Naruto
| Naruto | |
| File:Narutosplash.jpg Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto, and Uchiha Sasuke from left to right | |
| Genre | Action, Adventure |
|---|---|
| Created by | Masashi Kishimoto |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Masashi Kishimoto |
| Published by | Shueisha |
| Anime | |
| Directed by | Hayato Date |
| Studio | Studio Pierrot |
| Related works | |
|
Naruto: Find the Crimson Four-leaf Clover! (OVA) | |
Naruto (ナルト) is a manga by Masashi Kishimoto with an anime TV series adaptation about a loud, hyperactive teenage ninja by the name of Uzumaki Naruto who constantly searches for approval and recognition.
The manga was first published by Shueisha in Japan in the 43rd issue in 1999 of the Shonen Jump magazine. So far there have been over 31 volumes of the manga series published in the country, with a total of 293 chapters written since its initial release in 1999. VIZ Media publishes a translated version in the American Shonen Jump, though there have been only 8 of the 31 volumes of manga released so far. Viz also recently licensed the anime for North American production. Naruto debuted in Cartoon Network's Toonami programming block on 10 September 2005 at 9:00 PM Eastern time, in the United States, and in YTV's Bionix block on 16 September 2005 at 9:30 PM Eastern time, in Canada.
Growth and Popularity
Naruto's growth in popularity outside of Japan was due, in part, to its availability on the Internet. Various translation groups distributed localized versions of both the anime and manga on a number of IRC channels and websites. (See scanlation and fansub for more information about these practices.)
The series' length and popularity has been compared to those of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball Z, another popular action-oriented shōnen series derived from manga. Though Kishimoto does cite Toriyama's Dragon Ball series as one of his inspirations, as well as Katsuhiro Otomo, of the Akira fame, the series differ significantly in their execution, themes explored and overall premise.
Fansites form an integral part of the Naruto community. Many of them provide detailed and extensive information on the series, from character biographies to chakra theory, in addition to essays on subjects such as "who is the strongest character?" as well as unofficial translated versions of the anime and manga. Several hundred thousand fans post on the forums offered by these sites daily, sharing both their enthusiasm and complaints about the series.
Manga and Anime details
With weekly releases, save for holidays and other events, the manga currently has 293 chapters (only 78 of which have been released in the U.S.). The anime currently has 170 episodes. Although it debuted some time after the manga, the anime is quickly catching up since one anime episode usually covers around one and a half manga chapters. To prevent overlapping, the anime's producers tend to organize content from the manga chapters into long, uneventful sections followed by short bursts of energy-packed action, sometimes adding filler. However, the anime generally remains true to the manga.
New episodes, animated by Studio Pierrot, air weekly on TV Tokyo in Japan during the Golden Time slot (Japan's equivalent of prime time in the US) each Wednesday night at 7:27PM. The series has also spawned two movies, Naruto the Movie: Yukihime Ninpōchō and Naruto the Movie 2: Maboroshi no Chiteiiseki. An announcement for Naruto the Movie 3 was made on August 6, 2005, just after the release of the second movie. It is expected to be released during the Summer of 2006.
Toonami and YTV Broadcast
On September 10 2005, Naruto had its hour-long premiere in the U.S. on Cartoon Network's Toonami. The first and second episodes were shown from 9:00 - 10:00, and an hour-long encore was shown from 10:00 - 11:00PM. The first episode of Naruto premiered in Canada on YTV on 16 September 2005.
Leading up to the series' English-language premiere, many fans expressed fears that it would receive a treatment similar to that of One Piece, which was heavily edited and Americanized to a TV-Y7 rating for broadcast in North America. Surprisingly, Naruto was aired with a TV-PG rating in the U.S. and a PG rating in Canada.
