Recently Read: Naruto, Vol. 29, by Masashi Kishimoto

 

Creator Masashi Kishimoto rachets up the suspense in Vol. 29. Granny Chiyo (certainly one of the coolest Grandmas in fiction) joins Kakashi's team to rescue Gaara from the evil Akatsuki - not least because her grandson Sasori is one of them. Meanwhile, the Akatsuki are extracting the Biju (tailed beast) from Gaara's body in a bizarre, Lovecraftian ritual. Both Kakashi's team and Might Guy's team are fiercely tested on their way to the Akatsuki by doppelganger-like body doubles utilized to detain the teams (as well as lesson their chakra). It all ends on a terrific cliffhanger. It's also great to see some longstanding characters again, such as Neji and Pakkun, the talking, super-tracking Ninja Hound.

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Recently Read: Naruto Vol. 28, by Masashi Kishimoto

With Volume 28 of the series, Masashi Kishimoto jump the narrative over two years into the future. The reunion of Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi is poignant and fun, with the trio reliving and updating their earliest training together (minus the rogue Sasuke).

Much needed downtime is interrupted by a most dangerous threat. Members of the Akatsuki (of which Orochimaru is a member) arrive at the Sand Village to kidnap a reformed Gaara (Lord Kazekage). Sasori and Deidara are some of the most lethal and creepy antagonists yet, a threat Lady Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, must respond to.

Twenty-eight volumes into the series, Kishimoto's storytelling remains at a high level, well-paced, inventive, suspenseful, with fabulous art and superlative characterization. It's a great start to the series' second half. 

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Recently Read: Naruto Volume 27

 

Naruto Vol. 27, "Departure", is a respite between the story's Part 1 and Part 2 (volumes 28-72).Its downtime involves healing, camaraderie and renewed commitments. Understanding they have two and a half years before Orochimaru can completely claim Sasuke's body and soul, Naruto leaves to train with Jiraiya, while Sakura studies to be a mission medic under Tsunade's instruction.

Before Part 2 begins the series' time-jump, creator Masashi Kishimoto tells a flashback/side story: insight into Kakashi's past and the mysterious origin of his covered eye. If you're a fan of Kakashi (I am), this is essential reading.

In a brief preface, Kishimoto states that "...I don't think Naruto needs to be broken up into parts". Why did he, then? Was it editorial decree? I'd love to learn more about the inner workings of this series. 

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Recently Read: Naruto Volume 26

 

This is another excellent volume in the action-packed series. The epic fight between Naruto and Sasuke reaches a conclusion with both exhibiting powers never before displayed. With Naruto vowing his friendship and determination to bring Sasuke back to Konoha, he accesses powerful red chakra provided by his fox spirit, while Sasuke can only retaliate with forces which can threaten his own life. Kakashi, meanwhile, learns of Naruto's pursuit and tracks him down with the help of Pakkun. The volume ends with the various ninja healing in a hospital, with Shikamaru determined to make good on a mission he considers a failure.  

The flashbacks are poignantly written, the artwork magnificently detailed and imaginative, the pacing and editing constructed for maximum suspense. I recommend this series. 

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Recently Read: Naruto Vol. 23: Predicament, by Masashi Kishimoto

 

For the second volume in a row the chapters are centered on close combat as a result of the rescue mission for Sasuke's body and soul. The combatants are Naruto, Shikamaru, Kiba and Akamaru, in contention with Kimimaro, Tayuya and Sakon, respectively. While the battles themselves are tense, bizarre and suspenseful as always, the limited scope and missing longtime characters gives the feel of a series that's lagging and running out of inspiration.

I don't yet know whether the upcoming jump in time will benefit the series or harm it, but Naruto was a near perfect series for its first twenty volumes and its unsettling to see it start to falter. 

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New for May, 2023: Pop Culture Paper Ephemera for Perusal & Purchase

 Pop Culture Paper Ephemera (nenoworld.com)

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Recently Read: Naruto Vol. 21, Pursuit

 

Despite Sakura's protestation that she loves him, Sasuke leaves town on his own plan of private vengeance. The new Fifth Hokage, Tsundade, then assigns Shikamaru to gather a team to track down and return Sasuke, consisting of Choji, Neji, Naruto, Kiba and tracker dog Akamuru.

