Overview
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower is a 2010 theatrical entry in the Naruto Shippuden film line, an original anime story rather than an adaptation of a manga arc. That freedom lets it build a premise the ongoing series could not easily stage: a mission that flings its hero backward through time and puts him in the same room as the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. For viewers who know the family history, that encounter is the emotional center of the film.
At roughly eighty-five minutes, the movie moves quickly through ruins, rogue ninja schemes, and a dormant power that reshapes the battlefield. Action and adventure carry the running time, with comedy and fantasy touches keeping the tone lighter than the main storyline's heaviest stretches, and the self-contained plot means it never asks you to track twelve arcs at once.
English dub viewers can find it on Netflix and Crunchyroll, which makes it an easy pickup for casual fans or families wanting a single-sitting ninja adventure. Newcomers can follow the time-travel setup without prior homework, though the reunion at its heart lands hardest for those already invested in the cast.
Trailer
Should You Watch It?
Watch it if you enjoy
- Watch if you want a self-contained Naruto Shippuden movie built around time travel and a meeting with Minato Namikaze.
- Watch if you enjoy the Shippuden-era squad of Naruto, Sakura, Yamato, and Sai on a single theatrical mission.
- Watch if you prefer an original side story that does not require tracking a full arc, though it sits after episode 143.
It may not suit you if
- May not suit viewers who have not started Naruto Shippuden; the film assumes familiarity with its cast and time placement.
- May not suit those hoping for a manga-adapted storyline, since this is an original theatrical side story.
- May not suit viewers uninterested in time-travel premises or a compact 85-minute action-fantasy movie.
The primary starting work is a movie, so the full film is the natural Volluble Test Drive. This gives you the complete story instead of applying an episodic trial to a feature-length work.
Why It Connects With Audiences
Why people love it
- The time-travel hook lets Naruto encounter the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, an emotional draw for invested fans.
- Its original story stages ruins, rogue-ninja schemes, and a dormant power that reshapes the battlefield.
- The 85-minute runtime and action/adventure focus make it an accessible single-sitting ninja adventure.
- English dub availability on Netflix and Crunchyroll makes it easy for casual viewers to pick up.
Common criticisms
- Being an original side story, it can feel optional rather than essential to the main Shippuden plot.
- Its emotional payoff depends on knowing the cast and family history, so newcomers may get less from the reunion.
- Its placement after episode 143 means viewers outside that point may lack needed context.
- As a movie-original not adapted from a manga arc, it may not satisfy those wanting canon manga material.
Volluble DNA
A quick profile of the title’s dominant storytelling ingredients.
Characters and Voice Actors20 characters
Naruto Uzumaki
Main character- Japanese: Junko Takeuchi
- English: Maile Flanagan
Minato Namikaze
Main character- Japanese: Toshiyuki Morikawa
- English: Tony Oliver
Mukade
Main character- Japanese: Ryuuzaburou Ootomo
Saara
Main character- Japanese: Saori Hayami
Kakashi Hatake
Supporting character- Japanese: Mutsumi Tamura
Sakura Haruno
Supporting character- Japanese: Chie Nakamura
- English: Kate Higgins
Guy Might
Supporting character- Japanese: Mayuki Makiguchi
Sai
Supporting character- Japanese: Satoshi Hino
- English: Benjamin Isaac Diskin
Yamato
Supporting character- Japanese: Rikiya Koyama
- English: Troy Baker
Jiraiya
Supporting character- Japanese: Houchuu Ootsuka
- English: David Lodge
Tsunade Senju
Supporting character- Japanese: Masako Katsuki
- English: Debi Mae West
Shizune
Supporting character- Japanese: Keiko Nemoto
- English: Megan Hollingshead
Asuma Sarutobi
Supporting character- Japanese: Fujiko Takimoto
Hiruzen Sarutobi
Supporting character- Japanese: Hidekatsu Shibata
- English: Steve Kramer
Shibi Aburame
Supporting character- English: Crispin Freeman
- Japanese: Kenji Hamada
Chouza Akimichi
Supporting character- English: Michael Sorich
- Japanese: Nobuaki Fukuda
Seeramu
Supporting character- Japanese: Yumi Touma
Saara no Musume
Supporting character- Japanese: Saori Hayami
Masako
Supporting character- Japanese: Yuuko Kobayashi
Sarai
Supporting character- Japanese: Fujiko Takimoto
Production and Staff26 credits
View all 14 additional credits
Production Background
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower is a 2010 Japanese animated action adventure fantasy film. It was released in Japanese theaters on July 31, 2010, and has a runtime of 85 minutes. The feature draws from Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto manga and anime series, while its story is an original production rather than a direct adaptation of a manga storyline. Its Japanese title is 劇場版 NARUTO -ナルト- 疾風伝 ザ・ロストタワー.
The film premiered alongside the comical short Naruto, the Genie, and the Three Wishes!!, and its theme song, titled "if," was performed by Kana Nishino. In North America, Viz Media released the movie on September 17, 2013. The story takes place after episode 143 of the Naruto: Shippuden anime series.
Where This Fits in NARUTO
A spoiler-light guide to where this exact work fits within the broader NARUTO franchise.
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Step 1
Begin with the main Naruto Shippuden anime before this film. The movie assumes familiarity with the Shippuden-era cast, including Naruto, Sakura, Yamato, and Sai.
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Step 2
Reach roughly episode 143 of Naruto Shippuden first. This film is placed after that point in the anime timeline.
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Step 3
Treat The Lost Tower as an optional side story. It is an original theatrical movie, not a required arc, so skipping it will not interrupt the main Shippuden plot.
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Step 4
Afterward, return to the main Naruto Shippuden episode order and continue the series at your own pace.
Franchise Path
- Franchise path: Watch Naruto: Shippuden through episode 143, then this original movie as an optional side story.
- It belongs to the Naruto Shippuden film line, not a manga arc adaptation, so no prior film is required.
After You Finish
Continue with
- After finishing, resume Naruto: Shippuden from episode 144; the film does not change the main timeline.
- No direct movie sequel continues this exact time-travel story, so treat it as a complete stand-alone entry.
Community Verdict
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