Anime DVD Review: Naruto Shippuden, Vol. 1

Naruto Uzumaki is back in “Naruto Shippuden.” The plucky young ninja from the hidden leaf village has returned from over two years of training with one of the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya. Naruto is stronger, wiser and older. Well, not really older. Naruto may visually be going through puberty, but his voice is one hundred percent the same as when he left. So, instead of hearing a mature teenage boy’s voice of about fifteen years, you will still hear the Maile Flanagan. Nothing personal against Ms. Flanagan, but the tone of her voice bears a sharp contrast to Junko Takeuchi, who does the Japanese voice over.

The story begins with a flash-forward sequence of the older Naruto finally finding Sasuke. Then the story jumps back to Naruto’s return to the hidden leaf village after his training sojourn with Master Jiraiya. Although, the story begins with a darker tone, the lighthearted nature of Naruto is still there, as he teaches Konohamaru the subtleties of perverted ninjutsu. Most of the Genin Naruto trained with have now excelled to Chunin. Sakura’s training under the Fifth Hokage and Sanin, Lady Tsunade, has paid off and she is now a full-fledged medical ninja. Naruto and Sakura must face off against Kakashi sensei to prove how far their training has come.

In Naruto Shippuden Volume 1, the Akatsuki take on a larger role. Two new members of the Akatsuki are introduced: Deidara and Sasori. They travel to Sunagakure, the Sand village now lead by Kazekage Gaara. Sasori attacks the Sand ninja, leaving several dead. Gaara decides it’s time to face off once again and protect the people of the Sand.

Naruto Shippuden Volume 1 is the start of the darker, more engrossing, chapter of Naruto’s life. The jokes are still there, but the filler episodes are behind us. The DVD comes with the original Japanese language track, but no other special features. The Naruto Box sets came with trading cards, so hopefully Viz will package some additional goodies when the box sets are released.