Even with strategic plans, the venture goes south quickly; first Sasuke submits himself to be killed by the Sound Ninja Four, and then our heroes are also beaten by the same, in a deadly, Chakra-sapping trap. Choji's hidden talents seem to come to the rescue. The emotions are raw and threadbare in this volume, as the stakes for salvaging friendships and lives are raised ever higher.

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Pop Culture Paper Ephemera for Perusal and Purchase on NenoWorld

 

Pop Culture Paper Ephemera (nenoworld.com)

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Recently Read: Naruto, Vol. 20: Naruto vs. Sasuke

Naruto Vol. 20 begins on a bittersweet note, with Tsunade taking on the role of fifth Hokage and Sasuke falling under the malevolent influence of Orochimaru, due to his desire for revenge against Itachi. Tsunade's healing powers, at the same time, can do little for the physically broken Rock Lee, who nevertheless becomes mentally reinvigorated after a long talk with his mentor, Guy.

Sasuke insists on tackling Naruto in combat, a proposition Naruto is enthusiastic about. Their bout ends with an interesting talk between Kakashi and Jiraiya. Orochimaru's scouts The Sound Ninja Four, meanwhile, have made their way to Konoha and give Sasuke a proposition he may not refuse. Vol. 20 provides some relative quiet time after the previous chapter's storm and set the stage for more intrigue.

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Recently Read: Naruto, Volume 19

 

Naruto Volume 19, "Successor", reveals Tsunade's choice: will she heal Orochimaru's hands in exchange for the rebirth of her loved Dan and Nawaki, or instead commit to be the new Hokage? Most of the book encompasses one intense battle involving not only Orochimaru, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Naruto, Shizune and Kabuto, but the toads Gamakichi and Gamatatsu. These latter two, joined with Tsunade's pig Tonton, offer some very funny commentary on the proceedings, giving levity to a deathly dangerous situation. For sustained and complex thrills and drama, Masashi Kishimoto's manga can't be beat.

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Recently Read: Naruto Vol. 16

Operation Destroy Konaha comes to an end in this volume and, for the first time, creator Masashi Kishimoto seems rushed in the construction of the plot (and also the art; Panel 4, Page 89 - when read right to left - is the most slapdash illustration to appear in the series so far). The story jumps from scene to scene and time to time so often and abruptly that the storytelling borders on confusion in places. Still, this is Naruto. His and Gaara's battle culminates with Gaara getting a glimpse of understanding about sacrifice and love. An important leader also puts that idea into action and pays for it with his life. The volume also introduces Sasuke's older brother Uchiha Itachi, a malevolent threat to Naruto and Sasuke; even Kakashi is no match for him. Hurried execution aside, this is another exciting episode in a grand epic.

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Pop Culture Ephemera from the Neno Archives Available for Purchase

Purchase on NenoWorld

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Recently Read: Naruto, Vol. 15: Naruto's Ninja Handbook!

 

"Naruto's Ninja Handbook!" is a balancing act, both intimate and epic. In its first half, more of Gaara's back story is revealed: his attempts at learning about the concepts of love and pain from his aunt, Yashamaru, end in tragedy, cementing his psychological destiny. Meanwhile, the sand spirit Shukaku continues to achieve complete control of Gaara's bloated, morphing and ever growing body, requiring Naruto to summon help from the dubious (but equally large and powerful) pipe-smoking toad Gamabunta. This begins a battle of gargantuan proportions (taking place, fortunately, in a wooded area). Sasuke is still physically spent, Sakura is still trapped, and only Naruto and Gamabunta (and Gamabunta's mini-toad son, Gamakichi, literally along for the ride) have a chance at stopping the homicidal Gaara. This is amazing cartooning.

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Recently Read: Naruto, Vol. 14: Hokage vs. Hokage!!

The long plotted attack on "The Village Hidden in the Leaves" continues as Orochimaru revives the dead in order to combat the Third Hokage, and Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru and Kakashi's talking dog, Pakkun, are sent to stop Sasuke, on the trail of the evil and ill Gaara. Orochimaru's Frankenstein-like experiments in raising the dead are told in flashback and beetle king Shino takes on Kankuro, allowing Sasuke to catch up with the rest of his group. It's a flurry of activity after the Chunin exams were interrupted by the coup, and author/artist Masashi Kishimoto is a master of plotting, timing, suspense, characterization and world building. As a plus, the chapters are headed by Kishimoto's musings on his first attempts to seriously create manga. This is a worthy addition to an amazingly complex story. 

