The Best Explanation Ever

The World of Naruto To first understand the series, you need a bit of a grasp on the setting. The world of Naruto is a fantasy realm that contains many parallels to feudal period Japan, though modern and advanced technology does exist. There are really five major countries, referred to as Lands; those are the Lands of Lightning, Water, Earth, Wind and Fire (sing “Shining Star” somebody!). You’ll find a number of other lands (some more critical than others) introduced throughout the series, and occasionally, in the anime (where there have been “filler” arcs of original material). The principal cast lives in the Land of Fire. They make their home in Konohagakure (often shortened to Konoha, and frequently called the Village Hidden in the Leaves); it’s also simply called the Leaf Village. Konoha is one of the great ninja villages (basically every country has one), and its presided over by the Hokage. The village has a fairly large population of ninja (divided in several clans), which lends to its overall power. What Happened Before Twelve years before the story of Naruto actually begins, Konoha was the site of great tragedy. The Land of Fire fell under attack by the monstrous entity, the nine-tailed demon fox. The demon fox killed an untold number of people and devastated the region. The Fourth Hokage of Konoha died saving his people by sealing the demon fox in the only place that he could - - inside the body of a tiny infant named Naruto. Who the Hell is Naruto anyway? Twelve years old at the outset of the series, Naruto Uzumaki is the young man who becomes the vessel for the demon fox. Unfortunately, rather than appreciating him as the receptacle that saved them, the villagers around Naruto treat him scornfully as he matures. By the time that he reaches adolescence, Naruto has become a vaguely obnoxious malcontent. In fact, one of his mentors will eventually refer to him as “Number One Loudest, Unpredictable, Hyperactive Knuckleheaded Ninja” (and he’s being kind). Still, this bragging nature really belies his deep desire to be liked after a young life of dismissal. Naruto also wishes to become Hokage someday. Moving Up the Ranks Naruto is one of many young people enrolled in a Ninja academy in his village. Accordingly, the academy system among the hidden villages means that there are various ranking systems by which the ninja are classified. Students learn to deal with chakra (their basic energy, which can be manipulated for a variety of purposes) and amass jutsu (fighting and disciplinary techniques) and must pass a variety of exams to become ninja; upon graduation, they get a headband which bears the symbol of their village. The Genin, fresh out of the academy, are the low level or “junior ninja”. They may perform missions to gain money or respect for their village. These missions are ranked from D (lowest level of danger or import), C, B, A, and S (the really, really big stuff). Genin typically get put in a team of three under the leadership/continued instruction of a Jonin. The three-person teams (usually two boys and a girl in the manga) are assembled to create the best balance. Naruto, whose grades essentially sucked, winds up with two strong students in Sasuke and Sakura. Next up the tree are Chunin, who are the middle guys. Advancement here is determined by more testing and eventual tournament duels. Those who have obtained this level often wear vests. Iruka, Naruto’s first mentor of note, is of this level. The elite ninja are called Jonin. Fan-favorite Kakashi Hatake, the leader of Naturo, Sasuke and Sakura’s Team 7, is Jonin. A pseudo-level up from Jonin are the Tokubetsu Jonin, who maintain a specialty in one particular discipline. Of course, Naruto desires to become Hokage. The Kage class are the most powerful ninja of their villages. In some cases, there can be two living Kage at once (this is what happened with the Third and Fourth Hokage of the Leaf Village, as it was the Fourth Hokage who died binding the Demon Fox, thus forcing the Third to again assume the active mantel). Next time out in the end of our close-up on Naruto, we’ll look at the major characters of the manga. Thanks for reading! Troy Brownfield is a ninja of the Journo Class.