Shadow of Linked Chains

Shadow of Linked Chains
Name
Kanji	連鎖の陰
Romaji	Rensa no Kage
Information
Air Date	October 25, 2016 (JP) May 29, 2024 (US)
Episode	56
Adapted From	Chapter 52 Chapter 53 Chapter 54
Opening Song	Takarabako
Ending Song	Akane Sasu
Episode Guide
Previous The Letter From the Exorcist	Next It Must Not Be Bound
List of Natsume Yuujinchou Episodes
Episode Gallery

Shadow of Linked Chains is the fourth episode of the fifth season and the fifty-sixth episode overall of the Natsume Yuujinchou anime series. It first aired on October 25, 2016.

Summary

An inexperienced exorcist tries and fails to completely seal a youkai near Natsume's school. Natsume decides to take the pot the youkai is sealed in to Natori, in hopes that it can be disposed of properly. While he's there, he learns that there is an ongoing feud between exorcists lately, and that one exorcist in particular is attacking his rivals. When Natsume gets home, he finds that Matoba, another exorcist who's tried to take advantage of him in the past, wants his help dealing with just that particular problem...

Plot

After being blackmailed into attending a meeting of exorcists, and their yokai servants, by the shady and nefarious Matoba Seiji, Natsume Takashi and Madara are taken to one of the villas belonging to the Matoba clan, which originally belonged to one of the eleven families that founded the Matoba clan.

There, they encounter one of the "child" of Magatsumen masks - Magatsumen are mask-like yokai that mind-control people by latching onto their faces and then send out other "childlike" masks to control other humans possessing even the lowest levels of spiritual power.

Natsume is the only person who can naturally distinguish Magatsumen from normal people, a very rare spiritual/supernatural ability which is enhanced somewhat by a mystical talisman similar to a tattoo drawn on his left palm by the ever intrigued Matoba, and reluctantly agrees to help out the Matobas in order to prevent talented exorcists falling victim to the Magatsumen, in the hope of finding new ways to protect himself and those he holds most dear.

Characters in Order of Appearance

• Takashi Natsume
• Madara
• Seiji Matoba
• Magatsumen
• Shuuichi Natori
• Sasago
• Urihime

Trivia

• Takashi is revealed to be able to detect demonic/spiritual possession quite easily, which is considered to be a rarity among exorcists.
• Nanase does not appear, even though she is secretary of the Matoba clan.