DVD Review: Naruto Uncut Box Set Volume 13

The spirit of the Nine Tailed Fox is alive and strong in Naruto: Uncut Box Set Volume 13. The Shonen Jump box set features fourteen episodes (Episodes 164-177) of summoning jutsu fun.

The DVD set opens with the concluding episodes of Naruto, Neji and Tenten’s mission to the Land of Birds. This is the most action filled adventure in Volume 13. After Mousou’s plan to implicate Koumei in the killing of Sagi’s father, Naruto launches his own investigation into the mystery of the Cursed Warrior. It doesn’t take long before the Hidden Leaf Village realizes that these three Shinobi may be in for more than they can handle. Kakashi Sensei shows up to lend a hand when the trio realizes that their up against more than the ghostly Cursed Warrior. A group of Nomadic Shinobi that steals jutsu has also shown up to try and stake their claim on the sanctity of the Land of Birds.

In Naruto’s second major mission, he is joined by Shino and Ino in Sea Country as well as an older Hidden Leaf Ninja, Anko. As Anko battles the demons of her past and the Curse mark left by her former sensei Orochimaru, the group struggles to uncover the truth behind a mysterious girl named Isaribi and a sea monster plaguing the village.

Most of the other episodes in this volume are your standard filler episodes in an Anime series. But, they’re still fun and filled with lots of jutsu action and tons of Genin humor. In one episode, Naruto and Choji help out the local Ramen chef, Ichiraku, by battling a group of Ninja Chefs who have kidnapped his daughter. Volume 13 also features your standard morality teaching episode, where Naruto must baby sit a spoiled rich kid who uses “Money Style Jutsu.” It’s not the best Naruto episode, but the laughs are all there.

This volume is packed with all those great epic lines that are indicative to Japanese Anime and especially Naruto. In the mission of the Cursed Warrior, Sagi says, “As long as the score isn’t settled, my heart is as broken as this watch… stuck forever in the past.” His Lord Koumei responds, “Sagi no, Revenge is a poisoned blade that saves the most fatal cut for the man who wields it.” It’s all well written and delivered by the exceptional roster of VO talent.

The DVD set is light on Bonus Features. You’ll get to see some production stills and a storyboard comparison of episode 173 – from sketch to screen. There’s nothing really noteworthy here. The best bonus of the DVD set isn’t on the DVD at all, but is found in the mini-pack of Naruto Playing Cards packaged with the set. Each Box Set from Volumes 11-16 has a mini-pack that, when combined, adds up to one full deck.

Bonus Features:
- Production Art
- Volume 14 Sneak Preview
- From Sketch to Screen, Episode 173