Naruto, the global hit animé series centering around Uzumaki Naruto, a rebellious ninja in training, makes its U.S. debut on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m. (ET, PT) during Toonami, Cartoon Network's high-rated action block. The series has already acquired a huge fan base in the U.S. through DVD sales and bootleg tapes, having first aired in Japan in 2002. Its debut on Cartoon Network will mark the first time the series has been shown in English."Naruto has reached a level of underground fandom comparable to the Dragonball phenomenon in both the U.S. and abroad. We are excited and honored to present Toonami fans with the compelling characters, story arcs and incredible action that have made Naruto an international sensation," said Bob Higgins, senior vice president of programming for Cartoon Network.
Naruto is an adaptation of the popular manga series Naruto created by Masahi Kishimoto. Cartoon Network has acquired 52 episodes of the animé series that will air during Toonami, Cartoon Network's Saturday prime time action block. Since its modest beginnings on the Cartoon Network, Naruto has taken the U.S by storm with accessories galore, among many other keepsakes and knick-knacks sold nation-wide. However, that isn't the main reason for creator Masashi's Kishimoto anime success.
About Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in 88.1 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Overnight from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.
Cartoon Network, please do not air the Naruto-filler-sagas--just skip straight to Naruto Shippuuden (the second part of the Naruto story). The 85-episodes of crappy Naruto filler (episodes 136 - 220) that follow the Sasuke-retrieval arc (current arc), are poorly written, poorly animated, and do not follow the spirit of Naruto at all. Everyone who watched them in Japanese agrees--they're not worth dubbing. Do not torture your English audience by forcing them to watch 1.6 straight-years of crappy filler.