Story and Art: Masashi Kishimoto
Rating: Teen
$9.99 USA, $12.99 CAN
The past few volumes Masashi Kishimoto has laid the ground work for the war between Madara and the allied shinobi forces. With most of the loose ends tied up and those more pertinent to the series moved to the side for the time being, Volume 55 represents the actual beginning to the war and its full speed ahead from here.
Amidst the political scheming, dazzling ninjutsu, and surprising returns, Kishimoto creates a whirlwind of multiple plots knotting together characters from past and present. Funnily enough, a similar plot line just culminated in One Piece, though where as that was used to bring a close to the first half of that series, this storyline is drawing the curtain on the entire series.
With a recent power-up, it’s time for training, and that’s what Naruto does for the majority of his scenes this volume while the bulk of the story is carried by the supporting characters and those recently resurrected by master schemer Kabuto. Once again, heartfelt moments that should carry emotional weight are fleeting, with Kishimoto putting all his efforts into the bombastic ninja action.
Perhaps the biggest incentive for picking up this volume is to see long dead characters return for one last time to shine. Kishimoto indulges in a bit of fanservice this volume, giving readers a rematch between Kakashi and Zabuza, revealing the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, and Gaara’s speech to the entire shinobi force. Kishimoto punches up the volume with so many big moments that it gives every chapter an important feel, making this easily one of the best to date. The balance of drama and action is still a bit skewed, but not so much this time around that it is noticeably leaning to one side.
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