English Dub Review: Natsume’s Book of Friends “A World Unbent”

Overview (spoilers below):

Natori’s family has always been exorcists… until they lost the ability to see Yokai. After generations of fearing the Yokai’s revenge, Natori is suddenly born with the ability to see them. However, his family wants nothing to do with his powers and he must figure out how to survive on his own. His life changes when he meets the young Matoba at a meeting of exorcists and the two end up hunting a powerful Yokai together…

Our statement:

We’re already at the end of the fifth season and the series has finally decided to revamp its repetitive structure. So far, most of the episodes I’ve seen have mainly revolved around Natsume helping a certain Yokai and bringing back their names from the Book of Friends. This particular episode of Natsume’s Book of Friends takes its narrative structure in a different direction by focusing exclusively on the show’s supporting characters. The characters in question are a pair of exorcists on opposing sides, Natori Shuuichi and Matoba Seiji.

“A World Unbent” is a flashback that shows their origins before they first confront Natsume. Before becoming a famous actor/exorcist, Natori was born with the ability to sense and hear yokai and was given a ghostly lizard in his skin. As he tries to find his own path in life, Natori finds guidance in his mentor Takuma Yousuke. While training to hone his skills as an exorcist, Takuma informs Natori about the Matoba Clan, an organization that seeks to exorcise yokai. He then confronts a teenage heir to the clan, Matoba Seiji, who helps him defeat a much stronger three-horned yokai that is targeting other exorcists.

With this new perspective, the season reinforced its repetitive structure by further expanding the exorcists. Natori is somehow on par with Natsume due to their abilities, making them outsiders. After discovering the world of exorcists, Natori is accepted by those who do and is inspired to strengthen his skills as an exorcist to save people and become stronger. As for Matoba, he is still the snarky and annoying exorcist we’ve come to expect from the earlier episodes, which is enough to annoy Natori like he did with Natsume. While Natori and Matoba’s relationship may not be explored further in the future, “A World Unbent” is a refreshing change from Natsume’s usual yokai adventures, exploring the tranquil world from an exorcist’s perspective.