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Description
From Storm in Heaven: Natsume's just an ordinary kid, except he can see spirits, just like his grandma Reiko could. Reiko, though, used to bully the spirits, and bound them to her will in the "Book of Friends". Now that Natsume has inherited this book, a never-ending stream of spirits is coming after him. With the help of a spirit "cat" (who really just wants Natsume to die so he can have the book), Natsume spends his days dissolving the contracts that bind the spirits and trying not to get killed.
Extras: • Manabiya no Sumi (In the Corner of the Schoolyard) in v.6. • Natsu ni wa Tameiki (w)o Tsuku in v.7.
Type
Manga
Related Series
N/A
Associated Names
夏にはため息をつく 夏目友人帳 妖怪联络簿 나츠메 우인장 Le Pacte des yôkai (French) Natsume Yujin-Cho Natsume Yujincho Natsume Yuujin-chou Natsume's Book of Friends The Natsume Book of Friends
My English is not so good, so it's hard to explain, but I want to say that this is the best manga I have ever read, in almost 10 years reading manga of mine. The art is not the type I like at first, and the story is not something I usually like either, I don't like manga with too slow-pace or have no romance in it because keep reading that might be tired for me... But before realising it, I have finished all the chapters and tears just couldn't stop falling from my eyes. This manga is a mix of happiness and sadness, loneliness, forgeting and forgiveness ... It is heart-warming, bittersweet and amazingly beautiful. From the kindness and gentleness of Natsume, his composed smile which fills with sorrow and distance till the tears he let out silently... I feel like I've found back my old self which used to believe at magic and love others with all its heart. And I'm really, trully grateful for that. This maybe not the top manga I usually blah about, but surely is the top manga I will always keep dearly in my heart.
I discovered it at a scanlations site by chance, and I think that was the best thing I've ever done ; I didn't know what to read, so I simply looked at the different propositions and I saw Natsume Yuujinchou. You must know that I'm hardly interested in a manga until someone recommend it, and I'm really difficult on the design of the main character. But this one, enven tough the drawing wasn't my favorite back then, attracted me somehow, and I tought "Why not?". At first, it was 1, then 2, then 3, then 4... Then, it passed from 10 to 20, and before I knew it, I had already finished it, crying and all. I was so happy to know it wasn't finished! But we must wait one more month before the next chapter is released, and I really couldn't wait until then. So I read it again, and again, etc... And it didn't bored me, even the third time.
Just one thing I regret, I told you that the design of Natsume was really important, of course, and I fell in love with him, of course, but I didn't find this same beautiful Natsume in the anime... Because of that, I don't have the courage of watching it... Plus, I tried the voices, and I was really disappointed. Not that the seiyuu are horrible, but they don't resemble the image of "my natsume and nyanko sensei"... I don't know if you understand what I mean, but when I read the manga first, I can't stand to look at the anime...
Well, I told you my experience and not really my opinion of this manga, because all of it is already said in the previous comments, so I won't say more. It was just to make you understand that this manga is really magic, and I recommend it to everyone in this world, even the ones who never tried any manga. Really.
I believe a lot of our readers have already left lots of reviews, so here's a short one.
It's about a boy who can see spirits. The characters are absolutely cute and endearing. They have hearts, meaningful thoughts, contradictions, struggles and they grow through the encounters with new characters.
The art is also wonderful. Sometimes, just one simple panel can ring your heart.
You can criticize me all you want if you disagree because I just can't express my love for this manganime in any other way. I was very reluctant to read it when my sister said it has barely any plot, so I put it off for years now. But then, I just had a feel to read one day so I did. And that was the day I regretted not reading a manga so much that I finished it all in one day and is now waiting loyally for the next chapter and season if there is any.
I understand why some people would gravely disagree with me. The openings and endings are repetitive and sometimes rather boring but you HAVE to read what's in between. Do you people have any idea how hard it is to write an episodic manga without making it sound or look similar with its previous chapters? Do you know how hard it is draw those ayakashi's? Think back, do any of them look the same? In my opinion, they are drawn with such a memorable touch that I remember every single one of them and adore their different personality! Not to mention their somewhat caring hearts.
