Naruto, Vol. 1 Review
Masashi Kishimoto's generation-defining ninja epic.
By Web Admin
For millions of readers around the world, manga is Naruto. Created by Masashi Kishimoto, this ninja epic began serialization in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999 and ran until 2014, finishing at a colossal 72 volumes and reportedly selling more than 250 million copies worldwide. It’s one of the “Big Three” shonen that defined an era, and for a whole generation it was the gateway drug to the entire medium. But 72 volumes is a mountain — is Volume 1 still a good place to start climbing? This is our full review.
The answer is yes, with clear eyes about what you’re getting. Volume 1 is a rock-solid, emotionally sharp introduction to a hero who is impossible not to root for, even if the epic it launches is a long-haul commitment.
What is Naruto?
Naruto is a coming-of-age action series set in a world of ninja villages. Its hero is Naruto Uzumaki, a loud, orphaned, prank-playing outcast with a dream of becoming Hokage — the leader and strongest ninja of his Hidden Leaf Village. Volume 1, published in English by VIZ Media at roughly US$10 for around 190 pages, collects the first seven chapters and sets up everything: Naruto’s isolation, his rivals, and the secret that explains why the whole village fears him.
That secret is the emotional core: sealed inside Naruto is the Nine-Tailed Fox, a monstrous spirit that once devastated the village. The adults shun him for a burden he never chose. His journey from hated outcast to respected hero is the spine of all 72 volumes, and it’s genuinely affecting from the very first chapter.
The story: an underdog with heart
Kishimoto’s opening volume is a masterclass in efficient shonen setup. It introduces Naruto’s aching loneliness, gives him a mentor who finally sees his worth (the wonderful Iruka), and pits him against a traitor in a climax that earns real tears. By the end of Volume 1 you understand exactly who Naruto is and why you should care — the mark of a great first volume.
It then assembles Team 7: Naruto, the brooding prodigy Sasuke Uchiha, the smart and determined Sakura Haruno, and their aloof teacher Kakashi. This central trio, and especially the fraught Naruto–Sasuke bond, becomes the emotional engine of the entire series. The “ninja” setting is really a vehicle for a story about found family, hard work, and refusing to give up — the classic shonen values, delivered with unusual sincerity.
What sets Kishimoto apart in these early chapters is how much genuine pain sits under the adventure. Naruto’s mask of loud confidence is a survival mechanism for a child everyone ignored, and the volume lets you feel the loneliness beneath the jokes. When someone finally acknowledges him — really sees him — the moment lands because the book spent real pages earning it. That willingness to sit with a character’s hurt before the payoff is what separates the best shonen from mere spectacle, and it’s present from page one.
The characters
- Naruto Uzumaki — the loud, warm-hearted underdog whose stubborn optimism is his superpower.
- Sasuke Uchiha — the talented, vengeance-driven rival whose arc defines much of the series.
- Sakura Haruno — the third member of Team 7, introduced here with room to grow.
- Kakashi Hatake — the masked, laid-back mentor with hidden depths.
The art and action
Kishimoto’s early art is clean, energetic, and expressive, with a real gift for character design (the world’s ninja are endlessly inventive) and for kinetic fight choreography. The action is built around jutsu — ninja techniques with clever internal logic — rather than simple slugging, which keeps the battles varied. It’s not the most polished art in the medium at this stage, but it’s confident and only improves as the series goes on. By the middle volumes his layouts become genuinely spectacular, and the signature techniques — the shadow clones, the Rasengan, the Sharingan — are drawn with a clarity that makes their rules easy to follow even at their most elaborate.
Is Naruto worth the commitment?
This is the honest question with any 72-volume series. Naruto is famous for its brilliant early-to-middle arcs and for some pacing issues later on, including anime-style padding that the manga mostly avoids but can’t fully escape. Our take: the first several volumes are excellent shonen, the Chunin Exam arc is an all-time great, and even the flawed later stretches deliver huge emotional payoffs. If you love Volume 1, the commitment is worth it — and you can pace yourself with the 3-in-1 editions.
Pros and cons
Pros
- A genuinely moving underdog origin
- Iconic, endlessly imitated shonen character work
- Inventive ninja-technique action
- Complete story you can read start to finish
Cons
- An enormous 72-volume commitment
- Some pacing sag in later arcs
- Early art is solid rather than spectacular
How it compares to other big shonen
Here’s how Naruto sits alongside the other pillars of the genre we most often recommend.
| Series | Creator | Volumes | Started | Complete? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naruto | Masashi Kishimoto | 72 | 1999 | Yes (2014) |
| Bleach | Tite Kubo | 74 | 2001 | Yes (2016) |
| Dragon Ball | Akira Toriyama | 42 | 1984 | Yes (1995) |
| One Piece | Eiichiro Oda | 100+ | 1997 | Ongoing |
For the wider genre, see our best shonen manga guide, and if you enjoy Naruto’s spirit, our Dragon Ball review covers the granddaddy of the form.
Which edition should you buy?
With 72 volumes, edition choice really matters for both your wallet and your shelf.
| Edition | Collects | Approx. price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 paperback | Chapters #1–7 | ~US$10 | Trying it out |
| 3-in-1 edition | Three volumes each | ~US$15 | Best value binge |
| Box Set 1 | Volumes 1–27 | ~US$180 | Committed collectors |
The 3-in-1 editions are the smart choice for most readers — they’re far cheaper per page and slim your shelf from 72 spines to 24. See our best manga box sets guide for the full breakdown.
AmazonCheck price on AmazonThe verdict
Naruto, Vol. 1 earns its landmark status. It’s a warm, funny, and surprisingly emotional origin story that hooks you on an underdog you can’t help but cheer for. It launches a long journey with real highs and a few lows, but the destination is one of the most beloved shonen ever made. It sits proudly on our best manga of all time list and anchors the manga hub. Believe it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Naruto finished?
Yes. Masashi Kishimoto concluded the original Naruto manga in 2014 across 72 volumes. The sequel series Boruto continues the world with a new lead.
How long is Naruto?
The complete manga runs 72 volumes and 700 chapters. Reading it via the 3-in-1 editions means 24 books, which is a more manageable way to collect it.
Is Naruto good for beginners?
Yes — it’s a classic gateway shonen with a clear, emotional hook. Just know it’s a long series; if you prefer something shorter, see our best shonen manga picks for completed alternatives.
Should I buy single volumes or the 3-in-1 editions?
The 3-in-1 editions are far better value and take up much less space. Start with a single Volume 1 to test the waters, then switch to 3-in-1s or a box set.
Next, compare it with the genre’s best in our shonen guide, or browse the full manga hub.
