Ep 3. Natsume Yujin-cho Go

Natsume's Book of Friends is an anime series that has gained immense popularity over the years due to its unique plot, well-written characters, and excellent animation. The series follows the story of Takashi Natsume, a teenager who has the ability to see yokai, which are supernatural creatures. Natsume has inherited a book named "Book of Friends" from his grandmother, Reiko, who also possessed the ability to see yokai. The book contains the names of several yokai that Reiko had defeated and come to rule over. Natsume's journey involves him trying to free these yokai from the book while also learning more about himself and the world of yokai.

In the third episode of Natsume's Book of Friends season 5, titled "Natsume Yujin-cho Go," we see our protagonist, Takashi Natsume, continuing his journey to free the yokai that are bound to the Book of Friends. The episode begins with Natsume receiving a letter from a yokai named Tooru, who he had rescued earlier in the series. The letter invites Natsume to a festival that is being held in the yokai's honor. The yokai festival is a unique celebration that only takes place once every hundred years, and Natsume is excited to attend.

The festival is being held deep in the forest, and Natsume sets out on a journey to reach there. On his way, he is accompanied by a yokai named Tsuyukami, who is Tooru's friend and has also been invited to the festival. Tsuyukami is a water spirit that takes the form of a frog, and he helps navigate through the thick forest. The journey is not an easy one, and Natsume gets tired, but Tsuyukami encourages him to push through and keep going.

When they finally arrive at the festival, Natsume is amazed by what he sees. The yokai festival is a magnificent event that showcases the diverse culture and customs of various yokai. There are food stalls, games, and performances going on everywhere, and Natsume cannot help but feel happy and excited. He is delighted to see yokai that he has met before, as well as several new ones.

As they explore the festival, Natsume and Tsuyukami come across Tooru, who is busy with the preparations. Tooru is happy to see Natsume and thanks him for coming to the festival. Natsume is touched by the gesture and is eager to help Tooru in any way he can. Tooru is a Yokai that first appears in Season 2, and he has become a popular character among fans due to his extreme innocence.

The rest of the episode focuses on the various events and activities that take place at the festival. We see Natsume enjoying himself and interacting with the different yokai. He tries out the various delicacies, plays games, and watches performances. Natsume is surprised to see a performance by a group of yokai that he had never seen before. This group is a band of mischievous yokai who play music and perform stunts. The performance is full of energy and is one of the highlights of the festival.

Towards the end of the episode, we also see Natsume interacting with a new character, a yokai named Kirinoha. Kirinoha is a tree spirit that takes the form of a human. She is kind and gentle and helps Natsume navigate through the festival. Kirinoha is a yokai that Natsume has never met before, and he is intrigued by her. As the episode ends, Natsume is seen bidding farewell to the yokai and promising to return to the festival again someday.

Overall, the third episode of Natsume's Book of Friends season 5 is an excellent addition to the series. The festival adds a new dimension to the story and is a welcome change from the usual events that take place in the show. The episode is heartwarming, and it is impossible not to feel happy while watching it. The animation and music are also top-notch, and they add to the overall experience. The episode is a must-watch for fans of the series and anyone interested in a heartwarming story that explores the world of yokai.