Action-packed, emotionally-charged episodes in this latest volume! Tragedy hits the Konoha Village as one of their own is killed by the Akatsuki in the latest DVD set 7 of “Naruto Shippuden”. The episodes featured in this set are my favorite episodes of “Naruto Shippuden” by far! Highly recommended!
Image courtesy of © 2002 Masashi Kishimoto/2007 Shippuden. All Rights Reserved.
DVD TITLE: Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 7 – Original & Uncut
DURATION: Episodes 78-88 (275 Minutes)
DVD INFORMATION: 2.0 Stereo Surround Sound, Bilingual (Japanese & English), English Subtitles
COMPANY: Shonen Jump/Viz Media
RATED: Rated T for Older Teen
Release Date: July 12, 2011
Originally created by Masashi Kishimoto
Series Directed by Hayato Date
Produced by Tomoko Gushima, Ken Hagino
Series Coordinator by Junki Takegami, Satoru Nishizono
Character Design by Tetsuya Nishio, Hirofumi Suzuki
Music by Yasuharu Takanishi, Yaiba
Music Production by Aniplex
Anime Production by TV Tokyo, Pierrot
Featuring the following voice talent:
Junko Takeuchi/Maile Flanagan as Naruto Uzumaki
Chie Nakamura/Kate Higgins as Sakura Haruno
Noriaki Sugiyama/Yuri Lowenthal as Sasuke Uchiha
Akira Ishida/Liam O’Brien as Sabaku no Gaara (Gaara of the Desert)
Hideo Ishikawa/Crispin Freeman as Itachi Uchiha
Houchu Ohtsuka/David Lodge as Jiraiya
Kazuhiko Inoue/Dave Wittenberg as Hatake Kakashi
Kentarou Itou/Robbie Rist as Chouji Akimichi
Kenyuu Horiuchi/Troy Baker as Pain
Kouichi Toochika/Steve Staley as Neji Hyuuga
Kousuke Toriumi/Kyle Hebert as Kiba Inuzuka
Kujira/Steven Blum as Orochimaru
Masako Katsuki/Debi Mae West as Tsunade/Fifth Hokage
Nana Mizuki/Stephanie Sheh as Hinata Hyuuga
Nobutoshi Canna/Henry Dittman as Kabuto Yakushi
Rikiya Koyama/Troy Baker as Yamato
Romi Paku/Tara Platt as Temari
Ryoka Yuzuki/Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Ino Yamanaka
Satoshi Hino/Ben Diskin as Sai
Shinji Kawada/Derek Stephen Prince as Shino Aburame
Yasuyuki Kase/Michael Lindsay as Kankurou
Yoichi Masukawa/Brian Donovan as Rock Lee
Asuma and Shikamaru have to think on their feet as they face the mind-boggling jutsu of the Akatsuki pair Hidan and Kakuzu. At the last minute, the Akatsuki are called away, but not before dealing a fatal blow to a revered shinobi of the Leaf. The devastated ninja left behind can think only of revenge, but Tsunade is opposed to the scheme until an offer of help arrives from an unexpected source.
Since 1999, “Naruto” created by Masashi Kishimoto (“Karakuri”) has been one of the most popular anime and manga series in Japan and has easily become a favorite best selling anime/manga series among fans all over the world.
For the anime series, since 2002, “Naruto” lasted until 2007 with a total of 220 episodes. The series would follow the adventures of a boy named Naruto Uzamaki, who may not be the brightest ninja from the Konoha Village but he makes it up with heart and also tremendous power as the killer beast known as the nine-tailed fox has been sealed within him.
Earlier in the series, the anime series focused on Naruto and his team members Sasuke Uchida and Sakura Haruno as they would go on adventures and learn to become a team and also honing their ninja abilities. The series would then begin to introduce other young ninjas from the village who Naruto would be paired up with and the young ninjas would take on rival clans to helping people in need. But somehow as the series continued, Sasuke Uchida would then go off on his own personal mission to stop his brother Itaki Uchida, who murdered the whole Uchida clan and his family, only leaving Sasuke alive.
