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The マンガ was first published によって Shueisha in 1999 in the 43rd issue of Japan's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine. Currently, the マンガ is still being serialized with forty-seven tankōbon volumes released so far. The マンガ was later adapted into an anime, which was produced によって Studio Pierrot and Aniplex. It premiered across 日本 on the terrestrial TV Tokyo network and the アニメ satellite テレビ network Animax on October 3, 2002. The first series lasted 220 episodes, while Naruto: Shippuden, a sequel to the original series, has been airing since February 15, 2007. In addition to the アニメ series, Studio Pierrot has developed six 映画 for the series and several original video animations (OVAs). Other types of merchandise include light novels, video games and trading cards developed によって several companies.
Viz Media has licensed the マンガ and アニメ for North American production. Viz has been publishing the series in their Shonen Jump magazine, and as well as the indidividual volumes. The アニメ series began airing 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 によって Viz, with the first film premiering in cinemas. The first DVD volume of Naruto: Shippuden will be released によって Viz in North America on September 29, 2009.
Serialized in Viz's Shonen Jump magazine, NARUTO -ナルト- has become one of the company's best-selling マンガ series. As of volume 36, the マンガ has sold over 71 million copies in Japan. The English adaptation of the series has 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, but have criticized it for using standard shōnen plot elements.
Contents
Plot
See also: 一覧 of NARUTO -ナルト- characters and World of Naruto
NARUTO -ナルト- Uzumaki is a young boy who has the Nine-Tailed Demon 狐, フォックス sealed within him. Twelve years before the start of the series, the Nine-Tailed Demon 狐, フォックス attacked the ninja village Konohagakure, slaughtering many people. In response, the leader of Konohagakure and its ninja military – the Fourth Hokage – sacrificed his life to シール the demon inside NARUTO -ナルト- when he was a newborn. Konohagakure, however, regarded NARUTO -ナルト- as if he were the demon 狐, フォックス itself and mistreated him throughout most of his childhood. A decree made によって the Third Hokage, who replaced the Fourth Hokage after his death, forbade anyone mention the attack of the demon 狐, フォックス to anyone. Years later, NARUTO -ナルト- is tricked によって the renegade ninja Mizuki into stealing a forbidden scroll, but is stopped によって his teacher, Iruka Umino. When Iruka almost dies while protecting NARUTO -ナルト- from Mizuki, NARUTO -ナルト- defeats Mizuki using the power from the scroll, which develops the スーパーナチュラル ability Jutsu Shadow Clone Technique that creates clones from himself. That encounter makes NARUTO -ナルト- realize he was the container of the demon fox.
The main story follows NARUTO -ナルト- and his friends' personal growth. NARUTO -ナルト- befriends two comrades, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, who are assigned with him to form a three-person team named Team 7 under an experienced sensei named はたけカカシ Hatake. Like all the ninja teams from the every village, Team 7 is in charge in completing missions requested によって villagers such as being bodyguards. During the course of the missions, NARUTO -ナルト- 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 -ナルト- dreams of becoming the Hokage of Konohagakure. After several missions, はたけカカシ allows Team 7 to participate into a ninja exam in which they can improve their ranks, and thus, be part of harder missions. During the exams, Orochimaru, a criminal at the 上, ページのトップへ 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 検索 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. Tsunade sends a group of ninja including NARUTO -ナルト- to make Sasuke return to Konoha, but NARUTO -ナルト- is unable to defeat him. NARUTO -ナルト- does not give up on Sasuke, leaving Konoha for two-and-a-half years of training under Jiraiya's tuition to prepare himself for the 次 time he encounters Sasuke.
After the training period, a mysterious organization called 暁(NARUTO) attempts to capture the nine powerful tailed beasts including the Nine-Tailed Demon 狐, フォックス sealed inside of Naruto. Several ninjas from Konohagakure, including Team 7, fight against the 暁(NARUTO) members and 検索 for their teammate Sasuke. Although they manage to save the host from the One-tailed beast, Gaara, 暁(NARUTO) is successful in capturing seven from the creatures. Sasuke, in the meantime betrays Orochimaru and faces Itachi to take revenge. Although Itachi dies in battle, Sasuke is later told によって the 暁(NARUTO) founder Madara Uchiha that Itachi was ordered によって Konohagakure's leadership to destroy his clan. Saddened with the revelation, Sasuke joins forces with 暁(NARUTO) to destroy Konohagakure. Meanwhile, as several 暁(NARUTO) members are defeated によって the Konohagakure ninja, the leader, Pain, invades the village to capture Naruto. However, NARUTO -ナルト- defeats all of Pain's bodies and convinces the real one to leave. While the villagers rebuild Konohagakure Tsunade is dismissed from her position as the Hokage as she ended in coma for using all her energy to protect the villagers from Pain. Therefore, the elder Danzo quickly takes the role.
