π¬ Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel (2005)
Part of Naruto
Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel is the second theatrical film in the Naruto franchise, released in Japanese cinemas on August 6, 2005. Based on Masashi Kishimoto's wildly popular manga, the film presents an original story not found in the source material, written by Hirotsugu Kawasaki and Yuka Miyata. Set after episode 160 of the original Naruto anime series, the movie follows Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Shikamaru Nara as they become entangled in a conflict over a mysterious mineral called the Stone of Gelel, which possesses immense and dangerous power.
The story begins when the trio is attacked by knights riding strange armored vehicles during a mission. Naruto is separated from his team and awakens in a traveling caravan led by a man named Temujin. He soon discovers a war brewing between the Haido Knights, who seek to harness the power of the Gelel Stones for conquest, and those who wish to protect the ancient secrets of the lost Gelel civilization. The film introduces original characters like Temujin, a conflicted warrior raised by the antagonist Haido, and explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the corrupting nature of power.
Unlike its predecessor, Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow, Legend of the Stone of Gelel did not receive a theatrical release in the United States. Instead, it was released directly to DVD on July 29, 2008, after airing on Cartoon Network on July 26, 2008. The film features the song "Ding! Dong! Dang!" by TUBE as its ending theme. While the movie is non-canon to the main manga storyline, it captures the spirit of the series with its blend of action, humor, and emotional character moments, showcasing Naruto's unwavering determination to protect his friends and do what is right.
Naruto is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. It was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly ShΕnen Jump magazine from September 1999 to November 2014, spanning 700 chapters collected into 72 volumes. The story follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village who carries within him the Nine-Tailed Fox demon that once attacked the village. Ostracized as a child, Naruto dreams of becoming Hokage, the village leader, to earn the respect of his peers.
The manga is divided into two parts: the first covers Naruto's pre-teen years, while the second, known as Naruto: Shippuden, follows his teenage adventures after training with the legendary ninja Jiraiya. The series explores themes of perseverance, friendship, and the cycle of hatred, as Naruto confronts powerful enemies including the rogue ninja Sasuke Uchiha and the criminal organization Akatsuki.
Naruto became one of the best-selling manga series in history, with over 250 million copies in circulation worldwide. It spawned a massive media franchise including two anime television series, multiple animated films, video games, light novels, and a sequel series focused on Naruto's son, Boruto. The series is celebrated for its rich world-building, memorable characters, and emotional storytelling.
The Naruto film collection comprises a series of animated features based on Masashi Kishimoto's acclaimed manga and its anime adaptations. Beginning in 2004 with 'Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow,' the collection initially accompanied the original 'Naruto' television series, producing three films that follow the young ninja Naruto Uzumaki and his comrades on standalone missions. As the anime transitioned into 'Naruto Shippuden,' the films evolved to reflect the characters' growth and the darker, more complex narrative of the second series, resulting in seven additional theatrical adventures. These stories, while largely original and not directly adapted from the manga, expand the world of the Hidden Leaf Village, exploring diverse settings and introducing unique antagonists that test the bonds of Team 7 and their allies. The collection is unified by its core themes of friendship, perseverance, and the struggle against loneliness, mirroring the emotional heart of the source material. Most entries function as self-contained side stories, offering fans cinematic spectacles that complement the ongoing television narrative without altering its primary canon. However, the final two films mark a significant shift. 'The Last: Naruto the Movie' (2014) serves as a canonical bridge between the manga's conclusion and its epilogue, focusing on Naruto's deepening relationship with Hinata Hyuga. 'Boruto: Naruto the Movie' (2015) then launches the next generation, centering on Naruto's son and setting the stage for the 'Boruto' series. This transition from supplementary tales to essential canon entries highlights the collection's role in both celebrating and concluding the original saga while passing the torch to a new era.
