Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Vol. 5: Ao

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations #5

by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto (Illustrator)

The mysterious organization called Kara makes their move to recover their lost vessel. What are their goals and how is it all connected to Konoha Village? Meanwhile, Boruto spars against the strongest opponent he could ever hope to find—his father!

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Comics, Shonen, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Adventure

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 2, 2018

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Kate♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5stars

I'm really beginning to enjoy Boruto!! I've especially enjoyed the addition of technology and the scientific ninja tools - its SUCH an interesting addition to the world!

Also i'm LOVING the disability rep with prosthetics and research into helping people with physical disabilities in this world - as there are many of them after the great ninja war!

Also, LOVING the use of "they/them" in cases of Momoshiki and Orochimaru (and the use of "parent" for Orochimaru rather than mother/father!!)

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mix of tech and ninja seems pretty promising now, after the Chunin exam debacle, and I am here for it. Like anything, however, it’s all in how it is done.

The beginning is solid. Let’s see if it goes out with a whimper or a bang. :)

[Siona Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The weakest volume so far. I liked seeing Ao again, I do remember him for the original storyline, but I’m not sure I like him being a villain. I guess of any of the original characters he does make sense and is one of the least “important”, but I wish he could’ve been a friend to Boruto. Oh well I guess

[Augusta Whittemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD more to come :)

[Mars Gambau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another adventure of the new generation.
Still, I think Ikemoto should change a few details.
However he is having a good story so far.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summary for my reference:

Number 16: The Vessel - We are introduced to the bad guy organization Kara with a scene where they are all having their little villain meeting via projections (exactly like the Akatsuki). They're talking about losing a "vessel." An old man in the group is pissy about things, and he gets a visit from another person in the group, who kills him.

We skip on to a duel between Boruto and Naruto. Naruto wins, of course, and he reveals the use of his prosthetic hand. They're testing out ninja tools, and he is able to use his hand to absorb jutsu. Then they have a meeting, where Naruto explains to Boruto and his team about Kara, how the members have marks similar to Boruto's, and they discuss ninja tools.

Another scene shows a crashed blimp and Konohamaru and a squad investigating and finding an empty coffin on board.

Number 17: Ao - Konohamaru copies data from the blimp onto a Ninja Scroll Flash Drive (lmao) when his squad is suddenly attacked.

More talk in the meeting with Naruto, Boruto's mark, and the organization Kara, whose members supposedly have ohtsutsku-level abilities. We are reintroduced to Tohno Katasuke, a scientist who is working on developing ninja tools. Boruto immediately dislikes him due to the fact that he gave Boruto the tool he used to cheat during his chunin exam. Naruto sets the team up for a mission to occompany Tohno to deliver his prosthetic hand to a research facility in another town. Boruto storms out and Sarada and Mitsuki have to reel him back in to the mission. Boruto is pissy because he got in trouble for cheating with a ninja tool, so he thinks they are all bad. Naruto tries to explain to him that they are not inherently good or bad, it depends on how you use them (and using one in the chunin exams was cheating).

The group takes a train, where they meet Lord Ao, someone Tohno knows because he made him a prosthetic arm and leg. With a screwdriver, Ao demonstrates to the skeptical Boruto that tools are not inherently anything, it's all in how you use them. After the group disembarks, a member of Kara is revealed to have been sitting behind Ao the entire time, and they are in league; Ao is apparently an "outer" member of the group. Here we find out that Ao had previously used genjutsu on Tohno to gather information about what the Leaf Village is doing with ninja tools. The Kara member leaves a box with intel and weapons for Ao and instructs him to retrieve the "vessel" they lost.

Number 18: The Hand - The group brings Naruto's prosthetic hand to the research laboratory, where we meet Inuzuka Akita (top notch researcher) and Kakei Sumire (previous classmate of Boruto's who decided to forego the chunin exams and become a researcher instead). Akita has the squad test out different ninja tools and we meet her ninja dog, Chamaru, who has a prosthetic leg. Boruto warms to the idea of ninja tools and the importance of science to the ninja world. He gets a call from Naruto, who explains that Konohamaru is nearby and out of contact and their squad is the closest so they need to go investigate.

Number 19: Puppets - Akita gives the squad some ninja tools and healing foams, and Tohno arms himself with a robotic suit of armor. Chamaru also joins the group. Before they set out, Sumire hints to Sarada that she has a crush on Boruto.

