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[Categories: Anime Reviews]

Natsume Yuujinchou 3-6: when Mushishi-lite is a good thing

Posted by Martin  [Tags: Natsume Yuujinchou]

Comparisons can be as misleading as they are helpful. I sometimes fall back on them because they sound succinct and are easy to write when I’m feeling lazy but can be counter-productive when comparing the likes of Natsume Yuujinchou to Mushishi. You have a restful and picturesque rural Japanese setting, weird supernatural creatures, a protagonist who has the ability to see said supernatural creatures and uses his insight to solve problems associated with them; Natsume Yuujinchu does give off some of the same vibes but saying it’s some sort of Mushishi-lite is implying that it’s somehow lacking. It might not be as profound or ethereal but it has a charm and atmosphere of its own.

The episodic structure is similar but instead of a succession of self-contained tales there is an over-arching plot that allows the main character to develop and grow. The only criticism I can ever level at Mushishi is that its protagonist is as much a lens we view the worldview through as anything; while he plays an integral part in the outcome of many of the stories, he is the same lonely and mysterious individual in the last episode as he was in the first. For sure, we learn a lot about his early life but that show isn’t really about character development. The same cannot be said of Natsume Yuujinchou, however. Oh yeah, he’s funny too.

While it would, again, be easy to describe Natsume as a Ginko figure, he doesn’t usually go around solving problems; instead the problems have a knack of finding him. This is where we see the protagonist visibly affected and changed by the events that transpire around him: the first few episodes paint quite a sad picture of a boy who feels alienated and an outcast because he is able to see things his family and friends cannot; These episodes show that he is not bitter about it but still has a kind heart and wants to help those around him.

The episode in which he meets a bird-spirit is not really connected to the Book of Friends that provides the starting point to most of his adventures but is nevertheless my favourite so far because it provides a moment of friendship that touches him on a deeper level. As with the encounter with the shigure, Natsume gives the character he meets a renewed sense of hope but interestingly this re-affirmation of the better aspects of human nature isn’t one-sided. In some ways the youkai are giving him the emotional support and faith in others that, until recently, humans hadn’t. In any case, episode 6 was particularly moving and effectively conveyed the importance of kindness, and the effects of loneliness.

Loneliness can, I guess, push someone in two opposite directions. Some let the isolation eat away at them while for others it gives them a keener sense of empathy for others’ feelings. In Natsume’s case it’s the latter and as a result of his experiences brought on by the possession of his grandmother’s diary he finds ways to right wrongs that exist literally out of sight of most other people. There are wonderful and beautiful things that dwell in the spirit realm, which makes for great entertainment with playful fairytale folklore that is almost Ghibli-esque. Of course there are ugly and tragic things too.

The darker side of the Youkai world could prove to be almost depressing if it weren’t for Natsume Yuujinchou’s approach to storytelling. The laconic but ultimately good-natured and well-intentioned central character goes a long way to making the series in the feelgood iyashikei vein but the supporting cast are portrayed with lively and wry humour. Although this shares the aesthetic with similar shows from studios Madhouse and Artland it’s actually produced by Brains Base, who pay great attention to detail in body language and dialogue that made me enthralled by the drama one moment and laughing out loud at their antics the next.

The cat spirit Nyanko is particularly fascinating in that we still don’t know whether he’s a friend to Natsume or whether he’s looking on with detached amusement like Death Note’s Ryuk; he’s also utterly hilarious and never fails to put a smile on my face. There’s also something of a fledging romance going on between Natsume and his classmate Sasada, which avoids all the usual pitfalls (in that it plays out in a lifelike rather than some shallow moe kind of way) and portrays her as an intelligent and open-minded girl who sees him as the decent kid he is, rather than merely a weirdo who sees invisible creatures. Similarly I think he has a good potential friend in Tanuma, who may be the only person he’ll meet during his adventures who can directly relate to how unnerving his second sight can be.

Time will tell as to whether the other comic relief-type spiritual characters will get on my nerves but for now it’s great to see otherworldly and supernatural entities grovelling and acting like clumsy idiots just to get their names back from the Book of Friends. This slapstick humour sweetens the pill, which could leave a bitter aftertaste when dealing with the issues it does.

It actually ends up often feeling bittersweet. For instance, Natsume’s grandmother Reiko had gained notoriety among local spirits for what they saw as malicious mischief, tricking and bullying them into submitting their names and placing themselves under her power. Instead, the impression I’m getting is that she was as lonely as her grandson is now, seen by fellow humans as a bit of an oddball and seeking company and entertainment in the youkai. In some cases their respect for her is not grudging at all - when they mistake Natsume for his illustrious relative he is called upon to help them with whatever problems they are experiencing.

Natsume Yuujinchou has a lot of entertaining comedy, moments of tragedy but at the centre of it all a warm heart that makes me eager to see what’s around the next corner. The lead is neither a dull jock nor a smartass bishie but an ordinary and likeable guy who has to put up with a lot but still has a sense of curiosity and resolve to do what he believes is right; add to this an engaging supporting cast who offer plenty of potential for the series as a whole and you have a sleeper hit of the season.

[Filed under Anime Reviews]  [Tags: Natsume Yuujinchou]

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