The new music reading drama event “SOUND THEATRE×Natsume’s Book of Friends ~ Chapter of Sound Drama: Summer Haze ~” was held on July 18, 2026, at Tokyo International Forum Hall A. It marked the first new production in eight years for the series, which blends live music, stage art, and lighting to stimulate the imagination.
Cast members from the anime Natsume’s Book of Friends gathered to weave an unforgettable summer story accompanied by live musicians. A report from the night performance, which included an after-talk with the main cast and staff, has arrived.
Night Performance Report: SOUND THEATRE×Natsume’s Book of Friends ~ Chapter of Sound Drama: Summer Haze ~
The venue, Tokyo International Forum Hall A, has a capacity of about 5,000 people—quite large for a reading drama—and both the first and second floors were completely filled. The stage was decorated with ornaments reminiscent of forests and trees, with lantern-like lighting hanging down. Sounds of water, birdsong, and festival music from afar created a fantastical space isolated from everyday noise.
When the house lights dimmed and the musicians began tuning on stage, the previously murmuring audience fell silent, enveloped in anticipation and tension for the story about to begin. The music, another protagonist of the Sound Theatre, was handled by Yoshimori Shin, the composer of the anime’s background music. He played the piano and led the ensemble to color the story.
As “Kimi ga Yobu Namae ~ Natsume Yuujinchou no Theme” was performed, the space instantly transformed into the world of Natsume’s Book of Friends. The cast appeared on stage wearing Japanese-style costumes reminiscent of their roles.
The first act was the sound drama version of “The Swallow at the Bottom of the Water” (Mizusoko no Tsubame), a popular episode from the first season. It tells the story of Natsume struggling to fulfill the wish of a youkai named Tsubame, whom he meets in a village submerged under a dam.
In the sweltering heat, Natsume goes with classmates Nishimura and Kitamoto to see the sunken village and becomes possessed by the swallow youkai. The use of light and sound to express the youkai was intriguing, a unique feature of the sound drama.
Scenes with somewhat comical youkai were accompanied by playful music. Particularly impactful was the use of a chicken toy called “shouting chicken” as an instrument during “The Descent of the Raging God.” Its slightly silly sound lightened the atmosphere. The quarrel between Nyanko-sensei and Tsubame was endearing, like a children’s argument.
Tsubame’s wish was to meet a human named Tani Ozaki, who had once saved her. Natsume tried to fulfill that wish, but the voice of a youkai cannot reach ordinary humans. Still, overjoyed just to see Tani Ozaki’s figure, Tsubame kept calling out with a voice that could not be heard. Her joyful yet pitiful appearance tugged at the heart.
While Nyanko-sensei transformed into Madara and engaged in a lively exchange with Suishin, Natsume expressed his straightforward desire to help Tsubame. Moved by Natsume’s sincerity, not only Nyanko-sensei but also Suishin decided to cooperate.
The climax was a festival of youkai held once every four years. Red lanterns hung from the stage, and the sounds of taiko drums and flutes resounded. Natsume desperately tried to make Tsubame’s wish truly come true. Nyanko-sensei transformed into Madara again to help. What did Natsume obtain? And what became of Tsubame’s wish?
Natsume’s monologue at the end, melting into the summer sky, was infinitely gentle, and the ensemble music wrapped the lingering emotions of the story.
After an intermission, the second act began with the sound drama version of “The Day That Will Come” (Itsuka Kuru Hi), a story of mutual affection between a human and a youkai. It started with the piano piece “Orange Time” and continued into the lively rhythm of “Thinking of a Friend.”
Natsume finds a letter, and meets its owner, Aoi, setting the story in motion. Aoi is searching for a childhood friend named Kaori. Though one is human and the other a youkai, the natural conversation between Natsume and Aoi, who are close in age, brought smiles to the audience. Nyanko-sensei joins in, and Aoi’s past is revealed.
One highlight of this act was the flashback scene of Aoi and Kaori as children, both played by Ono Daisuke and Komatsu Mikako. Their exchange, which made the innocent figures visible, was impressive. The ability to freely move back and forth in time is a unique charm of reading dramas, where the imagination fills in the visuals.
Aoi claimed to have cut off his feelings for Kaori, but Natsume, who can see youkai, saw himself in Kaori and told Aoi he wanted to meet her. When Natsume learned that the letter Aoi held was an invitation to Kaori’s wedding, he went to see her alone—only to find that the invitation was a trap set by Kaori.
An impressive moment was when Aoi burned the letter from Kaori. Countless letters slowly fell from the sky, enveloped in red light. Kaori’s words burned away. Aoi stared at the letter. The burned letters then rose into the air, and the red light turned into seven colors. It seemed as if the feelings were being purified. The feelings had not burned out.
At the end, white feathers danced in the sky as if blessing the two. In that beautiful scene, the superb acting and music filled the heart, and the main program came to a close.
After the night performance, an after-talk was held with the cast and director Okamoto Takuya. Each cast member shared their impressions of the day and highlights, and they also revealed precious anecdotes befitting a work that has been loved for nearly 20 years.
The night performance of “SOUND THEATRE×Natsume’s Book of Friends ~ Chapter of Sound Drama: Summer Haze ~” is available exclusively on U-NEXT until August 2 (Sunday) at 23:59. In addition to the performance, viewers can also watch the after-talk with the cast and staff, as well as pre-show and post-show comment videos from the cast.
Furthermore, U-NEXT is running a campaign for ticket purchasers only: a signed poster by Kamiya Hiroshi (Natsume Takashi) and Inoue Kazuhiko (Nyanko-sensei / Madara) will be awarded to three winners. If you are even slightly interested, be sure to enjoy the stream.
＜Streaming Information＞
【Streamed Performance】July 18, 2026 (Saturday) [Night Performance] 18:30 start (streaming begins 18:00)
【Sales Period】Until August 2 (Sunday) 19:00
【Missed Streaming Period】Until August 2 (Sunday) 23:59
【Price】4,400 yen (tax included)
【Purchaser Bonus】Live comment video from cast members
*This stream shows the night performance (including after-talk) that started at 18:30 on July 18, 2026 (Saturday).
*The above performance details are subject to change without notice.
（Yoneda Kaori）
