Masashi Kishimoto (岸本斉史 Kishimoto Masashi) is a Japanese manga artist, well known for creating the manga series Naruto. His younger twin brother, Seishi Kishimoto, is also a manga artist and creator of the manga series O-Parts Hunter (666 Satan) and Blazer Drive. Two of his former assistants, Osamu Kajisa (Tattoo Hearts) and Yuuichi Itakura (Hand's), have also gone on to moderate success following their work on Naruto.
Kishimoto's first work as a manga artist was Karakuri (カラクリ?), which he submitted to Shueisha in 1995. This earned him the Weekly Shōnen Jump's monthly "Hop Step Award" in 1996, granted to promising new manga artists. This was followed in 1997 by a pilot version of Naruto (NARUTO-ナルト-), published in Akamaru Jump Summer. In 1998, Kishimoto premiered as a Weekly Shōnen Jump artist with a serialized version of Karakuri in Weekly Shōnen Jump, but it proved unpopular and was canceled soon after. In 1999, a serialized version of Naruto began publication in Weekly Shōnen Jump and quickly became a hit.
Pain's (semi)introduction is as chilling and hyped as it is in the anime. Though, his world domination agenda is plain dumb. And it's even worse when you don't have the soundtrack or the good Japanese voice acting to distract you from how little sense it actually makes. But this was a good volume overall.
Okay, that was good. Shikamaru is a really cool character and I like to see a calculating strategist among all those ninja hotheads. Too precocious, possibly, but still fun, because his abrasive personality helps in not making him a special snowflake (a significant glance toward Sasuke...).
Asuma's storyline is gripping, and touching, and I'd have probably be more surprised by the conclusion if Kishimoto didn't have a tell: every time a character is going to die, Kishimoto gives them more space and a few thoughtful scenes beforehand. I started to dread these quiet, thoughtful scenes, however enjoyable and worthwile they are, because when I see them I know the character in question won't have much longer to live!
The Akatsuki grand plan is just plain stupid. It's something a six-year-old would come up with after watching too many old Bond movies. And the exposition is rather dreadful, too, killing all the tension from the previous chapters. But, even with that stereotypical villainous speech at the end, I'm looking forward to the next volumes. The plot thickens, and the game is afoot!
Bon, évidemment, l'impact émotionnel aurait été plus fort si je ne m'étais pas bêtement spoilée en commençant par erreur le tome 37 au lieu du tome 36. Encore un très bon tome, par contre je suis un peu déçue pour l'instant des révélations sur Akatsuki, je m'attendais à un peu plus ouf, mais je suppose qu'on n'est pas encore au bout de nos surprises.
Shikamaru and Asuma along with a few other ninjas go to take on two of the members of the Akatsuki. This time they face off against a member who can't die and basically becomes a voodoo like doll to inflict pain on others. A fast paced volume with a lot of people on the verge of death the entire time. Naruto is also working on his super training and we might see results soon.
Overall emotional arc with a ton of payoff. Probably the best arc in this second half of naruto so far. A 4 out of 5.
Oh my God I knew it was coming and it was just as heartbreaking as the first go-round in the show. I really liked Asuma, and Shikamaru's reaction hit me so hard...and it's just gonna get worse from here. This was such a shock when I watched it. I remember thinking, "Shikamaru is owning again and he's going to save the day..." and then boom...it happened. Hidan is probably the creepiest of all the Akatsuki members and the way he reacts to experiencing the pain and death of others is disturbing as hell. My creyyyyyysssss. Ugh, this volume hurt so much. Other than Granny Chiyo, this is the first of the many big deaths in Shippuden and I ugly cried in the show (and here) when Asuma told Team 10 his last words.
I also just want to say that Pain's speech at the end is absolutely terrifying and ties in a bit to some real world things. The Akatsuki are terrific villains and I love how they all get to come to the forefront at one time or another. It makes you care about them. Kishimoto sensei is a genius and this series has been one of the best series' I've ever had the pleasure of watching and now reading. Going back through again is just verifying it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I'm halfway through this series and absolutely loving it. Here I was thinking I'm over Manga and Anime because I'm an adult now. Naruto proved me wrong.
Its got action, good story-line and plot twists. It is more than just a fun read. The tale weaves in themes of friendship, perseverance, sacrifice, revenge and war. You gain inspiration. You see the characters mature, physically and mentally.
With my perception changed, I may have to reread Fullmetal Alchemist (my all-time favourite) and start reading another Manga once I finish this.
