The Last: Naruto the Movie
| The Last: Naruto the Movie | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Tsuneo Kobayashi |
| Written by | Masashi Kishimoto |
| Based on |
Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Yasuharu Takanashi |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Toho |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 112 mins |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
| Box office |
¥2.0 billion[1] (US$19.84 million) |
The Last: Naruto the Movie is the tenth overall Naruto film, made to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the franchise. This is also the first entry in the Start of a New Era Project[Jp. 1], and the first film to be an official part of the canon Naruto storyline, set between Ch. 699 and 700 of the original manga series.
The Last premiered in theaters on December 6, 2014.[2][3] The film became the highest-grossing feature film in the franchise[4] before being surpassed by its sequel, Boruto: Naruto the Movie.
Plot
The film is set two years after the events of the Fourth Shinobi World War.
Kakashi Hatake became the Sixth Hokage, and the moon begins to descend towards Earth, with the moon now becoming a meteor that would destroy everything on impact. The crisis is caused by Toneri Ōtsutsuki, a descendant of Hamura Ōtsutsuki through the Branch House, determined to fulfill his ancestor's legacy that mankind must be punished for using chakra as weapon hostilities for over a millennia.
During the Rinne Festival, Hinata Hyuga hopes to give Naruto Uzumaki a personal gift of love - a red scarf - she knitted herself in remembrance of one Naruto used to wear back in the Academy, and Sakura Haruno offers to help. However, she is unable to because Naruto is receiving various gifts, including another scarf, for his hero reputation. Toneri infiltrates Konoha then kidnaps Hinata's sister, Hanabi Hyuga, but fails to seize Hinata due to Naruto's intervention. The scarf she made gets torn in the fight. Deployed for a mission to rescue Hanabi, Naruto, Hinata, Sakura, Sai, and Shikamaru Nara prepare to set out. Shikamaru is given a special clock by Kakashi that serves as a countdown to the Earth's destruction if the moon continues to fall. On the journey through the abandoned Shinobi village of the Ōtsutsuki Clan, Naruto gradually begins to realize the concept of love from experiencing Hinata's memories while caught in a genjutsu and from spending more time with her one on one. At some point, Toneri transplants Hanabi's eyes into himself to awaken the Tenseigan that was sealed by his ancestors over the last millennium. He also succeeds in proposing to Hinata to marry him; she "accepts" his offer, which causes Naruto to fall into deep depression after being thoroughly beaten by Toneri and rejected by Hinata. At the same time, the hidden villages defend themselves against the meteorites breaking off from the moon as they evacuate civilians all over from Toneri's genocidal assault. In Naruto's absence, Sasuke Uchiha returns to protect Konoha.
After a three-day recovery process, Naruto wakes up and sees Sakura severely weakened due to saving his life, and helps him realize that no matter what happened, Hinata truly loves him. With new-found strength, Naruto leads the charge into Toneri's moon base. Meanwhile, in Toneri's palace, Toneri asks Hinata knit a red scarf for him. But in reality, Hinata only accepted Toneri's proposal as she was contained by the spirit of Hamura to aid him as the "Byakugan Princess" to destroy the Tenseigan altar because Toneri had misinterpreted Hamura's decree. But Toneri realized the deception and brainwashes Hinata while destroying the scarf she had originally made for Naruto. Naruto's team finally catches up and a massive attack on Toneri's palace begins. The team splits, with Naruto rescuing Hinata from the ceremony, while the others secure Hanabi. However, Toneri's Tenseigan chakra cloak grants him the power to slice the moon in half, placing Hinata in a giant bird cage. Naruto enters Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, and a huge duel ensues. Near the end, Naruto grasps the last remaining shred of the scarf and channels his chakra and delivers a punch strong enough to pin Toneri against the wall and depower him, stopping the moon from falling. Hinata also takes Hanabi's eyes from Toneri and returns them back to her sister. Toneri then discovers the truth about Hamura's decree. Learning the error of his ways, Toneri decides to stay on the moon to atone his sins as it returns to orbit. Naruto reveals to Hinata that the scarf he had earlier was his late mother's, then he confesses his love for Hinata and the two kiss.
During the end credits, scenes show Naruto and Hinata's wedding, attended by their friends and family. In a post-credits scene, set during the time of the series' epilogue, the couple play with their children: Boruto and Himawari.
