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Oct 8, 2017 2:54 AM
#1

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Nov 2007
31772
THIS IS AN ANIME ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS THE MANGA BEYOND THIS EPISODE.
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Helping out old youkai. He's soul of Suzunaru tree that got cut recently. He seems to have something undone related to a human, so he wants him to accompany him.

The leaves that sound like bell, so "Suzunaru", but not everyone can hear it. Because of the change of mountain route, that little girl visited him 20 years ago. He finally remembered about her. Natsume visited the friend of that girl, who passed away from accident. Short miracle.
I Two Syaorans from Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE and TRC!!!
Oct 8, 2017 4:06 AM
#2

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Dec 2016
293
Beautiful and nostalgic feeling episode.
I don't know how this show is able to consistently pull at my heart strings, but these simple, yet touching, episodes are my favorite.

Wish they would announce a new season, but happy to hear news about a movie in the meantime...

Nyaaaaaaa~~~~
>^___^<
Oct 8, 2017 9:30 AM
#3
Go read Medalist
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Apr 2007
285
"Oh, no. Is he a youkai?"
"You finally noticed? Idiot."

Oh, no, indeed. Thankfully, Nyanko-sensei acted like a proper audience stand-in right off the bat, good job. If only he wasn't the only intellectually capable major character in the show.

Unfortunately, this kind of low-effort writing cliche sets the mood for the entire episode. I wonder if the author ever reflects on this, because it's not the first occurrence by far of her taking the easy way out. Natsume encounters one typical scenario after another and keeps being completely clueless about it without any indication that earlier events have taught him anything at all. I think his actual problem is neither poor health nor being a youkai magnet, but rather his terminal stupidity.

I mean I can understand the demands of long-running SoL serialization, but it doesn't mean you have to degrade your own characters and prevent any development just to allow more iterations of identical plot development happen. This is just poorly done.
Oct 8, 2017 9:49 AM
#4

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Oct 2012
7189
"You're not planning on finding them"
Every episodes with something like that, he found them.. So don't worry sensei xD

Aww that was a bittersweet ending again :(
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Oct 8, 2017 11:13 AM
#5

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Jan 2017
622
Natsume being Natsume. Always prying into youkai matters and Nyanko obstinate about it. Hahahahahaha typical Nyanko-sensei-Natsume's interactions.

I am amazed at how much of an airhead can Natsume be a many many times. This expression of Nyanko is totally suitable:



Great appearance of the Dog's circle, lol.

KannoSugakoOct 8, 2017 11:17 AM
SEIZON SENRYAKU: Hungry 100% of the time.
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Oct 8, 2017 12:14 PM
#6

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Apr 2015
465
Beautiful and sad episode, almost like always. :)

This is why Natsume is one of my favourite character.

Poor little girl, she didn't have enough time to fulfil promise.

5/5
Oct 8, 2017 12:31 PM
#7

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Jun 2016
4620
Ohmygod. I missed Natsume and Nyanko-sensei so much. I missed this anime's atmosphere, too; the heartwarming feeling it gives me. Ugh. Glad we get to receive two specials for NY Roku. :')

So happy seeing and hearing Nyanko-sensei again and him being salty af for Natsume being distracted by a youkai of a Suzunaru tree instead of getting his food. Hahaha. So kawaii!

I missed Natsume and his friends, too. Sucks that we didn't get to see Taki my best girl from this show. Hehe. I miss her so much.

And somehow the youkai fulfilled his promise to the girl she made a promise with who apparently died because of a car accident like holy shit what because he managed to show that lady who I think is Sacchan the leaves that can sound like bells. It hurts me, maaan. That kid he made friends with just died. Whaaaat. That's just cruel. ;-;

I MISSED NATSUME'S HANDSOME FACE AND NYANKO-SENSEI'S VOICE AND THAT FAT BODY. WAAAAAAAAAAAH! Hahaha. Okay that somehow cheered me up.

