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Kokoro Connect The Complete TV Series (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : November 9, 2013
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Kokoro ConnectTitle: Kokoro Connect The Complete TV Series

Director: Shinya Kawamo

Studio: Silver Link

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks / Section 23

U. S. Release Date: Oct. 22nd, 2013

Format: Blu-ray / 13 Episodes / 325 Minutes

Genre: Supernatural, Coming of Age, Romance, Drama, Seinen

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Grade: A

 

Synopsis:

The five members of the Cultural Study group that meets in class 401 have spent a lot of time wondering what it would be like to be in someone else’s shoes. But they’re about to learn that there’s a huge difference between thinking about it and literally BEING in someone else’s shoes! That’s exactly what happens when, suddenly and inexplicably, they each find themselves inside the body of the girl – or boy – next door!

What happens next? Well, besides bringing a whole new meaning to the term “exchange student” and the to-be-expected freaked-out runs to the bathroom, it’s not hard to do the math: take one wrestling geek, the resident cool girl, the class clown, the popular chick and one sultry maid of mystery, scramble thoroughly and divide, and you can bet that pretty soon they’ll be answering ALL of the questions they never wanted to know about the opposite sex in ways they never anticipated!

Commentary:

I always cringe a little when I hear that a show is about people swapping bodies. Kokoro Connect only made me cringe because it is so good and how it manages to hit some genuine nerves with respect to the human condition. I have not felt this strong about a series since AnoHana made to our market. Kokoro Connect goes straight for that dynamic of exploring our relationships and our own frailties.

The animation style reminds me of the simplistic intimacy the K-ON! delivers or many of the other straight forward slice of life series. The one major difference is the solid development of the characters and the superb writing that brings the series to life. Each one of these students have a plenty of experiences that have helped form who they are, but they are just discovering the people they have become and how to move forward. Each are full and rich with plenty to say and it is very easy to become sympathetic toward them and their world.

The one thing that hit me the hardest was the honesty that came from the writing and exposed itself through these characters. This is where it made me cringe because of the way that they allow these characters to expose themselves and the things that they confess. There are things said that I can honestly say I would never expect to hear from anyone, but seeing it in this format makes those comments seem even more honest and revealing.

Overall Grade: A

Kokoro Connect is not for everyone and because of some of the conversations that happen I would say that it should really be rated 16 +. That doesn’t take away from the quality of the series and in fact adds to its overall attractiveness. Don’t expect this to be a sexy romp through adolescence, but rather a honest view of humans at this age and the things that make us who we are. There is one area that the Japanese are great at and they are coming of age stories that tug at our heart strings and Kokoro Connect hits a home run and just made it on to my to ten of 2013 releases. Be sure to check this one out.

Similar Anime:

AnoHana: The Flower We Saw That Day, K-ON! , Tari Tari and Hanasaku Iroha are all in line with Kokoro Connect. AnoHana does explore the aspects of relationships and the dark secrets that we all hold back from each other. K-On!, Hanasaku Iroha and Tari Tari follow a much simpler format of exploration of coming of age but they still deal directly with how we discover how to maintain relationships with those close to us as we age and life becomes more complicated. There are plenty of other series that take on relationships and if you want to feel something other than just a punch of adrenaline then you should be sure to pick one of these series up.

 

Akira 25th Anniversary Edition (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : November 7, 2013
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Akira 25th Anniversary EditionTitle: Akira 25th Anniversary Edition Combo Pack

Director: Katsuhiro Oromo

Studio: TMS Entertainment

U. S. Distributor: FUNimation

U. S. Re-Release Date: Nov. 12, 2013

Format: DVD / Blu-ray / Feature Film / 124 Minutes

Genre: Cyber Punk, Sci Fi

Overall Grade: A-

 

Synopsis:

 

Clandestine army activities threaten the war-torn city of Neo-Tokyo when a mysterious being with powerful psychic abilities escapes his prison and inadvertently draws a violent motorcycle gang into a heinous web of experimentation. As a result, a biker with a twisted mind embarks on a path of war, seeking revenge against a society that once called him weak.

This 25th Anniversary Edition features both the original 1988 Streamline English dub and the 2001 Pioneer/Animaze English dub!

