Naruto
Naruto | |
![]() Cover of the first Naruto manga volume | |
NARUTO - ナルト - | |
---|---|
Genre | Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
Manga | |
Naruto (pilot chapter) | |
Written by | Masashi Kishimoto |
Published by | ![]() |
English publisher | ![]() ![]() |
Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Demographic | Shōnen |
Published | 1997 |
Manga | |
Written by | Masashi Kishimoto |
Published by | ![]() |
English publisher | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Magazine | ![]()
![]() |
Demographic | Shōnen |
Original run | November 1999 – ongoing |
Volumes | 44 volumes |
Anime | |
Directed by | Hayato Date |
Studio | Studio Pierrot |
Released | October 3, 2002 – February 8, 2007 |
Manga | |
Naruto: Innocent Heart, Demonic Blood | |
Written by | Masatoshi Kusakabe |
Published by | ![]() |
English publisher | ![]() |
Published | 2002 |
Anime | |
Naruto: Find the Four-Leaf Red Clover! | |
Studio | Studio Pierrot |
Released | 2003 |
Anime | |
Naruto: Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village! | |
Studio | Studio Pierrot |
Released | 2004 |
Anime | |
Naruto: Hidden Leaf Village Grand Sports Festival | |
Directed by | Hayato Date |
Studio | Studio Pierrot |
Released | August 21, 2004 |
Anime | |
Naruto: Finally a clash! Jonin VS Genin!! Indiscriminate grand melee tournament meeting!! | |
Directed by | Hayato Date |
Studio | Studio Pierrot |
Released | December 22, 2005 |
Anime | |
Naruto: Shippuden | |
Directed by | Hayato Date |
Studio | Studio Pierrot |
Released | February 15, 2007 – ongoing |
Related works | |
Naruto (NARUTO -ナルト-, romanized as NARUTO in Japan) is an ongoing Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. The plot tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who constantly searches for recognition and aspires to become a Hokage, the ninja in his village that is acknowledged as the leader and the strongest of all. The series is based on a one-shot comic by Kishimoto that was published in the August 1997 issue of Akamaru Jump.
The manga was first published by Shueisha in 1999 in the 43rd issue of Japan's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine. Currently, the manga is still being serialized with forty-four tankōbon volumes having been released. The manga would be later adapted into an anime produced by Studio Pierrot and Aniplex. It premiered across Japan on the terrestrial TV Tokyo network and the anime satellite television network Animax on October 3, 2002. The first series lasted 220 episodes, while Naruto: Shippuden, a sequel to the original series, is currently on the air since February 15, 2007. Apart from anime series, Studio Pierrot has developed five movies for the series and several original video animations (OVAs). Other types of merchandise include light novels, video games and trading cards developed by several companies.
Viz Media has licensed the manga and anime for North American production. Viz has been publishing the series in their Shonen Jump magazine, and has also been releasing the volumes. The series aired in the United States and Canada in 2005, and later in the United Kingdom and Australia in 2006 and 2007 respectively. The films, as well as most OVAs from the series, have also been released by Viz, with the first film premiering on cinemas. Naruto: Shippuden has also been announced to premier in 2009 in the United States.
Serialized in Viz's Shonen Jump magazine, Naruto has become one of the company's best-selling manga series. As of volume 36, the manga has sold over 71 million copies in Japan. The English adaptation of the series have also appeared in the USA Today Booklist several times and volume 11 won the Quil Award in 2006. Reviewers from the series have praised the balance between fighting and comedy scenes, as well as the characters' personalities. However, some of them have noted the series to have concepts which appear in several shōnen series.
Setting
Naruto has a large number of characters, most of whom are ninjas. They initially study at the Ninja Academy, where the story begins, are split up into squads of three after their graduation and become Genin, rookie ninja. Each squad is assigned an experienced sensei.[1] These core squads 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 squad 7 becomes the social frame where Naruto is acquainted with Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and their sensei Kakashi Hatake, 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. The groups of three are not limited to the comrades Naruto's age – groups in the story in general come in threes and multiples of three.[2]
In the Naruto world, countries operate as separate political entities ruled by landlords. Within these countries are hidden villages (隠れ里, kakurezato), settlements housing ninja, warriors capable of using supernatural abilities in combat. A hidden village maintains the economy of the parent country by training ninja from a young age and using them to perform missions for other countries. The ninja of a hidden village also serve as the military force of their parent country. The leaders of the hidden villages hold equal status with the leaders of their respective countries. Five countries in the Naruto world: the Land of Earth, the Land of Fire, Land of Lightning, the Land of Water, and the Land of Wind are known as the "Five Great Shinobi Nations". These countries are the most powerful in the Naruto world. They are ruled by a feudal lord and the leaders of the hidden villages in these countries hold the title of Kage. Other apparently smaller nations have been named in passing, in either the manga or anime, but are yet to be explored.[3]
Plot
Naruto Uzumaki is a young boy who has the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox sealed within him. Twelve years before the start of the series, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox attacked the ninja village Konohagakure, slaughtering many people. In response, the leader of Konohagakure – the Fourth Hokage – sacrificed his life to seal the demon inside Naruto when he was a newborn. Konohagakure, however, regarded Naruto as if he were the demon fox itself and mistreated him throughout most of his childhood. A decree made by the Third Hokage forbade anyone mention the attack of the demon fox to anyone. Years later, Naruto was tricked by the renegade ninja Mizuki into stealing a forbidden scroll, but was stopped by his teacher, Iruka Umino. Once he realized he was tricked, Naruto uses the Shadow Clone Technique from the scroll to defeat Mizuki. That encounter made Naruto realize he was the container of the demon fox.
