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syaower's review against another edition
4.0
Pleasantly surprised this volume was a continuous story instead of the usual. Happy to see more Matoba!
rereader33's review
5.0
Nooooooo, how dare this volume end with a cliffhanger?! You can't do this to me, Midorikawa! I have to know what happens next!
That aside, this was another great volume. I loved how it started out with a side story before diving into the meat of the volume. That tiny yokai was so damn adorable, I couldn't stand it!
I found it interesting that this volume was less episodic than previous volumes. Even when there's a clear arc, it only lasts three chapters max, but this arc lasted throughout the whole volume and won't be wrapped up until the next volume *sob* But what I loved most about this volume was showing the progress Natsume's made as a character. Not only does he confide in Tanuma, but he thanks Natori and Matoba for their help as well, BUT he also entrusts the Book of Friends to Natori! I nearly cried, I was so proud of Natsume for finally trusting someone so much that he could leave his precious treasure with them. This is a slow burn series for sure, but moments like these make it so worth it!
On a side note, I loved all the different Nyanko-senseis and Nyanko-sensei himself was a treat. Matoba, despite being helpful, is still a scumbag and I am hoping and praying something (or someone) finally kills him because he is the WORST. Also, that humanoid doll at the end of the volume was SO CREEPY, how does Midorikawa keep upping the creepy factor for all the yokai?! Must be a tough task...
I'm so sad I have to wait until the next volume to see how this arc wraps up, I can only hope it'll be released this year. I really want to see how it ends!
That aside, this was another great volume. I loved how it started out with a side story before diving into the meat of the volume. That tiny yokai was so damn adorable, I couldn't stand it!
I found it interesting that this volume was less episodic than previous volumes. Even when there's a clear arc, it only lasts three chapters max, but this arc lasted throughout the whole volume and won't be wrapped up until the next volume *sob* But what I loved most about this volume was showing the progress Natsume's made as a character. Not only does he confide in Tanuma, but he thanks Natori and Matoba for their help as well, BUT he also entrusts the Book of Friends to Natori! I nearly cried, I was so proud of Natsume for finally trusting someone so much that he could leave his precious treasure with them. This is a slow burn series for sure, but moments like these make it so worth it!
On a side note, I loved all the different Nyanko-senseis and Nyanko-sensei himself was a treat. Matoba, despite being helpful, is still a scumbag and I am hoping and praying something (or someone) finally kills him because he is the WORST. Also, that humanoid doll at the end of the volume was SO CREEPY, how does Midorikawa keep upping the creepy factor for all the yokai?! Must be a tough task...
I'm so sad I have to wait until the next volume to see how this arc wraps up, I can only hope it'll be released this year. I really want to see how it ends!
haruarus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
rouge_red's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.25
We've gotten to Ch. 100! (Bookended by 2 specials, but's let's focus on our main story.)
Chapters 100-102 (Part 1!)
It's Matoba, Natori and Natsume. And another mysterious exorcist named Ban who's collecting vessels for his employer.
We begin the story with Natsume and Nyanko Sensei walking home after buying some cookies for Aunt Toko. Nyanko Sensei seems to sense something and runs off towards a dead tree trunk with a Bonk. Natsume returns home, but after waiting and waiting for a few days, Nyanko Sensei is still out and about. This isn't an unusual thing, but Natsume can't help but worry.
The next day, Tanuma shows Natsume a piece of pottery that has the same colors in the same order as the gray and orange of Nyanko Sensei's perfect form. And he tells Natsume where he found it at-- near that old stump. I kind of forget sometimes but Nyanko Sensei is a yokai with the form of a ceramic lucky cat, so what if something has happened to him? I definitely felt a sense of foreboding here. But maybe these feelings are unfounded. Tanuma talks thinks the piece of pottery looks familiar and tells Natsume about a small town that he believes makes the "white haze ware." And our adventure begins.
Natsume travels to Homura Village and looks for Nyanko Sensei, wondering if his dream of seeing a sensei running toward a kiln is a clue. He sees something among the trees annnnd....it turns out Nyanko Sensei came home that morning and when he saw Natsume packing to leave, he jumped into his bag and tagged along.
Enter a guy who just looks suspicious. Though not a yokai. Just Ban, a guy who's going to be a problem. He's got an interesting power where he used wooden boards cut and painted into simple human shapes to patrol and fly around the area.
