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Last update date: 28 Aug. 2026

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About Yuki Midorikawa

Yuki Midorikawa (緑川ゆき, Midorikawa Yuki) is a Japanese mangaka (manga artist). She was born on May 23, 1976, in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. She is now best known for her manga series Natsume Yujin-cho (“Natsume’s Book of Friends”).

She has attracted many readers with her sensitive and lyrical stories, strong and straightforward characters, and the gentle atmosphere she creates. She has published many one-shot and serialized manga in the manga magazines LaLa and LaLa DX.

She enjoys drinking tea and taking walks.

Yuki Midorikawa and Kumamoto

Her older sister chose the name Midorikawa after the Midori River (Midori-kawa, meaning “green river”), one of the rivers in Kumamoto(*1). Midorikawa loves her hometown of Kumamoto and often names characters in her works after places there(*2).

Some fans say that the calm, unhurried atmosphere of her manga reminds them of Kumamoto. The staff of the Natsume Yujin-cho anime visited Kumamoto for location scouting(*3), so real places in Kumamoto can be seen in the anime. Some fans visit these places themselves. This is sometimes called seichi-junrei, or simply junrei. It means “pilgrimage to sacred places.”

In 2011, the production staff of the Natsume Yujin-cho anime officially announced that they had visited Hitoyoshi City and the surrounding area in Kumamoto Prefecture to conduct research. Around that time, a collaboration between Natsume Yujin-cho and Hitoyoshi City began.

I have posted my junrei photos on Flickr.
More information about Midorikawa-related junrei is available in the Japanese version of AkaiHana.

*1 Source: Midorikawa’s comments in the March 2000 issue of LaLa, a Japanese manga magazine.
*2 Source: Midorikawa’s comments in volume 2 of the Japanese-language tankobon edition of Akaku Saku Koe.
*3 Source: Midorikawa’s comments in volume 6 of the Japanese-language tankobon edition of Natsume Yujin-cho.

Biography

Yuki Midorikawa began drawing manga when she was in elementary school. She first submitted one of her works to Hana to Yume when she was in junior high school. She continued drawing manga, hoping to become a mangaka(*4).

In 1998, Midorikawa made her debut with the short manga Kohi Hirari(*5).

*4 Source: Midorikawa’s interview in the May 2008 issue of ぱふ (Pafu).
*5 Note: Akaku Saku Koe was published before Kohi Hirari. This site follows current biographical listings in treating Kohi Hirari as Midorikawa’s debut work and Akaku Saku Koe as her first published work.

Awards and Recognition

  • 1998: Kohi Hirari won the Fresh Debut Prize at the 18th LMG (ララまんがグランプリ, LaLa Manga Grand Prix).
  • 1999: Akaku Saku Koe won the Shinjin Shou (“Newcomer Prize”) at the Athena Shinjin Taishou (アテナ新人大賞, “Athena Newcomer Awards”), organized by Hakusensha.
  • 2008: Natsume Yujin-cho was one of twelve finalists for the Manga Taisho.
  • 2012: Natsume Yujin-cho ranked third in the manga category of the Book of the Year 2012 rankings by Da Vinci magazine.
  • 2012: Midorikawa and the Natsume Yujin-cho Production Committee received a Tourism Merit Award from the Hitoyoshi Onsen Kankou Kyoukai (人吉温泉観光協会, “Hitoyoshi Hot Spring Tourism Association”).

Anime Adaptations, Films, and Exhibitions

Midorikawa’s most popular work, Natsume Yujin-cho, was adapted into six seasons of a television anime series between 2008 and 2017. The seasons were broadcast in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2017. In 2017, Hakusensha announced that more than 12 million copies of the manga had been sold.(*6)

Two of her works were also adapted into animated films: Hotarubi no Mori e in 2011 and Natsume Yujin-cho in 2018.

In 2013, her first exhibition attracted 30,000 visitors in only 13 days(*7). It was later held in three cities in Japan. Her second exhibition was held in five cities in 2016.

*6 Information current as of September 2019.
*7 Source: the official Natsume Yujin-cho Twitter account, August 22, 2013.

