Another boxed set of Naruto Shippuden DVDs has hit the shelves, and wow! This show just keeps on spiraling onward and downward into the dark. Everyone’s getting ready for the Fourth Great Ninja War, and despite this being the first-ever alliance between all five great Ninja nations, there’s no clear outcome on the horizon. Then again, there’s good before there’s bad. We’ve also got plenty of the power of friendship, some downright epic fights and consistent abuse of our favorite orange-clad ninja in the name of comedy. Intrigued? Then read on!

Danzo's out of the picture, courtesy of Sasuke. Sasuke has escaped, but not before Naruto got the chance to lay down one final ultimatum. Naruto is raring his engines to somehow save Sasuke from himself, but all of Hidden Leaf is convinced that he’s just too evil to ever make it back to the side of good. Hidden Leaf is hurting bad, seeing as Lady Tsunade remains comatose right as the Land of Fire faces Madara Uchiha, its deadliest enemy yet. And Madara is not only still planning to trap the world in an endless illusion, he’s also just joined forces with his most powerful ally yet. Even Akatsuki’s dwindling numbers haven’t inconvenienced him much.

But other than that, Mr. Uzumaki, how do you like the Ramen?

Now, despite this stellar smiles-and-joy-forever-fest of an opening, we do actually get in some genuine comedy. Right off the bat, Guy challenges Kakashi to a footrace from the village gate the top of the Great Stone Faces. I loved how they open the set with this one last show of eternal good-natured rivalry—it sets the tone perfectly for the light-shines-brightest-in-the-darkness theme that’s been building for so long. Also, you really gotta see their race to believe it. Apparently, ninja races are serious business.

 
Yet we have some hope, even when we can’t rely on the antics of overpowered manchildren for a distraction. I was really impressed by how well the writers and animators can deliver on the bleak stuff while also reminding us how hope springs eternal. Or that hope hops eternal: the toads have an urgent message for Naruto about his future. The Great Lord Elder has had another of his fate-of-the-world prophecies and before Naruto can so much as slurp up a single ramen noodle he’s Reverse Summoned to Mount Myōboku to hear it straight from the amphibian’s mouth. The details are vague since, y’know, it’s a prophecy, but Naruto learns that soon he must journey elsewhere to find the help he needs, and that his quest must inevitably bring him to settle things with Sasuke.

 
Even as they speak, The Great Lord Elder's divination begins to come true. The Kages agree that while Naruto is pretty much a walking, tangerine-colored  patriot missile in terms of raw force, he is also a big problem since Madara’s made his list and the only two Tailed Beasts without check marks are Naruto’s and Killer Bee’s. If he can nab them, the Ten-Tails will rise and things like free will and individuality will quickly become as relevant as VHS tapes will be in the year 2050. Therefore, they have to keep the two remaining jinchuriki out of harm’s way, at least until they’re sure there’s no way to turn the Akatsuki into fried Aka-tofu. The Raikage designates a secluded island in the Land of Thunder to serve as Naruto’s sanctuary… and training ground.

 
And so it’s off to the high seas for Naruto, where many swashbuckling adventures await. First order of business: remove a Summoned Beast that’s devastating the coastline. Once again, I’ve got to hand it to the design team—a swordfish with an actual sword for a bill is a pretty epic idea. Surprised it wasn’t already a thing! Then they’ve got to figure out how to pass go when some rural Ninja try to make a monopoly on much-needed medical herbs. Said Ninja also have abacus skateboards.

 
Abacus. Skateboards. Can I join their village now?

Overall, this is a pretty fun set. There’s action, there’s comedy, there’s a tightening net, mystery mushrooms, giant crabs, and a mass Shadow Clone rebellion. Really. It’s crazy! Just goes to show that even in wartime, the world with its good times and its bad times doesn’t just stop. Especially if the concept of impossible within said world is revised every other Tuesday. 

English & Japanese 2.0 Audio / English Subtitles
Episodes: 219–231
Special Features: Production Art, Clean Opening, Clean Ending

You can pick up a Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 18 right here! 

©2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2007 SHIPPUDEN All Rights Reserved.

by Chris Turner