Naruto: Akaki Yotsuba no Clover wo Sagase

I truly enjoyed this one. A very simple, yet the typical action-packed and funny Naruto episode. The animation is good, and the action is pretty cool. Time flew by very quick when I watched it, and the plot kept me engaged throughout. Konohamaru got to be special in this episode, which was a nice change and Naruto got to be the usual funny action hero: the main thing I always expect whenever I watch something related to the character. Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi managed to shine in their own ways, and the little girl introduced in this short was also pretty adorable. Overall, this is ... an immensely enjoyable episode and something a true Naruto fan will definitely enjoy. Recommended.

Given the length of this special, my expectations were minimal. If you're looking for development or something that deepens the characterization or plot, this is not the one for you. But if you're okay with a simple slice of life that shows more of the characters you've grown to love, then maybe give this a go. I adore both Naruto and Konohamaru and always look forward to their banter and interactions, so it's no surprise that I enjoyed this. Sure, the special is incredibly short, and the plot is a straightforward minor adventure, but it has the characters' usual funny antics and the charm of ... Konohamaru's first crush, a landmark I was happy to witness however briefly.

Esta review también está en español.

Naruto: Find the Crimson Four-leaf Clover! is the first special ever created for Naruto, and was shown at the Jump Festa 2003. We can say (almost affirm) that this was the first attempt to exploit this highly successful anime...

Located after the land of the waves saga, but before the chunin exams, the story is about how Konohamaru falls for Kaede, a girl that, sadly, is moving from the village. To avoid this, Konohamaru asks Naruto to help him in the search for the crimson four-leaf clover, which according to the legend, is able to fulfill any wish. Unfortunately, this magic ... clover is in Akagahara, better known as "that damn forest where the second chunin exam happens". That means, danger and traps everywhere. But fear not, Sasuke and Sakura will eventually go and help, so nobody will die :P.

Visually, this special is fine, nothing spectacular, just like one of the first episodes of the anime. Same with the sound.

But everything written above could be known simply by reading the synopsis and looking at the date of publication. The only important question that you, my reader, should be having now is... This thing worth it? Well, this is a clear example of what people see, with terror, as filler. FILLER. I know that almost every special can be seen as filler, but this one is in the bad sense of the word. We can say there are good filler and bad filler. Good filler: see Kakashi's face (silly ep, but funny). Bad filler: remember the curry thing? Well, this special would be in the middle (closest to the bad side): this isn't a good episode on its own (it was very early in the story, so there weren't much ninja techniques... or characters... or ideas), but it's not as bad as the baddest, unwatchable, eye-ripping fillers (and is only seventeen minutes long, so it's bearable). I recommend this only for the (very) fans. The special Battle at the Hidden Falls is longer, with better quality and more content/fights. Without being and outstanding special either, i find it more recommendable.
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Naruto: Find the Crimson Four-leaf Clover! es el primer especial/OVA creado de Naruto, y fue exhibido en el Jump Festa del 2003. La verdad, se nota que este fue el primer intento de explotar este exitosísimo anime...

Ubicada después de la saga del país de las olas, pero antes de los exámenes chunin, la historia trata de cómo Konohamaru se enamora de Kaede, una chica que se está mudando de la aldea. Para evitarlo, Konohamaru le pide a Naruto que lo ayude a buscar el trébol carmesí de cuatro hojas, que según la leyenda, es capaz de cumplir cualquier deseo. Por desgracia, dicho trébol se encuentra en Akagahara, mejor conocida como “el bosque del segundo examen chunin”. O sea, peligro y trampas por todos lados....

A nivel técnico, tanto visual como sonido, este especial es correcto, pero nada espectacular: tiene la misma calidad de uno de los primeros capítulos del anime.

Pero todo lo escrito anteriormente podía saberse simplemente leyendo la sinopsis y viendo la fecha de publicación. La pregunta que deben estar planteándose es... ¿esto vale la pena?. La verdad.... esto es un ejemplo de lo que la gente considera, con terror, filler. FILLER. Podemos decir que hay filler bueno y filler malo. Filler bueno: ver la cara de Kakashi (tonto, pero gracioso, y disfrutable). Filler malo: curry de la vida (catástrofe). Se entiende? Bueno, este especial estaría en el medio (pero más cerca del lado malo): la verdad es que en sí mismo no es un buen episodio (era un momento muy temprano de la trama, así que no había mucha técnica ninja disponible... ni personajes... ni ideas, parece...), pero tampoco es que uno quiera arrancarse los ojos después de verlo (son solamente 17 minutos, así que es aguantable). Recomendable solo para los (muy) fanáticos de Naruto. El especial Batalla en la cascada oculta es más largo, de mejor calidad, y pasan más cosas (sin ser tampoco tremendamente espectacular), por lo que me parece más recomendable.