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1The characters for the manga and anime ''Manga/NatsumesBookOfFriends''.
2----
3[[foldercontrol]]
4
5!Main Characters
6
7[[folder:Natsume Takashi]]
8!!Natsume Takashi
9[[quoteright:310:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ny_01_1391.jpg]]
10
11-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/HiroshiKamiya (Japanese, adult), Creator/AyumiFujimura (Japanese, young), Creator/AdamGibbs (English, adult), Paige Guillory (English, young), Aldo Guzman (Latin American Spanish)
12----
13* AccidentalMisnaming: When Madara is flustered or panicked, expect him to be called a variety of things: My prey! My servant! My snack! My meal! and so on.
14* AbusiveParents: Some of his previous foster parents 'got drunk and hit him', and others 'forgot' to feed him. Natsume dismally blames himself for their behavior. They always [[BreakTheCutie started out nice]].
15* ActionSurvivor: At first, he is a normal human, save for the seeing Yokai thing, usually needing Nyanko-Sensei to pull him out of a problem. He promptly TookALevelInBadass.
16* AdaptationDyeJob: Like his grandmother, has white hair and silver eyes in the manga.
17* AllLovingHero: He cares greatly for both human and youkai. In contrast to his [[HatesEveryoneEqually grandmother Reiko]] and the exorcists like [[WellIntentionedExtremist Matoba]].
18* ApologeticAttacker: Has his moments.
19* AllOfTheOtherReindeer: Was bullied when he was a child due to his ability.
20* AttractiveBentGender: Though it's not really an outright gender bend, Natsume just gets possessed by a Youkai who happens to be female, and who occasionally slips to the surface causing him to to exhibit feminine qualities (sometimes seemingly having longer hair). All of his friends start finding themselves [[StupidSexyFlanders disturbingly attracted to him]].
21* BadassPacifist: He tries and very regularly succeeds at solving problems without the use of too much violence.
22* BewareTheNiceOnes: He’s one of the sweetest boys you’ll ever know. That’s why you shouldn’t get him mad.
23* BigBrotherInstinct: Although brief, he has this for the little fox youkai and Kai.
24* {{Bishonen}}: [[ThoseTwoGuys Nishimura and Kitamoto]] lampshade this about him in chapter 11. Not surprising though since looks almost exactly like his grandmother as noted by other youkai.
25* BreakTheCutie: The story of his childhood.
26* BystanderSyndrome: While not being an outright jerk, Natsume had started the series with giving the cold shoulder to youkai who came to him with a problem (which is understandable [[DespairEventHorizon considering the events that lead to his first meeting of the Fujiwaras]]). However, as he got a better understanding of youkai, that started to change.
27* CassandraTruth: This happened a lot during his childhood. It's deconstructed as it brought him nothing but pain and grief, since he would be bullied by other children, abused/neglected by foster families who didn't want to raise a CreepyChild, and treated as a delinquent whenever sprits wreaked havoc around him. By present day, he's a SociallyAwkwardHero who was taught by experience that telling the truth will only get him into more trouble. However, his friends and current family are helping him open up about his problems.
28* ChickMagnet:
29** Proves to be this in episode 35 where he was one of the bazaar workers. He attracted a lot of female customers.
30** When he first transferred to his current school, it's pointed out that he was a hot topic among the girls.
31** In episode 5 of Shi, Yuriko mentions that the girls in his class thought of him as "cool and calm".
32* ChronicHeroSyndrome: Gradually develops into this. Though he used to help youkai reluctantly, Natsume will rush headlong toward Youkai, and all kinds of other danger if he knows someone is in trouble, knowing full well that his opponents are more often than not ''much'' stronger than him.
33* ClassicalAntiHero: He's an ordinary human minus the ability to see youkai, and is filled with self-doubt and trust issues.
34* ConsummateLiar: [[ZigZaggingTrope Zig-Zagged]]. Natsume would usually have to lie in order to cover incidents created by youkai because years CassandraTruth during his childhood taught him [[JustifiedTrope no human would believe him]]. However, thanks to the help of Fujiwaras and his friends, he has learned to open up to people and has even found others who [[SecretKeeper he can talk about his problems]]. Because of this, in more recent chapters, people who are close to him can now tell if he is lying or hiding the truth (secret-keepers or not) though they don't always choose to voice it. For the most part
35* ConvenientlySeated: Natsume sits in a seat by the window between his friends, Kitamoto and Nishimura. This gives him a view to see if there is anything (or anyone) strange nearby. Inconveniently, it also allows to be more easily startled if something does pop up.
36* CurtainsMatchTheWindow: Natsume is a blond with gold eyes. Somewhat averted in the manga, where the eyes are more green than silver.
37* CutenessProximity: A mild example, but Nyanko-sensei calls him out on it once, saying he's far too nice to youkai he thought were cute.
38* DeathGlare: Parodied. Natsume's sometimes give this look with often Nishimura and Kitamoto unintentionally at the receiving end, usually after dealing with youkai. Played straight during the school festival in chapter 26 when he initially suspects they are possessed. However, in more recent chapters, they now assume he just not feeling well.
39* DeadpanSnarker: Though only to Nyanko-sensei and Natori. It has died down the later but still tends to amp up the snark around whenever the situation calls for it.
40* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: He frequently knocks out strong youkai with a punch, the most frequent victim being Madara. It's useless against humans though, since it's his SoulPower which does all the work, rather than his physical strength.
41* DistressedDude: Natsume has the bad habit of getting captured frequently. For instance, in episode 5 of season three, he gets captured by an ayakashi that's intent on cutting off his arm so that it can use it to retrieve its lost head. Natsume's friends are left frantically searching the house for him. He's also been kidnapped by Matoba two or three times. Nyanko-sensei usually bails him out when he doesn't get out himself.
42* DraggedIntoDrag: In one of the drama CD's he's forced to play the part of a girl in one of Natori's dramas.
43* DudeLooksLikeALady:
44** And so he tries to act manly and uses masculine speech, according to WordOfGod.
45** The following exchange near the end of the second season highlights on it:
46--->'''Kai:''' ...Sorry for calling you a sprout, a chopping board, and a girly boy...\
47'''Natsume:''' Ah, w-well, i-it's okay...\
48'''Tanuma, Taki & Sensei:''' (suppressed snorts & laughter)\
49'''Natsume:''' ...''Notamusing!''\
50'''Trio:''' (guilty, somber, not meeting one another's eyes) ...Right!
51** When Natsume shows his friends his parents photo, they instantly compared him to his ''mother'', not his father.
52* DudeWheresMyRespect: Despite his young age, he has an incredible amount of spiritual power, but whenever he goes to exorcist gatherings with Matoba, he's forced to hide his identity and pretend to be a youkai servant. Because of this, most other exorcists are oblivious to his talents and treat him like a lackey.
53* FearOfThunder: [[InformedFlaw According to Nyanko-sensei]].
54* FriendlessBackground: When he was a kid his frequent outbursts caused the other children to become frightened of him and bully him, and he never got close with anyone.
55* HairOfGoldHeartOfGold: In the anime, and a rare male example.
56* HappilyAdopted: By the Fujiwaras.
57* TheHero: He's the main titular character of ''Natsume's Book of Friends''.
58* HeroicSelfDeprecation: He considers himself an inconvenience to the people around him, and considers even simply asking for help with something to be a selfish indulgence.
59* IdenticalGrandson: Natsume Takashi looks a ''lot'' like his grandmother Reiko, original owner of the Book of Friends. and since many (if not all, Hinoe certainly seems to express a preference) Youkai don't really care too much about gender, Natsume tends to get Youkai who are looking for his ''grandmother'' on his tail. It's taken to its logical conclusion when someone calls Natsume "Girly Man".
60* IDidntTellYouBecauseYoudBeUnhappy: This the main reason he hasn't told his foster parents or most of his friends about his ability.
61* IJustWantToBeNormal: At first. [[spoiler: He grows out of it later.]]
62* IJustWantToHaveFriends: All he ever wanted was someone to understand him. He briefly had a friend who he thought was like him, but she was really another youkai.
