Naruto Shippuden: Set One

The first box set of the Shippuden series starts off with a bang. The newly introduced Akatsuki-members Deidara and Sasori show off their skills against the sand ninja while Naruto comes back to the Hidden leaf aka Konoha from his long training.Contains episodes 1 to 13.There is a good variety of episodes included here. Strong fights (Deidara VS Gaara) are mixed with a good amount of humor (the first meeting of Sakura and Naruto, Kakashi getting his welcome gift from Naruto...).It's a strong entry for one of the (if not THE) strongest animes out there today.I've always been a fan of the english dub (maybe it's because english isn't my mothertongue and I always liked the sound of the language itself). And in my opinion they did a great job in this episodes aswell (as always). It's just to bad, that viz takes it's sweet time releasing this boxes. But quality needs time I guess...Viz is hanging to it's sweet traditon, established in the Bleach and Death Note box sets: in a "Voice Actor Featurette" the voices of team Kakashi and Tsunade show their faces and talk about the show and the dubbing behind it. For fans of the great dubbing of viz this is a nice feature.The box comes with three single DVD-cases with very nice drawn covers of different characters.The Naruto-Minininja included in the special edition is funny looking and a joy for every die-hard fan (but probably only for those).Overall: A must-have for Narutofans. Upcoming fans should watch the original Naruto series first, otherwise you won't get what's happening here.Can't wait for the next box, keep it up viz!

Got this as a gift for someone and they loved it! Shipped quickly and came in great condition.

Thank you so much 😊

(Synopsis and Rating from IMDB)Episode 1: Homecoming (8.2/10)Naruto returns to Konoha after a two-and-a-half-year training journey with Jiraiya and is reunited with Sakura.Episode 2: The Akatsuki Makes Its Move (7.8/10)Kakashi gives Naruto and Sakura a test to see how far they had improved. Meanwhile, two Akatsuki members, Deidara and Sasori, arrive at the entrance of the Sunagakure to capture the One-Tailed Shukaku's host, Gaara.Episode 3: The Results of Training (7.9/10)Sakura and Naruto both demonstrate their newly acquired skills. Meanwhile, Deidara commences his attack on Sunagakure and is confronted by Gaara.Episode 4: The Jinchuriki of the Sand (8.1/10)Gaara is quick to detect Deidara's presence, and an aerial battle ensues with Deidara on his giant bird and Gaara atop sand.Episode 5: The Kazekage Stands Tall (8.1/10)Naruto and Sakura defeat Kakashi in the survival challenge. Tsunade assigns them to a three-man squad led by Kakashi, who tells them they are now his equals.Episode 6: Mission Cleared (8.1/10)In order to protect his village from Deidara's explosive clay, Gaara uses his chakra to create a giant sand shield.Episode 7: Run, Kankuro (7.6/10)Gaara, his strength completely exhausted, is whisked away by Deidara. Kankuro ignores Baki's efforts to stop him and immediately sets out in pursuit with a platoon to rescue Gaara.Episode 8: Team Kakashi, Deployed (7.6/10)On her way to the Sand Village, Temari encounters Kakashi and his team. Kakashi admonishes Naruto when he tries to rush ahead...Episode 9: The Jinchuriki's Tears (7.5/10)An urgent message from the Sand Village detailing the Akatsuki's kidnapping of the Kazekage reaches the Hidden Leaf Village. Tsunade wastes no time in ordering Team Kakashi to the Sand Village.Episode 10: Sealing Technique: Phantom Dragons Nine Consuming Seals (7.4/10)The Sand ninja fight against time to treat Kankuro. Even the Sand's poison expert, Granny Chiyo, is baffled. The only hope lies with the reinforcements sent by Tsunade.Episode 11: The Medical Ninja's Student (7.6/10)Sakura treats a critically ill Kankuro. After extensive training she's now a full-fledged Medic Ninja, and Sakura amazes everyone with her sure, steady hands.Episode 12: The Retired Granny's Determination (7.8/10)Pakkun finds the hideout of the Akatsuki. Team Kakashi and Temari prepare to set out to get Gaara back, but Temari is ordered to stay behind and help guard the village.Episode 13: A Meeting With Destiny (8/10)Team Kakashi encounter Itachi Uchiha, who had dealt them a bitter defeat in the past. Kakashi warns everyone not to look into Itachi's Sharingan Eyes.

I usually don't make a point to review an item unless I feel really strongly about it. However, with this release I felt it necessary to say how impressed I was with Viz's packaging. Not only did they add in the little extras that the Japanese releases like to sneak in at the end of the credits, they also included one of the nicer VA featurettes I've seen, staring Malie Flanagan-Naruto, Kate Higgins-Sakura, Dave Whittenberg-Kashshi and Mary Elizabeth McGlynn-veteran VA and director. The chibi Naruto that was packaged with the Special Edition was very cute too... now give us a Kakashi and Itachi! OK, and besides all of that, Naruto Shippuden is a much better, more in depth and mature story than it's predecessor. Highly recommended to anyone hesitant because of the (bad) filler laden Nartuo (first series).

I'mma keep it plain and simple for everyone who reads this. The Pro's are: Good Box Art, Original & Uncut, you can throw on the Japanese audio with the English subtitles too. My only Con is: Only 13 Episodes? I thought season 1 was 52 episodes? They should've waited and not try to make a quick dollar. Besides that everything else is good...I think ppl should wait til after episode 52 is released on tv then see what happens from there, maybe they will come out with a full season 1 box, but then again this isn't Yu Yu Hakusho where 1 season worth of episodes are perfectly in one box for you to enjoy. But this is good too i guess.