Commentary:

It is always fun to look back at these classic ground breaking anime films when they hit special anniversaries. 25 years doesn’t seem that long ago to me but for most of the anime fans that will see this film 25 years encompasses a great deal of time. When ever a older show is re-mastered and put out in these special disc sets the question always reverts back to the look and in the case of Akira it just might be a good thing that it turned 25 now. The re-mastering of the movies is superb and ends up making the film look as fresh today as it was when it was first released. In many ways I can even say that I like the look now better than some of the older issues. I always felt like the Bandai version was a little tired, but with this new re-mastered look it is crisp and sharp and worth replacing your old version with this new one.

There is also the ability to watch the two versions side by side and once and for all make your own call as to which is better. I personally like the dub with Johnny Young Bosh. I’m not saying that the Pioneer dub is best, I am just saying that I like Johnny Young Bosh’s version of Kaneda. As for the rest of the film it still holds the same essence and power of the seminal anime that it is.

Of course the story is hard hitting and rather dark, but the whole ideal of the cyber punk world is dark and rather hopeless. I can’t say that governments have become any better or the world has changed that much in the last 25 years, I just have a feeling that we have grown weary of these dark stories of a world that presents itself as a place none of us want to end up being. The late 80’s was a time of fear and loathing and it wasn’t until the wall came down and things began to turn around that we started feeling better about our selves. Akira, presents a persona of us that is pure for the time and also warn that if we didn’t get it together our future would end up as crappy as theirs. We still have a lot to learn and many generation will struggle through these issues, but maybe if we look back at films like Akira we can see ourselves in a new light and stop the madness.

Overall Grade: A-

Akira is a great film and it is great to see the care that was taken to bring it back to life. The re-mastering is beautiful and the fact that we have the opportunity to see both versions of the film is important. Overall there is still a little bit of a breakdown in the american dubs over the original Japanese version and context can mean a great deal. If you have seen this film and like it I think you will really enjoy seeing it this version. If you are a hard core fan then I don’t see how you have a chose and should run right out and by the first copy you see. I know you will be very pleased.

In 1988 I was able to see it on VHS and didn’t think too much of the film at the time. I was just beginning a artist residency and the world was full of films like Brazil, Repo Man, Eraser Head, Heavy Metal all topped the charts for cult classics and even the remastering of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis was making its way through the art house film market. With all of these other films out there and the persistent issue of it Akira being anime it was lost to the U. S. I am very glad to see it get it recognition with this 25th Anniversary Edition. Way to go FUNimation for stepping up and doing the right thing.

Campione: Complete Collection on Blu-ray (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : November 6, 2013
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Campione: Complete Collection on Blu-rayTitle: Campione: Complete Collection on Blu-ray

Director: Keizo Kusakawa

Studio: Diomeda

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks / Section 23

U. S. Release Date: Oct. 15th, 2013

Format: Blu-ray / 13 Episodes / 325 minutes

Genre: Fantasy, Harem, Comedy, Action, Adventure

Age Rating: TV MA

Overall Grade: B+

 

Synopsis:

Some people suddenly find religion, but for 16-year-old Kusanagi Godo, it’s that REALLY old time religion that’s found him! As the result of defeating the God of War in mortal combat, Godo’s stuck with the unwanted position of Campione, or God Slayer, whose duty is to fight Herectical Gods whenever they try to muscle in on the local turf.

Not only is this likely to make Godo roadkill on the Highway to Heaven, it’s also a job that comes with a lot of other problems. Like how to deal with the fact that his “enhanced status” is attracting a bevy of overly worshippy female followers. After all, they’re just there to aid him in his demi-godly duties, right? So why is it that their leader, the demonically manipulative sword-mistress Erica Brandelli, seems to have such a devilish interest in encouraging some VERY unorthodox activities?

Commentary:

Campione blends several different genre into a harem anime. It starts off with what could be a simple fantasy into something and turns into a rather fun romance with plenty of action. The harem and romance ends up being less important than the action and the solid plot devices used. The thought of someone becoming a God Slayer is rather interesting in of itself, but to have them gain power by slaying those Gods adds another layer of intrigue to the story. There is also the way that in which the Gods are defeated that makes the battles worth while. They do not loose just because of sheer determination or power, but rather knowledge of who and what they really are. I can honestly say that the way Kusinagi Godo ends up gaining the knowledge he needs is rather silly, but it manages to tie in much of the fan service and makes the harem aspect of the story seem more plausible.

