This show is by far the first in my favorite list this season. Natsume Yuujinchou is a cross between The Spiderwick Chronicles and Cardcaptor Sakura, where the protagonist, Natsume Takashi, inherits a book of contracts from his grandmother Reiko, who like him, can see spirits with the naked eye. This book, called Yuujinchou (Book of Friends), contain the names of the spirits that Reiko defeated in her early life. With Reiko gone, the spirits are determined to unbind themselves from her, and it is Takashi’s job to release them one by one, by ripping their page off the book, while making sure he himself is unharmed.

In the first episode, Takashi accidentally releases a cat spirit while running away from two other Youkai who mistook him for his grandmother. Through the help of this cat spirit he later calls Nyanko-sensei, Takashi learns about the Book of Friends and the dangerous situation he’s currently in. Nyanko demanded the book from him, his intentions most impure, but Takashi decided to take full responsibility, being Reiko’s grandson. He promised the cat, however, that if he dies while accomplishing his mission, he can have the book for himself. In the end Nyanko became Takashi’s protector. The duo forms an unlikely bond and thus their journey to the spirit world begins.

Rating: ★★★★★

I consider myself lucky for having the opportunity to see this show. As I’ve mentioned before, this anime is FIRST in my favorite list. That’s not to say I have seen and compared all the other shows this season, but judging from the information I got so far, Summer 2008 is a rather boring season. Fall is much more interesting, with the comebacks of some series I patronized in the past, and there are more offerings in terms of genre and storyline.

To further explain what I mean by “lucky”, I rarely have time these past few months to sit and watch anime because work has been very demanding lately. I just download whatever is new in AnimeSuki and have a mini-marathon when I do have the time. So far I’m after shows like Slayers Revolution and Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu, which lean more to adventure and light comedy, and Natsume Yuujinchou happened to be just a backup of sorts when I want to watch something else. Imagine my surprise and delight after seeing Episode 1. At last, Summer 2008 isn’t THAT boring after all!

I also mentioned earlier that this show is a cross between The Spiderwick Chronicles and Cardcaptor Sakura. Like the Nickelodeon movie, this series revolve around a certain magical book which is desperately sought by spirits (in the movie it’s goblins and faeries), and like the yaoi slash yuri CLAMP anime, the protagonist’s mission is to catch the spirits. In Takashi’s case, to release them, while in Sakura’s case, to bind them. These significant similarities probably make Natsume Yuujinchou not entirely original, nevertheless, it is in itself an encouraging show.

The particularly touching part about this series is that both Reiko and Takashi, because of their gifts, rarely have friends. Even their own families shun them out. One can guess that this series will focus not only on the relationship of Takashi with the spirits, but also his relationship with people; whether along the way he can actually find real friends unlike his grandmother Reiko who didn’t have the opportunity until her death.

My only gripe at this point is the animation quality. The series could have looked better with darker or stronger colors (especially in the battle scenes). Well, the animators can leave the light shade of Takashi’s hair alone, because it suits his gentle personality.

Random Screenshots:

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