Work as a Judge

Midorikawa has served as a judge for LMG since 2007. She has also served as a judge for the Hakusensha Shojo Manga Shinjin Taisho (白泉社少女まんが新人大賞, “Hakusensha Shojo Manga Newcomer Awards”) since 2017. The judges include well-known manga artists associated with LaLa and Hakusensha.

Works

Short works

  1. 1998:Hana Dorobou (花泥棒 collected in Akaku Saku Koe vol.2)
  2. 1998:Kohi Hirari (珈琲ひらり, collected in Akaku Saku Koe vol.2)
  3. 1999:Namae no Nai Kyaku (名前のない客, collected in Atsui Hibi)
  4. 2000:Natsu niwa Tameiki wo Tsuku (夏にはため息をつく, collected in Natsume Yujin-cho Vol.7)
  5. 2001:Atsui Hibi (アツイヒビ, collected in Atsui Hibi)
  6. 2001:Hana no Ato (花の跡, collected in Atsui Hibi)
  7. 2002:Samui Hi mo (寒い日も。, collected in Atsui Hibi)
  8. 2002:Hotarubi no Mori e (蛍火の杜へ, collected in Hotarubi no Mori e)
  9. 2002:Kurukuru Ochiba (くるくる落ち葉, collected in Hotarubi no Mori e)
  10. 2003:Hibi Fukaku (ひび、深く, collected in Hotarubi no Mori e)
  11. 2003:Hanauta Nagaruru (花唄流るる, collected in Hotarubi no Mori e)
  12. 2003:Taion no Kakera (体温のかけら, collected in Aizoban Hotarubi no Mori e)
  13. 2004:Manabiya no Sumi (まなびやの隅, collected in Natsume Yujin-cho Vol.6)
  14. 2004:Akatsuki no Majutsushi (暁の魔術師)
  15. 2005:Hoshi mo Mienai (星も見えない, collected in Aizoban Hotarubi no Mori e)
  16. 2015:Hitotsu no Yoru to Sen no Asa (一つの夜と千の朝)
  17. 2020:Nakanai Tori no Kaeru Ki wa (啼かない鳥の帰る樹は)

Series

  1. Akaku Saku Koe (あかく咲く声) (1999-2001)
  2. Hana Oi Bito (花追い人) (2001)(*8)
  3. Hiiro no Isu (緋色の椅子) (2002-2004)
  4. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) (2003, 2005-present)(*9)

*8 The information about Hana Oi Bito is only provided in Japanese version AkaiHana, sorry. And please check here (in English).
*9 The first Natsume Yujin-chou episode was published on LaLaDX in 2003 as one-shot. The seconde episode published in 2005 was also as one-shot. It was from the third episode in 2005 that Natsume Yujin-chou was started on a series manga.

Book list

Tankobon

See Tankobon (Wikipedia). There are helpful information about Japanese manga books.

There are some tankobon of Yuki Midorikawa, published by Hakusensha Inc. in Japan. We call it "Hana to Yume Comics"

