Naruto: Shippuden season 12

Lore & Background

The season covers Naruto Uzumaki's training with Killer Bee to control the Nine-Tails's chakra, a crucial step before the Fourth Shinobi World War. Episodes 253 to 256 serve as a summary recap focusing on Naruto and Sasuke from the Part I storyline, while episodes 257 to 260 cover the start of the Fourth Shinobi World War. The season contains five songs: two openings and three endings, with the first opening "Newsong" by Tacica used from episodes 243 to 256, and the second opening "Totsugeki Rock" by The Cro-Magnons from episodes 257 to 275.

Reader's Guide

The twelfth season is significant for advancing Naruto's power and setting the stage for the war arc. Its home media releases include the DVD collection "Nine-Tails Taming and Karmic Encounters" on October 3, 2012, and special editions for episodes 248–249 ("Naruto's Birth") and 257–260 ("Two Fates"). The season also ties into the sixth feature film, Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie, released July 28, 2012, with broadcast versions of episodes 271–275 including scenes from the film in the opening themes.

Did You Know?

• The DVD collection was released under the title 'Nine-Tails Taming and Karmic Encounters'.
• The second opening theme 'Totsugeki Rock' was performed by The Cro-Magnons.
• Broadcast versions of episodes 271–275 included scenes from the film Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie in the opening themes.