10 replies to this topic

[Derock]

If you guys hadn't heard months ago, IDW comics pull a shocking announcement with the popular franchise, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, whom had already did crossovers with other franchises, such as Batman, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and even Street Fighter,  now crossing over with Naruto, making it for the very first time, a Japanese manga series crossing over to a Western comic book. While both have ninjas and Japanese themes all over, it's kind of ironic to pair them as while one set of audience saw it as the greatest idea of all time, others are not too keen, especially on the Japanese side. And plus, how would it fit as TMNT is based more on real-life settings, while Naruto is more of a fictional Japanese-based setting? 

 

It just so happens, they somehow fit.  New York City, with the Statue of Liberty and modern setting and all, is renamed "Big Apple Village"... well, Big Apple is the nickname for NYC, so... we'll find out later. Let's just say for this crossover, Big Apple "Village", is located at The Five Great Nations, at the Northeast, similar where NYC located in the USA.

 

Anyways, on to the summary!

 

Issue 1

We start off with Team 7 on an escort B-ranked mission with April O'Neil. And we'll hold on for second. First off, we're back in Part 1. According to the official summary, this event happened between after the end of Search of Tsunade arc and before Sasuke Retrieval Arc. Now, we're looking at April, with a totally different design: red haired, her age is in her late teens, and she's more African American race (which according to one of the creators, Kevin Eastman, mentioned in the original Mirage comics, April was intended to be mixed or Black). She's also a reporter, based on the 1987 cartoon series. Anyways, we see a full page spread of Kakashi holding a scroll, delivering details of the missions and pictures of the cast and bios. Now here's the interesting part: on Sakura's bio, it stated: "Powerful fighter and medical ninjutsu practitioner in training." We all know in Naruto canon at that time, Sakura only has genjutsu training and hadn't train with Tsunade yet. But remember the filler arc before the Sasuke Retrieval Arc? SP did give Sakura some enhanced strength during that filler. So, I guess the writer assumed that arc was canon and roll with it so Sakura cannot be extremely useless here.

 

Back to the story,

 

Sakura reprimanded Naruto who is trying to help a turtle off its back. Although he complained about the mission being B-ranked, Kakashi reminded him to show nature respect as turtles can handle themselves. Sasuke began to talk to April, as she was being very quiet during their travel to "NYC". April stated the reason why she went to see Tsunade as she need to talk to a ninja biology expert for her news report on experimental science.

 

Here's the rundown: Dr. Baxter Stockman was let go from the city's university for undisclosed reasons and went to April to tell his side of the story. He was hired for engineer machinery but instead focused on biological research, which was draining the school's budget. Which became his obsession as he developed the "ooze" to create and control mutant ninjas. Before she continued, the Foot Clan suddenly appeared, led by Alopex (not sure that's her, if no one follows the IDW comics of TMNT, she's once part of the Foot Clan who later left and became Raphael's love interest) or Kitsune (another new antagonist from the IDW comics), demanded Team 7 to hand over April. Naruto noticed her fox tail but then Kurama revealed that the enemy is a fake/mutant. Team 7 is ready to fight until the Foot got ambushed by... the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Splinter! The Foot retreated, not to forget to mention they will have vengeance.

 

But then, the turtles began to think that Team 7 are the enemy. Words shot fired between the two groups while April tried to diffuse and explain the situation, which somehow then decided to start recording the fight with a video camera... Leonardo began to fight Sasuke, thinking he's the leader and noticing the vengeful looks in his eyes. Then we see Sakura fighting Raphael, who wanted to fight Sasuke, using her enhanced strength that scares Raph! Naruto faced off both Michelangelo and Donatello, using his signature Shadow Clone jutsu (somehow using the literal English translation: art of the doppelganger). And lastly, Kakashi went to fight Splinter, who knows some lightning jutsus. Sasuke almost got his head chopped off by Leo. Raph complimented Sakura's skills. However, Naruto thought he punched Mikey's head off which led him being smacked by Donnie's staff, ending the Shadow Clones. April couldn't get the footage as everyone was fighting way too fast for her camera but before the fight escalated, Splinter stopped the fight, impressed that Team 7 were able match with his sons. While Kakashi was grateful for the Hamato clan giving him and his students a workout, he activated his Sharingan and then began unmasking them! He then recognized Splinter as Yoshi Hamato. 

 

End of Issue 1. Issue 2 will be out in January.

 

So far, I'm impressed with the characterization, action scenes though short and the artwork. Hardly any childish traits and flaws from Naruto and Sakura's as shown since they and Sasuke are in their Part 1 designs, which is very good. However, because of the conflict of two different universes, especially TMNT realistic universe somehow landed in Naruto's fantasized universe, it is very awkward. Plus, since this is a Western comic book, we jumped right into the major scene instead of how having both universes make sense with April and others having western names (well, with the elephant in the room, we do have a few in the Naruto universes, i.e. Rock Lee and Might Guy, but they would not appear in this crossover event anytime soon.), and how April actually came to Konoha to seek help. So, pacing will be an issue. Another thing that this crossover event last for 4 issues as it will make things worse for pacing. We'll see what happens on the next issues.

