100 Blogging things challenge [12/100]

[tyreling]

FINALLY FINISHED THIS SERIES *sobs in corner* Oh gods the last episode. (TTATT)  When I first began with this challenge, I'd already wanted to do this series!




12/100 -- Natsume Yuujinchou series

Pictures are taken from animepaper.net (ASDFGHJKL LOOK AT ALL THE LOVELIES~!)




asdfghjk I will write this fic some day.












Ugh, there's something amazing about Natsume in this hakama and mask costume.


<3 Nyanko!Natsume is hot *shot*







I love all those Natsume and friends-moments, that include the youkai and his human friends.

*itches to post more lovely pictures*

Ahem. I'd watched the anime series after a few LJ-friends had recommended it on their list a few years ago (2 - 3?) and I was immediately sold upon the first episode. Everything was perfect about the series, in my eyes -- the animation, the storytelling, the voice acting, the slice-of-life feel, the introduction... everything! I even went to read the manga, which is sadly... less detailed and a bit doodly compared to its animated counterpart (I'm looking at you, Natori), but that doesn't stop me from reading and wanting to know more. And of course, loving every bit of the series.

The story is focused on Natsume Takashi, an awkward teenager with lots of self-esteem issues added to the fact that he can see youkai/spiritual beings/ayakashi all around him. He had inherited that power from his grandmother, Reiko, who was infamous among the youkai gossipers, and being the last in line of the Natsume family, all her belongings that include the "Yuujinchou" or "Book of Friends". After meeting a very suspicious fluffball that looked like a maneki Cat/Nyanko-sensei, Natsume realized the power behind said Yuujinchou. Apparently it contains names of many youkai Reiko had defeated in her time, which supports the belief that anyone knowing these names, can control these youkai and make them their slaves. And all youkai are after Natsume for this reason at the beginning of the story. Which is why Natsume opted to make a deal with The CatNyanko-sensei that when Natsume dies, Nyanko-sensei will obtain the Book of Friends, but before that Nyanko-sensei has to keep him alive until that time.

In the first half of the first series, the story revolves around Natsume and his awkwardness towards youkai and humans alike. Yet, he still maintains this sense of morality that he should give the written names back to the youkai, slowly learning more and more about the grandmother who he had never met and who was showing parallel signs of loneliness during her time. Later in the second half of the series Natsume gradually learns to make friends with the youkai and humans alike, coming slowly out of his solitary self and learning to trust. The series is spread out in four seasons, which is not enough *criescriescries*WANTMOARWANTMOARwant new season, if there's ever going to be one  each episode showing how Natsume's character growth goes as he interacts with characters from the black/white/shades of grade world, youkai, human and the youkai exorcist world respectively, while getting glimpses of his sad and lonely background history.

The anime series had mixed up some of the order of the manga story chapters, but that did not really feel bothersome since the story itself is built up with a sense of closure and completeness after each chapter or story arc (that can be spanned in one or two episodes). Midorikawa really does know how to round up the chapters with a hint of humor, angst, drama and sometimes, action/suspense (and boy, those parts really felt right to the core...).

I can't decide who's my favorite character because I love each and every one of them except the bad/scary youkai. So I'll just flail about anyone a bit, even about Hiiragi or Hinoe or even Touko-san. As for the shipping... I've seen lots of amazing fanarts in pixiv that focus on Natsume with the other characters (Natori/Tanuma/Taki/human!Madarawut?/Sasada/Matoba... to name a few).Some of them are gorgeous, some of them are a bit... well *needs brain bleach*... not my cup of tea. I can understand where the need is to ship Natsume because he needs some loving. But honestly, I'm more into Natsume being friends--or frienemies in Matoba's case--with the others. He focuses on the friendship, trust and family--other stuff might just be a bit too much for him to handle at this rate so I'm not going to predict his chances in love. There's lots of room for gen fanfiction writing, though. The only shipping you can get from me is probably bro-shipping, Taki-squishing-Nyanko-shipping and Shigure/Touko-shipping. Hnhnhnhn *smirks*

