To provide a phenol resin composition for a carbon material, which can be applied to a negative electrode material of a lithium ion secondary battery and yields the carbon material showing a high efficiency, a high capacity and a high carbonization yield, the carbon material obtained through carbonization of the same and its manufacturing method.

The phenol resin composition for the carbon material contains a phenol resin and a liquid crystalline substance, preferably in a weight compounding ratio (phenol resin:liquid crystalline substance) of (95:5)-(50:50). The carbon material is obtained through carbonization of the phenol resin composition. In the manufacturing method of the carbon material, the phenol resin composition is subjected to carbonization treatment.