How to Collect Naruto Comics

The colossally popular Naruto franchise originated in humble fashion with the publication of a series of Japanese comics, or "manga," beginning in 1999. The series starred a young ninja in training named Naruto, his two fellow students Sasuke and Sakura and their mentor Kakashi. These manga have appeared in three formats: as chapters in "Shonen Jump" magazine, as separately issued books and in boxed sets of paperbacks or hardcovers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Build Your Collection of Naruto Comics

1. Build a collection of Naruto comics simply for your own reading pleasure by choosing either the paperback individual volumes of the hardcover boxed set format. Add each new title as it comes out.
2. Preview Naruto comics online before you collect them with the Manga Viewer at Naruto Central (see Resources below).
3. Read and collect Naruto manga volumes in the order they are published and released to follow the story line as Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura proceed from mission to mission.
4. Maintain a checklist of the books that have been issued, those that you have and those that are yet to be released in the U.S.
5. Browse Naruto comics listings on Amazon to watch for new titles as they appear (see Resources below).

Acquire Naruto Comics and Japanese Naruto Manga as Collectibles

6. Check eBay regularly for Japanese versions of the original Naruto manga to add to your collection (see Resources below).
7. Purchase first-printing copies of Naruto comics whenever possible.
8. Build a collection of boxed set hardcover versions of Naruto titles in English as the sets are released. These sets are more elegant than their paperback counterparts and will be more durable if they are well cared for.
9. Take special care of books that you acquire as collectibles. Many collectors use what they call "the white glove approach" if they want to read a book they intend to keep as a collectible.

Tips & Warnings

• One drawback if you decide to collect Naruto comics in boxed set format is that you have to wait longer for the sets to be issued, whereas new paperback volumes are released each month.
• Although Naruto comics, Japanese manga and their animated versions are wildly popular, beware of investing too much in Naruto products as collectibles. Items that are subject to huge million-unit print runs seldom sustain long-term value as collectibles or in secondary markets.
• Watch out for excessive shipping charges when you use eBay to collect Naruto comics from international or domestic sellers. Always know the shipping charge before you bid on any item.