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夏目友人帳 [Natsume Yūjinchō] #9
Natsume's Book of Friends, Vol. 9
Natsume learns that no good deed goes unpunished when an irate yokai accuses him of stealing her ring when she came to the Fujiwara house to get her name returned. Natsume thinks he knows where the ring has disappeared to, but can he find it in time, or will the place he’s come to think of as home be destroyed by the vengeful yokai?!
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2010
9 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Yuki Midorikawa
66 books295 followersYuki Midorikawa (緑川ゆき, Midorikawa Yuki) is a Japanese mangaka (manga artist). Midorikawa is best known for drawing the manga series Natsume Yujin-cho ("Natsume's Book of Friends").
Yuki Midorikawa started writing manga when she was an elementary school girl. When she was a junior high school student, she sent her manga for the first time to "Hana to Yume", a semi-monthly Japanese shōjo manga magazine published by Hakusensha. Since then, she had kept drawing manga to become a mangaka.
Yuki Midorikawa started writing manga when she was an elementary school girl. When she was a junior high school student, she sent her manga for the first time to "Hana to Yume", a semi-monthly Japanese shōjo manga magazine published by Hakusensha. Since then, she had kept drawing manga to become a mangaka.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 15, 2023
I see author Midorikawa getting more comfortable with her characters and themes as this series goes along. It's nice to see, and makes me feel more comfortable as a reader, too. Her author's notes are also a bit more substantial than a lot of mangakas', as well, which isn't a huge deal or anything, but at least she isn't listing off the media she's consuming and checking out, or not writing 1/4 columns at all, (as I've seen others do), so that's another welcoming touch. I really enjoyed seeing her enthusiasm for the craftsmanship of the anime production company, down to the number of Nyanko-sensei's toe beans? (I didn't notice that at all, myself, but it does show how meticulous they were, to ask about that before changing his design even in that minor way.)
Speaking of checking out--which it seems I'll be doing a decent amount of as year's end comes closer--I'll leave things off with a few quotes from this volume that I found striking.
Speaking of checking out--which it seems I'll be doing a decent amount of as year's end comes closer--I'll leave things off with a few quotes from this volume that I found striking.
(Natsume) I vowed to understand and to not look away from the plight of those I could see and hear.
(Midorikawa) Since Natsume likes to be a loner, I challenged him with things he'd prefer to avoid.
(Midorikawa) Seeing Matoba and Natori side by side here [in sidebar illustrations], they're clearly eccentrics. I'm relieved that Natsume seems normal by comparison.
April 26, 2026
Najdłużej czytana przeze mnie manga kiedykolwiek… za dużo się dzieje w moim życiu. A szkoda, bo potrzebuję takiej serii, jak nigdy wczesniej. 3.5
August 15, 2017
I don't know if I'm imagining things or if I was just really concentrated while reading, but I feel like this volume was especially nicely drawn. There were some great broad illustrations in detail which doesn't happen often with Yuri Midorikawa and Natsume looked very cute in a lot of close-ups. Also there were some really funny scenes this time around which made me laugh out loud. I enjoyed it a loooot.
March 25, 2021
I don't think I'll never not cry to this manga. The impact Natsume has on the characters around him, whether it's intentional or not, is my favorite part to experience as I go through the volumes. It's just the way he does it so subtly that makes it so much more heartwarming to me.
The Natsume Observation Log, although more of a short, fun story from another character's POV really brings out this aspect. (:
The Natsume Observation Log, although more of a short, fun story from another character's POV really brings out this aspect. (:
March 15, 2022
Aww, Natsume never fails to tug at my heartstrings, even if the stories occasionally feel repetitive. It's nice to see how much happier and more comfortable he is since coming to live with the Fujiwaras. And Nyanko-sensei is getting so protective of him! (He wouldn't admit it, of course.)