I also want to scream at my sister for even saying that this manga has 'barely any plot'. I mean, ARE YOU BLIND??!!! The kid can see ayakashi. Because of that, he has an extremely troubled childhood! One day, he meets the Lucky Cat youkai and finds his grandmother's book. Turns out, the grandmother was a bully and had forced each and every youkai to write their names for her when she defeats them. Story progresses with him finding different youkai's and help gives them their name back. It then develops by introducing new and wonderful characters that helps and assist Natsume (main character) or the other way round. Along the way, we get to see what Reiko (the grandmother) was like and we also get to see what a torturous life Natsume had to go through, not to mention the kind and horrifying ayakashi he has met. Then, there are also humans or exorcists that find Natsume interesting and wishes to use him but they are not always the 'bad guy'. For those people who are used to a regular shounen-like plot then please begone!! You do not belong here if you don't understand what kind of 'plot' this author has to offer!
Another reason why I said this was the best thing in my life so far is because of how deep it actually touched me. How wonderful friendship can be and what a lonely soul could do for another. This manga can be painful to read at times for those who have been through the pain and this mangaka can show you exactly what its like to be truly alone despite what condition your 'lonely' is. I have never shed so much tears while reading AND watching this masterpiece compared to any other manga or anime. The protagonist's past, the ayakashi's life, and just that feeling of guilt when you hurt another. From the bottom of my heart, this manga is the most heartbreaking yet lovable manga ever. I can list you a few oneshots and manga that made me cry but I'll make sure that this is on top. Not only that but this manga has the ability to just make you feel... better and.. calmer. You start to think of other's pain around you and learn how not to upset others even if your intentions were good.
I regret not starting earlier but now that I'm on board, I'm not getting off till the very last page/episode. I can't further express my love for it so I hope this message is able to reach for those who are hesitant like I was a few years ago. Even if you have different preferences, you might still enjoy it because I can't remember the last time I ever associated myself with any 'shoujo' manga! It does have romance but not the type that shoujo's usually have. Actually, I myself dislike prolonged series but this is just undeniably good, I promise you, you won't regret a single chapter. Instead, you'll cry reading/watching this heartwarming story because I know I did. In fact, I think I cried quite a few times due to its extreme ability to just stir my heart.
Well, enough of that! Good luck to new readers!! You won't regret it~~ ^_^
I ran across the manga first, then started watching the anime, and now follow both. They each have their own qualities that make them wonderful but I prefer the manga.
I've seen a few people in different places say they feel like the series is too repetitive but I honestly don't feel that way. I think there continues to be growth with each story-- most of the time it's a subtle character development but other times it's a changing relationship. And the times where there isn't a significant growth in a character or relationship, there's a meaning to the story.
I've also seen a few times people mention that they wish Natsume would learn other moves aside from punching and, yeah, there are a few times it looks like he's ready to just take whatever attack before someone saves him, but this doesn't bother me at all. He learned particular moves out of necessity as he grew up. Then when the series has started, he has a bodyguard and other people who will be there to support him. He does take care of a number of issues completely on his own, and the times he doesn't he probably either knows someone will help him, is not fast enough to be able to respond to sudden attacks (which is fair, since Ayakashi can be much faster than humans), or perhaps he even is willing to accept the attack because he's just that kind of person. (Although the slower attacks is one thing I think the anime could improve upon because sometimes the timing of it makes it seem like there's this long dramatic lag, which is normal for anime honestly since they like to up the drama, but doesn't necessarily seem supported by the manga.)
He looks to helping others and there are times he would let himself suffer if he thinks it will help others. I think he never really learned a sense of self-worth as he grew up, and that sort of thing takes a really long time to overcome. Every day is a struggle to keep holding onto the new life he's gained, and move further from the old life he left.
To be honest, I actually also don't agree that this series requires some sort of inter-human relationship as its endgame or for further development. One of the things I love about this series is it doesn't actually have romantic relationships. There are some relationships a person could read into if they wanted, but even then it's more like reading into it wanting to believe something could develop. This isn't a typical (I think annoying) series that relies so heavily on contrived sexual or romantic relationships. Everything about it is a step above/away from that. The point is much more subtle and because of that I think it's much more poignant.
As others have said, the series is heartwarming, heartwrenching, bittersweet, beautiful...
I really, really love this series, and I generally don't get into the slow-moving series because I oftentimes seem to have a short attention span for them. I didn't have any expectations the first time I picked up the manga, but I was pleasantly surprised. I've since started trying to get other people to read this series as well.
