Natsume's Book of Friends — Season 1
Due to an unusual ability to see strange creatures called youkai, Takashi Natsume has never fit in. Over time, he has accepted that no one would ever believe him and has closed himself off. When Natsume accidentally breaks an intangible barrier, he frees Madara—a mighty spirit in the form of a lucky cat. Madara notices that Natsume bears a remarkable resemblance to his late grandmother Reiko Natsume, an outcast girl who became known across the youkai world for creating the Book of Friends. It is now in Natsume's possession. With no interest in its powers, Natsume decides to keep the book for the sake of his grandmother's memories and to protect it from scheming youkai. Therefore, he makes a deal with Madara: he will hand him the book once his time is up, and in turn, Madara will act as Natsume's unofficial bodyguard. With his newfound goal of freeing those Reiko had sealed, Natsume's relationship with both youkai and humans slowly begins to improve.
Episodes
E01 The Cat and the Book of Friends
★ 8.0Jul 8, 2008 · 23m
Natsume discovers that the heirloom "Book of Friends" that his grandmother, Reiko, gave him possesses the names of the spirits she defeated and bound to her will.
E02 The Dew God's Small Shrine
★ 8.5Jul 15, 2008 · 23m
Natsume is visited by the village's local god who is currently fading because of the lack of devotees.
E03 The Mysterious Person at the Eight Fields
★ 7.5Jul 22, 2008 · 23m
Natsume is implored to help spirits who are currently being exorcised. He finds a kindred spirit in Tanuma, a boy who also senses spirits although not as powerful as Natsume.
E04 Shigure and the Girl
★ 8.0Jul 29, 2008 · 23m
Natsume's secret is found out by Sasada, the class president, during the "Trial of Courage." She asks for his help to find the spirit that lives in the abandoned school. Natsume denies the fact that he can see anything, but she won't take no for an answer. Meanwhile, the spirit, Shigure, captures the rest of their school mates, in fury of the school being torn down...
E05 Heart-Colored Ticket
★ 8.0Aug 5, 2008 · 23m
Natsume comes across an old ticket in Reiko's belongings and decides to go to the abandoned train station to see why she kept it. There, he meets a slow witted spirit named Santo, who was waiting for Reiko the entire time to go Kiriganuma, to see and make up with his friend, Mikuri, but the trip isn't as easy as it first seems...
E06 Swallow at the Lake Bottom
★ 8.5Aug 12, 2008 · 23m
Natsume goes to a dam and finds a town that had been submerged in water. Just then, Natsume gets possessed by a yokai and falls unconscious.
E07 The Little Fox's Hat
★ 8.0Aug 19, 2008 · 23m
Natsume goes to a hot spring for a school trip, with an errand from Shigeru to pick up teacups from a near by pottery. While there he meets and helps a little fox spirit, who quickly grows attached to him.
E08 Fleeting Light
★ 8.5Aug 26, 2008 · 23m
Natsume meets a spirit who used to be friends with a man who could also see spirits, but one day lost this ability.
E09 Ayakashi Exorcism
★ 7.5Sep 2, 2008 · 23m
Natsume meets a popular actor named Natori Shuuichi who can also see spirits, and has a side job as an exorcist.
E10 Asagi's Koto
★ 8.0Sep 9, 2008 · 23m
Natsume is possessed by a sick koto player, whose friend wants her to be able to play one last time.
E11 Nyanko's Book of Boredom
★ 7.7Sep 16, 2008 · 24m
When Natsume finally has enough of Nyanko's behavior Nyanko leaves, wandering about by himself and causing trouble.
E12 Five Day Mark
★ 8.0Sep 23, 2008 · 24m
Natsume is cursed by an evil spirit which is sealed to a tree, not wanting to trouble his adopted family, he decided to run away from home.
E13 Autumn Banquet
★ 8.0Sep 30, 2008 · 24m
Tanuma finds out Nyanko-Sensei is a spirit. Tanuma and Natsume enjoy the autumn festival and previous acquaintances are seen again.
