Blackjack612's Review of Naruto 573 The Path Towards Radiance

[blackjack612]

Welcome all to another Naruto review. After the recent round of spectacle and surprise, this week's chapter gives the characters in the story time to react to all that's happened making for a refreshingly reflective outing. Lest you think giving the character space would come at the expense of plot development, the chapter does conclude with a promising development. But before we get to that, let's go over last week's poll results. I asked you which of the tailed-beasts names you liked best, and at the moment, Kurama has a 1 point lead with 10 votes while Son Goku came in second with 9. Also, Sasuke's taken the lead in the previous poll as the person readers think is mostly likely to be the final villian of the manga. Now for the chapter review...

Naruto 573 The Path Towards Radiance
As always, images in this review are credited to mangastream/binktopia.

The chapter opens with Tobi,the man with the plan, clueless to what Naruto could mean by mentioning the new names he's learned. Tobi, like Madara, has viewed the tailed-beasts as animals to be subjugated, not sentient creatures worthy of communicating with, so it comes as no surprise that he doesn't know the names of the tailed-beasts. It probably doesn't help that since he controls the beasts through jutsu rather than as hosting them, he wouldn't have access to the deepest levels of the beasts' psyche like Naruto and Killer B. Naruto's renewed confidence may make Guy and Kakashi feel their age, but what is it doing to Tobi? Is he truly concerned? He is, though he tries to play it off. That Tobi would even mistake the first drops of rain for his own sweat demonstrates that he's being forced to recontextualize his ideas about Naruto. Much as he might think Naruto is just some amusing kid necessary to motivate Sasuke, Naruto has managed to escape the combined might of the tailed-beasts and their jinchuriki. Ultimately, Tobi's fatal flaw is, in contrast to Naruto, his untter inability to empathize. Because he is only able to understand others as they relate to his own needs, he fails to understand Naruto's true powers. Or as Itachi might say, Tobi fails to measure Naruto's capacity because he's measuring against his own.

Meanwhile, Shinobi HQ recieves word that Naruto has not only held his ground, but with the help of B, Guy, and Kakashi, he's been able to push Tobi back. Shikaku wastes no time in ordering that this information be spread to the entire alliance where it has the intended effect of motivating their forces for a presumably final push. Ino, Choji, Shikamaru, Sakura, Hinata, Neji, Sai, Shino, Lee, everyone takes the news to heart and rushes onward to provide Naruto support. This interlude allows Kishimoto to demonstrate just what Naruto means to each of the characters.

So what then are we to make of the title? Is the path towards radiance Naruto's nindo? Friendship? Love? Community? Motivating yourself to become better? Resolving to support your comrades without needing a reason? Any and all of these are valid answers and they demonstrate the the younger generation of shinobi (particularly those of the Hidden Leaf) are charting a course towards a better tomorrow. Yet with the title also holds a literal meaning. As the brief downpour slows to a halt, the last pages of the chapter follow the footprints of the Allied shinobi headed towards Naruto, following in the direction of the sun which has just broken through the rain clouds. While they head towards the sun's radiance, a lone figure walks in a different direction, still caught in the rain, surrounded by shadow. Sasuke is on the move.

Another week of solid, though not spectacular, artwork was on display. The standout this chapter was definitely the rain which set the tone right out of the gate. Besides providing an oppurtunity to humanize Tobi, the rain also functioned well as a visual metaphor. Usually, Kishimoto paints his themes in broad strokes and big emotions, but this chapter he holds off on directly commenting on the young generations drive towards a bright future, instead letting the artwork do the heavy lifting. Having the storm break and sunlight parting the clouds as the allies rush off while keeping Sasuke drenched by the downpour might be a bit obvious of a metaphor, but it works.

This week's chapter continues what has generally been a solid arc. What it lacked in plot development, it made up for in small character moments by letting the supporting cast members (many of whom haven't been featured for a while) reflect upon their motivations. Even Tobi who's been an enigma came off as human this chapter instead of an unknowable plot device. After a series of action-packed entries and twists galore, the change of pace was welcome, which is why I'm giving Naruto 573 a ...

5 out of 5.

Predictions

Since this chapter didn't feature any action, I'm going to keep my predictions from last week that Tobi will be defeated by Naruto. It's only a question of when.

Again, my long term predictions about where things are headed that can be found here. Thanks for sticking around. See you next week shinobi...

Stray Observations

• "This war will make all pasts, all futures...and all existences...completely irrelevant."
• "Don't be ridiculous...10 seconds!"
• "We're going to all fight together this time."

One Line Reviews

• Bleach is back with a strong opening chapter for the series final arc: The Thousand Year Blood War. It's got a promising plot, a trip to Soul Society, Ichigo back to his characteristic confidence, and hollows that actually look threatening.
• One Piece remains entertaining as ever but he latest chapter does nothing to indicate where this new arc is taking us with asides featuring a dragon, a torsoless man, and gas-masked seafarers.
• The wait is always a long one for D.Gray-Man, but worth it as Allen's progression into the 14th becomes ever more rapid and Kanda encounters someone who should be very, very dead.
• Air Gear manages to provide some explanation for Sora's sociopathic personality but it's efforts at giving the character and current arc further depth are hindered by Oh Great's characteristically vague themes and ideas.

[mattiaildivino]

thank you Black. unfortunately I have to disagree with you due to the mark you gave. I wouldn't give to this chapter a mark higher than 3,because almost nothing happened. I was pretty disappointed that the rookies are heading to naruto as a backup,since they can't do a s**t against tobi,madara or sasuke. ALso,the fact Sai is there implies that the last swordsman has been sealed off,and it pisses me off since I wanted to see at least Mangetsu meeting Suigetsu,holding a lot of Mist Swords ecc. the fact that things have been going on off panel really pisses me off!

[Wint]

The artwork was indeed splendid. I'd give the chapter 4/5 because of its lack of plot advancement, but I'm going to give it 5/5.

Why?

Hinata. FUCK YEAH!

[mattiaildivino]

uhm,I guess the previous drawings were better,in this chapter there were 3 pages of footprints...and the rookies aren't a great issue to deal with.
Bene I'm waiting for the poll

[NAM61]

good review the chapter was great i like how kishi showed that naruto had other behind him that believe in him and are walking towards the light and sasuke is alone and walking in darkness.