Matoba is an annoying dude. I hope he doesn't get redeemed somewhere down the road, because I like to dislike his character. 😝
Matoba is an annoying dude. I hope he doesn't get redeemed somewhere down the road, because I like to dislike his character. 😝
August 8, 2021
"Yeah... they're my friends" 🥺
January 19, 2026
This series has really come into its own, with this volume featuring lots of good character development —and not just for Natsume! It’s by turns frightening and heartwarming, with excellent writing and art. Two thumbs up! 👍👍
August 18, 2017
In diesem Band haben wir wieder mit Motoba zu tun, der wirklich ein charakter ist, den ich nicht leiden kann. Weiter haben wir mal wieder Natsume, der Mitgefühl und Empathie zeigt und sich seinen Mitmenschen mehr öffnet.
December 12, 2017
It is one of my most favorite anime and manga. Natsume's Book of friends is filled with fun and lots of magic. It has the beating heart of fantasy told by grandmas to their kodomo(children) throughout Japan. If you are a fan of fantasy-mythical creatures-Japan, what are you waiting for?
November 28, 2017
Natsume is such a gryffindor and a hufflepuff.
March 28, 2018
やっぱり漫画はいい。アニメと比べたら名取も的場もキャラが深い。アニメの的場は悪いものの漢字でも漫画はもっと怖くてクールな人。アニメの名取はクールけど漫画のはちょっと気味が悪い。私にとって漫画の的場は結構かっこいい。もっと知りたい。
March 23, 2019
Beautiful illustrations and interesting stories. I love these characters, whether Yokai or human.
November 11, 2019
Natsume is being drawn into both the human and yokai worlds. I love the scenes of his present and past families. The special episode with Yuriko’s observation of Natsume was very good.
February 4, 2020
I loved it 😻🤩😊 it was awesome
February 16, 2020
Another interesting book is done reading and let us head to the next one.
October 28, 2022
Love this manga. I love the way that Natsume treats both youkai and humans with the same kindness despite having bad experiences with both. I'm curious to see where Matoba's story line goes as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2023
not that i want to sound like a broken record, but matoba is such a good character. i want more scenes with him and natsume
May 13, 2023
I liked Natsume and the flock of fluffy yokai.
August 21, 2024
+1 por la portada tan bonita y podemos hablar de lo genial q es cuando nyanko tiene su forma grande
“Esos son mis amigos”
“Esos son mis amigos”
April 1, 2012
~3.5/5
This was, again, another volume that was just alright to me (maybe it's me? As in, I'm just not in the mood for them, or something?). And, again, it was another series that no bookstore wanted to carry, and so took me forever just to find this volume (and will probably take me a while to get the next one. But let's just hope not).
I really like this series, and have been missing it (especially when I see other people reviewing it, and am like “I HAVEN'T READ THAT ONE YET/CAN'T FIND THAT ONE! I AM SO FAR BEHIND!”, and then groan in aggravation/mental pain). I keep hoping/waiting, though, for this series to get into a more solid, or longer lasting, plot line, since they usually only last for a couple chapters. On the bright side, though, we have been getting more insight into Natsume's past and present feelings and the people around him, which I enjoy.
For the first two chapters of this volume, Natsume runs into a fluff ball of a yokai, which runs in huge packs but is very hard to find and dangerous. It starts to attack Natsume, but he wraps his (maybe?) wound up and calms him down. Natsume also gets attacked by another yokai, who is claiming that Natsume stole something she dropped (which doesn't make any sense, but Natsume also points this out, so points for that).
For the next three chapter, Natsume helps some yokai, and ends up running, and getting captured by, Matoba, an exorcist. He's capturing yokai, while Natsume is trying to save them. Matoba... seems interesting, but I haven't got much of a feel for him, so we'll see next time we meet him, I guess.
The biggest parts of that, I think, were when a yokai attacked Natsume while in class, which was terrible since he's managed to act very normal in front of all of them up till now. Later, though, he made up an excuse and accomplished not telling anyone about what he can see. Which is a bit disappointing, but also not, since they mentioned how his aunt and uncle treat him now, and how they might if they knew, which definitely changed things. Also, he gets invited by some people from school to a festival, and gets to invite Tanuma and Taki, which is nice. I like seeing them hanging out, and it's always nice when they get to hang out with other people, especially since they're usually all by themselves. (Also, in the previous chapters, he accidentally calls the fluffball adorable in front of his friends, and they think he's talking about a girl, and bug about who he's thinking about. I thought it was rather hilarious.)
