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Seiji Matoba (的場 静司, Matoba Seiji) is a main recurring character of Natsume's Book of Friends series.

He is the head of the infamous Matoba exorcist clan, considered to be the most influential and powerful name in the industry. He expresses unusual interest in Takashi, due to him being the only grandchild of the renowned immensely powerful exorcist Reiko Natsume.

Appearance[]

Matoba has long black hair and black eyes. He has a smile, much like Natsume's, except Matoba has a more sinister atmosphere.

He has a scar over his right eye which is covered by a special eye-patch. The reason for the eye-patch is a protective talisman of sorts due to an ancestor of Seji's who had surrendered his right eye in return for the help given to them by a youkai, but had broken said promise. Ever since then, the youkai has been targeting the male heads of the Matoba family for their right eye. Due to this, he has depth perception problems.

Personality[]

Matoba is a coldhearted exorcist. Although he wants to protect humans, he won't hesitate to get rid of anyone who stands in his way.

He will also readily sacrifice weaker youkai to lure stronger ones in for the catch. Natsume arouses his interest after one meeting, up to the point where he would save Natsume and Madara from being eaten, which is unusual considering his personality.

As the story progresses, Matoba seems to start liking Natsume and is seen smiling kindly at him. He acknowledges Natsume's strength and even asks him to join the Matoba clan, promising to protect him if he does. However, Natsume refuses. He also seems to believe Natsume and sends him a letter once, asking for cooperation. Natsume lost it and told him that he had lost it while Matoba chuckled, saying he made excuses like a child. Although he insisted to Matoba that it was true and Matoba believes him.

This represents that Matoba most likely trusts Natsume enough to believe the things he says. He even stated that he had written an uncharacteristically long letter, hence, it shows that he would explain things to Natsume regardless of the time taken and even if it was out of character.

History[]

Seiji Matoba was born as the second and youngest child of the Matoba family. As an infamous and ancient exorcist clan, the Matobas are very wealthy and considered like the most powerful and influential in the industry, meaning they are generally feared as much as hated by their peers. Seiji was blessed at birth with incredible spiritual power, much superior to even most exorcists around him. His older sister, Shinobu Matoba, was originally raised to be the future head of the clan; however, as they grew older conflicts started to appear about who between the two siblings was the better suited to be the heir, and ultimately, presumably because of his power, Seiji ended up being chosen as the future head. This led Shinobu to resent him and leave the clan before he started high school, taking with her the portrait that was made of her when she was in her late teens. He seems to be fond of his father, as he protected his sister's portrait "because his father liked it."[1]

As a teenager, he met Shuuichi Natori during a meeting in his freshman year of high school. He had tested the extent of the young Natori's spiritual prowess and strength by showing him the kimono, which looked dark red to him.

Plot[]


When he debuted, Master Kitty-Cat mentioned that he was suspicious and had a sinister spiritual aura. Upon encountering Takashi, however, he became quite intrigued in the only grandchild of the notorious Reiko Natsume; namely aware of just how powerful Takashi could become if ever reaching his full potential, possibly on the same high power level as he is.

Relationships[]

Shuuichi Natori[]

They had first met each other when they were teenagers at a meeting for exorcists, as young Natori was intrigued by such a gathering of those who possessed spiritual powers like himself. Since then, he has become distrustful of young Matoba. Although, they do work together if the situation requires it.

Nanase[]

Being his main secretary and assistant, he has her by his side on most important missions regarding strong high-level ayakashi and to attend meetings and gathering information on his behalf. It is she who informs him of Natsume being the grandchild of the famous and immensely powerful Reiko Natsume.

Ban[]

He is closely acquainted with this exorcist, who works for his elder sister.

Shinobu Matoba[]

Seiji's older sister. He mentioned once that she does not like to be kept waiting, meaning that their sibling relationship is complicated.

Takashi Natsume[]

"If you join the Matoba clan, I can protect you."

Initially, Matoba had mistaken Natsume for a youkai and attempted to strangle him but Natsume scratched him and fled. When Natsume was caught and found out how Matoba treated youkai, he developed a great distrust and dislike for Matoba and his deplorable methods.

After escaping from Matoba by punching his shiki servant out cold, this aroused Matoba's interest in Natsume. After he had saved Natsume from being eaten, he found out from Nanase that Natsume is Reiko's grandson which furthers his interest in Natsume.

Matoba meets Natsume again, when Natsume is dragged into Matoba's House by his shiki servants. Natsume manages to escape his cell, he hides away but Matoba finds him. Matoba asks Natsume if he wants to join the Matoba clan, but Natsume refuses and tries leaving. Natsume and Nyanko sensei are put into a cell again, but Natsume and Nyanko sensei escape.