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Recently Read: Naruto, Vol. 13

 

After a relatively quiet volume (for Naruto), Vol. 13 explodes with action and tension.
It starts with one of the grandest entrances in all of comics, as Kakashi and Sakura
mysteriously return to the Chunin exams. Before the match between Sakura and the psychopathic Gaara begins, Naruto and Shikamaru are innocent bystanders to Gaara slaughtering two toughs who ask him to throw his bout for Lords betting on the matches. 

Finally, after several volumes of suspense, Sakura and Gaara's match begins, but isn't completed before Orochimaru's well-planned civil war begins and the life of the fourth Hokage and the safety of all of Konoha is in jeopardy. This is superior and amazing storytelling by the great author and artist Masashi Kishimoto. 

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Recently Read: Naruto, Vol. 11: Impassioned Efforts

Naruto Vol. 11, "Impassioned Efforts", slows the pace a bit to allow for more humor, intrigue and characterization. A new trainer, Jiraya (and not the one Kakashi Hataki assigned) takes over the instruction of Naruto, helping him tap into his latent Nine-tails powers. Meanwhile, the Villages Hidden in Sand and Hidden in the Sound conspire to destroy Konohagakure Village, with some fatal, irrevocable results. Gaara's origin story is told and he's even more of a cold, psychotic killer than we suspected. Hinata and Naruto's relationship develops and the last Chunin Selection Finals are about to commence. The 175 pages are packed with ever more suspenseful subplots and complicated ties between individuals, provinces, enemies and alliances. Top notch cartooning!

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Recently Read: Naruto, Vol. 10

The preliminary portion of the Journeyman Ninja Selection Exams end with, in part, an epic battle between the friendly Rock Lee and the quiet and mysterious master of sand, Gaara. Lasting 85 pages, the intricate test reveals hidden strengths of both physical and mental powers. Meanwhile, the spy Kabuto and Orochimaru plot against the ill Sasuke, and Naruto gets a new trainer, Master Ebisu. Writer and artist Masashi Kishimoto also tells of the life-changing event of seeing Otomo Katsuhiro's art for the first time. All in all, another exciting and involving chapter in the series

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Recently Read: Naruto, Volume 9

The second of at least three volumes covering the elimination matches of the Journeyman Ninja Selection Exams, Naruto Vol. 9 features several intense and clever battles between the few surviving students. While featuring less characterization and insights into Naruto's complex world and history than usual, "Neji vs. Hinata" is a masterclass in cartooning, with superb pacing, detailed textures, explosive lettering and top-notch choreography and composition.

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Recently Read: Naruto Vol. 8: Life and Death Battles

One of Naruto's greatest strengths is the way creator Masashi Kishimoto takes his time telling a story. After four volumes, our heroes are still struggling to survive the Chûnin Exams. Before beginning the third level, the number of participants must be whittled down, necessitating one-on-one combat, possibly to the death. Meanwhile, shinobi Kakashi Hatake attempts to heal Sasuke and suppress his curse when the malevolent Orochimaru shows up. I like how the Naruto series makes clear that the students' teachers and authority figures must also deal with threats and danger. No one is immune from contact with evil.

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Recently Read: Naruto, Vol. 7: The Path You Should Tread

Another action-packed and suspenseful read as our trio of Chunin Exam takers, Team 7, try to stay alive and thrive in the Forest of Death. Helping and thwarting them are various students in groups of three, all with their own elaborate character designs, talents and motives. As with the last volume, you may need a scorecard to keep track!

The volume begins with Naruto and Sasuke still in a coma. Meanwhile, tokubetsu jōnin Anko Mitarashi makes her way to the central tower where she and an assistant see on video footage that a very powerful genin team completed their goals in an astonishingly short time.

A note mentions that this was the first volume of Naruto created entirely digitally. Fortunately, the art looks no different to my eyes; it looks as organic, hand-drawn and beautiful as ever.

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