Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Graphic Novel Volume 5 cover image

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Uzumaki Naruto was a young shinobi (ninja) who lived in the shinobi Village of Konohagakure.  He had an incorrigible knack for mischief and was the biggest troublemaker at the Ninja Academy.  However, Naruto was serious about his quest to become the world’s greatest ninja and the Hokage, leader of his village.  But this is not Naruto's story.  This is the story of  Naruto's son, Boruto!

As Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Vol. 5 (entitled Ao – Chapters 16 to 19) opens, the mysterious Ohtsutuski-connected organization, Kara, continues its machinations.  Meanwhile, after a duel against his father, young Boruto learns to hate Scientific Ninja Tools.  Now, Boruto, Uchiha Sarada, and Mitsuki will find themselves on a mission with lead Scientific Ninja Tool developer, the scientist, Dr. Tohno Katasuke.  It is a mission that will bring them face to face with Kara and its agents.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Boruto: Naruto Next Generations manga is a continuation of Naruto with a younger version of Naruto.  That is not a bad thing, as far as I'm concerned; I was not pleased when I learned that Naruto was ending.  Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto supervises this series, and the  Boruto creative team, artist Mikio Ikemoto and script writer Ukyo Kodachi.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Volume 5 and the Boruto manga in general are summarized by something Naruto series bad-boy, Uchiha Sasuke.  It is (basically) that the dangers of the world have not gone away.  Kishimoto may have decided to leave (more or less) Naruto, but in Boruto, there is still excitement, mystery, and intrigue to be investigated in the world of the shinobi.

Boruto, in ways different from his father, is an intriguing character.  He is less needy than Naruto was and is also more ambitious.  In the four chapters that make up this volume, Kodachi and Ikemoto present a more layered version of the Boruto.  Suddenly, he is looking like much more than a sequel character.  He is moving towards be fascinating, and the new dangers in his world will require a fascinating character.  Obviously, I really enjoy Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Naruto will want the Shonen Jump title, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.

A
9 out of 10