Short Synopsis: Natori returns and needs Natsume’s powers once again.
Episode Rating: 7,5/10 (Good)
Okay, so while this series hasn’t been my favourite of the past season, I’d love to see a third season introduced one of these days. The second season was also announced around this time in the first season, so let’s hope that the creators aren’t planning to end this just yet with only 26 episodes. There’s lots of potential left in this one, although on the other hand, it’s also going to be interesting to see what Brains Base can do when they start working on a completely new and different series. It’s a shame that these small yet very good companies as Brains Base, Manglobe and Bee-Train (well, at least I consider them very good) can only release one or two series every year, because it’s always interesting to see what they can come up with next.
One thing I didn’t like in this episode was how Natsume turns out to have huge mysterious powers. I’d hoped that this series would avoid this cliche, but I guess that it’s going to be important for later story arcs, if they ever get to be animated. The subject of this episode was an interesting one, though. Natsume finally gets the chance to attend a sort-of “people who can see youkai”-convention. In this, he hopes to see other people who are the same as him, but that really was the wrong kind of place he should have tried to look for.
Most of the people in the convention were simply looking for business, and came from close-knit families in which it was normal to see and use youkai. It really seems that seeing Youkai runs down your family. These families have mostly strong values of traditions, and so their values are easily passed down from generation to generation, without much influence from outsiders who can’t see them. It actually turns out that Natsume is a minority in his suffering because he grew up alone, thanks to Reiko who most likely never wanted to have to do anything with those pesky family values, despite having huge powers. My guess would be that she was the daughter of a powerful and influential family of people who can see youkai, which fell apart at some point.
The final two episodes seem to belong to a big arc, which finally does resemble a real climax, rather than the unconventional yet anticlimactic ending of the first season. Let’s hope that the creators do succeed in combining three chapters in only two episodes, but a bit of a clever cut-job should be able to do it.
Well Matoba is certainly the cruelest one in the series so far, he hurt Madara/Nyanko and that’s unforgivable! As for season 3 well… its quite unlikely to be any time soon that’s for sure seeing as they’ve animated volume 6, seeing as the trend is 2 volumes and several chapters. Lest they plan to animate that shoujo side story, which does seem interesting. In any case I think there will be some time before 3.
Hm I was shocked by how they ended this episode, seeing a glimpse of the next volume was certainly a good way to make a transition I was impressed how they used this earlier chapter to make up a connection for the finale. Well this episode did bring up something interesting, mainly that Natsume and his grandmother certainly are freakishly powerful seeing as nobody really has gargantuan servants in comparison to them (or the number collected). Well I do have to say I do like Zoku Natsume I just have a soft spot for it, I think I did mention since the first season not to really expect season 2 to actually aim to well surpass the first season since its far closer to a continuation much like Zetsubo sensei. But I think the main difference with SZS is I guess these heart warming vignettes just don’t grow as stale or forced like the comedy of SZS. May not be the best series of the season (I’m conflicted with Mouryou VS Michiko).
Though I would love it if the series actually well made Natsume grow, I mean at best so far all that is shown is the passing of seasons but in terms of actual time line and such I think it would be nice if touches of time were added (like going up the next year etc). Seeing as the series shines with the growth of Natsume’s character it would be a shame not to literally let him grow.
I have to point out that the fact that Natsume had huge mystical powers is something that has been hinted at in a number of episodes. He is after all the grandson of Reiko who used these powers to defeat the youkai.
Yeah I’d say Natsume having talent in using those techniques is nothing strange. He’s Reiko’s grandson and has shown that he has the potential to be as powerful as she was. The fact that he can punch youkai to the ground has been in the series since the first season. Last episode he used a technique he only saw from a youkai’s memory.
I don’t think Natsume’s situation is Reiko’s fault. She was clearly as ostracized by her family as Natsume was by his own parents. It all depends on the time. In the past when people believed in youkai then those who could see them would have more respect. They could build a career out of exorcisms and then you have the families that we ran into here. But if they awaken in the modern time people will just think your nuts and you suffer like Natsume and Reiko did.
Reiko had issues with people because they treated her like a freak. The difference is that Natsume got a second chance and learnt to lie and pretend he didn’t see anything.
