- 【2025 Edition】Complete Watch Order Guide for the Natsume’s Book of Friends Anime!
- 🌿 What is Natsume’s Book of Friends all about?
- 🐾 Natsume’s Book of Friends – Complete Watch Order (2025 Edition)
- 📺 Where to Watch Natsume’s Book of Friends in Japan (2025 Version)
- 🇯🇵 Watching Japanese Streaming Services from Abroad? Here’s What You Need to Know!
- 📺 Natsume’s Book of Friends – Global Streaming Availability (2025)
- 🌸 Natsume’s Book of Friends Series Highlights & Oshi-Katsu Guide
- 🧺 Final Thoughts – A Journey Worth Savoring
- Before You Go…
【2025 Edition】Complete Watch Order Guide for the Natsume’s Book of Friends Anime!
Perfect for beginners – simple and easy to follow!
🚀 Quick Answer: Here’s the Best Watch Order!
Season 1 → Season 2 → Season 3 → Season 4 → OVA → Season 5 → Specials → Season 6 → Movie → Season 7 is the best way to enjoy the series!
The chronological order = release order, so it’s super easy and smooth to follow✨
📖 What You’ll Learn in This Article
✅ Recommended watch order – what’s the best viewing sequence?
✅ Highlights of each season – key moments not to miss
✅ Streaming info – where you can watch it now (latest info!)
🌿 What is Natsume’s Book of Friends all about?
Hi there! I’m an anime-loving writer here to help you out 😊
Are you wondering:
“Natsume’s Book of Friends seems touching, but where do I even start?”
“There are movies and OVAs—do I really need to watch them all? I’m confused…”
Don’t worry! Great news: Natsume’s Book of Friends follows a very straightforward structure, where the release order = story order. That makes it super beginner-friendly and easy to enjoy without stress!
Based on the beloved manga by Yuki Midorikawa, this emotional series follows a boy named Takashi Natsume, who can see spirits and inherits a mysterious “Book of Friends” from his grandmother.
It’s a story full of quiet emotion, beautiful encounters, and heartwarming (and sometimes bittersweet) moments with the spirits (youkai) he meets.
One of the biggest charms? The adorable and grumpy Nyanko-sensei, along with Natsume’s gentle growth as he slowly opens his heart to others. Many fans (including me!) have been deeply moved by this anime’s calm but powerful storytelling 🍃
Alright, let’s dive into the best way to watch this beautiful series!
💖 Ready to Dive Deeper? Check Out the Official Anime Website for Visuals, Cast, and Staff Info →▶ Official Website Here
🐾 Natsume’s Book of Friends – Complete Watch Order (2025 Edition)
If you’re just getting into Natsume Yuujinchou or planning a heartfelt rewatch, this is the perfect guide for you. The great news?
The recommended order = broadcast order = chronological order, so it’s pretty easy to follow — and it makes the emotional journey feel smooth and impactful.
📺 Watch Order List (Broadcast + Chronological = Same)
| # | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ① | Natsume’s Book of Friends (Season 1) | Where it all begins. You’ll meet Natsume, Nyanko-sensei, and the mysterious world of youkai. |
| ② | Zoku Natsume’s Book of Friends (Season 2) | Builds on the emotional beats of Season 1, deepens the lore. |
| ③ | Natsume’s Book of Friends San (Season 3) | Introduces new characters and expands the youkai world. |
| ④ | Natsume’s Book of Friends Shi (Season 4) | One of the most emotional seasons. Don’t skip it! |
| ⑤ | OVA: “Nyanko-sensei and the First Errand” | Cute side story. Not essential, but very heartwarming. |
| ⑥ | OVA: “A Day When Snow Falls” | Set in winter, bittersweet and worth watching after Season 4. |
| ⑦ | Natsume’s Book of Friends Go (Season 5) | The emotional storytelling continues. |
| ⑧ | Season 5 Special Episode | A small but lovely extra. Watch right after Season 5. |
| ⑨ | Natsume’s Book of Friends Roku (Season 6) | Brings some closure to long-running threads. |
| ⑩ | Season 6 Special Episode | Complements Roku — consider it a bonus episode. |
| ⑪ | The Movie: “Tied to the Temporal World” | Canon film — fits well right after Season 6. |
| ⑫ | The Movie: “The Waking Rock and the Strange Visitor” | Another side story film — not plot-heavy, but charming. |
| ⑬ | Natsume’s Book of Friends Shichi (Season 7) | The latest season (2024). A beautiful continuation of everything so far. |
💡 Why This Order Works Best
This isn’t just a list — it’s a carefully thought-out path through Natsume’s journey. Here’s why you should follow this order:
- Emotional continuity: Watching in this sequence lets you experience Natsume’s emotional growth and relationships in the same way the creators intended — from loneliness to warmth, from fear to understanding.
