Hmm, I don’t see what’s so particularly bad about this episode. Sure, it indeed wasn’t as good as last week, but it still was a very interesting story with a ton of character development for Natsume and two of his friends, alongside some pretty good background on one of their families.
I do agree that the pacing was a bit more jumpy than usual, and this episode indeed wasn’t of the soothing kind that we’ve gotten used to. Instead, this episode was full of character. Taki’s grandfather’s story was particularly interesting, in the way that he unknowingly set up a bunch of random things and seals, and it also explains how Taki got that seal that shows Youkai.
I also really liked the ending of this episode: with these two, Natsume has finally met two people who understand him, and in this episode he definitely got closer to them, up to the point where he can actually tell them about the youkai he encountered. I mean, he’s still very shy: the scene in which they were just randomly sitting around the table chatting: we get the big impression that Natsume was mostly sitting there and the other two were mostly talking about random classmates. This is like, the fifth episode in a row that contributes in some way to Natsume’s development.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
I was surprised they took this up because in the manga, the next episode happened first. I thought they wanted to do the next episode as a finale and this arc was going to be a 2-episode because of the title. Guess I was wrong xD
I can’t believe I can be frightened and at the same time sentimental of the same episode xD when the youkai came behind Natsume, it scared me haha and the end reminded me of the time Natsume was temp. unable to see youkai. Was sad.
I think Taki’s development was to be parallel with Natsume’s. Both of them live today with something about their grandparents. I wonder if Reiko and Shinichiro knew each other.
You never found how the relationship of Taki & Tanuma to be rather familiar, I mean there isn’t even any introduction between the two considering this is the “first” time they meet. This is what I complain about by transition, course they did have their own introduction to one another chapter but yeah they skipped ahead and didn’t think of remedying that by having Tanuma and Taki introduce themselves to one another.
Other transitions are really that it jumps straight to the action without much regard to giving us a breathing room. In this case how quickly characters take to one another, hey this was supposed to happen in a span of two days D:. Its more action but it is too jumpy that it kind of ruins the flow which is more of the style of the series. But yeah more concerned at how Taki & Tanuma’s interaction were handled, they really just don’t seem like new acquaintances (at this point of the manga they aren’t but this is the anime so they should have done something else about that).
@psgels: Since I think you were indirectly replying to me in this post and in the last one, I feel the need to explain: this episode was not terrible, but it was the worst of this season for me. That doesn’t mean much though, because the season has been pretty solid.
It’s just that during the first 10 minutes of the episode, the pacing flaws were there, some forced coincidences here and there (I mean nyanko leaving for no reason, when there was obviously some sort of youkai there), that’s what made me say “okay they are not even trying”.
In the end, the story wasn’t bad. And it was consistent with the previous episodes that show Natsume’s growth (which make it hard to believe that the anime is not following the order of the manga) and how he now connects to other people.
But I had my expectations raised pretty high from the previous episode, so being a little disappointed was inevitable.
It could be that you enjoyed this episode more because I successfully managed to lower your expectations before viewing it. So… you’re welcome! 😛 (I’m joking).
Sure it was jumpy, but I still enjoyed it. It was fun to see Natsume interact with two friends that know his secret and not try to hide his problem.
@Machi: In the anime, this is not the first time Tanuma and Taki met. They were introduced to each other in the previous season where Natsume met the young boy youkai.
I found Madara’s reaction interesting when he met Tanuma during the search for Natsume. He said he came back because Natsume had not returned home yet. I know it’s been pretty obvious that he cares about Natsume more than he’s willing to admit but that statement struck me as almost outright declaring his attachment. Plus Madara questioning why the youkai didn’t step into the circle. It seems like he’s becomi
ng more and more involved in human affairs.
I think one aspect that didn’t really stand out in past episodes (for me anyway), really stood out here, that is how WEIRD natsume’s actions can seem to a normal person who doesn’t believe him. A friend running around your house chasing something you can’t see can be quite unsettling. On the other hand, it also shows how sincere natsume is.
I secretly loved the part where Natsume can’t pick up the boxes. It’s just so cute! >< (<– helpless fan girl) I really like how he is showing more emotions in from of them. In season two finale, he showed irritation and anger for the first time. And in this episode, I thought that the focus was more on the friends' perspective, too. I love how this anime really touches your heart, without using flashy colors and animation.