Natsume yûjinchô

I've started Mushishi right after finishing Natsume yûjinchô due to all the similarities and I notice that the latter is shoujo, the former seinen... they're distinct, yet parallel... while Natsume seeks out to grow and develop himself its 'masculine' counterpart seems to just serve as a caretaker, already wise...

Natsume is about feelings, essentially... he explores what might be, what was, what couldn't be... every episode can end in tragedy, but thanks to a Deus ex machina in the form of a chubby cat... who is really this most ferocious wolf, things are reconciled. Not realistic, but at least Natsume himself is indeed vulnerable, especially when alone... and loneliness seems to be a predominant subject in the series.

At times it can be sweet, others almost transcendental... visceral essentially, but also attempts to think things through; Natsume doesn't often act irrationally, although he seems to be perpetually optimistic.

This series, along with the aforementioned, may truly be the yin and yang of yōkai anime... and while the depths of the psyche can be perceived in both, Mushishi is generally darker... Natsume, being calmer, is not necessarily naïvely optimistic like, say, Aria can be... and generally has an episodic direction, and while there isn't much that is over-arching, there is ample time where all the ayakashi just decide to hang out...

Perhaps not ideal for those who like action and a faster pace. However despite being Simple and rather slow paced, for me at least, I cannot recommend this show enough , this show has so much heart. I recommend trying to see it through until a few episodes into season 2 if it feels too slow, the warmth and characters of this show more than make up for the slower pace. It is a personal favourite of mine and it's a shame it doesn't have more fans. It gets more exciting in later seasons and is also very sad at times. I've never felt as protective of an anime character as i do the main character of this one, even though it took me a while to warm up to, this show really captured my heart.

It was a good anime love to watch more. It lighten my heart. And it does'nt bored me for a second and i m waiting for next season

(My english not so good sorry guys TT)

For the newbie, just try to watch some random episode in every season ececpt ss1 (It's kinda bored thought,) I mean the plot so good all the time later season 2 and rewatch season 1 will be fine

Natsume and Nyanko sensei so cuteee, the monster and the people they've meet really nice, the plot about how Natsume survived all his childhood really make me sad. No family, no friends, the yokai always want to eat him, teasing him, also older people just don't want to adopt him make his heart closed. But that's not what this anime about, this is a story that make me really comfortable, I mean the plot take everything you thinks might be hard to gentle be solved and make it's way more reasonable - It's a Natsume way!!!

For someone have a broken heart and want to healing your soul, just watch Natsume Yuujinchou.

My daughter has learned Japanese and lived in the country for a while. So, it's not at all surprising that she's been trying to get me to watch anime with her....which I've done, off and on, for many years. In her latest efforts, she's been guiding me towards anime that I would enjoy...less fighting anime and more ones that show a lot about Japanese culture and folklore. The latest series we've begun watching is "Natsume Yûjinchô"...and I've really enjoyed the program.

Natsume is an odd teenager. He can see youkai (Japanese gods/spirits) and this ability was passed down to him from his grandmother. However, what he also inherited from her was a book with the names of all the youkai that she's captured and made her servants...and these spirits begin pestering Natsume to free them once and for all...which he does slowly through the course of the program. Along for the ride is his 'cat'...who is a youkai himself...and a cute and powerful one at that.

The best thing about the show is that it is NOT just another fighting or Pokemon-type show. I am NOT putting these down but tired of them because for many years this seemed to be all we got here in the States. But with Crunchyroll, you now have many other 'different' anime...ones that don't fit that style and which might appeal more to older folks. I am 55...and this sort of thing works for me.

The animation style is excellent, the main character very sweet and likable and each episode is unique and explores different youkai...and it's all very interesting and well worth seeing.