- Avoid spoilers: Some entries (especially the movies) reveal things that won’t make sense (or would spoil earlier events) if watched too soon. For example: 🎥 “Tied to the Temporal World” includes major story beats from Season 6 — watch it after, or you’ll lose the emotional payoff.
- Character evolution: The subtle character development across seasons is one of the show’s strongest aspects. Watching out of order weakens this charm.
🧡 Optional Episodes – Should You Watch Them?
- OVAs & Specials: You can skip them without losing the plot, but they add flavor, deepen emotional beats, and often show a different side of Nyanko-sensei or Natsume. Fan tip: “A Day When Snow Falls” is perfect to watch on a winter evening. It hits differently.
- Movies: Both are beautifully animated and emotionally rich. Not required to understand the TV series, but definitely recommended — especially “Tied to the Temporal World”, which is canon.
✨ Personal Note – Why Fans Love This Journey
I always recommend watching Natsume’s Book of Friends in release order because it mirrors the gentle unfolding of Natsume’s world.
It’s not an anime about action or big twists — it’s about emotional warmth, quiet growth, and the bittersweet beauty of connecting with others.
Every season adds a layer. You start to see patterns in how Natsume handles his encounters, how he learns to open up, and how the people (and youkai) around him change as well.
📺 Where to Watch Natsume’s Book of Friends in Japan (2025 Version)
Looking to stream Natsume Yuujinchou in Japan? Here’s a quick and easy guide to the major platforms and what parts of the series they offer!
🎬 Streaming Availability Chart (as of April 2025)
| Streaming Service | Seasons 1–6 | Season 7 (Shichi) | OVAs | Season 5 & 6 Specials | Movie: Tied to the Temporal World | Movie: The Waking Rock & Strange Visitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| dAnime Store | ⭕ | ⭕ | ⭕ | ⭕ | ⭐ | ⭕ |
| U-NEXT | ⭕ | ⭕ | ⭕ | ⭕ | ⭐ | ⭕ |
| Hulu Japan | ⭕ | ❌ | ❌ | ⭕ | ❌ | ⭕ |
| Amazon Prime Video JP | ⭐ | ❌ | ⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| DMM TV | ⭕ | ⭕ | ⭕ | ⭕ | ❌ | ⭕ |
📝 Notes
- This table is current as of April 2025.
- Season 7 (Natsume Yuujinchou Shichi) is currently available on platforms like dAnime, U-NEXT, and DMM TV.
- The two movies are generally rental-only on most platforms (especially Amazon Prime).
- OVAs and specials may not be available on all platforms, so if you’re a completionist, dAnime Store or U-NEXT are your best bets!
- Some platforms (like Hulu and Abema) only carry the earlier seasons.
🇯🇵 Watching Japanese Streaming Services from Abroad? Here’s What You Need to Know!
- Most services are geo-locked to Japan.
→ You’ll need a Japanese IP address (VPN) to access most Japanese platforms like dAnime Store, U-NEXT, ABEMA, etc. - No English subtitles (usually).
→ Japanese services mainly cater to native speakers—subtitles are usually in Japanese only. - Payment requires Japanese methods.
→ Some platforms require a Japanese credit card, address, or phone number to sign up. - Amazon Prime Video JP is region-specific.
→ Even if you have Amazon Prime in your country, you’ll need a Japanese Prime account to watch JP-only titles. - Streaming schedules follow Japan Time (JST).
→ New episodes drop based on JST, so time differences may apply.
📝 Bonus Tip:
Some global services (like Netflix or Disney+) also offer Japanese-only exclusives, but availability and subtitles vary by region. Always check your local library!
📺 Natsume’s Book of Friends – Global Streaming Availability (2025)
| Platform | Regions / Availability | Seasons / Content | Languages (Subs / Dub) | Notes & Release Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | Widely available in USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, Latin America | Seasons 1–6 (some regions partial) | Subtitles: EN, ES, FR, DE, IT, PT, RU, AR Dub: EN (S1–S3 only) | Main international platform. Newest season may appear later. |
| Netflix | Selected regions (e.g. Singapore, SEA, some EU) | Mostly Seasons 1–2 | Subs: multiple languages (EN, JP, ES, FR etc.) | Region‑locked; catalog differs per country. No global dub. |
| Apple TV / iTunes | US, Canada, Europe, Oceania | Purchase/download Seasons 1–6 | Subs: EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, PT, RU, AR | Paid download; always available worldwide in English. |
| Amazon Prime Video | US, UK, CA, AU, JP (see JP note) | Rent/purchase all seasons & movies | Subs: EN / JP | Movies may be region‑restricted; some episodes free in JP. |
💬 Quick Summary
- 🥇 Best option globally: Crunchyroll – most complete with multiple subtitle options.