Within those six years, we have seen Naruto and his friends grow as friends and also in their abilities. For Naruto, all he has wanted is to become the next Hokage (the leader of the village) when he grows older and to help his friends accomplish missions. He knows that to be a good leader, he will need to get stronger so he can protect the village once he grows older. Of course, there is so much involved in the “Naruto” anime series and what makes its special is its humor, its action but also how well the series integrates so many characters but yet features a good number of character driven episodes that makes the viewer appreciate many of the characters in the series.
“Naruto”, the first series ended with the young ninja leaving to train with Jiraiya for two-and-a-half years.
In volume 3, because of the injuries Kakashi suffered against the Akatsuki, Naruto, Sakura have a new member named Sai joining them and a new sensei named Yamato overseeing them. Lady Tsunade has also Yamato observing Sai because he was assigned to the team courtesy of the mysterious Danzou who Lady Tsunade doesn’t trust. Also, Sai tends to be a interesting character as he never had a social upbringing and is unaware of how to use his emotions or have friends.
Volume 4 continues the three trying to get along with each other and going on major missions, but also learning how the demon fox inside Naruto is trying to come out and when Naruto is unable to control himself, Yamato is the only person that can help keep Naruto in check, otherwise, he can prove to become extremely dangerous and unstable.
In Volume 5, with the group returning from their mission back to the Konoha village, Kakashi knows that Naruto needs to continue his training and control his chakra, but also to show him what kind of ninja he is and what his specialty his jutsu is. Meanwhile, the groups go on a mission to search for grave robbers and Naruto meets another rival who gets on his nerves, a boy named Sora, who reminds Naruto of himself when he was younger. This mission will eventually lead to a major attack by four powerful individuals who are intent of annihilating everyone in the Konoha village.
In Volume 6, Asuma, the son of the late Hokage and a character that plays a pivotal role in this latest release of “Naruto Shippuden” especially storyline-wise as the Akatsuki are back and we are introduced to Hidan and Kakuzu and to see how powerful these two are in capturing and targeting Jinchuriki.
Asuma is sent to lead a group of Konoha ninja to destroy the two Akatsuki, meanwhile Kakashi and Yamato work diligently to prepare Naruto for battle against the Akatsuki, so while everyone else is fighting, Naruto must continue his training. But can Asuma and the other ninjas defeat the powerful duo of the Akatsuki?
In Volume 7, Asuma Sarutobi along with young strategist Shikamaru Nara, Izumo and Kotetsu take on the two Akatsuki members: the immortal Hidan and the mysterious Kakuzu.
Meanwhile, tragedy hits the Konoha Village as one of their own is killed. This leads to a new plan of attack led by Shikamaru with hopes that Naruto’s training will be completed in order to complete their mission and defeatt the two Akatsuki members but also to avenge their fallen friend.
Here is a brief spoilerless summary of the episodes 78-88 which are featured on three DVD’s:
Note: In Japan, episode 78-88 are the final episodes of season four.
DISC 1:
- EPISODE 78 – The Judgement – Asumu uses his fire jutsu against Hidan but will it work?
- EPISODE 79 – Unfulfilled Scream – Hidan uses his jutsu…will this be the end of Asumu?
- EPISODE 80 – Last Words – The conclusion of Asuma vs. Hidan.
- EPISODE 81 – Sad News – As Hidan and Kakuzu retreat under orders, a fallen friend says his final words.
DISC 2:
- EPISODE 82 – Team Ten – A funeral is held for the fallen friend in the Konoha Village.
- EPISODE 83 – Target: Locked On – As Team 10 headed by Kakashi goes to take on Hidan and Kakuzu, Tsunade sends Team 7 to back them up. But they must wait until Naruto finishes his training.
- EPISODE 84 – Kakuzu’s Abilities – Team 10 vs. Kakuzu and Hidan.
- EPISODE 85 – The Terrifying Secret – Kakuzu reveals his true self to Team 10. Do they have any chance of beating him?
DISC 3:
- EPISODE 86 – Shikamaru’s Genius – Hidan uses his technique on Shikamaru…will this be the end of Shikamaru?