The main story follows Naruto and his friends' personal growth. Naruto befriends two comrades, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, who are assigned with him to form a three-person team under an experienced sensei named Kakashi Hatake. Naruto also befriends other characters that he meets throughout the series. 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 Hokage of Konohagakure. At first, emphasis is placed on Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, who are the members of Team 7. Later, Orochimaru, a criminal at the top of Konohagakure's most wanted list, attacks Konoha killing the Third Hokage as an act of revenge. This causes one of the three legendary ninja, Jiraiya to search for his partner Tsunade, to become the Fifth Hokage. During that search, it is revealed that Orochimaru also desires to acquire Sasuke Uchiha due to his powerful genetic heritage. Believing Orochimaru will be able to give him the strength needed to kill his brother Itachi, who destroyed all his clan, Sasuke goes to him. Naruto does not give up on Sasuke, leaving Konoha for two-and-a-half years of training to prepare himself for the next time he meets Sasuke.
After the training period, a mysterious organization called Akatsuki attempts to capture the nine powerful tailed beasts including the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox sealed inside of Naruto. Several ninjas from Konohagakure, including Team 7, fight against the Akatsuki members search for their teammate Sasuke. Sasuke, however, betrays Orochimaru and faces Itachi to take revenge. Although Itachi dies, Sasuke is told by the Akatsuki member Madara Uchiha that Itachi was ordered by Konohagakure's leadership to destroy his clan. Saddened with the revelation, Sasuke joins forces with Akatsuki to destroy Konohagakure. Meanwhile, as several Akatsuki members are defeated by the Konohagakure ninja, the leader, Pain, prepares to invade the village to kidnap Naruto.
Production
Masashi Kishimoto first created a one-shot of Naruto for August 1997 issue of Akamaru Jump.[4] Despite its high positive results in the reader poll, Kishimoto thought "[the] art stinks and the story's a mess!" Kishimoto was originally working on Karakuri for the Hop Step Award when, unsatisfied by the rough drafts, he decided to work on something different, which later formed into the manga series Naruto. Kishimoto has expressed concerns that the use of chakras and hand signs makes Naruto too Japanese, but still believes to be an enjoyable read.[5]
When originally creating the Naruto story, Kishimoto looked to other shōnen manga as influences for his work, although he attempted to make his characters as unique as possible.[6] The separation of the characters into different teams was intended to give each group a specific flavor. Kishimoto wished for each member to be "extreme," having a high amount of aptitude in one given attribute yet be talentless in another."[7] The insertion of villains into the story was largely to have them act as a counterpoint to the characters' moral values. Kishimoto has admitted that this focus on illustrating the difference in values is central to his creation of villains to the point that, "I don't really think about them in combat."[8] When drawing the characters, Kishimoto consistenly follows a five-step process: concept and rough sketch, drafting, inking, shading, and coloring. These steps are followed when he is drawing the actual manga and making the color illustrations that commonly adorn the cover of tankōbon, the cover of Weekly Shōnen Jump, or other media, but the toolkit he utilizes occasionally changes.[9] For instance, he utilized an airbrush for one illustration for a Weekly Shōnen Jump cover, but decided not to use it for future drawings largely due to the cleanup required.[10]
Kishimoto added that, as Naruto takes place in a "Japanese fantasy world," he has set certain rules, in a systematic way so that he could easily "convey the story." Kishimoto wanted to "draw on" the Chinese zodiac tradition, which had a long-standing presence in Japan; the zodiac hand signs originate from this. When Kishimoto was creating the setting of the Naruto manga, he initially concentrated on the designs for village of Konohagakure, the primary setting of the series. Kishimoto asserts that his design for Konohagakure was created "pretty spontaneously without much thought", but admits that the scenery is based on his home in the Okayama prefecture in Japan. Without a specific time period, Kishimoto included modern elements in the series such as convenience stores, but specifically excluded projectile weapons and vehicles from the storyline. For reference materials, Kishimoto performs his own research into Japanese culture and alludes to it in his work.[11] Regarding technology Kishimoto said that Naruto would not have any firearms. He said he may include automobiles, aircraft, and "low-processing" computers; Kishimoto specified the computers would "maybe" be eight-bit and that they would "definitely not" be sixteen-bit.[12] He has also stated that he has a visual idea of the last chapter of the series, including the text and the story. However, he notes that it may take a long time to end the series since "there are still so many things that need to be resolved".[13]
