Natsume Yuujinchou is the first installment in the anime series dealing with a boy, Natsume, who has the ability to see youkai. At the outset, he comes into possession of the "Book of Friends" which allows him to summon any youkai whose name is inside. The bulk of the story deals with Natsume's interactions with various spirits, and the encounters vary from life-threatening to heartwarming. The way this anime seamlessly transitions the mood from tense gripping drama to subdued romance, is one of its biggest strengths. The show is episodic, yet Natsume's character development isn't neglected, and each experience helps him to better understand both himself and the youkai. There were a few weak episodes, however they didn't detract from my enjoyment of this show. While much of the show dealt with some serious issues such as loss and abandonment, the subdued presentation and appropriately placed humor allowed the show to remain lighthearted. Nyanko's character was great comic relief, and showcased some excellent voice acting. Aside from Natsume's character, however, the side character's played a very minor role. Many of them were only briefly introduced, and considering how rarely they are referenced, it was hard to justify their inclusion in the narrative at all. Also, Reiko's past was only mentioned a few times, and it would have been nice to learn more about her. Nonetheless there is still plenty of the show I haven't seen so many of this issues could easily be resolved later on. Speaking to the animation, I wasn't blown away, but the art was still of good quality. The soundtrack, however, was wonderful. From the wonderfully catchy opening and closing sequences, to the subtle and appropriately placed melodies, Natsume Yuujinchou's musical selection was top notch. Taken as a whole, this is a wonderful series that I would recommend to almost everyone. With such a diverse set of character's and situations almost every viewer will find something to enjoy about this series. I hope that the remaining seasons will prove just as rewarding.
8/10
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