The group arrives to the scene of the crashed blimp and finds puppets lying around. They engage the puppet in combat and discover that they are autonomous ninja tools. Tohno figures out how to overload them by getting them to attack but then absorbing the attacks. Tohno knows that the reason the enemy has these ninja tools is because he was put under a genjutsu. Chamaru leads them to a nearby cave, where Konohamaru and one of his squadmates are hiding out. Ao makes a dramatic appearance, demanding the whereabouts of the coffin's contents (the vessel, though we have not seen it yet) and whipping out a machine gun.

[Rebeckah Sypik · Rating 4 out of 5]

It this volume we get see more of Kara, and Boruto and his team get a mission to escort the ninja tech specialist Katasuke.

I liked the message of this volume, tools are not inherently evil it depends on thier use. Boruto now hates ninja tools because he now says they are cheating. So Katasuke, his assiastants (Ashita and Sumire) and Ao (an older ninja) all try to convinve him otherwise.

There was some decent action. Thought most of the fights where expariments to test the ninja tech. Boruto and Naruto's fight at the beging was pretty good. I liked Sarada's fight with the ninja tech as well. The only actual fight we see is the ninja tech puppets in chapter 19, the final chapter of the volume. Where they seem to be trying to redeem the charater Katasuke.

Overall a decent volume, thought something about it felt a little flat.

[Alejandro Carranza · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Lo fundamental de un shinobi si el esfuerzo y las agallas”.

Continúan con una constante alimentación de datos nuevos y está bien, ya que poco a poco al ver cómo la tecnología va teniendo un gran peso en la historia, nos permite averiguar hacia donde irá dirigiéndose la historia.

Lo del Kumite de Naruto contra Boruto, sin duda me gusto mucho más como lo abordaron en el anime, (porque en el manga ni siquiera dijeron lo que era) ya que profundizaron mas en detalles, aquí fue fugaz y abrupto, como si lo hubiesen metido solo para o coherentemente forzar un cambio de escenario sin dar la oportunidad de irlo trabajando poco a poco.

Me gusto el cómo Boruto poco a poco se nota los tintes de altruismo y compañerismo de su padre, y sobre todo el reconocer un camino duro , pero sin trampas, aún y cuando estás no son malas y lo pudiese ayudar a progresar más rápido.

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty decent volume, Boruto has to accompany Katatsuki (the ninja tools guy) and you see his disdain for Ninja tech after the first volume incident and over the course of the mission he sees how the tech can help and how Katatsuki is a good person and he meets a couple of people here and there and there are fun chapters wherein they are testing this tech. They get a report that Konohamaru is missing and go on a mission to find him only to battle Ninja tech robots and ultimately Ao, the "Byakyugan Killer" and more mystery is set up about "KARA". Good volume and Boruto missions happening, new villains and the art is simple, clean and mesmerizing to look at! The writing is building towards something big!

[Emily Shafer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scientific ninja tools are lame

[**Sognatrice di libri** · Rating 4 out of 5]

La storia inizia a prendermi di più vedremo con il procedere cosa succederà.

[Samar · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.1

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good volume.

[Mert · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Stars (%79/100)

This is much better and interesting than the previous volume. The first chapter of this volume is the ending of the bandit arc and it is also the only thing interesting about that arc. We learn the thing on Boruto's palm is connected to a secret organization called Kara. Soon, we actually meet a couple of members of Kara. This is a great start to a new arc and despite having some doubts about it, I think it's going to be really good. It was also nice to see Ao (the byakugan dude from the war). For those who are interested, the anime started this arc as well (from episode 179) and I'm actually curious to see these animated.

[Tim de Leon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This [scientific ninja tools] isn't inherently good or evil. It all depends on how you use it, no matter how hard it is. -Ao
-------------------------------------------
Seriously?! Chakra lighsabers and chakra guns?! These scientific ninja tools are ruining the significance of chakra reserve in the Naruto universe. What is the essence now of hardwork, perseverance, and determination of fighting will just come easy with the use of this technology?

I have seen that Ao of the Hidden Mist is alive after the Fourth Great Ninja War. Though he is not the same person as he used to be back then...

[Matthew Manchester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is getting excited and I'm hyped for this arc. I mentioned in my review of volume #3 that the anime was better than the manga for that arc.

In just two books, the author has put the anime to shame (currently we've been going through 40 filler episodes). It feels like once all the old movie territory was done, the whole manga took a breath and it's been well paced and wonderful since. It no longer feels rushed and awkward.

