Rovaine Beckford June 5, 2025

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #4 delivers a satisfying conclusion to the crossover event, bringing together the heroes in a half shell and the Hidden Leaf’s finest for a final showdown against the Shredder. Written by Caleb Goellner and illustrated by Hendry Prasetya, this issue largely succeeds in blending these two beloved franchises.

The previous issue left us with a mutated, beast-like Shredder, and the beginning of #4 showcases the heroes’ struggles against his overwhelming power. Their efforts seem futile until a pivotal moment: Naruto takes center stage, his powerful declaration against the “monster” Shredder setting the stage for a classic clash of ideals. Goellner excels here with a deep understanding of both series, exploring what drives Shredder’s hardened warmongering and contrasting it with Naruto’s unwavering belief in his ninja way. From this point on, the plot accelerates, with Prasetya’s art vividly bringing signature Naruto attacks and modes to life, culminating in a flashy, double-page spread that sends Shredder packing. The issue fittingly wraps up with a celebratory pizza party shared by both teams before their farewells.

Credit: IDW

While earlier issues in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto faced criticism for some “cheesy” dialogue, the final installment largely dispels those concerns. Goellner’s vision for the roles of Shredder, the Turtles, and Team Seven shines through, emphasizing the ongoing theme of found family and appreciating those around you. The primary drawback, however, is a sense of safety in the story. Despite the larger-than-life personalities involved, there’s a distinct lack of interpersonal conflict. While initial introductions hinted at character faults, no real conflict or “in-your-face” confrontations happened, leaving a minor void in the storytelling.

Prasetya’s art is a standout feature of the series, particularly his seamless integration of the distinct anime and manga character designs from Naruto. Fans wondering about the presence of iconic moves like Rasengan and Chidori will be pleased; they are not only present but also rendered with vibrant coloring that makes them practically leap off the page. A pleasant surprise was the effective use of every character. Even Sakura, who’s often relegated to the background in Team Seven, is given a crucial role, quite literally catapulting the group to victory through strategic contribution.

Credit: IDW

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #4 serves as a powerful climax to a crossover that, at its core, makes perfect sense. Despite some minor dialogue missteps in earlier issues, the overarching message of unity and appreciation becomes crystal clear in this finale. For fans of both TMNT and Naruto, this collaboration proves to be a resounding success.

Rovaine Beckford June 5, 2025

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #4 delivers a satisfying conclusion to the crossover event, bringing together the heroes in a half shell and the Hidden Leaf’s finest for a final showdown against the Shredder. Written by Caleb Goellner and illustrated by Hendry Prasetya, this issue largely succeeds in blending these two beloved franchises.

The previous issue left us with a mutated, beast-like Shredder, and the beginning of #4 showcases the heroes’ struggles against his overwhelming power. Their efforts seem futile until a pivotal moment: Naruto takes center stage, his powerful declaration against the “monster” Shredder setting the stage for a classic clash of ideals. Goellner excels here with a deep understanding of both series, exploring what drives Shredder’s hardened warmongering and contrasting it with Naruto’s unwavering belief in his ninja way. From this point on, the plot accelerates, with Prasetya’s art vividly bringing signature Naruto attacks and modes to life, culminating in a flashy, double-page spread that sends Shredder packing. The issue fittingly wraps up with a celebratory pizza party shared by both teams before their farewells.

Credit: IDW

While earlier issues in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto faced criticism for some “cheesy” dialogue, the final installment largely dispels those concerns. Goellner’s vision for the roles of Shredder, the Turtles, and Team Seven shines through, emphasizing the ongoing theme of found family and appreciating those around you. The primary drawback, however, is a sense of safety in the story. Despite the larger-than-life personalities involved, there’s a distinct lack of interpersonal conflict. While initial introductions hinted at character faults, no real conflict or “in-your-face” confrontations happened, leaving a minor void in the storytelling.

Prasetya’s art is a standout feature of the series, particularly his seamless integration of the distinct anime and manga character designs from Naruto. Fans wondering about the presence of iconic moves like Rasengan and Chidori will be pleased; they are not only present but also rendered with vibrant coloring that makes them practically leap off the page. A pleasant surprise was the effective use of every character. Even Sakura, who’s often relegated to the background in Team Seven, is given a crucial role, quite literally catapulting the group to victory through strategic contribution.

Credit: IDW

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #4 serves as a powerful climax to a crossover that, at its core, makes perfect sense. Despite some minor dialogue missteps in earlier issues, the overarching message of unity and appreciation becomes crystal clear in this finale. For fans of both TMNT and Naruto, this collaboration proves to be a resounding success.