  1. Akaku Saku Koe (あかく咲く声) vol.1 (Jan. 2000)
  2. Akaku Saku Koe (あかく咲く声) vol.2 (Jun. 2000)
    Also includes:
    • Hana Dorobou (花泥棒)
    • Kohi Hirari (珈琲ひらり)
  3. Akaku Saku Koe (あかく咲く声) vol.3 (Apr. 2001)
  4. Atsui Hibi (アツイヒビ) (Jun. 2002)
    Includes:
    • Atsui Hibi (アツイヒビ)
    • Hana no Ato (花の跡)
    • Samui Hi mo (寒い日も。)
    • Namae no Nai Kyaku (名前のない客)
  5. Hiiro no Isu (緋色の椅子) vol.1 (Dec. 2002)
  6. Hotarubi no Mori e (蛍火の杜へ) (Jul. 2003)
    Includes:
    • Hanauta Nagaruru (花唄流るる)
    • Hotarubi no Mori e (蛍火の杜へ)
    • Kurukuru Ochiba (くるくる落ち葉)
    • Hibi Fukaku (ひび、深く)
  7. Hiiro no Isu (緋色の椅子) vol.2 (Jan. 2004)
  8. Hiiro no Isu (緋色の椅子) vol.3 (Sept. 2004)
  9. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.1 (Oct. 2005)
  10. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.2 (Aug. 2006)
  11. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.3 (Feb. 2007)
  12. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.4 (Aug. 2007)
  13. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.5 (Mar. 2008)
  14. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.6 (Jul. 2008)
    Also includes:
    • Manabiya no Sumi (まなびやの隅)
  15. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.7 (Jan. 2009)
    Also includes:
    • Natsu niwa Tameiki wo Tsuku (夏にはため息をつく)
  16. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.8 (Jul. 2009)
  17. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.9 (Jan. 2010)
  18. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.10 (Jul. 2010)
  19. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.11 (Mar. 2011)
  20. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.12 (Jul. 2011)
  21. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.13 (Jan. 2012)
  22. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.14 (Jul. 2012)
  23. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.15 (Jan. 2013)
  24. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.16 (Jul. 2013)
  25. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.16 Special Edition (Jul. 2013)
    Includes a limited version cell-phone strap, which is figured Natsume having a fan.
  26. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.17 (Jan. 2014)
  27. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.18 (Sept. 2014)
  28. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.19 (May. 2015)
  29. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.20 (Apr. 2016)
  30. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.21 (Oct. 2016)
  31. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.22 (Sept. 2017)
  32. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.22 Special Edition (Sept. 2017)
    Includes a limited version acrylic strap, which is figured Nyanko-sensei having a fried Shrimp.
  33. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.23 (Sept. 2018)
  34. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.23 Special Edition (Sept. 2018)
    Includes a limited version rubber strap.
  35. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.24 (May 2019)
  36. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.25 (Jun. 2020)
  37. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.25 Special Edition (Jun. 2020)
    Includes a limited version Nyanko sensei-daruma strap.
  38. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.26 (Jan. 2021)
  39. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.26 Special Edition (Jan. 2021)
    Includes a limited version Nyanko sensei-figure having a former Japanese oval gold coin.
  40. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.27 (Sept. 2021)
  41. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.27 Special Edition (Sept. 2021)
    Includes a limited version Nyanko sensei-acryl keyholder.
  42. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.28 (May. 2022)
  43. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.28 Special Edition (May. 2022)
    Includes alimited version Nyanko sensei-figure keyholder.
  44. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.29 (Jan. 2023)
  45. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.29 Special Edition (Jan. 2023)
    Includes a limited version Nyanko sensei-figure keyholder.
  46. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.30 (Sept. 2023)
  47. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.30 Special Edition (Sept. 2023)
    TIncludes a limited version Nyanko sensei-acryl stand.
  48. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.31 (Sept. 2024)
  49. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.32 (Apr. 2025)
  50. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.32 Special Edition (Apr. 2025)
    Includes a limited version Hechamukure plush toy.
  51. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.33 (Apr. 2026)
  52. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) vol.33 Special Edition (Apr. 2026)
    Includes a limited version Nyanko sensei-acrylic keychain.

Bunkoban

Also see Tankobon#Bunkoban (Wikipedia). There are helpful information about Japanese manga books, especially between tankobon and bunkoban.

We call these bunkoban books "Hakusensha Bunko".

  1. Akaku Saku Koe (あかく咲く声) vol.1 (May 2008)
  2. Akaku Saku Koe (あかく咲く声) vol.2 (May 2008)
  3. Hiiro No Isu (緋色の椅子) vol.1 (Jan. 2012)
  4. Hiiro No Isu (緋色の椅子) vol.2 (Jan. 2012)

Aizoban

Also see Tankobon#Aizoban (Wikipedia).

  1. Aizoban Hotarubi no Mori e (愛蔵版　蛍火の杜へ) (Sept. 2011)
    Includes:
    • Hotarubi no Mori e (蛍火の杜へ)
    • Taion no Kakera (体温のかけら)
    • Hoshi mo Mienai (星も見えない)
    • Hotarubi no Mori e Tokubetsuhen (蛍火の杜へ 特別編)
      (a bonus chapter originally published in this edition)