Many elements that were expected to be edited out of the broadcast version were left intact, including references to alcoholism and mild sexual situations, Japanese cultural differences (including food and Japanese writing), mild language ("This sucks!", "You pervert!", and "That's a bunch of bull!") and even blood and death were still evident (including some extreme violence, as seen in Episode 19). The uncut broadcast of Dragon Ball Z featured many of these same elements, but they are still rare among Toonami's other series. In addition, the opening music for the show was significantly changed but the background music during the episodes remained the same. [1] [2]
It also appears that Cartoon Network makes some extra edits in addition to those done by Viz Media, since some episodes aired on YTV have fewer alterations. For instance, during the Zabuza arc, all static blood was kept in on YTV as well as the needles lodged in Sasuke's neck, both of which were digitally reduced for the U.S. broadcast.
Plot overview
Twelve years before the events at the focus of the series, the Kyūbi no Yōko (Nine-Tails Demon Fox) attacked Konohagakure, the Hidden Leaf Village. It was a powerful demon indeed; a swing of the tails of the Kyūbi would raise tsunamis and flatten mountains. It raised chaos and slaughtered the people, until the leader of Konoha – the Fourth Hokage – defeated it by sacrificing his own life to seal Kyūbi inside a newborn child whose origins are yet unknown. That child's name was Uzumaki Naruto.
The Fourth Hokage was remembered as a hero for sealing the Kyūbi away, and he wanted Naruto to be remembered as a hero as well for being the vessel of containment for the fox demon, but the village he grew up in had mostly contempt for Naruto, because of the tragedy that was brought to them by the same demon that's living inside Naruto.
A decree made by the Hokage made it so that the other villagers were forbidden to mention the event to anyone, even their own children. However, this did not stop them from treating Naruto like an outcast. Although their children did not specifically know why their parents treated Naruto the way they did, they learned through example to despise the boy. As result, Naruto grew up as an orphan in a lonesome atmosphere without friends, family or acknowledgment. He could not force people to befriend him, so he sought acknowledgment and attention the only way he knew – through pranks and mischief. But that would soon change; Naruto is about to face the ninja academy graduation exam – a gateway to the events and people that will change and define his world and his way of the ninja for the rest of his life.
Naruto maintains a balance between drama and comedy. It follows Naruto and his friends' personal growth and development as ninja, and emphasizes their interactions with each other and the influence of their backgrounds on their personalities. Naruto finds two friends and comrades in Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura, two fellow young ninja who are assigned with him to form a three-man team under a very experienced sensei named Hatake Kakashi. They learn new abilities, get to know each other and other villagers better and experience a coming-of-age journey as Naruto dreams of becoming the next Hokage of Konoha.
Story arcs
The storyline can be divided into several story arcs, which are concerned with specific missions or events that occur. All occur in chronological order, with the exception of Kakashi Gaiden.
- Exposition Arc: Episodes 1-5, covers the introduction of Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi, followed by the initial formation of Team 7. This small arc explores the collision between one's duty to their role as ninja and to their comrades, ultimately concluding that the latter is more important.
- Wave Country Arc: Episodes 6-19, covers Team 7's first major mission of protecting an expert bridge builder from a shipping magnate whose oppressing financial stranglehold over the country would be broken if the bridge were to be completed. In this arc, Team 7 comes to terms with the difficult life of a shinobi, who must serve as a tool and see his friends die in front of him in the battlefield. In the aftermath, Naruto decides that he won't be an emotionless tool and become a ninja in his own way.
- Chūnin Exam Arc: Episodes 20-67, covers Team 7's entrance to the Chūnin exam and the exposition of several key characters, such as Orochimaru, Kabuto, Jiraiya and the "Rookie Nine" (Naruto's old classmates). The arc is strongly tinged with clashes of diametrically opposed philosophies, particularly hard work vs. genius and fate vs. free will.
- Invasion of Konoha Arc: Episodes 68-80, covers the climax of Orochimaru's conspiracy to destroy Konoha, with a strong emphasis on the difference between fighting for one's own selfish ambitions as opposed to fighting for the sake of your important people. The invasion ultimately fails when in a climatic battle, the Third Hokage sacrifices his life to seal all of Orochimaru's techniques.