[BlueStarSaber]

I really liked the match ups. Figure sakura would fight Donnie. But raph works

[Derock]

If you guys want to read it "online", PM me, I can send you the link.

[BlueStarSaber]

Bought the issue at my comic book shop, unfortunately they did not have the original cover as it was sold out.

[Bail o' Lies]

Since Derock is invested in it. I will leave summaries and updates on this topic entirely up to him. This is just thoughts on the issue.

 

So this is set in filler time before Sasuke leaves the village. Oh good it just team 7 so hopefully no Hinata.

 

They been trying to change April to African American for a few years now. Like that do with any character that is ginger.

 

Sakura might be smart but she is also the one with anger issues and a temper. So it does make sense to pair her with short-fuse Raphael. They also give her super strength she didn't get till part two so she can fight. Sasuke with Leonardo as they are blue and the leader of their groups. Kakashi with Splinter as they are both the group's mentors. And, Naruto with the goofy Michelangelo and Donatello. They also gave the turtles ANBU masks.

 

Oh they have Kurama talking to Naruto. Again, him barely doing anything in Naruto compared to with Kushina or his daughter has to do with Kishimoto not knowing what to do with the demon within plot element. Now a days its common enough for a random writer to have a better idea to handle it, than he did back in the day. Lets be honest, Kurama would never talk to Naruto for something as random as a fox monster in the manga. Unless it was about the Uchiha/Ten-Tails or Naruto was seeking his power, he was mostly silent.

 

They overall seem to have Team 7's characters down, it just them trying to justify this story that is awkward. This seems to be a story entirely set in the ninja world with a New York City-like Village. It is besides the Minato one-shot the best written story out of the Naruto IP in over ten years. So, it is better than I was expecting.

Edited by Bail o' Lies, 22 November 2024 - 05:25 PM.

[Derock]

Since Derock is invested in it. I will leave summaries and updates on this topic entirely up to him. 

 

Yes, next issue is around January 15th. So, expect bi-monthly updates for the next 3 issues.

 

Oh good it just team 7 so hopefully no Hinata

 

I don't think any of the rookies will be appearing at all. So far, cameos of Tsunade and Orochimaru are shown here. It will probably be similar to the Street Fighter crossover: only Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Guile and M. Bison appeared in the crossover event while others like Cammy and Sagat were basically only added on covers. However, for the TMNT side, only Jennika appeared.

[Bail o' Lies]

Yes, next issue is around January 15th. So, expect bi-monthly updates for the next 3 issues.

 

I don't think any of the rookies will be appearing at all. So far, cameos of Tsunade and Orochimaru are shown here. It will probably be similar to the Street Fighter crossover: only Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Guile and M. Bison appeared in the crossover event while others like Cammy and Sagat were basically only added on covers. However, for the TMNT side, only Jennika appeared.

This seems to be the pairings of Sakura/Raph with their temper, Sasuke/Leo dealing with revenge, Kakashi/Splinter shared past, and Naruto/Micky/Donny as two goofs and their minder. Team 7 and the Ninja World-Turtles fight the Foot with the mutant hybrid ninja with probably either Orochimaru or Akatsuki helping them. So I don't see them adding too many characters especially if this is only four issues.

 

My thought on this story are. It ok, but boy it was awkward how they tried to crowbar the Turtles into this story. Which is still more positive compared to most.

Mirai's eternal vacation felt like better than average filler of a character they don't use in the sequel's storyline.

Sasuke Search for Space Dust in The Cardboard Dino Prison felt like first draft fan fiction and confirmed that Sakura had gone insane.

Minato's one shot was good but it combine elements from SS/NS/nH to make sure no one would have a fit over pairings; so still showing the damage the pairings cause to the IP.

Naruto-Boruto Connection was half a poor copy of Dot/Hack, a quarter of best of Naruto montage, and then a generic shounen filler story with Bolt.

The Last Naruto movie was turning Naruto into a sociopath so Hinata wouldn't be the silver medal.

The Boruto movie, Daddy Issues, Daddy Issues, Daddy Issues. Oh look, the lesson was he should have worship his father all along.

Salad Gaiden where it felt that he abandon the story at the end again. So most of the lesson it was trying to teach don't fit the ending, and the only way it works is Salad decided that Naruto is her father figure.

Cup's one shot whatever that nonsense about Bolt being his sun.

Boruto part one. Nothing happens.

Boruto part two. It is hard to tell if anything is happening or is it just spinning its wheels, but everything is trying to be cool and failing.

Edited by Bail o' Lies, 11 December 2024 - 07:01 AM.