Official fan book

  1. Natsume Yujin-cho Official Fan Book - Natsume to Yujintachi - ("Natsume and his friends")
    (夏目友人帳公式ファンブック－夏目と友人たち－, 白泉社) (Jan. 2009)
  2. Natsume Yujin-cho Official Nyan Book - Nyanko-sensei Yujincho -
    (夏目友人帳公式ニャンブック　ニャンコ先生友人帳, 白泉社) (Jul. 2009)
  3. TV anime Natsume Yujin-cho Tsuiso-roku - Atatakai Jikan -
    (TVアニメ「夏目友人帳」追想録－あたたかい時間－, 学研マーケティング) (Sept. 2009)
  4. Natsume Yujin-cho PASH! ANIMATION FILE 10
    (夏目友人帳 PASH! ANIMATION FILE 10, 主婦と生活社) (May 2012 -> Jun. 2012)
  5. Natsume Yujin-cho Visual Fan Book Natsume Garaku-cho
    (夏目友人帳ビジュアルファンブック　夏目画楽帳, 白泉社) (Jan. 2014)
  6. Natsume Yujin-cho Special Book - Nyanko-sensei Kojo Kengaku - ("Nyanko-sensei Factory Tour")
    (夏目友人帳スペシャルブック　ニャンコ先生工場見学, 白泉社) (Sept. 2014)
  7. Natsume Yujin-cho Nyanko-sensei Youmou Felt Tezukuri Kits ("Nyanko-sensei Handmade Sheep Wool Kits")
    (夏目友人帳 ニャンコ先生羊毛フェルト手作りキット, 白泉社) (Sept. 2014)

note: "Nyan" is cat's "meow". It means Nyanko-sensei tribute fan book.

These fan books features that: interviews with Yuki Midorikawa, illustrations collection, characters' biographies, characters popularity vote, stories popularity vote, games, supplement seal, how to make Nyanko-sensei sweets, and so on.

Special Issues

Natsume Yujin-cho Gensen-shu - Natsu - ("selected episodes -summer-")
(夏目友人帳厳選集～夏～)
Special Issues of LaLaDX Aug. 2011 issue (released Jul. 2011)
Includes reprints of Natsume Yujin-chou episodes 1, 4, 5, 6, 10, 16, 19 and special episode of Kogitsune.
Natsume Yujin-cho Gensen-shu - Fuyu - ("selected episodes -winter-")
(夏目友人帳厳選集～冬～)
Special Issues of LaLaDX Feb. 2012 issue (released Jan. 2012)
Includes reprints of Natsume Yujin-chou episodes 2, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15 and special episode.
Also includes a new Natsume Yujin-cho episode featuring the middle-class yokai.

Exhibition

[2013]Natsume Yujincho 10th Anniversary Gengaten -Midorikawa Yuki no Sekai-
(連載10周年記念　夏目友人帳原画展～緑川ゆきの世界～)
  1. at Tokyo (9 Aug. 2013 - 21 Aug. 2013)
  2. at Osaka (27 Nov. 2013 - 16 Dec. 2013)
  3. at Fukuoka (27 Dec. 2013 - 7 Jan. 2014)
  4. at Miyagi (5 Aug. 2014 - 27 Aug. 2014)
see : Crank-in.net NEWS
[2016]Natsume Yujincho Daigengaten - Gensaku Manga kara Animation Made-
(夏目友人帳大原画展～原作漫画からアニメーションまで～)
  1. at Tokyo (11 Nov. 2016 - 23 Nov. 2016)
  2. at Fukuoka (23 Mar. 2017 - 4 Apr. 2017)
  3. at Osaka (25 Apr. 2017 - 8 May 2017)
  4. at Niigata (3 Jun. 2017 - 9 Jul. 2017)
  5. at Aichi (3 Aug. 2017 - 14 Aug. 2017)

Adaptation

TV anime

  1. Natsume Yujin-chou (夏目友人帳) - 1st season (Jul. 2008)
  2. Zoku Natsume Yujin-chou (続　夏目友人帳) - 2nd season (Jan. 2009)
  3. Natsume Yujin-cho San (夏目友人帳　参 - 3rd season (Jul. 2011)
  4. Natsume Yujin-cho Shi (夏目友人帳　肆) - 4th season (Jan. 2012)
  5. Natsume Yujin-cho Go (夏目友人帳　伍) - 5th season (Oct. 2016)
  6. Natsume Yujin-cho Roku (夏目友人帳　陸) - 6th season (Apr. 2017)
  7. Natsume Yujin-cho Shichi (夏目友人帳 漆) - 7th season (Oct. 2024)

note: "Zoku" is "continued", means second season.
"San" is "three" or "third", means third season.
"Shi" is "four" or "fouth", means fourth season.
"Go" is "five" or "fifth", means fifth season.
"Roku" is "six" or "sixth", means sixth season.
"Shichi" is "seven" or "seventh", means seventh season.

