Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom

Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom centers on Naruto, Kakashi, Sakura, and Rock Lee as they guard the Moon Kingdom's prince during a tour. The Moon Realm is incredibly rich and the prince Michiru, with his companion Hikaru, treats the globe as a showroom. When other escorts quit under harsh treatment, Naruto and the team step in to safeguard the prince across bustling cities, glittering palaces, and crowded towns. The mission tests not only their combat skills but their ability to stay cohesive under pressure as the Moon Kingdom's politics intrude on the journey. Directed by Toshiyuki Tsuru, the film stars Junko Takeuchi, Chie Nakamura, Yōichi Masukawa, and Kazuhiko Inoue as Kakashi, keeping the dynamic alive abroad.

Directed by Toshiyuki Tsuru and based on Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto universe, this animated feature expands the series into a movie format while preserving its fast paced action and humor. The visuals blend classic Naruto energy with cinematic flair and excitement.

Box office revenue totals about 3.2 million worldwide, a modest take by animation cinema standards but steady for a Naruto film. The performance reflects the franchise's dedicated audience while allowing spin off adventures to continue in theaters and home media.

As part of the Naruto canon, the Crescent Moon Kingdom movie extended the franchise's footprint by delivering familiar battles, humor, and teamwork in a standalone adventure. It reinforced Naruto's appeal to younger viewers while rewarding longtime fans with familiar faces and exciting new settings for many generations of fans worldwide.

Critical reception noted the film's brisk pace and light tone while sticking to core themes of friendship and perseverance. Naruto's optimism contrasts with Kakashi's calm guidance, underscoring how loyalty and cooperation can overcome challenges across borders, cultures, and fame. It keeps its focus on teamwork over ego for audiences everywhere.