To provide the manufacturing method for a copper and elemental copper free NAO friction material providing an excellent fade resistance and high mechanical strength. [Means to Resolve] This manufacturing method includes the mixing step of mixing the raw friction material compounds to obtain the raw friction material mixture, the kneading step to apply the raw friction material mixture in the sealed type kneader to knead while maintaining the melting temperature of the thermosetting resin in the kneader or higher but lower than the curing temperature (temperature to start curing) under the predetermined pressure to obtain the kneaded raw friction material, the sizing step of sizing the kneaded raw friction material to obtain the raw friction material granulation article, and the hot press molding step of filling the raw friction material sized particles in the molding die to hot press molded by the press machine.