Natsume Yuujinchou
English title: Natsume's Book of Friends
Japanese title: 夏目友人帳
Alternative titles: Natsume Yujincho, Natsume Yujin-cho
Type: TV
Source: Manga
Episodes: 13
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Jul 8, 2008 to Sep 30, 2008
Broadcast: Tuesdays at 01:00 (JST)
Duration: 24 min per ep
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
Studios: Brain's Base
Producers: TV Tokyo, Aniplex, Nihon Ad Systems, Hakusensha
Licensors: NIS America, Inc., Crunchyroll
Genres: Slice of Life, Supernatural
Themes: Iyashikei, Mythology
Demographics: Shoujo

Due to an unusual ability to see strange creatures called youkai, Takashi Natsume has never fit in. Passed around from one foster home to another, he was left isolated and lonely. Over time, he has accepted that no one would ever believe him and has closed himself off to his current caretakers and classmates.

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, along with its power to call upon the written names of the youkai Reiko had defeated. 

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, nicknamed Nyanko-sensei. With his newfound goal of freeing those Reiko had sealed, Natsume's relationship with both youkai and humans slowly begins to improve.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Natsume Yuujinchou was licensed for an English release as Natsume's Book of Friends by NIS America, Inc. It was released October 9, 2012 as a Season 1 and 2 DVD Premium Edition followed by a DVD Standard Edition release February 4, 2014. It is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.