- [2025 Edition] How to Watch Natsume’s Book of Friends in the Right Order – A Complete Guide for Beginners!
- Recommended Watch Order (Broadcast Order)
- Chronological Watch Order (Story Timeline)
- Streaming Availability (As of April 2025)
- Important Notes for Overseas Fans Using Japanese Streaming Services
- Global Streaming Platform Availability
- Ultimate Highlight Guide: Natsume’s Book of Friends Is Truly Special!
- Final Thoughts
- Before You Go…
[2025 Edition] How to Watch Natsume’s Book of Friends in the Right Order – A Complete Guide for Beginners!
Let’s get straight to the point — the best way to watch Natsume’s Book of Friends is in the order it was broadcast (release order)!
This lets you naturally follow the emotional growth of the characters and the deepening of their relationships over time 😊
🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Guide:
- ✅ The recommended watch order (by broadcast and chronological timeline)
- ✅ A complete guide including OVAs, specials, and movies
- ✅ Ultimate Highlight Guide
- ✅ Streaming platform availability (Japan & internationally, as of 2025)
- ✅ Subtitle and dub language options (English, Spanish, etc.)
🌸 What Is Natsume’s Book of Friends About?
Natsume’s Book of Friends follows Takashi Natsume, a boy who can see spirits (youkai), as he inherits a mysterious “Book of Friends” from his grandmother.
This book contains the names of spirits she once bound, and Natsume begins returning those names—while slowly learning about himself and others through these encounters.
The anime is a gentle, emotional series filled with heartfelt moments, healing themes, and a touch of the supernatural.
It’s the perfect pick for both anime veterans and first-time viewers looking for a warm, soul-soothing story 🍵✨
Recommended Watch Order (Broadcast Order)
| Order | Title | Type | Year Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natsume’s Book of Friends (Season 1) | TV Series | 2008 |
| 2 | Zoku Natsume’s Book of Friends (Season 2) | TV Series | 2009 |
| 3 | Natsume’s Book of Friends San (Season 3) | TV Series | 2011 |
| 4 | Natsume’s Book of Friends Shi (Season 4) | TV Series | 2012 |
| 5 | Nyanko-sensei & the First Errand | OVA | 2013 |
| 6 | One Snowy Day | OVA | 2014 |
| 7 | Natsume’s Book of Friends Go (Season 5) | TV Series | 2016 |
| 8 | Special: Itsuka Yuki no Hi ni / Yuugi no Utage | Special | 2018 |
| 9 | Natsume’s Book of Friends Roku (Season 6) | TV Series | 2017 |
| 10 | Special: Suzunaru no Kirikabu / Mugen no Kakera | Special | 2018 |
| 11 | Movie: Ephemeral Bond | Movie | 2018 |
| 12 | Movie: The Waking Rock and the Strange Visitor | Movie | 2021 |
| 13 | Natsume’s Book of Friends Shichi (Season 7) | TV Series | 2024 |
Chronological Watch Order (Story Timeline)
| Order | Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natsume’s Book of Friends (S1) | TV Series | Introduces characters and premise |
| 2 | Zoku Natsume’s Book of Friends (S2) | TV Series | Builds emotional bonds |
| 3 | Natsume’s Book of Friends San (S3) | TV Series | Deeper into book’s history |
| 4 | Natsume’s Book of Friends Shi (S4) | TV Series | Explores Natsume’s past |
| 5 | Nyanko-sensei & the First Errand | OVA | Likely set between S4 and S5 |
| 6 | One Snowy Day | OVA | Seasonal side story |
| 7 | Natsume’s Book of Friends Go (S5) | TV Series | Stronger human-spirit ties |
| 8 | Special: One Night Sake Cup / Festival of Games | Special | Post-S5 |
| 9 | Natsume’s Book of Friends Roku (S6) | TV Series | Revisiting connections |
| 10 | Special: Tree Stump with Bells / Fragment of Dreams | Special | Post-S6 bonus stories |
| 11 | Movie: Ephemeral Bond | Movie | Set after S6 |
| 12 | Movie: The Waking Rock and the Strange Visitor | Movie | Continuation from previous film |
| 13 | Natsume’s Book of Friends Shichi (S7) | TV Series | Latest timeline events |
Streaming Availability (As of April 2025)
| Title | U-NEXT | DMM TV | Amazon Prime Video | dAnime Store | Netflix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 – Natsume’s Book of Friends | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| S2 – Zoku Natsume | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| S3 – San | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| S4 – Shi | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| S5 – Go | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| S6 – Roku | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| S7 – Shichi | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| OVA: First Errand | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| OVA: One Snowy Day | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Special: One Night Sake Cup / Festival of Games | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Special: Tree Stump with Bells / Fragment of Dreams | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Movie: Ephemeral Bond | ✅ (Points) | ✅ (Points) | ✅ (Rental) | ✅ (Points) | ❌ |