Judging by the DVD sales of this show, there’s very little chance Brains Base won’t make at least one more season. To have both a solid show AND a money spinner is definitely an asset.
And regarding Natsume’s powers..well, it was clear he did have some “spiritual power” about him, as indicated by the comments of some Youkai and the fact that he can hurt some youkai easily with a simple punch – it’s not surprising his ability doesn’t stop there,
At the very least, they did wait for a long time before suddenly jumping the shark, which seems to happen exceedingly quickly in your average show regarding the main character having special powers. And really, it’s quite an interesting thing – I can imagine some sort of alternate story where a son or daughter is the main character of some youkai related family and a character like Natsume would be an occasional side character. In fact, it does seem like the entire premise of Natsume Yuujinchou is a generic shounen story deliberately toned down to give it much more depth.
Anyway, it does seem that BB are making some form of a direction change for Natsume Yuujin-Chou, which is well needed for such a series. It’s got to the point that the original episodic plotline has done its fill (which is a nice change to always having great concepts never fully explored in the form of short stories), and some sort of plot could really fit well. A bit like Shikabane Hime and its sudden change of atmosphere, you could say.
My attention was mostly drawn to the unhealthy self-sacrificing nature of Natsume. He must have been a huge bother to people who looked after him in his childhood with all those stories about spirits. So now he is overcompensating – after helping so many people and yokai Natsume still thinks he is worthless to others. How many times he already risked his life for others by now? I believe xxxHolic called the protagonist on the same brand of sacrifice.
The Natsume’s power in this episode was in the spotlight, because he was thinking how he could help others with it, not to foreshadow some epic battle with forces of evil to come (or other shonen-fighting series cliché). In fact in the end Natsume decides that “getting stronger to protect others” isn’t really in his nature. I haven’t seen the hidden power cliché averted so nicely in any other series.
DVD sales! Do you know if it is available in the US and subbed, I would love to buy it.
I like this series but it always feels a little lazy to me. I know the hook is that it’s about Natsume’s and Nyanko-sensei’s adventures in the world of the supernatural but I’m just sick of how side characters (human or otherwise) almost always get shafted in favour of the new monster-of-the-week-who’s-a-good-spirit-really. And why is Natori the exception? He’s not particularly likeable and we pretty much know all we need to know about him.
Natsume is always bringing up how he had a lonely childhood but now he has 5 people who he get’s on pretty well with, 3 of whom know about his abilities, he barely interacts with them. They’re treated in exactly the same way the monster-of-week-etc is; there problem is sorted and then they can be forgotten. It’s annoying.
For me, one of the most interesting parts of this episode was Natsume’s wavering on how honest should he be with Natori and others who are “more like him.” E.g., should he tell them about the Book of Friends? And then after he and Natori are used to capture that one youkai, his has that realization that humans can be as dangerous as youkai, if not more, and that he couldn’t tell them about something as big as the Book of Friends for fear of it being just another tool to them. It was very interesting that he went there searching for solace and understanding, but came away feeling somewhat more isolated. (But also with an urge to find out more about Reiko.)
I completely agree with you about the “huge mysterious powers” thing, but…
Possible SEMI-SPOILER?
This wasn’t a brand new revelation, and the “one punch and you’re out” has been part of this series since ep 1 (that is part of the spiritual power, right? or am I way wrong?). This addition fits, and so far, the power this show is talking about isn’t the obnoxiously flashy and poorly-developed stuff (Ultra-Mega-Dive Flame Ball!11!!1!1?!) in so many other series, so it’s not a negative…yet.
The main issue is that I don’t understand what is and isn’t possible in this series as far as powers go- this aspect hasn’t been defined yet, which is why the thing with the paper figure and the seal and the “mysterious power” really hit me as out-of-sync/corny.
I love how in-depth the youkai’s characters and their world has been, I would just really love a little of the same attention to the human side…one day…eventually? Just PLEASE don’t let this become a Natsume vs. every-other-person-who-can-see-spirits? That would be extremely disappointing.
End of Semi-Spoiler?
Anyway, nice episode, and nice review! Thanks for your work!