- 🎬 Paid download alternative: Apple TV / Amazon Prime for full ownership or offline viewing.
- 🌐 Netflix offers partial availability (mainly in Asia).
- 🇺🇸 Tubi / Hulu good for US viewers (free or subscription).
🌸 Natsume’s Book of Friends Series Highlights & Oshi-Katsu Guide
| Series | Story Highlights | Oshi-Katsu Moments (Fan Faves) | How to Enjoy It Like a Fan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 Natsume Yuujinchou | Where it all begins – Natsume meets Nyanko-sensei and discovers the Book of Friends. A gentle introduction to the world of spirits. | Nyanko-sensei’s rare sweet side 💕 Each youkai has a touching story – tissues ready! | Keep a list of your favorite spirits! Start a “Youkai Diary” as you watch. |
| Season 2 Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou | Relationships deepen – the bond with humans like Touko & Shigeru is especially heartwarming. | Natori and Tanuma become fan favorites! “Between humans and spirits” theme hits hard. | Rewatch relaxing or emotional episodes separately. Perfect with lo-fi music at night. |
| Season 3 Natsume Yuujinchou San | Natsume starts to open his heart more. The pacing and atmosphere are perfectly balanced. | The return of the fox child! 🦊❤️ Natsume–Tanuma friendship = peak wholesomeness | Grab a fox plushie and do “plushie watching” (ぬい活)! |
| Season 4 Natsume Yuujinchou Shi | Flashbacks and deeper emotional layers. We explore Natsume’s inner pain and past. | Grandma Reiko’s stories = emotional gold ✨ Natsume’s real feelings surface. | Watch from Reiko’s point of view on a second round – so much deeper! |
| OVAs (Short Stories) | Cozy and seasonal bonus episodes. Nyanko-sensei cuteness at full power. | “Nyanko’s First Errand” is peak fluff 🐾 Snow episode = winter vibes perfection | Try seasonal viewing – match the OVA with the current time of year! |
| Season 5 & 6 Go & Roku | The “found family” themes shine. Daily life blends naturally with the supernatural. | Natsume & Natori’s tension builds 💥 The emotional “distance” hits fans hard. | Make your own character relationship chart! It’s a fun way to get invested. |
| Special Episodes | Bonus stories with a laid-back tone. Perfect palate cleanser between seasons. | Nyanko-sensei’s food obsession is hilarious 🍶 Rare characters pop in too! | Count how many times your fave appears – it’s a fun little game! |
| Movie #1 Tied to the Temporal World | Gorgeous animation, original characters, and deep emotion – a cinematic experience. | Big emotional swings. Natsume’s kindness will wreck you (in a good way) 😭 | Go full cinema mode: big screen, headphones, dim lighting = peak oshi-katsu! |
| Movie #2 The Waking Rock and the Strange Visitor | More relaxed, slice-of-life tone. Nyanko-sensei steals the show! | If you’re a Nyanko fan, this is your movie! 🐷✨ | Make snacks and enjoy a cozy “weekend oshi session.” Total chill vibes. |
| Season 7 Natsume Yuujinchou Shichi | The latest chapter in Natsume’s story. More mature emotional depth and growth. | Real-time “oshi” updates every week! Gorgeous OP/ED visuals too. | Live-tweet or X-post with other fans! Join the community in real-time! |
💡 Fan Tips for the Ultimate Natsume Experience
- 📒 Keep a feelings journal – write short thoughts after each episode.
- 📷 Take screenshots of your favorite scenes and use them as wallpapers.
- 🎁 Watch with your fave merch or plushies – it boosts the serotonin!
- 🔁 On rewatch, group episodes by theme: e.g., “Reiko episodes,” “Fox child arc,” etc.
🧺 Final Thoughts – A Journey Worth Savoring
Natsume’s Book of Friends isn’t just another supernatural anime — it’s a quiet, emotional masterpiece that gently reminds us of the importance of empathy, memory, and connection.
Whether you’re discovering it for the first time or returning for a nostalgic rewatch, every season has something to offer: a moment to laugh, a scene to cry over, a line that stays with you.
With its beautifully simple watch order and heartwarming cast of characters (especially everyone’s favorite chubby cat spirit 🐷✨), this series is perfect for relaxing weekends, late-night oshi-katsu sessions, or a full-on emotional binge.
So grab your favorite plushie, light a candle, and let yourself be swept away into the gentle world of Natsume and his youkai friends.
👉 Whether you’re Team Nyanko-sensei, Team Reiko, or you just love the “youkai of the week,” there’s a little magic in every episode — and it’s all waiting for you.
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
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