Media
Manga
Naruto premiered in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine in 1999.[14][15] The first 238 chapters are known as Part I, and constitute the first part of the Naruto storyline. Manga chapters 239 to 244 comprise a gaiden series focusing on the background of the character Kakashi Hatake. All subsequent chapters belong to Part II, which continues the storyline in Part I after a two and a half year time gap. The English adaptation of the Naruto manga is licensed by Viz and serialized in Viz's version of Shonen Jump.[14] To compensate for the gap between the Japanese and English adaptations of the manga, Viz implemented its "Naruto Nation" campaign, where it released three volumes a month in the last four months of 2007 in order to close said gap.[16] Cammie Allen, Viz's product manager, commented that, their main reason for the schedule was to catch up to the Japanese release schedule to give their readers a similar experience to that of Japanese readers.[16] A similar campaign is planned for 2009, with eleven volumes from Part II of the series being released between February and April in order to catch up to the Japanese serialization. Starting with the release of volume forty-five in July, Viz will begin releasing Naruto on a quarterly basis.[17]
As of May 2008[update], 42 tankōbon have been released by Shueisha in Japan, with the first twenty-seven tankōbon containing Part I, and the remaining fifteen belonging to Part II. The first tankōbon was released on March 3, 2000,[18] with the forty-fourth released on November 4, 2008.[19] In addition, several tankōbon, each containing ani-manga based one of the Naruto movies, have been released by Shueisha.[20][21][22][23] In Japanese, Shueisha has also released the series for cell-phone download on their website Shueisha Manga Capsule.[24] Viz has released 30 volumes of the English adaptation of the manga.[25] In addition, Viz Media released all twenty-seven volumes in a boxed set, thus constituting the entirety of the Naruto storyline before Part II on November 13, 2007.[26]
Anime series
Naruto
Directed by Hayato Date and produced by Studio Pierrot and TV Tokyo, the Naruto anime adaptation premiered in Japan on TV Tokyo October 3, 2002, and ran for 220 episodes until its conclusion on February 8, 2007.[27][28] The first 135 episodes are adapted from the first twenty-seven volumes of the manga, while the remaining eighty episodes are filler episodes that utilize plot elements not seen in the original manga.[29]
Viz licensed the anime series for broadcast and distribution in the Region 1 market.[27] The English adaptation of the anime began airing on September 10, 2005.[30] The episodes have been shown on Cartoon Network (United States)'s Toonami, YTV (Canada)'s Bionix and Jetix United Kingdom's programming blocks.[27] Beginning on March 28, 2006, Viz released the series on DVD.[31] While the first 26 volumes contain four episodes, since DVD volumes have five episodes.[32] Uncut editions are compiled in DVD Box Sets, each containing 12-15 episodes, with some variation based around story arcs.[33] In the American broadcast, references to alcohol, Japanese culture, sexual innuendo, and the appearance of blood and death were sometimes reduced for the broadcast, but left in the DVD editions.[34] Other networks make additional content edits apart from the edits done by Cartoon Network, such as Jetix's stricter censoring of blood, language, smoking and the like. The series has also been licensed to the websites Hulu and Joost to air them online in Japanese with English subtitles.[35][36]
Naruto: Shippuden
Naruto: Shippuden (ナルト 疾風伝, Naruto Shippūden, lit. "Naruto: Hurricane Chronicles") is the ongoing sequel to the original Naruto anime and covers the Naruto manga from volume twenty-eight on. After training for two and a half years with Jiraiya, Naruto returns to Konohagakure, reunites with the friends he left behind, and reforms Team 7, now called Team Kakashi, with Sai replacing Sasuke. All of Naruto's classmates have matured and improved in the ranks. Unlike the original series where they only played a minor role, the Akatsuki organization takes on the main antagonistic role in their attempts at world domination.
