The first thing you notice when you start up one of the DVDs is that the bed music for the menu is really loud; however, the actual episodes themselves are mastered at a softer volume level (and it's a level that doesn’t hurt your ears). On the first two discs, you can choose to watch all the episodes, choose which episode you want to start with, and you can set your language and subtitle options. Audio is available in both Japanese and English, and you can choose whether to have the subtitles on or off. The menu on the third disc contains all of these options, but this menu also adds a selection to view the extras included with the box set.The first extra is labeled as "Production Art." This consists of eight pages, and all eight pages are model sketches of some of the Naruto characters. There is also "From Sketch to Screen Episode 1"; this includes eight pages of storyboards, and for each storyboard, you can choose to see the clip that the storyboard is for. You can also see the English credits. While it was nice to have the English credits included, I wish they had made it a little more interesting to watch. There is no bed music to accompany the credits; the complete silence as these credits rolled irritated me after a minute or so.
There is a sneak preview for Naruto Uncut Box Set 2, which runs about three-and-a-half minutes. It basically feels like it is an extended preview for the first episode included on the second box set. A link labeled "Shonen Jump Home Video" is a link to two trailers: One Piece and Hikaru no go. A link labeled "Shonen Jump Magazine" includes advertisements for the mangas of Naruto, Black Cat, One Piece, Bleach, Yu Yu Hakusho, Hunter X Hunter, Claymore, Death Note, and D. Gray-Man. There is also an advertisement for Shonen Jump magazine.
After seeing the set, I know I was disappointed by the special features. I had hoped that perhaps there could have been an interview with someone involved with the Naruto anime, whether it was someone involved with the original Japanese version or with one of the crew members involved with the English adaptation. This set left me with the impression that Shonen Jump Home Video was trying to produce this set as cheaply as possible and not bothering to put a lot of effort into it. Perhaps it was thought that since the Naruto property is so popular that fans will buy the set, regardless of how many extras are included on it.
If you're a Naruto fan and want to collect the episodes on DVD, then the Naruto Uncut Box Set 1 would be a good addition to your collection... at least, if you don't mind the relative lack of bonus features.
In order to write this review, I checked out a copy of this DVD set through the King County Library System.
| Enter: Naruto Uzumaki! My Name Is Konohamaru Sasuke & Sakura: Friends or Foes? Pass or Fail: Survival Test You Fail! Kakashi's Final Decision | A Dangerous Mission! Journey to the Land of Waves! The Assassin of the Mist The Oath of Pain Kakashi: Sharingan Warrior! | The Forest of Chakra The Land Where a Hero Once Lived Battle on the Bridge! Zabuza Returns! Haku's Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors Bonus Features |
