The film will be made up of two stories: "Ishi Okoshi" and "Ayashiki Raihousha." In "Ishi Okoshi," Natsume meets a small youkai called Mitsumi in a forest. Mitsumi is entrusted to wake up the divine youkai "Iwatetsu" from its deep slumber. Mitsumi weighs on Natsume's mind, so he sets out to help Mitsumi with his task. In "Ayashiki Raihousha," a mysterious visitor appears in front of Tanuma. Nearly every day, the visitor visits Tanuma, talks to him a little, and then leaves. Natsume, who knows the visitor is a youkai, worries for Tanuma, but Tanuma enjoys these exchanges with the youkai. The youkai means no harm, but Tanuma's health slowly starts to deteriorate.
Acting
Kamiya's voice cracks with restraint—devastating in the smallest moments.
Cinematography
Sun-dappled forests that feel like memories half-remembered.
Writing
Two stories, one theme: helping others while learning to be helped.
Director
Hideki Ito
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The two-episode format mirrors the manga's original chapter structure, letting each story breathe at feature length.
Iwatetsu draws from Japanese iwakura traditions—sacred rocks believed to house kami, often ignored until they demand attention.
No ratings yet
Reactions from the web
I WAS SO EXCITED FOR A SECOND BUT IT WAS JUST TWO SHORT EPISODES I THOUGHT IT WAS ANOTHER SEASONNNNNN😭😭😭😭😭😭(im still grateful tho)
@nggyu17 57
For a person that was there since the beginning, it's a miracle that Yujinchou is still going, best anime series ever.
@andlol2558 59
New Natsume’s Book of Friends content?!? In 2021?!! I am here for it!
@animeaddict2202 25
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
JP
