Short Synopsis: Natsume meets a person who used to be able to see Youkai.
Highlights: That feeling of separation.
Overall Enjoyment Value: 9/10
Oh my god… just when I thought that this series couldn’t get much better than it already was, it surpasses itself. This episode was downright heart-wrenchingly awesome. I remember how, when this series first started, the biggest criticism against it was that its format or returning names could get old very easily. Well, let me tell you that this series has PLENTY of inspiration for its stories. Heck, this episode wasn’t about returning names at all.
Nearly everything about this episode was perfect. For starters, it makes Natsume think about something he never could have imagined: that his ability to see youkai would disappear as he’d become an adult. After all, when we see Reiko in a flashback, she always appears as a child of the same age, hinting that she compiled the yuujin-chou when she was a high-school girl. There’s a very good possibility that she didn’t lose interest afterwards, but just became unable to see youkai. Otherwise, you’d think that she’d leave Natsume with more than just a yuujin-chou.
But the real star of this episode was the ayakashi that Natsume meets. It once was a firefly, and she made friends with that person when he still could see Youkai. His ability suddenly disappeared in one night, even though their bond couldn’t have been closer. Like all other Ayakashi in this series, the firefly just patiently kept waiting beside him, even though he couldn’t see her anymore. They always used to meet at one particular lake, and even though they can’t see each other, they still kept returning to this lake. At the time of this episode, this is about to change, though, when the guy is about to get married, and plans to not return to the lake.
The firefly isn’t able to do anything about it, and would rather return to a firefly, just so he could see her one more time (which she does at the end of this episode). It was really sad to see the two of them apart like that, with no chance to get back. The climax, where the sky was filled with fireflies, was a beautiful conclusion.
Oh and on a side-note: I loved Nyako’s suggestion to name her after a bunch of noodles. ^^;
Awww…that was a touching review. Can’t wait to watch the episode for myself. Natsume Yuujinchou is a summer winner in my eyes.
Ahh! You review made me cry! Yes, this series are amazing! T_T
This episode was just amazing! In fact, amazing doesn’t cut it. It’s totally awesome!
The pangs of separation, the feeling that things could’ve been more than they are. Just plain awesome.
This was such a touching and bittersweet episode. I’m reminded of a person outgrowing his imaginary childhood friend when he becomes an adult, but never forgetting that friendship.
The part where the youkai tried to transfer her feelings over and connect with Natsume and he told her that he wasn’t (and could never be) the person she loved (prompting her to change back into a firefly so she could be seen one last time to say goodbye) was very touching too. Any normal human would have felt some jealousy that the guy found a new partner and has moved on with his life, but the youkai only wanted him to be happy in the end no matter who he ended up with, which was nice.
This show and Natsu no Sora are really understated, sleepy summer series with that relaxed slice of life approach, but their characters and stories are so deep.
Love this anime! At first I didn’t like the art quality, but that doesn’t matter anymore. The story line is so deep and this episode was awesome. I got teary with this episode and episode 6 (the swallow ayakaishi). I’m definitely buying the serie when it comes out.
It’s just like The Polar Express, when people stop being able to hear the bell as they get old.
i’m rewatching natsume yuujinchou, and it’s making me cry a second time around. This story is so bitter sweet.