Naruto

Overview

Naruto (2002)

The Naruto anime series is the first anime based upon the manga series Naruto, created by the writer and artist Masashi Kishimoto. The series was directed by Hayato Date, music by Toshio Masuda. It's a shonen action series in the tradition of Dragon Ball. It is produced by the Studio Pierrot and has aired in Japan on both the TV Tokyo and Animax networks. It is mainly targeted toward a younger male audience, but does have cross gender appear. the first episode originally aired on October 3, 2002.

The anime was licensed for the U.S. by the VIZ Media company, the same publisher of the Naruto manga in the U.S. The first episode aired on September 10th 2005 on Cartoon Network's anime programming Toonami. On September 20, 2008, Cartoon Network ended its Toonami block, but the channel continued randomly air episodes of Naruto in the time slots originally occupied by Toonami's programming. Following Episode 209, airing on January 31, 2009, the last episode to be shown Cartoon Network. VIZ has since stated that they have continued dubbing new episodes and releasing on DVD.

After Episode 135 of the Naruto anime that aired in May of 2005, the series began a constant run of filler episodes that would last till the series end with Episode 220 that aired in February 8th 2007. At which point, the Naruto Shippuden series picked up the Naruto manga story from the point of the beginning of a two year time skip and much of the younger cast grew and developed in skill.

Plot

Naruto vows to become the greatest Hokage.

Twelve years ago the Village Hidden in the Leaves was attacked by a fearsome threat. The Nine-tailed Fox Demon claimed the lives of hundreds and of the village leader, the Fourth Hokage. Years later, the village is at peace and a troublemaking kid named Naruto Uzumaki struggled to graduate from Ninja Academy. His goal may be to become the next Hokage, but his true destiny will be much more complicated. The adventure begins now!

The secret that Naruto is the vessel of the Nine-tails has been kept from him most his life, but those who lived to see the destruction have not been kind and suspect that he will become a demon. After failing his ninja exam, Naruto was tricked into stealing a precious scroll by one of the ninja teachers. In the process, he learns the dark secret sealed inside of him. In spite of this realization, Naruto saves to day and is graduated as a full fledged ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village.

Characters

Team 7 Team 7 - Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi The Team 7 of the Hidden Leaf Village consist of Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha. It is also known as Team Kakashi, named after their ninja master, Kakashi Hatake. Naruto isn't the only ninja with a dream. Sasuke has one goal driving him forward. He is the only survivor of the massacre of the Uchiha Clan and the perpetrator is his very own brother, Itachi. Sakura is an intelligent young woman who struggles to just keep up with her team mates and tries to find her place as a ninja. The team leader, Kakashi, is a legend of the Hidden Leaf ninja known as the Copy Ninja. Using the Sharingan Eye, he can copy any jutsu he can see. Though the mystery of the source of the eyes only found in the Uchiha clan is unknown.

Team 8 Team 8 - Shino, Hinata, Kiba, and Kurenai The Team 8 of the Hidden Leaf Village consists of Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuga, and Kiba Inuzuka with his dog partner Akamaru. It's also known as Team Kurenai, named after their ninja master, Kurenai Yuuhi. The leader of Team 8 is Shino. Has a member of the Abumare Clan, he has a mastery of specialized ninjutsu that uses insects. Hinata Hyuga is a shy young girl and a member of the renowned Hyuga Clan. She can use a special Kekkei Genkai (genetic trait) called the Byakugan. Though timid and not as skilled as many of the ninja in her clan's main family, she loves Naruto and strives to push forward the way he does in hopes he will see her one day. Kiba is a member of the Inuzuka Clan specializes in having dog partners that they live with and train. Their senses can even equal their canine counterparts. Kurenai is one of the more talented Jonin class ninja. She is a master of the psychological ninjutsu called Genjutsu. With these techniques, she can manipulate what her opponent sees, hears, and even feels.

Team 9 Team 9 - Neji, Tenten, Rock Lee, and Might Guy The Team 9 of the Hidden Leaf Village consists of Neji Hyuga, Tenten, and Rock Lee. It's also known as Team Guy, named after their ninja master, Might Guy. The members primarily masters in Taijutsu, hand-to-hand combat. The leader of Team 9 is Neji, a member of the branch family of the Hyuga Clan. He is masterful in the practices of the Byakugan Eyes and can use it to target the pressure points of an opponent to eliminate their use of justu. Tenten is a female ninja trained as a weapons master. Through the use of scrolls she can summon a wide variety of weapons. Rock Lee may be completely incapable of using either Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, but he holds a natural gift in his powers of Taijutsu. He was taken under the wing of their master Guy and taught how to unlock the gates of the human body to increase one's power. Might Guy is the self proclaimed rival of Kakashi Hatake and often challenges him to a variety of competition.