The TV adaptation of Naruto: Shippuden debuted in Japan on February 15, 2007 on TV Tokyo, and in the Philippines on January 28, 2008 on ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN is the first TV network (TV network outside Japan) to broadcast Naruto: Shippuden. ABS-CBN has initially aired the first 40 episodes of Naruto: Shippuden until March 19, 2008.[37] Beginning January 8, 2009, TV Tokyo will begin broadcasting new episodes via internet streaming directly to monthly subscribers. Each streamed episode will be made available online within an hour of its Japanese premiere and will include English subtitles.[38] Viz began streaming English subtitled episodes on January 2, 2009 on their official website for the series. The uploaded episodes include both previously released episodes and the new episodes from Japan.[39]
CDs
The Naruto soundtracks were composed and arranged by Toshio Masuda.[40] The first, titled Naruto Original Soundtrack, was released on April 3, 2003 and contained twenty-two tracks that appeared during the first season of the anime.[41] The second, called Naruto Original Soundtrack II was released on March 18, 2004 and contained nineteen tracks.[42] The third, called Naruto Original Soundtrack III was released on April 27, 2005 and contained twenty-three tracks.[43]
A series of two soundtracks containing all the opening and ending themes of the series, titled Naruto: Best Hit Collection and Naruto: Best Hit Collection II were released on November 17, 2004 and August 2, 2006, respectively.[44][45] Of all tracks of the series, eight were selected and released as a CD called Naruto in Rock -The Very Best Hit Collection Instrumental Version- that was released on December 19, 2007.[46] Each of the three movies of the first anime series has a soundtrack that was released near its release date.[47][48][49] Various Drama CD series have also been released in which the voice actors play original episodes.[50]
The soundtracks of Naruto: Shippuden have been produced by Yasuharu Takanashi.[51] The first, Naruto Shippūden Original Soundtrack was released on December 9, 2007.[52] Naruto All Stars was released on July 23, 2008 and consists of ten original Naruto songs remixed and sung by characters from the series.[53] The two films from the sequel also had their soundtracks, with the first released on August 1, 2007 and the second on July 30, 2008.[54][55]
OVAs
There are four Naruto original video animations (OVAs). The first two, Find the Crimson Four-Leaf Clover! and Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village!, were aired at the Shōnen Jump Jump Festa 2003 and Jump Festa 2004, respectively, and were later released on DVD.[56][57] The English localization of the second OVA was released on DVD by Viz on May 22, 2007.[58] The third OVA, Finally a clash! Jonin VS Genin!! Indiscriminate grand melee tournament meeting!!, was released on a bonus disc with the Japanese edition of the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 video game for the PlayStation 2.[59] The fourth OVA, Konoha Annual Sports Festival, is a short video released with the first Naruto movie.[60] There is also a special feature included with the seventh Naruto: Shippuden compilation DVD based on the second ending of the series called Hurricane! "Konoha Academy" Chronicles.[61]
Films
The series has also spawned five films; with the first three situated during the first anime series, the remaining from Naruto: Shippūden. The first film, Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow, was released on August 21, 2004 in Japan and on DVD on April 28, 2005. It tells how Team 7 is dispatched to the Land of Snow to protect the actors during the shooting of the new Princess Fuun movie, to whom Naruto became a fan. As a bonus, the short and non-canonical OVA Konoha Annual Sports Festival was included with the Japanese release of the film.[62] It premiered on September 6, 2007 in the United States.[63][64]
It was followed by Legend of the Stone of Gelel, which was released in theaters in Japan on August 6, 2005. The film involves Naruto, Shikamaru and Sakura during a ninja mission in which they are involved in a war between the Sunagakure village and a large number of armored warriors.[65] Unlike its predecessor, Legend of the Stone of Gelel did not see a theatrical release in the United States, and was direct-to-video instead. It aired on Cartoon Network on July 26, 2008 and then was released to DVD July 29, 2008.[66]
The third film, Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom, was originally released on August 5, 2006. It shows how Naruto, Sakura, Lee, and Kakashi are assigned to protect the future prince of the Land of Moon, Hikaru Tsuki.[67] The English dub of the movie aired on Cartoon Network and was released to DVD on November 11, 2008.[68][69] On July 3, 2008, Sony released a Japanese DVD Box containing the first three movies.[70]
The series' fourth film, Naruto: Shippūden the Movie, was released on August 4, 2007, and chronicles Naruto's assignment to protect the priest Shion who starts having visions of his death.[71] The fifth film, Bonds, was released on August 2, 2008. It tells how ninja from the Sky Country attack Konoha and to stop them, Naruto and Sasuke join forces although the latter has already left two years ago.[72] The 10th anniversary website from the series has confirmed the release of Naruto: Shippūden the Movie 3 (劇場版NARUTO−ナルト− 疾風伝, Gekijōban Naruto Shippūden 3) during 2009.[73]
Light novels