This was fun. I absolutely love it when Shikamaru is involved in a battle. His mind is indeed brilliant but this time he is up against opponents who have powers beyond anything he can imagine. With Asuma and two other guys I do not care about, they take on against Hidan and Kakuzu but things do not go down according to plan.
On the side note, to know the true motives of Akatsuki's organization was a bonus. When you have such antagonists in your literature, the story itself is lifted to another level and some errors and plotholes can be ignored. Whoever is the leader of Akatsuki has much more going on inside his head.
Naruto's training is like making of a legend. Will he be able to master something which even Fourth Hokage could not master? His training is just an inspiration to everyone giving a message that it requires such a hard work to become someone special and powerful. Train hard and you will see the fruits. You become master of something only after giving your everything, your body, your mind and your soul.
Pain (Or Pein) is in the building. It's impossible to say enough about him. Just so damn good. And Shikimaru's arc in here is the best we get from him. Great volume.
This arc is my favorite because Shikamaru is my favorite and while this arc may not be all that exciting, it's very informative for the Akatsuki and very important for Shikamaru's growth.
Another fantastic volume that gives Shikamaru the opportunity to put to good use his high intellect. And to do it up against Hidan, an Akatsuki that you just don't want to mess with? This turned out to be intense and emotional by the end with a devastating loss.
In the meantime, Naruto continues his training to develop an impossible skill and things do seem too difficult until something clicks in his wild mind.
An exciting part about this volume is also the revelation of what the Akatsuki are truly looking for.
- Naruto enters his final stage of training; shape manipulation. He will try to combine his wind-natured chakra into rasengan. - Asuma, Shikamaru, Izumo and Kotetsu encounter Hidan and Kakuzu at the bounty station. - It is revealed that Hidan is immortal and cannot be killed. - Asuma vs Hidan. - Asuma getting cursed by Hidan. - Shikamaru knows how the curse works. - They managed to get Asuma out from the curse by removing Hidan from the curse circle. - Kakuzu join the fight after Asuma decapitated Hidan's head. - Hidan recovered and killed Asuma by using the curse. - The backup team from Konoha come and it is too late. Hidan and Kakuzi retreat. - Asuma delivered his last words to Shikamaru, Chouji and Ino. - Akatsuki gathered to perform a ritual for the Two-Tailed and Three-Tailed Beast they captured earlier. - Akatsuki revelead their true purpose.
Hidan entre en scène, ou plutôt en combat. Il semble immortel mais ressent aussi la douleur. Et bizarrement, il adore ça. Il a aussi la particularité de pouvoir infliger des blessures à ses adversaires en se les infligeant lui-même. Il lui suffit juste d'une goutte de sang. Je le découvre donc sous un autre jour, celui d'un adversaire redoutable !
Tout du long, j'étais persuadée que l'Hokage était chef du pays. Mais non, il est juste celui du village de Konoha. Il y a un seigneur pour le pays du feu. Mais on ne connait pas encore son nom, ni son apparence.
On apprend enfin les véritables intentions d'Akatsuki. Il était un peu temps.
On termine ce tome avec la mort d'Asuma. Il était peu présent dans l'histoire, on le voyait surtout quand il était avec Shikamaru, mais sa mort est très touchante!
Rating: Excellent Chapters: #321–#330 Review: Volume 36 intensifies the Akatsuki conflicts, delivering high-stakes battles with strategic depth. Kishimoto balances raw combat with clever tactics, showing that victory often depends on intelligence, teamwork, and emotional clarity as much as raw power.
The volume also highlights the personal stakes for each character — fears, regrets, and motivations drive the fights as much as chakra or jutsu. Naruto’s growth is palpable: he’s more mature, more aware of consequences, and more determined to uphold his ideals. The blend of adrenaline and emotion keeps readers fully engaged.
Genuinely can't be bothered to write individual reviews for this series. I never watched this as a kid I don't have the childhood nostalgia or pull to it. It's another very popular/iconic manga series that whilst I can see why some people like it my feelings are very neutral and nothing I say is truly adding to it so....
One of the most excruciatingly painful volumes of this series! How does one defeat an immortal beast? I must say Shikamaru is one of the most amazing characters created by Kishimoto. Asuma's death was extremely painful. I cried my eyes out.
A couple of battle scenes, but the ending was a little too maniacal villainy. Hopefully my loan comes in from the library soon and I can continue the story.
Asuma!!!😭 What an emotional volume. Also, that last panel of Pain is badass. I can’t wait to read more about him. Kishimoto was really in his bag for Shippuden! Loving the nostalgia of it all!