Takashi Natsume is a teenage boy who inherited his late grandmother Reiko's ability to see yokai. Orphaned young, he endured a transient and isolated childhood, frequently moved among relatives who dismissed his encounters as lies or delusions. This led to neglect, bullying, and ostracization. Specific incidents, like conflict with the Aoi family's jealous daughter Miyoko and the Tree Youkai costing him a potential friendship, deepened his alienation and reluctance to trust. His childhood wish was simply to live alone, away from both humans and yokai. Physically, Natsume has dusty-blonde hair (silver in the manga) and golden-brown eyes with slitted pupils (green in the manga). He stands approximately 167 cm tall. His appearance is often noted as feminine, drawing comparisons to Reiko and occasional teasing, prompting him to consciously adopt more masculine speech patterns. He typically wears his school uniform and carries a distinctive green shoulder bag instead of the standard school issue. Despite his traumatic past, Natsume possesses profound kindness and empathy towards humans and yokai. Initially reserved and mistrustful, he gradually opens up after being adopted by the supportive Shigeru and Touko Fujiwara. He remains protective of loved ones, hiding his yokai activities to shield them from worry or danger. This protectiveness extends to friends like Kaname Tanuma, who can faintly sense yokai, though Natsume eventually learns to accept their help. A pacifist, he seeks nonviolent resolutions with antagonistic yokai but will defend himself physically when necessary. His spiritual power enables his punches or kicks to instantly incapacitate yokai, though this ability is ineffective against humans. He possesses heightened agility from years of evading yokai but has low stamina and is susceptible to illness. His relationships shape his development. The Fujiwaras offer stability: Shigeru's quiet presence provides emotional nourishment, while Touko serves as a maternal sanctuary. Among peers, Satoru Nishimura and Atsushi Kitamoto help him integrate socially. Tanuma becomes a confidant due to their shared spiritual awareness. His dynamic with the yokai Madara, often in the form of a cat named Nyanko-sensei, involves constant bickering but underscores mutual loyalty. Madara safeguards him in exchange for eventual inheritance of the Book of Friends, frequently intervening in Natsume's crises regardless. Natsume's core mission involves returning names from the Book of Friends—a ledger of yokai contracts forged by Reiko—to their rightful owners. This connects him to his grandmother's legacy and reflects his rejection of controlling yokai. Each returned name reveals fragments of Reiko's life, deepening his understanding of her solitude and strengthening his resolve to forge a different path. Returning names symbolizes restoring autonomy and dignity to yokai, contrasting with exorcists like the Matoba clan who use coercive methods. Natsume consistently defies their pressure to join their ranks, advocating for coexistence. Across official media, Natsume evolves from a solitary, self-reliant individual into someone embracing interdependence. He transitions from fearing his ability to valuing it as a bridge between worlds, aiding distressed yokai and mediating conflicts. He confronts adversaries like Matoba, who blackmails him into exorcist gatherings, yet remains steadfast in his principles. Flashbacks to childhood traumas—futilely calling for his deceased father or the betrayal by the Tree Youkai—diminish in their hold as he builds trust with his found family and friends. His initial desire for normalcy transforms into acceptance of his unique role, affirming both joyful and painful experiences as irreplaceable parts of his life.