Two Naruto light novels, written by Masatoshi Kusakabe, have been published in Japan by Shueisha and released in English in North America by Viz. The first, Naruto: Innocent Heart, Demonic Blood, is based on the first arc of the series and was released on December 16, 2002 in Japan and November 21, 2006 in North America.[74][75] The second novel Naruto: Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village!, based in the 2nd OVA of the anime, was published on December 15, 2003 in Japan and October 16, 2007 in the United States.[76][77] Viz has also started to publish new novels called Chapter Books written by Tracey West, and with illustrations from the manga. Unlike the series, the novels are aimed to children aged 7 to 10 years old.[78] The first two novels were released on October 7, 2008 and the fifth will be released on January 6, 2009.[79][80][81]
Video games
Naruto video games have appeared on various consoles from Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. Most of them are fighting games in which the player controls one of a select few characters directly based upon their counterparts in the Naruto anime and manga. The player pits their character against another character controlled by the game's AI or by another player, depending on the mode that the player is in. The objective is to reduce the opponent's health to zero using basic attacks and special techniques unique to each character that are derived from techniques they use in the Naruto anime or manga.[82] The very first Naruto video game was Naruto: Konoha Ninpouchou, which was released in Japan on March 27, 2003, for the WonderSwan Color.[83] Most Naruto video games have been released only in Japan. The first games released outside Japan were the Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen series and the Naruto: Saikyou Ninja Daikesshu series, released in North America under the titles of Naruto: Clash of Ninja and Naruto: Ninja Council.[84][85]
Trading card game
Naruto Collectible Card Game (ナルト- カードゲーム, lit. Naruto CardGame) is a collectible card game based around the Naruto series. Produced by Bandai, the game was first introduced in Japan in February 2003.[86] Bandai began releasing the game in English in North American in April 2006.[87] The game is played between two players requiring players use a customized deck of fifty cards from the set, a game mat, an item to act as a "turn marker" for noting whose turn it is, and a "Ninja Blade Coin" which is primarily used to flip for making decisions. In order to win, a player must either earn ten "battle rewards" through their actions in the game, or they must cause the other player to exhaust their deck.[88]
The cards are released in named sets, called "series" in the form of four different 50-card preconstructed box sets.[87][86] Each set includes a starter deck, the game mat, a turn-counter, and one stainless steel "Ninja Blade Coin". Additional cards are made available in 10-card booster packs, and deck sets, primarily for retailers, contain all four box sets available for each series. Cards for each set are also made available in collectible tins, containing several booster packs and exclusive promotional cards in a metal box.[89] By October 2006, seventeen series had been released in Japan spanning 417 unique cards.[86] As of August 2008, ten of these series have been released in North America.[90]
Art and guidebooks
Several supplementary books of the Naruto series have been released. An artbook named The Art of Naruto: Uzumaki contains illustration from the Part I manga and was released in both Japan and the United States.[91] For the Part II manga, an artbook called PAINT JUMP: Art of Naruto was released by Shueisha on April 4, 2008.[92] A series of guidebooks for the Part I called First Official Data Book (秘伝・臨の書キャラクターオフィシャルデータBOOK, Hiden: Rin no Sho Character Official Data Book)[93] and Second Official Data Book (秘伝・闘の書キャラクターオフィシャルデータBOOK, Hiden: Tō no Sho Character Official Data Book)[94] were released only in Japan. The third databook, Character Official Data Book Hiden Sha no Sho was released on September 4, 2008, and adapted Part II from the manga.[95] These books contain character profiles, Jutsu guides and drafts made by Kishimoto. For the anime, a series of guidebook called Naruto anime profiles were also released. These books contain information about the production of the anime episodes and explanation of the characters designs.[96]
Reception
Naruto has been well received in both Japan and the United States. As of volume 36, the manga has sold over 71 million copies in Japan.[97] During 2008, volume 43 sold 1,188,881 copies becoming the 9th best-selling comic from Japan. Volumes 41, 42 and 44 also ranked within the top 20, but had smaller sold copies.[98] In total, the manga sold 4,261,054 copies in Japan during 2008, becoming the 2nd best-selling series.[99] The Naruto manga series has become one of Viz's top properties,[100] accounting for nearly 10% of all manga sales in 2006.[101] The seventh volume of Viz's release became the first manga win a Quill Award when it claimed the award for "Best Graphic Novel" in 2006.[101] The manga also appeared in the USA Today Booklist with volume 11 holding the title of the highest ranked manga series on the list, until it was surpassed by volume 28, which claimed the 17th rank in its first week of release in March 2008.[102][103][104] Volume 28 also had one of the biggest debut weeks of any manga in years and is currently the top selling manga volume of 2008.[105] During its release, volume 29 ranked #57, while the volume 28 had dropped to #139.[106] In April 2007, volume 14 earned Viz the "Manga Trade Paperback of the Year" Gem Award from Diamond Comic Distributors.[107] The manga series also became the top manga property from 2008 in the United States with 31 volumes having been published during the chart.[108] Searches for the word "Naruto" were #7 on the Yahoo! web search engine's list of the top 10 most popular search terms of 2008, and #4 from 2007.[109]
