Naruto, Vol. 3: Bridge of Courage [Paperback]

Masashi Kishimoto (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 14, 2004

Naruto is a ninja-in-training with a need for attention, a knack for mischief, and sealed within him, a strange, formidable power. His antics amuse his instructor Kakashi and irritate his teammates, intense Sasuki and witty Sakura, but Naruto is serious about becoming the greatest ninja in the village of Konohagakure! Zabuza, the ninja assassin, was stopped from his first try at killing Tazuna the bridgebuilder - but Zabuza still lives! While the ninjas recover from their injuries, Kakashi puts Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura on a strict training regimen to protect Tazuna's family - including Tazuna's embittered grandson Inari - and prepare for Zabuza's next attack. But the next time won't be as easy, because joining Zabuza is his apprentice, Haku. And as the bridge comes closer to completion, our heroes must be willing to die - or kill - to protect the ones they love.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author/artist Masashi Kishimoto was born in 1974 in rural Okayama Prefecture, Japan. After spending time in art college, he won the Hop Step Award for new manga artists with his manga Karakuri ("Mechanism"). Kishimoto decided to base his next story on traditional Japanese culture. His first version of Naruto, drawn in 1997, was a one-shot story about fox spirits; his final version, which debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999, quickly became the most popular ninja manga in Japan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC (April 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591161878
• ISBN-13: 978-1591161875
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Manga > By Series > Naruto
  • #37 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Graphic Novels > Fantasy
  • #92 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror > Manga

More About the Author

Author/artist Masashi Kishimoto was born in 1974 in rural Okayama Prefecture, Japan. After spending time in art college, he won the Hop Step Award for new manga artists with his manga Karakuri ("Mechanism"). Kishimoto decided to base his next story on traditional Japanese culture. His first version of Naruto, drawn in 1997, was a one-shot story about fox spirits; his final version, which debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999, quickly became the most popular ninja manga in Japan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's train. Let's fight., December 5, 2004

By 

Zack Davisson "japanreviewed" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Naruto, Vol. 3: Bridge of Courage (Paperback)

"Naruto Vol. 3" continues the storyline from Vol. 2, with Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke and their teacher Kakashi defending the bridge-builder Tazuna from the assassination attempts of ninja-killer The Demon Zabuza and his companion, the beautiful but deadly Haku.

After their brutal battle in Vol. 2, Kakashi sets the trio a stern task designed to strengthen their chakras and develop their ninja powers. Naruto, the weakest of the three, shows his strength of will as he struggles day and night to best Sasuke's accomplishments. This single-minded focus develop's Naruto's character as much as his chakras, as he slowly hardens and changes from the selfish blowhard of the first volumes. Along with this, he develops a relationship with a small boy from town, Inari, who learns what it means to be a hero.

While this self-development is all good and well, the real story begins when Zabuza and Haku attack again, facing off against the stronger, re-grouped trio. However, the demon and his companion have been training as well, and Zabuza has learned the secret of Kakashi's "Sharingan Eye," and how to defeat it. Haku has secrets of his own, and Naruto and Sasuke are powerless against him.

Vol. 3 is a change in tone for the series, a maturing if you will, as the young ninjas come face to face with their own mortality, and that the life of a ninja goes hand in hand with death. Even with the death of their own companions, as they are forced to discover.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More a review for the series, June 24, 2004

By 

"zwolf84" (Sometimes CA, sometimes PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Naruto, Vol. 3: Bridge of Courage (Paperback)

My brother introduced me to Naruto, and at first it seemed to be just another silly action/adventure. But as I continued reading, I realized that the story is much like Naruto himself; it hid a gentle heart under a seemingly rough exterior. There are some basic themes to Naruto, and one of the more important ones is the strength of friendship and family. The concept of protecting those who are precious to you is introduced here, but will carry on throughout the series. True, I love the fights, but I enjoy it more because both sides have a reason to fight. And whichever side loses, they have lost something tangible.
As annoying and incompetent Naruto can be, one can't help but cheer for him, because he doesn't give up. The chips are stacked against him, but he finds the courage to continue. There's a lot more I could say, but the characters (many of which haven't really been introduced at this point) are so interesting and each has so much back history, that I can't really do them justice. All I can do is recommend this series. The world of Naruto is complex, but operates within oddly logical confines. So, enjoy the story and let Naruto show you how to show some empathy and understand for even your adversaries.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take a break, June 30, 2005

By 

Espio (Flowery Branch, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Naruto, Vol. 3: Bridge of Courage (Paperback)

Kakashi is resting his poor body with training Sasuke,Naruto,and Sakura.Let's see if they can get the hang of runing up trees.Also,Naruto unknowing meets Haku who he thinks killed Zabunza.We also see Inari's real problem with heroes.Last but not least,a final confrontation between Zabunza and Kakashi.Wait a minute...he seem to have brought a friend...