Kita ze Inbou! - キタぜ陰謀!

I’m sorry, don’t you mean five stars? False labeling aside, I couldn’t help but wonder what this was when I stumbled upon it. Checking it out over at CD Japan, I learned that this was a CD containing tracks from the NARUTO series (plus Shippuuden) and there are five of the cast performing a theme. We’re granted access to hear Takeuchi Junko (Naruto), Sugiyama Noriaki (Sasuke), Nakamura Chie (Sakura), Inoue Kazuhiko (Kakashi), and Morikubo Shoutarou (Shikamaru) with each one performing two songs for a total of 10 (what, only ten?) tracks. Okay, that’s decent, but don’t you think more could’ve been added? Well, let’s take a look at what we actually got first. BTW, all track names are labeled with “(NARUTO ALL STARS VERSION)” next to the title.

1. distance by Takeuchi Junko (Naruto)
originally performed by LONG SHOT PARTY

Being one of my favorite OP theme songs, I thought it was a nice choice and what better person than Junko? After all, Naruto keeps talking nonstop about his brotherly love for Sasuke (for God knows how long). Though as for the song itself, quite enjoyable and amusing. I’m beginning to think they were told to sing in character because that’s definitely not Junko’s natural tone. The new arrangement is pretty sweet with a more rock tune similar to the OP version of distance.

2. R*O*C*K*S by Inoue Kazuhiko (Kakashi)
originally performed by Hound Dog

Now this was really unexpected, yet awesome inclusion. Being the first, and therefore oldest, song form the series, it brings back nostalgic moments of when we first started the anime. The sound is more refining with the use of electric guitars, but it doesn’t take away the old feel of the song, which I guess was like something out of the 80s. Hearing Kazuhiko sing is a nice touch. He doesn’t use his Kakashi voice but you can tell it’s him. So I guess it’s not singing in character? Overall, a neat version of the original. BTW, as the song fades, you can hear Kazuhiko yell “KAKASHI ROCKS!”

3. Scenario by Sugiyama Noriaki (Sasuke)
originally performed by Saboten

Okay, a bit surprising to give Nori this pretty upbeat song, and he’s not bad either. I wasn’t really a fan of the song but I thought it was kind of a nice song. This is the last ED theme for NARUTO before the jump to Shippuuden.

4. Nagareboshi ~Shooting Star~ by Morikubo Shoutarou (Shikamaru)
originally performed by HOME MADE Kazoku

Ah, the first Shippuuden ED theme. Wonderful. I like HOME MADE Kazoku and this was a nice song, but I’ve heard them with better ones. I think Shoutarou has contributed a lot to the series. I think he’s the one that wrote the NARUTO Ondo tune, no? That was damn good. He’s got a nice voice too so I think this was a perfect fit for him and he performs it well.

5. Yura Yura by Nakamura Chie (Sakura)
originally performed by Hearts Grow

Here’s a nice choice for Chie. Yura Yura was a very nice OP song so it fits. I do think she sounded flat at some parts, but that’s just me. Again, great arrangement of the track.

6. Tsubomi by Takeuchi Junko (Naruto)
originally performed by MARIA

In a surprising twist, we’re treated to a movie theme song performed by Junko. Interesting move there. I don’t quite remember listening to the original a lot but it sounded awesome the first time. I’m not sure if Junko’s singing in character again or not but she does a good job save for maybe the chorus.

7. Mezamero! Yasei by Inoue Kazuhiko (Kakashi)
originally performed by MATCHY with QUESTION?

MEZAMERO YASEI! I just love this song. Kazuhiko does it again. Doesn’t sound that different from the original, but this one is just as good.

8. Kimi Monogatari by ……… Sugiyama Noriaki (Sasuke)
originally performed by little by little

Alright, something’s definitely wrong with this picture. Practically the worse move and by far the worse on the CD. What were they thinking giving him a song with female vocals? Maybe they weren’t thinking at all… please tell me Noriaki wasn’t the one that chose this song. I just don’t see it fitting.

9. Re:member by Morikubo Shoutarou (Shikamaru)
originally performed by FLOW

I was wondering if there’d be FLOW on here. Shoutarou takes another famous group and delivers a decent performance. I’m not crazy about the song myself but Shoutarou’s version was okay. Nothing to write home about.

10. Pinocchio by Nakamura Chie (Sakura)
originally performed by Ore Ska Band

Last but not least, Chie ends it with a very happy song. Another one of the final ED themes from NARUTO. Chie sings well in this one too.

Okay, overall, these are some pretty nice selections and the seiyuu know their vocals. However, I’d be lying if I said this was a really great album because I was still a bit disappointed. My first qualm with this is the song selection. I’ve noticed that they’re mostly Shippuuden songs or late NARUTO ones. The only one that is really old on there is R*O*C*K*S, and ironically, probably the only real amusing one worth listening to a lot more than the rest. I think selecting a song from different times would be more ideal. My other concern is the lack of more seiyuu. Yeah, maybe they could only get those five, but if you want this to be ALL STARS, then you’ve got to have all stars, right? Or at least, all the ones prominent in the show. I would’ve love to hear Ishida Akira or even Kujira (I’m kidding about that last one). Here’s what I think could’ve been added to the song list:

Haruka Kanata – Sugiyama Noriaki (Sasuke)
Kanashimi wo Yasashisa ni – Tamura Yukari (Tenten)
Seishun Kyousoukyoku – Takeuchi Junko (Naruto)
Harmonia – Mizuki Nana (Hinata)
Wind – Morikubo Shoutarou (Shikamaru)
Ryuusei – Yuzuki Ryoka (Ino)
GO!!! – Paku Romi (Temari)
Mountain A Go Go Two – (Ishida Akira) Gaara

That’s just what I have in mind. But you know, beggars can’t be choosers. I mean, as much as I’d like this, I kinda doubt they’d ever do something like this but I still have dumb hope for this. Which brings us to another one of my complaints. We’ve had three soundtracks for NARUTO. I recall the last one being released, what 5-6 years ago? More or less. Okay, so why did we never get a fourth? It’s obvious we’ve been missing a buttload of tracks. There could’ve been a fifth too! Or a sixth even! That being said, I’m disappointed that they never did this. A lot of great themes too. I dunno who’s in charge or what’s the deal with that, but Toshio’s music is just really stunning to my ears. Oh, but it’s not just Toshio’s. BLEACH, another Pierrot anime, has been lacking more OSTs as well. I think we’ve been overdue for about two more of them already. And when will we ever get that awesome BGM version of “Number One”? Sure beats the profane version included in the first movie OST. But anyways, that’s about all I gotta say. If you’re a nut for these stars, go ahead and take a listen. It’s at least worth listening to once.