The series has received praise and criticism by several reviewers. A. E. Sparrow from IGN noted how some manga volumes focus only in certain characters to the point the number of fans increases. He also praised the way that Kishimoto manages to make a remarkable combinations of fighting scenes, comedy and good artwork.[110] The anime and manga magazine Neo described Naruto's character as "irksome", but attributed the series' "almost sickening addictiveness" to its level of characterization.[111] Carl Kimlinger from Anime News Network (ANN) praised the designs of the characters, since every one shows their unique way of acting and appearance. He also noted how even the "goofiest looking character" can act "damm cool" when he fights. However, Kimlinger he noted that since in some volumes there are several fights. As such, the plot is not able to be developed although he praised how each of the battles were emotional.[112] The start of Part II has been praised in another review by Casey Brienza from ANN. She noted how well the characters were developed as they had new appearances and abilities. Brienza also praised the balance between plot and action scenes allowing the readers the enjoy the volume. However, she noted that it is not frequent that all the volumes have the same quality.[113] Briana Lawrence from Mania Entertainment added that in Part II, the manga feels "adult" since several characters grew up but there are still comedy parts in the series. However, Viz's translations were criticized for being "inconsisent" due to the change of some Japanese terms to English, while other words were left intact.[114]
In TV Asahi's latest top 100 Anime Ranking from October 2006, Naruto ranked 17th on the list.[115] Naruto Shippuden has ranked several times as one of most watched series in Japan.[116][117] The Naruto anime adaptation won the "Best Full-Length Animation Program Award" in the Third UStv Awards held in the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines.[118] The first of the DVD compilations containing thirteen episodes, released by Viz was nominated at the American Anime Awards for best package design.[119] It also ranked as the third best-seller anime property from all 2008.[120]
Reviewers noted that the primary focus of the series was on the fighting since they consider that the fight scenes are more dedicated than backgrounds. The music has also been noted to be a good match with the fighting scenes though it sometimes interferes with the dialogues.[121] Martin Theron from ANN criticized the series for long fights, but he also noted that most of them break the "stereotypical shōnen concepts." The soundtracks have been praised for enhancing the excitement and mood of the storytelling.[122] Although Christina Carpenter of T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews considered the characters from the series as "likeable", she commented that most of them did not surpassed the "stereotypics" that appear in shōnen manga. She also considered Kishimoto "an average artist at best" and derided the poor transition of his artistic style into animation.[123] Despite this, the second reviewer from T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews, Derrick L. Tucker, admitted that when the animators were at their best, they produced "artistic renderings that leave little to be desired on the part of fans of the manga", but concluded the animation was "a mixed bag". He also added that while fights were entertaining, due to the large number of them, the plot takes time to continue.[124] Some critics panned the Battle at Hidden Falls OVA, as being a throw back to the earliest episodes of the main Naruto series. ANN' s reviewer called it a poor addition to the Naruto franchise that didn't "do the series justice" but may make viewers gain new appreciation for how far the series has progressed since its earliest episodes.[125] Todd Douglass Jr. from DVDtalk.com commented the OVA was good overrall but it still lacked the depth that common story arcs from the series have.[126]
References
- ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2003). "Chapter 3". Naruto, Volume 1. Viz Media. ISBN 1-56931-900-6.
- ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2003). "Chapter 8". Naruto, Volume 2. Viz Media. ISBN 1-59116-178-9.
- ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2003). "Chapter 1". Naruto, Volume 1. Viz Media. ISBN 1-56931-900-6.
- ^ "SJ Runs Yu-Gi-Oh's End, Slam Dunk's Debut, Naruto's Origin". Anime News Network. May 11, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-18.
- ^ Shonen Jump Special Collector Edition (Free Collector's Edition). No. 00. Viz Media: 68. 2005. ISSN 1545-7818.
{{cite journal}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto. Viz Media. p. 138. ISBN 1-4215-1407-9.
- ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto. Viz Media. p. 141. ISBN 1-4215-1407-9.
- ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto. Viz Media. p. 142. ISBN 1-4215-1407-9.
- ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto. Viz Media. pp. 112–114. ISBN 1-4215-1407-9.
- ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto. Viz Media. p. 118. ISBN 1-4215-1407-9.
- ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto. Viz Media. p. 145. ISBN 1-4215-1407-9.
- ^ Shonen Jump #33 Volume 3, Issue 9. Viz Media: 8. 2003. ISSN 1545-7818.
{{cite journal}}
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ignored (help) - ^ "The Hokage Speaks". Shonen Jump, Issue 42. Viz Media. 2006. ISSN 1545-7818.
{{cite journal}}
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ignored (help) - ^ a b "Naruto (manga)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2007-10-29.
- ^ "Masashi Kishimoto". Viz Media. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
- ^ a b Alverson, Brigid (2007-05-01). "Viz Speeds Up Naruto Releases - 5/1/2007 - Publishers Weekly". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
- ^ "A NEW GENERATION, A NEW DESTINY". Viz Media. November 17, 2008. Retrieved November 17, 2008.
- ^ "Naruto 1" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2007-10-13.