Team 10 Team 10 - Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, and Asuma The Team 10 of the Hidden Leaf Village consists of Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi. It's also known as Team Asuma, named after their ninja master, Asuma Sarutobi. Though Ino is the self-appointed leader of Team 10, she holds that title because Shikamaru goes to extreme lengths to avoid what he sees as pointless arguments with women. At first appearing to be a lazy young man, Shikamaru is a tactical genius, and the only ninja to graduate from the Chunin Exams. Ino Yamanaka is a skilled female ninja in her clan's jutsu that is focused on mind control. She was at one time close childhood friends with Sakura Haruno, but the friendship turned to hostile rivalry after when both became enamored with Sasuke Uchiha. After the Chunin Exams, their hostilities cooled and became friends once more. Choji Akamichi is a talented and furiously loyal young ninja. He was originally bullied for his weight as a child but became close friends with Shikamaru. Shikamaru refuses to take on missions without his friend Choji. Asuma Sarutobi is one the more talented Jonin class ninja, and chain smoker, master in using Wind Chakra, and the son of the Third Hokage.

Hokage Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage The Hokage is the leader of the Hidden Leaf Village who leads the ninja clans. The Fourth Hokage is the first known Hokage of the series and the one who sacrificed his life to seal away the Nine-tails into Naruto and save the village, though the events of that night are shrouded in mystery, After the Fourth's death, the position of Hokage was taken back the man who held it previously, Hiruzen Sarutobi. He led the village from then on but fell in battle at the hands of one of his own former students. Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, was replaced by the grand daughter of the First Hokage, Tsunade. A gifted female ninja and a member of the Legendary Sannin. Her talents in medical jutsu and hand-to-hand combat are equal to her beauty. Though in her fifties, she uses a special jutsu that gives her a younger appearance.

Jiraiya Jiraiya Jiraiya is a member of the Legendary Sannin ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village. He was at one time a pupil of the Third Hokage and he trained the Fourth Hokage. He also happens to be a lecher and the author of the popular racy romance novels. He trained Naruto in preparation for the Chunin Exams and taught him the art of Summoning frog spirits. When they both went in search for Tsunade to be the Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya would also teach Naruto the steps to use a special jutsu of the Fourth Hokage, the Rasengan. After Sasuke left the village, he would take Naruto with him to train for two years and guard him from the Akatsuki.

Sand Ninja Sand Ninja - Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro The Sand Ninja Team are ninja from the Hidden Sand Village in the Land of Wind, and it consists of Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro. They're also a trio of siblings. Similar to Naruto, Gaara is the living vessel one of Tailed Demons from the Land of Wind, Shukaku. Being dark and violent, he has command over the sand he keeps in the large urn on his back to have the ultimate defense. Temari is Gaara's older sister and uses wind based jutsu with her giant fan. A brilliant fighter on par with Shikamaru. Kankuro uses special puppet master jutsu that allows him to use deadly customized puppets from great distant. Though the Sand originally fought with Orochimaru's Sound village. It was only due to his murder and impersonation of the Kazekage. Once this deception was revealed, they became allied with the Hidden Leaf Village.

Zabuza Momochi and Haku Zabuza and Haku Zabuza Momochi is the first Major antagonist of the series.He is a rogue ninja swordsman hired by gato to kill the bridge builder and he assisted by his right hand man Haku they set out to fight Team 7. After Gato's betrayal and disrespecting Haku Zabusa sacrifices himself to kill him. Sound Ninja Orochimaru and his Sound Ninja The Sound Ninja is a new ninja village that appeared for the Chunin Exams but was revealed to be led by an outcast of the Hidden Leaf, one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru. Wth his spy and disciple, Kabuto Yakushi, Orochimaru plans to take Sasuke as a new vessel for him and so he can claim the Sharingan Eyes as his own.Orochimaru was also a former member of Akatsuki before he defected.Also aside from kabuto his elite group of personal bodyguards are the Sound Four and kimimaro.

Akatsuki Akatsuki - Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki The Akatsuki are rogue ninjas all considered S-rank criminals and ninjas from the various villages from across the nations have been instructed to kill them on sight. Their motives and goal are unclear, but they seem interested in capturing Naruto and the Nine-tails sealed within. Each member wears a black cloak covered in red clouds and their forehead protectors are marked with a slash through their village symbol, a common practice of proudly rogue ninja. The Akatsuki are paired into teams when they are sent on their missions. One of their more prominent members is Itachi Uchiha, the slayer of the Uchiha Clan. Why he killed his own kin but left his brother alive to seek vengeance is unknown.

