Naruto Movie Coming to America

Date: 2007 March 23 10:04

Posted by Jeremy

The first Naruto movie hits US theaters this summer!

Update: US theater screening locations - Naruto The Movie: Ninja Clash in The Land of Snow

Full Story

American fans of the Cartoon Network hit Naruto will get a chance to see their favorite ninja in the theaters. VIZ Media, LLC has announced a theatrical release in North America for the first feature film based on the hit anime and manga, Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow. The film will debut in theaters in select cities across the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Atlanta and more, on June 6 through National CineMedia’s Fathom.

"We are extremely excited to bring the first 'Naruto' theatrical feature to North American theaters," said Liza Coppola, Sr. Vice President of Marketing for VIZ Media. "Anticipation has steadily built surrounding the domestic release of this film and VIZ Media is pleased to bring fans with this theatrical debut. 'Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow' is filled with non-stop action and new plot and character twists that will delight and surprise audiences. We look forward to new and old fans coming out in force to support this release and to building excitement for the eventual DVD release of the film."

The anticipated success of the movie is not unexpected. The edited version of the anime brings in huge ratings for Cartoon Network. And the manga continues to be one of the best selling series in America, taking spots on such lists as BookScan and the USA Today Top 150, and even recently won the 2006 Quill Award for Best Graphic Novel, a first for a manga. With those kinds of accolades, the Naruto movie is sure to bring in quite a few moviegoers to see it.

The film is a theatrical side story based on the continuity of the animated TV series. In it, lead character Naruto and his team of fellow ninja trainees are sent on a mission to guard popular actress Yukie Fujikaze, as she heads to the Land of Snow to finish filming her latest movie. Mysteries arise when Yukie refuses to go and tries to escape, and opposition arises in the form of three rogue Snow Ninja lying in wait for them. The whole thing leads to a sinister purpose the forces Yukie to make a crucial decision and face her hidden past.

More information regarding tickets and participating theaters screening the movie can be found at www.FathomEvents.com as they become available. For more information about the movie, fans can go to www.naruto.com.