Customer Reviews:

0 out of 0 people found the following review helpful
Customer Id: A2DHLY7DBB3LMT 2008-10-04
 
Review Summary: Naruto Unleashed Complete Series One
 
Review Content: Naruto Unleashed Complete Series One follows the story of a twelve year old boy called naruto uzumaki and when he was just a baby a nine-tailed fox was seasled within him and everyone in the village thinks a evil and will destroy the village.

In this boxset you get 26 episodes across 6 discs if you are new to naruto i advise you to get this set beacuse it is very good for newbies,
the only bad thing about this set is that the english subs are not translated properly

The episodes are:

1: Uzumaki Naruto Arrives!!
2: I Am Konohamaru
3: Rivals! Sasuke And Sakura
4: The Trial! Survival Training
5: Failure? Kakashi's Conclusion
6: Important Mission! Heading To The Country Of The Wave
7: The Assassin Of The Mist!
8: Decision Sworn On Pain
9: Sharingan Kakashi
10: The Forest Of Chakra
11: The Country That Had A Hero
12: Battle At The Bridge! Zabuza Once Again!!
13: Haku's Secret Jutsu: Demonic Ice

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
19: The Deamon In The Snow
20: A New Chapter Begins: The Chunin Exams!
21: Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals
22: Chunin Challenge: Rock Lee Vs Sasuke!
23: Genin Takedown! All Nine Rookies Face Off!
24: Start Your Engines: The Chunin Exams Begins!
25: The Tenth Question: All Or Nothing!
26: Special Report: Live From The Forest Of Death!
 
 
 

2 out of 3 people found the following review helpful
Customer Id: A3GC1GVILXOQO4 2008-07-07
 
Review Summary: Horrible Editing and Patronising Exposition mar a good character driven series
 
Review Content: I don't mind anime with little story line, so long as the characters are interesting enough. Shows like Love Hina, or Noir may have little or a slow story, but it's the characters that make you watch. Naruto, thankfully has some very interesting ones.

If you were put off by the Anglicization of this show (as I was from showings on Jetix), the Japanese soundtrack is a lot more tolerable: Naruto comes across as the lovable, cheeky scamp he's meant to be, rather than a brash, annoying and grating idiot. This happens all to often in Japanese to English casting, but there's nothing you can do about it, save watch it in its original language. All the original scenes of blood, violence and other bad habits, have been restored, which goes some way to avoid making this show about inanimate characters, barely moving their lips as hey bore us with exposition and idle threats to each other.

I want to like this show, I really do. I'm trying. But I just can't watch more than 4 episodes in a row; precisely why I bought the DVDs. The problem is the editing, and the mindless repeating of previous events.

Of the 25 minutes each episode takes to play form start to finish, 5 is taken up by the opening and closing credits. Not bad, there's still 20 minutes remaining. But no. If the last episode was a cliffhanger, or needed closure (and from the way this show is paced, most of them do), anywhere between 1 and 5 minutes will be taken up replaying that same amount from the last episode. Seriously. There's no "Previously on ..." recap, its just the main events a the end of the show, repeated almost verbatim.

Then there's the endless flashbacks of previous events, either explaining stuff you've heard over and over, or reminding us of a characters history (which I don't mind so much). Episode 14 was for some reason a recap of the previous 13, with about 7 minutes of actual progression (well, the animation looked new, but not a lot else). Was it so long ago? Did we really need a recap for the last 4 (and change) hours?

It's clear this is a throw away series; not meant to be watched in quick succession. As a once a week thing, I'm sure it would work, but it's sad that even if they merged 2 episodes together, removing the flashbacks and redundant exposition, you'd still only have a 25 minute episode.

Despite a 12 certificate, I think Naruto was meant for a much younger audience. Anime usually deals with more adult issues, compared to western animation. And whilst Naruto has its fair share, it spoils it by explaining certain things like you'd see on Sesame Street. One example is when a powerful rogue ninja threatens Naruto's teacher (paraphrasing): "If you intervene in the fight over there, I will make a go for my target". There is then a 3 minute period where the teacher, has to think about this (repeating what the ninja told him), explaining all the possible actions he can perform, for our benefit. I mean really! I've watched anime aimed at a younger audience that isn't as patronising.

I was looking forward to collecting these series, at the price they are now (£17), 26 episodes seemed like a bargain. But with as little as 7-12 minutes of decent story and character development (without credits, repeated animations, flashbacks), in a given episode, I have to wonder if I've been had.

I'm in two minds about getting the next series. I could easily try another anime for the same price. I love the endearing characters and the story is a good one (despite taking its sweet time), but the lazy, patronising editing really does take its toll. If anyone can watch this series for longer than an hour and a half, it must be down to either ADHD, or senility. For now I'll stick to one disk an evening.