Production
Masashi Kishimoto first created a one-shot of NARUTO -ナルト- for August 1997 issue of Akamaru Jump.[1] 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 によって the rough drafts, he decided to work on something different, which later formed into the マンガ series Naruto. Kishimoto has expressed concerns that the use of chakras and hand signs makes NARUTO -ナルト- too Japanese, but still believes it to be an enjoyable read.[2]
When originally creating the NARUTO -ナルト- story, Kishimoto looked to other shōnen マンガ as influences for his work, although he attempted to make his characters as unique as possible.[3] 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 与えられた attribute yet be talentless in another."[4] 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."[5] 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 マンガ and making the color illustrations that commonly adorn the cover of tankōbon, the cover of Weekly Shōnen Jump, または other media, but the toolkit he utilizes occasionally changes.[6] 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.[7] For Part II, the part of the マンガ beginning with volume 28, Kishimoto 発言しました that he attempted to not "overdo the typical マンガ style" によって not including "too much deformation" and keeping the panel layouts to make it easy for the reader to follow the plot. Kishomoto 発言しました his drawing style changed from "the classic マンガ look to something a bit もっと見る realistic."[8]
Kishimoto added that, as NARUTO -ナルト- takes place in a "Japanese ファンタジー 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 -ナルト- manga, he initially concentrated on the designs for village of Konohagakure, the primary setting of the series. Kishimoto asserts that his デザイン for Konohagakure was created "pretty spontaneously without much thought", but admits that the scenery is based on his ホーム 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.[9] Regarding technology Kishimoto 発言しました that NARUTO -ナルト- would not have any firearms. He 発言しました 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.[10] 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".[11]
When asked about what was Naruto's main theme during Part I, Kishimoto answered that it is how people accept each other citing Naruto's development in such part. Since being unable to focus in the romance during Part I, Kishimoto that during Part II he was to emphasize this theme more, despite finding it difficult.[12]
Media
Manga
Main article: 一覧 of NARUTO -ナルト- マンガ volumes
NARUTO -ナルト- premiered in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine in 1999.[13] The first 238 chapters are known as Part I, and constitute the first part of the NARUTO -ナルト- storyline. マンガ chapters 239 to 244 comprise a gaiden series focusing on the background of the character はたけカカシ Hatake. All subsequent chapters belong to Part II, which continues the storyline in Part I after a two and a half 年 time gap. The NARUTO -ナルト- マンガ is serialized in North America によって Viz Media in their マンガ anthology magazine Shonen Jump, with the first chapter of the English adaptation published in the January 2003 issue.[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 月 in the last four months of 2007 in order to close 発言しました gap.[15] Cammie Allen, Viz's product manager, コメントしました 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.[15] A similar campaign was 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 -ナルト- on a quarterly basis.[16]
As of August 2009[update], 47 tankōbon have been released によって Shueisha in Japan, with the first twenty-seven tankōbon containing Part I, and the remaining nineteen belonging to Part II. The first tankōbon was released on March 3, 2000.[17][18] In addition, several tankōbon, each containing ani-manga based one of the NARUTO -ナルト- movies, have been released によって Shueisha.[19][20][21][22] In Japanese, Shueisha has also released the series for cell-phone download on their website Shueisha マンガ Capsule.[23] Viz has released 45 volumes of the English adaptation of the マンガ with the first being published on August 16, 2003.[24][25] In addition, Viz Media released all twenty-seven volumes in a boxed set, thus constituting the entirety of the NARUTO -ナルト- storyline before Part II on November 13, 2007.[26]
アニメ series
Naruto
Main article: 一覧 of NARUTO -ナルト- episodes
Directed によって Hayato 日付 and produced によって Studio Pierrot and TV Tokyo, the NARUTO -ナルト- アニメ adaptation premiered in 日本 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 original episodes that utilize plot elements not seen in the original manga.[29]
Episodes from the series have been published in DVD. The first DVD series has been the only one to be collected in VHS format.[30] There are a total of five series, with each of the including four episodes per volume.[31] The series has also been collected in a series of three DVD boxes during 2009.[32][33] The newest DVD series is NARUTO -ナルト- The Best Scene which collects scenes from the first 135 episodes from the anime.[34]
Viz licensed the アニメ series for broadcast and distribution in the Region 1 market. The English adaptation of the アニメ began airing on September 10, 2005 and finished on January 31, 2009, with 209 episodes aired.[35] The episodes have been shown on Cartoon Network's Toonami (United States), YTV's Bionix (Canada) and Jetix's (United Kingdom) programming blocks. YTV still airs the 表示する with newer ones at midnight on Sundays and with reruns at 4am on Tuesdays-Fridays. Beginning on March 28, 2006, Viz released the series on DVD.[36] While the first 26 volumes contain four episodes, since DVD volumes have five episodes.[37] Uncut editions are compiled in DVD Box Sets, each containing 12-15 episodes, with some variation based around story arcs.[38] 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.[39] Other networks make additional content edits apart from the edits done によって 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, Joost, and Crunchyroll, which air episodes online with the original Japanese audio tracks and English subtitles.[40][41][42]
Naruto: Shippuden
Main article: 一覧 of Naruto: Shippuden episodes
Naruto: Shippuden (ナルト 疾風伝, NARUTO -ナルト- Shippūden?, lit. "Naruto: Hurricane Chronicles") is the ongoing sequel to the original NARUTO -ナルト- アニメ and covers the NARUTO -ナルト- マンガ from volume twenty-eight on. The TV adaptation of Naruto: Shippuden debuted in 日本 on February 15, 2007 on TV Tokyo. It is developed によって Studio Pierrot and directed によって Hayato Date.[43][29] 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. Beginning January 8, 2009, TV Tokyo began broadcasting new episodes via internet streaming directly to monthly subscribers. Each streamed episode is be made available online within an 時 of its Japanese premiere and include English subtitles.[44] 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.[45] Beginning in October 2009, the English dub of Naruto: Shippuden will air weekly on ディズニー XD.[46]
