What do you think?
Rate this book
夏目友人帳 [Natsume Yūjinchō] #3
Natsume's Book of Friends, Vol. 3
Reads R to L (Japanese Style). Some books describe the supernatural. This one brings it.
Takashi is busy returning the names his grandmother trapped in her book and helping the local yokai with their problems. But he has to put his good deeds on hold when a black Nyanko Sensei snatches the Book of Friends! Takashi and the real Nyanko trail the bad cat to a secret yokai meeting deep in the forest. Will they be in time to stop the impostor's wicked plans?!
200 pages, Paperback
First published February 5, 2007
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
November 7, 2021
Do I seem nicer because I'm around nice people?Although this series is episodic--to the extent that Natsume and his grandmother are introduced to the reader every chapter--already we have some recurring characters like Natori and his companion?/servant?/bodyguard? Hiiragi. There are both sentimental and more action-y stories in this volume, and while I prefer the former, the latter give it a nice balance. I enjoy the author's notes about each story's creation and hope they continue as this series goes along.
January 10, 2025
5 ⭐
"Let's go home, Tama."
I have to say this, Natsume looks the most beautiful when he's returning the name of the ayakashi.
The story of Lord Riou is so beautiful, to see an ayakashi who loves humans so much but won't be able to stay near them is somehow heartwarming and heartbreaking.
I hope one day Natsume will be able to meet Tama again.
"Let's go home, Tama."
I have to say this, Natsume looks the most beautiful when he's returning the name of the ayakashi.
The story of Lord Riou is so beautiful, to see an ayakashi who loves humans so much but won't be able to stay near them is somehow heartwarming and heartbreaking.
I hope one day Natsume will be able to meet Tama again.
August 7, 2017
I'm always amazed by the variety of stories there are.
April 20, 2019
2.5 stars
The format of each chapter is an individual story doesn’t work for me here. These stories are all so similar, they are good, but repetitive. I might check out the anime adaptation, because I do like the cast and the story’s messages. They just don’t work for me in manga form.
The format of each chapter is an individual story doesn’t work for me here. These stories are all so similar, they are good, but repetitive. I might check out the anime adaptation, because I do like the cast and the story’s messages. They just don’t work for me in manga form.
November 26, 2022
the fact that the crow stays alive in manga makes me so happy i could cry
June 24, 2025
This is such a wholesome slice–of–life that just happens to involve the supernatural. It’s about a boy finding his place in the world. In this one, we see Natsume beginning to question whether or not he would really want to be unable to see yokai. That used to be an easy “yes”, but something has changed.
November 4, 2011
Natsume's Book of Friends #3 by Yuki Midorikawa
This remains an episodic style manga and the mangaka does say she wants people to be able to pick it up anywhere in the arc and be able to follow the story. Of course that means reading it in a bound version quickly annoys because you have to wade through the same info material about Takashi and how he grew up isolated by his abilities to see demons and how he has his grandmother's book for friends, a book where she wrote the names of yokai in order to control them. Takashi is busy returning the names to the demons to free them.
Include in this volume, Takashi mistakes another yokai for Nyanko, the yokai who guards him (and is fused to a neko kitty form), a man who used to see yokai but no longer can but the female yokai he was in love with him wants one last moment to see him before he marries. Then there's the return of Mr. Natori, a recurring character, an actor who can also see yokai and exorcizes them and this chapter hints there could be a more cohesive theme developing. The most touching story is a side story about a dragon egg that Takashi raises. It's a sniffler.
The art is lovely and delicate. Being episodic we don't get a deeper appreciation of Takashi. It's a superficial relationship. Oddly enough I prefer my TV shows episodic but my manga to have long story arcs. I like this but I wish it were more than the yokai of the day.
This remains an episodic style manga and the mangaka does say she wants people to be able to pick it up anywhere in the arc and be able to follow the story. Of course that means reading it in a bound version quickly annoys because you have to wade through the same info material about Takashi and how he grew up isolated by his abilities to see demons and how he has his grandmother's book for friends, a book where she wrote the names of yokai in order to control them. Takashi is busy returning the names to the demons to free them.
Include in this volume, Takashi mistakes another yokai for Nyanko, the yokai who guards him (and is fused to a neko kitty form), a man who used to see yokai but no longer can but the female yokai he was in love with him wants one last moment to see him before he marries. Then there's the return of Mr. Natori, a recurring character, an actor who can also see yokai and exorcizes them and this chapter hints there could be a more cohesive theme developing. The most touching story is a side story about a dragon egg that Takashi raises. It's a sniffler.
