Naruto, Cartoon Network, Saturdays 10:30pm; Toonami Jetstream (anytime)
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Caution: Spoilers!

This is set in a world which seems to be a mix of the traditional and the modern. There are many lands, though five of them are considered the most important: The Lands of Fire, Wind, Water, Earth, and Lightning. Each country has a hidden village where shinobi (ninja) are trained to serve as that country's army, among other tasks (though such villages seem to be populated mostly by ordinary civilians with regular jobs). The story of Naruto takes place in Konoha, aka the Hidden Leaf Village (or the Village Hidden in the Leaves), in the Land of Fire. Each of the five major shinobi villages is led by a Kage, the most elite ninja in the country. Hidden Leaf Village is led by the Hokage. Twelve years before the start of the series, a nine-tailed fox demon ravaged the Hidden Leaf Village. Finally, the Fourth Hokage sealed the demon's spirit away in the belly of a baby, Naruto Uzumaki, thus putting a stop to the beast's rampage. However, in so doing, he lost his own life, and was replaced in his position by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi, who came out of retirement. Meanwhile, Naruto grew up not knowing about the beast within him. He was an orphan, and everyone in the village shunned him- some because they knew the fox demon was within him, and others, I guess, were just following their example. So he became something of a troublemaker, just to make people notice him. But he also hopes someday to become Hokage.

There are, in the world of Naruto, lots of different techniques called jutsu, which are separated into different categories, the main three being ninjutsu- secrecy and skill techniques; genjutsu- illusion techniques; and taijutsu- body techniques. Pretty much all types of jutsu require the use of energies called chakra, and ninjutsu and genjutsu also usually require hand seals- different hand and finger positions that focus the chakra. There are countless different jutsu, with different degrees of difficulty, some of which are only possible for certain clans or even individuals. Most of them seem like they'd be completely impossible in real life, like weird magical powers or something. Naruto was enrolled in the Ninja Academy, instructed by sensei Iruka Umino, who was also an orphan, and sympathized with Naruto. Naruto had failed to graduate several times, because he couldn't adequately perform a simple Clone Jutsu. After failing to graduate the Academy for the third time, he was tricked by another sensei, named Mizuki, into stealing a sacred scroll, from which Naruto learned the forbidden Shadow Clone Jutsu, which was far more powerful than an ordinary Clone Jutsu, creating a much greater number of clones, as well as giving them solid rather than illusory bodies. Mizuki also told Naruto the truth everyone was forbidden to tell him, about the fox demon within him. Then, after Naruto saved Iruka when Mizuki tried to kill him, Iruka allowed Naruto to graduate.

At this point, he becomes a Genin, which is a rank of ninja apprentice who has graduated the Academy. Genin are assigned to groups of three, and each group is trained by an elite Jonin ninja. Naruto is assigned to Squad 7, which is led by Kakashi Hatake. The other Genin in Squad 7 are Sakura Haruno (who we kinda like, and on whom Naruto has a crush) and Sasuke Uchiha. Sakura finds Naruto annoying, and she has a crush on Sasuke, who isn't really interested in anyone. He just wants to avenge the death of his clan, who were killed by his older brother, Itachi. Naruto can't stand Sasuke, because Sakura likes him, and because everyone thinks he's such a great ninja. Around this time, Naruto also meets a young boy named Konohamaru, the grandson of the Third Hokage, who also wants to become a ninja, and looks up to Naruto. Konohamaru often hangs out with a girl named Moegi and a boy named Udon, and the three of them will eventually be enrolled in the Ninja Academy and study under Iruka (though Konohamaru already had an elite ninja trainer named Ebisu, with whom Naruto doesn't get along).

Before long, Squad 7 goes on a mission escorting a bridge-builder named Tazuna to the Land of Waves. They will eventually be attacked by a rogue ninja named Zabuza, who was working for a shipping magnate/criminal kingpin named Gato. Also working with Zabuza was a boy named Haku. This story arc goes on for awhile, and we get to see some cool ninja action, including the use of the Sharingan (a technique which is supposed to be unique to members of the Uchiha clan like Sasuke, though Kakashi also possesses the skill). We also see Naruto release the power of the demon within him, though he can't control it consciously at this point.