The series is being released to Region 2 DVD in 日本 with four または five episodes per disc. There are currently four series of DVD releases divided によって story arc.[47] There is also a special feature included with the seventh Naruto: Shippuden compilation DVD based on the 秒 ending of the series called Hurricane! "Konoha Academy" Chronicles.[48] Besides the regular DVD series, on December 16, 2009 it will be released one named はたけカカシ Chronicles ~Boys' Life on the Battlefield~ (カカシ外伝～戦場のボーイズライフ～, はたけカカシ Gaiden - Senjō no bōizuraifu?) featuring episodes 119-120 which are set during はたけカカシ Hatake's childhood.[49] The first North American DVD of the series was released on September 29, 2009.[50]
CDs
Cover of NARUTO -ナルト- Shippūden Original Soundtrack
The NARUTO -ナルト- soundtracks were composed and arranged によって Toshio Masuda. The first, titled NARUTO -ナルト- Original Soundtrack, was released on April 3, 2003 and contained twenty-two tracks that appeared during the first season of the anime.[51] The second, called NARUTO -ナルト- Original Soundtrack II was released on March 18, 2004 and contained nineteen tracks.[52] The third, called NARUTO -ナルト- Original Soundtrack III was released on April 27, 2005 and contained twenty-three tracks.[53]
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.[54][55] Of all tracks of the series, eight were selected and released as a CD called NARUTO -ナルト- in Rock -The Very Best Hit Collection Instrumental Version- that was released on December 19, 2007.[56] Each of the three 映画 of the first アニメ series has a soundtrack that was released near its release date.[57][58][59] Various Drama CD series have also been released in which the voice actors play original episodes.[60]
The soundtracks of Naruto: Shippuden have been produced によって Yasuharu Takanashi. The first, NARUTO -ナルト- Shippūden Original Soundtrack was released on December 9, 2007.[61] NARUTO -ナルト- All Stars was released on July 23, 2008 and consists of ten original NARUTO -ナルト- songs remixed and sung によって characters from the series.[62] The two films from the sequel also had their soundtracks, with the first released on August 1, 2007 and the 秒 on July 30, 2008.[63][64]
Original video animations
There are four NARUTO -ナルト- 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.[65] The English localization of the 秒 OVA was released on DVD によって Viz on May 22, 2007.[66] 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.[67] The fourth OVA, Konoha Annual Sports Festival, is a short video released with the first NARUTO -ナルト- movie. In North America, the OVA was included in the "Deluxe Edition" DVD from the first film.[68]
Films
The series has also spawned six films; with the first three situated during the first アニメ series, the remaining from Naruto: Shippūden. The first film, Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow, was released on August 21, 2004 in Japan. 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 -ナルト- became a fan. As a bonus, the short original video アニメーション Konoha Annual Sports Festival was included with the Japanese release of the film.[69] It premiered on September 6, 2007 in the United States.[70][71]
It was followed によって Legend of the Stone of Gelel, which was released in theaters in 日本 on August 6, 2005. The The film involves Naruto, 奈良シカマル 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.[72] 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.[73]
The third film, Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom, was originally released on August 5, 2006. It shows how Naruto, Sakura, Lee, and はたけカカシ are assigned to protect the future prince of the Land of Moon, Hikaru Tsuki.[74] The English dub of the movie aired on Cartoon Network and was released to DVD on November 11, 2008.[75][76] On July 3, 2008, Sony released a Japanese DVD Box containing the first three movies.[77]
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.[78] The fifth film, NARUTO -ナルト- Shippūden 2: Bonds, was released on August 2, 2008. It tells how ninja from the Sky Country attack Konoha and to stop them, NARUTO -ナルト- and Sasuke 登録する forces although the latter has already left two years ago.[79] The latest film is NARUTO -ナルト- Shippūden 3: Inheritors of the Will of Fire, which premiered in 日本 on August 1, 2009.[80]
Light novels
Three NARUTO -ナルト- light novels, written によって Masatoshi Kusakabe, have been published in 日本 によって Shueisha, while the first two were released in English in North America によって Viz. The first, Naruto: Innocent Heart, Demonic Blood (白の童子、血風の鬼人?), retells Team 7's mission in which they encounter the assassins Zabuza and Haku. It was released on December 16, 2002 in 日本 and November 21, 2006 in North America.[81][82] The 秒 novel Naruto: Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village! (滝隠れの死闘 オレが英雄だってばよ！, Takigakure no Shitō Ore ga Eiyū dattebayo!?, lit. The Waterfall Village's Fight to the Death I am the Hero!), based on the 2nd original video アニメーション of the anime, was published on December 15, 2003 in 日本 and October 16, 2007 in the United States.[83][84] The latest novel is an adaptation of the first NARUTO -ナルト- film and was published on August 23, 2004.[85] Viz has also started to 公開する new novels called Chapter 本 written によって Tracey West, and with illustrations from the manga. Unlike the series, the novels are aimed to children aged 7 to 10 years old.[86] The first two novels were released on October 7, 2008 and currently seven novel have been published.[87][88][89]
Video games
Main article: 一覧 of NARUTO -ナルト- video games
NARUTO -ナルト- 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 -ナルト- アニメ and manga. The player pits their character against another character controlled によって the game's AI または によって 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 -ナルト- アニメ または manga.[90] The very first NARUTO -ナルト- video game was Naruto: Konoha Ninpōchō, which was released in 日本 on March 27, 2003, for the WonderSwan Color.[91] Most NARUTO -ナルト- video games have been released only in Japan. The first games released outside 日本 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.[92][93]
Trading card game
NARUTO -ナルト- Collectible Card Game (ナルト- カードゲーム, lit. NARUTO -ナルト- CardGame?) is a collectible card game based around the NARUTO -ナルト- series. Produced によって Bandai, the game was first introduced in 日本 in February 2003.[94] Bandai began releasing the game in English in North American in April 2006.[95] 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, または they must cause the other player to exhaust their deck.[96]
The cards are released in named sets, called "series" in the form of four different 50-card preconstructed box sets.[94][95] 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.[97] によって October 2006, seventeen series had been released in 日本 spanning 417 unique cards.[94] As of August 2008, ten of these series have been released in North America.[98]
Art and guidebooks
