Naruto: Shippuden season 10
The five Kage assemble to stop Sasuke and the Akatsuki.
The tenth season of *Naruto: Shippuden* adapts Part II of Masashi Kishimoto's manga. Hayato Date directed these episodes, with production handled by Pierrot and TV Tokyo. The story focuses on the five Kage gathering to oppose Sasuke Uchiha and the Akatsuki's remaining members, while Naruto Uzumaki seeks a direct confrontation with Sasuke. This season originally aired between February and July 2011. Aniplex released the first Japanese DVD volume, titled *The Gathering of the Five Kage*, on September 7, 2011. The English dub debuted on Neon Alley from July 13 to December 21, 2013, and later aired on Adult Swim's Toonami block from April 8 to October 6, 2018. As an April Fools stunt, Adult Swim broadcast the season's first episode in Japanese with English subtitles on April 1, 2018, before switching to the standard English dub the following week. Five musical themes appear across the season: two opening songs and three closing songs. "Diver" by Nico Touches the Walls opens episodes 197 through 205, while "Lovers" by 7!! opens episodes 206 to 221. The ending themes are "Mayonaka no Orchestra" by Aqua Timez (episodes 197–205), "FREEDOM" by Home Made Kazoku (episodes 206–218), and "Yokubō o Sakebe!!!!" by OKAMOTO'S (the remaining episodes).
Quick Facts
- Num Episodes
- 25
- Network
- TV Tokyo
- First Aired
- 2011-02-10
- Last Aired
- 2011-07-28
- Episode List
- List of Naruto: Shippuden episodes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The season comprises episodes 197 through 221 of Naruto: Shippuden. Its narrative focuses on the gathering of the five village leaders—the Kage—who unite to counter the threat posed by Sasuke Uchiha and the remaining Akatsuki members. Meanwhile, Naruto Uzumaki pursues his own goal of confronting Sasuke. The season aired in Japan from February to July 2011.
The English dubbed version premiered on Neon Alley from July 13 to December 21, 2013, and later made its English television debut on Adult Swim's Toonami programming block from April 8 to October 6, 2018. Notably, the first episode of the season aired on Adult Swim in its original Japanese audio with English subtitles on April 1, 2018, as part of an annual April Fools stunt, with the normal English dub airing the following week.
The season contains five musical themes: two openings and three endings. The opening themes are "Diver" by Nico Touches the Walls (episodes 197–205) and "Lovers" by 7!! (episodes 206–221). The ending themes are "Mayonaka no Orchestra" by Aqua Timez (episodes 197–205), "FREEDOM" by Home Made Kazoku (episodes 206–218), and "Yokubō o Sakebe!!!!" by OKAMOTO'S (remaining episodes).
Reader's Guide
The tenth season of Naruto: Shippuden marks a pivotal convergence of the series' major political and military powers, as the five Kage meet for the first time in the narrative. This season is significant for advancing the conflict against the Akatsuki and deepening the personal struggle between Naruto and Sasuke. The season's DVD release, titled The Gathering of the Five Kage, reflects its central plot point. Its broadcast history illustrates the delayed but eventual international release: the English dub first appeared on the streaming service Neon Alley in 2013, then on cable television via Adult Swim's Toonami in 2018. The April Fools stunt of airing the first episode in Japanese with subtitles highlights the network's engagement with the anime's fanbase. The season's musical themes, including two openings and three endings, contribute to its distinct tonal shifts as the story progresses from preparation to confrontation. Overall, this season is a key transitional arc that sets the stage for the climactic battles of the series.
Did You Know?
- The season's first Japanese DVD volume was released by Aniplex on September 7, 2011.
- The season's first episode aired on Adult Swim in Japanese with English subtitles on April 1, 2018, as an April Fools stunt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Naruto: Shippuden season 10 about?
This season adapts the Five Kage Summit arc, in which the leaders of all five ninja villages convene to coordinate a response to Sasuke's betrayal and the surviving Akatsuki operatives. Naruto's personal drive to confront Sasuke face-to-face serves as the emotional backbone of the storyline.
When did Naruto: Shippuden season 10 originally air?
The Japanese broadcast ran from February to July 2011. The English-language dub first aired on Neon Alley between July 13 and December 21, 2013, and later returned to Adult Swim's Toonami block from April 8 to October 6, 2018.
Who directed and produced Naruto: Shippuden season 10?
Hayato Date handled direction for the season's episodes. Pierrot served as the animation studio and TV Tokyo as the original broadcast network.
What is the central conflict in Naruto: Shippuden season 10?
The five Kage band together to devise a strategy against Sasuke Uchiha and whatever Akatsuki members still remain active. Meanwhile, Naruto refuses to let the villages handle Sasuke and insists on reaching his former teammate personally.
Why is Naruto: Shippuden season 10 a turning point in the series?
It represents the moment the shinobi world shifts from reactive defense to a unified offensive posture against the Uchiha threat. The alliances and tensions forged here directly set up the Fourth Great Ninja War that follows.
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