Review of Naruto Unleashed: Series 1 (Complete)

Introduction

`Naruto` has been a publishing sensation in Japan. The manga has been running for some time and is nudging the thousand issue plus mark with no sign of letting up. On paper, Naruto is great fantasy fodder for kids. He`s an outcast orphan boy, shunned by the village in which he was raised who is ready to become the most powerful Ninja of all time. Full of school-boy humour, and tremendously satisfying punch ups where good always triumphs over evil, there is little not to like. Inevitably, as with any successful manga, the creation of an accompanying anime series was almost inevitable.

Proving to be a big hit in the far-east, `Naruto` the series is heading south of 300 episodes and showing no signs of letting up. It`s also proven to be incredibly popular in the West (on both sides of the pond) taking a prime slot on kiddie channel `Jetix`.

So what`s the fuss about? Well, it`s actually pretty formulaic stuff with all the right high octane action ingredients to get small boys all around the country tying scarves or dressing gown cords around their heads, striking a Kung-Fu pose and shouting `Believe it!` at the top of their lungs.

What`s a bonus for the more `mature` viewer though are the continual sub-strands about people finding their true purpose, their true identities and how they fit into the wider community. It`s a programme full of moral fibre, where good wins over evil, though it`s also a world that acknowledges imperfection in all its principals - particularly Naruto himself.

This set gathers together the two triple disc half-series packs reviewed elsewhere on this site, so I`d recommend reading those reviews, penned by people with a far greater knowledge of all things anime.

For those who find themselves here, and can`t be bothered to seek out the word of the experts, I`ll do my very best!

Here`s what it`s about.

Many years ago, the leaders of the Hidden Leaf Village managed to capture a rampaging demon fox inside an orphaned baby boy. That boy was called Naruto. Unfortunately for him, the whole village was aware of the demon within and he was cruelly shunned by those around him. As a young teenager, he is determined to prove to the whole village that he should be respected and he is set on becoming a Ninja, despite his obvious shortcomings. Whilst he has hidden talents and amazing powers, he is a little wild, incredibly immature and many of the villagers do not believe that he could ever make the grade.

He manages to get entry into the Ninja College with two other friends, Sakura and Sasuke. Together as a team they go through their training, including perilous missions, and the results are very much in line with the buddy movie / road movie formula.

There are two major story arcs here - the first being the capture and saving of a bridge from tyrannical warlords, and the second being a Shonen competition where the trio are up against the very best trainee Ninja`s. All top stuff!

Here`s the complete episode breakdown:

Disc 1
1. Uzumaki Naruto Arrives!!
2. I Am Konohamaru
3. Rivals! Sasuke and Sakura
4. The Trial! Survival Training
5. Failure? Kakashi`s Conclusion

Disc 2
6. Important Mission! Heading to the Country of the Wave
7. The Assassin of the Mist
8. Decision Sworn on Pain
9. Sharingan Kakashi

Disc 3

10. The Forest of Chakra
11. The Country that had a Hero
12. Decisive Battle on the Bridge! Zabuza Returns!!
13. Haku`s Secret Technique: Demonic Mirrors of Ice Crystal


Disc 4
14. The Number One Hyperactive Knucklehead Ninja Joins The Fight!
15. Zero Visibility: The Sharingan Shatters
16. The Broken Seal
17. White Past: Hidden Ambition
18. The Weapons Known As Shinobi

Disc 5
19. The Demon In The Snow
20. A New Chapter Begins: The Chunin Exams
21. Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals
22. Chunin Challenge: Rock Lee vs. Sasuke

Disc 6

23. Genin Takedown! All Nine Rookies Face Off!
24. Start Your Engines: The Chunin Exam Begins!
25. The Tenth Question: All Or Nothing!
26. Special Report: Live From The Forest Of Death!

Video

The picture quality throughout is fine though it should be noted that the palettes overall look very washed out compared to much contemporary anime. It`s a soft look that some may like, though for me a sharper, more intense colour palette is preferred, especially if viewing on a 42" LCD as I did for most this set. I did watch a couple of episodes on a 14" colour portable and even then the palettes looked a bit subdued.

Audio

Maybe this is why I`ll never be a true hardcore anime man, but I found the English dub perfectly acceptable. I know that purists prefer the original soundtrack though I generally prefer the dub and no subs wherever possible. These days the dubbing of anime seems to have improved tremendously with some really good choices of voices. As demand has increased, and budgets risen, this has clearly been a point of real consideration and investment, and Naruto is no exception to that general rule.

The music and sound bed is top notch too, though it may be worth mentioning that the opening AND closing theme songs change on the 26th episode here. What a curious moment to choose for a makeover!

Features

There are very few extras here other than the near obligatory trailers, and some `storyboard to screen` comparisons. The slipcase is quite nice - sturdy with high gloss reflective card housing the two previously issued triple DVD Amrays.

Conclusion

This is the way I like to watch anime. Whole story arcs collected together in one box, eradicating the need to wait a month or so at a time to get hold of the next three or four episodes in a long running series. That`s costly and only marginally cooler than subscribing to a DVD publishing magazine where you collect a series one issue at a time, like the recent X-Files or Star Trek sets. So unarguably, if you`re a Naruto fan, this is the only way to go.

That said, despite the fact that I can see the appeal of this series (particularly to its intended target on Jetix) it can be occasionally irritating, relying as it does on a marginally annoying and unarguably immature hero who knows no modesty when assessing his own fighting prowess. But in truth, just as the shouting and laughing get a little bit much, the action kicks in and all is forgiven.

Though the bulk of these episodes depend on relentless battling for thrills, it does occasionally hit a more serious and cerebral note, occasionally melancholic and often philosophical. This is a welcome addition to the mix, as it adds another social dimension to an otherwise standard fight-action show that shows its principals in a more rounded way, working together as part of a wider community. Not only that, it`s generally bloody good fun too.

And a final word of warning. It`s also extremely habit forming too, meaning that despite any reservations you may have you`ll still find yourself idly keeping an eye out for the next box.