I would have given this 4 stars. But after spending 5 episodes with our heroes stuck on a foggy bridge, fighting very little (in fact barely moving, despite lives their being at stake), and talking like battle can be paused, I had to take it down another. There's only so much you can take of Naruto's screaming about being the best ninja, and multiplying himself at every oppertunity; Sasuke's thoughts on how Naruto's an idiot, despite doing little to get out of a mirror-prison; Sakura's whining about not being able to help, and asking her teacher to explain everything (despite being the cleverest student); and the Teacher drawing out (literally) everything he wants to do in diagram form.

When the action does happen, or when we learn something new about a character, Naruto's fresh and vibrant, sometimes tugging at the heart-strings. But compared to 2/3rd of the rest, paint drying would be exciting. Perhaps it will develop more in the next few series, but I might never find out. If you see these box-sets for £10 anywhere, it's probably worth it.
 
 
 

0 out of 0 people found the following review helpful
Customer Id: A2Y9CC7SRSF0VE 2008-06-23
 
Review Summary: The roots of my Naruto Addiction
 
Review Content: This is the first of many an incredible series which has had me completely hooked for a good few months now. Naruto mixes action, a gripping storyline and comedy in a fantastic and unique world.

Naruto has a mature and sophisticated storyline which sets it apart from your typical 'cartoon'. Originally from a manga comic Naruto is massive in Japan and has now thankfully been translated for us Brits to enjoy.

It will genuinely make you laugh, cry and cheer all the way through. It delves deep into a large variety of unique characters which makes you connect with them and makes the story even more captivating.

I would say it is suitable for all ages and is one of the best programmes around! Believe it!


 
 
 

9 out of 9 people found the following review helpful
Customer Id: A22XE57SR900DL 2008-05-21
 
Review Summary: One of the finest animes out there.
 
Review Content: If you're a fan of anime, you've most likely heard of naruto.
This long running series is a about a young yellow-haired ninja from the village of konahagakure (or village hidden in the leaves) and his journey towards earning the title of hokage (villages top ninja and leader). At birth, the spirit of a nine-tailed demon fox which attacked the village was imprisoned within Naruto's body by the previous hokage. He soon grows up to become the villages greatest prankster and nuisance. But little does he know yet about the power of the nine-tailed fox within him.
Some people may be instantly put off as naruto is frequently broadcasted on the kids channel Jetix. However, those episodes are CUT. Alot of the blood and violence as well as the hokages pipe (I think) were removed from the Jetix version. Whereas the episodes on these 6 discs are totally uncut.

The first few episodes of the series introduce the main characters such as his team mates Sakura, who Naruto has a crush on. and Sasuke, who Naruto hates, but Sakura is obsessed with. They are accompanied on ninja missions by the laid back ninja called Kakashi who wears a mask over his face at all times.
After the introduction episodes are over. Naruto and his team are given a mission to protect a man on his travels to the land of waves. However, all is not as it seems, as this seemingly simple mission gets complicated when they realise that the man is actually the target for assasination by a ninja mob.
This story ark reveals themes of devotion, loyalty and devotion. Naruto soons becomes a very likeable character with his cool ninjustsu attacks, his quirky humour and his inspiring determination to become a better ninja. At episode 20 the chunin exam ark begins, which is probably one of the best (and longest in the naruto story). This is the ark in which naruto and his corades fight to be promoted to a higher rank of ninja. Many new ninjas are introduced. Many of which are very likeable and will soon become big parts of the show.

Overall Naruto is a fantastic anime that will appeal to people of al ages. Many people argue that the Japenese dub is superior. That may be true, but the english voice over is certainly imressive in it's own respect. The artwork is just lovely, and it actually improves as the series progresses. I also love the music in this anime. There is a particular piece entitled "sadness and sorrow" which plays during the sad scenes. It is a beautiful piece of music that really works well with creating the tone and atmosphere in an emotional scene.
There are few special features for this set, just some trailers on the discs. But I didn't really mind as the episodes themselves were enough to keep me happy.
Naruto series 1 is practically a steal at just £20 for 26 episodes. So if you are looking for something new then i'd strongly recommend checking this one out. However, the only disappointment I found was that episode 26 is just a review episode and it doesn't further the story at all in any way. Oh well if you enjoy this, then you'd be crazy not to get series 2 as it is even better than this one.
Naruto is one of the most popular anime series out there at the moment, and after watching this, I can see why.
 
 
 

0 out of 0 people found the following review helpful
Customer Id: A1HRALQWE966WQ 2008-01-25
 
Review Summary: What you'd expect maybe, but still brilliant..
 
Review Content: Okay, so yes you start watchin this and think "Oh my 12yr would like this.." but by episode 3/4 you're hooked. Yeah it's a little annoying at times, certainly no Bleach or Full Metal Alchemist, but this is fantastic in its own right. It's different and if, like me, great if you like stuff thats a little bit cheesy.. That is if you're into your serious stuff you might be tempted to think that way but really, buy it, watch at least 2discs and see if you don't HAVE to finish the box.. Believe it!