Supervised by Takahiro Omori, the series director of the "Natsume's Book of Friends" anime, the event brings together the TV anime cast led by Hiroshi Kamiya (Takashi Natsume) and Kazuhiko Inoue (Nyanko-sensei/Madara) for a live reading performance accompanied by a live orchestra. The program features two acts — "Minasoko no Tsubame" (The Swallow at the Bottom of the Water) and "Itsuka Kuru Hi" (The Day That Will Come) — with script by Aya Yoshinaga, direction by Takaya Okamoto, and music by Makoto Yoshimori.
Reading Cast:
Hiroshi Kamiya, Kazuhiko Inoue, Ryohei Kimura, Hisayoshi Suganuma, Ryoka Yuzuki, Daisuke Ono, Mikako Komatsu, Ukyo Takase, Hiroki Matsukawa, Ryoma Abe, Eriko Kadokura, Kyona Yamada
Yoshimori Makoto Ensemble (Live Performance):
Piano/Conduct: Makoto Yoshimori / Violin: Koichiro Muroya, Rina Kodera, Aya Ito, Yuya Yanagihara / Viola: Tomoko Shimaoka / Violoncello: Tomoki Iwanaga / Clarinet: Mie Toyonaga / Percussion: Mari Sekine
After-Talk Guests (Additional Announcement):
Hiroshi Kamiya, Kazuhiko Inoue, Ryohei Kimura, Hisayoshi Suganuma, Ryoka Yuzuki, Daisuke Ono, Mikako Komatsu
Live Stream Details:
Platform: U-NEXT (Exclusive)
Target: Evening performance (18:30 start / Stream begins 18:00)
Sales Period: June 19, 2026 (Fri) 15:00 - August 2, 2026 (Sun) 19:00
Catch-up Viewing: After the performance until August 2 (Sun) 23:59
Price: 4,400 yen (tax included)
Purchase Bonus: Live comment video from the cast, autographed poster lottery (Hiroshi Kamiya & Kazuhiko Inoue, 3 winners)
Viewing/Purchase: https://t.unext.jp/r/natsume_live
Venue Merchandise:
Sales Start: July 18, 2026 (Sat) 9:00 AM
Location: Tokyo International Forum Hall A Lobby
New items include pamphlet, plushies, outing pouch, and gacha acrylic stands (7 types)
Event Overview:
Date: July 18, 2026 (Sat)
Matinee: Doors 13:00 / Show 14:00
Evening: Doors 17:00 / Show 18:30 (After-talk approx. 15 min after curtain)
Venue: Tokyo International Forum Hall A
Official Event Site: https://natsume-animestore.jp/lp/ST2026
Official X: https://x.com/NatsumeYujincho
(c)Yuki Midorikawa, Hakusensha / "Natsume's Book of Friends" Production Committee