- EPISODE 87 – When You Curse Someone, You Dig Your OWn Grave – Shikamaru vs. Hidan. Can Shikamaru defeat the immortal Akatsuki?
- EPISODE 88 – Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken! – Naruto unleashes the Rasen Shurken on Kakuzu, but will his new technique work?
VIDEO:
One thing I noticed when it came to “Naruto” is that the series has had its share of well-animated and well-painted artistic backgrounds but then for some of the filler episodes, has had a decrease in quality. Fortunately, “Naruto Shippuden” continues to look awesome. I really like how the characters look much older and the emotions on the character’s faces. The action has now returned back to the Konoha village but still good animation for a TV series.
In “Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 7”, you can expect quite a bit of action in this latest volume, as these episodes are primarily action-driven and are primarily battles between the Konoha ninjas vs. the Akatsuki. Â And for a TV Series, while not the most detailed of anime series, the fact that these episodes do feature many ninja engaged in battle. And this should satisfy most “Naruto” fans.
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
As for the audio, the audio for “Naruto Shippuden” is pretty much Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 Bilingual (Japanese and English). Similar to a series like “Dragon Ball Z”, with “Naruto”, I have always enjoyed the voice acting of the English dub series. It’s well done and the voices fit the characters very well.
Especially Maile Flanagan’s Naruto Uzumaki. Personally, I didn’t think there would be a voice actor that could capture Junko Takeuchi’s Naruto vocals and sure enough, Flanagan does a great job. But I have watched the series in Japanese and English and for the most part, voice acting for both soundtracks are well-done.
Since the series is front channel driven, for those with a modern home theater receiver probably will enjoy a more immersive soundscape by selecting stereo on all channels.
Subtitles are in English.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 7 – Original & Uncut” comes with the following special features on disc 3:
- New from Viz Media – Trailers for upcoming or current Viz Media releases.
- Online Features – Text-based screen of where “Naruto Shippuden” can be watched online.
- Story Boards – Five pages of storyboards (featured in negative format).
- Production Art – Using your remote, you can view through 15 pages of artwork.
- Omake – (7:08) All the omake ending portions (after the credits) from the episodes featured in DVD Set 7 of “Naruto Shippuden”.
- English Credits
Throughout the entire “Naruto” series, fans have seen chaos in the Konoha Village, the death of the Hokage many moons ago but one thing we have not really seen is a death of a fellow comrade.
With the episodes featured in DVD set 6 of “Naruto Shippuden”, these episodes were character building episodes for Asuma and just showing us how the cool, laidback son of the third hokage was a pretty cool guy. Everyone looked up to him and the relationship between him and his trainee Shikamaru Nara was almost like best friends, or even father and son to a point.
So, to see how things would tragically play out in these episodes of set 7 was quite emotional and I have to say that with the death of Grandma Chiyo and now a more emotional tragedy because it’s one of the members of the Konoha village, it was unexpected but at the same time, you sort of knew that writer Masashi Kishimoto has been taking some risks with “Naruto Shippuden”, making deaths necessary. With grandma Chiyo earlier on, it was a coming-to-age story for Sakura who had to find her inner strength without having to depend on Naruto. This time, it’s Shikamaru’s turn as he is put in to the forefront of battle.
With “Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 7 – Original & Uncut”, this is an all-battle DVD set. The first half featuring Asuma and his team taking on the Akatsuki and then the second part featuring Team 10 led by Kakashi as they get the rematch against the Akatsuki. But also to see how far Naruto has come with his training.
Needless to say, these episodes are emotional but yet action-packed and are very exciting to watch. The buildup of the Asuma storyline was worth it!
As for the DVD set, you get a total of eleven episodes and special features were OK, as you do get the usual omake and other info. related features. But in terms of storyline, this is probably my favorite episodes of the “Naruto Shippuden” series thus far.  And I don’t think any fan will be disappointed because this one awesome battle and Shikamaru fans will see how excellent he is as a strategist. The writing was quite clever when it comes to the actual strategy planned by Shikamaru. Impressive!
Overall, If you are fan of “Naruto Shippuden” and are staying with this series for the long haul, “Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 7 – Original & Uncut” is highly recommended!
