Natsume's Book of Friends 2008
What is Natsume's Book of Friends?
Natsume's Book of Friends is a Japanese television series that premiered in 2008. The show is based on a manga series written and illustrated by Yuki Midorikawa, which began serialization in 2003.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 2008
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 86
- Runtime
- 24 minutes
- First aired
- Jul 8, 2008
- Last aired
- Dec 24, 2024
- Original language
- JA
- Origin
- JP
- Networks
- TV Tokyo, TV Aichi, TVQ, TV Osaka
- Genres
- Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
- Updated
Where to watch
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 86 episodes and an average 24-minute runtime.
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Overview
Natsume's Book of Friends is a Japanese television series that premiered in 2008. The show is based on a manga series written and illustrated by Yuki Midorikawa, which began serialization in 2003. The narrative follows a character named Natsume Takashi, who possesses the ability to see spirits, a secret he has kept for a long time. His life changes after he inherits a book that belonged to his late grandmother, Reiko. Upon receiving this item, Natsume discovers that the book is filled with the names of spirits his grandmother had defeated and bound to her will. This inheritance reveals the reason why spirits have surrounded him throughout his life. The television series features voice acting contributions from Hiroshi Kamiya, Kazuhiko Inoue, Matthew Elkins, and Christopher Wehkamp. The production has continued to release content through 2025. The original manga source material was published in the magazines LaLa DX and LaLa by the publisher Hakusensha. The series explores the supernatural connections between Natsume and the spirits tied to his grandmother's legacy.
Should you watch it?
“A teenager who sees spirits inherits a mysterious book that reveals his grandmother's hidden supernatural past.”
- emotional storytelling
- unique premise
- gentle atmosphere
- slow pacing
- episodic structure
Watch it if you enjoy supernatural stories focused on character growth and emotional connections.
The series features supernatural themes and spirits, generally maintaining a reflective and calm tone.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 13 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 The Cat and the Book of Friends Jul 8, 2008
- E2 The Dew God's Small Shrine Jul 15, 2008
- E3 The Mysterious Person at the Eight Fields Jul 22, 2008
- E4 Shigure and the Girl Jul 29, 2008
- E5 Heart-Colored Ticket Aug 5, 2008
- E6 Swallow at the Lake Bottom Aug 12, 2008
- E7 The Little Fox's Hat Aug 19, 2008
- E8 Fleeting Light Aug 26, 2008
- E9 Ayakashi Exorcism Sep 2, 2008
- E10 Asagi's Koto Sep 9, 2008
- E11 Nyanko's Book of Boredom Sep 16, 2008
- E12 Five Day Mark Sep 23, 2008
- E13 Autumn Banquet Sep 30, 2008
Season 2 · 13 episodes
- E1 Stolen Book of Friends Jan 6, 2009
- E2 Melting into Spring Jan 13, 2009
- E3 Youkai Exorcism Amid the Steaming Springs Jan 20, 2009
- E4 A Chick Hatches Jan 27, 2009
- E5 Tree of Promise Feb 3, 2009
- E6 The Maiden's Circle Feb 10, 2009
- E7 That Which You Must Not Call Feb 17, 2009
- E8 Emotions Undying Feb 24, 2009
- E9 The Man Amidst the Rows of Cherry Trees Mar 3, 2009
- E10 Temporary Home Mar 10, 2009
- E11 Assembly of Conjurers Mar 17, 2009
- E12 The Young Boy in the Empty House Mar 24, 2009
- E13 Humans and Youkai Mar 31, 2009
Season 3 · 13 episodes
- E1 The Name of a Monster Jul 5, 2011
- E2 Ukihara Village Jul 12, 2011
- E3 False Friend Jul 19, 2011
- E4 Young Days Jul 26, 2011
- E5 The Thing That Lurks in the Storeroom Aug 2, 2011
- E6 That Which Is Not Human Aug 11, 2011
- E7 Exorcist Aug 16, 2011
- E8 The Fox Child's Watch Aug 23, 2011
- E9 Through the Autumn Wind Aug 30, 2011
- E10 The Broken Mirror Sep 6, 2011
- E11 What the Mirror Shows Sep 13, 2011
- E12 A place to go home to Sep 20, 2011
- E13 Natsume's Book of Play Sep 27, 2011
Season 4 · 13 episodes
- E1 Natsume Captured Jan 3, 2012
- E2 The Eastern Forest Jan 10, 2012
- E3 The Little Ones Jan 17, 2012
- E4 Stand-In Jan 24, 2012
- E5 To You, From Bygone Days Jan 31, 2012
- E6 The Other Side of the Glass Feb 7, 2012
- E7 The Gap Between Humans and Youkai Feb 14, 2012
- E8 When I Was Deceived Feb 21, 2012
- E9 The Moon-Splitting Festival Feb 28, 2012
- E10 The God, Enshrined Mar 6, 2012
- E11 A Single Photo Mar 13, 2012
- E12 The Door of Memories Mar 20, 2012
- E13 A Long Way Home Mar 27, 2012
Season 5 · 11 episodes
- E1 Unchanging Form Oct 4, 2016
- E2 Mischievous Rain Oct 11, 2016
- E3 The Letter from the Exorcist Oct 18, 2016
- E4 Shadow Linked Chains Oct 26, 2016
- E5 It Must Not Be Bound Nov 2, 2016
- E6 Soundless Valley Nov 9, 2016
- E7 Distant Festival Lights Nov 23, 2016
- E8 A World Unbent Nov 30, 2016
- E9 Following a Narrow Path Dec 7, 2016
- E10 Touko and Shigeru Dec 14, 2016
- E11 To the Ephemeral Ones Dec 21, 2016
Frequently asked questions
Who created the series?
The series was written and illustrated by Yuki Midorikawa.
What is the Book of Friends?
It is a book inherited from Natsume's grandmother that contains the names of spirits bound to her will.
Who is Nyanko-sensei?
He is a spirit who serves as Natsume's bodyguard.
When did the series begin?
The television series began airing in 2008.
What is Natsume's ability?
Natsume has the ability to see spirits.