63* ISeeDeadPeople: Depends if youkai count.
64* InTouchWithHisFeminineSide: He's a feminine-looking boy who resembles the female members of his family more (his mother and grandmother), and he has traits that one could consider feminine.
65* KidWithTheLeash: Often has to rein in Nyanko-sensei from enacting lethal retribution on individuals who are hostile (or even just annoying) to them.
66* LastNameBasis: Almost no one calls him by his birth name Takashi with the exception of [[FirstNameBasis his biological and current foster parents]]. In stark comparison, his grandmother is referred to by her first name by pretty much everyone.
67* LonerTurnedFriend: Thanks to Nishimura who had formally introduced him to Kitamoto.
68* MagneticMedium
69* MoralityPet: Sort of one for Madara/Nyanko-sensei. The Inugami/Dog God is too proud, stubborn and pigheaded to ever admit it, but he [[PapaWolf threatened to tear Matoba apart]] for injuring the boy. Seeing [[MoralityChain Natsume]] escaped a fatal wound and pleading with him to stop, calmed him down.
70* MysticalWhiteHair: In the manga, [[IdenticalGrandson like his grandmother]], though was often treated [[WhiteHairBlackHeart otherwise]].
71* NiceGuy: ''Genuinely'' is to both human and Youkai alike. Though, admittedly, it does take a little bit for him to completely warm up to Youkai due to his childhood experiences with being tormented by them and [[CassandraTruth not being believed when he tries telling someone about their existence]].
72* NonUniformUniform: A minor example, but he is the only student who doesn't use the school standard bag, instead opting for his green shoulder bag. [[note]]In Japan students are generally expected to use the standardised bags determined or provided by school.[[/note]]
73* NoSocialSkills: His FriendlessBackground left him with few opportunities to learn to socialize.
74* OrphansOrdeal: A good bit of Natsume's difficulty with people (and his reluctance to tell the Fujiwaras about his abilities) stems from the fact that, up until then, he was passed around from relative to relative because nobody wanted to deal with the CreepyChild that kept telling "lies" about [[ISeeDeadPeople seeing ghosts and Youkai]]. Chapter 31 confirms that several of the parents he's lived with were [[AbusiveParents physically or emotionally abusive]], and even [[ParentalNeglect forget to feed him]].
75* PapaWolf: He develops this for Tama. He refuses to hand him over when confronted by Isozuki and was willing to die to protect the little creature he cared for.
76* ParentalAbandonment: Natsume's parents are dead, and every single family he's lived with before the Fujiwara's looked forward to the day he left their family, since he could [[ISeeDeadPeople see spirits.]]
77* PlotMagnet: Both because of his powers and because his connection to Reiko.
78* PsychicPowers
79* PowerIncontinence: Due to how powerful he is, his spiritual power sometimes leaks out into inanimate things without him being aware of it. On two occasions, he has created vessels (a snow bunny and a mini clay cat respectively) which both got inhabited by powerful spirits. Another time, he re-animated a small man-made youkai from the scraps of special paper that got attached to his clothing.
80** His power leaks also allows Tanuma and Taki to see youkai for a short while when he accidentally opened a door meant for the youkai guests at an inn.
81* TheQuietOne: What first impressions of him often are.
82* The - Unreveal: It’s currently unknown, who his grandfather is.
83* RuleOfEmpathy: He's driven to help humans and Youkai alike, even if they don't want or deserve his assistance, [[NotYourProblem much to Madara's chagrin]].
84* SilentScapegoat: Natsume often wound up as one in his adolescence, when Ayakashi started causing acts of vandalism around him; his options were either to let everyone believe he was some sort of delinquent, or let them believe he was some sort of ''crazy'' delinquent.
85* SociallyAwkwardHero: Justified. He was unable to make any friends as a child because of the discovery of his connection to spirits. He's slowly growing out of this, though.
86* SoulPower: He has a lot of spiritual power, which is the reason behind all of the other supernatural tropes that apply to him, including his ability to [[PunchedAcrossTheRoom punch youkai clear across a room]].
87* StepfordSmiler: He constantly smiles, though it doesn't take long for most people around him to realize that his smiles are sometimes fake and forced. It's lampshaded by Nishimura.
88--> '''Nishimura:''' ''It felt like that was the first time I saw the ever smiling transfer student smile. But when I looked at it another way, I thought to myself that his normal smiles must all be fake.''
89* SupernaturallyDeliciousAndNutritious: Youkai generally find him delicious due to his strong spiritual power.
90* SupernaturalGoldEyes: Has considerably strong psychic powers. However, his eyes are green/grey in the manga.
91* TookALevelInBadass: Was initially an aloof young man due to his AllOfTheOtherReindeer childhood, first becomes an ActionSurvivor, then into a BadassPacifist.
92* WhenSheSmiles: Gender-inverted. Nishimura discovered this when Natsume did gave a genuine smile.
93* WeirdnessMagnet: Comes with the territory of having a ''lot'' of spiritual power that attracts Youkai like honey to bee's.
94[[/folder]]
95
96[[folder:Madara/Nyanko-sensei]]
97!!Madara/Nyanko-Sensei
98[[quoteright:325:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ny_6219.png]]
99[[caption-width-right:325:[[labelnote:Click here to see Madara's true form.]][[quoteright:325:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/xcnpn6.png]][[/labelnote]]]]
100-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/KazuhikoInoue (Japanese), Creator/SanaeKobayashi (Japanese, human form), Creator/ChristopherWehkamp (English), Creator/KaraEdwards (English, human form), Noe Velazquez (Latin American Spanish)
101----
102* AccidentalMisnaming: Nobody besides Natsume bothers to get Nyanko-sensei's name right.
103** Giving us such gems as Nyan-Nyan Sensei, Nyankichi-kun, Nyangoro, Kitty, Cat-Dumpling, Tanuki, etc. Tanuma eschews trying to remember it altogether, and just calls him Ponta. It’s translated to Spot in the dub, which may be a ShoutOut to Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration.
104** In the manga, Natsume usually just referred to him as "cat" in the early chapters. His anime self is a little more respectful though. A little.
105* TheAlcoholic: Really likes to drink sake in his spare time.
106* AmplifiedAnimalAptitude: Downplayed but Nyanko-sensei seems to be really good with his fingers/paws in cat form. For example, he can hold chopsticks, hold teacups, read the economic section of the newspaper, etc (though he still relies on Natsume for opening cans and such).
107* AttentionDeficitOohShiny: Gets frequently distracted in his cat-form, often mid-sentence.
108* BaritoneOfStrength: Definitely a powerful youkai, and his voice is quite deep [[PowerMakesYourVoiceDeep when he is in youkai form]]. However, in his ManekiNeko form (in which his powers are more restricted), his voice sounds a lot more nasal.
109* BathtubBonding: He ''loves'' to bathe with Natsume, [[GetOut though Natsume does not]]. Sensei [[TheThingThatWouldNotLeave refuses to get the message]], and eventually Natsume gives up on expecting to get any personal space from him.
110* BerserkButton: Seen once when Natsume got shot defending Madara from an arrow by an exorcist.
111* BewareTheSillyOnes: He calls himself middle-aged and acts accordingly, and due to appearing as a very rotund-bodied cat, he looks nothing near capable of kicking butt. But get him angry and he turns into a very powerful youkai capable of tearing humans or other Youkai to shreds.
112* BigDamnHeroes: His main role in this series.
113* BigEater: He's constantly thinking and talking about food. He can swallow a block of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/[=Y%C5%8Dkan=] yōkan]] (a Japanese dessert usually served in slices) in one go and still have room for more, and once scams Nishimura and Kitamoto into ordering a restaurant's ''entire menu'' for him.
114* BoltOfDivineRetribution: Expect this to happen if you insult Madara's [[CantTakeCriticism singing or make remarks about his weight]].
115* BrokeYourArmPunchingOutCthulhu: His power rivals Japanese deities, and while he technically ''can'' defeat them, it's still not a fight he's eager to commence, [[DyingCurse because winning will leave him wrecked and cursed]].