There's a special chapter at the end, in a girls point of view, who went to school with him before, when he had longer, scraggly hair, was a bit more cynical than he is now, and wasn't close to anyone. I felt rather bad for him, but it was interesting seeing what someone else, who doesn't know about the yokai's but wonders because of how he acts, thinks of him. It made me wonder what the boys who he goes to school with now think of him.
I do really like this series. It's subtle, a little displaced, smooth, and just simply sweet. I like Natsume, as well as his few friends, and want to know more about them. I'm hoping things get more intense, more solid, soon, since I'm not always all that affected by the short plots. I still like them, and am just simply enjoying it for now.
[Taken from my blog: http://geekyreading.blogspot.com/2012... ]
This was, again, another volume that was just alright to me (maybe it's me? As in, I'm just not in the mood for them, or something?). And, again, it was another series that no bookstore wanted to carry, and so took me forever just to find this volume (and will probably take me a while to get the next one. But let's just hope not).
I really like this series, and have been missing it (especially when I see other people reviewing it, and am like “I HAVEN'T READ THAT ONE YET/CAN'T FIND THAT ONE! I AM SO FAR BEHIND!”, and then groan in aggravation/mental pain). I keep hoping/waiting, though, for this series to get into a more solid, or longer lasting, plot line, since they usually only last for a couple chapters. On the bright side, though, we have been getting more insight into Natsume's past and present feelings and the people around him, which I enjoy.
For the first two chapters of this volume, Natsume runs into a fluff ball of a yokai, which runs in huge packs but is very hard to find and dangerous. It starts to attack Natsume, but he wraps his (maybe?) wound up and calms him down. Natsume also gets attacked by another yokai, who is claiming that Natsume stole something she dropped (which doesn't make any sense, but Natsume also points this out, so points for that).
For the next three chapter, Natsume helps some yokai, and ends up running, and getting captured by, Matoba, an exorcist. He's capturing yokai, while Natsume is trying to save them. Matoba... seems interesting, but I haven't got much of a feel for him, so we'll see next time we meet him, I guess.
The biggest parts of that, I think, were when a yokai attacked Natsume while in class, which was terrible since he's managed to act very normal in front of all of them up till now. Later, though, he made up an excuse and accomplished not telling anyone about what he can see. Which is a bit disappointing, but also not, since they mentioned how his aunt and uncle treat him now, and how they might if they knew, which definitely changed things. Also, he gets invited by some people from school to a festival, and gets to invite Tanuma and Taki, which is nice. I like seeing them hanging out, and it's always nice when they get to hang out with other people, especially since they're usually all by themselves. (Also, in the previous chapters, he accidentally calls the fluffball adorable in front of his friends, and they think he's talking about a girl, and bug about who he's thinking about. I thought it was rather hilarious.)
There's a special chapter at the end, in a girls point of view, who went to school with him before, when he had longer, scraggly hair, was a bit more cynical than he is now, and wasn't close to anyone. I felt rather bad for him, but it was interesting seeing what someone else, who doesn't know about the yokai's but wonders because of how he acts, thinks of him. It made me wonder what the boys who he goes to school with now think of him.
I do really like this series. It's subtle, a little displaced, smooth, and just simply sweet. I like Natsume, as well as his few friends, and want to know more about them. I'm hoping things get more intense, more solid, soon, since I'm not always all that affected by the short plots. I still like them, and am just simply enjoying it for now.
[Taken from my blog: http://geekyreading.blogspot.com/2012... ]
April 5, 2026
Stupid exorcists thinking all Yokai are the same
Natsume’s Book of Friends Review
5/5 stars
I ended up down this rabbit hole of trying to find cozy/supernatural stories about yokai, partially because I’d just read Kusunoki’s Garden of Gods, and partially because I watched the movie Mononoke: Phantom in the Rain and was craving literally anything in the same vein.
