Review: Naruto - The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring

Title: Naruto - The Seventh Hokage and the Sacred Spring

Volume: 1 (of 1)
Creator: Masashi Kishimoto
Format: Right-to-Left
Original Publisher: SHUEISHA
US Publisher: VIZ
Release Date: 1/5/16
Pages: 216
ISBN: 142158493X
MSRP: $9.99
Genre: Shonen Jump
Rated: T (Teens)

Description: Naruto was a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. Then he channeled that energy into learning amazing ninja techniques and saving the world! Now Naruto has achieved his dream to become the greatest ninja in the village and his face sits atop the Hokage monument. But new troubles are bubbling up in the shinobi world...

With the world now safe and the ninja villages working together, Naruto's work as Hokage seems pretty mundane. Giving his son, Boruto, enough attention is the toughest task he has. But then Sasuke uncovers a conspiracy that may involve surviving members of the Uchiha clan. And at the same time, Sarada is begins to have doubts about the truth of her origins.

Contains Numbers 700+1-700+10:

• Number 700+1: Uchiha Sarada
• Number 700+2: The Sharingan Boy
• Number 700+3: Chance Meeting Part 1
• Number 700+4: Chance Meeting Part 2
• Number 700+5: The Future
• Number 700+6: Without Evolution
• Number 700+7: Genetic Slaves
• Number 700+8: The Real Thing
• Number 700+9: I'll Protect You
• Number 700+10: Reflected In Those Eyes

Review:

Cover: The cover for this single volume epilogue manga of the Naruto series features several characters new and old to the franchise. The standout character is a much older Naruto on the right half of the cover. In the background we have Orochimaru and the antagonist of this story, Uchiha Shin. We also have two of the new next generation ninja, Uchiha Sarada and Akimichi Cho-cho. The title is centered towards the bottom, with the mangaka underneath.

The spine from top-to-bottom contains the Shonen Jump brand logo, the series title, the volume title, the mangaka, an image of Naruto (same from the front cover), and the VIZ company logo.

The back cover has the series and volume title on the top of the cover, followed by the volume summary. The bottom half of the cover has an image with Sarada, Mitsuki, and Boruto; possibly the new Team 7.

To me the cover for this volume is very cluttered. There is a lot of characters and things going on that is a bit distracting from being able to focus on the volume's actual title or purpose. Yes, most of the main characters are present, but it is just a bit too much in my opinion. I do however like the image on the back. We don't get much time with Boruto and Mitsuki yet in the Naruto universe yet, but I feel we will eventually with the new novels and the Boruto manga series coming out in a few months.

Artwork: The artwork for this volume reminds me of some of the earlier volumes of the series. Kishimoto having taken a break from manga for a few months before going back to Naruto seems to be refreshed while drawing these pages. The action scenes aren't over the top like most of the final dozen volumes of the original series, but it doesn't make this volume suffer either.

Translation: Characters, places, and plot are left intact. Attack names, sound effects, and honorifics are ether changed or not present; typical for the Naruto series.

Extras: N/A

Content (Warning: May Contain Spoilers): Over a decade has passed since the Great Ninja War and the ninja world we came to know and love from the original Naruto series has changed dramatically. Naruto is now the Seventh Hokage of Konoha and just about every ninja from the original series has either hooked up and/or had a kid together. This is a story about the said new children of the new world.

The story begins with Uchiha Sarada, Sasuke and Sakura's daughter, questioning who her parents are. Sasuke is never around and all she has is a picture of him which she finds out after braking the frame that it is folded over revealing Karen on the back half. Sarada begins to wonder if Karen is her real mother and when she confronts Sakura, it doesn't turn out well. This begins the chain reaction of the story as Sarada teams up with Chouji's daughter, Cho-cho (who also seems to think her dad isn't her real father), to find out the truth of Sarada's existence.

Sarada and Cho-cho eventually end up meeting up with Naruto who has gone on a mission to find Sasuke. The three end up getting attacked by a mysterious youth along the way named Shin, who appears to be a member of the Uchiha clan.  Our heroes end up making quick work of the mysterious boy who eventually retreats and letting Naruto, Sarada, and Cho-cho finally meet up with Sasuke. Sarada questions her father, but Sasuke doesn't want to be bothered with such matters as he was also attacked by the mysterious Uchiha child and wants answers of his own. Another new enemy arrives with Shin, an older ninja also named Shin who also has the Sharingan ability as well as multiple other Sharingan all over his body. All battle begins and the new Shin appears to have the upper hand until Sakura shows up and causes major damage to him. Shin retreats taking Sakura with him seeing as she is a medical ninja and needs her to heal him.

