Anime Review: Naruto the Movie 3: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom (2006) directed by Toshiyuki Tsuru
The ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village in the Land of Fire have been hired for a new assignment. The epicurean Prince Michiru of the Moon Kingdom and his spoiled son Hikaru are returning home after a long tour of the mainland. Their wagon caravan is loaded with precious goods Michiru purchased, and they are a prime target for robbers and need protection. The team for this mission are the master ninja Kakashi and three young but powerful junior ninja, Rock Lee, Sakura and Naruto. The brash Naruto and stuck-up Hikaru do not get along at first.
While watching a circus performance, Hikaru takes a liking to sabretooth tiger Chamu, and his father buys the entire circus to take home with them. Chamu initially does not warm to his new owner, and it’s no surprise as Hikaru hasn’t learned that money doesn’t buy friendship from beings that don’t understand money like Chamu or Naruto. We learn that Hikaru’s parents are separated, as money can’t truly buy love, either, and Prince Michiru is not catching on to his wife’s hints.
When a storm hits the ship back to Crescent Island, Hikaru initially acts callous towards the circus animals, but after some pointed scolding from Naruto, the young prince finally mans up a bit and displays courage to Chamu, winning the animal’s trust. He and the junior ninja become friends.
Finally, the ninja deliver the princes to their home. Job over! Except that whoops, no, it seems the evil vizier launched a coup against the king, and now wants to murder the heirs to the throne. He’s even hired renegade ninja mercenaries to make the killing easier! Looks like Kakashi’s team really has their work cut out for them.
This movie is based on the long-running and extremely popular Naruto manga and anime about a trainee ninja who rises from despised orphan to (mostly) respected leader of his people. As with most shounen anime tie-in movies, “Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom” (Japanese title roughly translating as “Animal Panic on Crescent Island”) has nothing to do with the main storyline, being set somewhere between episodes of the television series. It appears to be set during the “time skip” after moody loner Sasuke leaves the village, and before Naruto goes to fetch him back.
Good: Chamu and his monkey sidekick Kikki are a fun pair of guest characters, and the circus folk in general liven up the screen whenever these bit characters are present. Lead evil ninja Ishidate has a visually interesting design for his “medusa touch” power. Sakura gets a bit more to do than in most of the main series, including a designated girl fight. It’s always nice to see Rock Lee, though he doesn’t get that much to do.
The movie briefly touches on political philosophy. The fact that they’re going to inherit the throne because of heredity has made the princes complacent and self-centered; it’s easy to see why the majority of their armed forces defect to the evil vizier. This is contrasted with the meritocracy of the Leaf Village; anyone, even Naruto, can work towards becoming the Hokage (leader.) (This movie is set before reveals about Naruto’s family essentially made him nobility.)
Less good: The princes and the villains are rather blah characters and easily forgettable. It became annoying when Naruto repeatedly mentioned how he and Hikaru would be the best of friends forever and how Naruto would never forget Hikaru…when I know perfectly well Hikaru will never be seen or mentioned again.
The movie does assume that you have a basic familiarity with the characters; new viewers may be confused when Naruto and Rock Lee whip out unexplained one time power-ups that would have been useful earlier or later in the story.
Content notes: Torture and a character is nearly executed by hanging, minor character deaths, fat-shaming. Parents may want to discuss the treatment of animals in circuses with younger viewers. (Notably, whips and goads are absent–perhaps this circus uses less inhumane training methods?) Should be suitable for middle school on up.
Overall: An okay movie that will mostly appeal to fans of the Naruto characters.