Actually smallDetails I wouldn’t say its Natsume vs. every other person who can see spirits more of Natsume vs. every exorcist who views youkai as vile things to be exterminated, namely the Matoba group if there is a season 3. From what i can tell from this episode is one thing has become clear which is that not everyone shares the same sentiments towards youkai as Natsume, which seems to be the irony being established that not everybody who can see youkai will be all be able to just come together and be friends who share the same misery of being an outsider.
I guess it may seem cliche since that is already very apparent but it seems to be an important point in the series, seeing as its given such attention. As for the powers well I guess its true not much detail has been given to it but it seems to be more or less just there (nothing much to glean on with it).
“Natsume is always bringing up how he had a lonely childhood but now he has 5 people who he get’s on pretty well with, 3 of whom know about his abilities, he barely interacts with them. They’re treated in exactly the same way the monster-of-week-etc is; there problem is sorted and then they can be forgotten. It’s annoying.”
Natsume is what, like around 17? just because he has people he can speak to now doesn’t make his past any easier. A few months of friendship doesn’t compensate for over 10 years of solitude and rejection.
Either way, this is a wonderful show, its greatness isn’t shoved down your throat it’s subtle and more enjoyable.
I completly agree with Marmosett.(sp?)I wish Natsume would realize that he DOES have friends that care about him. I was very annoyed with the short story of the side characters and then they are dropped and you don’t hear from them in a long time. Its like: What was that for?
Besides that fact, this is my favorite anime on the planet. It’s so amazing, Im a sucker for the beautiful art and stories. I would do anything for a 3rd series. I couldn’t believe it would just end like that..
I too think that the powers shown by Natsume are no surprise at all! We have known since the first episode of season 1:
– First he managed to (beat/kick?) Nyanko sensei into the wall when the yokai tried to get the book.
– Later he hit his snout enough for Madara to hurt, shortly before he confessed to him about the book being an important heirloom. I guess that’s quite an accomplishment.
Not every conjurer would be able to hit Madara’s true form hard enough to make him feel it – at least that’s my imagination.
*
About Natsume having a gargantuan shiki… well, that’s not really a sign of his powers, since he doesn’t use his powers to control said spirit…
My personal theory:
I think conjurers with great powers can use their spiritual power to bind and control yokai. They can force a yokai into submission against their will.
The more power the person has, the more and the more powerful yokai are possible for him to control.
I guess Natsume is strong enough to force a yokai like Madara into his services – if he set his mind to it, that’s it.
He probably isn’t aware of it himself, but even if he were: he won’t do it anyway. He’s far to compassionate to use his powers that way.
As it is, Madara stays with Natsume out of his own free will. So Natsume doesn’t need any power at all to keep his “guardian”.
Even if Natsume were weaker, Madara would probably keep staying by his side.
The same is valid for all other ayakashi who support Natsume, like Misuzu and Hinoe. Misuzu told Natsume that he doesn’t mind being called by him and Hinoe agreed. So basically they are like his Shiki too! They are not around constantly, but Natsume can call them anytime he is in need.
That’s quite interesting. Natsume doesn’t really want to use or command any yokai like the Matoba group does, yet he is gathering yokai around him without realizing it.
But rather than controlling them as his underlings, he is ensuring their support by creating bonds of friendship.
That’s what he told the Kogitsune: that they doesn’t have a master/underling relationship, that he doesn’t want that.
In my opinion Natsume’s biggest strength is not his spiritual power. His biggest strength are the bonds he creates! (Didn’t Natori remarked on that?!)
He gets the loyality of the most powerful yokai without even asking!
Like Riou or that gigantic three-eyed demon that saved him at the Onsen when Natori’s methods failed. Or even Kai, the water god, who wanted to kill Natori for him!
None of the conjureres could even dream of controlling Half Gods of that level. Natsume wouldn’t try it in the first place.
Yet here they are, saving him. All because Natsume did something for them that nobody did before: He was nice to them!
Natsume having gargantuan spirits by his side is nothing about power and all about caring, friendship and freely entered bonds of mutual loyality.
And those bonds he creates without knowing are far more dangerous to the Matoba group than Natsume’s unexpectedly big spiritual energy.
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Well, that at least is how I see it ^-^