Appeal and review of "NARUTO Shippuden The Movie: The Lost Tower": A moving story and spectacular action

The appeal and reviews of "NARUTO Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower"

■Overview of the work

"NARUTO Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower" is an animated feature film in the NARUTO series that was released on July 31, 2010. It is based on the popular manga "NARUTO" by Masashi Kishimoto, animation was produced by Studio Pierrot, and distribution was handled by Toho. This film is the seventh film in the NARUTO series and the third in the Shippuden series. Each episode is 85 minutes long and self-contained, and is based on the theme of the bond between parent and child.

■ Story

The story begins with Naruto, who has been given a mission by Tsunade, chasing the ninja Centipede with Sakura and Yamato. They arrive at the ruins of Loulan in the Hidden Sand, but Centipede's target is the dragon vein sleeping deep underground. Naruto heads deep into the ruins to confront Centipede, but is consumed by the energy of the dragon vein released by Centipede. When Naruto wakes up after losing consciousness, he finds a sight he has never seen before. A city surrounded by towers that reach the sky, it is the city of Loulan at the height of its glory. Naruto begins to search for Centipede again and meets the city's queen, Sara. However, dark rumors are spreading that the mysterious minister Anrokuzan is creating a terrible weapon, and Naruto struggles to solve the mystery.

■Explanation

This is the seventh film in the Naruto series and the third in the Shippuden series. The film is based on the theme of the bond between parent and child, and a major highlight is the appearance of Naruto's father, Namikaze Minato. In addition, the short film "Naruto the Movie: Gentle Breeze Legend - Naruto, the Genie, and the Three Wishes!!", which was screened at the same time, was the first short film since the first film, "The Snow Princess Ninja Scrolls". This short film is a comical story depicting Naruto's adventures, and is a welcome bonus for fans.

■Cast

The cast of this work includes Junko Takeuchi as Uzumaki Naruto, Chie Nakamura as Haruno Sakura, Satoshi Hino as Sai, and Rikiya Koyama as Yamato, with the voice actors from the TV series continuing to play their roles. In addition, Saori Hayami will play the new character Sara, and Ryuzaburo Otomo will play the new characters Centipede and Anrokuzan. Toshiyuki Morikawa will play the role of Minato Namikaze, playing an important role in depicting the bond between father and son.

■ Main staff

The film was directed by Masahiko Murata, written by Junki Takegami, and character designed by Tetsuya Nishio and Hirofumi Suzuki. Animation was done by Studio Pierrot, music by Koji Takanashi and Yaiba. Sound direction was by Yasunori Ebina, and sound direction was by Chiharu Kamio, resulting in a high-quality work in both visuals and audio.

■ Main Characters

Naruto Uzumaki has extraordinary stamina and a fantastic imagination, and the great demon "Nine-Tailed Fox" is sealed within his body. Sakura Haruno is a female ninja who is good at illusions and brain warfare, and although she often provides support from the rear during missions, she has great strength and combat abilities. Sai is a ninja who belonged to the Anbu training institute, and is a master of the ninjutsu "Super Beast False Painting", which materializes and controls drawings of animals, but is not good at communication. Yamato is a ninja who was assigned as the captain of Team 7 as Kakashi's substitute, and is a master of Mokuton ninjutsu, demonstrating his strength in both offense and defense. Sara is a young queen who protects the tower city of Loulan, and although she appears to be loved by the people, she is actually used and is called the "Puppet Princess". Salem is Sara's mother, and she ascended to the throne as queen at a young age, but died in an unexpected death.

■ Related works

The "NARUTO" series has many TV series and other movies. The TV series includes "NARUTO" and "NARUTO Shippuden", and the movies include "The Great Action! Yukihime Ninja Scrolls!!", "The Great Clash! The Phantom Underground Ruins", and "The Animal Riots of Mikazuki Island". Subsequent movies include "Kizuna", "The Will of Fire", "Blood Prison", "The Chunin Exams of Blazing Fire! Naruto vs. Konohamaru!!", "ROAD TO NINJA NARUTO THE MOVIE", "THE LAST NARUTO THE MOVIE", and "BORUTO NARUTO THE MOVIE". In addition, "BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS", which depicts the next generation, is also popular.

■ Theme songs and music

The theme song for this film is "If" by Kana Nishino, with lyrics by Kana Nishino and GIORGIO 13, and music and arrangement by GIORGIO CANCEMI. The chorus arrangement was done by TOKO (So'Fly). This song features a powerful melody and lyrics that symbolize Naruto's adventure and growth, and adds to the atmosphere of the film.

■ Evaluation and impressions

"NARUTO Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower" is a work that fans of the Naruto series cannot miss. In particular, the scene in which Naruto's father, Namikaze Minato, appears is a touching scene that depicts the bond between father and son. In addition, new characters such as Sara, Centipede, and Anrokuzan add depth to the story, and the story development is fascinating and draws the viewer in. The animation quality is also high, and Studio Pierrot's technical skills shine in this work. The music, such as Nishino Kana's "If," is memorable and adds to the atmosphere of the entire work.

However, on the other hand, this film has few direct connections to the story of the TV series, so fans who value the overall flow of the series may find it a little disappointing. Also, because the story is packed into a short 85-minute time, some may feel that the character development and subplot development are a little lacking. Nevertheless, the themes of friendship, effort, and victory that are the charm of the Naruto series are firmly depicted, making it a work that fans of the series can enjoy.

■ Recommendation points

The reasons why we recommend this work are as follows:

• The bond between father and son : The bond between Naruto and Namikaze Minato is depicted, and there are many touching scenes.
• New Characters : New characters such as Sara, Centipede, and Anrokuzan add depth to the story.
• Animation quality : Enjoy high-quality animation that showcases Studio Pierrot's technical expertise.
• Theme song : Kana Nishino's "If" adds to the atmosphere of the work.
• Short Films : You can also enjoy the short film "NARUTO: The Gentle Breeze Legend - Naruto, the Genie, and the Three Wishes!!" which will be screened at the same time.

Conclusion

"NARUTO Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower" is a must-see for fans of the NARUTO series. It is packed with many attractions, including a touching story about the bond between parent and child, the charm of new characters, high-quality animation, and a memorable theme song. Fans who care about the overall flow of the series may find it a little disappointing, but those who love the world and characters of NARUTO will be able to fully enjoy it. Please be sure to watch it as part of the NARUTO movie series.