9/10 already. Yaaaay! ;D

"Maybe he's trying to take a shit, but the shit just won't come out."
Captain Levi, 2014
(/^-^)/☆♪♪☆\(^0^\)
Oct 8, 2017 2:38 PM
#8
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Mar 2015
13491
Lots of sadness here. The girl who the youkai made a promise to help the sick girl died in a car accident before she could return to the youkai with the leaf to show that they made up.

Natsume who had been helping the youkai after its tree fell down found the girl who had been the subject of the promise and she came to return the leaf to the youkai With the leaf returned the youkai was able to make the leaves ring like bells one last time which the child of the girl could see He gave one last performance for the child and then disappeared himself with his promise fulfilled
Oct 8, 2017 3:06 PM
#9

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Jan 2008
1710
Geez, you would think the old man wearing a weird mask like so many other yokai do, is in fact one himself, figuring it out only after it was pointed out to him.

LaPokota said:
I don't know how this show is able to consistently pull at my heart strings, but these simple, yet touching, episodes are my favorite.


(´;︵;`) It's those ninjas cutting onions, I tell you. They're appear every time this show is on. Feel so sad for the girl who couldn't make up with her best friend. But at the very least the woman was able to see the spirit of the tree leaves rustling like bells in the end that her friend wanted to show her, posthumously fulfilling that promise the little girl made with the old tree yokai and to make up with her friend.

With a movie coming out next year, and subs coming out likely a year after that maybe in 2019 when the discs come out, it's going to be a long ass wait. I feel like the movie may be the last in the series adaptions, given how many seasons have come out already which is pretty impressive....hope I'm wrong though.
Estoy_GordoOct 8, 2017 3:21 PM
Oct 8, 2017 8:29 PM

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Aug 2015
984
These promises between humans and youkai don't always end the happiest, do they?
Another great Natsume episode. I missed this show a lot.
Oct 9, 2017 9:19 AM

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Aug 2010
364
This episode was so emotional, god, I had tears running down my face at the moment the youkai made the trees ring like bells.
This is probably one of my favorite Natsume episodes now.
Oct 9, 2017 10:17 AM

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Mar 2012
144
Man this was good. My emotion peaked when the spiritual tree sounded.
Oct 9, 2017 4:55 PM

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Dec 2008
4878
Yet another episode that pulled tightly on my heart strings. This show is perfection!
Oct 9, 2017 7:20 PM

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3775
4kicks said:
Geez, you would think the old man wearing a weird mask like so many other yokai do, is in fact one himself, figuring it out only after it was pointed out to him.

LaPokota said:
I don't know how this show is able to consistently pull at my heart strings, but these simple, yet touching, episodes are my favorite.


(´;︵;`) It's those ninjas cutting onions, I tell you. They're appear every time this show is on. Feel so sad for the girl who couldn't make up with her best friend. But at the very least the woman was able to see the spirit of the tree leaves rustling like bells in the end that her friend wanted to show her, posthumously fulfilling that promise the little girl made with the old tree yokai and to make up with her friend.

With a movie coming out next year, and subs coming out likely a year after that maybe in 2019 when the discs come out, it's going to be a long ass wait. I feel like the movie may be the last in the series adaptions, given how many seasons have come out already which is pretty impressive....hope I'm wrong though.


Well then those damn ninjas are skilled because the feeeeeels. Every time.

I love Natsume, he's such a sweetheart. And Nyanko-sensei is hilarious.
Oct 9, 2017 11:26 PM

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Jun 2014
523
Loved this OVA! The stories are always so bittersweet and I was glad to have a chance to see Natsume and Nyanko-sensei again!

I really wish this anime could go on forever as I always love the stories it tells!
So glad that I'm not a huge manga reader, because the manga readers WHINE WAY TOO MUCH and have to RUIN every adapted anime for the ANIME ONLY WATCHERS!
Oct 10, 2017 7:48 AM
🥊 CHAMPION 🥊

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Apr 2016
23586
Natsume always helping, humans or Yokai!!! This time helped a old tree youkai and the promise with a young girl...that had a hard time when the neighbour/friend explain that she died a few days after the promise!!! dramatic time!!! but if not the alone death, days after the notice the old tree youkai died/dissapear!!! :(
Sad epidose ; _ ;
Oct 12, 2017 10:52 AM
#1 Hitagi Lover

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Apr 2014
3011
Ah, glad to have more Natsume.