Natsume Yujin-cho needs 3 to 4 volumes of manga to make one season TV anime.

See Wikipedia Natsume yujinchou#Anime.

Film anime

Hotarubi no Mori e (蛍火の杜へ) Short film (Sept. 2011)
won Scotland Loves Animation 2011. (Oct. 2011)
won film anime award 2011 at Mainichi Film Award (毎日映画コンクール). (Jan. 2012)
Gekijo-ban Natsume Yujin-chou -Utsusemi ni Musubu- (劇場版　夏目友人帳～うつせみに結ぶ～) Film animation (Sept. 2018)
The movie made over 500 million yen at the box office in Japan. In China, it sold 150 million yuan (about 1.75 billion yen) and became the first Japanese movie that sold over 100 million yuan in 2019.

See : Wikipedia Hotarubi no Mori e.
See : Wikipedia Natsume's Book of Friends the Movie.

OVA

  1. Natsume Yujin-cho Nyanko Sensei to Hajimete no Otsukai (ニャンコ先生とはじめてのおつかい) (2013)
    published as zensa on LaLa and LaLaDX, collected in TV anime Natsume Yujin-cho Go.
  2. Natsume Yujin-cho Itsuka Yuki no Hi ni (いつかゆきのひに) (Feb. 2014)
    published as zensa on LaLa and LaLaDX, collected in TV anime Natsume Yujin-cho Go.
  3. Natsume Yujin-cho Ishiokoshi to Ayashiki Raihousya (石起こしと怪しき来訪者)
    two short anime episodes are screened in theaters.

Novels

Natsume Yujin-cho by Sadayuki Murai (村井さだゆき) based on the manga by Yuki Midorikawa

  1. Ayakashi no Ne (妖の音) (Jul. 2011)
    First published in Natsume Yujin-cho Gensen-shu - Natsu -
  2. Ayakashi no Yumeji (妖の夢路)
    First published in Natsume Yujin-cho Gensen-shu - Fuyu -
  3. Syosetsu Natsume Yujin-cho (小説・夏目友人帳) (Jan. 2013)
    Includes:
    • Ayakashi no Ne (妖の音)
    • Ayakashi no Yumeji (妖の夢路)
    • Rampu-do Kitan (ランプ堂奇譚)
      (a new story written for this volume)
  4. Syosetsu Natsume Yujin-cho Tamayura no Ie (小説・夏目友人帳　たまゆらの家) (Oct. 2016)
    Includes:
    • Tamayura no Ie (たまゆらの家)
    • Reiko no Shouzou (レイコの肖像)
    • Kogitsune no Tabi (子狐のたび)
    • Epilogue (エピローグ)
  5. Syosetsu Natsume Yujin-cho - Utsusemi ni Musubu - (小説・夏目友人帳〜うつせみに結ぶ〜) (Sept. 2018)
    Novelization of the film anime Gekijo-ban Natsume Yujin-chou -Utsusemi ni Musubu-.

Four-panel manga

Natsume Yujin-cho by Junko Kanechiku (カネチクヂュンコ) based on the manga by Yuki Midorikawa

  1. Nyanko Sensei ga Iku! (ニャンコ先生が行く！) (May. 2015)
  2. Nyanko Sensei ga Iku! vol.2 (ニャンコ先生が行く！ 2) (Oct. 2016)
  3. Nyanko Sensei ga Iku! vol.3 (ニャンコ先生が行く！ 3) (Sept. 2018)
  4. Nyanko Sensei ga Iku! vol.4 (ニャンコ先生が行く！ 4) (May. 2019)
  5. Nyanko Sensei ga Iku! vol.5 (ニャンコ先生が行く！ 5) (Jun. 2020) - Final volume

Stage performance

Sound Theater × Natsume Yujin-cho -Tsudoi Ongeki no Shou- (夏目友人帳―集い 音劇の章) (Sept. 2013)
Reading performance by the same casts as the anime
Sound Theater × Natsume Yujin-cho -Tsudoi Ongeki no Shou Futatabi- (夏目友人帳―集い 音劇の章・再び) (Dec. 2015)
Reading performance by the same casts as the anime (Replay)
Sound Theater × Natsume Yujin-cho -Ongeki no Shou 2018- (夏目友人帳－音劇の章2018―) (Jan. 2018)
Reading performance by the same casts as the anime

note: "Futatabi" is "again", means replay.

