Natsume's Book of Friends

Season 1

2008 · 13 episodes

About

Due to an unusual ability to see strange creatures called youkai, Takashi Natsume has never fit in. Over time, he has accepted that no one would ever believe him and has closed himself off. 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. 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. With his newfound goal of freeing those Reiko had sealed, Natsume's relationship with both youkai and humans slowly begins to improve.

Episodes

  1. 1The Cat and the Book of Friends8 Jul 2008 · 23mNatsume discovers that the heirloom "Book of Friends" that his grandmother, Reiko, gave him possesses the names of the spirits she defeated and bound to her will.
  2. 2The Dew God's Small Shrine15 Jul 2008 · 23mNatsume is visited by the village's local god who is currently fading because of the lack of devotees.
  3. 3The Mysterious Person at the Eight Fields22 Jul 2008 · 23mNatsume is implored to help spirits who are currently being exorcised. He finds a kindred spirit in Tanuma, a boy who also senses spirits although not as powerful as Natsume.
  4. 4Shigure and the Girl29 Jul 2008 · 23mNatsume's secret is found out by Sasada, the class president, during the "Trial of Courage." She asks for his help to find the spirit that lives in the abandoned school. Natsume denies the fact that he can see anything, but she won't take no for an answer. Meanwhile, the spirit, Shigure, captures the rest of their school mates, in fury of the school being torn down...
  5. 5Heart-Colored Ticket5 Aug 2008 · 23mNatsume comes across an old ticket in Reiko's belongings and decides to go to the abandoned train station to see why she kept it. There, he meets a slow witted spirit named Santo, who was waiting for Reiko the entire time to go Kiriganuma, to see and make up with his friend, Mikuri, but the trip isn't as easy as it first seems...
  6. 6Swallow at the Lake Bottom12 Aug 2008 · 23mNatsume goes to a dam and finds a town that had been submerged in water. Just then, Natsume gets possessed by a yokai and falls unconscious.
  7. 7The Little Fox's Hat19 Aug 2008 · 23mNatsume goes to a hot spring for a school trip, with an errand from Shigeru to pick up teacups from a near by pottery. While there he meets and helps a little fox spirit, who quickly grows attached to him.
  8. 8Fleeting Light26 Aug 2008 · 23mNatsume meets a spirit who used to be friends with a man who could also see spirits, but one day lost this ability.
  9. 9Ayakashi Exorcism2 Sept 2008 · 23mNatsume meets a popular actor named Natori Shuuichi who can also see spirits, and has a side job as an exorcist.
  10. 10Asagi's Koto9 Sept 2008 · 23mNatsume is possessed by a sick koto player, whose friend wants her to be able to play one last time.
  11. 11Nyanko's Book of Boredom16 Sept 2008 · 24mWhen Natsume finally has enough of Nyanko's behavior Nyanko leaves, wandering about by himself and causing trouble.
  12. 12Five Day Mark23 Sept 2008 · 24mNatsume is cursed by an evil spirit which is sealed to a tree, not wanting to trouble his adopted family, he decided to run away from home.
  13. 13Autumn Banquet30 Sept 2008 · 24mTanuma finds out Nyanko-Sensei is a spirit. Tanuma and Natsume enjoy the autumn festival and previous acquaintances are seen again.