- Return of Itachi Arc: Episodes 81-85, covers a short visit of Sasuke's older brother, Itachi (and his partner, Kisame) to Konoha, in search of Naruto. Sasuke, however, has his own plans, and is determined to take this chance to avenge his clan. This arc serves as exposition for the organization Akatsuki and their interest in the Tailed Beasts, and sheds some light on the relationship between Itachi and Sasuke. It also finally shows some evidence of Itachi's incredible power.
- Tsunade's Decision Arc: Episodes 86-101, covers Naruto and Jiraiya's search for his and Orochimaru's old teammate, Tsunade, so they can appeal to her in hopes she takes the role of Fifth Hokage. Orochimaru also appeals to Tsunade, promising to revive her deceased brother and boyfriend if she sides with him and cures his arms. The dilemma Tsunade faces emphasizes the difference between obsessively dwelling over the past and remembering it while looking towards the future.
- Tea Country Race Arc: Episodes 102-106 (anime only), the first of the filler arcs, which covers a small stand-alone adventure where Team 7 help Morino Ibiki's younger brother, Morino Idate, win a race with very high stakes, and learn that he is more than the coward he thought he was.
- Renegade Sasuke Arc: Episodes 107-135, covers Sasuke's decision to seek Orochimaru for more power so he can avenge his clan, and his flight from the leaf country. The arc deals with the meaning of friendship and commitment to one's comrades, as each of the squad sent after Sasuke has their own ideals guiding their bonds. This arc concludes Part 1 of the Naruto manga series.
- Infiltrating Orochimaru's Lair Arc: Episodes 136-141 (anime only), covers Jiraiya, Naruto and Sakura following up on a lead which points to what is allegedly Orochimaru's lair. Though ultimately the place turns out to be long deserted, the experience of standing helpless while Naruto fights strengthens Sakura's resolve to become stronger, and she requests to become Tsunade's subordinate and apprentice.
- Mizuki Strikes Back Arc: Episodes 142-147 (anime only), covers the return of Mizuki - a minor villain from the very first episode - who is after Iruka and Naruto, who originally defeated him and foiled his plan to steal a crucial scroll from the village. It is revealed that Mizuki was another pawn of Orochimaru, but in the end, an abandoned pawn. He fails to provide any leads to Orochimaru's whereabouts.
- Bikōchū Arc: Episodes 148-151 (anime only), covers a joint quest of Naruto and Team 8 in search of a legendary bug which should be able to locate Sasuke by the faintest scent he left behind. This arc emphasises Hinata's growth in character and ability.
- Raiga Arc: Episodes 152-157 (anime only), covers a mission Naruto and Team Gai go onto in an attempt to capture the manic Raiga, former member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, who is terrorizing a small village and might have information on Akatsuki member Kisame (and Orochimaru by proxy).
- Filler Arc: Episodes 158-161 (anime only), covers a couple of one-shot episodes involving Konohamaru and his gang and two outsiders impersonating Lee and Gai. Also covers a two-part side story involving the bounty hunter Sazanami.
- Bird Country Arc: Episodes 162-167 (anime only), covers a trip to the Bird Country. Naruto, Neji and Tenten must solve the mystery of the ghost of Noroimusha. They soon get involved in Bird Country's inner conflicts.
- Burning Pot: Episode 168 (anime only), a one-shot episode involving Naruto, Sakura and Chōji helping out Ichiraku's owner in a cookoff against Ryōnin (aka ryōri-ninja, "cooking ninja") to rescue his daughter.
- Sea Country Arc: Episode 169- (anime only), Naruto, Ino, and Shino, led by Anko, go to the Sea Country to defeat a monster but are attacked by some mysterious ninjas.
Manga only arcs (Naruto II)
- Kakashi Gaiden: As an intermission between "Naruto I" and Naruto II, this arc focuses on Hatake Kakashi and his history.
