For so long I cant even begin to truly understand why this show doesnt touch me that much at all. It has all the right elements from the getgo with a relationshiprelated theme absolutely relevant for someone like me and the consistency to carry that theme out in a multitude of storytelling approaches utilizing its format as an episodic story to its maximum advantage. Plenty of facets regarding connection are laid out in every episode. But still despite it being my cup of tea why do I not find it beyond the realm of alright and just good? If I were to describe what I feel it would be that Natsume Yuujinchou is quite faint. Whether its the visuals the characters and the story itself they appear much like apparitions that if somehow evolve into a solid figure with promising features burn out all their luster quickly ephemeral and languid. And no this isnt me being overly analytical over a simple show to relax and heal. Even during my vegetative states I did not find any nourishment sticking strongly to fuel my love for the series. Four seasons in and its only scratched the surface. One thing that has bothered me a lot is Reikos confusing character writing. Shes painted with reverence and general positivity by a few youkai while hated deservingly by most others. We still dont know yet her complete story or at least even the reason why she made the ironically titled Book of Friends to soothe her loneliness as a societal oddity like Natsume. I say theres irony in its entitlement due to how she basically cages in the freedom of the youkai mostly minding their own businesses after a duel and subjugation and calls it a Book of Friends. Its title only finds appropriate grounds for Natsume which finds meaningful relationships by the bonding of struggle and the virtue to let go. I just find Reiko to be such an enigma but not even with enchanting mystique that mysterious unknown characters usually radiate with. Her actions still look unjustifiable even deplorable when its already the 4th season. I think its been way past the time to reveal how shes truly influenced the bedrock of the story and finally clarify where she stands as someone integral to the movement of the story. The slacking pace is not bad per se quite the contrary for an iyashikei pieceits a jewel of the crown giving shine and therefore a strength that allures the viewer. But as Reiko who is involved in pretty much every youkais life Natsume has encountered is still tangled with contradiction and unfavorable mystery there is a huge portion of adoration sapped from my person. Additionally the glue holding everything compact is still as weak as Natsumes connection to society before the present age. As of now the series feels rather disjointed in that the whole is comprised of faded individual parts. In other words most episodes are not too memorable nor do the numbers hold as much proportional augmentation for the theme. No episode has yet evoked within me sweet serenity heartgratifying and soulsoothing moments that linger. As a concrete example to outline the disappointment of these remarks heres my fleshedout thoughts I commented under my Anilist watch activity on episode 3 and 4 of this season brimming with positive comments. Episode 3 Episode 4 Evidently I dont hate this series just sad at how it hasnt touched even near the inner circle of the dart board or if it did it swerved itself away from the area or if by some fantastical magic shaken off it for every quake a new dart brings. Compare the whileexperiencing and the havingexperienced and the gap between it yawns wide. Admittedly reviewing every season makes it a bigger deal than it should be so theres that to be considered. If the show does grow on me eventually Ill look back at the early seasons with a look of endearment tinged with wistfulness as I view from the place where Natsume has reached the places that hes been. That expressed there is still beauty in the 4th season of Natsume Yuujinchou as a standalone season. Each and every episode we find Natsume growing and making use of the lessons hes received from the previous seasons. Most especially hes solidifying the circle confirming his existence in the human world and has faced the memory of his parents he has long since buried. To add we had an emotional flashback of Natsumes childhood when he was still hovering between households toandto. That package containing resolutions of his past unfolded a covenant that vows a better following seasons of Natsume Yuujinchou.