Several supplementary 本 of the NARUTO -ナルト- series have been released. An artbook named The Art of Naruto: Uzumaki contains illustration from the Part I マンガ and was released in both 日本 and the United States.[99][100] For the Part II manga, an interactive book called PAINT JUMP: Art of NARUTO -ナルト- was released によって Shueisha on April 4, 2008.[101] The latest artbook was published on July 3, 2009 under the name of Naruto.[102] 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?)[103] and 秒 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?)[104] were released only in Japan. The third databook, Character Official Data Book Hiden Sha no Sho (秘伝・者の書 ― キャラクターオフィシャルデータBOOK, Hiden: Sha no Sho - Kyarakutā ofisharu dēta book ?) was released on September 4, 2008, and adapted Part II from the manga.[105] These 本 contain character profiles, Jutsu guides and drafts made によって Kishimoto. For the anime, a series of guidebook called NARUTO -ナルト- アニメ profiles were also released. These 本 contain information about the production of the アニメ episodes and explanation of the characters designs.[106] On October 4, 2002, it was released a マンガ fanbook named Secret: Writtings from the Warriors Official Fanbook (秘伝・兵の書 ― オフィシャルファンBOOK, Hiden: Hei no Sho - Ofisharu ファン book?).[107] Viz published it in North America on February 19, 2008 under the name of Naruto: The Official Fanbook.[108]
Reception
NARUTO -ナルト- has been well received in both 日本 and the United States. As of volume 36, the マンガ has sold over 71 million copies in Japan.[109] 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 上, ページのトップへ 20, but had smaller sold copies.[110] In total, the マンガ sold 4,261,054 copies in 日本 during 2008, becoming the 2nd best-selling series.[111] In the first half from 2009, it ranked as the 3rd best-seller マンガ from Japan, having sold 3,490,349 copies.[112] In such period, volume 45 ranked 5th with 1,131,145 sold copies, while volume 46 ranked 9th, having sold 864,708 copies and volume 44 at 40th place.[113]
The NARUTO -ナルト- マンガ series has become one of Viz's 上, ページのトップへ properties,[114] accounting for nearly 10% of all マンガ sales in 2006.[115] ICv2 has listed it as the 上, ページのトップへ マンガ property from North America several times.[116][117] The seventh volume of Viz's release became the first マンガ win a Quill Award when it claimed the award for "Best Graphic Novel" in 2006.[115] The マンガ also appeared in the USA Today Booklist with volume 11 holding the タイトル of the highest ranked マンガ series on the list, until it was surpassed によって volume 28, which claimed the 17th rank in its first week of release in March 2008.[118][119][120] Volume 28 also had one of the biggest debut weeks of any マンガ in years, becoming the 上, ページのトップへ selling マンガ volume of 2008 as well as the 秒 best-seller book in North America.[121][122] During its release, volume 29 ranked #57, while the volume 28 had dropped to #139.[123] In April 2007, volume 14 earned Viz the "Manga Trade Paperback of the Year" Gem Award from Diamond Comic Distributors.[124] The マンガ series also became the 上, ページのトップへ マンガ property from 2008 in the United States with 31 volumes having been published during the chart.[125] Searches for the word "Naruto" were #7 on the Yahoo! web 検索 engine's 一覧 of the 上, ページのトップへ 10 most 人気 検索 terms of 2008, and #4 from 2007.[126]
The series has received praise and criticism によって several reviewers. A. E. Sparrow from IGN noted how some マンガ volumes focus only in certain characters to the point the number of ファン increases. He also praised the way that Kishimoto manages to make a remarkable combinations of fighting scenes, comedy and good artwork.[127] The アニメ and マンガ magazine Neo described Naruto's character as "irksome", but attributed the series' "almost sickening addictiveness" to its level of characterization.[128] Carl Kimlinger from アニメ News Network (ANN) praised the designs of the characters, since every one shows their unique way of 芝居 and appearance. He also noted how even the "goofiest looking character" can act "damm cool" when he fights. However, Kimlinger noted that in some volumes there are several fights, so the plot is not able to be developed, however he praised how each of the battles were emotional.[129] The series has also been praised for remaining enjoyable after several volumes によって Javier Lugo from mangalife.com, who also praised the antagonists as well as the fights scenes from the manga. Kishimoto's artwork was also コメントしました によって Lugo as it makes the story "dramatic, exciting, and just right for the story he’s telling".[130] The start of Part II has been praised in another review によって 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.[131] Briana Lawrence from Mania Entertainment added that in Part II, the マンガ 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.[132]
In TV Asahi's latest 上, ページのトップへ 100 アニメ Ranking from October 2006, NARUTO -ナルト- ranked 17th on the list.[133] NARUTO -ナルト- Shippuden has ranked several times as one of most watched series in Japan.[134][135] The NARUTO -ナルト- アニメ adaptation won the "Best Full-Length アニメーション Program Award" in the Third UStv Awards held in the 大学 of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines.[136] The first of the DVD compilations containing thirteen episodes, released によって Viz was nominated at the American アニメ Awards for best package design.[137] It also ranked as the third best-seller アニメ property from all 2008.[138] NARUTO -ナルト- was named "Best Full Animated Program" at the USTv Student's Choice Awards 2009 held at the UST Medicine Auditorium on February 19, 2009.[139] In ICv2's "Top 10 アニメ Properties" from the first half of 2009, NARUTO -ナルト- ranked as the 秒 best アニメ franchise.[140] The episodes from Naruto: Shippuden have appeared various times in Japanse アニメ TV Ranking.[141][142] DVD sales from Naruto: Shippuden have also been good, having appeared several times in the Japanese アニメーション DVD Ranking.[143][144] The freely streamed episodes from Naruto: Shippuden have an average of 160,000 viewers a week.[145] NARUTO -ナルト- has also been 20th among shows and channels from Hulu in February from 2009. In Joost, it was first during the same month. In February, Naruto: Shippuden was first among the animated shows on Joost while NARUTO -ナルト- stayed second.[146]
The NARUTO -ナルト- アニメ was listed as the 38th best animated 表示する in IGN's 上, ページのトップへ 100 Animated Series.[147] Reviewers noted that the primary focus of the series was on the fighting since they consider that the fight scenes are もっと見る dedicated than backgrounds. The 音楽 has also been noted to be a good match with the fighting scenes though it sometimes interferes with the dialogues.[148] 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.[149] Although Christina Carpenter of T.H.E.M. アニメ Reviews considered the characters from the series as "likeable", she コメントしました that most of them did not surpass 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.[150] Despite this, the 秒 reviewer from T.H.E.M. アニメ 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 ファン of the manga", but concluded the アニメーション 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.[151] Some critics panned the Battle at Hidden Falls special, as being a throw back to the earliest episodes of the main NARUTO -ナルト- series. ANN' s reviewer called it a poor addition to the NARUTO -ナルト- 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. Todd Douglass Jr. from DVD talk コメントしました the OVA was good overrall but it still lacked the depth that common story arcs from the series have.