So of course I ended up reading Natsume’s Book of Friends. This is the quintessential yokai manga. It’s about a teenage boy who can see yokai, which gets him into a lot of situations. Have you ever seen that thing on the internet where people are like, let’s put that character through situations? That’s Natsume. But it’s also sort of cozy, despite being all about ghosts. Not sure how that’s achieved, but it works.
Natsume ends up with this yokai trapped in a lucky cat shrine statue as his bodyguard. His name is Nyanko Sensei and I love him so much. He’s both the most helpful cat around, and also a pain in the butt. He sticks around Natsume mostly because Natsume promises to give him his grandmother’s book if anything were to happen to him.
Natsume’s grandmother’s book is a notebook filled with names of tons of yokai who she tricked into writing their names in the book. All of the yokai in her book have to do the bidding of whoever is holding the book, so all the yokai in the book either want their name released, or want to own the book themselves. Natsume is determined to return all their names, that way he doesn’t have the burden of constantly being attacked by yokai who want the book for themselves, and he doesn’t have to fear someone else getting their hands on it and controlling so many powerful yokai.
It’s a relatively episodic series where in each new chapter, Natsume comes face to face with a new yokai, which may or may not be in the book. There are a lot of fun returning characters who Natsume hangs out with, very little of whom know anything about the book, if they even know he can see yokai.
My favorite is the guy with the weird lizard tattoo. I am very curious to see if in the future we end up getting any clues as to what sort of yokai caused it, and if it can be removed, but I’m also scared that finding out that information would make that character suddenly less mysterious. I also hope this series never ends. It’s very fun, and has been going on for so long that I hope I’ll be able to keep reading it for a very long time.
This will be a spoiler free review. Onto the review!
Have a nice day/night everyone!
Natsume’s Book of Friends Review
5/5 stars
I ended up down this rabbit hole of trying to find cozy/supernatural stories about yokai, partially because I’d just read Kusunoki’s Garden of Gods, and partially because I watched the movie Mononoke: Phantom in the Rain and was craving literally anything in the same vein.
So of course I ended up reading Natsume’s Book of Friends. This is the quintessential yokai manga. It’s about a teenage boy who can see yokai, which gets him into a lot of situations. Have you ever seen that thing on the internet where people are like, let’s put that character through situations? That’s Natsume. But it’s also sort of cozy, despite being all about ghosts. Not sure how that’s achieved, but it works.
Natsume ends up with this yokai trapped in a lucky cat shrine statue as his bodyguard. His name is Nyanko Sensei and I love him so much. He’s both the most helpful cat around, and also a pain in the butt. He sticks around Natsume mostly because Natsume promises to give him his grandmother’s book if anything were to happen to him.
Natsume’s grandmother’s book is a notebook filled with names of tons of yokai who she tricked into writing their names in the book. All of the yokai in her book have to do the bidding of whoever is holding the book, so all the yokai in the book either want their name released, or want to own the book themselves. Natsume is determined to return all their names, that way he doesn’t have the burden of constantly being attacked by yokai who want the book for themselves, and he doesn’t have to fear someone else getting their hands on it and controlling so many powerful yokai.
It’s a relatively episodic series where in each new chapter, Natsume comes face to face with a new yokai, which may or may not be in the book. There are a lot of fun returning characters who Natsume hangs out with, very little of whom know anything about the book, if they even know he can see yokai.
My favorite is the guy with the weird lizard tattoo. I am very curious to see if in the future we end up getting any clues as to what sort of yokai caused it, and if it can be removed, but I’m also scared that finding out that information would make that character suddenly less mysterious. I also hope this series never ends. It’s very fun, and has been going on for so long that I hope I’ll be able to keep reading it for a very long time.
This will be a spoiler free review. Onto the review!
Have a nice day/night everyone!
October 16, 2011
The first chapter this volume (incidentally I like the all green background of the Viz edition the best) deals with the idea that you shouldn't underestimate kindness and weak people working together - Natsume gets threatened by a yokai he actually released from the book, but a tiny fluffy yokai (I couldn't help thinking of Tribbles with a face) helps him out. Unfortunately he belongs to a group of very reclusive yokai whom the other yokai only have heard bad rumors of - so they want to drive them away. It's a big misunderstanding, but while Natsume is saved, the group of small yokai leave for good. Very mono no aware, was my impression - treasure the friendships you have while the people are there.
