inuyatta Reviews

The Last: Naruto the Movie (2014)

A great send off to Naruto's journey

[9/10 · 26 February 2015]

If you're like me, you've been following the story of Naruto almost from the beginning, and you're in it 'til the end. Well, here it is: And it's a beautiful end, especially given how hard it was for our hero growing up.

Every bit of this film was crafted with loving detail, from the beautiful (if barren) landscapes to the nostalgic instrumentals that helped to narrate the beginnings of the story. Our characters have grown into wonderful, capable adults and the story does a decent job of tying into some of the unresolved plot threads left over from the manga.

The only real con is how many characters fight scenes were fairly short or excluded altogether (probably due to time constraints and to keep the narrative focused). The film is not lacking for action, but it's not as evenly distributed as it could be--however, this film is about Naruto, so it is natural that the hero receive the majority of the focus.

The characterization and plot were painstakingly revised and re-revised by the original creator, Masashi Kishimoto, and it shows--it shows so beautifully how our favorite characters have matured into adults, leaving an unbiased audience feeling a little wistful at the realization that these babies are no longer babies!

Please, if you were ever fond of Naruto at any point in your life, do yourself a favor and watch this movie so you can see his long deserved and well-earned happy ending. It's not only satisfying, but it helps you transition over to the next part of the story which should be coming soon.

Android Kikaider: The Animation (2000–2001)

Exceptional and underrated --potential spoilers

[9/10 · 8 September 2008]

A well-told story that manages to get the message across today as it did when it originally was conceived in the 1970's by Shoutaro Ishinomori. Jinzoningen Kikaider is a tale centered around an android named Jiro, and the family of the man who created him, namely Professor Komyouji's daughter, Mitsuko.

In the midst of searching for the missing professor and the constant attacks by the mysterious organization only known as DARK, Jiro struggles to learn what it is to have a human heart with the naiveté and curiosity of a child, all the while fighting the battles befitting of aged heroes.

Mitsuko--whom, at first, is rather jaded about robots due to her father's neglect of her and her younger brother in favor of his research of them--comes to realize that a soul is not exclusive to those with flesh and blood, nor is it guaranteed to be in the possession of those who do.

The pair, along with friends and allies, search for clues hidden within the murky past of the Komyouji family, leading to situations that force the characters to face themselves and the past, ultimately resulting in a mounting tension in the storyline that goes out with a bang (no pun intended).

The following series, Kikaider 01, follows Jiro's journey as he comes across more victims of DARK, as well as discovering his own siblings. The length of this follow-up series is considerably shorter, with only four episodes, so the action is almost non-stop, while still delivering the level of pathos in the original series.

There is a third, and final OVA following this series which crosses over with another hero from Ishinomori's 'verse. The final OVA, running at about half an hour, is titled "Kikaider x Inazuman ~Guitar Wo Motta Shounen~"--this OVA is the official wrap-up to Jiro's story, though it has not been released in the US as of yet.