God, all Natsume's Book of Friends content is my beloved. I don't know who Natsume's grandfather is, but how Reiko came up with the book of friends in the first place is really bittersweet, I can't wait to see it animated.
these theories are so interesting! I wonder if Nyanko sensei used to be Reiko's shiki? or maybe he used to make a deal with Reiko to inherit The Book of Friends? There's a possibility that Reiko got killed by some Yuujinchou's pursuers. Then, Madara went beserk and ended up getting sealed. Despite his constant criticism towards Reiko's past, he had a deep affection for her family.
For some reason I didn't catch on to the stuff with Yorishima hesitating with his responses about Reiko, so I'm going to have to go back and read that volume now. My partner and I have definitely had the Madara theory for a while now, so I'm glad to hear someone else voice it! He's also one of the only youkai who knew Reiko who's name does not appear to be or have been in the Book of Friends.
I have been a fan of the Madara-is-Natsume's-father theory. However the appearanc- of Yorishima kind of puts a damper on it. Still... Grampa Madara theory would explain Natsume's slit pupils, why he's so protective of Natsume beyond the flimsy excuse of the Book of Friends. His dissapearance could be explained by the fact that he was sealed until Natsume came ariund in episode/chapter 1 and how Hokuzaki. But yeah, Yorishima is awfully suspicious.... Unless MADARA IS YORISHIMAS FATHER?! 🙀
watching it back again, I came across this scene where Natori tore the letter that Matoba had given to him. Maybe Matoba knew about Takashi's grandpa?..remember when Nanase says 'maybe it's fate' and the same goes to Matoba, he stated the same thing.
6:33 One of the most famous Yokai legends is about “Yuki Ona” (snow woman) a female Yokai, who had 10 children with a human, before leaving him, as he accidentally broke their promise. So yea, technically it’s possible.
I don't really like this theory too but... There was a yokai who turned Takashi into a kid without his memories, Also Tanuma's father is a monk and we've never got to know anything about her mother... What if he was turned into a kid with no memories what so ever about his past, then a monk found him and decided to take care of him as his own child? Once again, I really think it's absurd but u never know
Altho the Yorishima theory seems the most accurate I'm not fully convinced on it because I feel like they would have smelled similar to ayakashi's and nyanko did not really react differently to Yorishima. My other theory which i believe in the most is that Natsume's grandfather was one of the Matoba's and that explains the dark hair for starters. Also Matoba check out all the boxes of being memorable, powerful exorcist. Spolers: But when it comes to Matoba they have many families under them. We have a whole plot about Seiji's mysterious sister now who is a rival of Matoba so it could be someone from her exorcist family too. Anyway i feel like Natsume's granfather and Seiji's sister know each other and that is one theory I have fully convinced myself with cuz in that way the Book of friends still would have been a secret from the Matoba's but as its a plot point that already exists as in 2 mysteries surrounding family members it makes the most sense to me that there is a possibility they are familiar with each other
Theory #4: Natsume's grandfather is from tha Matoba clan. I'm just taking this out of nowhere but I've always thought that it would be awesome if Natsume was somehow related to the clan he disagrees with the most. Also, I hope it isn't Tanuma because that'll ruin my ship hahaha 😅
Please excuse my bad english, i read somewhere that Natsume's grandfather is probably from another exorcist family (not Matoba). Iirc it's from Mr. Yorishima's clan, that clan used to rival Matoba's clan. Because Mr. Yorishima has silver/white hair and green eyes (same as Natsume's hair and eyes color in manga), also he is actually pretty old (old enough to be Natsume's grandfather). So if he is not Natsume's grandfather then its maybe someone related to him. Natori also said Mr. Yorishima's left (or right? I forgot) hand is eaten by yokai, and that said yokai becomes his left hand instead. If that clan is able to somehow fuse with yokai then its also explain why yokai's medicine works for Natsume, because probably Natsume has some yokai blood that he got from his grandfather's.
Natsume and Madara (in his true beast form) have the same cat eyes. Madara knows a great deal about Reiko and some of her very personal habits like library books. He has spent a great deal of time with Reiko. Madara obviously cares about Natsume. The pretense is that he is waiting for the Book of Friends, but he could have taken that at any time. Madara can transform into a human male as he does with Natsume who is locked in the bottle. It is possible that Madara was Reiko's Familiar which would allow him to have close contact with her. Still Natsume has Yōkai eyes and Reiko was human.
