Natsume Reiko is, without a doubt, one of the most compelling figures in Natsume’s Book of Friends—even though she never appears in the present timeline. As the grandmother of the main character, Takashi Natsume, her influence lingers throughout the entire series, shaping both his journey and the world around him. You see, Natsume Reiko was once the owner of the mysterious Book of Friends, a powerful artifact that holds the real names of countless youkai. And as we come to learn through scattered flashbacks and whispered stories, her time with the book was marked by both strength and sorrow.

It’s clear from early on that Natsume Reiko wasn’t just some distant ancestor—she’s a constant presence, almost like a shadow guiding (or sometimes complicating) Takashi’s path. The book he now carries? It was hers first. She used it to command spirits, yes, but not always out of cruelty. In fact, much of what we learn about Natsume Reiko paints a picture of someone deeply wounded by loneliness and rejection. Growing up as an orphan who could see youkai—something most humans can’t—she was bullied, feared, and misunderstood. So when she gained control over the spirits through the Book of Friends, it made sense, in a tragic sort of way, that she’d use that power to assert herself.

But here’s the thing: Natsume Reiko wasn’t purely vengeful or cold-hearted. Many of the youkai who speak of her do so with a mix of awe and resentment. Some even admit they respected her—not because she dominated them, but because she saw them for who they were. There’s a quiet empathy beneath her actions, something that Takashi eventually recognizes. He begins to understand that while Natsume Reiko may have bound spirits to her will, she also protected them at times, listened to their sorrows, and acknowledged their existence when no one else would.

And honestly, that complexity is what makes Natsume Reiko such a fascinating character. She didn’t fit neatly into hero or villain categories. Her legacy isn’t clean-cut; instead, it’s layered with pain, pride, defiance, and a longing for connection. This emotional depth becomes especially apparent when we consider her possible personality type. Now, keep in mind these aren’t set in stone, but many fans—including analysts—believe Natsume Reiko might be an INFJ, often called “The Advocate.” Why? Because INFJs are known for being empathetic, intuitive, and idealistic, even if they appear distant. Sound familiar? Yeah, that fits Natsume Reiko pretty well. She had this inner drive to make sense of a world that rejected her, and she did so by forming bonds—even forced ones—with beings who could actually see her for who she was.

Then there’s the Enneagram angle. If you’re into that kind of analysis, Natsume Reiko seems to strongly align with Type Four—the Individualist. These people tend to be introspective, creative, emotionally rich, and often feel set apart from others. And wow, does that ever describe Natsume Reiko. Her love for poetry, music, and solitude speaks volumes. She didn’t just live on the margins—she felt them, deeply. Her artistry wasn’t just a hobby; it was a refuge. A way to express the emotions too heavy to carry in silence.

So, while Natsume Reiko died long before the story truly begins, her impact is everywhere. Every spirit Takashi meets who remembers her—whether with anger, admiration, or grief—adds another piece to the puzzle of who she really was. Was she flawed? Absolutely. But wasn’t that part of what made her human? Her struggles echo in Takashi’s own experiences, giving him a chance to do things differently—to return names freely, to build trust, to heal old wounds instead of deepening them.

In the end, Natsume Reiko remains a ghost in more ways than one. Not just literally absent, but present in memory, in consequence, in the very pages of the book that binds so many fates together. And maybe that’s the point. Through understanding Natsume Reiko—the pain she carried, the power she wielded, the connections she forged—we come to appreciate not only her role in the series but also how she helped shape the gentle, compassionate person Takashi strives to become.