lostty May 06, 2012
Honest, intelligent news and reviews for manga romantics
Natsume’s Book of Friends is a fantasy manga by Yuki Midorikawa that is ongoing in LaLa magazine. It was a finalist for the Manga Taisho award in 2008. Released in North America by Viz media in 2010, Natsume’s Book of Friends continues to charm readers here and overseas.
The Gist: Natsume Takashi has inherited the gift of seeing yokai, or spirits, from his grandmother. Orphaned from the time he was a young boy, Natsume gets passed from one family member to the next due to the strange events that occur around him. Now in high school, Natsume discovers a book among his deceased grandmother’s possessions called the “Book of Friends”. The book contains the names of yokai that his grandmother trapped and made into servants. Now the yokai come after Natsume, demanding their names be returned. Powerful, yet inexperienced, Natsume will need the help of yokai and humans alike to return the names if he is ever to have peace from the “Book of Friends”.
Natsume’s Book of Friends is a heart warming tale that not only entertains but leaves the reader with thoughtful reflections about family and friendships.
I’m only just starting the manga for this series, having recently finished the anime seasons. It’s been great so far, and I’m glad to hear that the manga is just as good. And the more I look at it, the prettier the artstyle has gotten.
Thanks for writing about this series! I always wanted to check it out as many of my friends have seen the anime. I also find it interesting that it is a series recommended to those who think anime is just for kids.
Finally, Nyanko-sensei is soooo cute!
Glad to hear you enjoyed the reading Natsume! I was firstly a fan of the anime before I started reading the manga, but it didn’t take me long at all to fall in love with the manga too!
I find it really interesting how the art in the series really manages to instantly create an atmosphere to the story.
I complete agree that the series really offers something for everyone. It’s one I can easily recommend to anyone!