Naruto Review: The Manga That Taught Me It's Okay to Be the Outcast
by Masashi Kishimoto
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Quick Take
- A 72-volume epic about an outcast ninja who refuses to give up — and eventually wins the whole world over
- One of the best-selling manga of all time, and for good reason: the emotional core hits hard even decades later
- If you only read one shonen manga in your life, make it this one
Who Is This Manga For?
Naruto is for you if:
- You grew up feeling like you didn't belong — like no one really saw you
- You love action stories with real emotional weight behind the fights
- You want a long, satisfying journey with characters you'll actually care about
- You're new to manga and want a safe, beloved starting point
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: T (Teen) Content Warnings: Violence (ninja battles, some blood), themes of death and loss, mild language
The violence is action-style — intense but not graphic. Some story arcs deal heavily with grief, trauma, and war. Nothing inappropriate for teenagers, but younger kids might find some parts emotionally heavy.
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★★★ |
| Art Style | ★★★★☆ |
| Character Development | ★★★★★ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★★★☆ |
| Reread Value | ★★★★★ |
Story Overview
Uzumaki Naruto is a boy who has been alone his whole life. He grows up in the Hidden Leaf Village, but nobody wants to be near him — because sealed inside his body is the Nine-Tailed Fox, a monstrous creature that once nearly destroyed the village. The adults fear him. The kids avoid him. He's the kid who sits alone at lunch every single day.
But Naruto has one dream: to become Hokage, the strongest ninja and leader of the village. Not for power. For recognition. He just wants someone — anyone — to finally see him.
The story follows Naruto from his early days as the worst student in ninja academy, through his time on Team Seven with his rival Sasuke and teammate Sakura, under the guidance of their teacher Kakashi. What starts as training missions slowly becomes something much bigger — rival villages, missing-nin, ancient conspiracies, and eventually a war that threatens the entire world.
At its heart though, Naruto is a story about one question: can someone rejected by everyone still become someone worth believing in?
Characters
Uzumaki Naruto — Loud, impulsive, and kind of annoying at first. But underneath that is someone who has never once stopped trying, no matter how many times he gets knocked down. His growth over 72 volumes is genuinely one of the best in manga.
Uchiha Sasuke — Naruto's rival and the emotional counterweight of the series. Brilliant and cold, carrying a tragedy that shapes every decision he makes. His story is darker than Naruto's and just as compelling.
Haruno Sakura — Gets criticized a lot by fans, but her arc in the later volumes shows real growth. Her dedication as a medical ninja and her emotional intelligence are underrated.
Hatake Kakashi — The cool, mysterious teacher with a face you never see. One of the most beloved characters in the series for a reason. His backstory, when it finally comes, will wreck you.
Gaara of the Sand — Introduced as an enemy, becomes one of the most important characters in the series. His parallel story to Naruto — also alone, also a monster to his village — is where the manga really reveals what it's about.
Uchiha Itachi — I won't say much. Just know that when the truth about him is revealed, everything you thought you knew turns upside down.
Art Style
Kishimoto's art starts rough and gets progressively more detailed and confident. The early volumes have a raw energy — loose lines, exaggerated expressions. By the middle of the series, the action sequences are dynamic and easy to follow. The character designs are iconic: Naruto's orange jumpsuit, Kakashi's face mask, the various clan markings and symbols all feel distinct and memorable.
The jutsu (technique) designs are especially creative — hand seals, elemental transformations, summoning creatures. It's the kind of art that makes you want to flip back and look at panels twice.
Cultural Context
Understanding a few things will make Naruto richer for non-Japanese readers:
The Hokage system is roughly like a mix between a general and a mayor — the strongest protector who also leads the community. Naruto's desire to become Hokage isn't about military power. It's about being acknowledged by your community.
The "Will of Fire" is a recurring concept — the idea that the love of the village, passed from generation to generation, is what gives ninjas their strength. It's deeply rooted in Japanese ideas about community, duty, and what you owe to the people who came before you.
The Nine-Tailed Fox draws from real Japanese folklore. Kitsune (fox spirits) appear throughout Japanese mythology as powerful, sometimes dangerous, sometimes protective entities. Making Naruto the vessel for one is a clever choice that connects to something deeply embedded in the culture.
What I Love About It
I first read Naruto when I was in elementary school. I was going through a bad time — isolated, invisible, the kind of kid that other kids just didn't include. I didn't have a nine-tailed fox sealed inside me, but I understood what it felt like to walk into a room and have everyone look away.