I like the theory about Yorishima being his Grandfather, I really like him and he seems like he would be a good Grandfather to Natsume. I also love how sweet he was to Natsume and how mean he was to Natori 😅
I've come around to thinking that Natsume's grandfather was an exorcist because...why was Reiko making the book of friends in the first place? So many people we've met have warned about how dangerous it could be in the wrong hands, and we know it's considered a forbidden technique among exorcists. My theory is that Natsume's grandfather met Reiko, realized how powerful her abilities were, and then got close to her so that he could use her to make the book of friends. As an exorcist, he was forbidden from making it himself, but having Reiko make it and then give it to him could be a way around that. Reiko herself seemed to have no idea exactly what she was creating, so where did she get the idea to write down all those ayakashi's names? Also, is it ever explained why Natsume's last name is Natsume--the same as Reiko's--rather than his father's last name? That always made me wonder if Natsume's dad might have been an ayakashi, hence him not having his own last name...
Interesting! As for that last name thing, I don’t think his dad was an Ayakashi because we meet all of his side of the family. From some quick research - it looks like that in Japan, if the parents are unmarried, the child takes the mother’s name, so Takashi’s parents were probably just not married.
I had a theory while re-watched Naruto. Remember Kushina? Ah, i think Reiko also does it too. Before she passed away, she may put her chakras to her daughter, and it continues to Takashi. That may explains why Takashi could access his grandma's memories from the youkais he met... who knows?
I believe that Madara is actually Reiko. Think with me, all the yokai who look for Natsume have a story to tell about Reiko, but Madara never talked about her. The only explanation I have for this is that he himself is Reiko, and that's why he doesn't say anything.
I had the same thought ! Nyanko sensei knows a lot about the book of friends and its mechanics. If you think about it, we are not sure Reiko was actually human to begin with, I mean she was often mistaken for an ayakashi because of her power and in all the memories we have seen she never ages considering how many yokai she met, especially since they don't perceive time as humans. So it is weird...Or maybe she died and reincarnated into an ayakashi hence Madara, yokai usually were humans in their past life. Anyway hopefully we will have answers when Natsume's grandpa appears in the manga.
I'm thinking we haven't met him, though the theories on Yorishima and Madara have great points. Between these two, I'm leaning more toward Madara (though I'd love for Yorishima to be Natsume's grandpa, honestly), but I struggle with that. In actual mythology, I think there are youkai who have children with humans, primarily kitsune, so I don't think it would be out of question, plus I think there were at least two love stories between human and yokai in canon, no? I got to re-read the manga. However, I feel like Madara's true form could be an issue. I don't know if Midorikawa would go for it, even if he can change into a human. Anyway, I currently believe we haven't met the grandfather yet, but I believe he must have been an exorcist (though I too hang on to the possibility that Natsume is not entirely human) and Madara probably had some contact with him as well. Maybe Madara picked up his fondness of sake and manju from him. I also find the theory mentioned here by someone else that Natsume's grandfather could have been a Matoba intriguing.
At this point I feel like both can check out. There's not enough to definitively suggest Yorishima. But if it was Madara then I suspect Hakozaki's dragon might have specified that the individual he had met before (that resembles Natsume) was a yokai. Maybe the language is ambiguous by design, as the dragon only calls them 男 aka man, so it could be a transformed yokai, but I'm given more incentive to believe he was referring to a human.
Why do you assume that Reiko had a daughter not a son? His last name is Natsume. There is a picture of his parents together suggesting they were married. Why would his father take his wife's last name? Reiko could be his paternal grandmother, not maternal.
Not assuming! It’s stated in the series that Natsume’s mother is Reiko’s daughter. Season 5 ep1 around 5:15 and in chapter 57 of the manga! As for the name - I just looked into this because of another comment, but in Japan if the parents are unmarried, the child will have the mother’s last name, so his parents were probably never married.
in japan a husband can get adopted to his wife’s family and take her family name, specially if that family doesnt have any son to carry on their surname. 🤷
I also like theory 1 the best, but i'm not really sold on it. He just looks too young and I honestly think he just doesn't know Reiko. But I enjoy the theories. I have a feeling that we have not met him yet. And this sound dramatic but I've always deeply hated the Madara grandpa theory. Not that I don't think it has any merit (tho I also think powerful youkai wouldn't mistake madara for a human ngl) but because Natsume and Nyanko's growing bond is such a core aspect of the story that if it turns out that nyanko is secretly caring for Natsume cause of family ties I will be disappointed lol.
God, all Natsume's Book of Friends content is my beloved. I don't know who Natsume's grandfather is, but how Reiko came up with the book of friends in the first place is really bittersweet, I can't wait to see it animated.
I dont believe it!! A Natsume video from less than a year ago! Make a wish! There are still Natsume fans.
these theories are so interesting! I wonder if Nyanko sensei used to be Reiko's shiki? or maybe he used to make a deal with Reiko to inherit The Book of Friends? There's a possibility that Reiko got killed by some Yuujinchou's pursuers. Then, Madara went beserk and ended up getting sealed. Despite his constant criticism towards Reiko's past, he had a deep affection for her family.
