STACK NZ Jan-Feb #59

DVD

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ANIME ROUND-UP

Naruto Characters

Marking 15 years of the existence of the franchise, the final Naruto film, suitably named The Last: Naruto the Movie , will screen this month in selected cinemas. It seems only appropriate that we reflect upon some of the greatest characters in the Naruto universe. 5 Sasuke Uchiha – The main antagonist throughout the series, Sasuke actually has a tendency to be a bit lacklustre as a baddie. That said, his former brotherly relationship with Naruto adds angst to their ongoing conflict. 4 Gaara – Naruto’s resident emo kid goes from grumbling, eye-liner wearing ragamuffin to stoic leader in one of the series’ best transformations… aside from Naruto’s ‘sexy technique’ jutsu. 3 Sakura Haruno – I have to admit, she was pretty lame early on but Sakura really blossoms (pun intended) into an extremely powerful shinobi with a heart of gold. 2 Naruto Uzumaki – What? The namesake of the series isn’t number 1? Believe it! Sure, he is the hero and obvious choice for the top spot but he wouldn’t be the great ninja that he is if it weren’t for the advice and guidance of #1. 1 Kakashi Hatake – Every time this guy graced the page or screen, he had my attention. His cool, calm demeanour and dry sense of humour make him an endearing big brother figure to all of his wards. Plus, characters with masks always look cool!

Naruto Shippuden Collection 20

E veryone’s favourite ninja is ready to kick it up another level. Naruto Shippuden Collection 20 (episodes 245-257) sees Naruto undergo his most rigorous training yet in an attempt to gain control of the beast within, the Nine-Tailed Fox. With the assistance of a rapping Hulk Hogan lookalike, Naruto prepares his mind and body for a war which is headed straight for the Leaf Village. Get ready for thrills and chills because the Thriller Bark Arc (try saying that three times fast!) begins in One Piece Uncut Collection 28 . The Straw Hat pirates find themselves besieged by ghouls of all sorts when Zoro, Sanji and Luffy lose

sees Goku and the Z Fighters take on Babidi. Don’t be fooled, although he looks like that potato that you found behind the fridge after four months, he’s actually an incredibly powerful alien wizard who is as cold as he is deadly. Can the Z Fighters manage to thwart Babidi and his minions before the awakening of Majin Buu? Wizarding antics continue to sizzle in Fairy Tail Collection 13 (episodes 143-153) with the Fairy Tail guild called to arms to save Lucy, who is being used to power a great weapon called the Infinity Clock, from the dark guild Oración Seis. Also attempting to stop the Clock is Legion Platoon, but unlike Natsu and co, they want to

sacrifice Lucy in the process. Fairy Tail continues to be one of the best long-running series available, both in terms of story and its gorgeous animation. Finally, one of the most popular series of recent times, Puella Magi Madoka Magica , has been reworked into two stand-alone features and they are every bit as sweet, innocent, messed- up and harrowing as the

One Piece Uncut Collection 28

series. In fact, Movies 1 & 2 are a condensed retelling of the series, so if you’ve wanted to watch the series but simply haven’t had the time, now you have no excuse. Embrace the madness.

their shadows and Nami gets kidnapped! Luckily Brook is there to put his body – and skeleton – on the line to teach the Straw Hats the trick to defeating Moria and his horde of undead. With more luxurious hair than a million ‘80s rock bands, Dragon Ball Z Season 8 on Blu-ray

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