The art is lovely and delicate. Being episodic we don't get a deeper appreciation of Takashi. It's a superficial relationship. Oddly enough I prefer my TV shows episodic but my manga to have long story arcs. I like this but I wish it were more than the yokai of the day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2010
Absolutely beautiful, especially Chapter 11 and 12. All of it was as sad and touching as ever. I really love Takeshi's ability to care for yokai despite the trouble they bring him and his desire to find human connections despite the fact that humans are even more quick to judge and dismiss him than natural spirits demons, and elementals.
February 7, 2017
This series always makes me feel so peaceful, it's just a charming and delightful read that just makes my emotions came into play. Especially since in this volume we have the 'hotaru' romance which is one of my favourite stories from the anime and the raising of the chick which just has sentimental value to it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2012
As Natsume becomes more committed to protecting both humans and yokai he begins to gain a deeper emotional understanding.
My favorite story in this set was the one where sensei hatches an egg.
My favorite story in this set was the one where sensei hatches an egg.
February 8, 2018
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 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.
October 24, 2023
If you were immortal and someone else was not, would you be okay with loving them? Knowing that the love you two will share will inevitably one day end in a heartache that never goes away, would you still love them with all of your heart? Doing so with that knowledge takes some level of whimsicality as well as bravery.
I really love how Hotaru’s mistaken name was “Veyo” because it was the sound made between the words “… love you…” I wonder if in Japanese, her mistaken name was “Teru” for “aishiteru”? I know the Japanese don’t often use that word to say “I love you” except in special cases, but this one felt like a special, strong case of unending love. Even now, Akifumi still loves her, and of course she still loves him. But if not that word, then maybe “Suki” for “daisuki.”
Chapter 12, A Chick Hatches, hit so many spots for me. This story felt incredibly warm and invigorating. I love, love, LOVE Tama so passionately. I really, really like the rat yokai as well. And I feel like, in this volume, I’ve gotten to know Natsume a bit better as well, or perhaps just again. He’s not hard to describe, but I can’t place the words. He’s kind-hearted and reckless, most of all. And he doesn’t seem to truly know anyone, including himself.
I also find it interesting that Reiko died young, found mysteriously dead beneath a tree. And Natori-san’s yokai whom lives upon his skin refuses to appear on his left leg… What could it mean?
I really love how Hotaru’s mistaken name was “Veyo” because it was the sound made between the words “… love you…” I wonder if in Japanese, her mistaken name was “Teru” for “aishiteru”? I know the Japanese don’t often use that word to say “I love you” except in special cases, but this one felt like a special, strong case of unending love. Even now, Akifumi still loves her, and of course she still loves him. But if not that word, then maybe “Suki” for “daisuki.”
Chapter 12, A Chick Hatches, hit so many spots for me. This story felt incredibly warm and invigorating. I love, love, LOVE Tama so passionately. I really, really like the rat yokai as well. And I feel like, in this volume, I’ve gotten to know Natsume a bit better as well, or perhaps just again. He’s not hard to describe, but I can’t place the words. He’s kind-hearted and reckless, most of all. And he doesn’t seem to truly know anyone, including himself.
I also find it interesting that Reiko died young, found mysteriously dead beneath a tree. And Natori-san’s yokai whom lives upon his skin refuses to appear on his left leg… What could it mean?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2026
Ah, this volume had such great stories.
- Natsume's realization that he could, at one point, no longer see yokai, and how Master reassures him that he would haunt him even then.
- The glimpse we get of him with Natori, where his inner thoughts give us some insight that, at one point, he probably hated humans as much as yokai.
- The story with the firefly was very sad. Made me tear up as it did with the anime. How the human could no longer see Haruto and would call her name while she stood in front of him, unable to do anything. So sad! Seeing her stay at his side without him being able to see her was so heartbreaking. And the memories of them together, I wished they had ended together somehow, but I'm happy he found his own happiness.
- I was happy to see the crow yokai from the anime survive (at least in this volume). One of the saddest images in the anime was him looking at Natsume as if asking for help. I think it traumatized Natsume a bit.
Overall, some sad stories, but it was nice.
“… that’s true, but… I’m lucky to be able to hear you. The spirits here as well… and what humans say, too. I won’t shut them out. Can’t that be a power all on its own?”
- Natsume's realization that he could, at one point, no longer see yokai, and how Master reassures him that he would haunt him even then.
- The glimpse we get of him with Natori, where his inner thoughts give us some insight that, at one point, he probably hated humans as much as yokai.