After that mission is completed, Squad 7 just has very simple missions for awhile, but before long begins the Chunin Exam story arc, in which Genin from all the major villages gather in the Hidden Leaf Village to compete for the chance to advance to the next ninja level. There are several squads from the Hidden Leaf Village taking the exam, though the story mainly focuses on four of them. These include the rookie squads, 7, 10, and 8, as well as a second-year squad.

Squad 10, led by Asuma Sarutobi (son of the Third Hokage and uncle of Konohamaru), includes the Genin Ino Yamanka (who we kind of like; a onetime friend and current rival of Sakura's, who also has a crush on Sasuke), Shikamaru Nara (who'd rather lay around watching clouds drift by than actually fight), and Choji Akimichi (who's constantly eating junk food).

Squad 8, led by Kurenai Yuhi (who we like), includes the Genin Kiba Inuzuka (who has a dog named Akamaru that often joins him in battle), Shino Aburame (whose main jutsu involves bugs), and Hinata Hyuga (who we like). Hinata's actually one of my favorite characters in the series. She's very shy, and has a crush on Naruto, though he seems oblivious to this. She also greatly respects him and draws inspiration from him. As a member of the Hyuga clan, she possesses a skill known as the Byakugan, which is in a way similar to the Sharingan, but more powerful.

The second year team of Genin, led by Might Guy (who is similar to Bruce Lee, and who thinks he has a rivalry with Kakashi, though Kakashi seems barely aware of this), includes the Genin Rock Lee (who Naruto calls "Bushy Brow," who can only use taijutsu, and who has a crush on Sakura, and who resembles Guy, to whom he is almost like a son- though they're not related), Tenten (who we like), and Neji Hyuga. Neji is related to Hinata, but he's from a lesser branch of the clan. He's very powerful (one of the most promising Genin), but still has lower status in his clan, and for this and other reasons has a deep hatred of the main house of the Hyuga clan (including his cousin Hinata).

There are various squads of Genin from other hidden villages who enter the Chunin Exam, but the most important team, led by Baki, comes from the Hidden Sand Village (aka Sunagakure), in the Land of Wind. The Genin include three children of the village's leader, the Fourth Kazekage. They include Temari (who we kind of like), Kankuro, and Gaara. Like Naruto, Gaara has within him a demon, the Shukaku, which makes him very powerful, and everyone in his village hates and fears him. This eventually drove him crazy, and he now believes his purpose in life is to kill everyone. Mostly he seems interested in killing the most powerful opponents, such as Sasuke Uchiha, but no one's life seems to have any value for him, including his family. Still, he seems for the most part content to go along with his family's plans.... There's also an older team of Genin from Hidden Leaf Village taking the exam, which includes Kabuto Yakushi, who's taking the exam for the seventh time. He'll befriend and help the rookies, somewhat. And there was a team of Genin from Otogakure, the Hidden Sound Village, in the Land of Sound (formerly known as the Land of Rice Fields). Not being one of the five major lands, it doesn't have a Kage, but is ruled by a powerful ninja named Orochimaru, who will become a very important character in the series. He wants to learn every jutsu in the world. And he was once a student of the Third Hokage, and might have become Fourth Hokage, if not for his evil ways. The fact that he was passed over for that position has left him with a deep hatred of the Hidden Leaf Village, and his former sensei Sarutobi.