- Naruto II Exposition: Jiraiya leaves Konoha with Naruto in order to further his training, while Sakura asks Tsunade to be her sensei. Before parting, the duo renew their vow of rescuing Sasuke from Orochimaru's influence at any cost. Two and a half years later, an older and stronger Naruto returns to the village. This arc mostly serves to reintroduce most of the Chūnin examinees upon Naruto's return.
- Gaara's Rescue/Akatsuki Arc: Naruto, Kakashi and Sakura's first mission after their reunion is to assist Sunagakure, after Gaara, who has become Kazekage, was kidnapped by the Akatsuki. We find out that Akatsuki wants to extract the Bijū inside people like Gaara and Naruto, and that they already have extracted two Bijū before. The mission soon turns into a rescue mission and Team Kakashi, with Chiyo-baa of Suna and Team Gai as their back-up, chase the Akatsuki. During the following battles they put the results of their three year training to the test against some members of the Akatsuki. Also more light is shed in Naruto and Gaara's suffering as Jinchūriki, and the ties of friendship that bind the two.
- Orochimaru Arc: After resolving the Gaara situation, Naruto and Sakura are separated from Kakashi, who is recovering from his injuries, and assigned a new teammate named Sai and a new team leader from ANBU codenamed Yamato. This new team's first mission is to meet a spy that could lead to Orochimaru's whereabouts. However the encounter proves to be a trap set by him and they end up fighting against Orochimaru himself. Naruto's control of the Kyūbi (or lack thereof) is an important part of this arc.
Characters
Naruto has a large and colorful cast of characters, running a gamut of detailed histories and complex personalities and allowing many of them their fair share in the spotlight; they are also seen to grow and mature with the series, as it spans several years. Fittingly enough for a coming-of-age saga, Naruto's world constantly expands and thickens, and his social relations are no exception - during his introduction he has only his teacher and the village's leader for sympathetic figures, but as the story progresses, more and more people become a part of his story.
The students at the Ninja Academy, where the story begins, are split up into teams of three and assigned an experienced sensei. These core teams form a basis for the characters' interactions later in the series, where characters are chosen for missions for their team's strength and complementary skills; Naruto's Team 7 becomes the social frame where Naruto is acquainted with Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura, and their sensei Hatake Kakashi, forming the core of his world-in-the-making. The other three-man teams of his former classmates form another such layer, as Naruto connects with them to various degrees, learning of their motives, vulnerabilities and aspirations and often relating them to his own. This motive of threes is not limited to the comrades Naruto's age - groups in the story in general come in threes and multiples of three with very few exceptions.
Sensei-student relationships play a significant role in the series; Naruto has a number of mentors with whom he trains and learns, most notably Jiraiya, and there are often running threads of tradition and tutelage binding together several generations. These role models provide guidance for their students not only in the ninja arts but also in a number of Japanese aesthetics and philosophical ideals. Techniques, ideals and mentalities noticably run in families, Naruto often being exposed to the abilities and traditions of generation-old clans in his village when friends from his own age group demonstrate them, or even achieve improvements of their own; it is poignantly noted that Naruto's generation is particularly talented and promising.
Many of the greater lingering mysteries of the series are questions of character motives and identity. The legacy of Naruto's parents, the goals that guide Yakushi Kabuto, the objective of the mysterious organization Akatsuki and the identity of its mysterious leader - these are only a few of the fundamental unanswered questions of "who", and by proxy, "why", currently at the core of the series. The story is remarkably character-driven; almost all of the important events taking place owe the majority of their eventuality to somebody having made a choice somewhere rather than to blind circumstance.
