TV-Series
Description
Shūichi Natori hails from a once-influential exorcist clan that withdrew after losing members who could perceive yokai. His birth with spiritual abilities sparked resentment among relatives, who feared vengeful spirits and blamed subsequent misfortunes on him. His father's blame fostered deep isolation and a pessimistic outlook, leading Natori to avoid social connections and reject peers.
A pivotal childhood moment occurred when he discovered Hiiragi, a spirit bound to a family storehouse. Seeing her injured hands, he offered bandages and confessed his feeling of being a curse. Hiiragi countered that children cannot curse others and declared his presence brought her happiness. This brief encounter later shaped his nuanced perspective on spirits.
As a teenager, witnessing an exorcist named Amasaki turned away by his father led Natori to learn of exorcist gatherings. At the Ishizuki Valley meeting, he met Takuma Yousuke. Inspired by Takuma's moderate spiritual power and desire to help others, Natori resolved to become an exorcist. His abilities were assessed through a kimono color test; he perceived dark red, indicating above-average but not exceptional power. There, he also encountered Seiji Matoba, who demonstrated superior strength by seeing the kimono's intricate designs. Rivalry and distrust marked their relationship from the start.
Driven to prove himself, Natori pursued a dangerous three-horned yokai targeting exorcists, refusing Matoba's offer of alliance. Though his paper spell wounded the creature, Matoba ultimately defeated it. Accepting this failure, Natori allowed Matoba sole credit but continued questioning his path, seeking a balance between strength, righteousness, and kindness.
As an adult, Natori maintains dual careers as a popular actor and the leader of the revived Natori clan. He utilizes shikigami (paper dolls) for combat, messaging, and tracking, alongside three spirit familiars: Sasago, Urihime, and Hiiragi – whom he reclaimed after recognizing her as the bound spirit from his youth. His moderate spiritual power is augmented by glasses that sharpen his vision of yokai. A moving lizard birthmark, visible only to those with strong spiritual perception, signifies his unique constitution and reportedly foretells future leg loss.
Initially, his methods prioritized human safety through forceful exorcisms, reflecting deep-seated resentment toward yokai. Meeting Takashi Natsume, who shares his sight but advocates peaceful resolutions, gradually softened his approach. While still willing to eliminate threats, he increasingly seeks non-lethal solutions, influenced by Natsume's compassion. He develops a protective, brotherly bond with Natsume, often scolding his recklessness with spirits while supporting him against adversaries like Matoba. He views Natsume as "someone who sees the same scenery," acknowledging their shared loneliness.
Natori's glasses symbolize his strained position between worlds, unable to fully belong among humans or high-powered exorcists. They represent both his physical limitation and the "warped" perspective stemming from his struggles. Matoba once noted these lenses distort reality, reflecting Natori's enduring bitterness and search for belonging. Despite this, his care for his shikigami, particularly Hiiragi, and his commitment to Natsume's well-being demonstrate his capacity for loyalty and growth.
A pivotal childhood moment occurred when he discovered Hiiragi, a spirit bound to a family storehouse. Seeing her injured hands, he offered bandages and confessed his feeling of being a curse. Hiiragi countered that children cannot curse others and declared his presence brought her happiness. This brief encounter later shaped his nuanced perspective on spirits.
As a teenager, witnessing an exorcist named Amasaki turned away by his father led Natori to learn of exorcist gatherings. At the Ishizuki Valley meeting, he met Takuma Yousuke. Inspired by Takuma's moderate spiritual power and desire to help others, Natori resolved to become an exorcist. His abilities were assessed through a kimono color test; he perceived dark red, indicating above-average but not exceptional power. There, he also encountered Seiji Matoba, who demonstrated superior strength by seeing the kimono's intricate designs. Rivalry and distrust marked their relationship from the start.
Driven to prove himself, Natori pursued a dangerous three-horned yokai targeting exorcists, refusing Matoba's offer of alliance. Though his paper spell wounded the creature, Matoba ultimately defeated it. Accepting this failure, Natori allowed Matoba sole credit but continued questioning his path, seeking a balance between strength, righteousness, and kindness.
As an adult, Natori maintains dual careers as a popular actor and the leader of the revived Natori clan. He utilizes shikigami (paper dolls) for combat, messaging, and tracking, alongside three spirit familiars: Sasago, Urihime, and Hiiragi – whom he reclaimed after recognizing her as the bound spirit from his youth. His moderate spiritual power is augmented by glasses that sharpen his vision of yokai. A moving lizard birthmark, visible only to those with strong spiritual perception, signifies his unique constitution and reportedly foretells future leg loss.
Initially, his methods prioritized human safety through forceful exorcisms, reflecting deep-seated resentment toward yokai. Meeting Takashi Natsume, who shares his sight but advocates peaceful resolutions, gradually softened his approach. While still willing to eliminate threats, he increasingly seeks non-lethal solutions, influenced by Natsume's compassion. He develops a protective, brotherly bond with Natsume, often scolding his recklessness with spirits while supporting him against adversaries like Matoba. He views Natsume as "someone who sees the same scenery," acknowledging their shared loneliness.
Natori's glasses symbolize his strained position between worlds, unable to fully belong among humans or high-powered exorcists. They represent both his physical limitation and the "warped" perspective stemming from his struggles. Matoba once noted these lenses distort reality, reflecting Natori's enduring bitterness and search for belonging. Despite this, his care for his shikigami, particularly Hiiragi, and his commitment to Natsume's well-being demonstrate his capacity for loyalty and growth.