- ^ "Naruto 44" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
- ^ "NARUTO―ナルト―" (in Japanese). s-book.com. Retrieved 2007-10-29.
- ^ "劇場版Naruto" (in Japanese). s-book.com. Retrieved 2007-10-29.
- ^ "劇場版NARUTO―ナルト―疾風伝― ゲキジョウバンナルト" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-05-26.
- ^ "s-book.com:Naruto―ナルト―" (in Japanese). s-book.com. Retrieved 2007-10-29.
- ^ "NARUTO—ナルト—". Shueisha. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
- ^ "VIZ Media . products". Viz Media. Retrieved 2007-10-29.
- ^ "Fall 2007 Naruto Box Set, Volumes 1-27 (Naruto)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
- ^ a b c "Naruto (TV) - Anime News Network". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ "Naruto (TV) - Anime News Network". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ "Naruto Filler to End". Anime News Network. 2006-12-04. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
- ^ "IGN: Naruto: Season 1". IGN. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ "Naruto, Vol. 1 (DVD)". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ "Naruto, Vol. 27 (DVD)". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ "Naruto Uncut, Vol. 1 (DVD Box Set)". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ "Naruto review". IGN. Retrieved 2007-01-06.
- ^ "Joost Streams Legal, Subbed Naruto, Death Note for Free (Updated)". Anime News Network. 2008-09-23. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
- ^ "Hulu.com Launches Channel for Free, Legal Anime Streams (Update 2)". Anime News Network. 2008-09-23. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
- ^ "Naruto Shippūden (TV)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
- ^ "PRESS RELEASE; Re: Animated Television Series Naruto available worldwide, same day as Japanese Premiere" (PDF). TV Tokyo. 2008-11-17. Retrieved 2008-11-18.
- ^ "Viz Media Announces Unprecedented Multimedia Campaign to Provide Near Simultaneous U.S.-Japan Release of New Naruto Shippuden Animated Episodes for Free on www.Naruto.com". Anime News Network. 2008-11-17. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
- ^ "Toshio Masuda". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
- ^ "NARUTO - Original Soundtrack". CdJapan. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ "NARUTO - Original Soundtrack II". CdJapan. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ "NARUTO - Original Soundtrack III". CdJapan. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ "NARUTO - Best Hit Collection Regular Edition". CdJapan. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ "NARUTO - Best Hit Collection 2 w/ DVD, Limited Pressing". CdJapan. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ "Naruto in Rock -The Very Best Hit Collection Instrumental Version-". CdJapan. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ "Theatrical Feature NARUTO - Daikatsugeki! Yukihime Ninpocho Dattebayo!! - Original Soundtrack". CdJapan. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ "Theatrical Feature Naruto Daigekitotsu! Maboroshi no Chitei Iseki Dattebayo - Original Soundtrack". CdJapan. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ "Movie Naruto Daikofun! Mikazukito no Animal Sodo Dattebayo Original Soundtrack". CdJapan. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ "NARUTO Drama CD Series Vol.1". CdJapan. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
- ^ "Yasuharu Takanashi". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ "Naruto Shippuden Original Soundtrack". CdJapan. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ "Naruto All Stars". CdJapan. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ "Naruto Shippuden The Movie Original Soundtrack". CdJapan. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ "Movie Naruto Shippuden Kizuna Original Sundtrack". CdJapan. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
- ^ "Naruto Special: Akaki Yotsuba no Clover wo Sagase (OAV)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ "Naruto Special: Battle at Hidden Falls. I am the Hero! (OAV)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ "VIZ Media . products". Viz Media. Retrieved 2007-09-28.
- ^ "Naruto (OAV)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ "Naruto: Konoha Sports Festival (movie)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ "NARUTO-ナルト- 疾風伝 風影奪還の章7". TV Tokyo. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
- ^ "Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ "160 North American Screens Signed Up for Naruto Movie". Anime News Network. 2007-04-25. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ "Naruto The Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ "Naruto the Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ "Naruto the Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ "Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ "Toonami Jetstream Site Streams Second Naruto Movie". Anime News Network. 2008-11-07. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ "Naruto the Movie 3: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ "Naruto The Movies 3 in 1 Special DVD Box". CDJapan. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ "Naruto Shippūden (movie)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ "Naruto Shippūden: Kizuna (movie)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ "Naruto10th" (in Japanese). Naruto 10th anniversary website. Retrieved 2008-12-06.
- ^ "Naruto: Innocent Heart, Demonic Blood (Novel)". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ "NARUTO―ナルト―白の童子、血風の鬼人" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
- ^ "Naruto: Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village! (Novel)". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ "NARUTO―ナルト―滝隠れの死闘 オレが英雄だってばよ" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
- ^ "Viz to Ship Anniversary Shonen Jump, Naruto Kids' Novels". Anime News Network. 2008-06-02. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
- ^ "Naruto: Chapter Book , Vol. 1". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
- ^ "Naruto: Chapter Book , Vol. 2". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
- ^ "Naruto: Chapter Book , Vol. 5". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
- ^ Torres, Ricardo (2006-02-24). "Naruto: Clash of Ninja Updated Hands-On". GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-09-08.
