Naruto: Dangerous Mission V2, directed by Jeff Nimoy (DVD)

Bibliographic Information:
Nimoy, J. (2002). Shonen Jump's Naruto: Dangerous Mission, vol 2. Episode 5, "You Failed! Kakashi's Final Decision". Original author Masashi Kishimoto. VIZ Media, LLC. ASIN: B000EJ9VOS

Book Awards:
None

Plot Summary:
Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke must pass a test administered by the ninja sensei Kakashi: they must take the small bells hanging from Kakashi'd belt. After much striving, they learn that not only have they failed, but they will be kicked out the of the ninja program. Given one more chance and a serious talking to by the sensei, they realize that teamwork is all that will save them.

Critical Evaluation:
Disjointed, flashy, and with nonsensical violence, the simple ninja bootcamp plot is hard to follow. It combines martial arts and flat-out sorcery, with characters throwing fireballs, creating illusions, and practicing mind-control on the fly. Significantly, this is one of the worst portrayals of a female protagonist I have ever seen. Sakura has a crush on Sasuke, and can think of nothing else, including the mission and the life of Naruto. She is exaggeratedly selfish, manipulative, incompetent, cowardly, and stupid. A purported member of the ninja team, she spends the whole show whimpering, screaming, and fainting. Her grand moment comes when she subserviently kneels before her teammate Naruto and offers him her lunch at the command of Sasuke (who, incidentally, eats his lunch himself).

Reader's Annotation:
3 ninja friends must pass a test given by their sensei.

About the Author:
Masashi Kishimoto was born in Japan in 1974. He knew from an early age that he wanted to draw manga. He went to art college, won an award for amateur manga, and began work on his Naruto series.

Genre:
Manga

Curriculum Ties:
None

Booktalking Ideas:
Individuality has no place?

Interest Age:
12-14

Challenge Issues:
Violence.
Defense: It is not particularly graphic violence. The DVD is rated for teens, which indicates some sexual innuendo and/or violence. Parents would be referred to manga age ratings online.

Reason Included:
This is very popular manga for this age set. I was pretty disappointed, though.