The Natsume Project #11: Nyanko’s Book of Boredom

Plot twist: he has feelings.

The Natsume Project #10: Asagi’s Koto

Thus, Natsume’s story shifts from that of a helpless victim to that of a brave hero.

Thoughtful Moments #6: Rio Futaba Calls Herself

Sometimes, to be comfortable you have to first step outside of your comfort zone.

The Natsume Project #9: Ayakashi Exorcism

Like Natsume, my conclusion is this: Natori Shuuichi is a royal pain in the neck and should be avoided at all costs.

The Natsume Project #8: Fleeting Light

Of course it’s painful.

The Natsume Project #7: The Little Fox’s Hat

In some ways, a bowl may seem like a insignificant token, a meaningless trinket. But in this context, it means something far more significant.

The Natsume Project #6: The Swallow at the Lake Bottom

The whole situation is a mess of misunderstandings, and none of it is anybody's fault.

The Natsume Project #5: Heart-Colored Ticket

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that "Heart-Colored Ticket" is an anime original episode that does not appear in Yuki Midorikawa's original manga. As such, there are a few places where the episode unfolds a bit differently than might be expected, but for the most part I found myself really enjoying these slight differences. And these eccentricities really are minor–as a whole I thought this episode did an incredible job of producing the same general story progression, character interactions, and overall emotional atmosphere that is shared by all the Natsume Yuujinchou episodes adapted from manga chapters. But still, its slight abnormalities ensure that, although it might not rank among my all-time favorites, "Heart-Colored Ticket" is an episode that will always stand out to me.

The Natsume Project #4: Shigure and the Girl

While not one of the very best stories that Natusme Yuujinchou has to offer, "Shigure and the Girl" will always be a memorable episode for me. First of all, it is our official introduction to Sasada Jun. She's quite smart, observant, and outgoing, but unfortunately often comes off as nosy, bossy, and annoying. Much to his dismay, she takes a considerable interest in Natsume. First and foremost, he's the cute transfer student that she's crushing on. But beyond that, she also appears to have noticed his peculiar behavior, drawn her own conclusions, and set out to solicit his help in contacting a youkai she met years ago. That youkai's name is Shigure, and I think he is a beautifully written character and an excellent addition to this episode. This episode offers a perfect example of one of my favorite storytelling techniques employed by Natsume Yuujinchou: using the featured youkai as a way to develop or explore its protagonist's character.

The Natsume Project #3: The Mysterious Person at the Eight Fields

Unlike Natsume Yuujinchou itself, I'm not going to be very subtle here. I adore this episode, and not just because it's our introduction to one of my favorite characters in the series. The main reason I have such a fondness for this episode is because it marks the point when I transitioned from a casual observer to a truly dedicated fan of this show. This episode transformed the series into more than just something had decided to start watching because I liked the picture of the pretty boy and the cute cat on the cover. I know the "three episode rule" has gotten a lot of controversy recently, but I have to admit that it perfectly describes my experience with Natsume Yuujinchou. I hope to explain exactly when and why this is the case in this "review", so let's dive right in.