Truthful warning: this does comprise mild spoilers – comparability from manga to anime on this publish. It doesn’t spoil any precise narrative or character developments within the collection.
I usually am a bit extra tactful in my openings however… I’ll simply leap into it right here. I had the very grand ambition of reviewing seasons one via six, together with the film and OVA’s for my Natsume November publish(s). I had set myself up for achievement, except for really, , rewatching six seasons of Natsume earlier than November. Fairly then cramming in all six seasons in October, I made a decision to compromise and speak about this most up-to-date season of Natsume as a substitute.
Since we at the moment are within the seventh season of the present, a synopsis is slightly redunant for many watchers. Nevertheless, I’ve my writing habits and can proceed to observe them roughly. On this season of Natsume’s E book of Buddies, we observe out protagonist Natsume Takashi along with his protector Nyanko-Sensei. Extra self assured then prior seasons, and with a bigger pool of individuals and yokai alike to work off of, Natsume continues to bridge the gaps between the human and supernatural world. Typically it’s straightforward, and merely lending his bodily skills i.e. thumbs!, different instances its a a lot heavier funding. Nonetheless, Natsume continues to seek out his place on this planet one encounter at a time.
It relies on your perspective, nevertheless it’s been fairly awhile since we’ve had new animated Natsume content material. Coming again to look at Natsume, is like operating into an outdated good friend you misplaced contact with within the metropolis, and someway having the time to catch up proper then and there. It’s a real shock, and it’s all the time so fulfulling to do with the additional benefit of leaving you glowing for days after. For the buddies of Natsume, I’m certain the sensation is comparable. Though I’d like to learn how others’ describe it since my very own is getting slightly repetitive now haha.
This season is fairly attention-grabbing although for me as somebody whose caught up, at the very least on the English full quantity launch, regarding the re-organization of occasions. Except for season one, I don’t imagine Natsume’s E book of Buddies ever fell right into a one-to-one adaptation. The construction of the story, which is basically tales which are self contained chapters and solely in later volumes, round quantity 13 and ahead, that there are bigger two chapter arcs and ultimately even longer ones.
The great thing about Natsume’s E book of Buddies, is that the story is very like the premise. The names written within the e-book aren’t being launched in a strict one, then two, then three construction. The story will be rearranged in a way the place a lot of the core materials remains to be lined, nevertheless it doesn’t affect the movement of the animated narrative. I do discover it a bit attention-grabbing that season seven has thus far pulled tales from Quantity 20 (episodes two and three), 21 (episode one and 4), 27 (episode 5) with a narrative from Quantity 22 implied to be the story for episode 6.
I used to be pleasantly shocked to see how nicely all these tales have been stitched collectively. I really didn’t discover they have been “out of order” till I really sat down and in contrast my notes for the manga and this most up-to-date season of anime. Studio Shuka and the employees behind Natsume’s E book of Buddies actually appear to treasure all of the tales they inform and I recognize that so much. I’m genuinely curious what their technique will probably be for episode seven and going ahead. I wouldn’t thoughts them holding with the shorter tales with the yokai of the week method. I wouldn’t be against them taking over the longest arc in Natsume’s E book of Buddies because the season finale both. I can solely hope that the remaining episodes could be sufficient time to essentially showcase it to the anime-only viewers and simply depart that there! I suppose I’ll know when the season wraps and I evaluate this in it’s entirety.
I’m really trying ahead to that day!
After all on a technical stage, Natsume’s E book of Buddies Season Seven seems actually good too. Studio Shuka did a reasonably seemless job taking on the animation reins…. all the best way again in season 5! I’m nonetheless shocked that Natsume’s E book of Buddies survived the studio shift and has been doing fairly nicely post-shift as nicely. The franchise has by no means had tremendous stellar animation that was award-winning. Nevertheless, now that it has seven seasons, a film, and an ONA – it’s stored a signature fashion regardless and actually stays stead-fast in that side. It’s actually admirable.
I imply, I’m additionally getting a variety of heat and fuzzy emotions to see that the voice solid has retained their roles from starting to finish. Given the sixteen 12 months hole between the primary season airing, and now this most up-to-date season – I’m genuinely slightly bit shocked. I can solely hope that other than it being a constant gig, that they honestly love Natsume as a lot as I do.
I may actually preserve going about all of the issues I like about this seventh season thus far, however I’ve to avoid wasting one or two issues for that remaining evaluate as soon as this collection wraps. I actually hope that different mates of Natsume are having fun with this season as a lot as I’m. I’d love to debate it with you (as spoiler free as potential!) down within the feedback beneath.
Additionally as a little bit of self promo, I’ll have two extra Natsume-related posts out later this month. So make sure to test these out for those who can!
