Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
gripping..., February 13, 2005
naruto, you could say at first glance seems like a tyical shounen manga... a loud-noisy-misbehaving-and-mischievious protagonist, lots of action, fast-paced plot and humor abound. what makes it atypical is that beneath the brash exterior is the hidden soft center. face it, naruto is a bleeding heart in disguise.
naruto is an orphan with a mysterious past who is known as the #1 troublemaker in the shinobi (ninja) village of hidden leaf. the story starts of with him in the midst of a prank, much to the anoyance of the villagers. what we don't know (yet) is why he finds it absolutely imperative to do so... resulting in his behavior. mysteriously, nearly all the adults of hidden leaf is cold and antagonistic towards him, which inadvertently results in his seclusion even amongst kids his age. it doesn't help that naruto isn't exactly the average high achiever at ninja academy, in fact, he has always been the last in his class. studies isn't exactly one of his finer points. the story moves on quickly; his third attempt at graduation exam leads him from one problem to another, all without losing a beat. amidst all the madness and general shunning of the village population, only naruto's homeroom teacher seems to understand what goes on in naruto's head. ironically, this doesn't stop naruto from making trouble for iruka-sensei...
i really do like the artwork in naruto, even if may seems to be unaccustomed to it. after seeing many mangas with generally sparse art, i find the illustrations of this manga to be detailed and lively. the village in the background seems to come alive with daily activities and the combination of modern infrastructure and mystical ninja arts makes an interesting combination. i like that naruto takes place in an alternate universe, and the contrasts of the ancient and new in this world makes it unique and entertaining.
the characters are also very endearing, and one finds it hard not to be attached to at least one of them. in fact, i am fond of a few! although there seems to be stereotypical characterization, somehow none of them seems stale. what makes them special is that each of them has their quirks and depth. and for a cast with ever expanding numbers, i have to tip my hat to the mangaka for making them distinct and personable.
let me warn you though, that while this book is full of hijinks and humor, it also is unexpectedly rife with tear-inducing scenes and angsty undertone. it's one of the few books that could make you cry and laugh at the same moment. i've read nearly all the chapters there is of naruto (currently 200+ and still going on strong), and i have to say it's like that all the way. personally, i won't read this in public coz i know it'll be a tragic day indeed when i laughed at one moment and then burst into tears the next for all and sundry to see.
another quirk concerning this series is that one of the most mentioned about character in this series, the 4th hokage (also called by his other title, yondaime) is a character shrouded in mystery. other than his title and his incredible skills and reputation, hardly anything is known about him, not even his real name. for a character that only appears in flashbacks and conversations his legacy is undoubtedly far reaching and incidentally, he's one of my favorite characters. i'd love to see if kishimoto will dedicate a chapter or two on the 4th hokage, and how he will be portrayed.
naruto is, imho, a true gem in the world of shounen manga, and perhaps even in the world of mangas in general. even after (currently) 24 volumes published in japan, it hasn't lost its freshness, intensity and gripping plot that makes readers clamor for more, yours truly included. quite a feat indeed. this is not a manga to be missed.
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50 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Naruto is one foxy dude!, November 7, 2003
"Naruto," while not an all-time favorite, is a great, funny manga series that everyone should give a read. It is a wacky Ninja tale, complete with magic nine-tailed foxes and secret ninja techniques. Anyone looking for even a grain of historical accuracy should look elsewhere, as "Naruto" is just about the hijinks. Definitely nothing subtle here, just "pie-in-the-face" style of humor and laughs.This first volume, "The Tests of the Ninja," lays the groundwork, including Naruto's origin and the cast of supporting characters. While stereotypes abound, each is interesting enough and offers some unique drama. The art is nice, although not groundbreaking, and suits the funky story. Viz's decision to run the book in the correct way, right to left, is really appreciated as the artwork can be original an un-flipped as it is in most English-translated manga series. One note: as someone who has read both the Japanese version and the English, the translation is excellent. No worries there.
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17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enthusiastically written and drawn, October 10, 2003
Volume 1 of Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto begins the action-packed manga (Japanese comic) saga of a twelve-year-old boy undergoing the tests of the ninja in his home village. He is a showoff, a klutz, and an unpopular young man, yet hidden within him is a terrible power - a nine-tailed fox demon that once claimed the life of the village's greatest champion. Enthusiastically written and drawn, Naruto doesn't disappoint in terms of action yet offers a strong dose of comedy and whimsy lest it take itself too seriously. A highly enjoyable, thoroughly entertaining read, Naruto is especially commended to the attention of manga and Japanese anime enthusiasts.
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