The seventh season of the supernatural drama anime Natsume’s Book of Friends has finally been greenlit after six years coinciding with the anime’s 15th anniversary. In celebration of the forthcoming season, a new visual and promotional video is unveiled.
The promotional video for the 15th-anniversary celebration confirmed the staff for the upcoming series, titled Natsume Yūjin-Chō: Urushi. Takahiro Ōmori will be the chief director, while Hideki Ito will return to direct the new season. The series composition will be overseen once again by Sadayuki Murai, Akira Takata is working on the character design, and Makoto Yoshimori is returning to compose the music. The new season is animated by studio Shuka.
A dedicated website for the 15th anniversary has also been launched, featuring congratulatory comments and dialogue from voice actor Hiroshi Kamiya, who plays Takashi Natsume, and Kazuhiko Inoue, who plays Nyanko-sensei/Madara.
The original author of the series, Yuki Midorikawa, also shared an illustration commemorating the 15th anniversary on her Twitter account.
Kamiya and Inoue expressed their gratitude and joy for the announcement. “I am truly grateful to learn that the series is reaching its 15th anniversary together with the announcement of the seventh season. I am committed to delivering the world of Natsume’s Book of Friends in the best possible form through anime. I sincerely hope you will continue to support us. Thank you very much!” Hiroshi Kamiya commented.
“It has been a joy to live in the same era as all of you and weave the world of Natsume’s Book of Friends together. I aim to give it my all in my performance, so I hope everyone will also support us wholeheartedly. ” Inoue added.
Natsume’s Book of Friends depicts the everyday life of Takashi Natsume, who has the rare ability to see Yōkais. His adventures unfold with his self-proclaimed bodyguard, Nyanko-sensei, as they interact with spirits and strengthen their bonds. The first season of the anime aired in 2008, and the series continued until the sixth season in 2017. The title for the seventh season, returning after six years, has been revealed as Natsume Yūjin-Chō Urushi.
In addition, the Natsume Yūjin-Chō Blu-ray Disc Box 3, containing the fifth and sixth seasons, including a special edition with all 26 episodes, will be released on November 22, 2023. The disc box set, priced at JPY$32,000, will include six discs with bonus materials, such as an original three-sided case, an original Digipack design, a Nyanko-sensei clear sticker, an illustrated pin-up, a series jacket postcard set, a booklet, and bonus footage of non-credit opening and ending scenes.
▍Natsume’s Book of Friends Anime 15th Anniversary PV
▍Natsume’s Book of Friends Anime 15th Anniversary Comment Videos
▍About Natsume’s Book of Friends
Natsume Yūjin-Chō is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuki Midorikawa. The series was first published in 2005 by Hakusensha’s shōjo manga imprint, LaLa DX, and has since been lauded for its unique storytelling and intricate artwork, receiving a nomination for the prestigious Manga Taishō Award in 2008. The anime adaptation, produced by Brain’s Base, aired over five seasons from 2008 to 2016, followed by a sixth season produced by Shuka animation studio in 2017. An anime film was also premiered in 2018. The series has been published in English as “Natsume’s Book of Friends” by VIZ Media since January 5, 2010.
The series follows the life of Takashi Natsume, an orphan with the unique ability to see spirits known as Ayakashi or Yōkai. He inherits a mysterious book from his late grandmother, Reiko, which allows him to control these spirits. This Book of Friends, filled with the names of spirits that Reiko had subdued and tricked into contracts, is a sought-after item in the spirit world, leading to a constant barrage of yōkai bothering Natsume.
Some seek the liberation offered by the dissolution of their contracts, while others aim to seize the book’s power for themselves. Natsume, uninterested in controlling these entities, aims to free the spirits that come seeking his help. Alongside this, he must also navigate threats from malicious spirits. Assisting him is a powerful spirit named Madara, who Natsume affectionately calls Nyanko-sensei, acting as his bodyguard and spiritual advisor.
▍Natsume’s Book of Friends Season 7 Staff & Production
Original Work: Natsume Yūjin-Chō by Yuki Midorikawa (Serialized in Hakusensha’s LaLa)
Chief Director: Takahiro Ōmori
Director: Hideki Ito
Series Composition: Sadayuki Murai
Character Design: Akira Takata
Yōkai Design/Action Animation Director: Tatsuo Yamada
Chief Animation Director: Akira Takata, Orie Tanaka
Art Director: Yukihiro Shibutani, Mao Miyake
Color Design: Hiromi Miyawaki
Editing: Kazuhiko Seki
Screen Design: Hitoshi Tamura
Music: Makoto Yoshimori
Animation Production: Shuka
Production: NAS
Produced by: Natsume Yūjin-Chō Production Committee
▍Natsume’s Book of Friends Season 7 Cast
■ Takashi Natsume – CV: Hiroshi Kamiya
■ Nyanko-sensei/Madara – CV: Kazuhiko Inoue