The writing for the series is interesting enough to keep you moving through the story and hold your attention. The animation is above par and really does help accentuate the series by making rich and full of life. Each character is appealing in their own right and even the reluctant hero doesn’t come across to wimpy.  With such a strong production values and character development along with some rather interesting plot devices Campione comes together rather nicely.

Overall Grade: B+

There is plenty of good stuff going on in Campione, but the one area that I found to fall apart a little was the way in which the story developed. It moved rather quickly which isn’t alway bad. For Campione the speed of development detracted from from the series ability to get properly tell the story. Early on I felt left out and as we get further into the story I would have loved to had more explanation of the world that these people come from. Unfortunately, we never really get a full disclosure and in the end we are left wanting much more than I would like. With that said, Campione is still a fun and exciting series that give us plenty to think about and to enjoy. So, if you like anime with a goofy historical bent and a harem that doesn’t mind swaoing spit then you will really enjoy this one.

Brave 10 Premium Edition (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : November 2, 2013
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Brave 10Title: Brave 10 Premium Edition

Director: Kiyoko Sayama

Studio: Studio Sakimakura / TMS Entertainment

U. S. Distributor: NIS America

U. S. Release Date: Oct. 8th, 2013

Format: Blu-ray / 12 Episodes / 309 Minutes

Genre: Historical, Action, Adventure, Romance

Age Rating: TV 13

Overall Grade: B+

 

Synopsis:

Life is tough during the Warring States period of medieval Japan: lords battle lords for control of the country, while samurai and mystical warriors do their bidding from the shadows. Backstabbing and betrayal are common, and legendary ninja Saizo Kirigakure has had enough. He lives only for himself – until a girl with a mysterious dark power falls into his arms.

Saizo quickly finds himself dragged into a struggle between powerful warlord Ieyasu Tokugawa, and the strange but alluring Yukimura Sanada. He becomes one of “Sanada’s Ten Braves,” who use their mystical powers and ninja abilities to protect the people and things they care about the most.

 

Commentary:

Brave 10 is the newest release from NIS and once again they find a way to bring us a fun and entertaining anime. Brave 10 does plenty to reference the historical myth of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Iga and Koga ninja. This loose connection to history makes the series even more fun. The richness of the blend of fantasy and history keeps you trying to tie the two together. The Japanese love to add mystical powers to their warrior and Brave 10 brings out all the stops by giving each a power that should have no rivals and of course the reluctant hero ends up bring the brightest star of them all.

The animation is well done and plays an important part of holding the story together. Without the visual strength the plot would have ended up being flat and lifeless and all too often these types of stories tend to lean on the strength of the writing and loose a bit of punch in the animation but there are a few others that have given the production value this type of high attention to detail. It is refreshing to have the genre come out of NIS and even more fun to just sit back and watch it.

Extra:

As with all of the premium editions from NIS there is a large format book included with the package. Brave 10’s book provides a synopsis of each episode and then a rather slick presentation of the characters and their abilities and powers. The print quality of the book is top notch and does a great job of rounding out the overall package.

 

Overall Grade: B+

While I enjoyed Brave 10 very much I did find myself getting lost from time to time and a little frustrated with the overall writing. Other than that I found the other parts to come to gather and help hold up the series for what it was. I am disappointed that as of now there is not a follow up of the series, it did leave us off with the beginning of a great war approaching but it doesn’t look like we will ever get the opportunity to see. For all of you fans of historical anime and in particular the Edo Period, Brave 10 will be something just right for you. If you are just looking for a entraining series that offers plenty of action with a little romance thrown in then you should try to check it out, I think you will be pleased.

Maken-ki! Battling Venus (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : November 1, 2013
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ItemDescription-45Title: Maken-ki! Battling Venus Complete Series Combo

Director: Koichi Ohata

Studio: AIC

U. S. Distributor: FUNimation

U. S. Release Date: Nov. 12th, 2013

Format: Blu-ray / DVD / 12 episodes + OVA

Genre: Echii, Romanic Comedy, Supernatural, Harem

Age Rating: TV MA

Overall Personal Rating: C

 

Synopsis:

 

Takeru enrolled in Tenbi Academy because the girl-to-guy ratio is, like, three girls for every guy. But this bevvy of bombshells is actually a school where teens beef up their combat skills using a magic power thingy called a Maken. Redheads with wicked high kicks, shocking blonde bullies, and aggressive brunettes are everywhere. And every time there’s a brawl, their clothes tend to disintegrate.