116* ButtMonkey: He’s typically victim to all sorts of abuse.
117* CanisMajor: His true form is a ''huge'' and powerful inugami.
118* CatsAreMean: He's a JerkWithAHeartOfGold, but he really cares for Natsume, [[{{Tsundere}} even if he doesnt like showing it]].
119* CatsAreSnarkers: He usually appears as a cat and is definitely snarky.
120* CreepyGood: Very much on Natsume's side when Matoba darkens the young man's door again. The exorcist tries to blackmail Natsume into helping him. This time however, Madara doesn't even get upset. He just smiles at Matoba throughout, with menacingly yellow glowing eyes, encouraging his retainer to go because "the more exorcists around, the more filling his meal would be".
121* DeadpanSnarker: Many of his lines are sarcastic barbs directed at Natsume or other people.
122* DeathsHourglass: The human-eating inugami knows when a person is about to die, [[FridgeLogic because they no longer "taste good"]].
123* TheDreaded: To low-level Youkai.
124* DrowningMySorrows: When he thinks Natsume has replaced him with a real cat that he was temporarily looking after. He gets so drunk and bad-tempered the other Youkai become terrified of him.
125* DubNameChange: Relatively minor example, but his name becomes Master Kitty-Cat in the dub, which is essentially just his Japanese name in English.
126* FatBastard: He is overweight to where the ground trembles when he walks. He also spends much of his screentime eating meals or talking about food. At one point, he even scams Natsume's friends out of their money to eat a restaurant's whole menu.
127* FluffyDryCat: We get one picture of Natsume blow-drying Nyanko-sensei too long.
128* GodsNeedPrayerBadly: ''Inverted''. As an Inugami/Dog God, he's extremely powerful, capable of existing independently without worship.
129* GiantFlyer: His true form is huge and able to fly, despite lacking wings.
130* HypocriticalHeartwarming: He will exclaim that he is the only one who is entitled to be rude to Natsume.
131* IAmBigBoned: Very insistent that his cat form is ''not'' fat, merely very fluffy.
132* IAmNotWeasel: Though in this case, a cat. What's more, he is sometimes not even recognized as a cat, with some calling him a pig or a tanuki.
133* IWasJustPassingThrough: He always comes up with an excuse whenever he's found doing a good deed. For example, he claims that he only protects Natsume to defend his own right to the Book of Friends and the chance to eat Natsume himself.
134* IfYouDieICallYourStuff: His relationship with Natsume is formed on this trope. In return for serving as his bodyguard, he gets the Book of Friends after Natsume dies.
135* ImAHumanitarian: Natsume [[KidWithTheLeash keeps him on a leash]], but he ''has'' asked on occasion to eat particularly grating humans.
136* TheImp
137* InformedDeformity: He appears as an extremely fat yet adorable cat most of the time, but InUniverse he's known as "Natsume's hideous cat".
138* IntellectualAnimal: Kind of, seeing as most Youkai tend to be at least sentient.
139* IntriguedByHumanity: Often reads the newspapers to see how the economy is doing, and takes an instant shining to the arcades and video games.
140* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: For all his claims to be a ruthless, cruel and uncaring monster who threatens to eat other youkai or humans on a whim, [[InformedAttribute Madara is astonishingly benign compared to many other youkai that appear in the series]]. The jerk image stayed for a little while to begin with, but is completely shattered when Madara pulls a Ghibli-style rescue on a little girl who fell down a cliff. Wanting the Yuujinchou was definitely one of his most important motives, and even this is called into question when Madara tempted Natsume to drink mermaid blood. Natsume called him out on this, saying if he was immortal, Madara would never get the Yuujinchou, to which Madara lapses into silence.
141* JustEatHim: What he has threatened to do to Natsume if the Book of Friends gets any smaller, but his (seemingly rather half-hearted) attempts always fail. He even unintentionally tries to "[[MarshmallowDream sleep eat]]" Natsume on occasion, which yields [[HilarityEnsues similar results]]. He also often embellishes the deal he made with Natsume, such as saying that he's being given permission to ''[[ThisIsMyHuman eat Takashi when he dies]]'' to other rival youkai. When asked by Benio why he doesn't [[TropeNamers just eat Natsume]] and take the book by force, he reveals he's merely killing time and [[WeAreAsMayflies that human lives are terribly short]]. It would be a sad waste to end the fun prematurely, and he'd rather postpone it. He is also fond of suggesting this solution when dealing with hostile humans or Youkai, though [[KidWithTheLeash Natsume's objections usually stop him from following through]].
142* LetsGetDangerous: He sometimes comes across as inattentive in his role as a bodyguard, routinely wandering off, getting swatted aside in his SleepModeSize, or even refusing to help against adversaries he deems too weak to bother with. But when he doesn't hold back, he's a force to be reckoned with, often easily countering attacks that had seemingly disabled him previously.
143* LightEmUp: He can emit a bright light that repels other youkai. It's one of his main ways of protecting Natsume when necessary.
144* ManekiNeko: His ShapeshifterDefaultForm.
145* MentorMascot: Natsume even address him as [[OldMaster "Sensei"]].
146* MysteriousPast: He has apparently been around for a long time and knew Reiko well, but other than that almost nothing has been revealed about his past before meeting Natsume. He has not yet made an appearance in any of the flashbacks featuring Reiko, and it is unknown how he ended up [[NoodleIncident getting sealed into a shrine]] like he was at the start of the series.
147* NobleDemon: Madara continues to insist that he's really nasty and uncaring and only hangs around Natsume because the latter is his prey (or alternatively his servant). He's not really fooling anyone.
148* NoodleIncident: It's not clear how he got sealed into a shrine to start with.
149* NotSoAboveItAll: Nyanko-sensei regularly brings up his truly awesome powers and the fact that he is "not a fortune cat, damn it!"--until Natsume starts petting him, or waves a toy in front of his face. Or he spots a grasshopper. Or a little girl has fallen down a cliff and needs rescuing.
150* NotYourProblem: Tries to convince Takashi of this, but, well, doesn't always work.
151* NowItsMyTurn: Enemies sometimes get the drop on him in his ManekiNeko form and seemingly take him out of the picture, only for him to come back as Madara and kick their asses hard.
152* ObfuscatingStupidity: Knows far more about spells, all matters Youkai and half-bloods than he's willing to tell Natsume. He has been known to deliberately interrupt or distract Natsume from information that he doesn't want Natsume to know about.
153* TheOneThingIDontHateAboutYou: He found Reiko to be deplorable for taking Youkai's names ([[{{Hypocrite}} even though he plans to take said names and build himself an army]]), yet he confesses to Natsume he saw her as a ''very'' attractive human.
154* TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou: One of his excuses for why he protects Natsume is that he considers Natsume ''his'' prey.
155* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: In the Season 4 finale, Natsume is in a pensive mood after having visited his family's old home, and Nyanko-sensei doesn't complain for once that they'd missed out on visiting an udon restaurant.
156* PapaWolf: Quite literally, given his true form. ''Don't'' harm Natsume if you know what's good for you. He was prepared to attack Matoba for injuring Natsume with one of his exorcism arrows.
157* ParentsForADay: Type 1 in some of the recent chapters and the OVA where he gets stuck taking care of lost kid(s). He's had Hinoue's help in one of the instances and disregarded Natori's and the dog circle youkai in another. Averted in the de-aged chapter where he pushes the responsibility of younger Natsume to Tanuma and Taki's care.
158* PowerTattoo: In youkai form, he has a mark on his forehead that [[LightEmUp glows to fend off or exorcise youkai]].
159* RealMenHateAffection: Doesn't always take well to Natsume smiling, hugging or embracing him in public. He is also not a fan of Taki constantly [[TheGlomp glomping]] him, though he appreciates that [[CutenessProximity she thinks he's cute]].
160* RedEyesTakeWarning: When Natsume is almost fatally wounded by Matoba.
161* RidiculouslyCuteCritter: In SleepModeSize.
162* SarcasticDevotee: He usually insists he’s not the devotee and snarks on a very regular basis.