Matoba sends Natsume a letter, but Natsume lost it. They meet when Natsume returns home. After going to a secluded area, Matoba explains to Natsume that talented exorcist and including the Matobas are being targeted, but another exorcist and he suspects the exorcist, is being controlled by a youkai. At first Natsume refuses to help, but Matoba states he will tell Natsume's Foster parents about his ability. Natsume leaves, asking Matoba to stay away from his house, Matoba states he'll come to get him if he does not show up and the next day, Natsume reluctantly goes. During the meeting, he tries to sweet talk into getting Natsume to join his clan becasue of how infinitely powerful and dangerous he truly is for exorcists and yokai alike (something Natsume himself is unaware of) but is adamantly rebuffed every time.

Madara/Master Kitty-Cat[]

"You seem quite intent on killing me. You'll be quite useful."

He fires a strong cursed arrow at him, which greatly weakens and wounds the high-level wolf-like ayakashi for a few days in order for his powerful blood to awaken the yokai that was sealed. He is fully aware and amused at Madara's intent on killing him, stating that he would be quite useful serving under him. He tries to get Natsume to realize that he, Madara, is merely by his side in order to gain something and that he does not hold any affection for him.

Tooru Taki[]

It is revealed that Matoba has met Taki once before as he came to pay respects to her grandfather for his sixth memorial service.

Reiko Natsume[]

"If she's his grandmother, that makes him all the more interesting."

In the manga, he wants Takashi to tell him all he knows of his grandmother, as there were merely rumors of her being beautiful and powerful. He is not surprised to hear that her own illegitimate daughter (Natsume's late mother) had not inherited any of Reiko's great spiritual prowess and strength.

Powers & Abilities[]

Matoba possesses supremely strong spiritual powers, which allows him to see youkai. He uses this power of his to become an exorcist which is shown through him exorcising youkai rather than sealing them. He also has the power to control and command a few strong servants.

Being a high-level exorcist, he has a vast knowledge of exorcism techniques, sacred sutras, sealing and purification spells.

As well as shikigami, sacred sutras, and talismans, Matoba is shown to have a shortbow and arrow for eliminating youkai. He has demonstrated his proficiency in archery several times in the series. An example is that he was able to exorcise a youkai that was about to eat Natsume with only one arrow (showing that he has infinite degrees of innate spiritual power, as evident when seeing golden chrysanthemums and white light on the kimono.)

Trivia[]

Quotes[]

Season Three[]

  • "I am Seiji. Seiji Matoba."
  • "You're that boy who was our gathering that time. Sorry for strangling you. I thought you were one of those yokai."
  • "We have to stop meeting like this. Your cat isn't with you? Bring him with us."
  • "Morning, Sunshine."
  • "Interesting, isn't it? That scrap of paper. Normal people cannot see it."
  • "I'm sorry. With this on, my depth perception is not very good."
  • "I'm not blind, but I need this. Otherwise, it would get eaten. There was a man who offered his right eye to a yokai in exchange for a job. In the end, he went back on his word. Since then, yokai have been after the right eye of the chiefs of the Matoba clan.
  • "Not necessarily. Though we have no use for the yokai, I'm rather interested in that boy and his cat."
  • "Though I care not for the yokai or that woman, you, however, interest me. We shall meet again. We'll exchange pointers then."
  • "So, Natsume is his name?"
  • "Well, what do you know? If she's his grandmother, that makes him all the more interesting."

Season Four[]

  • "Perhaps I imagined it."
  • "A young man has found his way into the mansion. I'll leave the hunting to you, Nanase."
  • "This seems more entertaining."
  • "It's been awhile, Natsume Takashi."
  • "My apologizes. Is your cat not with you?"
  • "Have some tea. Don't worry. It's not poisoned. You seem to really dislike me."
  • "Would you join the Matoba clan, Takashi?"
  • "After what happened, I did my research on you."
  • "There you are, Kitty."
  • "You seem quite intent on killing me. You'll be quite useful."
  • "If the leader of the forest was that Rokka, they may be nothing we can use here."
  • "Yes, but there many ways to do things."

Season Five[]

  • "Returning late, I see. I've come to get you. Did you read my request?"
  • "Most splendid, Natsume."
  • "If you go back to that house, won't you blame everything that happens on you and the yokai? That is why it is our job as exorcists to get rid of them. Did you know that having connection with powerful yokai allows you to maintain an even greater power? That way, if you join the Matoba clan, I can protect you."
  • "By the way, I wonder what happened to my letter. If you didn't read it, than so be it. Perhaps it is fate. The Matobas shall behave as we always do. If something happens, please help us again."
  • "How on Earth did you form a contract with such a mighty daiyokai?"

References[]

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