The next chapters are an action story that brings Natsume once more into the power of the Matoba clan, although it is only incidental when a group of yokai from further away abduct him for the book of friends with which they hope to combat the Matoba clan of exorcists. First we get lots of hide and seek and scrambling in the Matoba mansion in the forest, then we get a whole cavalry of strong yokai friends coming to the rescue of Natsume, who has actually managed to rescue himself (and Nyanko-sensei) already.
Matoba lets them go after seeing the hugeness of Natsume's yokai friends - it's a nice contrast to see how strong the yokai are who have become friends in comparison to Matoba's caught and enslaved yokai - I don't think we have even seen the full extent of Madara's powers yet. However, he now knows that a notebook in Natsume's bag was really important to him....
At least Natsume is able to go to the night festival with his friends now and enjoy it ^^ - in a yukata of his foster father, awww.
The bonus manga is another observation diary of Natsume, this time by a girl from a school he went to a year before he got taken in by the Fujiwaras. She becomes aware of him due to his usual strange behaviour, but takes the time to observe him and comes to the conclusion that he is not at fault for the strange things that happen. She and Natsume strike off a restrained acquaintance, mostly because her parents and others don't want her to become friends with him. So when Natsume leaves he at least acknowledges that she made him have some fun there.
The next chapters are an action story that brings Natsume once more into the power of the Matoba clan, although it is only incidental when a group of yokai from further away abduct him for the book of friends with which they hope to combat the Matoba clan of exorcists. First we get lots of hide and seek and scrambling in the Matoba mansion in the forest, then we get a whole cavalry of strong yokai friends coming to the rescue of Natsume, who has actually managed to rescue himself (and Nyanko-sensei) already.
Matoba lets them go after seeing the hugeness of Natsume's yokai friends - it's a nice contrast to see how strong the yokai are who have become friends in comparison to Matoba's caught and enslaved yokai - I don't think we have even seen the full extent of Madara's powers yet. However, he now knows that a notebook in Natsume's bag was really important to him....
At least Natsume is able to go to the night festival with his friends now and enjoy it ^^ - in a yukata of his foster father, awww.
The bonus manga is another observation diary of Natsume, this time by a girl from a school he went to a year before he got taken in by the Fujiwaras. She becomes aware of him due to his usual strange behaviour, but takes the time to observe him and comes to the conclusion that he is not at fault for the strange things that happen. She and Natsume strike off a restrained acquaintance, mostly because her parents and others don't want her to become friends with him. So when Natsume leaves he at least acknowledges that she made him have some fun there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2012
Sometimes when I'm reading a book and I intensely love a character I wish I had a way to bring them to life because I truly feel this world would be a better place if they existed. Other times I hope I will never have access to that technology ever because I would totally use it and follow them around, hiding behind bushes and sighing over their every move. And then Natsume would think I'm creepy and not want to be friends with me. :(
I'm not really sure what to say about this volume. If you're still not convinced that Natsume is the best kindhearted-loner-learning-to-connect-with-people ever and watching him interact with people and youkai doesn't make you go starry eyed with love I don't think I can help you. Perhaps you should see a doctor? I'm don't think it's healthy to go through life without a heart.
If you already love this manga as is proper I'm pleased to report you get more progress on Natsume and Nyanko-sensei's relationship and an adorable chapter where Natsume helps some Tribbles. That is not their name but I'm positive they're at least distant cousins to the ones we saw on Trek so I'll stick with that. I also liked the special episode at the end of the volume following a girl who knew Natsume in one of his old schools. His life was not completely devoid of nice people! I'm glad. 4 stars
I'm not really sure what to say about this volume. If you're still not convinced that Natsume is the best kindhearted-loner-learning-to-connect-with-people ever and watching him interact with people and youkai doesn't make you go starry eyed with love I don't think I can help you. Perhaps you should see a doctor? I'm don't think it's healthy to go through life without a heart.