Naruto never gives up. Not because he's unbeatable. Because he literally does not know how to quit. And watching him — this loud, ridiculous kid that nobody wanted — slowly earn the respect of every single person who once dismissed him... it mattered to me in a way I couldn't explain back then.
The moment that stays with me is the fight with Pain. Naruto returns to the village after it's been destroyed, and for the first time, everyone — the people who avoided him his whole life — are chanting his name. Kishimoto doesn't make it feel triumphant in a cheap way. It feels earned. Years of struggle, all arriving at once.
I still get chills thinking about it.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Naruto has a massive Western fanbase, and the discussion is mostly positive with some nuance. A lot of fans love Part 1 (volumes 1–27) unconditionally — the Chunin Exams arc and the early character dynamics are considered near-perfect shonen storytelling.
Part 2 (Shippuden era, volumes 28–72) gets more mixed reactions. The Fourth Great Ninja War arc runs very long, and some readers feel it loses focus. But even critics usually say the emotional payoffs — particularly around Naruto and Sasuke's final confrontation — land hard.
Reddit's r/Naruto tends to rank it alongside One Piece and Dragon Ball as a foundational pillar of the genre. Goodreads reviewers often mention it as a series they read in middle or high school and then returned to as adults, finding new layers in the themes of trauma, forgiveness, and inherited hatred.
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
The scene where Naruto learns the truth about Itachi Uchiha.
For most of the series, Itachi is presented as a monster — the man who slaughtered his own clan and left his little brother Sasuke as the only survivor. When the full truth finally comes out, it recontextualizes everything. Every cruel thing Itachi did, he did out of love. He chose to be hated by the person he loved most so that the village could survive.
It's the kind of reveal that makes you go back and reread scenes you've already read, seeing them completely differently. Kishimoto hid it in plain sight the whole time.
Similar Manga
If you liked Naruto, try:
- My Hero Academia — Another underdog hero story, similar emotional beats, more modern
- Bleach — Same Weekly Shonen Jump era, darker aesthetic, spectacular fights
- Fullmetal Alchemist — Tighter story, similar themes of brotherhood and sacrifice, often recommended as "even better"
- Black Clover — More recent, clearly inspired by Naruto, great for fans who want something familiar
Reading Order / Where to Start
Start from Volume 1 — this is not a series you jump into the middle of. The payoffs in later volumes only work because of how much time you've spent with these characters.
Natural break points if you want to test it first:
- Volumes 1–7 (Academy and Team formation) — gives you a good sense of the series
- Volumes 1–27 (Part 1, complete) — many fans consider this the best arc, and it works as a standalone story of sorts
If you get through Volume 5 and still don't care about Naruto, this series probably isn't for you. Most people are hooked by then.
Official English Translation Status
Status: Complete English Volumes: 72 (all volumes available) Translator: VIZ Media Translation Quality: Excellent — VIZ has been translating Naruto since 2003 and the quality is consistent throughout
All 72 volumes are available in English in both digital and physical formats. No waiting required — you can read the entire series right now.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- One of the most emotionally resonant stories in manga — the outcast-to-legend arc genuinely earns its payoff
- 72 volumes means hundreds of hours of reading if you love it
- Complete — no waiting for new volumes
- Excellent English translation widely available
- Multiple formats: individual volumes, 3-in-1 omnibus, Kindle
Cons
- 72 volumes is a big commitment — not for casual readers
- Part 2 (Shippuden era) drags in places, particularly the war arc
- Sakura's characterization in early volumes hasn't aged as well
- Early art is noticeably rougher than the later volumes
Format Comparison
| Format | Volumes | Price per vol. (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paperback (individual) | 72 vols | ~$8–10 | Collectors, shelf display |
| 3-in-1 Omnibus | 24 vols (3-in-1) | ~$13–15 | Best value for physical |
| Kindle | 72 vols | ~$6–8 | Reading anywhere, instant access |
Recommendation: If you want to test it first, start with Kindle Vol. 1 (~$6). If you're already committed, the 3-in-1 omnibus is the best value for physical readers.
Where to Buy
You can find all Naruto volumes on Amazon — Kindle, paperback, and omnibus editions are all available.
Start here:
- 📱 Naruto Vol. 1 — Kindle Edition — Best way to try it first
- 📚 Naruto Vol. 1 — Paperback — Classic physical edition
- 📦 Naruto 3-in-1 Omnibus Vol. 1 (vols. 1–3) — Best value for physical readers
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*Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Written by
Yu
Manga Enthusiast from Japan
I grew up in Japan and manga literally saved me during a tough time in elementary school. My English isn't perfect, but my love for manga is real — and I want to share it with you.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.