Natsume's Book of Friends Season 5 Episode 5 It Must Not Be Bound

Natsume's Book of Friends season 5 episode 5, titled "It Must Not Be Bound," follows the ongoing supernatural adventures of Takashi Natsume as he navigates a world of spirits and yokai. In this episode, Natsume encounters a mysterious spirit that seems to be bound to a certain spot in the forest. As he tries to help the spirit, he discovers a troubling truth about its past and must decide whether to intervene or leave things be.

The episode opens with Natsume and his friends exploring the forest, looking for signs of anything unusual. Natsume is still haunted by visions of his grandmother, Reiko, and wonders if there's a way to free her from the pact with the Book of Friends. Suddenly, they come across a strange creature that looks like a ball of vines. It doesn't seem aggressive, but it's clearly agitated and won't leave a certain spot. Natsume senses that there's something important about this spirit, and decides to investigate.

After some research, Natsume learns that the creature is called a "hanyuu," a spirit that's said to be born when a tree is cut down. Hanyuu are known for being fiercely protective of their territory, but this one seems to be trapped in a kind of limbo. It can't move beyond a certain area, and is slowly withering away. Natsume tries to communicate with it, but it doesn't seem to understand him. He decides to spend the night in the forest, hoping to learn more.

That night, Natsume has a disturbing dream about the hanyuu's past. He sees a vision of a group of humans cutting down a tree, and the hanyuu emerging from its roots. The humans are afraid of it, and attack it with axes and fire. The hanyuu fights back, but is eventually subdued and bound to the spot where it now resides. Natsume realizes that the hanyuu is not just trapped by its own nature, but has been cursed by the humans who feared it.

Determined to help the hanyuu, Natsume sets out to break the curse. He enlists the help of a powerful yokai named Matoba, who has a reputation for dealing with curses. Matoba is initially skeptical, as he and Natsume have a complicated relationship, but he eventually agrees to help. Together, they uncover the identity of the human who placed the curse on the hanyuu, and travel to her home to confront her.

The human, a bitter old woman named Kanae, is surprised to see Natsume and Matoba. She tells them that she placed the curse on the hanyuu out of fear, and that she's been regretting it ever since. She agrees to lift the curse, but warns them that it will come at a cost. Natsume and Matoba are willing to pay the price, and Kanae performs a ritual to break the curse.

As the curse is lifted, the hanyuu begins to stir. Natsume is overjoyed to see it free, and watches as it disappears into the forest. However, things quickly take a dark turn. Kanae reveals that by lifting the curse, she has unleashed a much greater danger. A powerful yokai, known as the "Mountain King," was bound by the curse to the same spot as the hanyuu. Now that the curse is lifted, the Mountain King is free to wreak havoc on the forest.

Natsume and Matoba brace themselves for a fight, but they're unprepared for the strength of the Mountain King. It's a fierce battle, and they're pushed to their limits. In the end, they're able to defeat the Mountain King with the help of some unexpected allies. However, the victory is bittersweet. The forest is in shambles, and many spirits have been harmed or displaced. Natsume is left to wonder if he did the right thing.

As the episode comes to a close, Natsume reflects on his experiences. He's learned that sometimes, helping a spirit isn't just about breaking a curse or freeing a hanyuu. It's about understanding the context of a situation, and being willing to accept the consequences of your actions. Natsume knows that there will be more challenges ahead, but he's ready to face them with bravery and compassion.