TV-Series
Description
Shūichi Natori was born into the Natori clan, a retired exorcist family. His birth unexpectedly revived their long-lost ability to perceive yōkai, causing his family to fear vengeful spirits and blame him for misfortunes. This hostile environment strained his relationship with his father and fostered a pessimistic, antisocial youth.
As a child, he discovered the injured yōkai Hiiragi bound to a storehouse. Bandaging her bleeding hands, he confided his family viewed him as a curse. Hiiragi countered that children cannot curse others and his presence brought her happiness, a moment that stayed with him though they did not meet again for years.
His bleak outlook persisted into his teens until the exorcist Amasaki visited. Turned away by Natori's father, Amasaki's shikigami directed him to an exorcist gathering in Ishizuki Valley. There, Takuma Yousuke explained the kimono test; Natori saw dark red, signifying above-average but not exceptional spiritual power. Inspired by Takuma's compassionate approach despite moderate abilities, Natori resolved to become an exorcist, seeking to turn his perceived curse into good. He adopted glasses to enhance his sight of yōkai, emulating Takuma.
A pivotal failure occurred when Takuma was injured by a three-horned yōkai targeting exorcists. Eager to prove himself, Natori hunted the creature alone, refusing an alliance with the distrusted Seiji Matoba. His paper spell only wounded the yōkai before Matoba killed it. Natori allowed Matoba to take full credit, deepening his internal conflict about his purpose and capabilities, leaving him questioning if he would ever find meaning.
As an adult, he balances dual careers as a popular actor and an exorcist. Initially employing forceful exorcisms fueled by childhood resentment towards yōkai, he utilizes paper shikigami for combat, tracking, and communication. He commands three yōkai familiars: Sasago, Urihime, and later Hiiragi, whom he reunited with and freed from her bindings. A lizard-like birthmark, visible only to those with spiritual power, serves as both a signature trait and the source of his abilities; it avoids his left leg.
His relationship with Takashi Natsume profoundly shifted his perspective. Initially viewing Natsume as a potential assistant, he tested the boy's spiritual sight and enlisted his help. Tension arose when Natsume opposed his lethal methods during an encounter with a storehouse-bound yōkai (Hiiragi). Natsume's intervention spared her, prompting Natori to reconsider his approach. Over time, genuine concern developed; he came to see Natsume as a friend who "sees the same scenery." This bond softened his stance on yōkai, though he retains pragmatism, using force when he deems it necessary for human safety. He acts protectively towards Natsume, shielding him from threats like Matoba and reckless decisions involving yōkai.
His glasses symbolize his struggle between worlds: unable to fully integrate with humans due to his sight and marginalized among exorcists for his moderate power. Matoba once remarked the lenses distorted his view, reflecting Natori's perception of the world as unforgiving and bleak. Yet his journey reflects a shift from bitterness towards cautious hope, influenced by Natsume and his own desire to reconcile strength with compassion.
As a child, he discovered the injured yōkai Hiiragi bound to a storehouse. Bandaging her bleeding hands, he confided his family viewed him as a curse. Hiiragi countered that children cannot curse others and his presence brought her happiness, a moment that stayed with him though they did not meet again for years.
His bleak outlook persisted into his teens until the exorcist Amasaki visited. Turned away by Natori's father, Amasaki's shikigami directed him to an exorcist gathering in Ishizuki Valley. There, Takuma Yousuke explained the kimono test; Natori saw dark red, signifying above-average but not exceptional spiritual power. Inspired by Takuma's compassionate approach despite moderate abilities, Natori resolved to become an exorcist, seeking to turn his perceived curse into good. He adopted glasses to enhance his sight of yōkai, emulating Takuma.
A pivotal failure occurred when Takuma was injured by a three-horned yōkai targeting exorcists. Eager to prove himself, Natori hunted the creature alone, refusing an alliance with the distrusted Seiji Matoba. His paper spell only wounded the yōkai before Matoba killed it. Natori allowed Matoba to take full credit, deepening his internal conflict about his purpose and capabilities, leaving him questioning if he would ever find meaning.
As an adult, he balances dual careers as a popular actor and an exorcist. Initially employing forceful exorcisms fueled by childhood resentment towards yōkai, he utilizes paper shikigami for combat, tracking, and communication. He commands three yōkai familiars: Sasago, Urihime, and later Hiiragi, whom he reunited with and freed from her bindings. A lizard-like birthmark, visible only to those with spiritual power, serves as both a signature trait and the source of his abilities; it avoids his left leg.
His relationship with Takashi Natsume profoundly shifted his perspective. Initially viewing Natsume as a potential assistant, he tested the boy's spiritual sight and enlisted his help. Tension arose when Natsume opposed his lethal methods during an encounter with a storehouse-bound yōkai (Hiiragi). Natsume's intervention spared her, prompting Natori to reconsider his approach. Over time, genuine concern developed; he came to see Natsume as a friend who "sees the same scenery." This bond softened his stance on yōkai, though he retains pragmatism, using force when he deems it necessary for human safety. He acts protectively towards Natsume, shielding him from threats like Matoba and reckless decisions involving yōkai.
His glasses symbolize his struggle between worlds: unable to fully integrate with humans due to his sight and marginalized among exorcists for his moderate power. Matoba once remarked the lenses distorted his view, reflecting Natori's perception of the world as unforgiving and bleak. Yet his journey reflects a shift from bitterness towards cautious hope, influenced by Natsume and his own desire to reconcile strength with compassion.