A Rural Town Abundant in Nature
Source: Natsume's Book of Friends © Yuki Midorikawa, Hakusensha / "Natsume's Book of Friends" Production Committee
Natsume's Book of Friends is set in a rural town abundant in nature. When the Fujiwaras decide to adopt Takashi, Touko remarks, "It's a shame to send a young man to live in such a rural area." The anime itself has a unique worldview and timeline, making it feel very nostalgic.
Things You Don't See Anymore
Source: Natsume's Book of Friends © Yuki Midorikawa, Hakusensha / "Natsume's Book of Friends" Production Committee
This anime also features things that are rarely seen these days. Public telephones are not often seen these days, but they do appear in the anime. Modern items like cell phones and smartphones, on the other hand, are absent. Even the train stations are made of wood, evoking a sense of nostalgia. Since the anime doesn't feature things that have become commonplace, it might be interesting to search for things that are no longer seen today.
Forest
Source: Natsume's Book of Friends ©Yuki Midorikawa, Hakusensha / "Natsume's Book of Friends" Production Committee
Undoubtedly, forests are depicted most frequently in the anime. Encounters with spirits in the city are rare in this anime. While there are scenes where the intermediates ambush Natsume on the roadside, or when a youkai comes to the Fujiwara family's house to ask for their name back, most of the action takes place in the forest. There are even special forests where even people who normally can't see youkai can see them.
People and Youkai
Source: Natsume's Book of Friends ©Yuki Midorikawa, Hakusensha/"Natsume's Book of Friends" Production Committee
The youkai that appear in the anime are generally kind. Takashi originally didn't think highly of youkai. However, in the anime, there are very few scary youkai, and there are many kind-hearted youkai who fall in love with humans, who are loved by others, who care about their masters, and who adore others. There are also youkai who adore Natsume and are cooperative, such as the Natsume-gumi and Inu-kai.
People and People
Source: Natsume's Book of Friends © Yuki Midorikawa, Hakusensha / "Natsume's Book of Friends" Production Committee
The anime features a diverse range of people, including those who can see, like Takashi and Reiko; those who cannot see at all, like the Fujiwaras and their classmates Nishimura and Kitamoto; those who cannot see but are sensitive to evil spirits, like Tanuma; and those who work as "exorcists," like Matoba and Natori. The sense of distance between them is complex, yet still conveys a tenderness.
Music that Colors the World
Source: Natsume's Book of Friends ©Yuki Midorikawa, Hakusensha / "Natsume's Book of Friends" Production Committee
The background music used in Natsume's Book of Friends, which depicts the world of humans and spirits, includes a variety of music, from gentle to sad, that is perfectly suited to the anime. I believe the music can evoke feelings of nostalgia and the atmosphere of the story.
Summary
Source: Natsume's Book of Friends ©Yuki Midorikawa, Hakusensha / "Natsume's Book of Friends" Production Committee
What did you think? Natsume's Book of Friends is a story about a unique world of humans and spirits. I hope you enjoy the scenery and music that appear in the story, Takashi's relationship with spirits, his relationship with his classmates, and his relationship with the exorcist.
