As Season Five (2004-2005) of the runaway hit Naruto gets underway, the magical jutsu grow more powerful, the chakra flies, and minor characters come to the fore. Wounded pride and a thirst for revenge lead Sasuke to accept an offer four ninja from the Sound Village bring from Orochimaru. To strengthen the power of curse mark on his neck, Sasuke swallows a potentially deadly drug and enters a trance. The Sound Ninja seal him in a drum-like coffin and take him away. Naruto is joined on the rescue mission not by Sakura–whom Sasuke cruelly rejects when she tries to persuade him to stay in the Hidden Leaf Village–but by Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Neji. The quintet pursues the Sound Ninja, who employ exotic, deadly techniques, including an army of supernatural spiders. During a confrontation, Naruto and Shikamaru learn how Sasuke fits into Orochimaru’s schemes: having mastered the jutsu of immortality, the evil ninja needs to find a new body before his old one decays completely. Sasuke, with his exceptional talents, is the ideal vessel for Orochimaru’s soul. Season Five has a more somber tone than the previous episodes: Naruto has little time for jokes, ramen, or boasting. But fans of the series won’t want to be without this set. The Special Edition includes a Special Limited Edition Collectible Figure of the Summoning Creature Manda. Rated T+ Older Teen; suitable for ages 12 and older: violence, grotesque imagery) –Charles Solomon