Forum - View topicNatsume's Book of Friends (TV + movies + OAV).
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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#7
For the first time this series Tanuma comes under the spotlight as a bit about his childhood is revealed in this episode. No complaints about this episode, viewers get to play a little guessing game as to the identity of the interloper and there's another encounter with both benevolent and malevolent youkai with the usual bittersweet ending to top things off. This should count as the unofficial obligatory appearance of a Ryokan in one of the animated adaptations. As always, there are always youkai involved with a bit of self-parody when the photo collection on haunted travel spots is taken out. Next week sees the official exorcists battle it out again for Natsume's help and support. Always great to see the recurring characters carry the story forward, even if Natsume's grandmother still isn't involved directly. |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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#8
Unusual episode as Natsume doesn't feature at all. Instead the pasts of Matoba Seiji and Natori Shuuichi are fleshed out in this episode. It's a good one too since viewers unacquainted with the source material are by now curious as to how the two exorcists met and why they are at loggerheads with each other after episode 4 of this season aired. Natori at high school has plenty in common with Natsume in the series; isolated because of his gift and unwilling to speak up about it for fear of further alienation. The difference is Natori being a descendant of a long line of exorcists and with the ability to draw upon years of knowledge to better acquaint himself with the supernatural. Matoba as a high school freshman being capable of exorcising a strong demon which the community were only content with containing shows just how strong he was at his age. It's odd that his present outfit hasn't changed much from his high school years, although the bandages around the eye are now confirmed to be a precaution undertaken by all Matoba clan heads for the treachery of their ancestor. Divergent paths seems to be the main theme for the episode, especially when one considers what Natsume has been through over the last four season and this and how different he approaches youkai now that he holds his grandmother's legacy. |
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Stark700
 Posts: 11762 Location: Earth |
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From some of the latest episodes, I really like how this season is focusing more on Shuuichi Natori. From his perspective as a high school student and exorcist, I also do find some parallel similarities between him and Natsume. Which is to say, Shuuichi is one of the characters that I find very interesting for his personality.
I guess we'll be getting more of Natsume again soon but just wanted to mention that. |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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#9
Focus switching back to Natsume and one of the more conventional "help the youkai" episodes. I don't think I've seen a youkai like Shuon before, he appears to be derived from the Buddhist pantheon of devas and the eternal quest for nirvana. The pilgrimage of youkai seems similar to the Hyakki Yakou but isn't malevolent at all. I thought for a moment the mushroom cap youkai would sell Natsume out, but that would have betrayed what his friend stood for. The scene at the end gives hope that the small youkai will eventually prove worthy of standing together with his friend. After all, the one asset youkai have over humans is endless time. Next week is the background for Natsume's adoptive guardians. They rarely get any screentime if at all so this should be an interesting view to see how they first met Natsume Takashi. |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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#10
This is almost certainly the first time the Fujiwaras get the spotlight in this series. Viewers don't really see much of them aside as being Natsume Takashi's adopted parents and being extremely nice, so a little insight into their lives prior to Natsume's arrival and the circumstances which brought Natsume to their home is a nice one, even if the episode itself is mostly unremarkable. Given Fujiwara Shigeru's past dealings with Natsume's grandmother, perhaps it is fate or a series of interconnecting coincidences that brings Natsume and the Fujiwaras together. It also brings into sharp relief how much Natsume Takashi values his current home despite the innate talent he was born with and the book he inherited. One thing which seems a little sad is the Fujiwaras being the one couple who would probably accept Natsume Takashi for what he is (seeing spirits and all) had he opened up to them but he will never tell them for fear of destroying the happy home they have built up over the decades. There have been occasions when Fujiwara Shigeru realises something is up with Natsume Takashi, but he prefers to overlook it and care for Natsume as his own son. Very strong crow motif in this episode. Probably hit and miss depending on the viewer in question. Back to normal service next week, not much more to go before this adaptation ends. I doubt viewers will learn more about Natsume Reiko before the series ends though. |
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Zubby
 Posts: 17 Location: Chicago |
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I've been enjoying this season quite a bit. At first, it didn't seem that different from previous seasons, but I've been enjoying the episodes focusing on other characters.