- ^ "GameSpot: Naruto: Konoha Ninpouchou". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ^ "SHONEN JUMP's NARUTO Coming to North America!". GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
- ^ "IGN: Naruto: Ninja Council". IGN. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
- ^ a b c "NARUTO-ナルト- カードゲーム" (in Japanese). Bandai. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ a b "Series #1:The Path to Hokage". Bandai. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ "Naruto Rule Book" (PDF). Bandai. 2002. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ "2008 Naruto: Secret of the Masters Tin: Naruto Uzumaki & Jiraiya". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
- ^ "Series #10: Lineage of the Legends". Bandai. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ "The Art of Naruto: Uzumaki". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
- ^ "PAINT JUMP Art of NARUTO" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
- ^ "NARUTO―ナルト―[秘伝・臨の書]" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
- ^ "NARUTO―ナルト―[秘伝・闘の書]" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
- ^ "NARUTO―ナルト―[秘伝・者の書]" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ "Viz Media - products. Naruto: Anime Profiles". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
- ^ "The Rise and Fall of Weekly Shōnen Jump: A Look at the Circulation of Weekly Jump". ComiPress.com. March 6, 2007. Retrieved November 22, 2008.
- ^ "2008's Top-Selling Manga in Japan, #1-25". Anime News Network. 2008-12-19. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "2008's Top-Selling Manga in Japan, by Series". Anime News Network. 2009-01-02. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ^ "USA Today's Top 150 Best Seller list features Viz Media's Shonen Jump's Naruto manga at number 29". Viz Media. March 7, 2006. Retrieved November 22, 2008.
- ^ a b "Naruto Nabs Quill Award". Icv2. 2006-10-12. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ "A Quiet Week for Manga on Booklist". Anime News Network. 2006-11-12. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
- ^ "Naruto 11 Breaks Booklist Record". Anime News Network. 2006-09-04. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
- ^ "USA Today Booklist, March 3–9: Highest-Ranking Naruto". Anime News Network. 2008-03-13. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
- ^ "BookScan's Top 20 Graphic Novels for March". Icv2. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
- ^ "USA Today Booklist, April 28–May 4". Anime News Network. 2008-05-07. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ "Viz Wins Two 2007 Gem Manga Awards from Diamond". Anime News Network. 2008-04-07. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ "Top 20 Q3 2008 Manga Properties". Icv2. 2008-11-10. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
- ^ "Naruto Makes Yahoo's Top-10 Search Terms List at #7". Anime News Network. 2008-12-03. Retrieved 2008-12-03.
- ^ Sparrow, A. E. (2007-02-027). "Naruto Vol. 13 Review". IGN. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ White, Nik (September, 2006), "Naruto Vol. 1: Unleashed", Neo, no. 23, United Kingdom: Uncooked Media, p. 70–71, ISSN 1744-9596
{{citation}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|magazine=
(help) - ^ Kimlinger, Carl (2006-11-02). "Naruto GN 8-10 - Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
- ^ Brienza, Casey (2008-08-07). "Naruto GN 28 Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
- ^ Lawrence, Briana (2008-03-27). "Naruto Vol.#28 review". Mania Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
- ^ "Japan's Favorite TV Anime". Anime News Network. 2006-10-13. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
- ^ "Japanese Anime TV Ranking, April 9-15". Anime News Network. 2007-04-19. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
- ^ "Japanese Anime TV Ranking, September 22-28". Anime News Network. 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
- ^ "Studio 23 tops USTv Awards". inquirer.net. 2007-02-22. Retrieved 2007-09-07.
- ^ George, Richard (2007-02-13). "NYCC 07: Viz Anime Dominates Award Noms". IGN. Retrieved 2007-09-07.
- ^ George, Richard (2008-11-10). "Top Q3 2008 Anime Properties". Icv2. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
- ^ Rich, Justin (2007-08-07). "Disc Reviews >> Naruto Box Set 04 (also w/special edition". Mania.com. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
- ^ Theron, Martin (2008-02-29). "Naruto DVD - Uncut DVD Box Set 6 - Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
- ^ Ross, Christina. "THEM Anime Reviews 4.0 - Naruto". T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
- ^ Tucker, Derrick. "THEM Anime Reviews 4.0 - Naruto - Second Opinion". T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
- ^ Lawrence, Briana (2007-08-04). "Naruto Special: Battle at Hidden Falls. I am the Hero!". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
- ^ Douglass Jr, Todd (2007-06-08). "Naruto OVA - The Lost Story". DVDTalk.com. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
External links
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