163* {{Sizeshifter}}: Can change his size at will from barely fitting inside Natsume's bedroom, to being ''as large as a house''.
164* SleepModeSize: He's been sealed inside a ManekiNeko for so long that it's effectively become his default form.
165* SnarkyNonHumanSidekick: He's a powerful youkai disguised as a fat yet adorable cat, and he's a close associate of Natsume and a DeadpanSnarker.
166* SoreLoser: He ''hates'' losing games.
167* SpiritAdvisor: Kind of.
168* TalkingAnimal: This is what he appears to be in his ManekiNeko form.
169* TeamPet: Sort of. He's not ''technically'' a pet.
170* ThisIsMyHuman: He gets incensed whenever other youkai try to possess or take Natsume away from him. This even extends to other humans when exorcists get too friendly for his liking.
171* {{Tsundere}}: He'll never admit that he has a soft spot for Natsume even though it's obvious to others; and when confronted with it, he vehemently denies any such feelings.
172* VoluntaryShapeshifting: Can transform into a ManekiNeko, a CanisMajor true form, a girl[[note]]based on Reiko[[/note]], [[InformedAbility an old man]], and Natsume Takashi. He can also change his color, once disguising himself as a wild boar piglet while in his ManekiNeko form.
173* {{Youkai}}: Obviously. (He appears to be an inugami or some manner of wolf spirit in his true form.)
174* YouFool: What he frequently calls Natsume, who goes out of his way to help human and youkai alike at his own expense.
175* YouHaveNoIdeaWhoYoureDealingWith: What he frequently warns any foolish low-rank youkai who fail to recognize his true form and power. Even Japanese mythological gods/deities don't recognize him as anything other than an "[[OurGodsAreDifferent overgrown beast]]".
176[[/folder]]
177
178[[folder:Natsume Reiko]]
179!!Natsume Reiko
180[[quoteright:325:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/reiko_1476.PNG]]
181-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/SanaeKobayashi (Japanese), Creator/AlexisTipton (English), Harumi Nishizawa (Latin American Spanish)
182Natsume's deceased grandmother. Her actions start off the events of the show.
183----
184* ActionGirl: You know you're one when you can defeat every single ayakashi you come across. Two bullies throw a rock at her and she manages to knock it back ''with a stick'', without flinching or hesitation.
185* AdaptationDyeJob: Like her grandson, has [[MysticalWhiteHair white hair]] and silver-green eyes in the manga.
186* BatterUp: Is usually seen wielding a baseball bat that is often wrapped by [[PaperTalisman talisman]].
187* BishieSparkle: Not a stranger to it; see episode 2.
188* BrokenBird: Became rather angry and violent thanks to the treatment she's received over the years.
189* TheDreaded: She built up such a bad reputation among the Youkai, even though she has passed away. The [[IdenticalGrandson appearance of Natsume]] alone freaks many of them out.
190* EvenTheGirlsWantHer: Hinoe's attraction to her is anything but subtle, though slightly subverted as Hinoe DoesNotLikeMen and most non-humans tend to disregard gender.
191* FirstNameBasis: How everyone addresses her, possibly to differentiate her from her grandson.
192* FriendlessBackground: Even moreso than Natsume.
193* GlorySeeker: Probably the reason why she takes the names of the youkai. [[spoiler:In the manga, it is later shown that she started collecting names after meeting Souko, a human girl who challenged her to duels in order to learn ''her'' name. After that she challenged youkai to pass the time.]]
194* GrinOfAudacity: Especially when challenging a youkai.
195* GuileHero: In [=S6E7=], it is shown that she once tricked a youkai into a challenge where the winner was the first one who could first pick the fruit off the top of a tall tree. While the youkai tried climbing up the tree, she simply knocked the fruit to the ground by throwing a tree branch.
196* HatesEveryoneEqually: Was said to hate both humans and ayakashi alike.
197* IJustWantToHaveFriends: A possible interpretation for why she compiled the book of friends together, as she was utterly alone and never made any lasting relationships with people.
198* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: She’s violent, but when she gets close to someone, you see she’s not a bad person.
199* OrphansOrdeal: She lost both of her parents and was raised by people, who weren’t related to her.
200* PokeThePoodle: Although she was more than capable of defeating many youkai in physical combat, she took some of their names through nonviolent contests, like rock-paper-scissors and playground games.
201* PosthumousCharacter: She has long passed away by the beginning of the series. Once Natsume has returned the name of a youkai, a flashback is usually shown about the circumstances surrounding when Reiko first took the name.
202* MysticalWhiteHair: Only in the manga though, [[IdenticalGrandson like her grandson]], though was often treated [[WhiteHairBlackHeart otherwise]].
203* ShroudedInMyth: Natsume starts the series barely knowing anything about her at all. He gradually learns more about her, but almost all of the information comes from the various spirits that knew her, and most of ''them'' only knew her as "the girl with great power who acquired the names of many spirits".
204* SoulPower: Had an ''immense'' amount of it, from all accounts.
205* TheReveal: It’s later revealed, she had a daughter (Takashi’s mother) out of wedlock.
206* StepfordSmiler: She is Type A.
207* SugarAndIcePersonality: From what we've seen. Sometimes she comes off as aloof and mysterious, other times understanding and almost warm.
208* SupernaturalGoldEyes: Has considerably strong psychic powers. However, her eyes are grey in the manga.
209[[/folder]]
210
211!Humans
212!!The Fujiwaras
213
214[[folder:Fujiwara Touko]]
215!!Fujiwara Touko
216[[quoteright:310:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fujiwara_touko.jpg]]
217
218-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MikiIto (Japanese), Jennifer [=AuBuchon=] (English)
219----
220* GoodParents: She shows genuine concern for Natsume despite not sharing any blood. She first visits him and offers to take him in despite the rumors about his reputation. She also scolded Natsume when he [[FreeRangeChildren suddenly left the house for a day]] without giving her proper notice.
221* HappilyMarried: To Shigeru, her husband.
222* HiddenDepths: Notes in the special chapters that she had to fight for her and Shigeru's happiness before "peace quietly snuck on them".
223* {{Housewife}}: Does the housework and cooking in the family.
224* MuggleFosterParents: She is unaware about Natsume's ability, though her kindness prevented him from crossing the DespairEventHorizon.
225* ParentalSubstitute: Natsume's current foster mother.
226[[/folder]]
227
228[[folder:Fujiwara Shigeru]]
229!!Fujiwara Shigeru
230[[quoteright:310:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fujiwara_shigeru.jpg]]
231
232-->'''Voiced by:''' Eiji Itou (Japanese), Seth [=McGill=] (English)
233----
234* GoodParents:
235** He's open-minded to Natsume's freedoms but scolds him if he crosses the line (like leaving the house all of a sudden without giving a warning).
236** He was the one who suggested that they should adopt Natsume after seeing him at a relative's funeral.
237* HappilyMarried: To Touko, his wife.
238* MuggleFosterParents: He is unaware of Natsume's ability, though it is possible that he might suspect something. His kindness has helped soften Natsume's outlook on life.
239* OpenMindedParent: One chapter has Natsume completely wreck a room due to an exorcism spell in order to get rid of youkai that cursed the house. When Shigeru stumbled upon this room, [[FlashBackEcho looking like a very familiar incident of the past]], he lets it slide as he knew Natsume did not purposely try to wreck the house. In later scenes, we do see him being more supportive of Natsume and him being against putting too many limitations on Natsume's freedom.
240* ParentalSubstitute: Natsume's current foster father.
241[[/folder]]
242
243!!Natsume's Classmates
244
245[[folder:Tanuma Kaname]]
246!!Tanuma Kaname
247[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tanuma_kaname_01_5648.png]]
248
249-->'''Voiced by:''' Kazuma Horie (Japanese), Creator/TysonRinehart (English), Emmanuel Bernal (Latin American Spanish)
250----
251* AffectionateNickname: "Kaname-chan" by his aunt. Not necessarily an EmbarrassingNickname, but enough that Natsume's friends tease him about it.
