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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 (The Corner of the Schoolhouse) in v.6. • Natsu ni wa Tameiki (w)o Tsuku (A Midsummer Sigh) in v.7.
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
Not too bad. There's certainly a nostalgic atmosphere to the story, which is nice. I also like how the author skillfully and subtly weave the main character's feelings into the story. The pace is calm and slow, with Natsume gradually developing in character. However, the episodic stories are becoming rather repetitive in terms of structure, which makes me start to lose interest. Natsume has already realized that he finally have both family and friends now. The main conflict now is to overcome the fear of losing his new friends and family if he tells them that he can see spirits - and by the looks of it, the author is going to really stretch that out. I just hope the author won't stretch it TOO long, because that would really kill the story. Otherwise, the plot is good. Go give it a try.
I'm going to disagree with the reviewer before me and recommend you both read the manga and watch the anime. It's probably not something you'd read or watch in one go- nor would I suggest that. This is definitely something to be savored, if you will. Natsume and his friends and family... they really tug on your heartstrings. In a good way. It's sad, but beautiful and happy and funny and sweet all at the same time. It's like those hazy moments from the past that you hold close to your heart; the ones that still make you smile. The anime may have more action, but the manga is just as good, and the later chapters let you know more about Natsume, and are really important in the story. Seriously, watch/read both! Do it slowly, if you must (it probably took me dozens of sessions spread over at least two years, haha), but still, do it! You don't want to miss this one. I sort of want to pilfer the stories and tell them to my children (yeah, that's how good this stuff is, really).
Normally I prefer reading than watching but in this case you should try the anime. The anime is very similar to the manga but it is easier to understand what's happening and we see more action. There are 52 episodes so the manga is just a bit far ahead.
The story is great and it is really well built but I'm starting to get tired of it. I think it's already time to know what happened in the past with his grandmother and some other events but it's nothing that would stop me from reading it if it keeps delaying.
This manga is really cool. I love how natsume gets along with some of the yokai and is now with people who take care of him. It's a must read manga that has lots of adventure an comedy I really love it but it is kind of slow and I wish Yuki Midorikawa would pick up the pace. Anybody who reads it would love it.
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.
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