Goods (Merchandise)

There are many goods for example, Nyanko-sensei's stuffed animal, Nyanko-sensei's strap for a mobile phone, a memo pad printed with some characters, and several drama CDs. All drama CD's list is here(Japanese)

Natsume Yujin-cho goods are on sale at anime goods shop "Animate".

But most of goods were used to be released as "furoku" (付録, free supplement to a magazine) or "zensa" (全サ, a kind of mail order limited to a magazine) in LaLa or LaLaDX. So the newest or newer goods are easy to get but olders are hard. Of course you can try searching Japanese net auction but I'd recommend you give up just like many Japanese fans.

NOTE (5 May 2012): Now, some online shops sale many Natsume Yujin-cho's merchandises including DVDs and CDs to overseas. See below;
CDJapan, Play-Asia, Yes-Asia, AmiAmi shop.

The goods database covering all furoku and zensa is only provided in Japanese version AkaiHana, sorry.

Tie-up project

In 30 Jun. 2011, Hitoyoshi-Kuma Shun-ka-shu-to Campain Planning Committee (ひとよし・くま旬夏秋冬キャンペーン実行委員会, belonging to Hitoyoshi City) has decided to launch a tie-up project with TV anime Natsume Yujin-cho. Hitoyoshi-Kuma area, the south of Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan, are the model place of the anime.

