7.2
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Natsume's Book of Friends the Movie: Ephemeral Bond (2018)
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Viewer Rating
Rating: 7.2
Overview
Natsume has been busy, navigating between humans and Yokai when he coincidentally reunites with an old classmate, Yuki. It brings back painful memories of a certain Yokai. Meanwhile, Natsume also became acquainted with Yorie Tsumura, a woman in the memories of a Yokai whose name he had returned. Yorie knew much about Reiko, but now lived a peaceful life with her only son, Mukuo. Being with this family was comforting for Natsume, but apparently a mysterious Yokai has been lurking in their town. On the way back from investigating, a “Yokai seed” that had latched itself to Nyanko Sensei drops into the Fujiwaras’ garden and grows overnight into a fruit tree. When Nyanko Sensei eats a fruit that is somehow shaped like himself, he suddenly splits into three!
Starring Cast
Bias Dimensions
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Overview
Natsume has been busy, navigating between humans and Yokai when he coincidentally reunites with an old classmate, Yuki. It brings back painful memories of a certain Yokai. Meanwhile, Natsume also became acquainted with Yorie Tsumura, a woman in the memories of a Yokai whose name he had returned. Yorie knew much about Reiko, but now lived a peaceful life with her only son, Mukuo. Being with this family was comforting for Natsume, but apparently a mysterious Yokai has been lurking in their town. On the way back from investigating, a “Yokai seed” that had latched itself to Nyanko Sensei drops into the Fujiwaras’ garden and grows overnight into a fruit tree. When Nyanko Sensei eats a fruit that is somehow shaped like himself, he suddenly splits into three!
Starring Cast
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Primary
The film's central themes are universally humanistic and apolitical, focusing on individual empathy, connection, and acceptance of life's transient nature rather than any specific political ideology or systemic critique.
The movie features casting that is traditional for its Japanese cultural setting, without incorporating explicit race or gender swaps of roles. Its narrative focuses on themes of connection and understanding between humans and spirits, and does not include critical portrayals of traditional identities or explicit DEI themes.
Secondary
The film does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes. The narrative focuses on Natsume's interactions with yokai and his personal growth, without exploring queer identities or relationships.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
This film is an original story within an established anime/manga universe. All returning characters from the 'Natsume's Book of Friends' series maintain their canonical genders. New characters introduced in the movie do not constitute gender swaps.
This anime film is based on a Japanese manga and TV series. All characters are consistently depicted as East Asian, aligning with their established race in the source material. There are no instances of characters being portrayed as a different race than their original canon.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
7.1
7.3
Critic Ratings
N/A
N/A
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