[Phantom_999]

I feel that the Last Portrayal of Naruto is more so an egomaniac that hypocritically does not believe in what he preaches and only loves hearing the sound oh his voice being right, but definitely it was done to not make Hinata seem like a silver medal

[BlueStarSaber]

https://www.youtube....TJ-jLS7eaSh6nNz did a review with Retrospect Greg on the issue

[Derock]

Issue 2 is out. 

 

Nothing major, basically the calm before the storm.

 

TMNTxNaruto Issue 2

It begins with a red herring! (And in a proper way, unlike Masashi did at the end).

 

Splinter is NOT Yoshi Hamato. Kakashi stated the Hamato Clan was once known for its dojo and had saw Yoshi fight during his travels when he was young. The last time he had heard from him, Yoshi was betrayed by a rogue student... (we'll get to that later).

 

Kakashi thought that Splinter is Yoshi but Splinter revealed that he isn't, so his origins is the same from the original: he was Yoshi's pet rat. Everyone realized their misunderstanding from the previous issue and introduced themselves. The Hamato clan leads Team 7 and April to their lair. During the trip, everyone is getting along pretty well, Raphael called Sakura her English translated name, "Cherry Blossom", and complimented her, while Naruto and Micheangelo becoming real cool to each other. During the tour, we see Naruto hanged out with both Mikey (playing video games and even skateboarding with April recording) and Donatello, Sakura sparring with Raph (the IDW team are definitely making sure she's an action girl to the audience), Sasuke and Leonardo meditating, and Kakashi and Splinter having tea while talking about Naruto's life as a jinchuriki, stating that he, Naruto, doesn't know his father Minato sealed Kurama inside of him yet. 

 

Sasuke then began to question the Hamato clan on why they are hiding underground while they easily beat the Foot Clan and wanted to know what made them go into hiding. Splinter answered, "Not what but who? Oroku Saki."

 

So here's Oroku Saki aka Shredder, and the main TMNT characters' history in the Naruto-verse: Saki was a troubled boy who lived in the "NYC" (I'm still not feeling the Big Apple Village name) criminal underworld and came to Yoshi's dojo to began a new path in life. Yoshi knows about the hardship and wanted to help the boy but then saw Saki's cruelty and wanted power. Saki stole the Hamato scroll, destroyed the dojo and killed Yoshi. Splinter barely escaped and took refuged in the sewers. Days later, he found 4 baby turtles covered in a mysterious ooze and took them, before later realizing that the ooze mutated them. They later grew and became the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, whom are ready to seeking answers above ground. They battled the Foot Clan and eventually ran into Oroku Saki.

 

As Team 7, well Sakura, began to understand what is going on and thinking that fate had brought them together, we got a tidbit from Kurama speaking to Naruto, which is actually pretty funny: "You're the same. In your case, I'm the ooze."

 

Meanwhile, April began to tell how she met the Hamato clan. As no reporter or even the local news wants to talk about bizarre theories, Stockman kept insisting on reaching out. He told April that the ooze wasn't theoritical and lost the initial batch years ago but can finally produce more without the uninversity but desperately wanted the acknowledgement and acclaim. He then met his downfall when he received funding from the Foot Clan in which Saki wanted more ooze produced and wants it for himself. The Foot began ransacked the lab and took everything (although April managed to store a jar in her backpack that was seen in one panel). She was almost about to be killed off if the Hamato clan didn't show up. While they finally found Stockman, they stumbled upon April instead. After more research, she began to head to Konoha to learn more about the ooze from a medical jutsu expert, (in this case, Tsunade)...

 

...until we heard a growling sound. Sakura assumed that was Naruto's stomach but it was actually April's. So the Turtles and Team 7 head out to get some pizza, in which Naruto asked Mikey what is pizza and Mikey answered, "Bro! Prepare to have your mind blown!". April and Splinter stayed behind until they realized that the Foot Clan are in the lair. As April and Splinter defended themselves against the Foot, Oroku Saki appeared.

 

The history of Splinter, Yoshi, Saki and the Turtles are basically the "same" as their original counterparts with more Naruto-ish flair which is pretty good, considering that this crossover actually fits into the Naruto-verse, despite the issues of adding modern Western designs that clashed heavily with the Japanese fantasy designs.  Both artwork and writing are also good here as well. The next issue will be out around March, bringing in more action, hopefully seeing Naruto and Team 7 with the TMNT fighting against Shredder and the Foot Clan.

 

Oh, and I love the joke Kurama said to Naruto.

[Bail o' Lies]

It is still setting up the story and establishing the pairings for the crossover. Then setting up the fight as it is only 4 issues.

 

It is weird seeing Kurama so chatty with Naruto. Again, even after he became friends with Naruto he rarely ever talked to him.

 

Most of the problems are inherent of the premise of being a crossover. But it is still better than most of the other Naruto-Boruto story over the past 10 years.

Edited by Bail o' Lies, Today, 01:03 AM.