Naruto Shippuden: Set 12 by Viz Media

Editorial Review

Episodes 141 through 153 make up the second half of season six of the popular ninja adventure Naruto Shippuden. After his climactic duel with his brother Itachi, the badly wounded Sasuke is rescued by Madara, the masked leader of the evil Akatsuki–and the only other living member of the Uchiha Clan. Madara tells him that everything he knew about Itachi was false: Itachi killed the rest of their clan not in a homicidal rage, but at the orders of the leaders of the Hidden Leaf Village. But he could not bring himself to kill his beloved younger brother. Despite his injuries, Sasuke leads his Akatsuki team against the annoying rapper Killer Bee, whose body contains an eight-tailed demon that manifests itself as a bizarre ox-octopus hybrid. While Sasuke recovers from this taxing battle, the filmmakers introduce the “Rokubi and the Kinjutsu” arc, another digression from the main storyline. Naruto, Sakura, Sai, and Captain Yamato meet Hotaru, a young woman whose family created a Forbidden Jutsu that can destroy an entire village. Accompanying her is Utakata, a rogue ninja who uses a strange jutsu involving bubbles. Despite some exotic techniques, it feels like a typical Naruto subplot involving clan loyalties, betrayal, a power-mad villain, and the overriding importance of friendship. The main story picks up again in episodes 152 and 153, which aired as an hour-long special in Japan. Naruto is heartbroken to learn of the death of his beloved master, “Pervy Sage” Jiraiya, and reverts to the lonely boy he was at the beginning of the first Naruto series. His friend Shikimaru leads Naruto back from his sorrow, pointing out that they “can't stay brats forever”–it's time for them to follow the example of Jiraiya and Asuma and become teachers. The rulers of the Hidden Leaf Village and the Toad Spirits struggle to decode Jiraiya's last message, which may explain how to defeat the Akatsuki–setting the stage for the battles that occupy most of season seven. (Rated T+ Older Teen, but suitable for ages 12 and older: violence, minor risqué humor, grotesque imagery, alcohol use) –Charles Solomon

(141. Truth, 142. Battle for Unraikyo, 143. Eight-Tails vs. Sasuke, 144. The Wanderer, 145. Successor of the Forbidden Jutsu, 146. The Successor's Feelings, 147. The Past of the Rogue Ninja, 148. The Successor of Darkness, 149. Parting, 150. Activate the Forbidden Jutsu, 151. Student and Teacher, 152. Sombre News, 153. Following the Master's Shadow)