π¬ The Last: Naruto the Movie (2014)
Part of Naruto
Released in December 2014, "The Last: Naruto the Movie" holds a unique place in the sprawling Naruto canon as the first film to be an official part of the main storyline, specifically set during the blank period between the manga's final chapter and its epilogue. This chronological placement allowed the film to serve a crucial narrative purpose: finally cementing the long-simmering romantic relationship between Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga. While the manga had concluded with them as a couple, the specifics of how they transitioned from shy admiration and oblivious friendship to genuine love had been left largely to the imagination. "The Last" fills that gap, using a world-ending threat as the catalyst for their emotional connection, a classic shonen approach that frames a personal love story within an epic, high-stakes mission.
The film introduces Toneri Otsutsuki, a descendant of the Sage of Six Paths' brother, who resides on the moon and seeks to cleanse the Earth by dropping the moon onto it. His plan is intertwined with a deeply personal obsession with Hinata, whom he wishes to marry for her pure Byakugan eyes. This setup cleverly forces Naruto to confront his feelings not just through introspection, but through direct action and a rival. A key narrative device is a genjutsu-induced memory sequence where Naruto finally understands that Hinata's childhood admiration for him was the seed of a profound, selfless loveβa realization that retroactively recontextualizes many of their past interactions throughout the series. Masashi Kishimoto, the original manga creator, was heavily involved, designing the characters' young adult looks and overseeing the romantic plot, despite admitting his own discomfort with writing romance.
Visually, the film is a standout in the franchise, with Studio Pierrot delivering some of the most polished and fluid animation the series has ever seen. The character designs reflect the characters' maturity, with Naruto sporting shorter hair and a more subdued, though still orange, outfit. The action sequences, particularly the final confrontation between Naruto and Toneri on the moon's surface, are dynamic and beautifully choreographed, blending hand-to-hand combat with massive, chakra-fueled attacks. The film's color palette is notably distinct, using a softer, more romantic lighting in the quieter character moments that contrasts sharply with the cold, desolate blues of the moon. The theme song, "Hoshi no Utsuwa" by Sukima Switch, became synonymous with the film's emotional core.
Upon release, "The Last" was a major box office success, becoming the highest-grossing film in the Naruto franchise at the time, a record it held until the following year's "Boruto: Naruto the Movie." Critical reception was largely positive, with praise directed at the central romance, which many felt was a satisfying payoff for a relationship that had been built up since the very beginning of the series. While some critics noted the villain Toneri was less compelling than others in the series, the film's primary goal was always the emotional payoff for Naruto and Hinata, and in that regard, it was widely considered a triumphant success, giving fans the long-awaited canon confirmation of a beloved pairing in a visually spectacular fashion.
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.