The anime strangely enough moves the manga around and randomly keeps a character around for no apparent reason, so for those reasons I prefer the manga, but the anime is also absolutely beautiful.
It's a quiet, mellow series that at times has brought tears to my eyes. I did find myself starting to fall asleep to a few episodes once, but that was when it was very late, I was very tired, and it wasn't at all because I was bored-- it's because the series is soothing. In fact, as cheesy as it sounds, I would go so far as to say the series soothes the soul.
I used to love this manga. Actually, I still do, but recent chapters are getting really hard to stay awake to. I admit I was introduced to the series through the anime, but I've been avidly reading the manga as they become available here in the states. And unless Takashi grows a backbone, he'll continue to be a punching bag for every demon that comes his way. What is the point of foreshadowing his potential and high spiritual energy, if he's going to be the obstacle in his own series?
Sadly, there’s only two course of action left for this manga: a) Natsume needs to bang one of the females in the series, or b) Natsume needs to be banged by one of the males in the series. At this point, I’m ready to see just about anyone’s cherry popped.
In fact it's my favorite (non-CLAMP) manga series.
So I guess that all I can do is reiterate what other have said before me. I randomly saw this in the bookstore and held off of buying it for a long time...and when I finally started reading it, I was shocked at how poetic it really turned out to be.
Bittersweet is the word that I think best describes this series. Other have also used "heart-warming," which I think fits it perfectly as well.
Even though the first couple of volumes (maybe 5 or 6) are pretty much all unrelated vignettes (the mangaka didn't expect it to go on for so long and her publishers wanted a serial where one didn't have to know the story to be able to enjoy it), which does take away from some of the character development of those besides Natsume and Nyanko-Sensei (his guardian cat), these are very enjoyable. Each story focuses on the themes of loneliness and the importance of reaching out to others in a way that doesn't feel in-your-face or cliche. Instead you'll probably find yourself tearing up during most chapters, and laughing at the comedy of others (the character interaction is brilliant).
And as the series has gotten A LOT more popular now (Yes! A FOURTH season of the anime is coming out!~), there have been a lot more appearances of reoccurring characters. Even though the switch-over seems odd at first, it really does a lot to develop Natsume's character and how he interacts with others. This manga is not one sided at all, showing that each character holds a different perspective, and accurately showing the conflicts of life.
But in the end, there are still ways that we are all able to come together.
For those that think the pacing is too slow, with new story arcs revolving Hatori, an exorcist, and Matoba, a semi-rival of his, there is increasing action and tension. I can't wait to see what the new volumes and season will bring!
Plus I find the artwork to be beautiful! Even though it may not look like a typical manga style, it's simplistic and fits the rural, calm tone of the manga perfectly. Plus I really like Nastume's character design (not too pretty or manly but also more than "just average").
I recommend this to anyone looking for an insightful, very humanistic series with plenty of humor and great character development and interactions. It honestly deserves all the praise.
the makers concentrate on the aspect of building attachments to people and places. The quality of this show comes from the relationship between a human who can see Yokai, and thus, is able to empathize with them, but he can never have a stable relationship with them.
The show is calming, due to the slow pace. In the end it drags the heart wrenching feelings out of you with quiet farewells. I bet everyone who has watched and become addicted to this feeling has also considered what would happen to Natsume and Madara.
The characters aren't too exaggerated like in Hitman Reborn. Rarely do i feel that Natsumes personality is too one sided and his situation as unbelievable. I also enjoy seeing how the characters deal with each other, except for a few who seem to be in the story for the sake of being part of it. Sometimes the little plots in each episode aren't that compelling.
This manga/anime can be compared to Mononoke (with the medicine seller). I prefer Mononoke, and i highly recommend it to those who like this. Though they both focus on closures that are never purely joyous or sad, Mononoke reveals the story with better tact, and the characters don't ever feel like they are there to be there.
Well, it's been a while i read a manga that could make me shed tears. This is my first time there's a manga that could make me cry for it's every single chapter. There's gentle, calm, and peaceful atmosphere in this manga. Beautiful story. A work of art depicted in this manga. It's really worth a read.
i remember watching the anime and having this strange calm sad feeling,i dont think ive ever felt like this watching any other anime,the anime portrays perfectly the pain of loneliness which is very difficult to do,proves how amazing the mangaka is
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