Natsume Yuujinchou × Kumamoto-ken: Hitoyoshi Kuma de no Yasashii Jikan

Released in 2021 by Studio Shuka, this short original net animation was produced as a collaborative tourism initiative between the Natsume's Book of Friends franchise and Kumamoto Prefecture. The project was specifically designed to promote the Hitoyoshi and Kuma regions, which served as the real-world aesthetic inspirations for the series' atmospheric rural settings. By blending the melancholic, gentle tone of the anime with sweeping, realistic shots of the actual landscape, the production aimed to encourage travel and cultural appreciation for the area following the challenging recovery efforts after the 2020 Kyushu floods.

The production maintains the signature visual identity established by the series, focusing on tranquil, pastoral landscapes and the quiet emotional connection between protagonist Takashi Natsume and the spirits he encounters. Directed and animated with a deliberate emphasis on the light and shadow of the Hitoyoshi-Kuma terrain, the work was received as a heartfelt tribute to the region. It functions simultaneously as an extension of the franchise's narrative ethos—highlighting themes of solitude, kindness, and memory—and as a deliberate piece of regional public relations crafted to resonate with the long-standing fan base.