Like its predecessor, Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou centers on Takashi Natsume, a young child who has been able to see youkai, and Madara, his protector youkai known as Nyanko-sensei. Natsume makes an effort to give youkai in his village the names listed in his "Book of Friends," which he inherited from his grandmother Reiko. Along the way, Natsume discovers more about himself and his relationship with these enigmatic beings, and he encounters some youkai who are friendly, some who want to steal the Book, and some who want to kill him.