Back at Shin's hideout we learn that their are many more clones of the child that the adult Shin is harvesting for his own use. He is also trying to revive the Akatsuki and finish what they once started.

Naruto, Sasuke, Sarada, and Cho-cho decide to go to Orochimaru's to figure out what this new enemy is and maybe find some clues to where he is operating from. While Naruto and Sasuke get their answers, Sarada finds Suigetsu and asks him to do a DNA test to find out if she is really related to Sakura or not. When the test comes back negative, Sarada feels she shouldn't help save Sakura cause of the lies she has been told all her life. Naruto talks some sense into Sarada and she finally realizes what the word family really is about. Naruto, Sasuke, Sarada, and Cho-cho go to where Shin's hideout and a final battle plays out. Shin's clones end up killing him in the end. Sakura is saved. The remaining clones are then brought back to Konoha to live as children.

In the end, it doesn't matter who her parents are, Sarada knows it is Sasuke and Sakura in her heart (it is revealed that Suigetsu messed up the DNA test and Sakura really is the mother of Sarada).

I actually really enjoyed this story a lot. It did feel like an episode of Maury though with Sarada trying to find who her real mother was for a while, but for the most part it was a brisk light hearted read that made this a well-rounded story. Fans of the original manga will love this one last romp of the Naruto manga before we enter the Boruto era. Even if you haven't read another Naruto story before it isn't something where you have to read or watch the original series just to understand this tale. It would have been nice to have seen a bit more of Boruto since he is going to be the focus in the upcoming new series, but it was still nice to see some of the newer generation working along side some of our favorite characters.

Objectionable Content:

• Language: No
• Violence: Yes
• Nudity: No
• Sexual Situation: No

Score:

• Cover: 5/10
• Artwork: 7/10
• Translation: 3/10
• Extras: N/A
• Story: 8/10

Overall Rating: 6/10


Where Purchased: Barnes and Nobles
Original Review Date: 3/29/16

Review: Sailor Moon Crystal Act 16 - Abduction - Sailor Mercury

Rubeus takes Mars back to the Dark Moon. Sailor Moon notices that Chibiusa has been watching them the entire time and begins to question her why she is there when Luna steps in to defend Chibiusa. Chibiusa runs away and Sailor /Moon notices the Silver Crystal. Luna tells her she needs to not be so hard on Chibiusa so they can get information out of her. Usagi goes home.

Luna brings Mamoru to where Chibiusa is. Mamoru brings her back to his apartment. Chibiusa has a dream about her parents telling her Sailor Moon is invincible. The world then turns to a dark desolate wasteland. Chibiusa calls out to her parents with no response. She wakes up crying and Mamoru soothes her with a Tuxedo Mask doll. Chibiusa brings out her Luna-P ball and it calls her by her nickname, Small Lady. Mamoru notices the key around her neck and she tells him she can't go home without the key. She won't reveal where her home is, so Mamoru tucks her into bed.

Ami, Makoto, and Minako are back at their base inside the arcade when they get a call from Luna telling them they need to find out who the Black Moon are. Ami is playing chess, when the others ask her questions on the game. She believes the enemy has snuck into their world.

Back at the Black Moon, Saphir tells Demande he will send out more Drones to look for the Rabbit. They reveal they have captured Sailor Mars. Saphir thinks his brother is too aggressive; Rubeus thinks it is fine. They call on Wiseman to start the next phase of their plan. Berthier of the Spectre Sisters will go after Ami in Code 002 Operation "Re-move."

Back at Juban Jr. High, the water pipes around the school are acting weird, some even rupturing. Berthier appears in front of Ami using a dowsing tool. Berthier disappears and Ami suspects she is a part of the Dark Moon. Ami sees on a TV, after she goes for a swim, Berthier about dowsing again and how she can find anything with her ability, including how to win in a game of chess. She calls out Ami for a challenge to prove she can win.

Ami meets up with Berthier for a chess match. Berthier reveals she knows Ami is Sailor Mercury. If Ami wins she will give back Sailor Mars. If Berthier wins, Ami is to give up Chibiusa. Berthier tries to make Ami lose focus. Ami begins to remember her past when her father walked out on her life. The fear of losing more people in her life makes Ami begin to falter. Usagi calls out to her and she is invigorated to win so she can protect the people precious to her. Ami wins the match, but Berthier lied and goes outside the building.