I can go on and on about how amazing/wonderful/gorgeous this series is but I'm afraid my words fail to describe the feelings this series made me feel as I watched each episode, each accomplishment, each reveal...
Unfortunately, for those who wanted action series that can rival popular ones (Naruto/Bleach/Gundam/One Piece/Fairy Tail etc.) this is probably not your cup of tea. I've tried to get my cousins/cousin-in-laws/bro-in-law/RL friends to watch this, none of them thought it was interesting enough to pursue after seeing the first episode, saying "it's boring", "has no action", "*blahblahblah*" I felt really sour after that... *judging them*

All in all, I hope there will be a next season as well. :D


There's a almost similar fantasy/supernatural story mentioning a youkai and the forest-loving, also created by the same mangaka called Hotarubi no Mori E. It's a lovely movie, btw. And the story was written before Midorikawa-sensei came up with Natsume Yuujinchou.

Comments

[fantasia0829.livejournal.com]

One of my fave series ever. ♥

[tyreling.livejournal.com]

Indeed it is <3! I'm so glad you rec'ed it to me!

[fantasia0829.livejournal.com]

Oh, I was the one who'd rec-ed the series? XDDDD I don't even remember that.

[sharona1x2.livejournal.com]

I'm more into Natsume being friends--or frienemies in Matoba's case--with the others.

That's where I am with the series, too. Shipping happens more for me when I see something missing from a show. With Natsume, I don't feel like there's any missing elements. The show is perfect as is for me. :-)

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[tyreling.livejournal.com]

Thank you for rec'ing the series to me! I feel all kinds of fuzzy whenever I think about the series.

Shipping is all right, I guess. But friendship and deep loyalty in the series called out to me more. And yes, Natsume Yuujinchou is just perfect.

[yoshikochan.livejournal.com]

♥ =~.~= Natsume ♥ I'm SO happy they've continued to release seasons, I'm really hoping they keep going at this pace, just waiting for enough of the manga to come out before making more. I love nyanko!Natsume LOL! XD He definitely gets those hawt nyanko expressions LOLOLOL. I totally outdid myself buying Nyanko merchandise in Japan ^^;; Nyanko is REALLY popular, so there's a ton of merchandise always being released.

[tyreling.livejournal.com]

Me too~! I was so happy for the series to have more than one season. Obviously, this anime/manga appealed the audience and is in need for more episodes. Of course, waiting for the manga to have enough chapters to animate is a smart move. Natsume Yuujinchou isn't some action series that needed to be distracted in a non-canon arc.

I'd re-watched that episode a few times and Nyanko!Natsume keeps making me laugh. The great thing about that part is that I'm very sure it's Inoue Kazuhiko him again in his human form. It's funny to see all kinds of expressions on Nyanko!Natsume's face that might have been Natsume's face if he were to be more casual/rude/obnoxious/sneaky/evil. XDDD My heart just fluttered!

D: Waaahhh I'm so jealous... will you post pictures of your Nyanko-sensei treasures? (we're all starting to sound like Taki...)

[paranoidpen.livejournal.com]

I love that purple picture.
I really need to watch this again. I don't remember if I finished it.
But yes, way beautiful.

[tyreling.livejournal.com]

Isn't lovely? Natsume was pretending to be a god there.
The series is re-watchable. I plan on doing that soon. :D

[paranoidpen.livejournal.com]

I just finished that myself.
Wow the God part was awesome and beautiful. :3
Do you know if they're making a 5th?

[tyreling.livejournal.com]

So far, I haven't heard anything about a fifth season. It'd be awesome if they're planning to do so once there's enough manga material to animate.

[paranoidpen.livejournal.com]

Yes it would. <3

[lil-1337.livejournal.com]

I love this show so much. Each season builds on the previous ones and it keeps getting better and more in depth each time time.

[tyreling.livejournal.com]

It sure is, especially the character growth Natsume undergoes. I am up for re-watching this series any time.

Oh your icon is so precious~!

[lil-1337.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

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