Introduction
Naruto is a beloved anime series that has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. As with any ongoing franchise, there are many adaptations, spin-offs, and movies that have been released outside of the original series’ storyline. This leads to a bit of confusion for fans, particularly regarding which Naruto movies are considered canon.
Canon refers to material that contributes to the original narrative of a series and is officially recognized as part of the storyline. Determining which Naruto movies meet this criterion can be a challenge, but it is essential for fans who want to make sure they maintain continuity within the universe of the show. In this article, we’ll take a look at the various Naruto movies and determine which are canon and which are not.
Sorting Fact from Fiction: A Comprehensive Guide to the Canon Naruto Movies
To understand what makes a Naruto movie canon, we must first define the term itself. In the world of Naruto, canon refers to any material that comes directly from the manga or the original anime series. This means that canon movies must have been written or supervised by series creator Masashi Kishimoto and must fit seamlessly into the existing storyline.
The best way to determine if a Naruto movie is canon is to look at its relevance to the plot of the original series. Does the story line up with previously established events? Do the characters behave in a way that is consistent with their established personalities? Does the movie contribute something substantial to the main narrative? If a movie fails to meet these criteria, it is typically considered non-canon.
As for the Naruto movies themselves, we have the following list:
1. Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
2. Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel
3. Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom
4. Naruto Shippuden the Movie
5. Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Bonds
6. Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire
7. Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower
8. Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Blood Prison
9. Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie
10. The Last: Naruto the Movie
11. Boruto: Naruto the Movie
Separating the Wheat from the Chaff: The Ultimate Ranking of Naruto’s Canon Movies
Now that we’ve sorted out what makes a Naruto movie canon, it’s time to rank the ones that are considered canon from best to worst based on their overall story, animation quality, and relevance to the main plot.
At the top of the list, we have “The Last: Naruto the Movie,” which serves as a direct continuation of the main series and resolves many character arcs. We highly recommend this movie to anyone looking to maintain continuity and explore the relationships between the main characters.
Second on the list is “Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie,” a fantastic psychological thriller that explores Naruto’s deepest fears and desires. It is an engaging story that features some of the most captivating animation in the series.
Third on the list is “Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire,” which tells a moving story about the Hidden Leaf Village’s past and present. It delivers stunning action setpieces and memorable character moments.
Fourth is “Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow.” Despite being the first Naruto movie, it manages to capture the spirit of the series and tells an exciting story that sets up future arcs in the series.
Fifth is “Naruto Shippuden the Movie,” which follows a unique narrative, expands the lore of the Naruto universe significantly, and features some of the series’ most epic fight scenes.
Sixth on the list is “Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Bonds,” a story about the power of friendship and the lengths someone will go to protect it. It is emotionally resonant, and its beautiful animation is a standout.
Seventh on the list is “Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Blood Prison,” which doesn’t have the impact of some of the other movies but still offers a unique story and exciting action scenes that fans will enjoy.
Eighth is “Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom.” Although it has an engaging story and impressive visuals, it ultimately feels like filler and doesn’t contribute much to the overall narrative.
Ninth is “Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel.” It is enjoyable enough, but it lacks the emotional depth and engagement of the series’ best movies.
Finally, in last place, we have “Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower.” It is a forgettable entry in the series that feels like a rehash of ideas presented in previous movies.
To Watch or Not to Watch: How to Choose the Right Naruto Movies for Canon Continuity
While it’s essential to watch canon Naruto movies to maintain continuity, it doesn’t mean that fans should ignore non-canon movies entirely. The non-canon movies offer alternative takes on the Naruto universe, and they can be a fun distraction when you need a break from the main series’ heavy plot lines. However, when it comes to canon vs. non-canon movies, canon should always come first.
When deciding which non-canon movies to watch, consider whether they contribute anything to the universe or offer an entertaining story that could provoke interest. Naruto movies that are not canon will not contribute to the overall plot of the series, but they may still offer an entertaining and enjoyable viewing experience.
Navigating the Naruto Cinematic Universe: Understanding the Canon Status of Each Movie
Each Naruto movie has its unique story and set of characters, and they vary in canonicity. Below is a list of each Naruto movie and its canon status to help you understand where they fit in the series.
– Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow – Canon
– Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel – Non-Canon
– Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom – Canon
– Naruto Shippuden the Movie – Non-Canon
– Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Bonds – Canon
– Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire – Canon
– Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower – Non-Canon
– Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Blood Prison – Canon
– Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie – Canon
– The Last: Naruto the Movie – Canon
– Boruto: Naruto the Movie – Canon
It’s essential to note that the new Boruto series follows up on many of the events in the latest Naruto movie entries and provides crucial information to the overall narrative.
The Real Deal: A Breakdown of Which Naruto Movies Are Official Canon and Which Are Not
To put it in simple terms, here are all the Naruto movies currently out, listed as canon or non-canon:
Canon:
– Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
– Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom
– Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Bonds
– Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire
– Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Blood Prison
– Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie
– The Last: Naruto the Movie
– Boruto: Naruto the Movie
Non-Canon:
– Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel
– Naruto Shippuden the Movie
– Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower
Conclusion
In conclusion, knowing which Naruto movies are canon can help fans maintain continuity and enjoy the series to the fullest. Canon movies contribute directly to the main plot, character development, and lore of the series. Fans should watch them in the appropriate order to understand the story fully. For those looking to take a break, non-canon movies can offer entertainment and a different perspective on the Naruto universe.
We hope this guide has helped clear up any confusion about which Naruto movies are canon and which are not. By following this guide, you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in the Naruto universe and enjoy all that it has to offer.