The girls chase after her and get surrounded by drones. Ami transforms and makes quick work of the drones. Berthier catches Mercury in a water prison. Sailor Moon defeats Berthier but its not enough to save her friend. Rubeus shows up and takes Mercury back to the Dark Moon.

Another episode 100% accurate to the original manga; if you were to read the manga along with watching the episode nothing was changed whatsoever. The animation for the second arc continues to surprise me as well. With the first season, the animation seemed a little rushed at times; I haven't seen anything wrong yet with these episodes. It was nice to see a bit more character development as well for Ami. None of the Senshi got to really shine in the first arc, so these episodes at the beginning of this season really show us how these characters really are in their day to day life.

Rating: 8/10

Review: Naruto Hiden - Kakashi's Story - Lightning In The Frozen Sky (Light Novel)

Title: Naruto Hiden 

Volume: 1 (of 6) - Kakashi's Story - Lightning In The Frozen Sky
Creator: Masashi Kishimoto & Akira Higashiyama
Format: Flipped
Original Publisher: SHUEISHA Inc.
US Publisher: Viz
Release Date: 11/3/15
Pages: 202
ISBN: 1421584409
MSRP: $10.99
Genre: Shonen Jump
Rated: T (For Teens)

Description: A new series of prose novels, straight from the worldwide Naruto franchise. Naruto’s allies and enemies take center stage in these fast-paced adventures, which each volume focusing on a particular clanmate, ally, team...or villain.

A year has passed since the Fourth Great Ninja War, and Kakashi’s appointment as Hokage looms. But first he heads to the Land of Waves for a dangerous mission rescuing hostages from a top-secret airship. There he confronts a ninja whose heart is frozen by tragedy.

Having lost both his friend’s eye and his greatest abilities, can Kakashi protect anyone from his coldhearted foe? What is the true meaning of the Will of Fire gained in the distant heavens? Kakashi finds these answers and more as he enters a new ninja era.

Contains Chapters 1-14:

• Prologue - A New Order
• Chapter 1 - Hesitation
• Chapter 2 - Historic Moment
• Chapter 3 - Heavenly Attack
• Chapter 4 - Message Received
• Chapter 5 - Execution
• Chapter 6 - Special Attack! Fists of Seasickness
• Chapter 7 - Frozen Lightning
• Chapter 8 - Five Thousand Meters Until The Edge Of Death
• Chapter 9 - Tsunade's Decision
• Chapter 10 - Heart
• Chapter 11 - Tears of Ice
• Chapter 12 - Human Bomb
• Chapter 13 - Stairway To Heaven
• Chapter 14 - First Order
• Epilogue - Dear Sixth Hokage

Review:

Cover Art: The cover for this novel has a green border and an orange background. The image depicted is of Kakashi in his Hokage coat, with his back towards the reader. What makes the image so cool is it is basically a sketch of our Sixth Hokage, and it looks absolutely amazing. The Naruto title is to the right with Kakashi's Story imprinted underneath it.

The spine is black and from top-to-bottom contains the Shonen Jump imprint, the Naruto series title, the volume title, the writer, and the same image of Kakashi used on the front.

The back cover uses the same background design as the front cover with the orange and green borders. The top has the Kakashi's Story, followed by the actual name of the Novel (Lighting in the Frozen Sky). The summary is directly under this taking up the rest of the cover.

The cover was handled very well. It is pretty much an exact interpretation of the original Japanese Light Novel. I would give it full points, but my only issue is I wish they would have numbering since this is actually the first of six volumes in a series called Naruto Hiden. My only reasoning behind why it does not include the Hiden logo is maybe VIZ wasn't thinking this was not gonna sell as well as the actual mangas did, so they didn't include a numbering in case they wanted to stop midway through the series. They also only have the first three novels officially licensed so far as well.

Translation: The translation is 100% accurate. Besides noticing a few typos in the actual story, it uses a lot of sentence structures at times that makes it like like its almost an exact Japanese to English Translation. This can be bad at times cause grammatically speaking it doesn't always look right when reading it, but I myself can't honestly complain with a translation this spot on to the original.

Content (Warning: May Contain Spoilers): The story starts out with a flashback as Naruto and Kakashi are apprehending a notorious Ninja named Garyo, who wanted to start a rebellion of his own six years prior to the events that take place in the novel. During those six years, Garyo was actually defeated and thrown into a heavily guarded prison.

