Naruto

About Naruto

Naruto arrives as an action anime by Studio Pierrot (2002), and the premise is easy to summarize. At its core: Moments prior to Naruto Uzumaki's birth, a huge demon known as the Kyuubi, the Nine-Tailed Fox, attacked Konohagakure, the Hidden Leaf Village, and wreaked havoc. In order to put an end to the Kyuubi's rampage, the leader of the village, the Fourth Hokage, sacrificed his life and sealed the monstrous beast inside the newborn Naruto.

Along the way, now, Naruto is a hyperactive and knuckle-headed ninja still living in Konohagakure. Shunned because of the Kyuubi inside him, Naruto struggles to find his place in the village, while his burning desire to become the Hokage of Konohagakure leads him not only to some great new friends, but also some deadly foes.

As an action title, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. If you count yourself among viewers who like fast, high-impact fights, put it on your list.

Production & Appeal

Studio Pierrot is the studio behind Naruto, and its direction shapes everything from character design to motion. Because it leans on action, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. At 7.9/10 it earns a solid reception, a safe pick for fans of the genre. It aired in 2002, which makes it easy to place in the wider anime calendar.