| Movie: The Waking Rock and the Strange Visitor | ✅ (Points) | ✅ (Points) | ✅ (Rental) | ✅ (Points) | ❌ |
🔍 Notes:
- ✅ = Included in standard subscription (unlimited viewing)
- ✅ (Points) = Paid rental using site points (U-NEXT, dAnime)
- ✅ (Rental) = Individual paid rental
- ❌ = Not currently available
- U-NEXT is best for full coverage including all OVAs and movies
Important Notes for Overseas Fans Using Japanese Streaming Services
If you’re an anime fan living outside Japan and want to watch Natsume’s Book of Friends through Japanese platforms like U-NEXT, dAnime Store, or Amazon Prime Video Japan, please be aware of the following:
⚠️ 1. Regional Restrictions (Geo-blocking)
Most Japanese streaming services restrict access to Japan only. If you try to access them from overseas, you may see an error or be unable to play content.
- To bypass this, many viewers use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to simulate access from Japan.
- Note: Always review the terms of service of each platform to ensure you’re complying with their rules.
⚠️ 2. Language Support
Japanese services typically do not provide English subtitles.
- Most content is in Japanese audio only with no subtitles or only Japanese subtitles.
- If you’re not fluent in Japanese, you may prefer international platforms like Crunchyroll or Netflix (outside Japan), which offer English subs.
⚠️ 3. Payment and Account Registration
Signing up for services like U-NEXT or dAnime Store may require:
- A Japanese address and phone number (for verification)
- A Japanese credit card or payment method
- Some users work around this using prepaid cards, gift cards, or third-party resellers, but caution is advised.
⚠️ 4. App and Website Accessibility
Even if you register successfully:
- The App Store or Google Play may block you from downloading the apps outside Japan.
- You may need to switch your app store region or download the APK manually (Android only).
✅ Summary
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Region Access | Japan-only; VPN required for most users |
| Subtitles | Mostly Japanese only |
| Registration | May need Japanese phone number/payment |
| Apps | Might be unavailable without region switch |
✨ Tip for Beginners:
If you’re new to Japanese platforms, U-NEXT is the most content-rich and offers a 31-day free trial, but language and access hurdles still apply. For a smoother experience, consider using international streaming services if available in your region.
Global Streaming Platform Availability
| Platform | Regions Available | Seasons Available | Audio | Subtitles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | Worldwide (USA, Europe, Asia, etc.) | Seasons 1–7, OVAs, Movies | Japanese, English | English, Spanish, French, etc. |
| Amazon Prime Video | USA, select regions | Seasons 1–4 (purchase/rent) | Japanese, English | English |
| Netflix | Japan, Indonesia, parts of Asia | Varies by region | Japanese | English, local languages |
| Apple TV | USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan | Seasons 1–6 (purchase) | Japanese, English | English |
🌍 Regional Availability Summary
| Country/Region | Crunchyroll | Prime Video | Netflix | Apple TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | ✅ All | ✅ S1–4 | ❌ | ✅ S1–6 |
| Canada | ✅ All | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ S1–6 |
| UK | ✅ All | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ S1–6 |
| Australia | ✅ All | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ S1–6 |
| Southeast Asia | ✅ All | ❌ | ✅ Partial | ❌ |
| Latin America | ✅ All | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Japan | ✅ All | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ S1–6 |
🗣️ Language Support Summary
| Platform | Japanese Audio | English Dub | English Subtitles | Other Subtitles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | ✅ | ✅ (S1–7) | ✅ | ✅ (Spanish, etc.) |
| Amazon Prime Video | ✅ | ✅ (S1–4) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Netflix | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ (region-based) |
| Apple TV | ✅ | ✅ (S1–6) | ✅ | ❌ |
🕒 Release Timeline for English Dub on Crunchyroll
| Season | English Dub Release Date |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | July 24, 2022 |
| Season 2 | November 20, 2022 |
| Season 3 | February 19, 2023 |
| Season 4 | February 19, 2024 |
| Season 5 | May 8, 2024 |
| Season 6 | September 30, 2024 |
| Season 7 | October 19, 2024 |
Ultimate Highlight Guide: Natsume’s Book of Friends Is Truly Special!