The マンガ was first published によって Shueisha in 1999 in the 43rd issue of Japan's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine. Currently, the マンガ is still being serialized with forty-seven tankōbon volumes released so far. The マンガ was later adapted into an anime, which was produced によって Studio Pierrot and Aniplex. It premiered across 日本 on the terrestrial TV Tokyo network and the アニメ satellite テレビ network Animax on October 3, 2002. The first series lasted 220 episodes, while Naruto: Shippuden, a sequel to the original series, has been airing since February 15, 2007. In addition to the アニメ series, Studio Pierrot has developed six 映画 for the series and several original video animations (OVAs). Other types of merchandise include light novels, video games and trading cards developed によって several companies.
Viz Media has licensed the マンガ and アニメ for North American production. Viz has been publishing the series in their Shonen Jump magazine, and as well as the indidividual volumes. The アニメ series began airing 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 によって Viz, with the first film premiering in cinemas. The first DVD volume of Naruto: Shippuden will be released によって Viz in North America on September 29, 2009.
Serialized in Viz's Shonen Jump magazine, NARUTO -ナルト- has become one of the company's best-selling マンガ series. As of volume 36, the マンガ has sold over 71 million copies in Japan. The English adaptation of the series has 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, but have criticized it for using standard shōnen plot elements.
Contents
Plot
See also: 一覧 of NARUTO -ナルト- characters and World of Naruto
NARUTO -ナルト- Uzumaki is a young boy who has the Nine-Tailed Demon 狐, フォックス sealed within him. Twelve years before the start of the series, the Nine-Tailed Demon 狐, フォックス attacked the ninja village Konohagakure, slaughtering many people. In response, the leader of Konohagakure and its ninja military – the Fourth Hokage – sacrificed his life to シール the demon inside NARUTO -ナルト- when he was a newborn. Konohagakure, however, regarded NARUTO -ナルト- as if he were the demon 狐, フォックス itself and mistreated him throughout most of his childhood. A decree made によって the Third Hokage, who replaced the Fourth Hokage after his death, forbade anyone mention the attack of the demon 狐, フォックス to anyone. Years later, NARUTO -ナルト- is tricked によって the renegade ninja Mizuki into stealing a forbidden scroll, but is stopped によって his teacher, Iruka Umino. When Iruka almost dies while protecting NARUTO -ナルト- from Mizuki, NARUTO -ナルト- defeats Mizuki using the power from the scroll, which develops the スーパーナチュラル ability Jutsu Shadow Clone Technique that creates clones from himself. That encounter makes NARUTO -ナルト- realize he was the container of the demon fox.
The main story follows NARUTO -ナルト- and his friends' personal growth. NARUTO -ナルト- befriends two comrades, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, who are assigned with him to form a three-person team named Team 7 under an experienced sensei named はたけカカシ Hatake. Like all the ninja teams from the every village, Team 7 is in charge in completing missions requested によって villagers such as being bodyguards. During the course of the missions, NARUTO -ナルト- 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 -ナルト- dreams of becoming the Hokage of Konohagakure. After several missions, はたけカカシ allows Team 7 to participate into a ninja exam in which they can improve their ranks, and thus, be part of harder missions. During the exams, Orochimaru, a criminal at the 上, ページのトップへ 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 検索 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. Tsunade sends a group of ninja including NARUTO -ナルト- to make Sasuke return to Konoha, but NARUTO -ナルト- is unable to defeat him. NARUTO -ナルト- does not give up on Sasuke, leaving Konoha for two-and-a-half years of training under Jiraiya's tuition to prepare himself for the 次 time he encounters Sasuke.
After the training period, a mysterious organization called 暁(NARUTO) attempts to capture the nine powerful tailed beasts including the Nine-Tailed Demon 狐, フォックス sealed inside of Naruto. Several ninjas from Konohagakure, including Team 7, fight against the 暁(NARUTO) members and 検索 for their teammate Sasuke. Although they manage to save the host from the One-tailed beast, Gaara, 暁(NARUTO) is successful in capturing seven from the creatures. Sasuke, in the meantime betrays Orochimaru and faces Itachi to take revenge. Although Itachi dies in battle, Sasuke is later told によって the 暁(NARUTO) founder Madara Uchiha that Itachi was ordered によって Konohagakure's leadership to destroy his clan. Saddened with the revelation, Sasuke joins forces with 暁(NARUTO) to destroy Konohagakure. Meanwhile, as several 暁(NARUTO) members are defeated によって the Konohagakure ninja, the leader, Pain, invades the village to capture Naruto. However, NARUTO -ナルト- defeats all of Pain's bodies and convinces the real one to leave. While the villagers rebuild Konohagakure Tsunade is dismissed from her position as the Hokage as she ended in coma for using all her energy to protect the villagers from Pain. Therefore, the elder Danzo quickly takes the role.