252* ActionSurvivor: Deconstructed in the Omibashira arc when Tanuma is forced to become this after Natsume is kidnapped to become a meal offering. Despite the strain from being near youkai, he does manage to disguise himself as one and sneak into the place. He tries to free the real Natsume by making a bluff but almost gets caught and attacked. [[FromBadToWorse Things begin to go downhill from there.]]
253* DressingAsTheEnemy: Desite being more vulnerable to spiritual influence and thus gets sick easily, he tried pretending to be a youkai so he can free Natsume after he was kidnapped as a meal offering. He is caught and nearly attacked.
254* MissingMom: While we have seen his father on two separate occasions, we have yet to see or hear any mentions about his mother. However, it’s implied he’s adopted since his dad’s a Buddhist monk.
255* NiceGuy: Despite being a little silent, he’s generally very easy-going and friendly.
256* NonActionGuy: Due to his illness, he acts more of a more support role for Natsume.
257* ParentsForADay: Platonically type 2 with Taki, they babysit a [[BabyMorphEpisode de-aged]] Natsume for a day.
258* PsychicPowers: Can understand Nyanko-sensei, feel the youkai's presence and can sometimes see shadows, but can't exactly see their corporeal forms.
259* SecretKeeper: Became one when Natsume confirms Tanuma's suspicions about the shadows he sees though Natsume asks he keep it a secret.
260* {{Synchronization}}: It's been remarked by Madara that Natsume has had a positive effect on Tanuma, enabling him over time to slowly sense Youkai better without succumbing to sickness.
261[[/folder]]
262
263[[folder:Taki Tooru]]
264!!Taki Tooru
265[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/taki_5373.jpg]]
266
267-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/RinaSato (Japanese), Creator/MeganShipman (English)
268----
269* AgentMulder: She has a belief in the supernatural like her grandfather, something her brother doesn’t share.
270* AlliterativeName: '''T'''aki '''T'''ooru.
271* AloofBigBrother: Has one who she is distant due to him studying overseas and also because he shares his family’s dislike of the supernatural.
272* CutenessProximity: Although her eye for cuteness is called into question when she has this reaction to Nyanko-sensei (who everyone else regards as the cat equivalent to a {{Gonk}}).
273* IdenticalGrandson: According to the youkai that knew her grandfather and have confused her for him. However, this might somewhat exaggerated considering that youkai don't recognize gender.
274* KindheartedCatLover: While Nyanko-sensei is not a cat, she treats him as one and loves him.
275* NiceGirl: After breaking the curse, she’s shown as nothing but kind.
276* ParentalAbandonment: Downplayed but most of her family is out of the house: both her brother and father are overseas while her mom often comes late back from work, making Taki feel most closest to her grandfather [[PosthumousCharacter who is dead]].
277* ParentsForADay: Platonically type 2 with Tanuma, they babysit a [[BabyMorphEpisode de-aged]] Natsume for a day.
278* SecretKeeper: Asked Natsume's help after hearing about his ability from a youkai. Along with Tanuma, she helps Natsume distract his other friends.
279* TheQuietOne: At first, but that was only because [[spoiler: an evil youkai cursed her, so that the last thirteen people whose names she says will die. Natsume helps her break it.]] After that, she became more like the GenkiGirl.
280* TheSmartGirl: She is very knowledgable of youkai folklore and its relations to the surrounding area, thanks to her grandfather's notes. Despite having the least spiritual aptitude out of the three, she is also the most component as deciphering writings and creating charms as seen in the hotel arc.
281* TheSmurfettePrinciple: In the manga, she's Natsume's only close human female friend since Sasada moves away.
282* UnfazedEveryman: One of Natsume's friends who know his secret but doesn't have the ability. She still is quite knowledgeable about them and has encounters by herself, thanks material grandfather left behind. Chapter 64-65 actually explores on the idea if ordinary humans should have contact with the supernatural.
283* WholesomeCrossdresser: Taki [[https://tanunatsuu.tumblr.com/post/672137769074720768/masc-taki-yeahhhhh participated]] in a school festival crossdressing cafe, and looks damn good too.
284[[/folder]]
285
286[[folder:Kitamoto Atsushi]]
287!!Kitamoto Atsushi
288[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/natsume_kitamoto.jpg]]
289
290-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/HisayoshiSuganuma (Japanese), Mike Haimoto (English)
291----
292* ADayInTheLimelight: Chapter 51.2
293* BokeAndTsukkomiRoutine: Occasionally plays the StraightMan to Nishimura, but not constantly.
294* TheCaretaker: Due to his father's illness and his mother working to compensate, he often takes care of his younger sister and father til his mother comes home.
295* ChildhoodFriends: With Nishimura, or at least it seems that way.
296* MissingMom: While his mom didn't appear in Kitamoto's special focus chapters, it is mentioned that she is out working since their father is ill.
297* NiceGuy: One of Natsume's first friends after moving with the Fujiwaras. Warns him about the violent seniors and tries to protect Natsume twice from some unseen youkai during his special bonus chapters.
298* ThoseTwoGuys: Along with Nishimura, though contrary to the trope, they have fairly important roles in the plot as one of the few (non-psychic) people who are close friends of Natsume. They also get more screentime than anyone other than Natsume and Nyanko-sensei and a fair bit of fleshing out in the manga.
299[[/folder]]
300
301[[folder:Nishimura Satoru]]
302!!Nishimura Satoru
303[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/nishimura_natsume.jpg]]
304
305-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/RyoheiKimura (Japanese), Matthew Elkins (English)
306----
307* ADayInTheLimelight: Chapter 51.1
308* AloofBigBrother: Revealed to have one in his special focus chapter.
309* BokeAndTsukkomiRoutine: Occasionally plays the funny man to Kitamoto, but not constantly.
310* ChildhoodFriends: With Kitamoto.
311* ChivalrousPervert: In most series, he would not be considered this. In [[NoHuggingNoKissing such a series as this]], when he is the only one of Natsume's companions who has a crush on somebody and insists that they should have a cafe with bunny girls for the school festival, he comes off as one.
312* InnocentlyInsensitive: One of the author's notes in volume 13 states that he gets into conflicts due to this.
313* {{Keet}}: Almost nothing gets him down.
314* TheMcCoy: Allegedly the most soft-hearted of Natsume's friends.
315* NiceGuy: Natsume's first real friend, he and Kitamoto really do a lot for him. He took Natsume to fishing trip and bug catching (something Natsume never experienced during his childhood), and together with Kitamoto, they taught Natsume how to ride a bike.
316* SiblingYinYang: Nishimura is more laidback and cheerful while his older brother is more studious and stoic.
317* ThoseTwoGuys: Along with Kitamoto.
318* TheUnfavourite: His family is mainly preoccupied with his older brother's studies, going to the point where Nishimura makes his lunches himself.
319[[/folder]]
320
321[[folder:Sasada Jun]]
322!!Sasada Jun
323[[quoteright:225:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sasada-shi_1_8223.jpg]]
324
325-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MiyukiSawashiro (Japanese), Creator/MarisaDuran (English)
326----
327* AdaptationExpansion: In the original manga (chapter 5), she moved away after the test of courage. In the anime she is still interacting with Natsume after the test of courage.
328* AscendedExtra: Left after chapter 5 of the manga, but sticks around in the anime long enough to become part of Natsume's social circle.
329* AllLoveIsUnrequited: Is heavily implied to have romantic feelings for Natsume in some of the drama [=CDs=]. Natsume, however, [[ObliviousToLove is completely unaware.]]
330* CharacterizationMarchesOn: The first two seasons have her constantly try to get involved in Natsume's youkai dealings. She stops doing this from season 3 onward.
331* ClassRepresentative
332* DoggedNiceGuy: Non-romantic example in Sasada Jun who's basically trying to get Natsume to [[SecretChaser spill the beans on the supernatural spirits thing]].
333** Played straight in some of the drama [=CDs=] where she's heavily implied to have a crush on him.
334* ProperTightsWithASkirt: Her winter uniform.
335* SecretKeeper: Promises not to tell anyone about Natsume's ability to see youkai (although he refuses to admit he can, she's just convinced of it and is extremely nosy on her own).
