Naruto (Anime)

Kishimoto, M. (Writer). (2006). Naruto Volume 1: Enter Naruto [Animated Television Series]. San Francisco, CA: Shonen Jump Home Video. ISBN: 978-1-4215-0698-2

Interest Level: 13 to 18
Genre: Anime Cartoon
Subjects/Themes: Ninjas, Good vs Evil, Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural Powers, Magic, Orphans
Running Time: 28 minutes per episode
Rating: T - for Teens

Plot: Naruto Uzumaki is a ninja in training in the Village Hidden in the Leaves.  But Naruto is not just any ninja student, he is also an orphan and sealed inside of him is the Nine Tailed  Fox Demon who once tried to destroy the village.  The rest of the village isn't allowed to speak of the demon and instead shun him because of the demon sealed inside of him.  Naruto, not knowing why he's being shunned, has made it his goal to become the next Hokage (village leader) in order to gain the respect of the village.  The majority of the series follows Naruto as he trains as a ninja, makes friends, and carries out his training missions.  As the series progresses, Naruto must also battle against enemies who would destroy the village and Naruto in particular.

Personal Thoughts:  Naruto is an action packed anime that is filled with different storylines that deal with issues of friendship, betrayal, perserverance, good vs. evil, and growing up.  This cartoon has some major plot lines that are found throughout the different seasons as well as individual missions or stories that occur in an individual episode.  Naruto is a lovable character because of his determination, honesty, and empathy.  Some of his friends include Sakura (a female, straight A, medical ninja), Sasuke (a talented ninja, reserved, seeking revenge for his family's deaths), Kakashi (a high level ninja, trains Naruto and his teammates), and Iruka (was Naruto's first teacher, father-like figure to Naruto).

Originally shown in Japan, Cartoon Network shows an English dubbed version that has been edited to sometimes reduce the amount of alcohol, sexual innuendo, blood and death shown or alter how it was shown.  Watching both the Japanese subtitled and English dubbed versions, I have mostly noticed a use of some older language rather then the violence.

Note: There is also a Naruto manga series (which the anime was based on) and several animated movies.
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