The good exorcist and the bad exorcist.
What They Say:
Episode #3: “The Letter from the Exorcist”
Natsume receives a letter from Matoba, an exorcist whom he’s had unpleasant dealings with in the past. The world of exorcists is a dangerous place lately, and Matoba wants Natsume’s help. Natsume wants to refuse, but Matoba threatens to reveal Natsume’s powers to his adopted family, which would spell the end of his peaceful life.
The Review
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
Are you a good witch, or a bad witch? Here’s a recap on Natori and Matoba: Natori is the nice one who’s an actor, and Matoba is the creepy jerk who has been after Natsume before for his youkai connections. Natsume has dealings with both in this episode, which nicely reintroduce both to the audience. It’s been awhile since we’ve seen them, and they both factor into the latest troubles that Natsume will be dealing with.
For once Natsume isn’t the instigator of a problem, just the hapless passerby who tries to clean up someone else’s mess. You have to wonder at the idiot logic of the self-proclaimed exorcist who leaves a sealed youkai in a bottle just lying on the ground in the woods. Is the competition between exorcists so pathetic that any young hopeful with an ounce of power is fair game? Natori seems to believe talent is on the wane. Natsume heads off to visit the older man for his help with resealing the botched exorcism. Sealing a youkai is, after all, not Natsume’s preferred way of dealing with youkai. It is a cruel fate to deliver on a creature that can live for centuries. Nyanko-sensei would prefer a rogue youkai destroyed over confinement.
Even though Natori has become more understanding of Natsume’s approach to youkai, Natsume is still reluctant to tell him about the Book of Friends. Even more-so after Natori mentions some forbidden techniques which happen to include using a youkai’s real name. That isn’t the only thing unnerving Natsume though.
Matoba sends Natsume a letter. By a happy coincidence, Natsume doesn’t actually read the letter, but it doesn’t matter. Matoba arrives and blackmails Natsume into coming with him to a meeting of exorcists. It turns out one exorcist has become possessed, and the only way to feel him out is a public gathering with many others of talent. Stuck between attending the convention and the threat of telling his family the truth, Natsume agrees to go with Matoba.
The animation is this episode seems rougher than what I’m used to for this series. The blocking is pretty dull, and some of the animated movement is just poor. Every running animation looks stiff and the characters don’t mesh with the background correctly in some scenes. I don’t know if this is a result of a change in directors or the change in the animation studio, and maybe I’m just misremembering how good the first four seasons looked. I hope it’s just a fluke.
In Summary:
Here’s our first two-part story arc of the season. Natsume finds himself at the mercy of the elder exorcists he knows. One he visits willingly, and the other is an uninvited guest. Natori has softened into someone who, while having different views than Natsume, can be mostly trusted. Matoba, however, remains a dangerous cipher who appears to just want Natsume’s talent for his own clan. With many foolish and inexperienced exorcists roaming around causing trouble, it looks like Natsume is off to a convention against his will.
Episode Grade: B
Streamed by: Crunchyroll