Naruto Shippuden Box Set 4 
Released By: Manga Entertainment

Rating: 12

Running Time: 292 Mins

Audio: English and Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1

Release Date: Out Now

Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

Due to what Sasori had said to Sakura and Lady Chiyo, Sakura gives this information to Lady Tsunade, the current Hokage and the result is the four leaf ninja going out to find out who Sasori would be meeting on Tenshi bridge. As we know,anything could happen, and if anything goes wrong, the team's cover would be broken. Their team leader along with Naruto, Sakura and Sai find none other than a bold and lone Kabuto who instantly finds out that the one trying to impersonate Sasori is a total impostor.

This puts the four of them in a very compromising position as who else is waiting for them around the corner but Lord Orochimaru who wants to take on the leaf ninja there, especially Naruto. He finds the nine-tailed spirit inside him interesting, and wants to see how good the kid will do under the kind of pressure he puts him, goading him on how useless he is and how he doesn't have what it takes to go toe to toe with Sasuke now he has come of age. Sasuke, he hints is very powerful now and came of his own free will. Something which Naruto doesn't for a second believe as the bite he gave him many seasons ago was designed to make him curious enough to come to him in search of power.

The first three sets were a build up toward this series of engaging episodes where the face-off between Naruto and Lord Orochimaru begins. These episodes that follow take some time to get started, but let's face it,this is the scenario most fans have been waiting for since Naruto heard of Orochimaru's existence. We have played the waiting game for so long that being made to wait a bit more doesn't seem to matter. The tension,the endless minutes of watching Naruto and Orochimaru sizing each other up is well worth it. Also, seeing Naruto evolve gradually as he allows the nine-tailed fox spirit inside him take him over takes on a sinister shade.

His transformation is well done, yet the viewer will originally think that the animation of the skin peeling off of Naruto's face could have been rendered better and more realistic until you consider it - if the animators had made a better job of it, the younger viewers might have had nightmares afterward. His change is horrifying enough without any extra touches. Naruto's loss of Sasuke plus his inability to bring him back from Orochimaru's evil clutches has turned his mind to urging the spirit inside him to lend its power so he can take the leader of the sound ninja down. Sakura and Sai can't believe what Naruto has become and it is up to Sai to start his own mission,the one Lord Danzo originally sent him on, but how is he going to do that when Naruto is causing so much chaos around him.

Sakura sees Naruto as the nine-tailed beast and breaks down at the sight of his full manifestation, as she remembers what she said to him several seasons ago about wanting him  to find Sasuke and bring him back at all costs. She feels responsible for Naruto finally giving up his body to the spirit and it tears her apart inside.

This is a two-disc epic where we get to see what kind of power the nine tails has and what will eventually happen to Naruto as a result. Kabuto, Orochimaru's henchman and former Leaf Ninja  reveals his true intentions and the viewers should be prepared for what he proposes to their leader, Naruto and Sakura.


Bonus Material: Production Art Gallery of the characters and Trailers.

Verdict: Engaging story, excellent animation - maximum watchability!