Thanks to barnesandnoble.com for the image.

VOL. 29: Kakashi vs. Itachi

Uzumaki Naruto was a young ninja-in-training, known for stubbornness, but now he’s fully a ninja.  His dream is to become the world’s greatest ninja and “Hokage” (village champion) of his home, Konohagakure, but the incorrigible youth also has a nine-tailed fox spirit imprisoned within him.

In Naruto, Vol. 29, Naruto and the rest of Team Kakashi race to rescue Gaara from the clutches of the Akatsuki.  Like Naruto, Gaara is a jinchûriki – a host to a spirit, and a sympathetic Naruto wants to stop the Akatsuki from removing Gaara’s spirit, a process that will kill him.  Meanwhile, Naruto’s mentor, Kakashi battles Itachi, the brother of former Team Kakashi member, Sasuke.

THE LOWDOWN:  I wouldn’t try and explain the success of Naruto anymore than I would try and explain the success of Harry Potter, but both appeal to male teen readers.  Both titles also star boys – boys who are preternaturally talented in a world of supernaturally talented people, and both are orphans.  Like Potter, Naruto is the story of a boy seeking his place in the world, trying to live up to great expectations, and facing powerful forces of darkness – all while trying to grow up, and his story is filled with action, adventure, intrigue, cool fight scenes, and great special effects.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Naruto is the Harry Potter of ninja comics, and any young male reader who might read a comic book will like this.  Period.

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