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

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).

... Last updated on February 22nd, 2014, 11:43pm

This manga is, like I said, absolutely wonderful.

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 skimmed through the first volume at the bookstore and didn't think much. Until I saw the anime. Then I decided to go back and read the manga. The art doesn't suck you in, but the story does. It does take some time for it to grow on you.

This manga is really good 'cause it invokes emotion within me. Kinda like sadness, as well as the satisfaction at the end of each chapter.

... Last updated on February 9th, 2011, 4:21pm

Anything I can think of saying about this just sounds lame. My words can't express the greatness of this series.

You should just read it.

... Last updated on May 28th, 2017, 2:19am

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.

I absolutely love it.

I read the manga first then watched the anime. In my opinion, both manga and anime versions have their own advantages; however, Natsume's stronger and more independent in manga while in anime he's... uhm... gayass
by the way, i think manga's art is better

my last review was oddly focused on the anime. i've no idea why i posted an anime review here so i'm re-updating my review on the series as a whole. If you're choosing between the anime/manga, i suggest the manga because the reading experience is more emotionally engaging than the anime. I believe it's due to the set up of the panels and the flow of the images and words.
The series is initially episodic and then starts to integrate a larger conflict. With this conflict, the series starts to have some sort of plot, but you could say that this plot is irrelevant to the story the mangaka wants to tell. The value of this series difficult to describe; Natsume Yuujinchou is essentially about connecting with others and the value of having such connections. There is, depicted, the comfort of friendship and unconditional love. There is too, the pain of loneliness, rejection, separation, and inevitable loss. It's a sweet series that reads quietly, and although it is not exactly profound, it is heartwarming, heartbreaking, and somehow, humane. Definitely worth reading and even re-reading just to absorb the emotions the mangaka attempted to capture. I'm not sure where the series is heading, but like i said, there isn't much focus on the overall plot.

... Last updated on November 13th, 2013, 9:00pm

Natsume Yuujinchou is easily the best of Midorikawa Yuki's already quite impressive pool of work. As others have already mentioned, it falls in line with the typically better known Mushishi, which I actually think draws the best comparison. Natsume, like Mushishi, is a type of art that I think can best be defined as starkly beautiful. The stories are elegant in their simplicity (unlike the contrived style that Hyakki Yakoushou suffers from), but still manage to convey their point excellently and create an ideal environment for the anecdotes to reside in. Midorikawa's air of originality also shows through in some of the personalities, which manage to make the characters memorable despite their short appearances. A must-read for anyone who enjoys slice of life or supernatural stories.