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夏目友人帳 [Natsume Yūjinchō] #14
Natsume's Book of Friends, Vol. 14
Most books just describe the supernatural. This one brings it!Takashi Natsume can see the spirits and demons that hide from the rest of humanity. He has always been set apart from other people because of his gift, drifting from relative to relative, never fitting in. Now he's a troubled high school student who has come to live in the small town where his grandmother grew up. And there he discovers that he has inherited more than just the Sight from the mysterious Reiko.
Reads R to L (Japanese Style) for teen audiences.
Reads R to L (Japanese Style) for teen audiences.
192 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2012
5 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
Yuki Midorikawa
66 books290 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 35 reviews
July 4, 2025
The author's note in this volume gave me insights into Midorikawa's storytelling, and into Natsume himself, that I hadn't perceived in the stories themselves. With Natsume in particular, the changes are subtle, and I'm not sure if I'd see them even if I reread this volume or some of the ones before it. If nothing else, I get the feeling that he's becoming more comfortable with himself as he finds family and friends.
Once or twice in this volume, Natsume wonders if he might want to learn exorcism magic from either Natori or Matoba. I don't remember from the anime where this line of thought might go, but it seems like the seeds are being planted for a growing connection between Natsume and one of these two magicians.
Once or twice in this volume, Natsume wonders if he might want to learn exorcism magic from either Natori or Matoba. I don't remember from the anime where this line of thought might go, but it seems like the seeds are being planted for a growing connection between Natsume and one of these two magicians.
April 8, 2023
I like that this volume gave a little information about Natsume's grandmother. I still want to know more, though! Even though the series doesn't have much of an overarching plot, it seems like there's some kind of secret waiting to be revealed there...
May 29, 2021
One of my favorite volumes.
February 26, 2018
It's so amazing how it is always getting better and better for each volume.
February 15, 2015
(Since goodreads killed quite a long review from me just now, I am too tired to redo it and now you're stuck with the gist of it.)
In SHORT: Magical, personal and quietly brilliant.
In DETAIL:
Themes: Being different, loneliness, creatures from myth and legend, friendship and camaraderie and the meaning of family.
Setting: Rural Japan in all its loveliness! (When it comes to a time period I’d say, roughly the ‘here and now’.)
Atmosphere: At once magical and ordinary. The focus on interpersonal relationships in a world where a vast array of supernatural creatures are never far, is the key to making this story so wonderful. It is almost always less about the being’s strangeness and abilities, but rather its hopes and wishes.
Characters & Relationships: Every character is incredibly unique and loveable in their own way. What I adore the portrayal of the ayakashi is that Natsume always tries to understand the circumstances of a creature first and only if there is no other way will try to bind it or even kill it. Mostly the ayakashi are shown as having different values or being ignorant of human customs.
Plot: Natsume has to cope with his ability to see ayakashi and with the mysterious “Book of Friends” his grandmother left behind. Not to mention this erratic lucky-cat (that is actually something very different) called Nyanko-sensei. At first the chapters are rather episodic in a monster of the week style (but many really touching and never boring), but somewhere along the line more characters, supernatural and human, appear and as Natsume’s friends and acquaintances expand, the plot branches out.
Cover & Artwork: The artwork has a lovely light touch which adds to feeling of otherworldliness and gives it a sense of fragility.
In SHORT: Magical, personal and quietly brilliant.
In DETAIL:
Themes: Being different, loneliness, creatures from myth and legend, friendship and camaraderie and the meaning of family.
Setting: Rural Japan in all its loveliness! (When it comes to a time period I’d say, roughly the ‘here and now’.)
Atmosphere: At once magical and ordinary. The focus on interpersonal relationships in a world where a vast array of supernatural creatures are never far, is the key to making this story so wonderful. It is almost always less about the being’s strangeness and abilities, but rather its hopes and wishes.
Characters & Relationships: Every character is incredibly unique and loveable in their own way. What I adore the portrayal of the ayakashi is that Natsume always tries to understand the circumstances of a creature first and only if there is no other way will try to bind it or even kill it. Mostly the ayakashi are shown as having different values or being ignorant of human customs.
