Naruto: Naruto Unleashed 1:2

Naruto is an adventure that requires a massive investment from its audience. As most people already know, this is a series that will played out over the course of more than two hundred episodes, and several movies. As such, if you’re willing to invest in the series – and not just financially – this is where its true value, or lack thereof, will be found.

It’s too early, therefore, to recommend Naruto as a series, because it is simply too large, and has the potential to fall short in the long run. Like any number of similar shows, Naruto’s greatest fault is indeed its ability to handle itself for extended durations. To illustrate this point, I’d draw attention to the fact that this volume begins, ends, and is littered almost throughout, with explanations of past events, flashbacks, montages and reiterations – or, in summary; filler and repetition.

However, concerns for the series’ future aside, these factors, though perhaps indicative of the form Naruto will take as a whole, do not prevent this volume from being great in itself. And although too much time may be spent explaining how one ninja managed to get the drop on another ninja, some of the strategies, techniques and thought patterns do genuinely warrant further explanation.

Naruto’s is a world rich in detail, and lends itself to a diverse range of characters. The focal points of this world are the village hidden in the leaves, the village hidden in the grass, the village hidden in the sand, the village hidden in the sound, the village hidden in the rain and the village hidden in the waterfall. All of these villages are central to the training of ninja, who are important tools for self-defence, and ranked and according to their ability. Genin is the lowest recorded rank, consisting of ninja who essentially graduated the most basic forms of training, conducted in schools from a young age. By passing the chunin exam, ninjas can ascend to this higher rank, and be recognised for their abilities. Jounin, the third rank of ninja, often serve as tutors for genin and chunin, guiding their efforts and training, whilst also overseeing the needs of their village. Other than this, there are several outstanding ranks, such as Hokage, which belongs to the strongest ninja in the village, who then effectively assumes the role of mayor, and tracker ninjas, who act as scouts and retrieve the bodies of powerful fallen ninja so that other villages won’t probe their bodies and discover local techniques.

Ascending the ranks requires ninja to increase their abilities and strength, which is commonly handled through training and the exercising of missions (assigned by anyone, and collated in a form of ninja job centre). The first half of this thirteen episode volume consists of the resolution of Team 7’s mission to protect the bridge builder from the rogue ninja Zabuza and his formidable ally, Haku. Team 7, consisting of Naruto Uzumaki (village idiot and the seal of the legendary nine tailed fox demon), Sasuke Uchiha (popular and talented heir to the powerful Uchiha clan), Haruno Sakura (all-rounder) and their trainer Kakashi, then also move toward the early stages of the chunin exam.

Where the battle with Zabuza and his follower Haku is an oppressive but touching chapter of story, the series then moves into a more characteristic tone in the preparations for the chunin exam. These episodes contain a greater degree of humour, expand on the Naruto universe and keep things tense, without actually containing many instances of violence erupting. The more relaxed tone also allows greater room for the personalities of the characters to be reinforced, alongside the introduction of a number of mainstays such as Rock Lee (a Taijutsu, martial arts, expert) and Gaara of the dessert (a mysterious and powerful presence, destined to be a rival later on).

Most characteristic of the series is its emphasis on the characters, the rapid movement between relaxation and tension, the world which countless people will doubtlessly enjoy getting lost in, and the emotional weight of the series. This is to say that Naruto as a show does more than most others, providing a likeable cast to drive an adventure that works on many levels, and which can be as heart-warming as it is enjoyable.

In Summary

Whether the episode count is seen as presumptuous, brave, or suggestive of how much the series has to offer, this volume is a promising sequel to the first, offering enough action, emotion, humour and intrigue for almost any anime fan. Highly recommended.