Comics / Manga

Naruto: Volume 60 manga review

By Leroy Douresseaux
February 8, 2013 - 11:07

Naruto Volume 60 cover image

Rated “T” for “Teen”

As a young shinobi (ninja), Uzumaki Naruto had a knack for mischief, and he was the biggest troublemaker at the Ninja Academy in the shinobi Village of Konohagakure.  Naruto was special and an outcast, because when he was a baby, his parents imprisoned a nine-tailed fox spirit within his infant body.  Now, 16-years-old and incorrigible as ever, Naruto is still serious about his quest to become the world’s greatest ninja.

The Fourth Great Ninja War begins when Akatsuki villains Madara and Kabuto declare war on the Five Great Nations, the world of the ninja.  The five great leaders, known as the Gokage, form the Allied Shinobi Forces to fight back.

As Naruto, Vol. 60 (entitled Kurama – Chapters 566 to 575) starts, Naruto battles the other tailed beasts.  His partner in battle is Killer Bee, the jinchûriki (host) to the eight-tailed octo-beast.  Naruto’s mentor, Hatake Kakashi, and Guy join them to form a quartet against Madara.  Now, Naruto tries to align himself with the other tailed beasts.  Will he be successful?  Can he also take on Madara?  Naruto’s comrades, however, aren’t about to let him fight alone.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Sasuke, Naruto’s former teammate, decides that it is time to fight Naruto again.  Kabuto, who revives dead shinobi to fight in the Fourth Great Ninja War, has summoned a special reunion for Sasuke.

[In celebration of the 60th Naruto tankoubon (graphic novel), the following artists have contributed pin-ups and art to the book:  Atsuhiro Sato, Takahiro Hiraishi, Mikio Ikemoto, Yuichi Itakura, Masaki Murakami, Koichi Nishiya, Akira Okubo, Akio Shiraska, and Kenji Taira.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Naruto manga continues the current long story arc, the Fourth Great Ninja War.  Once a year or so, we get a volume that shows the evolution of Naruto – how the outcast becomes a hero.  It is an ongoing process, as it seems as if Naruto has to learn to become a hero over and over again.  Naruto Volume 60 is one of those graphic novels that shows Naruto grasping something, some idea, some technique, etc. essential to his journey to becoming whatever he is supposed to become.

Masashi Kishimoto keeps the series fresh in this way – not that he really needs to do so.  The subplots and characters keep growing, and most of them are fantastically interesting.  For instant, this Uchiha family element promises great new fun.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers who want to read the best of the best must have the Shonen Jump standard bearer, Naruto.

 

Rating: A /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12