Felt bad for the tree youkai. It sucks that his tree was taken down and making a promise with someone only for them to have passed away during an accident. It was nice though to know the girl never forgot the promise and the youkai was very happy for that.

Great episode overall.
Oct 12, 2017 11:17 AM

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May 2009
3
I cried so much while watching this story... in a bus... full of people...
Oct 12, 2017 11:37 AM
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Oct 2007
1361
This anime never fail to pull the strings on my heart tightly.
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Oct 12, 2017 5:03 PM

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May 2015
3912
This beautiful episode ;__;....

They sure always find a way to hit your soft spots ;__;....


Oct 19, 2017 1:18 PM

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Nov 2014
368
This episode is all the evidence one needs not to watch Natsume before going to work my eyes will show all day now. Simply beautiful
Oct 20, 2017 7:30 PM

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Jan 2009
6
Was it an original chapter?
Oct 27, 2017 8:25 AM

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Oct 2016
358
anyone knows the name of the VA for Ai-chan? (the girl the youkai made the promise with)
it sounds really familiar but i cant quite remember
help!
Nov 2, 2017 11:25 AM

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Feb 2010
16
4kicks said:
I feel like the movie may be the last in the series adaptions, given how many seasons have come out already which is pretty impressive....hope I'm wrong though.


I think they just said the movie is to celebrate the anime's 10th anniversary. The manga is ongoing (as of this post) so they're probably waiting for more material to come out for another series? :D
Nov 3, 2017 6:31 AM

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Jul 2015
447
Omg, this episode is so calm yet so sad at the same moment. The promise could never be fulfilled; The young girl was gone ;-;. Feel sad for the Youkai T_T
Nov 4, 2017 4:12 PM

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Dec 2016
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KillerKip said:
4kicks said:
I feel like the movie may be the last in the series adaptions, given how many seasons have come out already which is pretty impressive....hope I'm wrong though.


I think they just said the movie is to celebrate the anime's 10th anniversary. The manga is ongoing (as of this post) so they're probably waiting for more material to come out for another series? :D


Well, there is still a TON of material the show hasn't gotten though yet. I don't think that's the problem... maybe just getting approved for another season is what's holding them back.
Nov 19, 2017 6:22 AM

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Aug 2010
3232
When's the second special getting subbed?
Dec 6, 2017 4:56 AM
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Nov 2013
87
I could watch Natsume everyday and never get bored of it I believe.

Also, that pun "That'll make me hotter" was funny even if not intended.
Dec 7, 2017 8:18 AM

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Feb 2010
16
Anyone know if the second special is out yet? It's been a month and a half since the supposed airdate listed on MAL :(
Dec 15, 2017 2:56 AM

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Apr 2017
326
I shed too much tears for this precious episode. It was bittersweet. The old youkai in the Suzunaru tree forgot his lost promise with the girl. Natsume helped him, he gathered a lot water to put on the tree everyday and even tried to find the location of the promised girl but sadly, we do not know the whereabouts of the girl but her friend was there to visit the tree. The old youkai turned happy and started to move his staff in order to ring the bell of leaves. On the other day, Natsume visits the old youkai to bring water for him again but he's gone. I think it was fine despite the fact the promise did not fulfill. Promises really meant to be broken sometimes. This is one of my favorite episode even if it is an OVA or special.
JerryKen10Dec 15, 2017 3:04 AM
Dec 30, 2017 8:30 PM
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Aug 2012
8288
I avoided this since the day I saw that it was subbed, and damn, I knew it. I knew it'd made me cry. About half way into the episode I was already feeling emotional because the youkai is just such a kind and happy soul. I burst into tears when he started dancing to no avail, BUT at least the baby saw... ;__; It's amazing how the theme of loneliness faced by youkai (and Natsume) continues to move me.
Feb 5, 2018 5:02 PM

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Dec 2013
42
I finally got around to watching this; was waiting for the second ova to come out.
Oh my gosh, this episode made me so sad, but at the same time, there’s just this simplistic beauty to it.
Crossing my fingers for a new season, but at least a movie has been announced for now!
Feb 17, 2018 10:44 AM
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May 2015
272
LaPokota said:
Beautiful and nostalgic feeling episode.
I don't know how this show is able to consistently pull at my heart strings, but these simple, yet touching, episodes are my favorite.