Here's to more of this.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the way this series is progress. Boruto, like his father, has a way about him that you cannot help but root for him and his team. Sarada and Mitsuki are quite the pair themselves. It is going to be fun for readers to see their progress and adventures throughout this series.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how independence he is from naruto's story.

[Justin W. Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

This was so good, I cannot even tell you how wonderful the experience was. Easliy 5 - 5 Stars and worth an extra read!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading these chapters again now that I have a physical copy, loving the Boruto manga way more than the anime.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

We learn more about the organization known as Kara and Boruto's mark in this volume!

[clea · Rating 3 out of 5]

oh. so That's the reason why that old dude looked familiar ! also loved the (vv slight) tension between the "class prez" and sarada LMAO

[Tuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume offers a continuation to the growing Kara threat with the happenings beginning to affect Boruto and his friends. The scientific ninja tool plot returns as we get to see Boruto experience some emotional maturity regarding it and ponder some hard hitting questions about the utility of power. I liked the implied off screen bonding between Sasuke and Boruto from their training sessions and Sasukes understanding of Boruto on a level that Naruto cant reach, additionally, I do enjoy how, off screen, Boruto opened to Sasuke regarding the mark on his hand.

Unfortunately the implied happenings between characters will probably always be a concern I have for the manga as, it honestly seeks to serve as an abridged take on the anime story, leaving the anime to fill in the gaps...the introduction and implied feelings between Class Rep, Sarada, and Boruto greatly highlight that this chapter. Worst, Boruto makes hints towards places they went in the anime (prison, the mist village) or characters (the importance of Mugino to Konohamaru and to Boruto). While the main story remains easy to grasp, all the minor details changes the impact of the story.

Speaking for the volume it was enjoyable and have Ao come into the story is interesting. I like having some returning faces around.

Extras included extra character profiles at the end of the volume and non-controversial ninja info stats for characters in between the chapters.

[Hafeez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 5: Chapter 16-19
Arc 3: Ao

- Kara is a new organization consists of Inner and Outer. Inner consists of 7 members including the leader, Jigen. The other members are Kashin Koji, Victor, Delta, Code, Boro and Amado.
- Their motives are unknown yet. They held a meeting after an airship that in a shipment of the "vessel" is crashed on the outskirts of Fire Country. They suspecting someone have sabotaging the shipment.
- Kara sent Outer to investigate the crash site. Kashin Koji offers himself to investigate the crash site. Kashin Koji then kills Victor by using Flames of Samadhi.
- Konohamaru and Mugino are the first to arrive at the crash site. He further his investigation and come across with Outer.
- Boruto, Sarada and Mitsuki were assigned a mission to escort Dr. Katasuke to deliver a ninja tech to Ryuutan City. In the train, they meet Ao, the former right hand man of Fifth Mizukage.
- Ao is working with Kashin Koji. Kashin Koji assigned Ao to retrieval the "vessel". Kashin Koji is the who casted a Genjutsu on Dr. Katasuke. Konoha's ninja tech information was leaked due to it.
- Team 7 got a new mission to help Konohamaru and Mugino. Dr. Katasuke and Chamaru followed to help them. At the crash site, Team 7 fights a group of ninja tech robots.
- Team 7 reunited with Konohamaru and Mugino. Ao appears and ready to retrive a data that Konohamaru got from the airship.

[Marianna Rainolter · Rating 4 out of 5]

La Foglia inizia ad indagare sul misterioso gruppo Il Guscio, mentre Boruto, Sarada e Mitsuki sono incaricati di proteggere il professor Katakura. Dopo la brutta esperienza durante l’esame dei chunin Boruto è diffidente verso i suoi ritrovati tecnologici ma deve ubbidire agli ordini del padre e stare attento ai pericoli che gli si presenteranno davanti. Devo dire che mi è piaciuto pur essendo un volume lento e un po’ piatto, con solo accenni a quello che vedremo nei successivi capitoli. La parte dedicata al professore e alle sue invenzioni era quello che volevo fin dalla sua comparsa: vedere delle applicazioni tecnologiche alla tradizione ninja con le difficoltà di accettarle ed incorporarle nel combattimento. Tutto ciò viene rappresentato da Boruto, dalla sua diffidenza iniziale e dalle sue riflessioni successive nel vedere le diverse applicazioni della tecnologia (ah, vogliamo parlare della spada chackra?! LOL). La presentazione del Guscio è misteriosa ma intrigante e anche il finale promette un bel combattimento per il prossimo volume.

