Natsume’s Book of Friends Vol.4

Writer	Yuki Midorikawa
Illustrator	Yuki Midorikawa
Published in English	2010
Publisher	Viz Media
Demographic	Shōjo
Age rating	Teen

A Creative Blend of Lovely and Creepy

Its Japanese and English publications taking place in 2007 and 2010, respectively, Natsume’s Book of Friends Vol. 4 collects chapters 13, 14, and 15 together with additional three short special episodes. The manga is written and illustrated by Yuki Midorikawa. The slice of life comics in the book combine mystery with supernatural fantasy.

A yokai persuades Takashi into helping him confront an evil spirit. The next chapter shows that even on a trip the protagonist cannot rest from the supernatural events. In another episode a painting Takashi gets on the market attracts an inexplicably acting yokai. The volume is finished with three short comics: Natsume encountering a fox-like character, an episode from protagonist’s childhood and Nyanko Sensei’s solo adventure.

Some characters shift between a positive and a negative role: sorrow and hatred turn yokai to the dark side, nevertheless, their situation is not hopeless if others help them. The author provides a convincing depiction of the protagonist’s angst: feeling that he is a liar because of the secrets he keeps and being unable to express what he actually wants to reveal. In this aspect, comics display parallelism between Takashi and two other characters.

This volume contains two 50-page chapters which have a slower pacing and there is more time to engage with the characters. Although they have rather peaceful beginnings, the tension is gradually building up with signs of some hidden menace. Danger often comes from unexpected sources. One chapter uses deus ex machina in the culmination, yet this solution is connected to an earlier event. Although no malicious yokai appear in chapter 15, a conflict that arises puts the protagonist in a difficult situation.

An exceptional quality of this chapter is its excellent ending. Admittedly, special episode 2 feels a bit childish while special episode 3 is surprisingly complete in its mere eight pages. Various chapters imply that Takashi is eager to help anyone seemingly in need and grateful yokai appreciate it, while others – as is reasonable to expect – just exploit his genuine kindness.

Although it is true that not all men are macho, male heroes of this manga tend to be unrealistically feminine. Moreover, the drawings make it counterintuitive to call the fox-like yokai a ‘he’. In general, character design is lovely. The artwork showcases stunning nature depictions. Especially frequent are detailed drawings of trees. Either with falling leaves or cherry blossoms, their presence serves as a beautiful component of emotional scenes.

Slightly slower episodes work as succesfully as short and concise ones in  Natsume’s Book of Friends Vol. 4. The story explores meaningful themes through Takashi’s interactions with others and the reader’s attention is held by mysterious threat rather than action. The artwork is at its best when visualising the surrounding environment.

Characters

Themes

Plot

Art

Content advisory

Erotic content: NONE

Takashi and Mr. Natori are bathing in hot springs, only upper body is visible. A female yokai shows up unexpectedly, making Takashi feel uncomfortable.

Violence: SLIGHT

A yokai holding Takashi’s throat. Regular handfights between the protagonist and yokai.

Profanity: NONE

‘Damn’ used once.

Scary content: MODERATE

Evil spirit looks creepy when she appears. There is an unsettling scene of human-like yokai dangling from the ceiling, seen twice (in chapter 14).

Alcohol, drugs, and smoking: SLIGHT

Nyanko-Sensei is drinking at the table.