Title: Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Vol. 12
Author: Masahi Kishimoto (Creator), Mikio Ikemoto (Art), Ukyo Kodachi (Story)
Publisher: Viz Media
Language: English
Format: Digital
Pages: 176
Genre: Shonen, Battle
Publication Date: September 7, 2021
The Story
Vol. 12 was an incredible info dump with some shocking twists! First off, Naruto has awoken as everyone gathers to try and figure out what is going on. Meanwhile, at Karma, Amado decides that he wants to defect to Konoha! The head of their research and development is trying to seek asylum there and has taken Shikamaru’s son as a hostage… not because he wants to harm him… but he has absolutely no time and needs to do whatever possible to speed up him taking refuge.
Naruto agrees to hear him out and we get a massive info dump on the Ohtsutsuki clan, the Karma, Jigen’s true identity, and how to kill an immortal god such as a member of the Ohtsutsuki clan. We then are taken into a battle between Jigen and Kashin Koji as Koji was Amado’s one and only collaborator at Kara. They knew the true reason behind the Ohtsutsuki clan’s existence and what the fate of the world would be had they just left them unchecked.
The end of the battle reveals a REALLY interesting fact about Kashin Koji… once that was hinted at throughout the volume and then confirmed on the final page that, quite literally, left me a bit surprised!
Characters
While the huge focus was on Amado… there really isn’t much that can be said about him other than what was outlined in the story section of the review. He’s just Kara’s head of research and development but what he knows provides tremendous indirect development.
Jigen was highly detailed in this volume. He was nothing more than a simple monk. When Kaguya Ohtsutsuki appeared in the world, she did so alongside her partner Isshiki. At some point, Kaguya turned on Issihiki and with his dying breaths, shrunk himself and possessed Jigen’s body. However, Jigen is unsuitable for a full resurrection. This is why the Karma exists. Through the Karma, once it manifests fully, an Ohtsutsuki can come back to life.
As you guessed it, Kawaki is the true vessel being prepared for Isshiki’s return; however, that was what Kashin and Amado have planned to counter.
Speaking of Kashin… it was mentioned that he was created specifically for killing Jigen. How was he created, though? He was created by cloning [REDACTED]. Have fun reading and finding out who!
Final Thoughts
There is a lot I could cover in this volume but I have to keep this one short because I’ve already spoiled enough as it is with this review. There is a LOT more that I didn’t touch on though and it answers a ton of questions about the series.
I am not sure how long Boruto plans on running as a manga; however, it would seem as if they are trying to set up a final battle of sorts between Isshiki and another certain Ohtsutsuki. How long that will take to completely set up is anyone’s guess but at least we have some sort of idea on the end goal.
Then again, we never really predicted how Naruto ended so… it could go in a completely different direction but I’m really starting to take a stab at why Boruto and Kawaki were fighting at the very beginning of the manga in the “present time.”
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This item was provided for review by VIZ Media