[Mirai · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Reading in THAI version]

รอมานานมากกว่าเล่มนี้จะออกมาจนลืมเนื้อเรื่องเล่มก่อนหน้าไปหมดแล้ว 55555

เล่มนี้ เหมือนเป็นการเปิดตัว ‘ฝ่ายร้าย’ หลักของเรื่อง ทุกอย่างดูมีลับลมคมในไปหมด และยังไม่ชัดเจนอะไรสักอย่าง คนอ่านอย่างเราๆ ก็คงมึนๆ ไปกับเป้าหมายของเจ้าพวกนี้ เหมือนจะน่ากลัว แต่เรารู้สึกว่าแสงอุษาน่ากลัวกว่า 5555

มีตัวละครเก่าจากนารูโตะโผล่มาด้วย! เซอร์ไพร์สใช้ได้ แถมการกลับมาครั้งนี้ก็ต่างจากการเจอครั้งสุดท้ายด้วย ทำใจแทบไม่ทัน 55555

เล่มนี้เหมือนเน้นไปที่ประเด็น ‘อุปกรณ์นินจา’ มากกว่า เหมือนผู้เขียนพยายามจะบอกทั้งโบรูโตะและคนอ่านว่า เทคโนโลยีมีทั้งข้อดีและข้อเสีย ขึ้นอยู่กับผู้ใช้ว่าจะใช้ไปในทางไหน พอมีเทคโนโลยีพวกนี้เข้ามา ยุคสมัยของนารูโตะที่เน้นความมุ่งมานะและความพยายามเพื่อเป็นนินจาเริ่มเปลี่ยนไปแล้ว เหมือนมังงะไม่ได้ขายความพยายามความสู้ชีวิตเหมือนภาคก่อน คนอ่านคงรู้สึกขัดใจเป็นธรรมดา

โดยรวมแล้ว เล่มนี้ออกจะเนิบนาบไปหน่อย เน้นการพูดการอธิบายเสียมากกว่า ฉากสู้พอมีนิดหน่อย แต่ไม่มาก อาจจะต้องรอลุ้นเล่มหน้า เพราะทิ้งท้ายไว้ตื่นเต้นพอควร

[Andoni Damestoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75/5
Ce ne mérite pas un 4 encore je pense que c'est le meilleur avec le tome 2 mais c'était pas ouf ouf. On commence ducoup l'arc kara donc on voit l'Organisation, après on voit un combat Naruto vs boruto pour tester un outils scientifique et moi la jsuis d'accord avec boruto le mec il lui dit qu'il faut pas se servir d'arme scientifique tu mérite pas d'être ninja mais bon la t'es un peu mal placé. Donc il devait aller en mission pour rapporter l'arme scientifique donc après il y a eu les dialogue chiant. Et après kara a perdu leur cargaisons et ducoup il doivent la récupérer. Aussi on a vu dans le train ao c'était un de mes personnage Préferais dans Naruto. Mais enfaite on apprend que il est avec kara.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

That ending! This is one of the problems about reading series that is still on-going or one that does not have that many volumes out. You just don't know what is going to happen to the characters as it happens, unlike a series that is done or one that has a number volumes after it. Luckily, I know there are a few books after this one, but that ending and the first volume does not bode well for the series' trajectory.

In other news, why do we need to have shadowy organizations as bad guys? Can't we just have solo bad guys, defeat them, and call it a day? No? Okay.

I am pretty sure of the identity of the vessel based off of what I know is coming.

Verdict: What is going to happen next?

[m.・゜゜・・゜゜・． · Rating 2 out of 5]

dnf @ chapter 19

frankly i just don’t get it. many people also agree that boruto is terrible and just a waste of time but i didn’t listen. not only do i simply refuse the fact that naruto is a bad dad (LIKE CMON! sasuke i understand but not naruto!!!), hinata looks unrecognisable and that’s a crime in itself, the art is ugly, they fucked up gaara’s hair, the fights are boring and the young girls’ outfits feel over sexualised. also, two jonin failed the mission so naruto thinks it’s okay to send THREE GENIN????? mfs weren’t even chuunin like it just doesn’t make sense, even if it’s like a group of “elite” genin, their blood doesn’t make them fucking invincible.