprise of random low stakes events; but that is part of the charm I suppose. It also felt some of the episodes were doing too much emotion-baiting, and it often ... didn't connect.

While this show is enjoyable, it is at most "good" or "fine", so a 6 or a 7 (67 hahahahaahahah help me). Anyways, would still recommend. Its a short and easy anime to watch.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jan 17, 2026

LancelotSB

Mixed Feelings

I found the show to be just okay. I stopped watching halfway through season 2 because the storyline didn't stand out, and the pacing was extremely slow. It lacked action, which may have contributed to the slow pacing.

To be honest, this anime doesn't rely heavily on action or comedy. Instead, it takes a more mellow approach to the storyline, which may not appeal to everyone. I found it boring at times, and I would often watch it before bed as it helped me fall asleep.

I thought the world-building aspect was weak. I am familiar with Japanese folklore and yokai, and I felt that this anime, ... like many others, took a friendlier approach instead of making them scary.

However, I thought the scores and audio quality were amazing. The intro and outro songs were forgettable, and I didn't feel the mascot was strong, but the main character, Natsume, was fine. The animation style was okay.

Overall, I think it's an okay show, but it may not be for everyone.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Apr 27, 2024

StateofOhayo

Not Recommended

One of the most boring shows I've ever had the misfortune of seeing. It could have been a lot better but at this point it put me to sleep more than Mr. Roger's Neighborhood when I was a child. A lot of promise but it quickly becomes one-note. Repetitive, slow, boring, and die cast characters that show absolutely zero growth.

Dear God, don't get me started on the "music" and sound. The few times they tried to use sound to build tension were totally lost on me, because there never seemed to be anything really at stake. It's serialized slice of yokai with characters fitting neatly ... into their predetermined tropes with no room to move or grow. The voice acting was really good but the rest of the sound department was asleep at the wheel, and after hearing the OP, so was I.

The art is fine, especially for its era, my biggest complaint being how there seems to be a layer of fog over every scene. It just looks...dusty. The only good characters in the show are unironically the Yokai of the Week one and done characters. It's too bad we didn't get to see more of them and less of MC and the "cat".

If exciting anime is like a trip down some river rapids, then this is a safe and slow float in a blow up ring at a public pool, but no one else is there because they all got bored and went home to take their metamucil and go to bed early. Really disappointing because the show DID have its moments but the vast majority of the time spent was rehashed one-liners and excessively slow-walked episodes that seemed to be of no actual consequence because the week after it would be totally forgotten about.

In the end what are we left with? An overarching goal, outcome, message?
"humans and yokai CAN get along guys!"
How inspiring, I've fired up to do a marathon of watching paint dry now and doing some crappy post modern armchair philosophy over it.

Reviewer’s Rating: 3

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