Natsume's Book of Friends, Vol. 30

夏目友人帳 [Natsume Yūjinchō] #30

by Yuki Midorikawa

箱崎氏の孫・紅子から、祖父の屋敷に「幽霊」がいるのではないかと相談された夏目。
誰もいないはずの屋敷なのに、物音や音楽が聞こえたりするという…。
その正体は妖ではないかと予想する夏目だが!?
占い師のクララと共に訪れたオークション「何首鳥の会」で起きる事件を描く「とある少女の肖像」も収録！
メガヒットあやかし契約奇談 第30巻！

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Supernatural, Young Adult, Cats, Japanese Literature, Urban Fantasy

168 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2023

About the author

Yuki 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.

Reviews

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so special. And a cliffhanger!! No!! 😭

[Vasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

黒ミサの的場さんに一目惚れした🤩　

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would like this series more if I could acquire the entire series at once (though I don't expect it to be cheap, even as eBooks), since—while MOST of the chapters are single, fairly standalone stories—this one begins another longer-format story (three of ? parts) and, needless to say, doesn't conclude in this volume. I should normally expect that, but when most of the stories wrap up in a single chapter, it becomes the littlest bit annoying to have to wait for the rest.

Not that it's a bad story for it! Although, it feels a bit drawn out for what's presented. I do still want to know what happens, but that's some of the Thriller Curse, that a story is only as interesting as when you don't know what happens next... and once you know, it's not interesting anymore.

Okay read, not very approachable for complete newcomers (though it's not IMPOSSIBLE to get into it from this volume, I can't imagine it's as friendly as others).

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Edelweiss for the ARC.

The mangaka's art-style takes some getting used to honestly after not reading "Natsume's Book of Friends" for awhile. It took a little bit of time to remember the characters from past volumes, but after that, the story went pretty fast. The first chapter was short and sweet and then the next few were fast-paced. I thought the last arc was super interesting and I want to read more of it!!! I liked the returning characters and enjoyed where the story seems to be heading. I just wish it didn't end on a cliffhanger!

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hate that this ends on a cliffhanger and there’s months still before the next volume 😭 but I still like the story and it’s always a treat to learn more about the creepily fascinating Matoba. Natsume’s interactions with him are iconic.
I guess I’m one of those readers who actually wants to see more overarching plot in the series after 20 years of serialization (can you believe it’s been going for that long?!) I know it was meant to be episodic/slice of life stuff, but I’m happy to get some development/mysteries uncovered

[Skye (Skye's Scribblings) · Rating 2 out of 5]

11/24 These just aren't as good as they used to be - or my reading tastes have evolved, it has been quite a few years now. This volume ended on yet another long story cliffhanger, and while I am curious what happens, and do want to continue reading the series, I think I'll get them from the library from now on.

[Yami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to enlarge this book cover and hang it as a portrait, it is simply beautiful.
as for the story, man I feel kind of lost, the gap bet. each volume and the other is too long to remember what was what, I think by the next vol. release I will need to re-read the last two vol. again

[Beck B · Rating 5 out of 5]

120th chapter felt like a sort of repeat chapter but it was nice and short. The rest of the chapters in the volume had a good mystery with returning characters I was excited to see again. I loved the small plot twists and can't wait to see the story continue.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still love reading this series, even if it has become quite different from the original concept. It's a less soothing and episodic book now, which is fine. I feel like the quality of art and writing is still high, and I'm still very attached to Natsume.

[Tracy Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like when there are mysterious arcs in this story.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

It looks like we’ll finally learn more about the Matoba family and also (maybe) about Natsume’s family! This volume ends with a cliffhanger, I can’t wait for the next one!

[S46354595 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The long wait begins...

[Black Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER ARC, FINALLY!
I love it when she commits to a longer story arc, the last one is my favourite bit of the series and I am so happy this is a continuation of it.
We also get Matoba lore! His sister is creepy as hell, that ending was eerie. I can't wait for the next one. ♡

[Snail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this in Japanese first and I think I had trouble understanding some passages so didn’t enjoy it that time as much as I expected to. Rereading it now in English, it was as good as usual! <3