For some reason I didn't catch on to the stuff with Yorishima hesitating with his responses about Reiko, so I'm going to have to go back and read that volume now.
My partner and I have definitely had the Madara theory for a while now, so I'm glad to hear someone else voice it! He's also one of the only youkai who knew Reiko who's name does not appear to be or have been in the Book of Friends.
I have been a fan of the Madara-is-Natsume's-father theory. However the appearanc- of Yorishima kind of puts a damper on it. Still... Grampa Madara theory would explain Natsume's slit pupils, why he's so protective of Natsume beyond the flimsy excuse of the Book of Friends. His dissapearance could be explained by the fact that he was sealed until Natsume came ariund in episode/chapter 1 and how Hokuzaki.
But yeah, Yorishima is awfully suspicious.... Unless MADARA IS YORISHIMAS FATHER?! 🙀
THE PLOTTWIST??! Hahaha
watching it back again, I came across this scene where Natori tore the letter that Matoba had given to him. Maybe Matoba knew about Takashi's grandpa?..remember when Nanase says 'maybe it's fate' and the same goes to Matoba, he stated the same thing.
6:33
One of the most famous Yokai legends is about “Yuki Ona” (snow woman) a female Yokai, who had 10 children with a human, before leaving him, as he accidentally broke their promise.
So yea, technically it’s possible.
I don't really like this theory too but... There was a yokai who turned Takashi into a kid without his memories,
Also Tanuma's father is a monk and we've never got to know anything about her mother... What if he was turned into a kid with no memories what so ever about his past, then a monk found him and decided to take care of him as his own child?
Once again, I really think it's absurd but u never know
Altho the Yorishima theory seems the most accurate I'm not fully convinced on it because I feel like they would have smelled similar to ayakashi's and nyanko did not really react differently to Yorishima. My other theory which i believe in the most is that Natsume's grandfather was one of the Matoba's and that explains the dark hair for starters. Also Matoba check out all the boxes of being memorable, powerful exorcist.
Spolers: But when it comes to Matoba they have many families under them. We have a whole plot about Seiji's mysterious sister now who is a rival of Matoba so it could be someone from her exorcist family too. Anyway i feel like Natsume's granfather and Seiji's sister know each other and that is one theory I have fully convinced myself with cuz in that way the Book of friends still would have been a secret from the Matoba's but as its a plot point that already exists as in 2 mysteries surrounding family members it makes the most sense to me that there is a possibility they are familiar with each other
Theory #4: Natsume's grandfather is from tha Matoba clan. I'm just taking this out of nowhere but I've always thought that it would be awesome if Natsume was somehow related to the clan he disagrees with the most. Also, I hope it isn't Tanuma because that'll ruin my ship hahaha 😅
I shipped Tanuma X Taki though😂
Well, this could be true considering the Matoba clan is known for being powerful exorcists.
Please excuse my bad english, i read somewhere that Natsume's grandfather is probably from another exorcist family (not Matoba). Iirc it's from Mr. Yorishima's clan, that clan used to rival Matoba's clan. Because Mr. Yorishima has silver/white hair and green eyes (same as Natsume's hair and eyes color in manga), also he is actually pretty old (old enough to be Natsume's grandfather). So if he is not Natsume's grandfather then its maybe someone related to him. Natori also said Mr. Yorishima's left (or right? I forgot) hand is eaten by yokai, and that said yokai becomes his left hand instead. If that clan is able to somehow fuse with yokai then its also explain why yokai's medicine works for Natsume, because probably Natsume has some yokai blood that he got from his grandfather's.
Natsume and Madara (in his true beast form) have the same cat eyes. Madara knows a great deal about Reiko and some of her very personal habits like library books. He has spent a great deal of time with Reiko. Madara obviously cares about Natsume. The pretense is that he is waiting for the Book of Friends, but he could have taken that at any time. Madara can transform into a human male as he does with Natsume who is locked in the bottle. It is possible that Madara was Reiko's Familiar which would allow him to have close contact with her. Still Natsume has Yōkai eyes and Reiko was human.
I like the theory about Yorishima being his Grandfather, I really like him and he seems like he would be a good Grandfather to Natsume. I also love how sweet he was to Natsume and how mean he was to Natori 😅
Never heard of this anime, very interesting
It’s one of my favourites! Highly recommend
It is so good. Probably my favourite.