Distracted by all the bouncy brawlers, Takeru has a hard time concentrating on his training. Things get sticky when the hornball can’t figure out how to use his Maken. If he doesn’t find his mojo quick, he’ll be dumped by the school of his dreams – or destroyed by an attacker who’s after his magic power thingy!

Commentary:

I am always amazed at how a series that has a rather entertaining plot can reduce its own worth by becoming nothing more than a vehicle for fan service. Maken-ki is just that series, I’ve seen it all too often with other before it like Ikki Tousen and Sekirei, but in the case of Maken-ki it does manage to let a little more plot shine through. I do have to tip my hat to the homage it pays to several other series and at the same time try to find some reasonably new ground for itself.

I understand who the audience is and also get the reason for the series itself, but I still think there could be a way to serve both and still have a strong series in the end. Maken-ki! is fun for what it is and it does a fine job of sticking to the standard harem format and provides plenty of interesting characters, but the in the end the fan service ends up ruling the day. Be prepared for plenty of breast in all their glory and a regular plethora of panty shots that begin in the opening scene.

Overall Grade: C

If you are looking for a series that is full of the hot young high school girls and a minimal plot line then this one is for you. It is a veritable parade of panty shots and bathing beauties that end up having a few fights along the way. If you enjoyed Sekirei or Ikki Tousen you will find Maken-ki right up your ally.

Psyren vol. 13 (manga review)

Posted by :Patches On : October 31, 2013
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Psyren vol. 13Title: Psyren vol. 13

Author/Artist: Toshiaki Iwashiro

Distributor: Viz Media

American Release Date: Nov. 5th, 2013

Format: Manga

Genre: Action, Supernatural, Comedy

Publisher Age Rating: T+ for older teen

Overall Personal Rating: B

 

Synopsis:

When Ageha, Sakurako and Kabuto are once more whisked away to Psyren, they find a large colony of survivors inhabiting the sanctuary known as the Root. When they are attacked by an elite Taboo fighting corps called the Scurge, Ageha and his friends must fight off the invaders to save the colony – which includes members of Ageha’s lost family!

How will Ageha react when he see’s family member he though were long lost? Will everything he knows or believes be tested to the point of sanity or will all of this roll off him just like water on a duck? Last but not least, what do Ageha and Sakurako feel about each other?

Commentary:

Psyren is a complicated story with plenty of mystery and intrigue. Of course there is the one person hell bent on destroying humanity and W. I. S. E. is out to remake the planet in their own image. After bouncing back and forth through time our hero’s are now back in their own world time line but it isn’t long before they get sent back to the future. The great thing about how they are transported back and forth is that they seem to lose their memories and only retain a few glimpse that come across like dream. This makes the plot even more solid when the other aspect of resetting or resurrecting the world aging ends up changing things. This adds confusion to the movement through time and also adds more drama to the plot.

At this point in the story it is hard to tell where every thing stands and it feels like there is a lot more to understand about everyone involved even though it is already on volume 13. With only 3 more volumes to go to complete the series I feel as though a lot of ground must be covered. This may be problematic with the pacing of the first 13 volumes, but it might just be what this series need to elevate it to the next levee.

Overall Grade: B

Most of the action in Psyren is strong enough keep it in world of the shonen and the underlying premiss helps keep it solid in the world of the supernatural. I just ended up a little flat on how it is all coming together. I know it is easy to concentrate on the fights and begin to give more powers to our hero’s, but when things begin to unravel because things have moved to slowly it spells disaster for a ending that need some very solid explanation to close it all off.

So far, Psyren is a fun read with plenty to keep me coming back. This is a solid read for those shonen fans looking for something that has a few new twist and turns but overall I’m not too sure how easy it will be to finish it off. I will be sure to stay tuned to find out.

Karakuridoji Ultimo Volume 9 Manga Review

Posted by :Joann On : October 30, 2013
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Ultimo 9Title: Karakuridoji Ultimo 9 Volume 9

Original Concept: Stan Lee

Story and Art: Hiroyuki Takei

U. S. Distributor: Viz

U. S. Release Date: Nov. 5, 2013

Format:  Manga/210 pages

Genre: Shonen, Action, Adventure

Age Rating: T+

Overall Personal Rating: B

It is the time of the Hundred Machine Funeral; the ultimate battle between good and evil, all plotted by Dunstan. The question remains, what really is good?

