Natsume's Book of Friends, Vol. 28

夏目友人帳 [Natsume Yūjinchō] #28

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.

Since finding his grandmother’s book, Natsume has been hunted, haunted, and almost made into an hors d’oeuvre! He’s also met some really wonderful friends, both yokai and human. And now one of them desperately needs his help—but how can Natsume rescue Natori if the exorcist doesn’t even know who he is?!

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Supernatural, Young Adult, Paranormal, Slice Of Life, Graphic Novels

168 pages, Paperback

First published May 2, 2022

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

[Reibekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good entry.

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Mushishi-style storytelling of this series, particularly the ones with relatively wholesome endings (like the first story in this volume). The longer-format stories (the second story in this volume), I have more mixed feelings about.

The second story doesn't conclude in this volume, so it leaves an unfinished feeling that is normal for other series where there's one major storyline, but I don't know if I like that as much for this series. It feels like it could have definitely had the single volume to itself and wrapped up the storyline, but because the volumes collect the stories sequentially, the first chapter took time away from the possible completion of the rest of the volume.

If the second story ends up taking much longer than one more chapter to complete, then my complaint doesn't really hold any weight here, but as of now, It feels like I've been cheated out of a conclusion. (As a fan of the perpetually on hiatus Hunter x Hunter, I have reasons for strongly feeling this way.)

I think this volume is pretty on par for the usual stories of Natsume. The first chapter I really like, because it's just about everything that Natsume has come to mean, plus the chapter ends cleanly and happily, if ambiguously about what happened to the yokai stalking Taki's brother.

The second story, again, doesn't conclude, though it feels very close to conclusion. It's also very standard for a longer-format Natsume story, relying on friendship to solve problems rather than outright violence (although the usual exorcism tools apply, too). There's also a small amount where I got confused about which one is Natsume and which is Natori, since they're drawn so similiarly and without colour, so I have to rely on context. Also, many of the dialogue balloons are missing tails to indicate who is speaking, which gets confusing.

The art style is very endearing. I don't know what it is, but I feel like if I could replicate a style, that feels friendlier than if a style is super detailed and would take me hours to even approach copying ONE PANEL, no matter how pretty it is. It's strange thinking like this, but as a sometimes artist, it sort of feels comforting that I could potentially succeed if I managed to put out a book with the same quality.

(I won't, of course, because success isn't just making a thing; it also involves mass producing the thing, marketing the thing, and all sorts of stuff that I just don't have the temperament to handle, but the IDEA that I could do it is comforting.)

Anyway, recommended primarily for fans of the series. It maybe wouldn't be TOO hard to start the series with this volume, but newcomers will lose a lot of context.

[L.G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

In each volume of this series Natsume Takashi becomes stronger and more confident. I've been reading this series for over ten years, and I hope that it continues for another ten! This volume contains 4 chapters (112-115) and an Afterword.

Chapter 112 (The Three Pictures and the Peculiar Afternoon Tea) takes place in a tea shop. Natsume meets with his school friend Taki because she has concerns about her older brother. While they are talking and having tea, Matoba (an exorcist) invites himself to their table and discussion.

Chapters 113-115 (The Younger Cousin). An older friend has asked Natsume and Nyanko Sensei (a yokai hiding in the form of a cat) for help. Natori Shuichi is a well-known actor as well as an exorcist. He and Natsume have been friends for several years. In this story, Natori has been trapped in an illusion created by a yokai pretending to be Natori's younger cousin. The story will continue in volume 29 which will be published in English during 2024.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the first short story where Taki asks Natsume's opinion about some photos her brother has sent her. Only Natsume can see the creepy figure who is growing closer with each picture.

The multi-chapter story of Mr. Natori dealing with a yokai with Natsume's help lost me. I didn't follow all of it and it ends with a cliffhanger. In general, I prefer the shorter, more cozy stories in this series.

After reading 28 volumes, I'm finally caught up with the books that have been published in English and will have to wait for the next one. Bummer!

[Beck B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love seeing Natsumes confidence grow. First chapter was nice, short and sweet. It was interesting to find out Taki already knew Matoba and see him act nice and helpful with good intentions. Second story didn't go very strong. Didn't like how it started off by putting the reader in the middle of everything with no explanation. Also felt like it kept repeating flashback scenes and phrases to fill up space. Doesn't feel like a story that should have been over 3 chapters long but still excited and curious to see how it continues.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an odd volume, first a short story about Taki's brother (who traveling) and then one about an empty house belonging to Mr. Natori's family, who were once prominent exorcists, now declined. Both stories are strangely unresolved, their focus on exploration of the problem rather than solution.

[Tracy Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this volume. It shows how Natsume and Natori's relationship has become a mutual respect and close friendship. It also hints at the strained relationships between the Natori and the Matoba families.

[Caleism · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to see this in an anime because I got confirmation at some parts. But always love Natsume and Shuichi chapters.

The way he went to that place only to try to get something that would help Natsume🥹

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume is really disappointing. The new plot that starts was very confusing and all over the place. Curious how it will continue in vol 29

[Yami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the first part the second was ok, but was lost in a cliffhanger, I like Natori's reason though...and wow i cant believe this is the 28th vol

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natsume #28

Continuing adventures of Natsume as his own personal circle of Friends expands both human and yokai! Great Series! Love the stories and art!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a helpful and secretive Matoba. A little backstory on Natori was also amazing.

[S46354595 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm very curious about the lizard. I hope it's eventually explained. I also hope it's a perpetual mystery for the next 20 years.

[antito · Rating 3 out of 5]

me gusta ver el cambio de natsume en cada volumen antes era víctima de todas sus circustancias pero ahora todo eso ha cambiado y es capaz de ayudar a los demas, cambio con sus amigos, con su familia, con los yokais y es maravilloso que ahora este bien
en cuando a la ultima historia de este tomo me parecio un poco (mucho) rara y no logre entenderla del todo pero lo demas esta bien

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the chapter with Taki, Natsume and Matoba at the coffee shop, it was one of those stories that are very simple but also charming.

After that we have the beginning of a new arc with Natori in the spotlight this time, the story it’s pretty interesting but it ends with a cliffhanger so now we’ll have to wait another sixth months to know how it ends *sighs*

However, NBOF is still to this day one of my favorite manga ever. Can’t believe we are almost 30 volumes in! Can’t wait for the next one :)

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

5/23 I wasn't as impressed with this volume, probably because of the multi-chapter cliffhanger story that was rather wordy and I didn't quite understand. (The single-chapter stories are a main reason I enjoy this series so much.) Maybe it'll be better the next read around.

[Black Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is also a great story.
But tbh I hate how Natori acknowledges that the book of friends is Natsume's treasure and yet wants to "free him" from it.