- The story with the firefly was very sad. Made me tear up as it did with the anime. How the human could no longer see Haruto and would call her name while she stood in front of him, unable to do anything. So sad! Seeing her stay at his side without him being able to see her was so heartbreaking. And the memories of them together, I wished they had ended together somehow, but I'm happy he found his own happiness.
- I was happy to see the crow yokai from the anime survive (at least in this volume). One of the saddest images in the anime was him looking at Natsume as if asking for help. I think it traumatized Natsume a bit.
Overall, some sad stories, but it was nice.
“… that’s true, but… I’m lucky to be able to hear you. The spirits here as well… and what humans say, too. I won’t shut them out. Can’t that be a power all on its own?”
September 30, 2019
Stories about Natsume, you can see yokai spirits, and his bodyguard/ceramic cat Nyanko
Natsume saves the Lord of the Forest who is disguised as a black cat version of Nyanko
Natsume reuinites Veyo, a yokai who appears as a firefly, with the human she adored
Mr. Natori gets Natsume's help to exorcise a super creepy giant head yokai
Natsume and Nyanko hatch and care for a yokai who hatches and imprints on Natsume
My favorite story was the firefly one - it was sweet and romantic. The expression on Nyanko's face when he wakes to find Natsume has stuck the egg under him to keep warm was worth reading the book alone- small moments like this make this series sing.
Natsume saves the Lord of the Forest who is disguised as a black cat version of Nyanko
Natsume reuinites Veyo, a yokai who appears as a firefly, with the human she adored
Mr. Natori gets Natsume's help to exorcise a super creepy giant head yokai
Natsume and Nyanko hatch and care for a yokai who hatches and imprints on Natsume
My favorite story was the firefly one - it was sweet and romantic. The expression on Nyanko's face when he wakes to find Natsume has stuck the egg under him to keep warm was worth reading the book alone- small moments like this make this series sing.
December 17, 2023
The second and fourth chapters were my favorites in this volume. The stories never fail to emotionally impact me and I love Natsume's gradual character growth. His relationship with Nyanko sensei is endlessly entertaining - it's hilarious, sweet, and slightly (but not really) dangerous. This is the last of the volumes that I currently own, but I'll definitely pick up the next one at some point. 5 stars.
January 24, 2018
This manga will be one of the top manga i have read its amazing how each book made me cry each chapter in each book have valuable lesson full of grate story ill look further for the other upcoming book of it.
August 6, 2022
4.5
Historia kojąca serducho i wywołująca łzy tymi epizodycznymi opowieściami o yokai, jak i ludziach... Tak jak pokochałam Natsume Yuujinchou jako anime, takie same odczucia zyskuję względem mangi. Rewelacyjny tomik.
Historia kojąca serducho i wywołująca łzy tymi epizodycznymi opowieściami o yokai, jak i ludziach... Tak jak pokochałam Natsume Yuujinchou jako anime, takie same odczucia zyskuję względem mangi. Rewelacyjny tomik.
July 5, 2024
2024 reread: I originally read Natsume in 2013, but I never marked this volume as read. Huh, did I truly never read this one the first go around? Anyway, Natsume and Nyanko-Sensei speed running parenthood was sweet.
November 18, 2016
Two of my favorite stories in this one (the exorcists' meeting and Tama). And a hint of serialization--Matoba is mentioned! Dun dun dun...
June 4, 2017
Wieder sehr gut Stories, die man zwischendurch lesen kann. Auch gut dargestellt, wie Natsume zwischen Yokai und Menschen hin und her gerät.
July 10, 2017
good story
November 21, 2017
I really love this story. I feel how much natsume has suffered. I'm hoping that he'll one day will be able to trust people and not feeling so alone. He is so precious.
July 26, 2018
Great volume!! Interesting stories and adorable illustrations.
September 24, 2018
The second of the four stories is really great.
January 26, 2019
Natsume is definitely a great choice, and I am ready to continue on c:
May 3, 2019
This warms me and breaks my heart at the same time.
January 1, 2020
Absolutely beautiful!
March 9, 2020
Lots more yokai get helped in this volume! Still more a collection of unrelated stories than a continuing plot.
October 26, 2020
Nyanko sensei and Natsume are the absolute (comedic) duo I've ever know. I love them. I love their friendship. I like it when I see their bickering, hahaha.
September 9, 2021
Me esta gustando bastante la historia. me gusta mucho natsume te deja esa sensacion wholesome no se porque, pero continuare con el siguiente tomo.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews