Natsume's Book of Friends Vol. 4by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 5 Natsume helps a spirit reunite with its tormented love, gets dragged on a haunted vacation, survives a leaching painting and reunites with a past spook. There's no plot movement, just some individual stories. They are interesting and entertaining, but they don't move the story anywhere.However, the first story is just adorable. It's a tragic love story that pulls more and more at your heart strings as you come to a deeper understanding of the situation. The male spirit also accidentally possesses the form of a snow bunny Natsume made, making for some uber-cute scenes. When he snuggles with a non-possessed snow bunny that Natsume's aunt made and we learn that it melts overnight, I wanted to cry! It's adorably cute but so tragic at the same time. He can also take a more human form, with bunny ears, and tries to be helpful to Natsume, making me love him even more — especially knowing how much his heart aches. This is my favorite story so far in this manga! The best part of the next story, I saw coming. Natsume helps some tiny yokai and is helped in return when an exorcism turns dangerous. I'm unsure whether or not to like or trust Natori. He seems to be helping Natsume and himself and spying on Natsume, possibly with greater intentions than he lets on. He at least adds another element to the story. The next story is strange and, oddly, seems familiar, like I've encounted it or something like it before. It's fairly lackluster and ends as expected. The final story is nice because it gives us another look at Natsume's past while tying it to the present. Does it do anything to help us understand Natsume or move the story alone? No. It's just a change of pace, since it takes place in his childhood. Natsume's Book of Friends is fairly constant. I've moderately enjoyed what I've read after the initial piqued interest. However, if things don't start to get more exciting or dangerous in the next volume, it may not be interesting enough to continue with. It's on the verge of becoming boring ... especially with his demon / bodyguard being more cute cat than fierce demon. Written: November 6, 2010
|
|
|
Home | Features | Columns | Culture Vultures | Report Card Tart Store | Indicia | Contact | Archives © Sequential Tart, 1998 – 2020 |