Enter Hiragi, Urihime, Sasago, Natori and Matoba. Turns out Natori yoinked Matoba out of a meeting because he knew he needed help. Ban has put a spell around this village so our yokai can't leave or enter. By extension, Nyanko Sensei can't change form.
Natsume and Natori discuss the Book of Friends, and Natsume is glad he's been able to let someone else know about it.
Natori: "Does it weigh heavy on you?"
Natsume: "Yes. It's a gift of a lifetime."
Look at all those cats!!! Gotta catch 'em all! Surprisingly Matoba knows all about them.
Natsume goes with Matoba to scope out the place. He leaves the Book of Friends with Natori and Nyanko Sensei. Matoba talks to Natsume about why he needs his clan to stay in power, checks and balances. Their place at the top is a double edged sword, depending on who chooses to antagonize them or who's asking for help. He says, "Not everyone has a benevolent protector like your kitty cat."
Gah, that empty box with the lining that's got the imprint of a person lying in it is like something out of Junji Ito's manga. Creepy ceramic puppet thing.
ps.
I really like Vol. 25 and Vol. 26's covers with our Matoba and Natori duo.
Chapters 100-102 (Part 1!)
It's Matoba, Natori and Natsume. And another mysterious exorcist named Ban who's collecting vessels for his employer.
We begin the story with Natsume and Nyanko Sensei walking home after buying some cookies for Aunt Toko. Nyanko Sensei seems to sense something and runs off towards a dead tree trunk with a Bonk. Natsume returns home, but after waiting and waiting for a few days, Nyanko Sensei is still out and about. This isn't an unusual thing, but Natsume can't help but worry.
The next day, Tanuma shows Natsume a piece of pottery that has the same colors in the same order as the gray and orange of Nyanko Sensei's perfect form. And he tells Natsume where he found it at-- near that old stump. I kind of forget sometimes but Nyanko Sensei is a yokai with the form of a ceramic lucky cat, so what if something has happened to him? I definitely felt a sense of foreboding here. But maybe these feelings are unfounded. Tanuma talks thinks the piece of pottery looks familiar and tells Natsume about a small town that he believes makes the "white haze ware." And our adventure begins.
Natsume travels to Homura Village and looks for Nyanko Sensei, wondering if his dream of seeing a sensei running toward a kiln is a clue. He sees something among the trees annnnd....it turns out Nyanko Sensei came home that morning and when he saw Natsume packing to leave, he jumped into his bag and tagged along.
Enter a guy who just looks suspicious. Though not a yokai. Just Ban, a guy who's going to be a problem. He's got an interesting power where he used wooden boards cut and painted into simple human shapes to patrol and fly around the area.
Enter Hiragi, Urihime, Sasago, Natori and Matoba. Turns out Natori yoinked Matoba out of a meeting because he knew he needed help. Ban has put a spell around this village so our yokai can't leave or enter. By extension, Nyanko Sensei can't change form.
Natsume and Natori discuss the Book of Friends, and Natsume is glad he's been able to let someone else know about it.
Natori: "Does it weigh heavy on you?"
Natsume: "Yes. It's a gift of a lifetime."
Look at all those cats!!! Gotta catch 'em all! Surprisingly Matoba knows all about them.
Natsume goes with Matoba to scope out the place. He leaves the Book of Friends with Natori and Nyanko Sensei. Matoba talks to Natsume about why he needs his clan to stay in power, checks and balances. Their place at the top is a double edged sword, depending on who chooses to antagonize them or who's asking for help. He says, "Not everyone has a benevolent protector like your kitty cat."
Gah, that empty box with the lining that's got the imprint of a person lying in it is like something out of Junji Ito's manga. Creepy ceramic puppet thing.
ps.
I really like Vol. 25 and Vol. 26's covers with our Matoba and Natori duo.
paleteas's review against another edition
5.0
Damn, I think this is the first time that a volume has ended on a cliffhanger?? This volume was amazing, and I’m really glad we got a longer, more fleshed out story. These last couple of volumes have all been really, really good and I feel like the pace is picking up a lot in terms of developing the story and characters. It kinda feels like there’s been a shift in the series to a more mature vibe and I have been seriously loving it. Natsume is noticeably changing and growing up and it makes my heart so happy lol, I love seeing his development so much. I think the most recent volumes are some of the best in the series so far and now I just want another season so all of this can get animated.
jjamy55's review against another edition
4.0
Finally, some new content!!!! Even though it is one of the shortest volume, but I enjoyed it a lot. There were a lot of cute nyanko sensei scenes in this manga!! 4 stars!
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