Plot: Natsume has to cope with his ability to see ayakashi and with the mysterious “Book of Friends” his grandmother left behind. Not to mention this erratic lucky-cat (that is actually something very different) called Nyanko-sensei. At first the chapters are rather episodic in a monster of the week style (but many really touching and never boring), but somewhere along the line more characters, supernatural and human, appear and as Natsume’s friends and acquaintances expand, the plot branches out.
Cover & Artwork: The artwork has a lovely light touch which adds to feeling of otherworldliness and gives it a sense of fragility.
July 12, 2013
We get another solid look at Reiko in this volume, which is always going to be a big bonus for me. I love her character and I love seeing how she interacts with others. Plus, the yokai in the first chapter of this volume may be the absolute cutest yokai I've seen anywhere in this manga so far.
I do think it's interestingly telling in this one, though, how clearly the escalating danger and Natsume's inability to protect himself is outlined, as he actually considers Matoba's offer from a previous volume. Not seriously - but the idea of him even considering it is a major statement of the situation I think.
I do think it's interestingly telling in this one, though, how clearly the escalating danger and Natsume's inability to protect himself is outlined, as he actually considers Matoba's offer from a previous volume. Not seriously - but the idea of him even considering it is a major statement of the situation I think.
October 16, 2020
Oh my gosh, I LOVED this volume!
While it broke my heart to see the painfully awkward conversation between Natsume and one of his relatives, I loved seeing him talk to Tanuma about it. Natsume's character development has been slowly growing and it's moments like these that make that slow pace worth it.
I also loved the yokai present in this volume and their individual cases. One of the things I love about yokai is that they tend to be selfish creatures, but sometimes that selfishness is rooted in some kind of positive experience or memory. I also love how spiteful they are; I don't think this stakes would be quite so high in a series like this if the yokai weren't willing to enact vengeance on people over a perceived wrong. That being said, I think this series has a nice balance of making the yokai legitimate threats without crossing the line into gore and nightmare territory.
Finally, that one yokai in the first chapter that wanted to see Reiko one last time? Fucking precious and adorable, I loved it so much. Oh, and the side story was really sweet and endearing as well.
That's all I've got, on to the next one!
While it broke my heart to see the painfully awkward conversation between Natsume and one of his relatives, I loved seeing him talk to Tanuma about it. Natsume's character development has been slowly growing and it's moments like these that make that slow pace worth it.
I also loved the yokai present in this volume and their individual cases. One of the things I love about yokai is that they tend to be selfish creatures, but sometimes that selfishness is rooted in some kind of positive experience or memory. I also love how spiteful they are; I don't think this stakes would be quite so high in a series like this if the yokai weren't willing to enact vengeance on people over a perceived wrong. That being said, I think this series has a nice balance of making the yokai legitimate threats without crossing the line into gore and nightmare territory.
Finally, that one yokai in the first chapter that wanted to see Reiko one last time? Fucking precious and adorable, I loved it so much. Oh, and the side story was really sweet and endearing as well.
That's all I've got, on to the next one!
September 5, 2022
Natsume's Book of Friends is my absolute favorite supernatural comfort read. I love Nyanko-sensei and all the different Yokai in the series so far.
This volume had me completely choked up, from the opening story of a spirit missing Reiko, to a small girl spirit searching for the man that noticed her 50 years ago, and finally to the last few stories of Natsume trying to understand his elusive grandmother Reiko. Hearing the relatives of Natsume talk bad about his maternal grandmother, to his face no less, hurts, and the fear of seeing spirits and yokai and protecting his family has got to be so hard on Natsume. Overall, a great series that doesn't need to be rushed or really explained deeply.
This volume had me completely choked up, from the opening story of a spirit missing Reiko, to a small girl spirit searching for the man that noticed her 50 years ago, and finally to the last few stories of Natsume trying to understand his elusive grandmother Reiko. Hearing the relatives of Natsume talk bad about his maternal grandmother, to his face no less, hurts, and the fear of seeing spirits and yokai and protecting his family has got to be so hard on Natsume. Overall, a great series that doesn't need to be rushed or really explained deeply.
November 18, 2017
Natsume verliert kurzzeitig seine Stimme, und später versucht er mehr über seine Großmutter Reiko zu erfahren, von der er sehr viele unterschiedliche Meinungen bekommt; einmal von Yokais und einmal von Menschen.
July 9, 2023
Natsume is confronted by a creepy yokai that lives in an urn who tells him his grandmother stole her doll.
This issue is back to form for these books: heart-warming, and Natsume continues to grow as a person while being his usual kind self.
This issue is back to form for these books: heart-warming, and Natsume continues to grow as a person while being his usual kind self.
March 29, 2018
この巻も楽しかった。れいこさんにもっと詳しく知られたので面白かった。最初に夏目のおじいちゃんの事とはなしたので超興味あった。。。。。今でも斑だと思う。きゃあああ！
斑と言えばようやく足いくつが分かってきた。四本。頭の中にそう知ってたけど映らなかったから迷っちゃった。緑川先生が一本のあやかしも好きから。。。。
斑と言えばようやく足いくつが分かってきた。四本。頭の中にそう知ってたけど映らなかったから迷っちゃった。緑川先生が一本のあやかしも好きから。。。。
June 30, 2018
I'm starting to think Sensei had babies with Reiko 😂😂😂
I just can't see her falling for a human and I don't know enough (or anything really) about Sensei and Reiko's relationship.
I just can't see her falling for a human and I don't know enough (or anything really) about Sensei and Reiko's relationship.
October 5, 2018
Nice.
December 23, 2019
Another great volume!! I love this series. No problem keeping my attention and interest!
October 8, 2021
what a world
December 28, 2022
3.5 stars.
August 21, 2024
Cute cover again
September 9, 2024
There are not many things I'm sure of except for Natsume Yuujinchou making me cry every single time
August 22, 2025
I want an entire prequel series about Reiko. I would love to know how she came to be hated by so many yokai.
September 25, 2014
~4-4.5/5
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
I think I’ve said this before—I’m sure I’ve said this before—but I freakin’ love Natsume. There are some chapters in this series that are just alright, that are simple one-shots with nothing too major happening. And then there are the ones where something big happens with Natsume, something major for his character or with another character, and I just go crazy. Especially when they’re so unexpected! Auugh! It hits me right in the heart, every time.
The first two chapters in this story are pretty simple, with two new yokai that are having troubles, and they’re simply just sweet and whimsical. Nothing major, pretty standard Book of Friends plotlines. Well, aside from a humorous point when Natsume loses his voice.
The next three chapters, though, are a continuous storyline that starts out normal, with a yokai wanting something from Natsume/Reiko, and threatening to hurt something precious to him. But then Natsume has a couple of really sweet moments with Tanuma, and it was so heartwarming to see him getting closer, and being honest, and growing, with a friend of his. Including a moment where he’s all flustered and worried, when he barely ever blushes. It was so sweet.
But, along with that, we (and Natsume) got some insight into Reiko. He starts wondering who she was, what she was like, seeing as how he hasn’t got very good impression from the humans, and not particularly good ones from the yokai, either. This time, he gets to see a memory from a yokai, a long one, where she interacts with several yokai and humans.
The whole plotline was a surprise, really, and I loved it. I think that’s one thing that I look forward to in these volumes, how so often there are simple, sweet, whimsical one-shots, but then there are plots with development for Natsume and his friends, and those are just so special. And, really, just get me fangirling all over the place. I was grinning through quite a bit of this volume, and even had to go back and look through a few scenes because I liked them so much.
This series is being released rather slowly, since we’re only two volumes behind Japan, and I have no clue how much longer it’s going to be going. But I’m in it for the long ride, definitely. And I am very much looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Sidenote: The author mentions that there’s four seasons of an anime for this series. I just… !? I mean, I haven’t even seen one episode of the anime, and I’m pretty sure it hasn’t been translated, but that is just insane. I wouldn’t have expected this series to be so popular. I’m assuming it is, though. For anyone who’s watched the show: what do you think? Is it good? Should I give it a try?
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
I think I’ve said this before—I’m sure I’ve said this before—but I freakin’ love Natsume. There are some chapters in this series that are just alright, that are simple one-shots with nothing too major happening. And then there are the ones where something big happens with Natsume, something major for his character or with another character, and I just go crazy. Especially when they’re so unexpected! Auugh! It hits me right in the heart, every time.