Character naming is consistent with traditional Japanese names, family name first (in the English anime the characters' names are reversed, so that the their personal names are first as common in most western societies). The names often borrow from Japanese myth and literature, or are otherwise elaborate puns; often there is a noticeable influence of the story behind the name shouldered by the character. [3]
Associated music
Opening sequences (Japanese version) | |||
| Title | Transcription/Translation | Band | Episodes |
| R★O★C★K★S | (n/a) | HOUND DOG | 1-25 |
| 遥か彼方 | Haruka Kanata, "Far away" | ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION | 26-53 |
| 悲しみをやさしさに | Kanashimi wo Yasashisa ni, "Sadness into kindness" | little by little | 54-77 |
| GO!!! | (n/a) | FLOW | 78-103 |
| 青春狂想曲 | Seishun Kyōsōkyoku, "Youth's Rhapsody" | サンボマスター (Sanbomasutā, "Sambomaster") | 104-128 |
| ノーボーイ・ノークライ | Nō bōi - Nō kurai, "No Boy, No Cry" | STANCE PUNKS | 129-153 |
| 波風サテライト | Namikaze Sateraito, "Discord Satellite" | シュノーケル (Shunōkeru, "Snowkel") | 154-current |
Ending sequences (Japanese version) | |||
| Title | Transcription/Translation | Band | Episodes |
| ワインド | Waindo, "Wind" | 明星 (Akeboshi) | 1-25 |
| ハルモニア | Harumonia, "Harmonia" | RYTHEM | 26-51 |
| ビバ★ロック~Japanese side~ | Biba★rokku~Japanese side~, "Viva★rock~Japanese side~" | ORANGE RANGE | 52-64 |
| ALIVE | (n/a) | 雷鼓 (Raiko) | 65-77 |
| 今まで何度も | Ima Made Nando Mo, "Many times up to now" | ザ・マスミサイル (Za Masumisairu, "The Massmissile") | 78-89 |
| 流星 | Ryūsei, "Shooting Star" | TiA | 90-103 |
| マウンテン・ア・ゴーゴー・ツー | Maunten-a-gōgō-tsū, "Mountain a go go two" | キャプテンストライダム (Kyaputen Sutoraidam, "Captain Stridum") | 104-115 |
| はじめて君としゃべった | Hajimete kimi to shabetta, "The first time I spoke with you" | ガガガSP (GagagaSP) | 116-128 |
| 失くした言葉 | Nakushita Kotoba, "Lost Words" | ノー・リグレット、ライフ (Nō-riguretto, raifu, "No Regret Life") | 129-141 |
| スピード | Supīdo, "Speed" | アナログフィッシュ (Anarogu Fīshu, "Analog Fish") | 142-153 |
| そばにいるから | Soba ni iru kara, "Because you are with me", or "Because I am with you" | アマドリ ("Amadori") | 154-165 |
| パレード | Parēdo, "Parade" | CHABA | 166-current |
Opening and Closing Sequences (U.S. Version) | ||
| Title | Band | Episodes |
| Rise[4] | 1-current | |
Movie Themes | |||
| Title | Transcription/Translation | Band | Episodes |
| Home Sweet Home | (n/a) | YUKI | Naruto the Movie |
| Ding! Dong! Dang! | (n/a) | TUBE | Naruto the Movie 2 |
OVAs
- 紅き四つ葉のクローバーを探せ, Akaki yotsuba no kurōbā o sagase, Find the Crimson Four-Leaf Clover
- 滝隠れの死闘 オレが英雄だってばよ！, Takigakure no shitō Ore ga eiyū dattebayo!, Battle at Hidden Falls. I am the Hero!
On November 1 2005, Anime News Network announced that a third OVA would be included with the PlayStation 2 video game Naruto: Narutimate Hero 3 It will be created by the staff of the TV series. At this time there are no further details about the content of the OVA. It is set to be released in Japan on December 22.
Movie List
- ナルト 大活劇！雪姫忍法帖だってばよ！！, Naruto Daikatsugeki! Yukihime Ninpōchō!, "Naruto Great action picture! It's the Snow princess' ninja chronicles!!" (Including 木ノ葉運動会, Konoha Undōkai, "The Leaf's athletic meet")
- ナルト 大激突！幻の地底遺跡だってばよ, Naruto Daigekitotsu! Maboroshi no Chiteiiseki dattebayo, "Naruto Great Clash! The Illusionary Ruins at the Depths of the Earth"
- Naruto the Movie 3 has been announced for summer of 2006, but there is currently no additional information available.
