Natsume Yuujinchou San – 06 Review

Ahh!! I think I broke my neck

Episode 6 (32)

I LOVE THIS EPISODE!!! I feel like dancing around screaming “FINALLY!”.

I was thinking that this was going to be more of the same but this is exactly what I felt Natsume needed, a storyline that spans over more than one episode and the return of Matoba Clan as well as Natori.

(review contains episode spoilers)

Brief Summary

Natsume is walking with Nyanko Sensei and a Yokai bumps into him covering his clothes in blood. Natsume runs to the cottage and stumbles upon someone draining blood from the Yokais after killing them. A yokai saves Natsume and then requests Natsume’s help, however Natsume decides not to involve himself in this case, that is until he realises that a human could be hurting the Yokais.

The next day, Natsume decides to investigate who is behind all these killings. After a second meeting with the mysterious person Natsume realises it is the head of the Matoba Clan that is behind all these killings and it seems like he plans on using the blood of the Yokais to perform a ritual of sorts. Whilst running away from the Matoba leader, Natsume bumps into Natori and Natori saves Natsume. The both of them then team up to find out more about what is going on, which leads them to a village inn where the Matoba Head is supposedly staying.

Review

I thought that the attitude of that female behind Natsume was hilarious in the episode. She had this whole, “you are my b*tch” attitude going.

This episode takes a break from the whole “heartwarming” atmosphere of Natsume and brings in a more “substantial” plot. I love all those heartwarming episodes, but sometimes you need to mix things up a little and this does just that.

I could not stop laughing when Nyanko-sensei was like “alright! alright!” trying to catch a falling Natsume. Sure, if this were reality, a cat is not going to do much to break your fall when you are falling out of a the sky, but it was still hilarious to watch! Just love Nyanko-sensei’s “whatever-goes” attitude.

The return of Natori is what I have been waiting for all season! I love Natori’s character when he is with Natsume, probably because despite how the both of them share so much in common, Natsume still hides the Book of Friends from Natori and feels guilty about it. This is a contrast to his guilty feelings over things he could not help happen.

And all those secrets and mysteries surrounding Natori and the Matoba clan. I love it! What exactly is the Matoba clan and what do they plan to do? I guess we have to wait and see what happens next. Personally I would like to see Natsume use the Book of Friends or at least use his powers. Claiming that Natsume is strong and very rarely showing it does not really work as well for me, especially when he is meant to be strong yet always gets his ass saved by Nyanko-sensei. Maybe it is because recently all the main characters (Rikuo from Nurarihyon, Kyouhei from Kamisama Dolls) are letting me down in their “butt-kicking” level of coolness, but I really want to see one character end up on top.

I have to give props to the director for trying to introduce a faster pace suspense plot into a series that is generally slow and relaxing. The fact that he still manage to keep the show in “character” whilst doing so made me really happy.

The only thing that bothered me this episode though, was that the characters did not look like themselves at times. But that could just be me.

A bigger shot of the Nyanko-Sensei cat cushion. Took me forever to get that screen cap, it flashes for only a moment.

I can’t wait to see what happens next episode, I think this is the first time whilst watching Natsume where actually felt uneasy over the fact that Natsume might be in big trouble. Awesome!

Episode Rating: 9/10

-ra out!