The first two chapters in this story are pretty simple, with two new yokai that are having troubles, and they’re simply just sweet and whimsical. Nothing major, pretty standard Book of Friends plotlines. Well, aside from a humorous point when Natsume loses his voice.
The next three chapters, though, are a continuous storyline that starts out normal, with a yokai wanting something from Natsume/Reiko, and threatening to hurt something precious to him. But then Natsume has a couple of really sweet moments with Tanuma, and it was so heartwarming to see him getting closer, and being honest, and growing, with a friend of his. Including a moment where he’s all flustered and worried, when he barely ever blushes. It was so sweet.
But, along with that, we (and Natsume) got some insight into Reiko. He starts wondering who she was, what she was like, seeing as how he hasn’t got very good impression from the humans, and not particularly good ones from the yokai, either. This time, he gets to see a memory from a yokai, a long one, where she interacts with several yokai and humans.
The whole plotline was a surprise, really, and I loved it. I think that’s one thing that I look forward to in these volumes, how so often there are simple, sweet, whimsical one-shots, but then there are plots with development for Natsume and his friends, and those are just so special. And, really, just get me fangirling all over the place. I was grinning through quite a bit of this volume, and even had to go back and look through a few scenes because I liked them so much.
This series is being released rather slowly, since we’re only two volumes behind Japan, and I have no clue how much longer it’s going to be going. But I’m in it for the long ride, definitely. And I am very much looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Sidenote: The author mentions that there’s four seasons of an anime for this series. I just… !? I mean, I haven’t even seen one episode of the anime, and I’m pretty sure it hasn’t been translated, but that is just insane. I wouldn’t have expected this series to be so popular. I’m assuming it is, though. For anyone who’s watched the show: what do you think? Is it good? Should I give it a try?
July 11, 2013
This volume focuses on Natsume's relationship with the youkai much more than people (probably because the previous volume did the opposite). In addition to the increase in intensity from the local youkai, Natsume must deal with his father's home, which the family wants to sell. He decides to go see it one last time and this look into life before he started to be shuffled around is so painfully sweet. You can also see just how much he tried not to make trouble for the families he stayed with despite being constantly harassed by things they couldn't protect him for or even see.
There really isn't anything terribly objectionable in this one. Even Nyanko-sensei's drinking is toned down. There are some harsh things said to Natsume by one of his cousins, but nothing with actual cursing. You can also see some painful family dynamics, but most parents shouldn't be too upset by any of it.
There really isn't anything terribly objectionable in this one. Even Nyanko-sensei's drinking is toned down. There are some harsh things said to Natsume by one of his cousins, but nothing with actual cursing. You can also see some painful family dynamics, but most parents shouldn't be too upset by any of it.
October 1, 2013
In this volume we get a look at how Natsume begins to deal with the yokai as a norm. He is able to step back and figure out their problems better by being more level-headed. But he does fear that he needs more defensive abilities to avoid the malicious ones. Hopefully he finds a way without resorting to the more oppressive exorcist ways. Natsume also gets a rare look into Grandmother Reiko's past. Hopefully in the next books even more development will continue in Natsume handling yokai, and learning about his grandmother's abilities too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2016
It is interesting to watch as Reiko, who is dead before the series begins and thus seems initially to be backstory, becomes increasingly a character in her own right.
Volume 14 consists of a number of short stories exploring Natsume's and Reiko's different types of relationships with yokai.
February 20, 2016
I really like how Natsume is getting closer to humans but is still kind to the Yokai. I really like how Tanuma understands Natsume and stand by him even though he wants Natsume to open up more to him.
May 8, 2013
Review to come!
January 12, 2025
Original 2013 rating 3 stars
2025 reread: 4 stars because the short with the C-listers made me teary
2025 reread: 4 stars because the short with the C-listers made me teary
September 21, 2013
very understated volume focusing primarily on natsume's relationships with youkai. i think my favourite part was with the humans though, the scene with tanuma was really sweet. friendship! 4 stars
January 19, 2014
Perfect volume of Natsume Yuujinchou is perfect. What more can I say? I can't wait to get my hands on volume fifteen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews