| Writer | Yuki Midorikawa |
| Illustrator | Yuki Midorikawa |
| Published in English | 2012 |
| Publisher | Viz Media |
| Demographic | Shōjo |
| Age rating | Teen |
Light and Dark Sides of the Supernatural World
Bringing Chapters 47–51 together in tankōbon format, Natsume’s Book of Friends Vol. 12 was originally published in 2011 and translated into English in 2012. Yuki Midorikawa provided both the story and artwork. The comic book is written in slice-of-life, supernatural fantasy, and mystery genres.
A spirit comes to request Takashi’s help with a faded note which is somehow emotionally important for him. An old woman who is not a human very persistently insists Takashi’s assistance with finding someone. Takashi gets locked into a magic jar and is kidnapped. Determined to rescue him, Nyanko-Sensei and Tanuma arrive at a large yokai gathering where danger surrounds them.
Self-reliance and relationships carry a deep meaning in these stories. It is already familiar for the reader that the protagonist sometimes reflects on going through the same challenges as two other people. Firstly, Reiko was an outsider and she confidently and skilfully overcame any human or yokai hostility. Secondly, Natori says he cut the ties with close people because of his profession as an exorcist. Conversely, Takashi tries to maintain friendships despite his supernatural experiences.
The reader may remember how Tanuma wanted to learn more about the yokai world invisible to him but Takashi tried to save the school friend from it (see Volume 8). Similarly, this book points out how little Tanuma knows about Takashi.
As is usual for such occasions, the yokai who needs Takashi’s aid is secretive and it takes time to get the details from him. When a spirit who looks like an old woman involves the protagonist in a search for a powerful yokai, the boy prepares for a perilous encounter but the incident has an unexpected outcome. A tale that spans three chapters starts with Lord Omibashira’s servants capturing Takashi in a magic jar. They have invited a lot of yokai on a celebration to bring gifts for their master. Nyanko-Sensei and Tanuma hope to rescue Takashi and quickly escape but although they are aware of the threat of creatures around them, there is some darker conspiracy behind the event.
Cute illustrations accompany the story when they best fit in. The artist’s ability to conceive the unreal is highlighted with an array of diversely designed yokai, and with a scene where Takashi is sucked into a jar. When Nyanko-Sensei impersonates the protagonist the drawings excellently convey the face expressions real Takashi would not make.
In conclusion, Natsume’s Book of Friends Vol. 12 displays brilliant character work built on what the series has already established, the plot is twisty and compelling, and the artwork excellently contributes to storytelling. The twelfth installment is a great read both for meaningful content and excitement.
Characters
Themes
Plot
Artwork
Content advisory
Erotic content: NONE
Violence: MODERATE
Takashi is sometimes attacked by yokai, occasional handfights.
A character is knocked out.
Blood on the floor, yokai are eaten in the shadows but this is not explicitly shown.
Profanity: NONE
Scary content: MODERATE
A big yokai with a skull-like face looks scary.
Lord Omibashira is creepy.
The characters are under a threat at the yokai gathering. Moreover, there are ominous shadows in the house, they hear a scream and see blood.
Alcohol, drugs, and smoking: SLIGHT
Yokai are seen drinking alcoholic beverages. At the celebration, most of the yokai drink sake.
Occult content: MODERATE
Nyanko-Sensei says half a curse has been put on Takashi.
Characters use a spell circle and exorcise a creature.
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