Sign up
Trailer+3 trailers

Natsume's Book of Friends

2008 – 2024Show7 seasons86 episodesTV-14

AnimationSci-Fi & Fantasy
81
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.1

A heartwarming, wondrous animated series about fantasy and family, with standout score.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Skip it if you want dark or edgy material

Where to watch

Set your services
What's new on Crunchyroll

Fingerprint

Not for scares, brutality or adrenaline.

Shows with

Episodes

7 seasons · 86 episodes · best: S7E11 "Tell Me Your Name" 9.6

Episodes

7.6
7.4
6.7
6.7
6.9
7.0
8.6

Story

Natsume Takashi has the ability to see spirits, which he has long kept secret. However, once he inherits a strange book that belonged to his deceased grandmother, Reiko, he discovers the reason why spirits surround him.

Feels like

  • Healing Anime (Iyashikei)
  • Supernatural Slice-of-Life
  • Gentle Fantasy
  • Emotional Melancholy
  • Found Family
  • Japanese Folklore
  • Comfort Watch
  • Bittersweet Nostalgia
  • Quiet Character Study

Cast

24 of 122 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Takahiro Omori, Kotomi Deai, Hideki Ito
Written by
Sadayuki Murai, Kenichi Kanemaki, Aya Yoshinaga
Produced by
Shuko Yokoyama, Sayako Muramatsu, Reiko Sasaki
Music by
Makoto Yoshimori

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

July 8, 2008 · December 24, 2024 · Ended

First aired
July 8, 2008
Last aired
December 24, 2024
Status
Ended
Length
7 seasons · 86 episodes
Age rating
TV-14
Genres
Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Original language
Japanese
Made in
Japan
Available in
106 countries

Tropes

Stupid Sexy Flanders, Big Damn Heroes, Good Parents +9

  • Stupid Sexy Flanders
  • Big Damn Heroes
  • Good Parents
  • Androcles' Lion
  • Shout-Out
  • Invisible to Normals
  • The Dark Arts
  • I See Dead People
  • Author Appeal
  • Stepford Smiler
  • Adults Are Useless
  • Non-Indicative Name

12 of 137 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Natsume's Book of Friends?"

Questions about Natsume's Book of Friends

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Natsume's Book of Friends?

Crunchyroll

In the United States, Natsume's Book of Friends streams on Crunchyroll. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store. It also streams in 105 other countries.

Is Natsume's Book of Friends worth watching?

81
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 81 (IMDb 8.1). Season 3 is the weak spot, with an IMDb average of 6.7 against 8.6 for the best season.

Which season of Natsume's Book of Friends is best?

Season 7, with an IMDb average of 8.6. Seasons 3 and 4 are the weakest at 6.7. The highest-rated episode is Tell Me Your Name (season 7, episode 11) at 9.6, and the lowest is Hito naranu mono (season 3, episode 6) at 6.2.

Is Natsume's Book of Friends okay for kids?

TV-14

Yes: it's rated TV-14 in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

How long does it take to watch Natsume's Book of Friends?

34 h

About 34 hours: 86 episodes in 7 seasons of about 24 minutes each, aired from 2008 to 2024.

Can I half-watch Natsume's Book of Friends?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with complexity at only 4 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it drop-in friendly.

Will I feel good after watching Natsume's Book of Friends?

BleakHopeful

Yes, it's an uplifting series: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for wholesome and 8 for hopefulness.