Synopsis:

Some of them attend Eco’s funeral. The only way to set this right is to win the Hundred Machine Funeral, then everything will return to the way it was. It is more than just destroying the enemy. The winner will be the side that gets the others to change sides. Yamato knows he needs all the power of the Doji behind him to beat Dunstan since he has the power of the future.

Tensions are high, yet there is a reserve in order to not to kill, but change hearts. Things are chaotic, lines and plans aren’t clear. A fight breaks out between Kodaira and Akitsu. Jun seems to have a death wish. In a dramatic and graphic twist, Kiyose uses memory and manipulation to transport them into to a WWII battle. But, is his heart reachable? K is confronted and Jun tries to take control of Vice. Hibari and Gage are training and stumble into the conflict. As they too engage in battle, the lines become unclear.

Commentary:

I always find myself calling it Ultimo, but there is an American comic Ultimo also with Stan Lee, which isn’t the same thing at all. Karakuridoji Ultimo is a blend of east and west as a collaboration. As this story goes, anything goes. It is complex to the point of confusing with rule twists, time and location jumps, and chaotic battle events. Since there isn’t a clear linear path, I don’t even have a sense where this is headed. The character, their relationships with the Doji and transformation are also complicated. Except for a bit with Eco and Yamoto, the characters don’t draw me into their story, leaving the action much less engaging. I stress that this is the way I struggle to understand the story. There are definitely others who roll with it all and get caught up in the action.

What Karakuridoji Ultimo does well is the art work. The illustrations are wonderfully dramatic and bold with heavy inking. The design is energetic and there is a lot of skill in portraying the characters. Much of it seems more akin to western comics than an average manga as the pictures are also a blend of east and west. The WWII scenes were extremely dramatic and disturbing. Even so, as they seem to be making an important point, it ended with no noticeable result. As the book later ended in the middle of a scene, this still might be pulled together in another volume.

 

Overall Grade: B I  ncredible images flounder in a complex story with no clear path.

 

Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower

Posted by :Patches On : October 27, 2013
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Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost TowerTitle: Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower

Director: Masahiko Murata

Studio: Toho

U. S. Distributor: Viz Media

U. S. Release Date: Sept. 17th, 2013

Format: DVD / Feature Film / 85 Minutes

Genre: Shonen, Supernatural, Action, Adventure

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Rating: B

 

Synopsis: 

The Rogue Ninja Mukade is about to be caught by Naruto’s team when he summons forth the power of the Ley Line – an ancient underground channel of chakra. Naruto gets caught up in the chakra and is sent back in time to the city of Loran, known for its thousand towers. There he encounters the future Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, on a top-secret mission and the Queen of Loran, Sara, whose rule is threatened by Mukade. Will Naruto be able to return to his own time, and can a chance encounter in the past save the future?

Commentary:

In the world of Naruto the movies are always a straight forward take on the famous Naruto frame of mind and The Lost Tower is no exception. With the action coming at you in the opening scenes it doesn’t take long before the premiss is set up. The one major difference about The Lost Tower is that time travel comes into play. It takes Naruto away form his familiar team, but gives him another group to bond with that is very important to his life and he just is too busy to realize it. There is one major addition to this other team that adds a little fun to the story. I’m not going to spoil it for and no it is not the Fourth Hokage.

The movies is set up with some very familiar plot devices, such as a princess in distress and an evil advisor bent on ruling instead. I guess that if all else fails the writing staff and come up with another “save the princess” story to make a movie about. Although it is clear that this plot line is something overused, but in this case I didn’t really mind it so much. The one thing that bothered me was the sheer naivety that Naruto continues to exhibit. When faced with his new allies and with his predicament explained to him, he doesn’t seem to connect the dots and realize who he is working with. And then at the end when his team leader, Yamato, returns to the story he knows exactly what is going on and who he is in the presence of. This blind simpleton aspect of Naruto has always been a sore spot with me and in this movie it is the one thing that stands out as it’s blatant weakness.

Overall Grade: B

With so much of this film following a standard format I still found it very entertaining and even with Naruto’s blank canvas of a mind I overcame my frustration and came away liking it very much. In the world of Naruto movies I can’t place this one close to the top, but it is solidly in the middle of the pact. For all those hard core Naruto fans I can only think that they will be pleased, For anyone who is coming to Naruto for the first time I can say that story just might be even more fun for them.

Extra:

There is a short feature that is included. Naruto and his friends come across a magical genie in a bottle. The time has come for the last wish, but Naruto just may squander it!

