Natsume Yuujinchou Shi – 02

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More than any episode of Natsume Yuujinchou for a while, this one seemed to bridge the gap between what the series has been and what’s it’s started to become.

In an oversimplified way, it almost feels as if this show spent most of the first two seasons concerned with the Yuujinchou, and and most of the last one+ concerned with the Natsume.  The past has become less crucial, with more focus on the future, to the point where I felt the balance had perhaps over-shifted in “San”.  With the conclusion to this season’s two-part opening arc, it feels as if the connection has been drawn between Natsume’s past and his future more directly than ever before.  Of course they were always inseparable, but it felt at times as if the show had developed a mildly split personality.

A couple of lines of dialogue stood out for me this week, starting with Misuzu’s observation that it would be a kindness for Hinoe, or Nyanko-sensei, to take the Book of Friends away from Natsume once and for all.  It his mind, it’s not logical that Natsume would rather retain his connection to the youkai world rather than be able to appear normal to his friends.  Indeed, it seemed for a while that this might be the direction the series was headed.  The second crucial moment was when Matoba questioned why Natsume might have chosen to “side” with the youkai – he can’t understand the logic of why Natsume would be so accepting of such an alien way of being, and professes that Nyanko-sensei has no affection for Natsume but rather says with him merely because he has something to gain from the relationship.

What was really telling about this moment wasn’t so much that Natsume protected Nyanko-sensei from Matoba, but that he protected the Eastern youkai (Kawamoto Kunihiro) sealed away in the pot.  In Natsume’s eyes there was no other choice – his “body just reacted”.  That he’s fundamentally different from Reiko is obvious, and it’s this odd nature that makes him a bridge between the human and youkai worlds, yet not really a part of either.  The third critical sequence was Natsume’s inner monologue at the end: “It may be time for me to stop looking away and know for real.  Since I decided to protect the Book of Friends…  To live accepting of what I hear and see.”  It’s hard not to view this as a major step closer to a major life decision by Natsume – perhaps to tell the Fujiwaras the truth – perhaps not quite yet – but certainly to stop considering the possibility that he might cut away the youkai world from his existence.  At the very least, this seems to indicate a level of self-acceptance we haven’t see from Natsume previously.

In terms of the conflict that was set up in the episode, that seems to have been kicked to the curb for a while but certainly not settled.  Natsume is clearly a thorn in Matoba’s side, and the latter is becoming more and more aware of how powerful Natsume is – thanks to the help of his friends – and of how unlikely it is that he’ll ever agree to join in.  Matoba simply can’t acknowledge the fact that Natsume has youkai help him merely because they want to, not because they’re commanded – there’s simply no room for it in his worldview.  Even powerful youkai like Misuzu and Hinoe have willingly become part of “Team Natsume”.  All this makes Matoba an extremely dangerous figure, though he appears ready to abandon the Eastern Forest for now.  With their leader Rokka (Ichijou Kazuya) freed due to Natsume’s ambient breaking of some of Matoba’s seals and the monkey-faced youkai aware of the truth, peace seems set to return – for now.  But Matoba is a problem that isn’t going away.

Next week, it seems we’ll be returning to a more heartwarming style reminiscent of the first two seasons, as it looks to focus on Natsume helping out some kawaii youkai in need.  I’m fascinated by Brain’s Base and Omori-sensei’s decision to leap right into the season with this intense and heavy two-parter, which seems like an odd choice.  But I feel better about it than I did last week, as it seems more likely that there’s a path being followed here.  Rather than moving in a straight line, Natsume Yuujinchou may in find be closing a circle.

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[CrunchySubs] Natsume Yuujinchou Shi - 02 [720p].mkv_snapshot_21.34_[2012.01.10_01.57.29] [CrunchySubs] Natsume Yuujinchou Shi - 02 [720p].mkv_snapshot_21.50_[2012.01.10_01.57.46] [CrunchySubs] Natsume Yuujinchou Shi - 02 [720p].mkv_snapshot_22.15_[2012.01.10_01.58.28]
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7 comments

  1. K

    I don't think Nyanko-sensei is with him just for the book of friends. It may have started out that way but they have become true friends (even if the pig cat can be cranky). At one point he saved Natsume and had the book of friends in the bag around his neck. Once he had that book bag on him he could have just said "I got the BOF, I'm outta here" and left Natsume to rot.

  2. D

    Strange that Matoba of all people acuses Madara of using him. It is almost like Matoba thinks his feelings are different.

  3. I don't think Madara is just using Natsume, either, but that was definitely Matoba's honest belief.

  4. E

    Ok this question has been plaguing me since I first started watching this show, admittedly I tend to tune in throughout the season since it's not one of my staples, but I really enjoy it whenever I catch it! That being said, why the HECK do the youkai ask Natsume for the BOF instead of just taking it?! It seems almost ridiculous sometimes, I hate to say it but without nyanko sensei Natusme is pretty much powerless would it be that hard to just take the book off him by force. Or does he have some sort of magical protection going on that I missed somewhere along the way??

    PS – Completely unrelated but I can't wait for you to blog the latest episode of Last Exile Enzo, because I just finished it … and I have not a damn CLUE what the hell was going on *headdesk*

  5. @ELX: If you've watched a bunch of eps, there are numerous instances when youkai do try and take the yuujinchou by force. But it has to be stealthy, because Natsume can command any youkai whose name is in there, and they mostly assume he won't hesitate to use it.

  6. E

    @Enzo

    Ahhh I see. I didn't realize that he's actually used the book to command youkai, since I've only seen him returning their names. But if he can, then their timidity when trying to take it makes sense. I was also kind of wondering why the Exorcists were saying he was 'too powerful' yada yada, I guess they were referring to all the demons he controls? Anyhoo thanks for the clear-up.

  7. Well, the thing is that he never uses the book that way, because he's just not that sort of person. But because everyone assumes he would – most people would – most youkai and humans don't realize Natsume won't use the book to command youkai.

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