336* SugarAndIcePersonality: Is rather strict even to her own classmates, but actually rather sensitive on the inside.
337[[/folder]]
338
339!!Exorcists
340[[folder:Natori Shuuichi]]
341!!Natori Shuuichi
342[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/natori_natsume.jpg]]
343
344-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/AkiraIshida (Japanese, adult), Creator/FuyukaOura (Japanese, child), Creator/AaronRoberts (English, adult), Creator/MacyAnneJohnson (English, child), Alfredo Gabriel Basurto (Latin American Spanish)
345----
346* AnimatedTattoo: Natori has one which is also a Youkai.
347* BigBrotherInstinct: Downplayed but like Nyanko-sensei, he will like pull a BigDamnHeroes moment and pop up in the nick of time. [[spoiler: Eventually deconstructed as he grows increasingly more concerned of Natsume's safety and involvement of youkai, especially knowing that Natsume's been hiding something dangerous from him. It gets to the point where he intercepts or investigates matters into Natsume's affairs behind his back. It does get reconstructed when Natsume does tell him the truth. While he still isn't always upfront, he allows Natsume to mostly handle it]].
348* BigBrotherMentor: Slowly becomes this to Natsume.
349* BishieSparkle: Relentlessly mocked for it by Natsume and Nyanko-sensei.
350* {{Bishonen}}: Which helps him in his acting career.
351* BigDamnHeroes: If it's not Nyanko-sensei bailing Natsume out of a tough spot, then it's probably Natori.
352* BondCreatures: Even though [[BlessedWithSuck it does nothing]], his lizard Youkai seems to love Natori very much and cannot be banished, ironic considering the man is an exorcist of Youkai. It moves around his body as it pleases, but for some unknown reason, [[TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow never goes near the left leg]].
353* ChickMagnet: Yes, it's no surprise women love him with his good looks and charming personality. But being a famous actor and celebrity brings it to a whole other level.
354* ConsummateLiar: An re-occurring theme around him, though he has gotten considerably better.
355* CulturedBadass: Despite being a suave part-time actor, he's quite a talented exorcist even without the backing up of a clan.
356* DistinguishingMark: Has a lizard shaped birthmark that moves across his body and can only be seen by other spiritually inclined people. It's actually an ayakashi living inside his skin.
357* EvenTheGuysWantHim: In the manga, Natori's horde of squeeing fangirls [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/natsume-yuujinchou-857822_1890.jpg includes Nishimura.]]
358* FriendlessBackground: Like Natsume, did not have many friends growing up due to his sight.
359* FantasyForbiddingFather: His father wishes to no longer be involved with youkai, and dislikes it when Natori spends time in the warehouse researching about them. To a [[{{Downplayed}} lesser extent]], Takuma wishes Natori to not be involved with exorcism.
360* GuileHero
361* HiddenDepths: According to Nyanko-sensei, he has a deep-seated hatred for ayakashi, but keeps it under wraps for Natsume's sake. He is also very observant of Natsume.
362* ISeeThemToo: How he introduces himself to Natsume.
363* MissingMom: His mother died when Natori was young due to her frail body. Natori, as a child, used to feel responsible for her mother's death until a younger Hiiragi cleared up that misunderstanding.
364* MrFanservice: Well, he is a beautiful actor.
365* NoSocialSkills: During his high school years, he had a lot of trouble talking to people and would unintentionally seem cold and arrogant to his classmates. As he continued to attended exorcist meetings where he feels he could be more honest, he slowly grows out of it.
366* PaperMaster: His family seems to specialize in this, as noted by Matoba.
367* PaperThinDisguise: Funnily enough, all he does is put on a hat and glasses to make sure no one recognizes him as an actor (though).
368* ParentalSubstitute: For Natsume, mainly when it comes to ayakashi.
369* PsychicPowers: Can see and exorcise the youkai, since he's an exorcist.
370* PurelyAestheticGlasses: Not quite, since glass can enhance one's ability to see Ayakashi.
371** [[GogglesDoSomethingUnusual Glasses Do Something Unusual]]
372* SecretChaser: For a short while, he investigates [[spoiler:the Book of Friends behind Natsume's back once he heard about its existence after chapter 62]]. He eventually [[spoiler:becomes a SecretKeeper at the end of Hadozaki chapter]].
373* ScaryShinyGlasses: In his second appearance where he has this look.
374* TripleShifter: Both an actor and an exorcist.
375* UnknownRival: Thought of Matoba as one when they were younger.
376* WellDoneSonGuy: Downplayed but his relationship with his father and grandfather. They both seem to blame their family's misfortunes on Natori. Though he doesn't look too favourable at them either, he feels being a better exorcist he might be able to take their fears away. To a less of an extent, Takuma.
377[[/folder]]
378
379[[folder:Matoba Seiji]]
380!!Matoba Seiji
381[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/seiji01_4013.jpg]]
382
383-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/JunichiSuwabe (Japanese), Creator/ReaganMurdock (English)
384----
385* AdaptationalVillainy: [[NominalHero In the manga]], he follows a more businesslike approach in that his actions benefits his clan in mind. He is otherwise mostly apathetic towards ayakshi, and views both them and humans as potential tools his clan may benefit from or can use. [[WellIntentionedExtremist Whereas in the anime]], [[FantasticRacism he is harsher towards ayakashi]] and shows preference towards humans (or at least Natsume).
386* BigScrewedUpFamily: The Matoba clan are ''horrible''. Their collective attitude towards Natsume, who was a guest among them, is to treat him with utter disdain and disrespect.
387* {{Blackmail}}: [[spoiler: He likes to [[FlawExploitation exploit Natsume's weaknesses]], like his concern for a youkai's well-being or desire to keep his foster parents in the dark about his ability to see youkai because it might distress them, [[AnOfferYouCantRefuse to force Natsume to collaborate with him]] quite a few times.]] This seems to be a common practice for him as it was [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] by another exorcist in chapter 53.
388* BloodKnight: Though he also leans on SpiritedCompetitor. He seems to enjoy the challenge of a tough youkai, sounding especially disappointed when Madara wasn't going to fight back after pressing his BerserkButton.
389* DissonantSerenity: He’s positive, but has a very negative aura around him.
390* EnemyToAllLivingThings: His clan is notorious for their exorcise methods and contracts. Matoba himself makes it clear of his disdain for them. Youkai aren't particularly fond of him either except for some of his servants.
391* EyepatchOfPower: It was due to an attack on his right eye, but he’s still an excellent hunter,
392* EyeScream: Above mentioned EyepatchOfPower also covers up a wound left from an ayakashi who attacked Matoba's right eye. He still has right eye and can see but cannot estimate distances well.
393* FauxAffablyEvil: He speaks in a polite tone, but his words ooze with evil intent.
394* TheGadfly: Moreso as a teenager.
395* {{Jerkass}}: He abuses the shiki under his care. He's also not very nice to humans, either, despite being an exorcist; he was initially going to leave the rampaging youkai to harm the nearby town, along with the unconscious exorcist to die. Later on when he 'invites' Natsume for tea, he acts condescendingly to him by talking about how wonderful the Fujiwaras were "for taking care of a seed so rotten that harmed other children".
396* KnightOfCerebus: When he's around, things get absolutely serious.
397* LackOfEmpathy: He cares nothing for the pain he causes humans or Youkai.
398* ManipulativeBastard: He manipulates others into helping the Matoba Clan. See also {{Blackmail}} above.
399** [[spoiler:He exposes an exorcist possessed by a spirit that hates the Matoba Clan and attacking them by conveniently leaving out exactly who was being attacked.]]
400** [[spoiler:Again in chapter 93, he stalls their escape when he and Natori get locked in by the saboteur so that Natsume could take care of the ordeal for him. He only gives the solution to get out later when Natori becomes more affected by the spell and even then, doesn’t plan to help unless Natori asks him to.]]
