Naruto (Anime)

The Naruto Anime is the first Series based on the long running Manga of the same name. Directed by Hayato Date, the first series spans 220 episodes and covers much of Naruto’s younger (pre-teen) life. Naruto is one of the most popular and widespread Anime series, still going strong 6 years after its original air date and has gone onto include a second series Naruto Shippuden (still ongoing), five films, a number of OVA’s and a host of video games and related merchandise.

12 Years ago a nine tailed demon fox attacked the ninja village hidden the leaves (Konohagakure), wreaking havoc and taking many lives. The leader of the leaf village and most powerful ninja, the Fourth Hokage, fought back, giving his own life to stop the nine tailed fox by sealing it within a young baby, Naruto Uzumaki .

Naruto Uzumaki is a strong headed, naïve, sometimes stupid but determined young ninja. He is out-casted and resented by many of his fellow villagers who are scared of the terrible destructive power of the Nine Tailed Demon Fox that is sealed within him. Naruto strives for acceptance amongst the village and longs to become the most skilled and powerful ninja in order to one day be named leader of the village, the next Hokage and finally be accepted and loved by his people. The series follows Naruto and his team mates, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, as they train to become fully fledged ninja’s under the watchful eye of their sensei Kakashi Hatake. These four characters make up the team of ninja’s “Team 7”, as they undertake dangerous and not so dangerous missions, until they come across the evil criminal Orichimaru and his dark and mysterious intentions. Each young character has their own aspirations and motives for power, in a stark contrast to Naruto; Sasuke strives to become the best in a quest for vengeance against the killer of his parents and his whole clan, his evil brother Itachi Uchiha.

The Naruto Anime is very much a coming of age tale, as we watch the characters grow in power and maturity. A fantastic narrative and collection of smaller intertwining plots that include action, comedy, drama and fantasy combine with the intense and in-depth character development to make Naruto one of the most successful series in contemporary Anime.