Ep 13. Humans and Yokai

Natsume's Book of Friends season 2 episode 13 is titled Humans and Yokai and it follows the story of Natsume Takashi, a high school student who has the ability to see and interact with yokai, supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore. In this episode, Natsume finds himself caught up in the conflicts between yokai and humans, as he attempts to navigate the complicated relationship between the two.

The episode begins with Natsume encountering a group of yokai who are being targeted by humans. These humans believe that the yokai are responsible for a series of strange occurrences in their town and have taken it upon themselves to capture and harm them. Natsume intervenes, using his power to communicate with the yokai and help them escape.

However, not all yokai are friendly and some of them are more than happy to cause trouble for humans. Natsume soon finds himself caught in the middle of a conflict between a group of less-than-friendly yokai and a group of humans who are trying to protect their town. It becomes clear to Natsume that not all humans and yokai can peacefully coexist and that their relationship is often fraught with tension and violence.

As Natsume seeks to understand the consequences of yokai and human interactions, he meets a young girl named Ayame who is dealing with her own struggles. Ayame is a human who has recently been gifted with the ability to see yokai. At first, she is thrilled to have this power, but soon realizes that it comes with a heavy burden. Ayame becomes haunted by visions of angry and vengeful yokai who seek revenge on humans for past injustices.

Natsume and Ayame bond over their shared experiences, and Natsume tries to help Ayame come to terms with her powers. However, as Natsume delves deeper into the dynamics between humans and yokai, he realizes that he may not be able to fix everything. The conflicts between the two groups are deeply ingrained, and it may take more than just one person's efforts to bring about peace and understanding.

Throughout the episode, Natsume struggles with his own feelings towards yokai and humans. As someone who has been able to see yokai since he was a child, he has experienced both the good and bad sides of the supernatural creatures. While some yokai have been kind and helpful to him, others have tried to use him for their own purposes. Similarly, while some humans have been accepting of Natsume and his abilities, others have been cruel and malicious towards him.

Humans and Yokai explores the complex relationship between two groups of beings who are very different, but who share a common world. Natsume must navigate this relationship carefully, as he seeks to protect both yokai and humans from harm. The episode is an exploration of empathy, understanding, and acceptance, and it highlights the importance of respecting and valuing those who are different from ourselves.