401* NoChallengeEqualsNoSatisfaction: Comes with the occupation and Matoba is almost a DeathSeeker for antagonizing dangerous Youkai, with little regard for his own safety, [[LackOfEmpathy let alone others]]. He really had no idea how close he was [[RedEyesTakeWarning to getting mauled by Madara]] for accidentally harming Natsume.
402* NoSenseOfPersonalSpace: Though more so in the anime.
403* NominalHero: In the manga, he actions are done moreso for the benefit of the clan. While he believes ayakshi are tools, he shows no strong feelings and has no problem treating humans similarly if they can be used as such. He can also be very harsh and blunt when doing so.
404* PragmaticHero: Saves Natori and Natsume from the sealed youkai by killing it, not to mention being the one who helped awaken it in the first place.
405* PsychicPowers: Can see and exorcise youkai, since he's an exorcist.
406* SecretKeeper: Exploited once, since he knows [[spoiler:Natsume doesn't want his foster parents to know about his powers and [[{{Blackmail}} has used this to help him out with a favour]]]].
407* SoftSpokenSadist: Rarely raises his voice and he’s very dangerous.
408* TacticalWithdrawal: Does this twice: once when he found out a youkai was too powerful and incompetent to be controlled, another when he learns Natsume's companions would out-power the ones he had. He doesn't feel much of a lose the second time since he notes there [[{{Blackmail}} are other ways]] of getting Natsume's help.
409* VillainTakesAnInterest: Like Natori, he wants to take Natsume under his wing and have him join his clan. Justified as the number of people with the ability to see youkai is diminishing rapidly and so clans are desperately looking for future heirs.
410* WellIntentionedExtremist: Constantly insists to Natsume that what the Matoba clan does to youkai is necessary for the good of humans, even if they end up hated by humans by themselves.
411[[/folder]]
412
413[[folder:Nanase]]
414!!Nanase
415[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/250px-picture_2_7619.png]]
416
417-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MikaDoi (Japanese), Laurie Steele (English)
418----
419* AdaptationExpansion: Not majorly different but she appears slightly more in the anime than manga and was even given a back-story in season 4.
420* AllOfTheOtherReindeer: In her back-story, her upbringing as an exorcist made her be considered the oddball from her other classmates.
421* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome: Despite being second-in-command of Matoba clan, we don't see her after chapter 26 until chapter 72. This is [[SubvertedTrope subverted]] in the anime as she appears twice in the 4th season (with her second appearance being [[AdaptationExpansion her back story)]].
422* IronLady: Is the secretary and [[NumberTwo second-in-command]] for the Matoba clan.
423* {{Jerkass}}: Like Matoba, she uses youkai as bait to draw in powerful shiki and sees nothing wrong with it. [[spoiler: The anime's back-story reveals that she does not mind exorcising youkai as she is taught it is the way to keep the world in balance.]]
424* WellIntentionedExtremist: Believes that hunting youkai is part of Karma and is needed to keep the earth in balance
425[[/folder]]
426
427[[folder:Takuma Yousuke]]
428[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/natsuroku_05_5.jpg]]
429-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/KazuhiroYamaji
430----
431* BenevolentBoss: Unlike most of the exorcists shown so far, he seems to care about his shiki very much, even spending time with them after they complete missions. He was very hesitant on exorcising them, even though it placed his family on risk. After he loses his sight, they still remained attached to him. One desperately tries to break into his house just so she can talk with him and becomes very sadden when she understand he can longer ever see her. Another doesn't mind waiting in the house as housekeeper and waiting till he dies instead to dissolve the contract.
432* BigBrotherMentor: Though initially did not want Natori to go into exorcism, he had looked after Natori when he started out.
433* BroughtDownToNormal: He can no longer see ayakashi.
434* FantasyForbiddingFather: Believes kids should not be involved with ayakashi if they don't have to and chides Natori from visiting exorcists meetings. He doesn't like when his daughter getting involved on his behalf as well.
435* PurelyAestheticGlasses: Like Natori, he wears glasses to [[GogglesDoSomethingUnusual help seen ayakashi better]]. He was the one who taught Natori of them in the first place. .
436* RetiredBadass: He used to be an exorcist but he can no longer see by the time we see him in present day. Though we never see him in action, the kimono test put him on the same level as Natori, if not slightly behind.
437* WellDoneSonGuy: Downplayed since Natori interests are also of his own initiative and since Takuma is not cold but because he prioritizes Natori's safety. However, the younger Natori feels the need to prove himself as an exorcist to Tanuma and took the Tri-horn ayakashi to gain both his and other exorcist's respect as well.
438[[/folder]]
439
440!!Others
441
442[[folder:Katsumi Shibata]]
443!!Katsumi Shibata
444[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/120608.png]]
445-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/YoshimasaHosoya
446----
447* CharacterDevelopment: At first he appeared as a bully to Natsume in his childhood and, in the future, blackmails him into helping him. After learning Youkai are real he has a HeelRealization and feels regretful over his actions. Later on, he [[ReformedBully reconnects with Natsume and they become friends]].
448* InterspeciesRomance: With Murasaki, who was a Youkai from an old wisteria tree. Unfortunately, that romance was quickly cut short due to Murasaki fading away and dying.
449* ReformedBully: It's shown that he used to bully Natsume when they were kids. Later, however, after learning Youkai really do exist. He apologized to Natsume and feels guilty about his actions. To be fair though, he did show signs of regret for bullying Natsume even before he learned Youkai actually exists.
450[[/folder]]
451
452[[folder:Tamiko]]
453!!Tamiko
454-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/SawaIshige (Japanese), Creator/DaniChambers (English)
455----
456* CheerfulChild: She’s fairly young, but easily excitable.
457* KindheartedCatLover: She looks after Madara as they’re stuck in a hole.
458[[/folder]]
459
460!Youkai
461!!The Dog's Circle (Inu no Kai)
462
463[[folder:Tropes applied to the Dog's Circle]]
464!!Tropes applied to the Dog's Circle
465[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/natsume_inukai.jpg]]
466Originally consisted of Nyanko-sensei's drinking buddies, they are now self-proclaimed Natsume's followers.
467----
468* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: The reason why they are loyal to Natsume is because he is willing to help youkai.
469* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}: The whole group when they are together.
470* MoralGuardians: They forbid Natsume drinking sake with them as he's underage.
471* OddFriendship: With Natsume.
472* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: The group consists of a powerful horse youkai, a [[DoesNotLikeMen youkai who hates men]], those [[ThoseTwoGuys two idiots]], a kappa and a drunk cat (who is actually an inugami).
473* SeriousBusiness: [[ItMakesSenseInContext Shadow Tag]]
474* TrueCompanions: Natsume youkai companions. Though he usually finds them annoying.
475* UndyingLoyalty: Towards Natsume. Especially considering that none of them (except Misuzu) has their name binded to the Book Of Friends.
476[[/folder]]
477
478[[folder:Hinoe]]
479!! Hinoe
480[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/250px-hinoe2-2_9964.jpg]]
481
482-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/AkemiOkamura (Japanese), Creator/MollySearcy (English)
483----
484* AmbiguouslyBi: She falls in love with Natsume, but she seemed to also held a torch for his late grandmother.
485* DoesNotLikeMen: So far, Natsume's the only exception.
486* IfItsYouItsOkay: Eventually becomes attracted to Natsume over the course of the series.
487* LipstickLesbian: A beautiful and well-dressed woman who may have feelings for Reiko.
488* NoSenseOfPersonalSpace: Towards Natsume. Given the way she greeted him when she first mistook him for Reiko, she was probably like this around his grandmother as well.
489* SmokingIsGlamorous
490* SpiritAdvisor: On occasion, especially when Nyanko-sensei isn't available for some reason.
491* StupidSexyFlanders: Constantly around Natsume.
492--->'''Hinoe:''' Dammit, why do you have to be a ''man''?
493* UnrequitedLove: Her attraction towards Reiko....presumably.
494* UnsettlingGenderReveal: Her reaction to Natsume in their first meeting says it all.
495[[/folder]]
496
497[[folder:Misuzu]]
498!! Misuzu
499[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/200px-misuzu-shi1_3400.jpg]]
500
501-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/TakayaKuroda (Japanese), Chris Ryan (English)
502----
503* CoolHorse: The equine form that he took came from the horse offering that was given to the swamp's spirit in which he used to reside.