  1. Hitoyoshi Onsen (人吉温泉, "Hitoyoshi Hot Spring") (27 Jul. 2011 - unknown)
    made a sightseeing map(junrei map) and posters with Natsume Yujin-cho, here.
  2. Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai (人吉花火大会, "Hitoyoshi Fireworks Display")
    (15 Aug. -> 17 Aug. postponed due to heavy rain twice. 24 Sept. 2011)
    using Natsume Yujin-cho's illustration on the poster, here.
  3. Natsume X Hitoyoshi Stamps (探訪記念のオリジナルスタンプ) (14 Jan. 2012 - unknown)
    There are 4 original Natsume X Hitoyoshi commemorative stamps in Hitoyoshi. Fans can stamp their notes free there.
  4. Hitoyoshi City Office with Natsume's Crane Machine (23 Jan. 2012 - unknown)
    It was in Hitoyoshi city office at first, and moved in Ishino park (石野公園) in Hitoyoshi city.
  5. Natsume Yujin-cho Original Goods Sale (3 May 2012 - unknown)
    Hitoyoshi city makes several new Nyanko sensei's merchandises limited sale in Hitoyoshi City.
  6. Hitoyoshi Oshiro Matsuri (人吉お城まつり, "Hitoyoshi castle festival") (3 and 4 May 2012)
    with Natsume Yujin-cho's booth, merchandises sale, crane machine etc.
  7. Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai (人吉花火大会) (15 Aug. 2012)
    using Natsume Yujin-cho's illustration on the poster.
  8. Natsume Yujin-cho Special One Day Ticket (Aug. 2012)
    with the illustration (same one as Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai 2012) by Kumagawa Rail Road.
  9. Natsume Yujin-choSpecial Ticket with Natsume Yujin-cho's Illustrations (くま川鉄道夏目友人帳記念きっぷ) (from 1 Jul. 2013 to 1 Sept. 2013)
  10. Hitoyoshi Harukaze Marathon (ひとよし春風マラソン, "Hitoyoshi spring wind-marathon") (17 Feb. 2013)
    A prize for participation is colabo towel of Nyanko sensei.
  11. Natsume Yujin-choNyanko Sensei Special Ticket For Koufuku Station (夏目友人帳「ニャンコ先生」幸福切符) (5 Feb. 2013 -> 25 Feb. 2013 - 7 Apr. 2013)
    Kumagawa Rail Road has Okadome-Koufuku Station, Koufuku (幸福) means happiness.
  12. Natsume Yujin-cho Special One Day Ticket (Aug. 2013)
    with the illustration (same one as Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai 2013) by Kumagawa Rail Road.
  13. Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai (人吉花火大会) (15 Aug. 2013)
    using Natsume Yujin-cho's illustration on the poster.
  14. Natsume Yujin-cho Special One Day Ticket (Aug. 2014)
    with the illustration (same one as Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai 2014) by Kumagawa Rail Road.
  15. Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai (人吉花火大会) (Aug. 2014)
    using Natsume Yujin-cho's illustration on the poster.
  16. Natsume Yujin-cho Special One Day Ticket (Aug. 2015)
    with the illustration (same one as Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai 2015) by Kumagawa Rail Road.
  17. Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai (人吉花火大会) (Aug. 2015)
    using Natsume Yujin-cho's illustration on the poster.
  18. Natsume Yujin-cho Special One Day Ticket (Aug. 2016)
    with the illustration (same one as Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai 2016) by Kumagawa Rail Road.
  19. Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai (人吉花火大会) (Aug. 2016)
    using Natsume Yujin-cho's illustration on the poster.
  20. Natsume Yujin-cho Special One Day Ticket (Aug. 2017)
    with the illustration (same one as Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai 2017) by Kumagawa Rail Road.
  21. Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai (人吉花火大会) (Aug. 2017)
    using Natsume Yujin-cho's illustration on the poster.
  22. Natsume Yujin-cho TV anime 10th Anniversary Special Ticket For Koufuku Station (夏目友人帳TVアニメ化10周年記念おかどめ幸福行き乗車券) (Aug. 2018)
    by Kumagawa Rail Road.
  23. Natsume Yujin-cho Special One Day Ticket (Aug. 2018)
    with the illustration (same one as Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai 2018) by Kumagawa Rail Road.
  24. Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai (人吉花火大会) (Aug. 2018)
    using Natsume Yujin-cho's illustration on the poster.
  25. Happy Jindaiko (ハッピー陣太鼓) (Sept. 2018)
    Limited package Jindaiko of triple-Nyanko-sensei's illustration from Natsume Yujin-cho movie. Jindaiko is the most famous existing confections in Kumamoto by Kobai Ltd. and appears in Natsume's movie.
  26. Natsume Yujin-cho Special One Day Ticket (Aug. 2019)
    with the illustration (same one as Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai 2019) by Kumagawa Rail Road.
  27. Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai (人吉花火大会) (Aug. 2019)
    using Natsume Yujin-cho's illustration on the poster.
  28. Tickets set commemorate of Kumagawa Rail Road 30th Anniversary (くま川鉄道開業30周年記念　夏目友人帳記念入場券セット) (from 1 Oct. 2019)
    by Kumagawa Rail Road. 8 tickets set it used poster illustrations of Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai from 2012 to 2019, limited release 1000 copies.
  29. Natsume Yujin-cho Hitoyoshi Kagee light up at Hitoyoshi City (「夏目友人帳」影絵ライトアップ) (Oct. 2022)
  30. Natsume Yujin-cho × Hitoyoshi-Kuma Taxi Plan(夏目友人帳×人吉・球磨 タクシープラン) (Jan. 2023)
    Natsume Yujin-cho's sightseeing taxi plan to junrei.
  31. and more.

NOTE (2 Jun. 2020): Hitoyoshi Hanabi Taikai (人吉花火大会) in 2020 was canceled due to the influence of COVID-19.

Autograph sessions

Mangaka's autograph sessions are our only opportunity to meet mangaka his/herself. It is often held to commemorate the release of tankobon. There you can talk with mangaka a short time and get his/her autograph. Some fans hand fan letters or presents (handmade charactor goods, his/her favorites and so on). Many mangaka say that it makes them happy.

Natsume's Book of Friends vol.3 : Her comments I had my first autograph session in Kyoto in August 2006. I wanted the manga to stand on its own and was afraid to attach my own image to it, But the temptation to meet my readers was too great, and I was happy to go. [omit] I'll keep working hard to produce interesting manga. Thank you so much.

