🧭 Watch order guide
Natsume's Book of Friends watch order
How to watch
Watch the seasons in order, from the first through Zoku, San, Shi, Go, Roku and Shichi, with the film Ephemeral Bond after the sixth season. Most episodes are self-contained, but character relationships build across seasons. Kitsu's sequel links stop after Shi, so the later seasons are not in the list below.
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Natsume's Book of Friends watch order at a glance
- 1.Natsume Yuujinchou TV Series · 2008
- 2.Natsume Yuujinchou: Ishi Okoshi to Ayashiki Raihousha Movie · 2021
- 3.Ichiban Kuji Natsume Yuujinchou: Nyanko-sensei to Hana Shirabe ONA · optional · 2021
- 4.Natsume Yuujinchou: Hitoyoshi Kuma de no Yasashii Jikan ONA · optional · 2021
- 5.Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou TV Series · 2009
- 6.Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou: 3D Nyanko-sensei Gekijou Special · optional · 2009
- 7.Natsume Yuujinchou San TV Series · 2011
- 8.Natsume Yuujinchou Shi TV Series · 2012
- 9.Natsume Yuujinchou: Nyanko-sensei to Hajimete no Otsukai Special · optional · 2013
- 10.Natsume Yuujinchou: Itsuka Yuki no Hi ni OVA · 2014
Binge plan
How long each way through the franchise takes, what you can skip, and where the story goes next.
Main story only
21h 11m
5 parts, in order
11 days at 2 hours a day
Story + movies
22h 6m
adds 1 movie
12 days at 2 hours a day
Everything
22h 34m
10 entries incl. OVAs and specials
12 days at 2 hours a day
5
core entries
1
movies to include
0
recaps / alt versions to skip
22h 6m
total core runtime
Where the hours go
Core story and movies in watch order · 22h 6m in total · longest: Natsume Yuujinchou
- Natsume Yuujinchou5h 12m
- Natsume Yuujinchou: Ishi Okoshi to Ayashiki Raihousha55m
- Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou5h 12m
- Natsume Yuujinchou San5h 12m
- Natsume Yuujinchou Shi5h 12m
- Natsume Yuujinchou: Itsuka Yuki no Hi ni23m
Show as table
| Item | Runtime |
|---|---|
| Natsume Yuujinchou | 5h 12m |
| Natsume Yuujinchou: Ishi Okoshi to Ayashiki Raihousha | 55m |
| Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou | 5h 12m |
| Natsume Yuujinchou San | 5h 12m |
| Natsume Yuujinchou Shi | 5h 12m |
| Natsume Yuujinchou: Itsuka Yuki no Hi ni | 23m |
Score across seasons
Peaked with Natsume Yuujinchou Shi at 8.20 · from first to latest, the score held steady
Show as table
| # | Entry | Score / 10 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natsume Yuujinchou | 8.17 |
| 2 | Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou | 8.17 |
| 3 | Natsume Yuujinchou San | 8.18 |
| 4 | Natsume Yuujinchou Shi | 8.20 |
| 5 | Natsume Yuujinchou: Itsuka Yuki no Hi ni | 8.11 |
Compare the seasons
The main story part by part: community score (Kitsu), length, filler share, and studio. Highest rated: Natsume Yuujinchou Shi.
| Part | Year | Episodes | Score | Filler | Studio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natsume Yuujinchou | 2008 | 13 | 8.17 | – | Brain's Base |
| Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou | 2009 | 13 | 8.17 | – | Brain's Base |
| Natsume Yuujinchou San | 2011 | 13 | 8.18 | – | Brain's Base |
| Natsume Yuujinchou ShiTop score | 2012 | 13 | 8.20 | – | Brain's Base |
| Natsume Yuujinchou: Itsuka Yuki no Hi ni | 2014 | 1 | 8.11 | – | Brain's Base |
Filler shows only for parts with a filler list. Scores move as people rate, so this table refreshes daily.
Where to stream Natsume's Book of Friends
How many of the 6 seasons and movies each service lists. Catalogues differ by country; each part's own links are in the order below.
- Crunchyroll 4 of 6
Recommended order
- 1
- 2
MovieNatsume Yuujinchou: Ishi Okoshi to Ayashiki RaihoushaMovie · 2021 · 1 ep · 55m
Movie – canon side content, best watched here.
- 3
Side storyoptionalIchiban Kuji Natsume Yuujinchou: Nyanko-sensei to Hana ShirabeONA · 2021 · 1 ep · 2m
Side story / OVA – optional but adds context.
- 4
Side storyoptionalNatsume Yuujinchou: Hitoyoshi Kuma de no Yasashii JikanONA · 2021 · 1 ep · 2m
Side story / OVA – optional but adds context.
- 5
- 6
Side storyoptionalZoku Natsume Yuujinchou: 3D Nyanko-sensei GekijouSpecial · 2009 · 5 ep · 2m
Side story / OVA – optional but adds context.
- 7
- 8
- 9
Side storyoptionalNatsume Yuujinchou: Nyanko-sensei to Hajimete no OtsukaiSpecial · 2013 · 1 ep · 22m
Side story / OVA – optional but adds context.
- 10
MainNatsume Yuujinchou: Itsuka Yuki no Hi niOVA · 2014 · 1 ep · 23m
Core story – watch in this order.
Release order
- 1Natsume Yuujinchou2008-07
- 2Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou2009-01
- 3Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou: 3D Nyanko-sensei Gekijou2009-04
- 4Natsume Yuujinchou San2011-07
- 5Natsume Yuujinchou Shi2012-01
- 6Natsume Yuujinchou: Nyanko-sensei to Hajimete no Otsukai2013-12
- 7Natsume Yuujinchou: Itsuka Yuki no Hi ni2014-02
- 8Natsume Yuujinchou: Ishi Okoshi to Ayashiki Raihousha2021-01
- 9Ichiban Kuji Natsume Yuujinchou: Nyanko-sensei to Hana Shirabe2021-03
- 10Natsume Yuujinchou: Hitoyoshi Kuma de no Yasashii Jikan2021-04
Natsume's Book of Friends watch order checklist
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Natsume's Book of Friends watch order FAQ
What order should I watch Natsume's Book of Friends in?
Watch the seasons in order, from the first through Zoku, San, Shi, Go, Roku and Shichi, with the film Ephemeral Bond after the sixth season. Most episodes are self-contained, but character relationships build across seasons. Kitsu's sequel links stop after Shi, so the later seasons are not in the list below.
How long does it take to watch all of Natsume's Book of Friends?
The core story and movies run about 22h 6m. At two hours a day that is roughly 12 days.
How many seasons does Natsume's Book of Friends have?
5 parts make up the main story, plus 1 movie and 4 side stories or OVAs.
Where do the Natsume's Book of Friends movies fit in the watch order?
Natsume Yuujinchou: Ishi Okoshi to Ayashiki Raihousha: after Natsume Yuujinchou.
Where can I stream all of Natsume's Book of Friends?
Crunchyroll lists 4 of the 6 seasons and movies. Catalogues differ by country, so check the links on each part above.
Which Natsume's Book of Friends season is the best?
By community score on Kitsu, Natsume Yuujinchou Shi rates highest at 8.20/10. The comparison table above lists every part's score, length, filler share and studio.