Genre: Martial Arts Fantasy | Writer: Masashi Kishimoto | Release Date: 1999 
written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto, It follows Naruto Uzumaki, a spirited, headstrong young ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village, ostracized by his peers due to the powerful Nine-Tailed Fox sealed within him. Determined to prove his worth and earn the village’s respect, Naruto dreams of becoming Hokage—the village leader. Along his journey, he forms unbreakable bonds with allies and faces off against dangerous enemies, all while discovering his true strength and identity
Writing
Naruto, written by Masashi Kishimoto, is a sprawling, 72-volume epic that chronicles the growth and evolution of Naruto Uzumaki from a mischievous outcast to a determined and inspiring ninja leader. The story kicks off with Naruto teaming up with Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha under the mentorship of Kakashi Hatake, forming one of the most memorable squads in manga history. Their journey is filled with thrilling missions, emotional setbacks, betrayals, and triumphs as they clash with rogue ninja, the twisted Orochimaru, and the infamous Akatsuki organization.
Kishimoto masterfully balances action with emotional depth, threading recurring themes of loneliness, redemption, revenge, and legacy. The world-building is rich, and every village, mission, and enemy encountered serves a narrative purpose. The story expands far beyond Naruto himself, exploring various side arcs and characters with such detail that many of them feel like leads in their own right.
Characterization is one of the manga's biggest strengths. Naruto is as lovable and flawed as any great protagonist, but he’s never alone in the spotlight. Sasuke’s complex arc and his evolving rivalry/friendship with Naruto are magnetic. Kakashi is effortlessly cool and layered. Villains like Orochimaru and the Akatsuki have motivations and histories that make them more than just threats—they're characters with weight. Even minor characters like Rock Lee, Hinata, Gaara, and Jiraiya leave a lasting impact.
Not all characters shine equally, though. Sakura, unfortunately, often feels underwritten and uninspired compared to the powerhouse personalities surrounding her. Despite this, the series thrives on its vast and dynamic cast.
The writing style is engaging, laced with witty banter, emotional confessions, and pulse-pounding stakes. Fights are clever, combining diverse jutsu with tactical thinking, though some drag due to flashbacks and exposition dumps. The series does lean on typical shonen tropes, but Kishimoto elevates them with compelling themes and an emotional core that matures as the characters do. The blend of humor, drama, and action is potent, making Naruto a deeply memorable saga.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Art Style
The art of Naruto is a visual triumph. Kishimoto’s linework evolves considerably across the 72 volumes, maturing in style and technique as the story escalates in intensity. From the rustic, modest streets of the Hidden Leaf Village to the hellish battlegrounds of the Great Ninja War, the environments are always distinct and atmospheric. The Eastern-inspired settings are handled with care and creativity, grounding the world in a rich cultural aesthetic that blends tradition with fantasy.
Character designs are iconic—Naruto’s orange outfit, Sasuke’s ever-changing look, Kakashi’s mask and gravity-defying hair—each silhouette is instantly recognizable. Even with such a massive cast, Kishimoto never fails to visually differentiate them with unique hairstyles, outfits, and physical features.
Combat scenes are one of the manga’s greatest visual strengths. The clarity of motion, choreography, and technique usage in fights is fantastic. Whether it’s Naruto’s explosive Rasengan clashes or Gaara’s swirling sand defenses, the art always reflects the tension and stakes of the moment. Emotional expressions are also well-drawn, selling heartbreak and humor with equal weight.
The panel layouts guide the reader smoothly, even during complex battle sequences. Manga veterans will appreciate the strong sense of flow, and newcomers will find it relatively intuitive, even with the right-to-left format.
While flashback sequences and long expository dialogues occasionally crowd the pages, they’re usually complemented by art that holds the reader’s attention. Some gore and more intense battles are depicted vividly but not gratuitously, fitting the tone of the moment.
Rating: 4 out of 5
The Verdict
In the end, Naruto is an awesome manga series. Sure, there are some characters that could be better developed (Sakura) and some fights can be overly lengthy thus slowing the pace. However, the manga features a roster of great characters, good writing, a great story, good art style, great setting, and great action. Naruto gets 4 out of 5.
Comments
Post a Comment