Wish they would announce a new season, but happy to hear news about a movie in the meantime...

Nyaaaaaaa~~~~
>^___^<

Yeah I agree so much with you. It's one of the best sentimental shows ever!!!
Feb 19, 2018 7:51 PM

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Mar 2015
6994
This series just flat-out wants to destroy all heart-strings, no?
I'm Bruneian and I like anime. And Manchester United. And fat cats.
Mar 2, 2018 8:35 AM

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May 2012
25828
What a lovely yet bittersweet episode! Really enjoyable to watch and boy that ending was just amazingly beautiful! Really loved it, and certainly am looking forwards for the next special!
Apr 12, 2018 1:54 PM

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Feb 2013
24142
What a nice old youkai, it's a pity he was struck by lightning.
Jan 30, 2019 2:20 PM

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Nov 2018
1293
I continue to be amazed by how consistently good this anime is.

Dec 2, 2019 7:52 PM
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Sep 2017
396
When the elderly tree youkai started dancing and made the beautiful image of the tree shine so brightly and the leaves ring out like bells, I couldn’t help but get choked up. It was so sad that the girl had died, but he was happy just knowing that it wasn’t because she’d forgotten about him that she didn’t show up. And at least Natsume and the baby got to see and hear his promise. It almost seemed like the mom may have faintly heard the bells too, as she seemed to pause and listen for a moment.
This show is so sweet and beautiful. Here it is December of 2019, hoping an official announcement for a S7 will come soon.
Jan 18, 2021 11:27 PM

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Jun 2015
17
moozooh said:
"Oh, no. Is he a youkai?"
"You finally noticed? Idiot."

Oh, no, indeed. Thankfully, Nyanko-sensei acted like a proper audience stand-in right off the bat, good job. If only he wasn't the only intellectually capable major character in the show.

Unfortunately, this kind of low-effort writing cliche sets the mood for the entire episode. I wonder if the author ever reflects on this, because it's not the first occurrence by far of her taking the easy way out. Natsume encounters one typical scenario after another and keeps being completely clueless about it without any indication that earlier events have taught him anything at all. I think his actual problem is neither poor health nor being a youkai magnet, but rather his terminal stupidity.

I mean I can understand the demands of long-running SoL serialization, but it doesn't mean you have to degrade your own characters and prevent any development just to allow more iterations of identical plot development happen. This is just poorly done.
Lol your post and the post above yours is complete opposite. I actually read the first part of your post and i was like "yeah! such simple writing and reused formula but it pulls my heartstring everytime and made me appreciate little things in life more. Such simplicity and beauty." and then i continued reading and realize you meant it as a criticism.
Jun 12, 2021 3:31 PM

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Jan 2021
5854
*sigh* my emotions are all over the place ╥﹏╥
May 18, 2022 1:44 PM
🍅 Tomato 🍅

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Feb 2020
99461
Yet another bittersweet episode.
Aug 13, 2023 2:12 PM

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Dec 2012
16130
Even though it's been a couple of years since I last watched Roku, this episode immediately worked its magic and I found myself totally immersed into its familiar tranquility. There have been a number of anime that have conveyed the spiritual meaning of trees in Japan and this continues to make me appreciative of how deeply rooted their culture is into every aspect of nature. The message of this episode was incredibly uplifting. A promise made that was as fleeting & fragile as life can be, yet still finding a way to deliver those precious feelings in a new form. By the end of the episode, I was already feeling incredibly sentimental as though I had been the one who made that promise 20 years ago.
Oct 9, 12:00 AM

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Sep 2020
5342
This episode almost made me cry. I love this anime soo much.

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It’s time to ditch the text file.
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