Yuki Midorikawa's autograph session has been held only few times.

1st: 6 Aug. 2006
To commemorate the release of Natsume Yujin-chou Vol.2 in Kyoto.
Her own report is in Natsume Yujin-chou Vol.3.
2nd: 16 Mar. 2008
To commemorate the release of Natsume Yujin-chou Vol.5 in Tokyo.
Her own report is in Natsume Yujin-chou Vol.6.
The official report written by Hakusensha is here (in Japanese).
3rd: 17 Jul. 2011
To commemorate the release of Natsume Yujin-chou Vol.12 in Fukuoka (on Fukuya Shoten).
Starting to accept orders on 7 July in the front of the store.
4th: 18 Aug. 2013
To commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Natsume Yujin-chou in Tokyo (on Libro Ikebukuro).
During the exhibitions of Yuki Midorikawa's original pictures (Natsume Yujin-chou, Akaku Saku Koe, Hiiro no Isu, and others)
At 10:00am on 18 Aug. 2013, it starts that giving out the numbered tickets on the store.
5th: 22 Oct. 2016
To commemorate the relase of Natsume Yujin-chou Vol.21 and Monthly LaLa 40th anniversaryin Osaka (on Animate Nipponbashi).
At 14:00 (60 people) and at 15:30 (60 people) by lottery.

Upcoming autograph session will be usually announced before only three or four weeks in LaLa. Only about 100 or 150 people in order of receipt or by lottery can join in the autograph session. Too many people gathered for the numbered ticket at the 2013 autograph session. Therefore, I think all future autograph sessions will be held by lottery.

However, if you can manage to come over to the autograph session from far, Yuki Midorikawa will certainly appreciate your visit. I recommend you write a fan letter, in Japanese or English. And I think you should learn some of the words in Japanese, for example; 「あなたに会うために[your country]から来ました。あなたの作品が大好きです。」 (anata ni au tame ni [your country] kara kimashita. anata no sakuhinn ga daisuki desu.) It means "I'm from [your country] today to meet you, I like your works very much!".

I will update the information of next session as soon as I get.

Fan letter address

Ms. Midorikawa frequently says "Thank you very much for your letters!" in tankobon. Why not send her a letter? Just tell her "I like your manga", and she'll be happy.

Address (Hakusensha office in Japan):
Ms. Yuki Midorikawa
c/o Editional Office of Monthly LaLa
Hakusensha Inc.
2-2-2 Awaji-chou Kanda Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
(postal code)101-0063
JAPAN

I recommend writing your fan letter in Japanese or English 😉 Because Japanese learn English by compulsory education, most people can consult English dictionary.

Her fan letter address in Japanese is here.

About me

Welcome to my Yuki Midorikawa unofficial fan site AkaiHana ("red flower"). I am a Japanese Midorikawa fan, named Ageo, in my 20's 30's 40's, live in Fukuoka prefecture Kumamoto Prefecture Tokyo in Japan.

I read her work for the first time in 2000. I am her fan since then and read all of her works. I began to collect references related to her in September 2005 and put those information on AkaiHana.

I made this English version for non-Japanese Midorikawa fans in 2009. This page has a part of information about Yuki Midorikawa. If you want more detailed and the newest information about her, you can go to Japanese version AkaiHana.

Unfortunately, I am bad at English, if you find something wrong, please let me know. 😀

Please enjoy Yuki Midorikawa's Manga works. Thank you. (Aug. 2009)

I'm here: Mashmallow(an anonymous questioning service) My Twitter My LiveJournal My Flickr Wish list

Why I made this page (28 July, 2009)

E-mail / Mail form

I can read Japanese and easy English. Please e-mail me in these languages. I don't accept attachments. Please write the keywords, "Yuki Midorikawa" or "AkaiHana" on your e-mail title to anti-spam. I get a lot of spam mails everyday, thank you for your cooperation.

E-mail: scarlet_verdure@yahoo.co.jp

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Site's Name
Yuki Midorikawa fan site AkaiHana
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Ageo
URL
English version : http://redflower.michikusa.jp/en/
Japanese version : http://redflower.michikusa.jp/
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