The Chunin Exam is divided into three or four parts. The first part is a written test, administered by a proctor named Morino Ibiki, though the test isn't exactly what it seems. Those who pass move on to the second stage of the Exam, which is administered by Anko Mitarashi (who we like). This is the start of the second season of the series. Squads of Genin are given one scroll, either "Heaven" or "Earth," and need to make their way through a dangerous forest, trying to obtain whichever scroll they don't have from another squad, while protecting their own scroll, and bring both to a building at the center of the forest. During this exam, Squad 7 is attacked by Orochimaru, who inflicts a cursed seal upon Sasuke, which could make him more powerful when activated, but also drive him mad and make him lose control of himself, so he'll have to learn to prevent the seal from taking over. Orochimaru's purpose isn't entirely clear, but it turns out he's done this to others before, only one of whom- Anko- survived. Anyway, eventually, after enduring other attacks, the second stage of the exam is successfully completed. However, it turns out that Kabuto and his squad are actually spies for Orochimaru, from the Hidden Sound Village.

The third stage, proper, of the Chunin Exam will be postponed, because more Genin have passed the earlier stages than expected. So first there will be preliminary matches, overseen by Hayate Gekko. Genin will be randomly paired to fight each other, showing off their skills. After Sasuke's match, he is taken away by Kakashi, who places a protective seal over Orochimaru's cursed seal on Sasuke's neck, which should help Sasuke control it. Orochimaru shows up and tries to take Sasuke, who he hopes will serve him, but Kakashi prevents this. Later, Kabuto is sent to kidnap Sasuke, but Kakashi again prevents it. Meanwhile, the preliminary matches are full of all kinds of incredible fights (as is the whole series, of course), and I don't want to give anything away about it. After the preliminaries, Kakashi will provide Sasuke with some one-on-one training, while Naruto is briefly trained by Ebisu.

The third season begins with Naruto meeting Jiraiya, who is one of three legendary ninja known as Sannin (the other two Sannin are Orochimaru and Tsunade, who hasn't been seen yet, at this point in the series). Jiraiya calls himself the toad sage, since he can summon a powerful, giant toad. But Naruto calls him "pervy sage," because he's something of a peeping tom (and also enjoys Naruto's sexy jutsu, in which he transforms himself into a beautiful, naked girl). But Jiraiya will end up training Naruto in various things, including summoning a toad. Despite early troubles with the technique, Naruto eventually manages to unleash the demon fox's chakra so that he can summon Gamabunta, the chief of all summoned toads. (The demon fox strikes a deal with Naruto, allowing him to call upon its chakra at will, without it taking over his mind.) Chief Toad will come to think of Naruto as his servant. Meanwhile, Kabuto talks to Baki about a secret alliance between the Sand and Sound villages, which plan on attacking the Hidden Leaf Village. Hayate overhears this, but is killed by Baki before he can inform anyone.

Finally the third stage of the Chunin Exam begins, with more great fights. The Kazekage of the Hidden Sand Village sits in the stands with the Hokage, watching the events. The proctor of this stage is Genma Shiranui, since Hayate is no longer around. In the midst of Sasuke's battle against Gaara, Temari and Kankuro grab their brother and retreat, with Sasuke chasing them through the forest. The Sand and Sound ninja begin their attack on the Hidden Leaf Village, and the Kazekage turns out to be Orochimaru in disguise. He'll take the Hokage hostage, and there will be a long and grueling battle between the two, ultimately ending in the Hokage's death and Orochimaru's arms being rendered useless, so that he can no longer use jutsu. Kakashi sends Sakura, Naruto, and Shikamaru, along with a summoned dog called Pakkun, to chase after Sasuke and stop him from pursuing Gaara and the others. Meanwhile, Iruka leads an evacuation of students from the Ninja Academy, including Konohamaru and his friends. Eventually Sasuke catches up to Gaara and fights him, but then Naruto and the others catch up and Naruto fights Gaara. Gaara's Shukaku emerges, and Naruto has to summon the Chief Toad to help him out. Near the end of all these events, season four begins. (It'd be kind of nice if a story arc could be resolved at the end of a season, but no.)