👻 Gentle hearts × Spirits × Human bonds — this is the ultimate healing anime that soothes the soul! 🍵💫
🧸① Heartwarming Encounters with Spirits That Will Bring You to Tears!
Natsume’s Book of Friends follows Takashi Natsume, a boy who can see spirits, as he gently connects with them one by one. These encounters are often bittersweet and deeply emotional.
- It’s not about fighting — it’s about moving farewells and quiet connections ✨
- Many stories are tearjerkers, even for adults 😭
- Rather than fear, it explores the emotional distance between different beings 🎋
💬 Even the briefest meetings leave a lasting impression.
If you love gentle, heartfelt storytelling, this anime will speak to your soul 💘
🐾② Nyanko-sensei Is the Cutest and Most Legendary Companion Ever!
- Normally takes the form of a lazy, chubby maneki-neko (lucky cat) 😸
- Actually a powerful spirit, but totally clingy and adorable with Natsume 🍶💤
- Like a best friend, guardian, and comic relief all rolled into one 💞
🍡 That perfect mix of cute looks and tough personality = the ultimate gap moe✨
So many fans say, “My fave? Obviously Nyanko-sensei!”
🕊③ Easy to Watch – Perfect for Beginners!
- Each episode is mostly self-contained — you can jump in anytime! 📺
- Great for busy days — watch one episode at a time and enjoy slowly
- Over time, you’ll feel Natsume’s emotional growth and shifting relationships 💫
💭 It’s no wonder this anime is a go-to for “something gentle after a long day.”
🧾④ Too Many Favorite Characters!? The Spirits Are All So Memorable!
- Some are funny, some are tragic — but all leave a deep impact ✨
- Even one-time spirits are fleshed out with moving backstories
- Watching them change through their time with Natsume is just… 😭
💡It feels like reading a short story collection — every spirit has a past, a heart,
and their moment with Natsume is portrayed with such tenderness and care.
📝Bonus Note:
The latest season, Natsume’s Book of Friends: Shichi (Season 7), beautifully builds on everything that came before —
A perfect entry point for newcomers, and a heartfelt reward for longtime fans alike. ✨
Final Thoughts
Natsume’s Book of Friends isn’t just an anime — it’s a gentle journey filled with kindness, quiet emotions, and heartfelt encounters between humans and spirits.
Whether you’re a newcomer discovering this world for the first time or a longtime fan revisiting it, watching the series in order helps you fully experience the growth of Natsume and the evolving bonds around him. 💫
✨ Recommended Viewing Recap:
- ✅ Best to watch in broadcast order to follow character development naturally
- 🎬 Don’t skip the OVAs and movies — they’re full of emotional depth!
- 📺 Check out streaming options like Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video depending on your region and language preference
So grab a warm drink, find a comfy spot, and let this beautiful world of spirits and soft-hearted stories bring a little peace to your day. 🍵🌿
📚 Still craving more watch order guides?
Check out our guides on Azur Lane, KanColle, and Yuki Yuna is a Hero for more magical girl and military-style anime recommendations!
Thank you for reading — and may your anime journey be filled with unforgettable stories. 🌸
Before You Go…
📌 Looking for more watch order guides?
Check out our other complete guides on these series:
- 🚢 Azur Lane – 2025 Edition: Complete Watch Order Guide
- ⚓ Kantai Collection (KanColle) – 2025 Update: The Complete Watch Order Guide
- 🌸 Yuki Yuna is a Hero – The Complete Watch Order Guide
📌 Want to support the blog?
If you found this guide helpful, feel free to bookmark or share it with fellow anime fans!
And don’t forget to follow us for more watch order breakdowns, emotional highlights, and ✨ fangirl-worthy anime content ✨!
コメント