Voice cast
Production
The film is directed by Tsuneo Kobayashi[5] while manga author Masashi Kishimoto is providing the story concept, character designs, and exercising complete editorial supervision.[6] The film was first announced at Jump Festa 2012.[7][8] It was premiered on December 6, 2014, which made it the first movie in the franchise to be released two years after the previous film.[6] Its first teaser was revealed on July 31, 2014.[9]
The film was heavily promoted in the lead up to the Naruto manga finale in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, with new concept designs and information revealed on a weekly basis.[10][11] A new character voiced by Jun Fukuyama made an appearance in the movie. Fukuyama also asked fans to enjoy the film once it is released.[12] A limited edition official movie data book was distributed with the movie, and was to contain a one-shot movie tie-in chapter by Kishimoto. Maruo Kyōzuka wrote a novelization published by Shueisha on December 8, 2014.[13]
The male duo Sukima Switch is performing the film's theme, "Hoshi no Utsuwa" ("Star Vessel"); producer Takuyuki Hirobe had asked the duo to make a song that invokes a gentle yet powerful outlook of the world in the making of the movie.[2] The single is set to be released on December 3, 2014.[14] A character CD song for Hinata Hyuga has also been announced as "Fuyu no Owari ni" ("At the End of Winter") by Nana Mizuki.[15]
Reception
Critical response
Amy McNulty of Anime News Network, while criticizing the unengaging villain, overarching plot and score for having no impact, praised the top-notch animation and story for taking a more character-driven romance approach to it than previous films, concluding that "Despite the (awkward) title, the movie is not actually the final film in the franchise, but it's the last of an era and a fitting capstone for the series and its fandom."[16] Charles Solomon of the Los Angeles Times gave the film a positive review, saying that "If 'The Last' lacks some of the emotional punch of the previous feature, 'The Road to Ninja,' Kobayashi compensates with flamboyant visuals that mix CG, drawn animation and elegant calligraphic figures, fans should stay through the credits for a surprising final scene."[17]
Box office
During its first weekend, The Last earned ¥515 million (US$4.35 million).[18] The film has grossed ¥1.29 billion after three weekends.[19] And by the end of December 2014, it had earned about ¥1.75 billion (US$14.76 million) and became the top-grossing feature film in the franchise.[4]
Sequel
After the post-credits scene of The Last, it has shown a teaser trailer for a movie based on Naruto and Hinata's son, Boruto, along with Sasuke and Sakura's daughter, Sarada, and the new generation.[20] Masashi Kishimoto is confirmed to be involved as a supervising executive producer, co-writer and character designer, conceiving the story about the next generation. The sequel is tied into the New Era Project. The film was released in Japan on August 7, 2015 and appeared with English subtitles in selected theaters in North America on October 10, 2015. Due to the film's success, it appeared in North America for a second time for a two night premiere on December 18 and 19.
References
- Japanese text
- ↑ 新時代開幕プロジェクト Shinjidai Kaimaku Purojekuto
- Specific
- ↑ http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-08-26/boruto-becomes-no.1-naruto-film-at-2.02-billion-yen/.92172
- 1 2 "Sukima Switch Perform Song, Voice-Act in The Last -Naruto the Movie-". Anime News Network. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
- ↑ "THE LAST -NARUTO THE MOVIE-(2014)". allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
- 1 2 Komatsu, Mikikazu (January 11, 2015). ""The Last -Naruto The Movie-" Becomes the Top-Grossing Film in the Franchise". Crunchyroll. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
- ↑ "The Last -Naruto the Movie-'s Longer Teaser Streamed". Anime News Network. July 31, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
- 1 2 "2014 Naruto Movie Titled 'The Last,' Slated for December 6". Anime News Network. July 23, 2014. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
- ↑ "New Naruto Movie Set for 2014". Shinigami List. December 22, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
- ↑ "New Naruto Movie for 2014". Film Watch. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
- ↑ "The Last Naruto Anime Film Teased". Otaku USA Magazine. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
- ↑ "Naruto Creator Makes New Character for The Last -Naruto the Movie-". Anime News Network. October 24, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- ↑ "The Last -Naruto the Movie-'s Sasuke, Kakashi Character Sketches Unveiled". Anime News Network. September 19, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- ↑ "The Last -Naruto the Movie- Casts Jun Fukuyama as New Character". Anime News Network. October 29, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
- ↑ "The Last -Naruto the Movie- to Get Novelization". Anime News Network. October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
- ↑ "Theme Song". Naruto Movie. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
- ↑ "The Last -Naruto the Movie-'s Hinata, Hanabi Character Sketches Unveiled". Anime News Network. November 7, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
- ↑ McNulty, Amy (February 20, 2015). "The Last: Naruto The Movie - Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
- ↑ Solomon, Charles (February 20, 2015). "Review: Elaborate 'Last' in Naruto series packs visual punch". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
- ↑ Ma, Kevin (December 10, 2014). "Naruto overtakes Parasyte at Japan box office". Film Business Asia. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ↑ Ma, Kevin (December 24, 2014). "Yo-kai Watch breaks Toho record in Japan". Film Business Asia. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Boruto -Naruto the Movie- Site Opens With Manga Excerpt". Anime News Network. December 22, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
External links
- The Last: Naruto the Movie at the Internet Movie Database
- Official website
- TV-Tokyo's website
- The Last: Naruto the Movie (film) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
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