Natsume Takashi is a fictional character from the anime and manga series Natsume's Book of Friends (Natsume Yūjin-chō), created by Yuki Midorikawa. He is a high school student who can see youkai and spirits, which are supernatural beings from Japanese folklore. Takashi inherits a book from his late grandmother, Natsume Reiko, that contains the names of spirits she had bound to her service. Throughout the series, Takashi seeks to return the names in the book to the spirits, aiming to help them find peace. He is often accompanied by Madara, a powerful spirit that takes the form of a lucky cat. The story explores themes of friendship, loneliness, and the connection between humans and the spirit world.