Naruto, Vol. 5: The Challengers

Naruto [ナルト] #5

by Masashi Kishimoto

Naruto is a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He's got a wild sense of humor, but Naruto is completely serious about his mission to be the world's greatest ninja!

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Young Adult, Shonen

184 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 4, 2000

About the author

Masashi Kishimoto (岸本斉史 Kishimoto Masashi) is a Japanese manga artist, well known for creating the manga series Naruto. His younger twin brother, Seishi Kishimoto, is also a manga artist and creator of the manga series O-Parts Hunter (666 Satan) and Blazer Drive. Two of his former assistants, Osamu Kajisa (Tattoo Hearts) and Yuuichi Itakura (Hand's), have also gone on to moderate success following their work on Naruto.

Kishimoto's first work as a manga artist was Karakuri (カラクリ?), which he submitted to Shueisha in 1995. This earned him the Weekly Shōnen Jump's monthly "Hop Step Award" in 1996, granted to promising new manga artists. This was followed in 1997 by a pilot version of Naruto (NARUTO－ナルト－), published in Akamaru Jump Summer. In 1998, Kishimoto premiered as a Weekly Shōnen Jump artist with a serialized version of Karakuri in Weekly Shōnen Jump, but it proved unpopular and was canceled soon after. In 1999, a serialized version of Naruto began publication in Weekly Shōnen Jump and quickly became a hit.

Reviews

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a couple of really cool scenes in this volume, but one stands out the most. Who would have guessed that a written test in a classroom could have been so full of conflict and fear? I suppose it helps when it's conducted by the chief torture specialist, eh?

And here we have another clue as to Naruto's special power.

It really is fun to reread these. Knowing what is coming only increases my enjoyment of these little stepping stones.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lesson: "Those who break the rules are scum. That's true. But those who abandon their friends are worse than scum."

Love the test.

Teamwork lesson 👍

[Tiffany PSquared · Rating 4 out of 5]

It stressed me out! Naruto taking a test? Surely they're about to lose everything! LOL

[Теодор Панов · Rating 4 out of 5]

Малко по-слабичко в сравнение с предишните броеве, но продължава да е все така интересно и забавно. 🤗

[Maram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just love survival exams ;)

[Books on Stereo · Rating 1 out of 5]

A tedious, boring narrative that indulges in gratuitous information dumps in order for the story to make sense.

[Haïfa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee and Gai are so weird XD
And Naruto is still true to himself...
I'm liking where this is headed!

[aria ✧]

Lee, the most hardworking character ✊🏾😤

[Ola G · Rating 1 out of 5]

3/10 stars

This one was dragging and boring. Meh. The rationale behind that first test was sound enough, I guess, but I remain unconvinced by this whole high school vibe. Naruto being the ultimate love letter to Goku is all fine and nice, but (and it's a matter of personal preference) I'd probably pick other traits to emulate from Dragon Ball - being unusually gifted in one area doesn't necessarily mean you have to be a total loser in others. I know it's shonen, but sometimes a bit more balance and nuance would be very welcome.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our three ninja friends have signed up for the journeyman ninja exams without realizing how grueling they would be. This volume is the story of the first section, the written exams. The proctor is nuts though and gives the contestants an ultimatum that could ruin their ninja lives.

I wonder what it is about manga that a completely unlikable main character is acceptable but in novels it isn't. Or is it just me that thinks stupid, arrogant, obnoxious Naruto is unlikable?

[Nonah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Naruto!!! Hell yeah!!! <3<3 Can I also be a Ninja? ^^<3

[Kulwinder Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝... 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠-𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠."

I love how Naruto is always portrayed with squinty eyes like he's always trying his hardest even when there is no need whatsoever. The new addition of characters like Might Guy and Rock Lee was amazing because they are so relatable and always rely on hard-work instead of natural talent.

First written exam was a total success for Team 7. No shock there that it was a brain-racker for the all-time dunce 'Naruto'. Second journeyman selection exam at the "Forest of Death" is now awaiting our heroes. I'm very excited about it!

[library ghost (farheen) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

this was focused on exams (nothing too exciting).

and well i actually think sakura is my fav now. she is smart, funny, charismatic and empathic. she was literally ready to sacrifice herself and sasuke for naruto who she doesn’t even like much!

i think all of them are growing on me though even naruto..

[Hafeez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 5: Chapter 37-45
Arc 2: Chuunin Exams

- The first test begin

[Brena Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

*The Hunger Games has entered the chat*

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is really picking up here, pushing Naruto, at least, to the limits of what he can do, mentally. It requires a whole lot of guts and a whole lot of guts (and a dash of blinding stupidity) he has. Not much actually goes on in this volume when you look at it, only set up for the arc, but there is a brilliant sense of tension throughout--as well as explaining what it takes to be a ninja and how much teamwork is required. You either pass or fail with the emotional strength of your nakama.

In short, I really liked this volume and blasted right on through. There was a tendency to overtalk. I know Kishimoto is setting the world and the stage but sometimes I think he explains too much. But that's neither nor there. It doesn't really interrupt the flow of the narrative and the story is excellent. Also the art is improving as well--though they all look so young!

[Lashaan Balasingam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first test begins, and it is far from being anything Naruto would have expected. The rules are a bit odd but the objective is the answer to everything.

While it dragged on a little too much, it was fun to see a glimpse into all these characters. There are things that made me question some characters though: so many of them could've used their skills to discretely disqualify others, for example.

Yours truly,

Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was intense and I'm starting to like the series now thanks to these new characters we're being introduced to. Honestly, even in the anime, I found the show got interesting when we got to this arc. Good volume.

[T.R. Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many iconic moments. Kishi was on fire at this point in his career. He really had something to prove. I love seeing where massive authors started out and poured their souls into their early narratives.

[kim song ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOL at Rock and Sakura moments xD cracking me up!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one!

[Odo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5.0

[Lola D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[✔️ JAVI ®️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Lo que más me llama la atención de Naruto es que cualquier personaje (de los muchos que hay) podría protagonizar su propio manga. Cuando el argumento se centra en alguno de ellos siempre son interesantes, complejos y con la personalidad propia de un protagonista más que de un secundario. Orochimaru para mí uno de los mejores villanos que recuerdo (junto con freezer de DragonBall). Sasuke Uchiha y el misterioso motivo que rodea a su venganza. El zorro de nueve colas y el resto de bestias Bijus con cola. Los componentes de la organización Akatsuki. Los maestros Hokage y sus diferentes villas. Etc, etc... Todo es épico en este mundo de ninjas donde los intereses de cada personaje confrontarán haciendo una trama compleja e imprevisible. El combate será la mejor manera de resolver estos enfrentamientos con técnicas físicas, jutsus (técnicas con chakra) e incluso espectaculares invocaciones. Una maravilla que se puede disfrutar en manga, serie de televisión o las diferentes partes del videojuego "Naruto ultimate ninja storm".

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love Uzumaki Naruto.

[Judith Groen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naruto is so hilarious, he had no clue as to what was going on but he still managed to get away with it. Like he said, I will become Hokage, even if it's by pure stubbornness! Gotta love him :D

[Bandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasztikus vizsgáztatási módszer

[★ray's bookshelf★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Naruto it's just hits different! I liked it really much and I'm rereading it!!! Boruto for me wasn't that good than the ORIGINAL

[Tiara · Rating 5 out of 5]

como sufrí los exámenes escritos jajajaja 😂🤣😅

[DonutKnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

It takes guts. I was pleasantly surprised by the way they passed the first exam 😄