Natsume's Book of Friends, Vol. 25

夏目友人帳 [Natsume Yūjinchō] #25

by Yuki Midorikawa

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 is 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.

Nyanko Sensei is missing, and the only clue to his whereabouts is a shard of pottery painted with calico markings! Following the urgings of a dream sent by the shard, Natsume travels to a local kiln and finds that there's far more going on than just a lost kitty yokai.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Supernatural, Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Comics

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 5, 2020

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

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute!
cats!
cliffhanger?!!

[Rereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Pauline (Kiriiti's Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

En bref, "Le Pacte des Yokai" continue à me charmer malgré un fil rouge qui n'avance pas des masses. J'aime la bienveillance avec laquelle Midorikawa fait progresser Natsume et la douceur avec laquelle elle développe ses relations. Les rencontres, bonnes et mauvaises, sont autant de moyens qu'utilise l'auteur pour nous parler d'amitié, d'amour, d'acceptation de soi, de solitude, de regrets,... A travers ces petites histoires de Yokai, toutes les émotions humaines nous sont décrites et nous emportent avec chaleur et poésie. J'ai hâte de lire la suite car pour la première fois de la série, un tome se termine sans que la "mission" en cours ne soit finie et cela annonce peut-être du changement !

[Reibekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two special stories in this were so cute! The actual chapters started a bit of an arc which is fun to see.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume felt kind of slight. There are two shot side stories, then two chapters of a longer story that will probably be finished in the next volume. New volumes don't come out often enough that I'll ever be happy about a cliffhanger ending, especially because I feel like the entire story could probably have been collected in one volume. That said, it is a pretty good story, and it shows how much Natsume has grown and changed from where he started. And hey, the Book of Friends at least gets mentioned. It feels like the plot of Natsume trying to return names from the book has been totally forgotten, because I don't think that's happened in ages, and often the book doesn't even get mentioned at all.

[Black Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I ever wanted to buy a volume, ans they are scarce, it would be this one.♡
Upon reread, this is genuinely my favorite arc and it happens to be the longest one. There is plenty of lore, both exorcists are here, and Madara and Natsume show how much they actually care for each other. I hope they get to it in s7 though I don't know how many episodes it would take.

[Caleism · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both anime and the manga holds a very special place in my heart. I love every character no matter how flawed in this book and this volume was even more interesting than others in my opinion.

We founf out so many new things about the matoba clan, new hunters and the way Natsume trusted Natori with the book of friends was the best thing to ever happen. Can’t wait for this chapters to get animated.


I always love the combo of Natsume, nyanko sensei, natori, hiiragi and Matoba. It is always not only the most interesting but also very action packed


Also, I didn’t expect Matoba to be such a softie for cats. I laughed out loud literally when he said he knew every cat from the catalog and could differentiate them🤣❤️
Though he scares me sometimes, I also understand his actions, no matter how I may disagree with them. Just lime Natsume is with Natori (Natori I love you❤️)

[Casey Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am now currently up to date on the Natsume's Book of Friends manga. Reading this series has been a ride, that is for sure, but it has been magical from start to present. It's too bad that this latest volume ended in a cliffhanger, and the current plot is making me anxious for the characters, but I have to trust that the mangaka has them all safe in her care and whatever happens will happen for a reason. This series is so special and there is definitely a reason it is one of the highest rated manga and anime out there to this day. I'm so glad that a friend of mine insisted I try it. It has opened me back up to the amazing worlds that exist within this wonderful form of storytelling.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many nyankos!!! :D

But jokes aside, I loved this volume!!! I can't believe we have to wait who knows how many months to see how this arc ends ToT but I loved seeing Natsume being so protective of sensei and he getting mad about it. I also liked Matoba during these chapters (I usually cannot stand him) so that's another good thing.

[L.G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nyanko Sensei is missing, and the only clue to his whereabouts is a shard of pottery painted with calico markings! Following the urgings of a dream sent by the shard, Natsume travels to a local kiln and finds that there's far more going on than just a lost kitty yokai.

This volume is definitely for cat lovers. The ending is a cliffhanger . . . UGH! I'm looking forward to reading Vol. 26.

[antito · Rating 5 out of 5]

COMO PUEDES TERMINAR UN TOMO ASII?!?!
Del capítulo 100-102 fue una maravilla es todo lo que puedes pedir en una historia de exorcistas (suspenso, misterio, amigos y gatitos) que ternura todos esos gatitos, espero que en los tomos que quedan vengan más historias cómo estás

[Yami · Rating 5 out of 5]

ended with a cliffhanger sighs

[Rozarka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matoba & Natori <3

[Eugenia Doran]

Aaaah, a cliffhanger!

[Snail · Rating 5 out of 5]

久しぶりに、ナツメくん!! All those Nyanko-senseis...... be still my heart.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a cliffhanger!!
ugh I love Natsume’s book of friends so much.
I loved the cute cat vessels 🐾🐈

[Siddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy unique story with real plot development and development of recurring characters. The story at its best.

[Tracy Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has a good story plot started, but left a little bit of a cliffhanger.😮

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasantly surprised this volume was a continuous story instead of the usual. Happy to see more Matoba!

[Kasey (Mir) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever Matoba and Natori are around I'm always excited.

[Beck B · Rating 5 out of 5]

100th chapter here we go!!! Army of Nyanko sensei's, longest running story of the series and the first volume to end with a cliffhanger! What a thrilling ride. Can't wait to see how this continues.

[scarlettraces · Rating 5 out of 5]

MATOBA

[S46354595 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that got creepy all of a sudden. Doesn't help that I literally just watched the Knights of Guinevere pilot yesterday. That final panel. Wow. Ceramics are so cool.

[Khari · Rating 4 out of 5]

他のニャンコ先生は可愛い！！

が、人形はとっても不気味。

過ぎの本が読みたくない。シリーズの中で一番不気味のキャラ。

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I utterly adored the first short story, and the longer one that takes up most of this volume and spills into the next has really captured me

[Katie❄️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMGOSH so many kitties! Pottery kitties and the Sensei ribbon special. hehe

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nyanko goes missing and Natsume is worried. He goes to Hakka to try and find him. Natori and Matoba rescue Natsume from Ban's underlings. Ban has his sights set on Nyanko and is determined to get him.

[Skye (Skye's Scribblings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

12/21 2nd Read. 3.5 Stars

4/21 I sadly wasn't as impressed with this extended story and cliffhanger ending. I enjoy the single-chapter stories best.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

Nyanko attack!