Director: Hayato Date
Starring: Kate Higgins, Chie Nakamura, Maile Flanagan, Junko Takeuchi, Yuri Lowenthal, Noriaki Sugiyama, Ben Diskin, Akira Ishida, Brian Donovan, Hideo Ishikawa, David Lodge, Houchu Ohtsuka
Running Time: 325 minutes
Certificate: 12
Carrying over from the high of box set 13, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Box Set 14 is the best the series has had to offer so far. It not only encapsulates the enjoyable comedy, characters, and action we’ve come to expect, but it is also relentless in its pursuit of character defining moments and exploration of the emotional weight certain actions hold. This equates to a fascinating mix of thought provoking, heartstring pulling, and adrenaline pumping episodes, representing the show at its best.
This collection opens with the conclusive battle between Naruto and Pain. It’s a blistering way to open up the set and it sees us being thrown right into the thick of battle. Both the visuals and the music scream “Epic”, and there is a grandiose sense of urgency from the outset. Some objects may lack details, which often help to expand on a world, but with so much frantic action taking place such a criticism is sure to pass many by. As the battle comes to an end, the series is overcast with a distinct feeling of foreboding. Rather than having the ultimate climax focus on the fighting and action, instead it comes down to a battle of morals and ethics between Naruto and Pain.
It’s always a brave decision to end such an important arc with mere conversation, as you risk losing your audience if those words lack power and gravitas. Anime, and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN is not exempt from this, can often be very wordy, even during fight sequences. Fortunately, every word packs the required punch as Naruto and Pain are forced to debate the foundations of good and evil and the temptation of power. It becomes clear that both characters are haunted by their pasts and conflicted by their futures. It’s an emotional set of episodes that is privy to some outstanding vocal work in both dubs.
After the completion of such a momentous arc, it’s time to calm things down a bit. The show does this by looking at Naruto’s past as a juvenile delinquent. Outcast from the town in which he grew up, Naruto acts out in order to gain attention. Again, this is emotionally powerful stuff, and is also very thought provoking in how we look at children’s behaviour and the ways they try and communicate. It goes a long way to explain the drive and heated passion Naruto feels for his studies as a ninja, as well as explaining his hotheadedness at times.
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Box Set 14 is exactly what this series needed at this point; high octane action followed by thoughtful moments of calm. It is both a time of great endings and reflections on the past. Although the collection itself doesn’t work without the previous sets; the opening fight being at a strange place to open with, for those up to date, this offers essential closure. There are times when long running anime seem to outstay their welcome, and times like this, when you’re glad they persevered.
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Box Set 14 is released on DVD on 23rd September via Manga Entertainment.
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