Anime DVD Review: Naruto Uncut Box Set, Vol. 15

When it comes to Naruto Box Sets, there are two things you can always expect: one enticing story arc and a truckload of filler episodes. More often than not, the main story arc on the DVD set isn’t even the full story, but a continuation of episodes from the prior set.

“Naruto Uncut Box Set: Vol. 15,” however, scales back on the filler episodes, giving Naruto fans more of the engaging Leaf Shinobi drama they adore. You’ll still see a few episodes that are strictly for fun. For instance, in one episode, Naruto abuses his jutsu to look like Ino and woo a noble. In another episode Rock Lee opens up his own dojo to get in more training. When Lee doesn’t get any challengers, Naruto and Gai Sensei try to stage a mock battle for Lee. Where’s the fun in this? A spy decides to infiltrate the Leaf and dresses up like Gai Sensei and ends up as Lee’s practice fodder.

Aside from your typical filler episodes the two main story arcs are excellent. In the first arc, a legendary trap ninja infiltrates the Leaf Villiage and springs a trap that could destroy all of Konoha. The second arc focuses on Kurenai Sensei’s past. This story is actually very interesting. It involves a genjutsu clan that previously wasn’t discussed in Naruto, due to a hidden conspiracy set into motion by the Third Hokage. Unfortunately, this arc doesn’t conclude in Volume 15, so you will have to get Volume 16 to see what happened.

Orochimaru is on the cover of this box set, but you’ll only see him in a random “200th” anniversary filler episode where Naruto counts down the top fights in the series. This is one of the worst kinds of filler episodes because it’s just recapping old episodes.

“Naruto Uncut Box Set: Vol. 15” is a great watch, and personally one of the best box sets since Sasuke abandoned Konoha. Volume 15 is slightly lighter on the filler episodes than previous box sets, and features two great story arcs that more than make up for the filler. With Naruto Shippuden on the way, you will definitely want to get up to speed on the Leaf Village saga.