That was a little bit of a sluggish burn, however in the end my favourite Natsume episode of the season. Little doubt about it. Atypical for the sequence in some methods – most clearly as a result of it is advised from a supporting character’s POV and options nearly no Natsume or Nyanko-sensei. But in addition arch-typically easy. And this sequence, for my part, is usually at its greatest when it is at its easiest. That is a stability it often strives for – Midorikawa Yuki definitely is aware of this materials effectively sufficient to keep away from tripping over her personal ft. However typically it takes simplicity to a brand new stage of class, and this was one among them.
The character in query is Nishimura-kun (he goes by Natsume Natsume, however Natsume by no means calls him “Satoru”). Nishimura is just about the definition of a traditional background character. He exhibits up typically, however all the time as a supporting participant in another person’s story. He’s a relentlessly optimistic individual and fairly taken with Natsume’s quirkiness. In all probability not probably the most difficult child on this planet, at the very least primarily based on what we see of him. However an necessary buddy to Natsume as a result of Nishimura, greater than anybody else round him, represents the “normality” that Natsume typically longs for and is aware of he won’t ever have.
This episode is principally what occurs when Natsume provides Nishimura the finger. Or fairly, the crow Nishimura sees Natsume arguing (which he would not appear almost as shocked by as he must be) and he solutions it. That is a bit creepy anyway (that is only the start). However whereas Natsume has run off after the crow, Nishimura pockets the cipher in case it was necessary. That evening, Natsume seems at his window (on the second ground) and asks to see the finger. And whereas it is fairly clear that there is one thing improper with this Natsume, Nishimura simply performs alongside.
Nishimura seems ahead to those unusual nightly visits from “Natsume”. And it is not laborious to grasp why. He’s firmly outdoors the circle of data in the case of the opposite world Natsume lives in, however he clearly senses that it exists (and that he’s being omitted of it). He fortunately shares a secret with Natsume and has a type of actuality bubble that solely they inhabit. Once more, Nishimura is not probably the most analytical or observant individual on this planet, however does he actually not sense that there is one thing unusual about his buddy? Or does he want to faux that is not the case so he can preserve this Natsume all to himself?
Natsume at one level realizes that there’s something unusual within the different path (is that why Nyanko-sensei was spying on them at college?). One night, Nishimura’s evening customer lastly ups the ante and tells him to go for a stroll with him. He leads Nishimura to an deserted home and takes him inside, singing the unusual track he’s engrossed in. And on the second ground, a doll lies on the ground, apparently abused by a crow. “Natsume” instructs Nishimura to position the finger again in its correct place on the doll, and all of a sudden we’re in each different ’90s horror film.
It is as much as Nyanko-sensei to elucidate what occurred – after the attitude lastly shifts from Nishimura. And that is a reminder of how troublesome it’s for the sequence to exhibit within the regular approach with a muggle like Nishimura on the helm. The doll projected its psyche onto Nishimura and wished its finger again. He waited till the evening of the complete moon, Nyanko theorizes as a result of that is when he can be at his strongest, and deliberate to eat Nishimura. However Nishimura’s real transparency appears to have modified his coronary heart, because the doll in the end saves Nishimura when he’s about to fall down the steps in concern.
A easy story certainly – becoming for the principle character. However there are various subtleties on this. It is a reminder to Natsume that, prefer it or not, being near him poses a possible hazard to regular folks. He longs for what they’ve, however can by no means have it. However he can draw them into the world he lives in, and it’s not a protected place for them. Nishimura is somebody whose innocence Natsume wish to defend, however one of the best ways to do this is to don’t have anything to do with him. There’s a quiet melancholy in it, identical to an outdated doll singing a track, a toddler who by no means returns as soon as he sings to it, and spends his days alone in an deserted outdated home. No marvel Nishimura might transfer his soul.