Story Arcs

Introduction Arc (1-5)

Meets Naruto Uzumaki, Team 7, and the rest of the Hidden Leaf Village.

Land of Waves Arc (6-19)

What seemed like a simple escort mission to the Land of Waves becomes a real danger as Team 7, led by Kakashi, face off with the demon Zabuza and Haku to protect a bridge that is intended to bring prosperity to the land.

Chunin Exams Arc (20-67)

Fresh off their mission in the Land of Waves, Kakashi has signed Team 7 up for the Chunin Exams. Not only is there a written test but they must hone their teamwork and skills in the Forest of Death if they ever want to have a chance to reach the next grade.

Invasion of Konoha Arc (68-80)

Orochimaru's Sound Village has teamed up with the Sand Village to attack the Hidden Leaf Village during the last part of the Chunin exams. It's an all out war that could lead to the destruction of everything they love.

Search for Tsunade Arc (81-100)

With the village still recovering for the battle, a new Hokage must be found. Jiraiya takes Naruto on a trip to find his old friend Tsunade, but Orochimaru also has a request for her. Who will she side with?

Land of Tea Arc (Filler 102-106)

With a newly healed Sasuke joins Team 7's latest mission, but this journey to the Land of Tea to assist in a race may only put more strain on their already tense relationship.

Sasuke Retrieval Arc (107-135)

Sasuke has fallen into the temptations of Orochimaru. Naruto makes a promise to Sakura to bring him back and some of the best young ninja of the Hidden Leaf are there to help him. To save Sasuke from himself, they are going to have to face the best ninja from the Sound Village.

FILLER Arcs

All of the episodes following Episode 135 were non-canon single episodes or filler arcs that had no connection to the original manga story. This lasted throughout the series run until the final episode in Episode 220. At which point the series then became Naruto Shippuden.

• Land of Rice Arc - Episodes 136-141: Naruto, Sakura, and Jiraiya go searching for Sasuke and the Hidden Sound's home base.
• Mizuki Returns Arc - Episode 142-147: Naruto helps Iruka capture an escaped convict they both have a past with.
• Search for the Bikochu Arc - Episode 148-151: Naruto with Team 8 go in search for a special beetle that could help them find Sasuke
• Curry of Life Arc - Episode 152-157: Naruto and Team Guy travel to a distant land and discover an unusual curry.
• Bounty Hunter Arc - Episode 159-160: Naruto, Kiba, and Hinata help Sazanami clear his name.
• Cursed Warrior Arc - Episode 162-167: Naruto, Neji, and Tenten travel to the Land of Birds to investigate the appearance of a vengeful spirit.
• Land of Sea Arc - Episode 169-173: Anko Mitarashi leads Naruto, Ino, and Shino to the Land of the Sea while investigating Orochimaru and she discovers a link to her missing memories.
• Treasure Hunt Arc - Episode 175-176: Naruto is paired with Kiba and Hinata to improve their teamwork.
• Hidden Star Village Arc - Episode 178-183: Naruto and Team Guy travel to the Village of the Stars to investigate a mysterious meteorite that is being used on it's people to grant incredible powers.
• Land of Vegetables Arc - Episode 187-191: Naruto, Hinata, and Choji travel to the Land of Vegetables.
• Episode 195-196: Mighty Guy must deal with his past as someone comes looking for revenge.
• Trap Master Arc - Episode 197-201: The Konoha 11 seek to prevent a plot to blow up the Hidden Leaf Village by finding a hidden bomb that has been planted during the reconstruction.
• Kurama Clan Arc - Episode 203-207: Kurenai abandons her pupils to deal with one of her mistakes from the past.
• Shinobazu Arc - Episode 209-212: Naruto, Lee, Sakura help transport a criminal to prison, but doubts of his guilt start to appear.
• Menma Arc - Episode 213-215: Naruto helps a new friend regain his memories.
• Ultimate Weapon Arc - Episode 216-220: The Konoha 11 travel to Hidden Sand Village to save one of it's people from the Four

Theme Songs

Opening Themes

For the English production by VIZ Media and aired on Toonami, the Naruto anime didn't use the original opening of the Japanese series. The first opening for TV was titled "Rise" and performed by Jeremy Sweet and Ian Nickus. This opening theme aired for episodes 1-52. The second opening was "Haruka Kanata (遥か彼方)" performed by Asian Kung-Fu Generation. While this was the second opening for the original Japanese run. It ran in the U.S. for episodes 53-77. Originally, "Haruka Kanata" ran from episodes 26-53.

Ending Themes

Censorship

When the anime was originally aired on TV in the U.S. much of the production was censored by the U.S. licenser VIZ Media, though they would release uncut versions of the DVDs to the market. A practice they have refused to do for the manga.