In 2009, Viz released another two DVD boxes containing episodes 1-25 and 26-52, respectively. The first of these compilations was nominated at the American Anime Awards for best package design. Episodes from this season were later released on nine DVD compilations by Viz Media between Maand February 20, 2007, with two compilations of thirteen and twelve episodes released for the first season. A total of twelve volumes were released by Sony Pictures Entertainment between January 1 and December 3, 2003. In Japan, the season released in both VHS and DVD format. After the 52nd episode, it was removed from the schedule rotation to make room for its successor series, Naruto: Shippuden. The season's first 52 episodes ran on Adult Swim's relaunched Toonami block in a completely uncut format from Decemto November 30, 2013. The English dub ran from Septemto Novemon Cartoon Network's Toonami programming block in the United States and YTV's Bionix programming block in Canada. The first season ran from Octoto Novemon TV Tokyo.
Based on Masashi Kishimoto's manga series, the season follows the story of a young ninja named Naruto Uzumaki, who is the host of the Nine-Tailed Fox spirit inside of him, lives in the Hidden Leaf Village, determined to become the next Hokage and gain the respect of the villagers.
The first season of the Naruto anime series is directed by Hayato Date, and produced by Pierrot and TV Tokyo.