Production
Masashi Kishimoto first created a one-shot of NARUTO -ナルト- for August 1997 issue of Akamaru Jump.[1] 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 によって the rough drafts, he decided to work on something different, which later formed into the マンガ series Naruto. Kishimoto has expressed concerns that the use of chakras and hand signs makes NARUTO -ナルト- too Japanese, but still believes it to be an enjoyable read.[2]
When originally creating the NARUTO -ナルト- story, Kishimoto looked to other shōnen マンガ as influences for his work, although he attempted to make his characters as unique as possible.[3] 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 与えられた attribute yet be talentless in another."[4] 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."[5] 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 マンガ and making the color illustrations that commonly adorn the cover of tankōbon, the cover of Weekly Shōnen Jump, または other media, but the toolkit he utilizes occasionally changes.[6] 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.[7] For Part II, the part of the マンガ beginning with volume 28, Kishimoto 発言しました that he attempted to not "overdo the typical マンガ style" によって not including "too much deformation" and keeping the panel layouts to make it easy for the reader to follow the plot. Kishomoto 発言しました his drawing style changed from "the classic マンガ look to something a bit もっと見る realistic."[8]
Kishimoto added that, as NARUTO -ナルト- takes place in a "Japanese ファンタジー 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 -ナルト- manga, he initially concentrated on the designs for village of Konohagakure, the primary setting of the series. Kishimoto asserts that his デザイン for Konohagakure was created "pretty spontaneously without much thought", but admits that the scenery is based on his ホーム 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.[9] Regarding technology Kishimoto 発言しました that NARUTO -ナルト- would not have any firearms. He 発言しました 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.[10] 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".[11]
When asked about what was Naruto's main theme during Part I, Kishimoto answered that it is how people accept each other citing Naruto's development in such part. Since being unable to focus in the romance during Part I, Kishimoto that during Part II he was to emphasize this theme more, despite finding it difficult.[12]
Media
Manga
Main article: 一覧 of NARUTO -ナルト- マンガ volumes
NARUTO -ナルト- premiered in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine in 1999.[13] The first 238 chapters are known as Part I, and constitute the first part of the NARUTO -ナルト- storyline. マンガ chapters 239 to 244 comprise a gaiden series focusing on the background of the character はたけカカシ Hatake. All subsequent chapters belong to Part II, which continues the storyline in Part I after a two and a half 年 time gap. The NARUTO -ナルト- マンガ is serialized in North America によって Viz Media in their マンガ anthology magazine Shonen Jump, with the first chapter of the English adaptation published in the January 2003 issue.[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 月 in the last four months of 2007 in order to close 発言しました gap.[15] Cammie Allen, Viz's product manager, コメントしました 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.[15] A similar campaign was 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 -ナルト- on a quarterly basis.[16]
As of August 2009[update], 47 tankōbon have been released によって Shueisha in Japan, with the first twenty-seven tankōbon containing Part I, and the remaining nineteen belonging to Part II. The first tankōbon was released on March 3, 2000.[17][18] In addition, several tankōbon, each containing ani-manga based one of the NARUTO -ナルト- movies, have been released によって Shueisha.[19][20][21][22] In Japanese, Shueisha has also released the series for cell-phone download on their website Shueisha マンガ Capsule.[23] Viz has released 45 volumes of the English adaptation of the マンガ with the first being published on August 16, 2003.[24][25] In addition, Viz Media released all twenty-seven volumes in a boxed set, thus constituting the entirety of the NARUTO -ナルト- storyline before Part II on November 13, 2007.[26]
アニメ series
Naruto
Main article: 一覧 of NARUTO -ナルト- episodes
Directed によって Hayato 日付 and produced によって Studio Pierrot and TV Tokyo, the NARUTO -ナルト- アニメ adaptation premiered in 日本 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 original episodes that utilize plot elements not seen in the original manga.[29]
Episodes from the series have been published in DVD. The first DVD series has been the only one to be collected in VHS format.[30] There are a total of five series, with each of the including four episodes per volume.[31] The series has also been collected in a series of three DVD boxes during 2009.[32][33] The newest DVD series is NARUTO -ナルト- The Best Scene which collects scenes from the first 135 episodes from the anime.[34]
Viz licensed the アニメ series for broadcast and distribution in the Region 1 market. The English adaptation of the アニメ began airing on September 10, 2005 and finished on January 31, 2009, with 209 episodes aired.[35] The episodes have been shown on Cartoon Network's Toonami (United States), YTV's Bionix (Canada) and Jetix's (United Kingdom) programming blocks. YTV still airs the 表示する with newer ones at midnight on Sundays and with reruns at 4am on Tuesdays-Fridays. Beginning on March 28, 2006, Viz released the series on DVD.[36] While the first 26 volumes contain four episodes, since DVD volumes have five episodes.[37] Uncut editions are compiled in DVD Box Sets, each containing 12-15 episodes, with some variation based around story arcs.[38] 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.[39] Other networks make additional content edits apart from the edits done によって 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, Joost, and Crunchyroll, which air episodes online with the original Japanese audio tracks and English subtitles.[40][41][42]
Naruto: Shippuden
Main article: 一覧 of Naruto: Shippuden episodes
Naruto: Shippuden (ナルト 疾風伝, NARUTO -ナルト- Shippūden?, lit. "Naruto: Hurricane Chronicles") is the ongoing sequel to the original NARUTO -ナルト- アニメ and covers the NARUTO -ナルト- マンガ from volume twenty-eight on. The TV adaptation of Naruto: Shippuden debuted in 日本 on February 15, 2007 on TV Tokyo. It is developed によって Studio Pierrot and directed によって Hayato Date.[43][29] 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. Beginning January 8, 2009, TV Tokyo began broadcasting new episodes via internet streaming directly to monthly subscribers. Each streamed episode is be made available online within an 時 of its Japanese premiere and include English subtitles.[44] 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.[45] Beginning in October 2009, the English dub of Naruto: Shippuden will air weekly on ディズニー XD.[46]
