Ep 12. The Five Day Mark

Natsume's Book of Friends is a Japanese anime series that follows the story of a teenage boy named Takashi Natsume, who has the unique ability to see spirits and demons. In the show, he inherits a mysterious book from his grandmother, which contains the names of several spirits. He then embarks on a journey to return the names of these spirits to them, and thus breaks the spell of servitude they are under.

In season 1 episode 12, titled "The Five Day Mark", we see Natsume dealing with the aftermath of his previous encounter with a powerful yokai (a Japanese ghost or monster) named Matoba. While on his way back home from school, Natsume is ambushed by Matoba's underlings, who interrogate him about the Book of Friends. They are convinced that he has information about the whereabouts of the book and want to capture him at all costs.

Meanwhile, Nyanko-sensei (Natsume's spirit companion in the form of a cat) returns to the house only to discover that it has been ransacked by Matoba's subordinates. He alerts Natsume's friends, Saki and Junichi, who quickly rush to Natsume's aid. Together, they strategize on how to rescue their friend from the clutches of the menacing Matoba.

As the days go by, Natsume becomes weaker and weaker, as he is unable to sleep or eat due to the constant threat of being captured by Matoba. His friends do their best to distract him and keep him occupied so that he can regain his strength. They also devise a plan to lure Matoba's men away from Natsume, so that he can escape.

During this time, we are treated to flashbacks of Natsume's past, where we see him struggle to come to terms with his ability to see spirits and demons, and the trauma that came with it. We also get to understand his relationship with his grandmother, who happens to be the previous owner of the Book of Friends.

As the fifth day since his confrontation with Matoba approaches, Natsume becomes increasingly desperate to escape. His friends come up with a risky plan, but Natsume is hesitant to go through with it, as it could put them all in danger. However, he eventually decides to take the risk, as he realizes that he cannot keep running forever.

The episode ends with a thrilling chase sequence, where Natsume and his friends race to escape Matoba's men. Their daring plan succeeds, and they manage to evade capture. However, they are left shaken by the experience and realize that they must be more careful moving forward.

Overall, this episode serves as a testament to Natsume's strength and resilience in the face of adversity. It also highlights the importance of friendship and support in difficult times.