Well, at the beginning of season 4, after Gaara is defeated and the invasion of the Hidden Leaf Village is thwarted, there is a funeral for the Third Hokage. Then, Itachi Uchiha arrives in the Hidden Leaf Village, along with Kisami Hoshigaki. They are members of the Akatsuki, a group of very powerful rogue ninja that once included Orochimaru. They want to capture Naruto, I guess, because of the fox demon inside him. Before they ever find him, however, they are delayed by Kakashi, who ends up getting badly hurt by Itachi's Tsukuyomi ninjutsu. Naruto, meanwhile, heads off on a quest with Jiraiya. They're looking for Tsunade (who we like), which Jiraiya says is because she can heal Kakashi. But there's another reason, which Jiraiya doesn't let Naruto know until they finally find her: she has been named the Fifth Hokage. However, before they catch up with her (and her travelling companion Shizune, who we like, and Tsunade's pet pig, Tonton), Sasuke chases after Itachi and fights him, using the Chidori ninjutsu Kakashi had taught him while training for the third stage of the Chunin Exam. But he ends up getting hurt just like Kakashi, so Tsunade will have to heal him, as well.

But it still takes awhile before Jiraiya and Naruto even find Tsunade and Shizune, and along the way, Jiraiya teaches Naruto an extremely powerful ninjutsu called Rasengan. Tsunade, meanwhile, is an infamously bad gambler, so she's always on the move, which is why it's so hard to find her. Of course, like most characters in this show, she has her own tragic backstory. Both her little brother Nawaki and her lover Dan (Shizune's uncle) had once hoped to become Hokage someday, and both had been killed long before that might have become a reality. Of course, Naruto reminds her of them. However, shortly before Jiraiya and Naruto find her, Tsunade is approached by Orochimaru and Kabuto. Orochimaru wants her to restore the use of his arms; in exchange, he offers to use a jutsu he's developed to bring her brother and lover back to life. She ultimately declines, and there will be a major battle between the three Sannin, with no clear winners. But she and Shizune do end up heading back toward the Hidden Leaf Village with Naruto and Jiraiya, so she can assume her new position (even though she wasn't interested in becoming Hokage at first).

There will of course be stories that are mostly filler, but some important things may also happen. There is the fact that during the Chunin exams, at one point Rock Lee had to fight Gaara, and despite an impressive showing, ended up getting injured badly enough that there was no way he could ever continue as a shinobi. However, there was a risky operation Tsunade could perform that might give Lee a chance... but the odds were 50/50 it would kill him. So he had an important decision to make. There was also a little story arc about Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura travelling to the Land of Tea, to serve as bodyguards to a runner named Idate, who was in a race to determine which clan would rule their village. Of course there are ninja working for the rival clan trying to stop them. The arc begins at the end of season 4 and is concluded at the beginning of season 5.

Because of events during the Land of Tea arc, Sasuke is upset that he's not getting stronger, compared to Naruto. And of course he's still upset that he's nowhere near strong enough to beat Itachi. So when four powerful shinobi, each with a cursed seal, are sent by Orochimaru to bring Sasuke to him, he's willing to go, in the hopes of becoming stronger. On the journey to the Land of Sound, Sasuke will be sealed in a barrel for a process that will advance his own cursed seal to the next stage, so for the time being he's out of commission. Meanwhile, Tsunade sends a team of shinobi to retrieve him. The team will be led by Shikamaru, the only ninja to officially pass the Chunin exams and move to the rank of Chunin. The Genin he'll be leading include Naruto, Neji, Choji, and Kiba (along with Akamaru, of course). Once they catch up to the Sound Four, they'll all be trapped by one of the ninja, Jirobu, while his comrades take Sasuke and continue on their way. Eventually the Hidden Leaf ninja escape, and Choji stays behind to fight Jirobu while his friends chase the others. This pattern continues with Neji facing off against Kidomaru while the others continue the chase. Then there will be a faceoff between two brothers, Sakon and Ukon, whose ninjutsu allow them to share a body, so I guess they count as one. They'll fight Kiba and Akamaru, while the final member of the Sound Four, Tayuya, faces Shikamaru.