I've come around to thinking that Natsume's grandfather was an exorcist because...why was Reiko making the book of friends in the first place? So many people we've met have warned about how dangerous it could be in the wrong hands, and we know it's considered a forbidden technique among exorcists. My theory is that Natsume's grandfather met Reiko, realized how powerful her abilities were, and then got close to her so that he could use her to make the book of friends. As an exorcist, he was forbidden from making it himself, but having Reiko make it and then give it to him could be a way around that. Reiko herself seemed to have no idea exactly what she was creating, so where did she get the idea to write down all those ayakashi's names?
Also, is it ever explained why Natsume's last name is Natsume--the same as Reiko's--rather than his father's last name? That always made me wonder if Natsume's dad might have been an ayakashi, hence him not having his own last name...
Interesting! As for that last name thing, I don’t think his dad was an Ayakashi because we meet all of his side of the family. From some quick research - it looks like that in Japan, if the parents are unmarried, the child takes the mother’s name, so Takashi’s parents were probably just not married.
I had a theory while re-watched Naruto. Remember Kushina? Ah, i think Reiko also does it too. Before she passed away, she may put her chakras to her daughter, and it continues to Takashi. That may explains why Takashi could access his grandma's memories from the youkais he met... who knows?
I believe that Madara is actually Reiko. Think with me, all the yokai who look for Natsume have a story to tell about Reiko, but Madara never talked about her. The only explanation I have for this is that he himself is Reiko, and that's why he doesn't say anything.
I never considered that option but I admit it's a good possibility. We don't know if "Humans" as powerful as Reiko and Takashi can transcend.
I had the same thought ! Nyanko sensei knows a lot about the book of friends and its mechanics. If you think about it, we are not sure Reiko was actually human to begin with, I mean she was often mistaken for an ayakashi because of her power and in all the memories we have seen she never ages considering how many yokai she met, especially since they don't perceive time as humans. So it is weird...Or maybe she died and reincarnated into an ayakashi hence Madara, yokai usually were humans in their past life. Anyway hopefully we will have answers when Natsume's grandpa appears in the manga.
I'm thinking we haven't met him, though the theories on Yorishima and Madara have great points.
Between these two, I'm leaning more toward Madara (though I'd love for Yorishima to be Natsume's grandpa, honestly), but I struggle with that. In actual mythology, I think there are youkai who have children with humans, primarily kitsune, so I don't think it would be out of question, plus I think there were at least two love stories between human and yokai in canon, no? I got to re-read the manga. However, I feel like Madara's true form could be an issue. I don't know if Midorikawa would go for it, even if he can change into a human.
Anyway, I currently believe we haven't met the grandfather yet, but I believe he must have been an exorcist (though I too hang on to the possibility that Natsume is not entirely human) and Madara probably had some contact with him as well. Maybe Madara picked up his fondness of sake and manju from him. I also find the theory mentioned here by someone else that Natsume's grandfather could have been a Matoba intriguing.
youve sold me. im a tanuma granddad truther for life now
I also think Madara theory could be possible and im glad their is others Natsume Yuujinchou fans 😊
At this point I feel like both can check out. There's not enough to definitively suggest Yorishima. But if it was Madara then I suspect Hakozaki's dragon might have specified that the individual he had met before (that resembles Natsume) was a yokai. Maybe the language is ambiguous by design, as the dragon only calls them 男 aka man, so it could be a transformed yokai, but I'm given more incentive to believe he was referring to a human.
my guess is number 1 is actually natsume's father with amnesia or his uncle (he's half sooo) and madara is the grandfather
can anyone plese tell me where i can read this manga
i just completed 6 season and i want to read 7
please anyone
mangakakalot is what i use
How did Reiko died...? Somebody tell me
As far as I’m aware, it’s still a mystery.
🥲
I heard she hanged herself @@low_budget_rap
Why do you assume that Reiko had a daughter not a son? His last name is Natsume. There is a picture of his parents together suggesting they were married. Why would his father take his wife's last name? Reiko could be his paternal grandmother, not maternal.
Not assuming! It’s stated in the series that Natsume’s mother is Reiko’s daughter. Season 5 ep1 around 5:15 and in chapter 57 of the manga!
As for the name - I just looked into this because of another comment, but in Japan if the parents are unmarried, the child will have the mother’s last name, so his parents were probably never married.
in japan a husband can get adopted to his wife’s family and take her family name, specially if that family doesnt have any son to carry on their surname. 🤷
I also like theory 1 the best, but i'm not really sold on it. He just looks too young and I honestly think he just doesn't know Reiko. But I enjoy the theories. I have a feeling that we have not met him yet. And this sound dramatic but I've always deeply hated the Madara grandpa theory. Not that I don't think it has any merit (tho I also think powerful youkai wouldn't mistake madara for a human ngl) but because Natsume and Nyanko's growing bond is such a core aspect of the story that if it turns out that nyanko is secretly caring for Natsume cause of family ties I will be disappointed lol.