Natsume Yuujinchou  

Natsume's Book of Friends, The Natsume Book of Friends, Manabiya no Sumi, Natsu ni wa Tameiki wo Tsuku, 夏目友人帳, Natsume Yuujinchou Novel, The Mysterious Story of Lamp Hall

Takashi Natsume, at 15 years old, yearns for an ordinary existence like others. However, he possesses the ability to see spirits, similar to his deceased grandmother Reiko. Despite this, Reiko had left behind a book of contracts containing bound youkai known as the "Book of Friends." These spirits are trapped due to Reiko's failure to call upon their names and seek freedom from confinement. While some gentle and harmless spirits approach Natsume for aid, others are malicious and hostile, posing threats to him. Madara, a spirit disguised as a rotund cat, steps in as his self-proclaimed bodyguard with personal motivations. "Nyanko-sensei" is how Natsume commonly refers to Madara. The series "Natsume Yuujinchou" follows the life of Natsume as he navigates the supernatural world while striving for a normal existence and acquiring valuable life lessons.

Natsume Yuujinchou was nominated for the first Manga Taishou Award in 2008.The series has been published in English as Natsumes Book of Friends by VIZ Media under the Shojo Beat imprint since January 5, 2010.