rachels1127's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fun, straightforward, wholesome. i want to go to there.
The porcelain cat is lowkey giving Falcor?
The porcelain cat is lowkey giving Falcor?
theghostly's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
clarabooksit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, Violence, and Grief
melancholymegs's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
keikoreadsmanga's review against another edition
5.0
I did not expect it to be this soft and tender. I was kind of hoping it would be like Hotarubi no Mori e, but as usual, I was wrong. Although, yea, I expected that when I saw a misleading clip while scrolling on facebook. But, never this way.
The story is about a boy named Natsume who's being chased by supernatural beings or yokai and ended up freeing a lot of them. They were previously trapped by his grandmother Reiko in her collection, Book of Friends. But the thing is, the book is getting thinner, not all yokai are friendly, and there's this cat who stands as his guardian for now, but really wants to eat him. I have to read further because this is interesting. And to think I got at least 29 more volumes to read... there's more to it than just that. And I'm beyond excited to unravel the story.
It's completely healing my trampled heart. It was such a nice break for the devastating outcomes of Culling Game (yes, I'm talking JJK!) This is so easy to read as well. I don't know if the series is just so engaging or if it is my desperate attempt to mend a broken heart. For whatever reason, though, I enjoyed this one a lot!
Also, the art style is gorgeous. I did not expect a lot because it was published 20 years ago. But damn!
The story is about a boy named Natsume who's being chased by supernatural beings or yokai and ended up freeing a lot of them. They were previously trapped by his grandmother Reiko in her collection, Book of Friends. But the thing is, the book is getting thinner, not all yokai are friendly, and there's this cat who stands as his guardian for now, but really wants to eat him. I have to read further because this is interesting. And to think I got at least 29 more volumes to read... there's more to it than just that. And I'm beyond excited to unravel the story.
It's completely healing my trampled heart. It was such a nice break for the devastating outcomes of Culling Game (yes, I'm talking JJK!) This is so easy to read as well. I don't know if the series is just so engaging or if it is my desperate attempt to mend a broken heart. For whatever reason, though, I enjoyed this one a lot!
Also, the art style is gorgeous. I did not expect a lot because it was published 20 years ago. But damn!
sam_riccio's review
3.0
Cute
It was a cute story for the most part, once you get past the beginning introductions. I think that Natsume is a good morally right character, and what I want from this is to turn into a cool supernatural slice of life kind of manga. I don't know if I'll get to volume 2 anytime soon, but I want more stories like Swallow's because it was the best one out of all of these. I loved that one the most.
It was a cute story for the most part, once you get past the beginning introductions. I think that Natsume is a good morally right character, and what I want from this is to turn into a cool supernatural slice of life kind of manga. I don't know if I'll get to volume 2 anytime soon, but I want more stories like Swallow's because it was the best one out of all of these. I loved that one the most.
starryjoy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
raechsreads's review against another edition
4.0
A young man sees things other people can't - the yokai. I found that the story plot is really interesting and wanting to know more. Natsume is an interesting protagonist with his wanting to help the yokai, while still befriending humans.
sonias's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
helterskelliter's review against another edition
4.0
Takashi Natsume has always been a little different.
Since his parents passed, he’s been bounced around from relative to relative. He never manages to stay in one place long. He’s a bit difficult—because of his gift.
Natsume has been able to see yokai—spirits and demons—for as long as he can remember.
Seeing things that aren’t there and speaking to these invisible spirits unsettles most people. It’s made for a lonely life.
When Natsume ends up in a small town with another distant relative, he hopes his troubles may abate. Instead, they seem to escalate.
His grandmother used to reside in this town and she was also known as a troublemaker. She had the gift, too.
When his grandmother was younger, she bound yokai by their names to her collection—her Book of Friends. Effectively, she made them her slaves.
Now, these spirits want to be free.
When Natsume discovers this book and his grandmother’s role in its creation, he decides to help out these yokai by returning their names.
Along the way, he may even make some friends~
This is simply delightful!
I so appreciate a supernatural little story with some heart.
So far, this series promises to be a whimsical and tender one, exploring not just the nuances of the human condition but the importance of our relationships to each other and the natural (and supernatural) world.
Definitely recommend for fans of quaint, wholesome fantasy tales that draw from folklore and blend magic with the mundane~
Since his parents passed, he’s been bounced around from relative to relative. He never manages to stay in one place long. He’s a bit difficult—because of his gift.
Natsume has been able to see yokai—spirits and demons—for as long as he can remember.
Seeing things that aren’t there and speaking to these invisible spirits unsettles most people. It’s made for a lonely life.
When Natsume ends up in a small town with another distant relative, he hopes his troubles may abate. Instead, they seem to escalate.
His grandmother used to reside in this town and she was also known as a troublemaker. She had the gift, too.
When his grandmother was younger, she bound yokai by their names to her collection—her Book of Friends. Effectively, she made them her slaves.
Now, these spirits want to be free.
When Natsume discovers this book and his grandmother’s role in its creation, he decides to help out these yokai by returning their names.
Along the way, he may even make some friends~
This is simply delightful!
I so appreciate a supernatural little story with some heart.
So far, this series promises to be a whimsical and tender one, exploring not just the nuances of the human condition but the importance of our relationships to each other and the natural (and supernatural) world.
Definitely recommend for fans of quaint, wholesome fantasy tales that draw from folklore and blend magic with the mundane~