Naruto The Movie |
(Naruto: Furious Action! The Snow Princess Ninja Chronicles & The Konoha Athletic Meet!) Original Theatrical Date: August 21st, 2004 |
| What's the story?
Movie One tells the story of Kakashi and Team 7 travelling to the Snow
Country, a previously unknown country in the world of Naruto. A famous
actress is threatening to quit her role on a film because she doesn't
want to travel to a location shoot in the Snow Country. Team 7 and
Kakashi serve as her protectors as she is forced to travel to the
location. While there she comes under attack by the Snow ninja hired by
the Daimyou of the Country. Can Naruto and his comrades protect the
actress? What is the secret of her past?
The movie includes a Naruto animated short involving an athletic competition that is held in Konoha. This short is very humorous in nature and has no real way of fitting into continuity. Take it with a grain of salt and you may enjoy it. What do I think? This movie is one of the better attempts to write a story in the Naruto universe from writers not named Kishimoto. The action and jutsus in the movie are mostly new and nice to look at, the actions of some of the characters seem out of character for the most part, particular Kakashi with certain actions. The new chakra boosting technology is rather lame, but otherwise the movie is fairly good attempt at bringing us new Naruto stories. A full story breakdown and screencaps can be expected for this section with the DVD release this April. |
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(Naruto: Furious Clash! The Phantom Ruins in the Depths of the Earth!) Original Theatrical Date: August 6th, 2005 |
| What do we know?
It has yet to be stated at what point in continuity this movie will
take place. The movie will come to theaters close to the episode 145
release point in the series. Like the first movie, Movie 2 will
probably exist in its own continuity, outside of the main storyline. It
will be interesting to see if they can manage to fit this into
continuity and also tell a good story.
What's the story? The official site has updated with this synopsis: While out on a mission, Naruto, Sakura and Shikamaru attempt to save a young childs pet. They are attacked by a young knight named Temujin. In the course of the battle all three become separated. When Naruto and Temujin begin to battle, they end up falling off a cliff. While Shikamaru begins to investigate the happenings, a fortress appears before him. Curious, Shikamaru sneaks into the castle and learns something quite shocking... What do I think? This movie seems to follow the formula of the first, having Naruto and his teammates leave Konoha for a foreign land. The movie poster and early plot information seemingly reveals the absence of Sasuke, which is to be expected. It also features Shikamaru and Gaara, which would allow the movie to fit into continuity with events that happen in the anime series at around the time of release, i.e. the return to Konoha after the return Sasuke arc and before the time skip. Unlike the first movie this one may fit into continuity more easily. The first movie didn't have the greatest storyline, a problem which has plagued many stories not coming directly out of the manga. |
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(Naruto: Great Excitement! The Animal Riot of Crescent Moon Island) Original Theatrical Date: August 5th, 2006 |
| What do we know?
It has yet to be stated at what point in continuity this movie will
take place. The movie will come to theaters close to the episode 195
release point in the series. Like the first and second movie, Movie 3
will probably exist in its own continuity, outside of the main
storyline. However with the numerous amounts of filler present in
seasons six and seven, this movie could easily slide into the TV show
storyline with no troubles.
What's the story? A spoiled prince from the Moon Country (which is located on Crescent Moon Island, on a southern sea) is traveling the world and is to be escorted back to his home island by Naruto, Kakashi, Sakura and Lee. The prince ends up purchasing a circus for his son and hilarity ensues. When the group finally returns to Crescent Moon Island, they learn that one of the country ministers has staged a coup with the help of rogue ninja. The team from Konoha then has to defeat the ninja and help the prince retake the thrown. What do I think? This movie continues the trend of stories featuring passable plots which hope to tug on your heart strings and also humor you. Where the first movie was snow and winter themed, this movie focuses on spring and summer, with the team wearing short sleeved outfits. The movie features good animation and some interesting new jutsu, but it unfortunately follows the trend of "people changed by Naruto." The plot itself is rather basic in construction so it doesn't excite as much as one would hope. It has the typical cardboard cut-out villain seeking power which is par for the course in these movies it seems. |
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Original Theatrical Date: August 4th, 2007 |
| What do we know?
It has yet to be stated at what point in continuity this movie will
take place, but we do know it takes places in the post-timeskip
Shippuuden time frame. The movie will come to theaters close to
Shippuuden episode 25, putting it around the start of the second Naruto
arc. Like the previous movies, movie 4 will probably exist in its own
continuity, outside of the main storyline. Due to the use of filler in
the anime, the movie will probably fit into its continuity. What's the story? At this point we don't have much to go on. Apparently Naruto battles a group of ten individuals who "kill" him. Naruto's friends then have to deal with his passing. What do I think? Taking place in the post-timeskip time frame and involving a darker subject matter may set this movie apart from its more lighthearted predecessors. |
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(Naruto Shippuuden: Bonds) Coming Summer 2008 |
| What do we know?
It has yet to be stated at what point in continuity this movie will
take place, but we do know it takes places in the post-timeskip
Shippuuden time frame. The story line involves Sasuke and Naruto
interacting in some fashion. It is unclear if the movie storyline will
attempt to follow the manga continuity at all. Like the previous
movies, movie 4 will probably exist in its own continuity, outside of
the main storyline. What's the story? At this point we don't have much to go on. Apparently Sasuke is the lead in this movie, however Naruto still plays some part in the story. What do I think? Taking place in the post-timeskip time frame and involving Sasuke as the main character should help separate it from the previous movie entries. With Naruto playing a role in the story however, it's unlcear just how Sasuke focused the movie will be. |