The series is being released to Region 2 DVD in 日本 with four または five episodes per disc. There are currently four series of DVD releases divided によって story arc.[47] There is also a special feature included with the seventh Naruto: Shippuden compilation DVD based on the 秒 ending of the series called Hurricane! "Konoha Academy" Chronicles.[48] Besides the regular DVD series, on December 16, 2009 it will be released one named はたけカカシ Chronicles ~Boys' Life on the Battlefield~ (カカシ外伝～戦場のボーイズライフ～, はたけカカシ Gaiden - Senjō no bōizuraifu?) featuring episodes 119-120 which are set during はたけカカシ Hatake's childhood.[49] The first North American DVD of the series was released on September 29, 2009.[50]
CDs
Cover of NARUTO -ナルト- Shippūden Original Soundtrack
The NARUTO -ナルト- soundtracks were composed and arranged によって Toshio Masuda. The first, titled NARUTO -ナルト- Original Soundtrack, was released on April 3, 2003 and contained twenty-two tracks that appeared during the first season of the anime.[51] The second, called NARUTO -ナルト- Original Soundtrack II was released on March 18, 2004 and contained nineteen tracks.[52] The third, called NARUTO -ナルト- Original Soundtrack III was released on April 27, 2005 and contained twenty-three tracks.[53]
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.[54][55] Of all tracks of the series, eight were selected and released as a CD called NARUTO -ナルト- in Rock -The Very Best Hit Collection Instrumental Version- that was released on December 19, 2007.[56] Each of the three 映画 of the first アニメ series has a soundtrack that was released near its release date.[57][58][59] Various Drama CD series have also been released in which the voice actors play original episodes.[60]
The soundtracks of Naruto: Shippuden have been produced によって Yasuharu Takanashi. The first, NARUTO -ナルト- Shippūden Original Soundtrack was released on December 9, 2007.[61] NARUTO -ナルト- All Stars was released on July 23, 2008 and consists of ten original NARUTO -ナルト- songs remixed and sung によって characters from the series.[62] The two films from the sequel also had their soundtracks, with the first released on August 1, 2007 and the 秒 on July 30, 2008.[63][64]
Original video animations
There are four NARUTO -ナルト- 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.[65] The English localization of the 秒 OVA was released on DVD によって Viz on May 22, 2007.[66] 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.[67] The fourth OVA, Konoha Annual Sports Festival, is a short video released with the first NARUTO -ナルト- movie. In North America, the OVA was included in the "Deluxe Edition" DVD from the first film.[68]
Films
The series has also spawned six films; with the first three situated during the first アニメ series, the remaining from Naruto: Shippūden. The first film, Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow, was released on August 21, 2004 in Japan. 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 -ナルト- became a fan. As a bonus, the short original video アニメーション Konoha Annual Sports Festival was included with the Japanese release of the film.[69] It premiered on September 6, 2007 in the United States.[70][71]
It was followed によって Legend of the Stone of Gelel, which was released in theaters in 日本 on August 6, 2005. The The film involves Naruto, 奈良シカマル 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.[72] 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.[73]
The third film, Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom, was originally released on August 5, 2006. It shows how Naruto, Sakura, Lee, and はたけカカシ are assigned to protect the future prince of the Land of Moon, Hikaru Tsuki.[74] The English dub of the movie aired on Cartoon Network and was released to DVD on November 11, 2008.[75][76] On July 3, 2008, Sony released a Japanese DVD Box containing the first three movies.[77]
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.[78] The fifth film, NARUTO -ナルト- Shippūden 2: Bonds, was released on August 2, 2008. It tells how ninja from the Sky Country attack Konoha and to stop them, NARUTO -ナルト- and Sasuke 登録する forces although the latter has already left two years ago.[79] The latest film is NARUTO -ナルト- Shippūden 3: Inheritors of the Will of Fire, which premiered in 日本 on August 1, 2009.[80]
Light novels
Three NARUTO -ナルト- light novels, written によって Masatoshi Kusakabe, have been published in 日本 によって Shueisha, while the first two were released in English in North America によって Viz. The first, Naruto: Innocent Heart, Demonic Blood (白の童子、血風の鬼人?), retells Team 7's mission in which they encounter the assassins Zabuza and Haku. It was released on December 16, 2002 in 日本 and November 21, 2006 in North America.[81][82] The 秒 novel Naruto: Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village! (滝隠れの死闘 オレが英雄だってばよ！, Takigakure no Shitō Ore ga Eiyū dattebayo!?, lit. The Waterfall Village's Fight to the Death I am the Hero!), based on the 2nd original video アニメーション of the anime, was published on December 15, 2003 in 日本 and October 16, 2007 in the United States.[83][84] The latest novel is an adaptation of the first NARUTO -ナルト- film and was published on August 23, 2004.[85] Viz has also started to 公開する new novels called Chapter 本 written によって Tracey West, and with illustrations from the manga. Unlike the series, the novels are aimed to children aged 7 to 10 years old.[86] The first two novels were released on October 7, 2008 and currently seven novel have been published.[87][88][89]
Video games
Main article: 一覧 of NARUTO -ナルト- video games
NARUTO -ナルト- 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 -ナルト- アニメ and manga. The player pits their character against another character controlled によって the game's AI または によって 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 -ナルト- アニメ または manga.[90] The very first NARUTO -ナルト- video game was Naruto: Konoha Ninpōchō, which was released in 日本 on March 27, 2003, for the WonderSwan Color.[91] Most NARUTO -ナルト- video games have been released only in Japan. The first games released outside 日本 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.[92][93]
Trading card game
NARUTO -ナルト- Collectible Card Game (ナルト- カードゲーム, lit. NARUTO -ナルト- CardGame?) is a collectible card game based around the NARUTO -ナルト- series. Produced によって Bandai, the game was first introduced in 日本 in February 2003.[94] Bandai began releasing the game in English in North American in April 2006.[95] 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, または they must cause the other player to exhaust their deck.[96]
The cards are released in named sets, called "series" in the form of four different 50-card preconstructed box sets.[94][95] 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.[97] によって October 2006, seventeen series had been released in 日本 spanning 417 unique cards.[94] As of August 2008, ten of these series have been released in North America.[98]
Art and guidebooks