See also
| Media |
|  | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Characters | ||||||||||||||
External links
- Just Watch Out for the Fox Demon in the Ninja's Body, the New York Times, January 15, 2006 (login required)
Manga Volumes
English
- Naruto Vol. 1 ISBN 1-56931-900-6 - 192 pages, 2003
- Naruto Vol. 2 ISBN 1-59116-178-9 - 216 pages, 2003
- Naruto Vol. 3 ISBN 1-59116-187-8 - 208 pages, 2004
- Naruto Vol. 4 ISBN 1-59116-358-7 - 200 pages, 2004
- Naruto Vol. 5 ISBN 1-59116-359-5 - 200 pages, 2004
- Naruto Vol. 6 ISBN 1-59116-739-6 - 192 pages, 2005
- Naruto Vol. 7 ISBN 1-59116-875-9 - 192 pages, 2005
- Naruto Vol. 8 ISBN 1-42150-124-4 - 192 pages, 2005
Japanese
- Vol. 1 ISBN 4-08-872840-8 - 187 Pages, 2000
- Vol. 2 ISBN 4-08-872878-5 - 205 Pages, 2000
- Vol. 3 ISBN 4-08-872898-X - 203 Pages, 2000
- Vol. 4 ISBN 4-08-873026-7 - 184 Pages, 2000
- Vol. 5 ISBN 4-08-873050-X - 181 Pages, 2000
- Vol. 6 ISBN 4-08-873089-5 - 183 Pages, 2001
- Vol. 7 ISBN 4-08-873113-1 - 187 Pages, 2001
- Vol. 8 ISBN 4-08-873147-6 - 183 Pages, 2001
- Vol. 9 ISBN 4-08-873174-3 - 181 Pages, 2001
- Vol. 10 ISBN 4-08-873197-2 - 175 Pages, 2001
- Vol. 11 ISBN 4-08-873236-7 - 183 Pages, 2002
- Vol. 12 ISBN 4-08-873259-6 - 185 Pages, 2002
- Vol. 13 ISBN 4-08-873298-7 - 183 Pages, 2002
- Vol. 14 ISBN 4-08-873341-X - 177 Pages, 2002
- Vol. 15 ISBN 4-08-873368-1 - 183 Pages, 2002
- Vol. 16 ISBN 4-08-873394-0 - 189 Pages, 2003
- Vol. 17 ISBN 4-08-873420-3 - 185 Pages, 2003
- Vol. 18 ISBN 4-08-873493-9 - 187 Pages, 2003
- Vol. 19 ISBN 4-08-873523-4 - 185 Pages, 2003
- Vol. 20 ISBN 4-08-873552-8 - 185 Pages, 2003
- Vol. 21 ISBN 4-08-873573-0 - 209 Pages, 2004
- Vol. 22 ISBN 4-08-873595-1 - 186 Pages, 2004
- Vol. 23 ISBN 4-08-873639-7 - 185 Pages, 2004
- Vol. 24 ISBN 4-08-873660-5 - 186 Pages, 2004
- Vol. 25 ISBN 4-08-873679-6 - 186 Pages, 2004
- Vol. 26 ISBN 4-08-873770-9 - 187 Pages, 2005
- Vol. 27 ISBN 4-08-873791-1 - 185 Pages, 2005
- Vol. 28 ISBN 4-08-873828-4 - 189 Pages, 2005
- Vol. 29 ISBN 4-08-873849-7 - 182 Pages, 2005
- Vol. 30 ISBN 4-08-873881-0 - 187 Pages, 2005
- Vol. 31 ISBN 4-08-874002-5 - 192 Pages, 2005
Official sites / News
- The Naruto Site
- Shonen Jump's Naruto page (USA)
- Cartoon Network's Naruto page (USA)
- Cartoon Network press release on Naruto
- Viz press release on Naruto anime licensing
- Anime News Network Naruto (TV) (Detailed cast listing and news)
- Anime DVD's announcement on Naruto's licensing by ShoPro Entertainment