 

Tiger & Bunny the Movie: The Beginning (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : October 25, 2013
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Tiger & Bunny the Movie: The BeginningTitle: Tiger & Bunny the Movie: The Beginning

Director: Yoshitomo Yonetani

Studio: Sunrise

U. S. Distributor: Viz Media

U. S. Release Date: Oct. 1st, 2013

Format: DVD / Feature Film / 94 minutes

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Grade: B+

 

Synopsis:

 

In the metropolis of Stern Bild, there are heroes who wear the logos of sponsors and protect the city from danger. Their exploits are broadcast on the popular HERO TV. Wild Tiger (Kotetsu T. Kaburagi) is a veteran superhero past his peak who is ordered by his company to team up with the rookie hero Barnaby Brooks Jr. Can these two mismatched superheroes overcome their differences to protect the city?

Commentary:

Tiger and Bunny are coming at us from every direction now and for a series that is 25 episodes long it sure has made itself known. With this first film the opening of the series is recapped, and at first it feels just like the original series, but it doesn’t take long for some new shorelines begin to show up. Although there is really nothing new about the series added there is another element added to these hero’s personas and the essence of who they really are. In the series Barnaby takes a while before you realize that beneath that cold point hungry exterior that there is a person who cares about others and with Tiger his goofiness shines through even brighter. The others still have their basic personalities but they are provided with a few more minutes to let us see what they were like in the early stages. As with most teams it takes a while for everyone to begin to trust and care for each other and with then standing off a little more in these early stories it adds to the humor and action.

At first I was very worried that it was going to be a straight up retelling of the first 3 or 4 episodes of the TV series, but to my surprise things changed quickly and new bad guys were introduced that ended up becoming the focal point for the group. It also really highlights the comedic aspects to the hero’s themselves and just doesn’t center on Tiger as the overall buffoon.

Overall Grade: B+

I am a fan of Tiger and Bunny and hop that maybe this film allows other to get a taste of the series that will make them want even more. It is a truly fun and imaginative show that is more than a overbearing moral action/comedy. Be sure to give this one a chance, I think you will like it.

Naruto volume 63 (manga review)

Posted by :Patches On : October 24, 2013
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Naruto 63Title: Naruto volume 63

Creator: Masashi Kishimoto

U. S. Distributor: Viz Media

U. S. Release Date: Nov. 5th, 2013

Format: Manga / Paperback / 192 pages

Genre: Shonen, Action, Adventure, Supernatural

Age Rating: T for Teen

Overall Personal Rating: B

 

Synopsis:

 

As the ninja war seemingly enters its final chapter, Naruto is determined to stop the mysterious man who started it all, Tobi! With Kakashi and Guy backing him up, Naruto appears to have the upper hand. But Tobi suddenly uses pieces of the Eight and Nine-Tailed beasts to bring the enormous Gedo statue to life to use as a devastating weapon.

With the help of Kakashi and Guy, Naruto seems to have found a way around Tobi’s invincible abilities. But, why do Tobi’s techniques seem to mimic Kakashi’s so closely? And when Tobi’s mask is finally torn off, will the revelation shock the ninja world?

 

Commentary:

Naruto volume 63 does just about everything except send Naruto off to train some more. We have the big secret reveal of the masked Tobi and the return of the evil villain that just might be Naruto’s greatest foe. But, the one thing it seems to be lacking is much of the soul that the series is known for. Naruto comes across rather un-engaged and even though most of the back story involves Kakashi’s generation it just feel like it is a little half hearted.

I do like the path that the series is on and it looks like finally Naruto just might be able to stand on his own without having to run off and gain a new power or learn that next big powerful technique. I appreciate that a great deal. I also found this volume to be a quick read. I guess that the action was predictable and with so much of it placed as a flash back into Tobi’s life I just found myself somewhat not interested.

Overall Grade: B

Even though I felt as though it fell a little flat the story still provides plenty of Naruto style punch. I guess that maybe this battle just keeps dragging on and on. This is not a big surprise and it will please an awful lot of Naruto fans, but if you are looking for it to move closer to the finally then you will be disappointed. I guess that I am on of those fans that feels like the series is becoming a caricature of itself and I think it is time to put it to rest.

Anyway, Naruto fans prepare yourself to be surprised at the big reveal and also to be treated to another flash back that maybe answers a few questions.