Meanwhile, Naruto had taken Sasuke, but didn't get far. It turns out Orochimaru was dying, and required a body to serve as a vessel for himself, so that he could be immortal. He had selected Sasuke, but his servants didn't get Sasuke to him in time, so he had to take someone else, and it would be a few years before he could attempt another transfer. So... there is another ninja named Kimimaro Kaguya, who had hoped to become Orochimaru's vessel, but an illness made this impossible. So he went instead to retrieve Sasuke, who Orochimaru still hoped to use later on. He took the barrel from Naruto, who would have to fight him. Sasuke finally emerged, stronger than ever, from the barrel, and went on ahead toward Orochimaru's lair, while Kimimaro prevented Naruto from following. But then a still-recovering Rock Lee would show up to fight Kimimaro, while Naruto resumed the chase. Though Lee put up a pretty good (and amusing) fight, ultimately he'd have to be rescued by an unlikely ally: Gaara! And his siblings, Kankuro and Temari, would help the others. Guess the Leaf Village and the Sand Village patched up their differences....

Meanwhile, Naruto finally caught up with Sasuke, and the two had an epic battle (at the end of season 5 and start of season 6). We also learned a bit more about Sasuke and Itachi's past, and that Sasuke hoped to achieve a power his brother had: Mangekyo Sharingan. Anyway, when Kakashi learns where Naruto has gone, he goes after him. They fail to bring Sasuke back, and he continues on to Orochimaru. But Naruto will never give up trying to get Sasuke back.

After that, Jiraiya led Naruto and Sakura on a mission to the Land of Rice Fields, to search for Orochimaru's hideout. They meet a kunoichi named Sasame, whose cousin Arashi is working for Orochimaru, and they try to help her get him back. Ultimately, they fail to find Orochimaru and Sasuke, and the Leaf ninja head back to their village. Sakura, as usual, considers herself useless, and decides to train harder. She begins studying under Tsunade to become a medical ninja. Which I find quite interesting, because now each member of Squad 7 is being trained by one of the Sannin.

Soon after that, Mizuki breaks out of prison, along with a pair of large and powerful brothers named Fujin and Raijin. Mizuki wants to obtain Orochimaru's power. Naruto, Iruka, and Pakkun chase Mizuki, and will be joined by Mizuki's fiancee, Tsubaki (who we like), who wants to stop Mizuki from doing all this crazy stuff, herself. And um, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji show up to hold off Fujin and Raijin, though they only manage to hold them long enough for Tsunade to show up and save them. Meanwhile... Mizuki's ambitions come to naught.

Then Naruto continues to pester Tsunade to allow him to go searching for Sasuke yet again. But he ends up going with Hinata, Shino, and Kiba, to search for the Bikochu beetle, which was thought to be extinct, or at least nearly so. But it would be able to track Sasuke's scent, if they could find one. Unfortunately, there were also three ninja from the Kamizuru clan, of the Village Hidden in Stone, looking for the Bikochu. They hated the Aburame clan, so they wouldn't mind killing Shino. But mainly they just want to get the bug for a plan in restoring the honor of their dwindling clan, which had been defeated by the Aburame many years ago. Anyway, I enjoyed this arc because Hinata got a chance to shine, which I always appreciate.... But even though the Kamizuru were defeated and our heroes got the Bikochu... things didn't quite work out as they'd hoped. Again. Anyway, that's as far as I've seen so far. I've still got a ways to go...

Well, it's a pretty cool show, both serious and humorous, and it seems to just get cooler the further in you go. There's a tremendous amount of stuff to learn, including a great deal of backstory for a lot of characters. Even some of the ones you have every reason to hate, many of them you may end up also sympathizing with somewhat. It's all very interesting and complicated, and I look forward to seeing the rest of the series... Oh yeah, and of course all the theme songs kick an unbelievable level of ass....

There are a few movies and OVAs based on the series. Those I've seen so far include the movies Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow, Legend of the Stone of Gelel, Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom, and the 2nd OVA, Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village!