# Where to Watch Natsume's Book of Friends

**Natsume's Book of Friends finds warmth in a lonely teenager's decision to release the spirits bound by his grandmother's strange ledger. Crunchyroll and Netflix are the two places to watch this first season, with subtitled and dubbed viewing offered on each service. The 13 episodes favor quiet supernatural encounters over an urgent central plot, so the pleasure lies in seeing Natsume listen to beings that others fear or dismiss. Its gentle pace should suit viewers who want reflective fantasy with an emotional pull, while the occasional friction between Natsume and his cat-shaped guardian keeps the mood from becoming overly solemn. This 2008 season is also the correct starting point for the continuing story.**

## Where to Watch

- [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GRE5XQJV6/natsumes-book-of-friends)
- [Netflix](https://www.netflix.com/title/81032481)

Choose Crunchyroll or Netflix for Natsume's Book of Friends. Both include the first season and let you watch with either the original Japanese audio and subtitles or the English dub.

## Synopsis

Natsume has always been able to see spirits, an ability that left him isolated among relatives who could not understand what he experienced. His late grandmother leaves behind the Book of Friends, which holds the names of spirits she once defeated and placed under her control. Those names draw unwanted attention to Natsume, but he refuses to use the book as a source of power. Instead, he meets the spirits connected to it and tries to give back what was taken from them. A powerful spirit in the shape of a round lucky cat stays near him as a reluctant bodyguard. Their encounters form a spoiler-light, episodic story about Natsume learning whether the supernatural world can offer companionship instead of fear.

## Fast Facts

- **Format:** TV
- **Episodes:** 13
- **Premiered:** 2008
- **Studio:** Brain's Base
- **Score:** 8

## Watch Order

Begin with this 13-episode first season before moving to any later season. It establishes the Book of Friends, Natsume's bond with his unusual guardian, and the patient episodic rhythm that the continuing story builds upon.

- Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou (sequel)

## If You Liked This

- **[To Your Eternity](https://hozuna.com/anime/to-your-eternity)**: To Your Eternity is a strong follow-up for viewers drawn to lonely souls forming connections through separate, emotionally charged encounters. Its melancholy is heavier, but the interest in how companionship changes an isolated figure feels closely related.
- **[Fruits Basket](https://hozuna.com/anime/fruits-basket)**: Fruits Basket suits anyone who responded to the healing side of Natsume's journey. Both stories give a wounded protagonist room to accept care and develop a sense of belonging.
- **[Anohana](https://hozuna.com/anime/anohana)**: Anohana pairs supernatural elements with an intimate story about grief and recovery. Pick it when the tender sadness in Natsume's spirit encounters is what stayed with you.
- **[The Ancient Magus' Bride](https://hozuna.com/anime/the-ancient-magus-bride)**: 
- **[The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2](https://hozuna.com/anime/the-ancient-magus-bride-season-2)**: 
- **[The Eccentric Family](https://hozuna.com/anime/the-eccentric-family)**: 
- **[Witch Watch](https://hozuna.com/anime/witch-watch)**: 
- **[Clannad: After Story](https://hozuna.com/anime/clannad-after-story)**: 

## FAQ

### Where can I legally watch Natsume's Book of Friends?

Crunchyroll and Netflix are the listed streaming options for Natsume's Book of Friends. Each service includes the first season, so either one is a suitable place to begin.

### How many episodes are in the first season of Natsume's Book of Friends?

The first season contains 13 episodes, each with a runtime of about 24 minutes. Its episodic structure makes it easy to watch in small stretches without losing the emotional thread.

### Is Natsume's Book of Friends a relaxing anime?

Yes, especially if your idea of relaxing includes a little melancholy alongside the comfort. The story usually gives its spirit encounters room to breathe instead of pushing from one high-stakes confrontation to the next.

### Does Natsume's Book of Friends have an English dub?

Yes. Crunchyroll and Netflix offer an English dub as well as the subtitled version, letting you choose the presentation that fits how you prefer to watch.

### Where should I start Natsume's Book of Friends?

Start with this 2008 TV season, which is the first part of the story. It introduces the book and Natsume's supernatural situation before the later seasons continue his experiences.

### Is the first season of Natsume's Book of Friends finished?

Yes, the 13-episode first season is finished. It belongs to a longer continuing series, but this season provides the intended introduction rather than asking you to begin elsewhere.