Several supplementary 本 of the NARUTO -ナルト- series have been released. An artbook named The Art of Naruto: Uzumaki contains illustration from the Part I マンガ and was released in both 日本 and the United States.[99][100] For the Part II manga, an interactive book called PAINT JUMP: Art of NARUTO -ナルト- was released によって Shueisha on April 4, 2008.[101] The latest artbook was published on July 3, 2009 under the name of Naruto.[102] 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?)[103] and 秒 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?)[104] were released only in Japan. The third databook, Character Official Data Book Hiden Sha no Sho (秘伝・者の書 ― キャラクターオフィシャルデータBOOK, Hiden: Sha no Sho - Kyarakutā ofisharu dēta book ?) was released on September 4, 2008, and adapted Part II from the manga.[105] These 本 contain character profiles, Jutsu guides and drafts made によって Kishimoto. For the anime, a series of guidebook called NARUTO -ナルト- アニメ profiles were also released. These 本 contain information about the production of the アニメ episodes and explanation of the characters designs.[106] On October 4, 2002, it was released a マンガ fanbook named Secret: Writtings from the Warriors Official Fanbook (秘伝・兵の書 ― オフィシャルファンBOOK, Hiden: Hei no Sho - Ofisharu ファン book?).[107] Viz published it in North America on February 19, 2008 under the name of Naruto: The Official Fanbook.[108]
Reception
NARUTO -ナルト- has been well received in both 日本 and the United States. As of volume 36, the マンガ has sold over 71 million copies in Japan.[109] 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 上, ページのトップへ 20, but had smaller sold copies.[110] In total, the マンガ sold 4,261,054 copies in 日本 during 2008, becoming the 2nd best-selling series.[111] In the first half from 2009, it ranked as the 3rd best-seller マンガ from Japan, having sold 3,490,349 copies.[112] In such period, volume 45 ranked 5th with 1,131,145 sold copies, while volume 46 ranked 9th, having sold 864,708 copies and volume 44 at 40th place.[113]
The NARUTO -ナルト- マンガ series has become one of Viz's 上, ページのトップへ properties,[114] accounting for nearly 10% of all マンガ sales in 2006.[115] ICv2 has listed it as the 上, ページのトップへ マンガ property from North America several times.[116][117] The seventh volume of Viz's release became the first マンガ win a Quill Award when it claimed the award for "Best Graphic Novel" in 2006.[115] The マンガ also appeared in the USA Today Booklist with volume 11 holding the タイトル of the highest ranked マンガ series on the list, until it was surpassed によって volume 28, which claimed the 17th rank in its first week of release in March 2008.[118][119][120] Volume 28 also had one of the biggest debut weeks of any マンガ in years, becoming the 上, ページのトップへ selling マンガ volume of 2008 as well as the 秒 best-seller book in North America.[121][122] During its release, volume 29 ranked #57, while the volume 28 had dropped to #139.[123] In April 2007, volume 14 earned Viz the "Manga Trade Paperback of the Year" Gem Award from Diamond Comic Distributors.[124] The マンガ series also became the 上, ページのトップへ マンガ property from 2008 in the United States with 31 volumes having been published during the chart.[125] Searches for the word "Naruto" were #7 on the Yahoo! web 検索 engine's 一覧 of the 上, ページのトップへ 10 most 人気 検索 terms of 2008, and #4 from 2007.[126]
The series has received praise and criticism によって several reviewers. A. E. Sparrow from IGN noted how some マンガ volumes focus only in certain characters to the point the number of ファン increases. He also praised the way that Kishimoto manages to make a remarkable combinations of fighting scenes, comedy and good artwork.[127] The アニメ and マンガ magazine Neo described Naruto's character as "irksome", but attributed the series' "almost sickening addictiveness" to its level of characterization.[128] Carl Kimlinger from アニメ News Network (ANN) praised the designs of the characters, since every one shows their unique way of 芝居 and appearance. He also noted how even the "goofiest looking character" can act "damm cool" when he fights. However, Kimlinger noted that in some volumes there are several fights, so the plot is not able to be developed, however he praised how each of the battles were emotional.[129] The series has also been praised for remaining enjoyable after several volumes によって Javier Lugo from mangalife.com, who also praised the antagonists as well as the fights scenes from the manga. Kishimoto's artwork was also コメントしました によって Lugo as it makes the story "dramatic, exciting, and just right for the story he’s telling".[130] The start of Part II has been praised in another review によって 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.[131] Briana Lawrence from Mania Entertainment added that in Part II, the マンガ 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.[132]
In TV Asahi's latest 上, ページのトップへ 100 アニメ Ranking from October 2006, NARUTO -ナルト- ranked 17th on the list.[133] NARUTO -ナルト- Shippuden has ranked several times as one of most watched series in Japan.[134][135] The NARUTO -ナルト- アニメ adaptation won the "Best Full-Length アニメーション Program Award" in the Third UStv Awards held in the 大学 of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines.[136] The first of the DVD compilations containing thirteen episodes, released によって Viz was nominated at the American アニメ Awards for best package design.[137] It also ranked as the third best-seller アニメ property from all 2008.[138] NARUTO -ナルト- was named "Best Full Animated Program" at the USTv Student's Choice Awards 2009 held at the UST Medicine Auditorium on February 19, 2009.[139] In ICv2's "Top 10 アニメ Properties" from the first half of 2009, NARUTO -ナルト- ranked as the 秒 best アニメ franchise.[140] The episodes from Naruto: Shippuden have appeared various times in Japanse アニメ TV Ranking.[141][142] DVD sales from Naruto: Shippuden have also been good, having appeared several times in the Japanese アニメーション DVD Ranking.[143][144] The freely streamed episodes from Naruto: Shippuden have an average of 160,000 viewers a week.[145] NARUTO -ナルト- has also been 20th among shows and channels from Hulu in February from 2009. In Joost, it was first during the same month. In February, Naruto: Shippuden was first among the animated shows on Joost while NARUTO -ナルト- stayed second.[146]
The NARUTO -ナルト- アニメ was listed as the 38th best animated 表示する in IGN's 上, ページのトップへ 100 Animated Series.[147] Reviewers noted that the primary focus of the series was on the fighting since they consider that the fight scenes are もっと見る dedicated than backgrounds. The 音楽 has also been noted to be a good match with the fighting scenes though it sometimes interferes with the dialogues.[148] 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.[149] Although Christina Carpenter of T.H.E.M. アニメ Reviews considered the characters from the series as "likeable", she コメントしました that most of them did not surpass 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.[150] Despite this, the 秒 reviewer from T.H.E.M. アニメ 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 ファン of the manga", but concluded the アニメーション 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.[151] Some critics panned the Battle at Hidden Falls special, as being a throw back to the earliest episodes of the main NARUTO -ナルト- series. ANN' s reviewer called it a poor addition to the NARUTO -ナルト- 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. Todd Douglass Jr. from DVD talk コメントしました the OVA was good overrall but it still lacked the depth that common story arcs from the series have.