If you already love this manga as is proper I'm pleased to report you get more progress on Natsume and Nyanko-sensei's relationship and an adorable chapter where Natsume helps some Tribbles. That is not their name but I'm positive they're at least distant cousins to the ones we saw on Trek so I'll stick with that. I also liked the special episode at the end of the volume following a girl who knew Natsume in one of his old schools. His life was not completely devoid of nice people! I'm glad. 4 stars
October 18, 2011
There are no words in the English language yet invented to describe how much I absolutely love the Natsume Yuujinchou manga. The linguistics of the world have not yet accurately formed a vocabulary for the feelings that well deep inside my heart every time I open the latest volume of Natsume’s stories, or the feelings that linger within me when I close the book for the last time, already anticipating the next volume in the series. It is one of those magical series that you have to read to understand why, and volume nine is a landmark volume for everyone involved – for Natsume, for Nyanko-sensei, for his friends both human and yokai – but it does all of these things quietly, intelligently, in typical Yuujinchou fashion. And this is what makes Natsume’s Book Of Friends a must-read manga across the board.
You can read the rest of my review over at Nagareboshi Reviews!
You can read the rest of my review over at Nagareboshi Reviews!
January 12, 2012
The real forward motion in this volume occurs when Matoba makes another appearance, before that we have another episode with Natsume returning a name and getting into trouble with youkai. I really love the way Natsume deals with the individual youkai. Hinoe and the C-listers are treated with as much respect as Nyanko-sensei. All new youkai are greeted with first with kindness even when they are dangerous.
The manga includes some violence including evidence of bullying, fights between youkai, Natsume and Nyanko-sensei, but the worst results seem to be cuts, bruises and talk about eating people (very rarely do people actually get eaten in the series). There isn't any cursing. Nyanko-sensei is a drunkard, who spends most of his time in a Lucky Cat form.
The manga includes some violence including evidence of bullying, fights between youkai, Natsume and Nyanko-sensei, but the worst results seem to be cuts, bruises and talk about eating people (very rarely do people actually get eaten in the series). There isn't any cursing. Nyanko-sensei is a drunkard, who spends most of his time in a Lucky Cat form.
October 14, 2020
I swear if Matoba does not BACK THE FUCK OFF from my precious Natsume I will FUCK HIM UP SO FUCKING HARD. Do not touch my precious baby!
I adored this volume purely for Natsume holding his ground regarding giving up the Book and relying on his yokai friends to help him. Learning to rely on others is difficult when you've spent so long by yourself, and I appreciate Midorikawa for showing this slow yet natural growth in Natsume. Also, I LOVED seeing Nyanko-sensei tear Matoba a new one by showing off his true power. Love him! Also, Puff. I want a Puff, can a please have a Puff??
Anyway, another great volume, love this series!
I adored this volume purely for Natsume holding his ground regarding giving up the Book and relying on his yokai friends to help him. Learning to rely on others is difficult when you've spent so long by yourself, and I appreciate Midorikawa for showing this slow yet natural growth in Natsume. Also, I LOVED seeing Nyanko-sensei tear Matoba a new one by showing off his true power. Love him! Also, Puff. I want a Puff, can a please have a Puff??
Anyway, another great volume, love this series!
June 7, 2016
I have to rate this because ASDFGHJKL this manga is lifeeeeee.
Nyanko sensei is just so adorable and fluffy.
He loves and cherishes Natsume so much but he just won't admit it.
I need a Nyanko sensei in my life!!
Also, this volume is my most favourite because gahhhh...
Those ayakashi really adore Natsume.
They even make group to fight the ayakashi that tried to harm Natsume.
I can't believed that they have those childish fight in the middle of the jungle. hahahaha. priceless!
October 26, 2013
Cerita-ceritanya sederhana tetapi menarik. Banyak nilai yang bisa dipetik. Walau guyonannya kadang garing dan kriuk-kriuk, tetapi emosi takashi hampi selalu sampai padaku. Sayangnya, sampai buku ii gak dijelasin lebih banyak mengenai nenek Takashi. Penasaran ama apa yang terjadi sama neneknya euy :|
Semoga volume selanjutnya keluar lebih cepat :D
Semoga volume selanjutnya keluar lebih cepat :D
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews