|
More absurd than
Boston
’s reaction to Lite-Brite Mooninites, it’s the Cocaine Cowboy Corner! It has been 89 weeks and 84 episodes since the Naruto anime series was relevant in the eyes of hardcore anime fans. Up until episode 135, the Naruto anime series has followed the storyline of the manga series as closely as humanly possible. Sure, there were a few minor filler episodes along the way, but the series really did rely solely on the original source material of the manga. This was a delight to all fans of the manga and/or anime series because the story was very well written in the manga. But that feeling of delight and joy came all crashing down when the anime series was within striking distance of the most recent manga chapters in 2005. Studio Pierrot and TV Tokyo had to choose between a few possible options for the series’ progression strategy. Should the series just end and go on hiatus, or should the series branch off from the manga and proceed with an original continuation of the main storyline? They chose Plan C, to condemn the series to the depths of filler hell. In fact, the series has been stuck in this hell for almost the past 1.75 years in an effort to allow some time for the Naruto manga series to produce ample, quality source material for future episodes. These filler episodes have been absolutely dreadful, and I have not even bothered to watch the past 58 episodes. But all of this will change on Thursday, February 15th, when the new Naruto anime series, “Naruto: Shippuuden” (translated, “Naruto: Hurricane Chronicles”), will premiere with a one hour special on Japanese television station TV Tokyo.
The original Naruto anime series came to an end when episode 220 premiered on TV Tokyo on Thursday, February 8th. Episode 220 marked the absolute last of the ridiculous filler episodes, and brought the series back to its original continuity. The series concluded in the same fashion as Part 1 of the manga series, with all of Konoha preparing for a huge war that is expected to breakout three years down the line. In three years, Orochimaru will be able to use his Reincarnation Jutsu once again, and transfer his soul into the body of Sasuke Uchiha. Tsunade and the other Jonin of Konoha are very wary of this occurring for Orochimaru will obtain the power of the Sharingan. With a body that carried the advanced Uchiha blood in it, he could use the Sharingan to copy any Jutsu that he saw. Thus granting Orochimaru the power he needs to finally destroy the
Village
of
Konoha
. Naruto and Sakura view this situation in a different way. They know that their beloved friend Sasuke will die when Orochimaru transfers his soul into Sasuke’s body. Therefore, they have three years to rescue Sasuke from Orochimaru, but they know they cannot do it with their current level of strength. So everyone in Konoha, especially Naruto and Sakura, are going to spend the next two and a half years rigorously training in order to become stronger. Sakura has chosen to train under the great Tsunade, and become a powerful medical ninja. While Naruto has left the village to train with Jiraiya, and Jiraiya must teach him how to reach his full potential. For Naruto has much more than Orochimaru and Sasuke to worry about, he is a target of an evil organization called “Akatsuki.” You may recall that “Akatsuki” reared their ugly head in previous episodes of the Naruto anime series through the evil exploits of Itachi Uchiha and Kisame. Both are members of “Akatsuki,” and were commanded to try and collect Naruto for the organization. Thus, with so much turmoil in Naruto’s future, the pressure is on him to become as powerful as possible.
“Naruto: Shippuuden” offers an immense amount of excitement to Naruto fans. The series begins after the two and a half years of rigorous training mentioned in the final episode of the original series. You may have heard this event referred to by fans as the “time skip.” After two and a half years, the world of the Naruto series has gone through considerable changes. Naruto and Jiraiya return to Konoha after their intense training. Fans get their first glimpse of this new, older, more powerful Naruto, and the excitement does not stop there. Naruto is thrilled to be back and see all of his friends again. He also cannot wait to show everyone how powerful he has become. All of the characters from the original series are back in “Naruto: Shippuuden,” and they have gone through considerable amounts of change, as well. As Naruto makes his way through town, fans will be able to see all of their favorite characters again. I anticipate a tremendous amount of cheering from fans as they watch and learn how much their favorite characters have grown in stature, strength, and rank after the “time skip.” Nevertheless, even though a lot has changed, many things remained the same. Sungakure (Village of the Sand) and Konoha’s treaty is still in tact, and it plays a major role in the first story arc of the new series. The threat of attack from Orochimaru continues to exist, and it increases everyday. While the Akatsuki continue their thirst for power, and are still intent on abducting Naruto. The Akatsuki are the first to take center stage in the new series, but it is not Itachi and Kisame causing the trouble. Instead, it is two new, amazing members of Akatsuki, Deidara and Sasori. Deidara is a dangerous psychopath whom uses a jutsu that turns clay into explosives, while Sasori is a puppeteer ninja similar to Kankurou of Sungakure. Both are very powerful and extremely dangerous. This is yet another aspect of the new series that fans can look forward to, all of the new friends and villains ready to be unveiled. However, I think I will stop here and not give any more details. I do not want to spoil the new episodes for you. Trust me, you will thank me later.
Not only does the premiere of “Naruto: Sippuuden” mark the beginning of the long awaited continuation of the series, but it also ushers in an electrifying period of time for Naruto fans. Fans must not forget that with a new series, comes new merchandise! Collectors and fans can anticipate new action figures, plushies, trading cards, and apparel. There are already two video game titles lined up for release not long after the premiere of the “Naruto: Shippuuden” anime series. The first title will be released a mere week after the premiere of the series on Thursday, February 22nd, in
Japan
. It is a sequel to the popular, best-selling Nintendo GameCube fighting game series “Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen” (known as “Naruto: Clash of Ninja” in
North America
), but this edition will be released on the new Nintendo Wii. “Naruto Shippuuden: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX” will utilize a completely new control scheme that takes advantage of the Nintendo Wii’s unique controller. Confirmed characters for the game are post-time skip Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, Gaara, Temari, Kankurou, Rock Lee, Neji, Gai, Itachi, Kisame and Deidara. Now we only have to hope for a new region-free boot disc to be released for the Wii. Only then, can we import this game and have fantasy battles between all the characters. The second title for the new anime series will be released in two months on April 5th, in
Japan
. This title is also a sequel, except it is the sequel of the popular, best-selling PlayStation 2 fighting game franchise “Naruto: Narultimate Hero” (known as “Naruto: Ultimate Ninja” in
North America
). “Naruto Shippuuden: Narultimate Accel” will also be released on the PlayStation 2, and it will be the fourth in the series. There have not been many details released regarding this game, but I expect some improved gameplay with a slew of new characters and new jutsu for the established characters. Now, I can easily get my hands on this title since my PlayStation 2 can play Japanese games. Therefore, I am definitely looking forward to this game. With two great titles being released not long after the premiere of the new series, the future looks extremely bright for quality Naruto merchandise available to the legion of fans around the world.
Though it has been almost two years, the wait is finally over this coming Thursday. I thought this moment would never come, but it is finally here with the premiere of “Naruto: Shippuuden.” I had almost given up and thought that Part 2 of the Naruto manga series would never receive the anime treatment. I was afraid that the endless filler hell would drive down the popularity of the series, and lead to a cancellation. Nevertheless, I should have known better than to question the popularity of Naruto. Thus, it appears that our patience has paid off, and we shall be rewarded with the anime event of this young year. I know exactly where I will be at midnight on Thursday, February 15th. I will be at the same place as every Naruto fan across the world, in front of my computer waiting for the fansub of “Naruto: Shippuuden” to be posted.
|
|
