Natsume Yuujinchou, Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist Recommendations
Makai Ouji and Natsume Yuujinchou are dissimilar in perhaps more ways than they are the same, but there is one striking similarity that I feel makes these two series connected.
Differences:
The vibes are completely different, as are the protagonists. Makai Ouji has a sort of ridiculous feeling to it, with characters so over the top as to seem unbelievable, as well as a protagonist who is centered around wholly unimportant things (such as his grades). Natsume however has very well rounded characters who in many ways lack the eccentricities of the characters in Makai, but are deep enough to seem real to the
point of tangibility. Natsume also has an overarching slice-of-life feeling to it, which differs considerably from the shonen overtones of Makai Ouji. The art and music for both are very different too -- I personally prefer the softer palette and lines of Natsume Yuujincho, with its beautiful watercolor backgrounds, as well as its intriguing and extremely well suited instrumental music; whereas I didn't find Makai Ouji particularly enrapturing musically or visually.
The supernatural background for both of these shows is also very different. One deals with very biblical mythologies (If you're familiar with judeo-christian mythology its funny to see the subversions present in Makai Ouji), and the other deals with more traditional Japanese shinto beliefs -- the idea of a 'god' is not present at all.
The Similarity:
The similarity lies in the main plot elements of both shows. Makai Ouji features a protagonist who is the descendent of Solomon, a great king of Israel who subjugated 72 demons, which has modern day (like, 1800s modern day) repercussions for his descendent/reincarnation William Twining. Because of Solomon's actions, William must deal with the constant incursion of many demons who want his political support, and one demon comes to his aid to protect him from the constant besiegement of these vying supernatural factions. Natsume is similar in that the protagonist, who has the unique ability to see spirits, finds himself the focus of many spirits' negative attention, as he has inherited his grandmother's 'book of friends'. Like Solomon, she subjugated many spirits and bound them to her, and Natsume must decide what to do with this powerful inheritance -- in this he is also helped by a strong spirit who protects him from the more malevolent ayakashi that seek the book of friends.
These two anime are definitely more different than they are similar, but despite this they share a strong similarity in plot and the situation that both protagonists find themselves in. Despite this, the protagonists still are completely disparate personalities.
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