Although Naruto is the latest anime craze in the U.S.A, it had been out in full force in Japan and other Asian countries for sometime. In fact, this action packed plotline had already passed its 100th episode when Cartoon Network announced it would premiere in the U.S. Since its modest beginnings on the Cartoon Network, Naruto has taken the U.S by storm with accessories galore, among many other keepsakes and knick-knacks sold nation-wide. However, that isn’t the main reason for creator Masashi’s Kishimoto anime success. Naruto’s in-depth, and somewhat complicated, plotline and characters are to blame for that. This anime as a whole is a refreshing take on the world’s anime saturated market, a market that has become a bit stale with repeat ideas and repeat episodes.
First airing on September 10, 2005 with episode one, Naruto introduced the U.S to a young boy with high hopes of becoming a ninja and the leader of his village. The catch is that this boy is neither liked, nor a highly regarded citizen. In fact, his hobbies include playing pranks and getting into trouble. However, the viewer soon finds out that Naruto’s character isn’t as shallow as it initially seems to be. The young boy who, upon first glance, seems only a prankster and trouble maker comes from a background that has doomed him to live an unnatural life.
Naruto is separated from the other people in the village by a demon that resides inside him; a demon that was sealed there as his father’s dying effort to save his village of Konoha from destruction. Although his father is hailed as a hero, Naruto is shunned and struggles to make the village recognize his worth and power.
The series continues by following Naruto’s progress throughout his training and learning to live with, and even harness, the demon’s power within him. In the meantime, viewers are introduced to a number of different, and highly varied, characters and follow them through their personal stories and hardships. Their interaction with one another, their instructors, and Naruto make the story all the more captivating and irresistible.
Although the story seems to take a very traditional stance on shinobi: their mystics, mystery, and inhuman abilities, the story is presumed to take place in a time similar to our own; yet in a world completely different. This stance on the story creates a very interesting setting, and something that seems to bring viewers a little closer to the story and the characters in it. Additionally, the ideas incorporated in this series are highly original. Many of the ninjas in the series are given special abilities that prove a treat to discover. This particular feature of Naruto has given the show an edge in the video game world as several fighting style games have been modeled after the anime. Video games featuring the many characters of Naruto and showcasing their various abilities have become exceedingly popular among both fans of the show, and avid video game players everywhere. There are currently a great deal of games both fighting and RPG available in Japanese, but only a couple have been released in the U.S.
To the dismay of many of Naruto’s first U.S fans, Cartoon Network decided to dub the series into English in order to release it onto U.S airwaves, an action that is sincerely regrettable. The voice actors of the English version of the series don’t deliver the kind of performances that drew in initial audiences. However, despite this setback, it seems the storyline is good enough to keep new viewers interested. Still, those lucky enough to view the Japanese language version will find it far more satisfying. The voice actors fit the characters well and do a wonderful job at presenting each character’s mood and personality. Unfortunately, these original versions of the series can only be obtained through an internet stream or download. Furthermore, the series is currently licensed so downloads are discouraged, but not impossible to find.
Currently past its 200th episodes, Fans caught up in the series will most likely be quick to complain of recent filling episodes (episodes serving the purpose only of filling time while viewers wait for the story’s continuation in animated form.) For fans so inclined, the manga (book) is much further along and ripe for the reading. While reading the manga may not prove as satisfying as seeing it played out in animated form, it delivers an instant fix when needed. Those willing to wait out the rather long sequence of fillers will find that the Naruto’s story is still going strong and is packed with new twists and turns to keep viewers on their toes. The new episodes, due out within the next couple months are sure to bring excitement to old and new viewers alike. Additionally, it is sure to continue the tension created and left to hang before the fillers started. You can also count on the writers utilizing much of the character development that took place in those much ‘beloved’ filler episodes.
Despite the little hiccup in the story, anticipation of the coming episodes is high. Naruto’s popularity isn’t slowing down yet, and isn’t about to. The creators have made sure of that. So if you’d like to get to know Naruto and his companions, you’d better get started now. With over 200 episodes to get through, you’ll have a monster of a task awaiting you. However, the upside is that they’ll be 200 episodes of addicting excitement, and you’ll be caught up just in time to join in the latest episodes.