504* DarkIsNotEvil: Is quite powerful and looks is rather intimidating but he is very much on Natsume's side.
505* DoesNotKnowHisOwnStrength: Tends to overdo the simplest of tasks or instructions given to him.
506* HappinessInSlavery: He ''wants'' to become Natsume's bodyguard in place of the "useless" Madara.
507* KeepTheReward: Unlike the other youkai, he ''[[HonorBeforeReason doesn't want]]'' his name back.
508* NobleDemon: He’s a Yokai, but he’s regularly shown to be fair and reasonable with Natsume.
509* PerpetualSmiler: So much that his mouth doesn't even move when he talks. In "The Strange Visitor", he reveals his identity to Natsume while in human form by putting on his usual expression.
510* PowersViaPossession: Before he became Lord of the Bell-crying Yatsuhara Swamp, he was just a nameless formless spirit that inhabited the waters, until farmers threw a horse into the lake as a harvest offering. Misuzu took on its form and gained [[GodsNeedPrayerBadly a lot of power]] as result of the sacrifice.
511* PurpleIsPowerful: Next to Madara, he is probably one of Natsume's most powerful youkai friends
512* PurpleIsTheNewBlack: His colour scheme is consistent of black and purple.
513* SecretTestOfCharacter: Puts Natsume through a rather [[ComplexityAddiction dangerous test]] to see if he's worthy of him. He concludes he's not, but continues to watch over him regardless as he's "[[TheUnchosenOne very interesting]]".
514* SoreLoser: Like Madara, he also hates to lose games and wants to crush all 'lesser beings' beneath him, understandably, Natsume and the Youkai make him [[KickedUpstairs the referee]] of their games instead.
515* StalkerWithoutACrush:
516** He hangs around Natsume's place a lot, and pops up when you least expect him.
517** As of Chapter 97 he's taken a special interest in Tanuma Kaname, appearing to him as a [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith handsome tall man]], telling Natsume to respectfully mind his own business. Subverted when it is revealed that Misuzu was actually trying to contact a youkai that'd possessed Tanuma.
518[[/folder]]
519
520[[folder:Chuukyuu]]
521!!Chuukyuu
522[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/chuukyuu_natsume.jpg]]
523-->'''One-Eyed is Voiced by:''' Takashi Matsuyama (Japanese), Creator/BrianMathis (English)
524-->'''Ox-Like is Voiced by:''' Creator/HiroshiShimozaki (Japanese), Creator/GregDulcie (English)
525----
526* {{Determinator}}: Willing to fulfill a youkai ridiculous demand to get cold medicine for Natsume. [[spoiler: Too bad it doesn't work for humans]].
527* FoolForLove: A non-romantic example. They call themselves a fool for being entranced with a human (Natsume) even though they know that humans lives are short.
528* NoNameGiven: Nobody ever called them by their names. Chuukyuu literally means 'midrank' and is indicative of their rank instead of their names.
529* ThoseTwoGuys: More so than Nishimura and Kitamoto, as they are never seen alone.
530[[/folder]]
531
532!!Other Youkai
533
534[[folder:Kogitsune (The Little Fox-child)]]
535!! Kogitsune (The Little Fox-child)
536[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/vlcsnap-135732_5483.jpg]]
537
538-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/AkikoYajima (Japanese), Creator/KristenMcGuire (English)
539----
540* AdorablyPrecociousChild: Has the appearance of a child and acts like one.
541* AsianFoxSpirit: He's a young kitsune cub who appears as a young boy with fox traits, though ordinary people just see him as a regular fox. Contrary to the stereotype, however, he cannot transform (possibly because he is just too young) and is rather straightforward, not tricky in the least, nor particularly cunning.
542* CuteMonsterGirl: A rare male example though to be fair, it's not hard to mistake him for a girl.
543* DudeLooksLikeALady: It’s common to think he’s a girl.
544* HeartwarmingOrphan: He’s a kind young boy who tries to spread joy to those around him.
545* MissingMom: Died before Natsume met her.
546* NoNameGiven: Is only known as the little fox-child.
547* LittleBitBeastly: Although ordinary people just see him as a regular fox.
548* MundaneObjectAmazement: Falls in love with a pretty hat and a cracked human watch.
549* PrecociousCrush: Maybe, but he probably just really, really, ''really'' admires and looks up to Natsume as a BigBrotherMentor. The rock god's "humans, ayakashi, and beasts have different times" speech to the fox child in season three about why he and Natsume shouldn't be together and his resulting angst seemed to imply [[MayDecemberRomance something else]] though.
550[[/folder]]
551
552[[folder:Hiiragi]]
553!! Hiiragi
554[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/250px-hiiragi3_1862.jpg]]
555
556-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/SatsukiYukino (Japanese), Creator/JillHarris (English)
557----
558* BodyguardBabes: One of Natori's three female shiki.
559* CoolMask: So cool, she’s rarely seen without it.
560* TheFace: Appears more frequently compared to Natori's other shiki.
561* {{Familiar}}: Specifically, one of Natori's three shiki.
562* NotSoStoic: She's usually aloof, but in [=S6E10=], she joins Natsume and Nyanko-sensei in a spontaneous team cheer.
563* SecretKeeper: [[spoiler: Implied to know about the Book Of Friends, or more aware of Natsume’s possession compared to Sasago and Urihime. She also doesn't tell Natsume about Natori’s secret investigations about it but tries to get Natsume to open up to Natori about it so he doesn't find out on his own]].
564* TheStoic: Granted, [[CoolMask her face is completely covered]], but on top of that her voice is usually brusque and rarely emotional.
565* SubordinateExcuse: Possibly her reason for becoming one of Natori's shiki.
566* SugarAndIcePersonality: She rarely shows emotion, but she does care for her allies.
567[[/folder]]
568
569[[folder:Sasago and Urihime]]
570!! Sasago and Urihime
571
572-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/ChiekoHonda (Sasago, Seasons 1-4, Japanese), Creator/AyakoKawasumi (Sasago, Season 6+, Japanese), Creator/AkariHiguchi (Urihime, Japanese), Jennifer Green (Sasago, English), Linda Leonard (Urihime, English)
573----
574* ActionGirl: While this isn't an action based manga, the two prove to be able to hold their own in a fight.
575* AloofDarkHairedGirl: Urihime has long black hair and is rather calm, but distant.
576* BerserkButton: Sasago does ''not'' take being called old very well. The pair also don't like anyone insulting or hurting their master.
577* BodyguardBabes: Natori’s first two bodyguards and both are female.
578* BodyguardingABadass: They’re Natori’s bodyguards, but he proves to be able to do well in a fight.
579* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: The pair are ruthless, but they’re not bad so long as you’re an ally of Natori’s.
580* PrehensileHair: Urihime uses her hair for combat.
581* RedOniBlueOni: Sasago and Urihime respectively. The former is quick to get in a fight while the latter usually will follow orders and rarely raises her voice.
582* SatelliteCharacter: Are mostly just around as Natori’s Shiki bodyguards.
583* TheStoic: Urihime. She barely raises her voice.
584* ThoseTwoGirls: Are Natori's two female Shiki and they're rarely not seen together.
585* WouldHurtAChild: Urihime’s first scene has her strangling Natsume via her hair until Nyanko-Sensei stops her.
586[[/folder]]
587----
588!!Minor Characters
589
590[[folder:Takashi Natsume’s Parents]]
591
592* Good Parents: Takashi’s father, was seen to be a kind and loving father to Takashi.
593* TheReveal: It’s later revealed, that Takashi’s mother is Reiko Natsume’s daughter. It’s also later revealed, that Takashi’s mother has never met her father.
594* StrongFamilyResemblance: Takashi inherited his blonde hair from his father, but his friends stated he looked a lot like his mother.
595* TheUnReveal: It’s currently unknown, how Takashi’s father died, if Takashi’s mother could see youkai or not, and who the father of Takashi’s mother is.

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