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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#11 end
Thinking about this episode, I realised it's not just a way to close out the season but also to give the comic-relief pair of youkai a chance under the spotlight. Well-meaning but not used to interacting with humans other than Natsume Takashi, their intent brings about the whole plotline for this episode and a chance for Natsume to reflect on his relationships and the good things he's accumulated staying with the Fujiwaras. Just as well youkai don't suffer from overworked muscles, fixing the lantern path for Natsume's sake may have been futile in the end but Natsume wasn't any the wiser. Although a bit contrived, all of the recurring youkai cast members appeared in this episode together with Natsume's elusive grandmother. The recurring student cast also make a collective appearance as well. As always, one can't go wrong watching this series for relaxing entertainment. Even without reading the source material, those who've watched previous seasons can jump straight back in without really missing a beat. Best news is that there's another adaptation scheduled for 2017! |
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crosswithyou
 Posts: 2899 Location: California |
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Hooray for Roku in 2017!
It's announced now that the other two episodes in the series are doing to be home release-only. |
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Stark700
Posts: 11762 Location: Earth |
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I'm surprised that they adapted some of the special chapters.from the final few episodes. Still, very good adaptation and imo, this was one of my favorite seasons this Fall.
Great news about the 6th season too. I can't wait for 2017! |
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Redbeard 101
Oscar the Grouch
Forums Superstar  Posts: 16963 |
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Season 6 of Natsume's Book of Friends.
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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#2
Unlike the previous season before it, this one gets straight into bringing out recurring cast members with Natsume more willing to rely on them for help when inadvertent requests come his way. Ishi-Arai Namaaki's flower drawing is the big highlight for this episode, but it's nonetheless sad to see his disciple unable to replicate his achievements due to the well-meaning but ignorant actions of an exorcist. Next week sees a recurring cast member I don't remember from season 5. It seems Tanuma is also involved so I'm wondering what's sort of request Natsume has been put up to. |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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#3
Shibata was never the most agreeable of Natsume Takashi's friends and acquaintances, but he does provide the trigger for this week's adventure with the dolls. It's been a while since Natsume was the target of a malevolent spirit (in this case pair) so Nyanko-Sensei earns his keep as well (bit much asking for a whole melon and the entirety of Touko's next fried shrimp dinner but I suppose this is outside of his contractual obligations since Natsume got himself into trouble). If Shibata didn't figure out that the cat was something more than it seemed after seeing Tanuma show the cat the talisman and Madara eliminate the doll spirit, he definitely knows after the cat starting talking carelessly right at the end. Still doesn't seem to have made the connection though. Natori and the exorcist community get their turn in the spotlight next week. If I didn't mishear, it seems Matoba's secretary Nanase might be heavily involved. Trailer also shows Natori's familiars who didn't get much screentime in the last season so always something to look forward to. |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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#4
This week is a two-parter. Natori together with his three familiars in the spotlight. Natsume really is one of those individuals where things happen around him because of his natural abilities. It gets him into trouble but also gives him valuable lessons should he survive his experiences. Interesting to see one former exorcist forced to retire from his chosen profession. They were talked about in the previous season but I think this is the first time Natsume Takashi is in direct contact with one. It looks like he appears next week, but from what I can tell his familiars have broken free of his control and are pursuing different objectives from each other. |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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#5
Interesting twist to the conclusion for the 2-parter. Unless one is familiar with the source material, it wouldn't have crossed the mind that the daughter was inadvertently responsible for what was going on in the house. Takuma Yousuke's return made it possible for Natsume to resolve the problem in his usual peaceful and conciliatory manner, but Ginro's comment from last week holds the possibility of shattering the friendship between Natsume and Natori. The comedy relief pair of Natsume's classmates get the spotlight next week, looks like a story about how they met with Natsume and made friends with him shortly after his move to Kyuushu. |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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#6
As far back as season 1, Natsume ended up with Nishimura and Kitamoto as his youkai-oblivious mates. Now we see how both of them ended up being friends with Natsume Takashi in two short segments. I think this is the first time viewers have seen the pair of them in their private lives outside of school, Nishimura with his elder brother and Kitamoto with the ill father and younger sister. The vignettes also resolve things differently with Nishimura being helped out after Madara comes into Natsume's life while chance aids Kitamoto in saving them from a scrap. Nishimura and Kitamoto are important to Natsume as they partially symbolise what a normal, everyday life means to him; but they'll never be as close to him as Tanuma and Taki nor will they ever will be unless they learn what Natsume is capable of seeing and still appreciate him for what he is despite the knowledge. About time Natsume Reiko took the spotlight in this season. OP is more or less about her and the grandson so she really needs more character development in this season. |
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