Word is slowly spreading that Garyo's followers are going to eventually try to break out all of the prisoners and destroy the prison that Garyo is being held in. There is also a new type of transportation about to be unveiled in the world of Ninjas, basically a blimp, and it is being made by the people from the Land of Waves. Kakashi hears some news  from Tsunade about a possible attack on this new innovative machine, so he goes to investigate it for himself which he eventually runs into Might Guy, who is more into seeing how the new machine works at first then rather investigating the potential threat.

As the airship departs on its maiden voyage, Garyo's forces make it known that they are present. Two ninjas, Kayho and Rayho, with the help of more then a dozen underlings take the ship hostage and impose a serious threat that if the Hokage doesn't release Garyo they will kill a hostage every 10 minutes until the airship would eventually reach the prison and they would crash it into the prison itself. It's up to Guy and Kakashi to try to save the hostages from these terrorists and keep the peace of all the nations without the prison being ripped apart.

I really don't want to do a full on summary for this as it is a very good read and if you are any sort of Naruto fan then it should be read. One thing I specifically enjoyed is although this is a Naruto novel, Naruto is not featured much in the overall story (he is only in the prologue and epilogue). This is entirely about Kakashi, with some added humor and help from Might Guy and Sai. It is also worth noting that the action does not just take place in the real world, but also in Kakashi's head, as he is trying to come to terms if he really wants to become the Sixth Hokage of Konoha.

It was also very cool to see some characters that we haven't seen in quite sometime. Inari and the old man from the very first story arc of Naruto make a cameo which is neat as the boy who was once a child from the first 4 manga volumes is now reaching adulthood himself. The writing is done very well so their personalities are still the same from the original story arc.

So the real question is, was this a worthy read, Yes and no. What I really enjoyed was Kakashi's inner struggle the most. When it came to the overall story that dealt with Garyo's men, it just to me felt like a long episode of the show, maybe something they could pull off as a three episode run if they wanted to animate it. The conclusion felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic as well. So if your looking for a story that gets inside of a different characters head, this might be an interesting read, otherwise it might feel like just another filler to the anime story that everyone already hates since it keeps dragging on for eternity.

Objectionable Content:

• Language: No
• Violence: Yes
• Nudity: No
• Sexual Situations: No

Score:

• Cover: 10/10
• Translation: 10/10
• Story: 5/10

Overall Rating: 8/10

Where Purchased: Barnes and Nobles

Original Review Date: 3/26/16

Reviews To Begin Again This Week!!!!

Yes, you read that right! Starting this Sunday (Yes, its Easter), the first new review in quite sometime will be posted. Not just that, but every week there will be a total of three reviews posted, with the possibility of four with the upcoming new Anime Season upon us.

Every Sunday will be a brand new Sailor Moon Crystal Season 2 Review until the series is completed! After Season 2 has finished I will be moving on into Season 3's Death Buster Arc.

Tuesdays will bring about new Manga reviews, with the first one being Naruto - The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring, which ends the Naruto manga series until the Boruto manga comes out in April.

And on Thursdays its gonna be Throwback reviews from my old days writing for Lister X. Believe me when I say I have a ton still to post for these!

I am also currently reviewing the first Light Novel review for the blog, which I will be fitting in somewhere between all of this madness! But you may all get lucky and receive this as an early gift before Easter as well.

Please stay tuned!

Spring Anime Season Premieres Coming This April

Sorry for the lack of posts, I have been under the weather lately so I have not been doing any reviews. I pushed back some of the dates as well if you guys have been following the right side panel lately. Stuff is still getting done behind the scenes, just not as fast as I'd like it to.

Anyways, just here today to show off a couple shows I am really looking forward to watching this coming Spring 2016, along with some release dates!

Anime: Big Order
Release Date: April 16, 2016

10 years ago a child wished for the destruction of the world. Now a Group of people has the ability which grants their wishes depending on their power. They are called "Order User".

Before these great people who has the power of "Order", One person excels most, with the ability to rule and conquer the world and turned people into puppet when it is on his Jurisdiction, that power belongs to Hoshimiya Eiji, who is also responsible with the destructive phenomena happened exactly 10 years ago.









Anime: Endride
Release Date: Spring 2016


The story is set on Endra, an unknown world beneath the surface of Earth itself. It is another world, where the giant Adamas shines above and seven-colored bands drift across the skies.
One day, Shun Asanaga — an ordinary yet positive and bright 15-year-old middle school boy who lived in the "Land Above" — lands in this place. He had discovered a mysterious crystal at his scientific businessman father's company, and the moment he touched the crystal, he was transported to Endra.

