List of Natsume's Book of Friends episodes

Key visual for the series

Natsume's Book of Friends is a Japanese anime television series based on the manga series of the same name by Yuki Midorikawa. The first four seasons were produced by Brain's Base, under the direction of Takahiro Omori,[1] while from the fifth season onwards the series have been produced by Shuka, under the direction of Kotomi Deai (seasons 5 and 6) and Hideki Ito (season 7).[2][3] Its seven seasons have been broadcast on TV Tokyo. The first 13-episode season aired from July 8 to September 30, 2008.[4][a] For the first season, the opening theme is "Issei no Sei" (一斉の声, "Simultaneous Voice") by Shūhei Kita, and the ending theme is "Natsu Yūzora" (夏夕空, "Summer Evening Sky") by Kousuke Atari.[6]

The second 13-episode season, Natsume's Book of Friends Continued (続 夏目友人帳, Zoku Natsume Yūjin-chō), aired from from January 6 to March 31, 2009.[7][b] For the second season, the opening theme is "Ano Hi Time Machine" (あの日タイムマシン, "That Day's Time Machine") by Long Shot Party and the ending theme is "Aishiteru" (愛してる, "I Love You") by Callin.[9]

The third season 13-episode season, Natsume's Book of Friends Three (夏目友人帳 参, Natsume Yūjin-chō San) aired from July 5 to September 27, 2011.[10][c] For the third season, the opening theme is "Boku ni Dekiru Koto" (僕にできること, "I Can Do") by How Merry Marry and the ending theme is "Kimi no Kakera" (君ノカケラ, "Pieces of You") by Kousuke Atari featuring Emiri Miyamoto.

The fourth 13-episode season, Natsume's Book of Friends Four (夏目友人帳 肆, Natsume Yūjin-chō Shi) aired from January 3 to March 27, 2012.[12][d] For the fourth season, the opening theme is "Ima, Kono Toki" (今、このとき。, "Now, This Time") by Hiiragi and the ending theme is "Takaramono" (たからもの, "Treasure") by Marina Kawano.

The fifth 11-episode season, Natsume's Book of Friends Five (夏目友人帳 伍, Natsume Yūjin-chō Go) aired from October 5 to December 21, 2016;[14][e] For the fifth season, the opening theme is "Takarabako" (タカラバコ, "Treasure Chest") by Sasanomaly and the ending theme is "Akane Sasu" (茜さす, "Crimson Painted") by Aimer.

The sixth 11-episode season, Natsume's Book of Friends Six (夏目友人帳 陸, Natsume Yūjin-chō Roku), aired from April 12 to June 21, 2017.[16][f] For the sixth season, the opening theme is "Floria" (フローリア, Furōria) by Tomohisa Sako and the ending theme is "Kimi no Uta" (きみのうた, "Your Song") by Rei Yasuda.

The seventh season, Natsume's Book of Friends Seven (夏目友人帳 漆, Natsume Yūjin-chō Shichi), premiered on October 8, 2024. For the seventh season, the opening theme is "Alca" by Hinata Kashiwagi and the ending theme is "Komari Warai" (こまりわらい, "Troubled Laugh") by Toshiki Kondo.[3]

In North America, the first four seasons were licensed by NIS America and released on home video in Japanese with English subtitles.[18][19][20][21] The seven seasons have been streamed by Crunchyroll.[22] An English dub by Crunchyroll premiered on July 24, 2022.[23]

  1. ^ "Natsume Yujin-Cho Manga to be Animated for TV". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 15, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2009.
  2. ^ Pineda, Rafael (August 24, 2016). "Natsume's Book of Friends Season 5 Reveals Visual, Returning Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 30, 2024). "Natsume's Book of Friends Season 7 Anime Reveals Theme Songs, Promo Video, October 7 Debut". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  4. ^ 夏目友人帳. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  5. ^ キャスト8人にインタビュー！ TVアニメ「夏目友人帳」7月7日放送スタート. Dengeki Online (in Japanese). June 9, 2008. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  6. ^ あにてれ：夏目友人帳 (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Archived from the original on December 10, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2009.
  7. ^ 続夏目友人帳. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  8. ^ 寒い冬に心温まる物語を――1月開始TVアニメ「続 夏目友人帳」. Dengeki Online (in Japanese). December 25, 2008. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  9. ^ あにてれ：続 夏目友人帳 (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. Retrieved June 20, 2009.
  10. ^ 夏目友人帳 参. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  11. ^ HOW MERRY MARRY、アニメ『夏目友人帳 参』のオープニングテーマに決定. Oricon News (in Japanese). May 24, 2011. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  12. ^ 夏目友人帳 肆. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  13. ^ 2012年冬季(新春)放送開始の新作アニメ一覧. Gigazine (in Japanese). December 3, 2011. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  14. ^ 夏目友人帳 伍. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  15. ^ 【2016秋アニメ】久しぶりに夏目友人帳がアニメ化！ 装神少女やナンバカも要チェック. ASCII.jp (in Japanese). October 3, 2016. Archived from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  16. ^ 夏目友人帳　陸 (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  17. ^ 「夏目友人帳 陸」神谷浩史ら出演の記念番組オンエア、アニメの放送日時決定. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 24, 2017. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  18. ^ "NIS America to Release Natsume Yūjin-Chō Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 14, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  19. ^ "NIS America Schedules Standard Editions for "kimi ni todoke -From Me to You-" and "Natsume's Book of Friends"". Crunchyroll. January 14, 2014. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  20. ^ "Kimi Ni Todoke –From Me to You- Volumes 1–3 and Natsume's Book of Friends Season 1 & 2 Announced" (Press release). NIS America. January 13, 2014. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2020 – via Anime News Network.
  21. ^ "'Natsume's Book Of Friends' Anime Gets Standard Edition Release". The Fandom Post. January 15, 2014. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  22. ^
  23. ^ Dempsey, Liam. "Natsume's Book of Friends Season 1 English Dub Announced, Cast & Crew Revealed". Crunchyroll News. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.


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