Naruto Shippuden Box Set 8   Starring (voice): Junko Takeuchi, Chie Nakamura and Noriaki Sugiyama Manga Entertainment RRP: £24.99 MANG5160 Certificate: 12 Available 27 February 2012

It is suggested to Naruto that he shouldn't use his Rasen Shuriken again as there is a strong chance that it could permanently destroy his ability to manipulate chakra. He sets about training once again, with the help of Pervy Sage and several familiar amphibious friends. Meanwhile Orochimaru is putting an evil plan in motion and a team is sent out to find his hideout before he can accomplish his goals...

This two-disc collection contains another 12 episodes (episodes 89-100) of this animated series which was first released in 2008. The episodes represent the first half of season 5.

The comedy in this collection comes from Naruto's training. Pervy Sage Jiraiya is always up to no good, perving after women, and Gamariki, Gamakichi and Gamatatsu's antics whilst trying to help Naruto are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

The other main story arch follows Team Kakashi as they track Guren and her small army of experimental specimens in their bid to find Orochimaru's hideout.

Disc one contains the episodes The Price of Power; A Shinobi's Determination; Orochimaru's Hideout Discovered; Encounter; Connecting Hearts; and A Night of Rain.

On disc two we have The Two Charms; The Unseeing Enemy; The Labyrinth of Distorted Reflection; The Target Appears; The Rampaging Tailed Beast; and Inside the Mist.

The only extras are Production Art and Naruto trailers.

The storytelling seems to have moved up a notch and this is an enjoyable collection of episodes that actually go somewhere (believe it or not there are very few fight sequences contained within these 12 episodes, and it's all the more enjoyable for it.

8

Nick Smithson