He meets Prince Emirio, who strongly despises the current King Deruzain and had just turned 16 at Endra's castle. He became of age to ascend to the throne, and he wields a weapon to seek his vengeance at last, but the difference in strength proves to be insurmountable. Captured and imprisoned by Deruzain, Emirio is heartbroken. But then, the walls of the prison suddenly become distorted, and Shun appears within them.

Two youths live in Endra — one to return his former world, and one to exact revenge. The future that is within the grasp of two youths raised in different worlds…

Anime: Hundred

Release Date: Spring 2016
The story begins with the Hundred, the only weapon that can counter the mysterious Savage life form attacking Earth. To become a Slayer (master of military arts) who wields this Hundred, the main character Hayato Kisaragi successfully enrolls in the marine academy city ship Little Garden. However …

"I wanted to meet you, Hayato!!"
"W–who are you…?"

Hayato feels a strange yet familiar sense of incongruity towards Emil Crossford, his roommate who somehow knows him from somewhere. On top of that, as soon as he enters the school, he is challenged to a duel by the "Queen" (the school's most powerful Slayer) Claire Harvey!

Anime: Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Part 4 - Diamond Is Unbreakable

Release Date: Spring 2016

Part 4 focuses on Josuke Higashikata, the illegitimate son of Joseph Joestar, with Jotaro Kujo and Joseph Joestar along in a supporting role.

Anime: Kiznaiver

Release Date: April 9, 2016

The fictional Japanese city named Sugomori City is built on reclaimed land. But as the years go by, the city's population is decreasing. One day, Sonosaki tells her classmate Katsuhira: "You have been selected to be a Kiznaiver." The Kizuna System, which allows Katsuhira to share his wounds, connects him to the classmates whose lives and personalities completely differ from his. The Kizuna System is an incomplete system for the implementation of world peace that connects people through wounds. All those who are connected to this system are called Kiznaivers. When one Kiznaiver is wounded, the system divides and transmits the wound among the other Kiznaivers.

Anime: Magi: Season 3
Release Date: Spring 2016



Season 3 will be a prequel series following the adventures of Sinbad as he clears the worlds first dungeons.

Anime: Mobile Suit Gundam 0096

Release Date: April 3, 2016

U.C. 0096. Three years after Char’s rebellion, Banagher Links, a boy who lives on the manufacturing colony Industrial 7, meets a mysterious girl named Audrey Burne. She claims to seek to prevent a potential war by interfering with the transfer of “Laplace's Box” from the Vist Foundation to a Neo Zeon remnant group known as the “Sleeves”.
However, when a Federation squad also sent to prevent the transfer clashes with the Sleeves, the colony is plunged into battle.
As Banager races through the flames in search of Audrey, one other fateful encounter awaits him—the Unicorn Gundam, a pale white mobile suit that's the key to Laplace's Box.

What is Laplace’s Box? What are the secrets that it holds? For the first time in 100 years, light will shine on the darkest secrets of the Universal Century...

Anime: My Hero Academia

Release Date: April 3, 2016

What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested extraordinary superpowers called “Quirks” at age four? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Becoming a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? U.A. High's Hero Program of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?

Middle school student Izuku Midoriya wants to be a hero more than anything, but he hasn't got an ounce of power in him. With no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes, his life is looking more and more like a dead end. Then an encounter with All Might, the greatest hero of them all gives him a chance to change his destiny…






Anime: Sailor Moon Crystal - Season 3
Release Date: Spring 2016

The new season will assemble all 10 Senshi — specifically, the popular outer Senshi such as Sailor Uranus, Sailor Neptune, and Sailor Saturn will join Sailor Moon, Sailor Chibi Moon, and the others. The new season will adapt the arc from the fifth and sixth volumes of the complete edition of Naoko Takeuchi's original Sailor Moon manga.

Anime: Twin Star Exorcists

Release Date: April 6, 2016

Rokuro dreams of becoming anything but an exorcist! Then mysterious Benio turns up. The pair are dubbed the "Twin Star Exorcists" and learn they are fated to marry...
Can Rokuro escape both fates?

When Rokuro's best friend Ryogo goes missing, Rokuro is forced to ask Benio for help to enter Magano, the realm of the evil Kegare, to rescue him!

This is only some of the awesome new shows to look out for this coming season. I tried to structure this post as best as possible so if it looks weird sorry for the inconsistencies. Besides the Sailor Moon Crystal stuff, I may be doing another series or two from the new season for reviews after the first episode airs of them. 

And as I said previously, look forward to tons of new stuff coming in the next couple weeks when reviews will be posted more on a regular basis.