When it comes to shonen anime, the Naruto series, created by Masashi Kishimoto, is absolutely one of the best. Even after Naruto wrapped up its manga and anime years ago, fans are still on the lookout for new and official content that will extend Naruto Uzumaki’s story for a while longer. Hardcore fans are even catching up with the Boruto series to get an update about their favorite characters besides Naruto.
It goes without saying that Naruto deserves its high placement in the shonen genre, given the success and popularity it continues to receive from fans. As part of the “big three” shonen anime, Naruto has nearly perfected the shonen formula. However, there are key areas where Naruto absolutely dominates all shonen anime without exception. Let’s break them down.
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Naruto Has a Complete and Satisfying Protagonist Journey
Naruto’s Story Is Incredibly Rewarding
In today’s era, most anime thrive with an overpowered main character. The story basically feeds them overpowered abilities as soon as the first or second episode, making them the strongest real quick. That is the exact opposite of Naruto, as the hit shonen anime started with a flawed, weak, and annoying Naruto Uzumaki for its main character. He began his journey as an outcast who eventually overcame one challenge after another, earning victories through blood, sweat, and tears.
Most of the viewers literally grew up with Naruto, watching his complete and satisfying transformation. There was no shortcut to his growth, given that he isn’t a prodigy, and his power-ups aren’t handed to him easily. In fact, performing a simple clone jutsu was even a struggle for him back in the day. Making allies was also a difficult process, but all of them, including Sasuke Uchiha, naturally followed and accepted Naruto in the end.
Naruto Makes Its Side Characters Relevant
The Side Characters Are Fleshed Out
Naruto has more than 500 episodes full of supporting characters. Every episode usually features a supporting character who interacts with Naruto and involves themselves in his business in their own way. They come and go, but they aren’t used for unnecessary purposes. Most of them have character arcs that keep fans entertained, whether through their backstories, solo fights, or personal agendas.
In other words, the side characters in Naruto exist to expand the lore of the series. They are great additions to world-building, as their personal stories introduce political and social structures, show the world outside Konoha, reveal unique shinobi systems beyond Team 7, and much more.
Naruto’s side characters were fleshed out, making it easy for fans to resonate with them. Ask a Naruto fan about a supporting character, and probably, they know the answer. Most importantly, the series doesn’t use them as convenient plot devices just to increase Naruto’s power level.
Naruto’s Villains Are Top Tier
The Villains Don’t Just Fight
Naruto boasts a lot of villains, from small-time to big-time enemies with destructive powers and impulses. Each doesn’t just fight out of pure evil, as they are fueled with ambitions and motivations on a wider and deeper scale.
The series was never lacking in featuring an incredible villain with deep emotional weight. Somehow, these villains reveal what Naruto could have become if he had chosen the opposite path. Pain, Obito, and Zabusa are just three of the best villains in Naruto, which left a lasting impact on fans. Their dialogues were moving, changing how fans see Naruto villains in general.
Then there’s Itachi Uchiha, who was masterfully written by Kishimoto. His story was tragic yet flawless, starting as an antagonist who was portrayed with a deep-seated hatred toward his clan until his true goals were revealed.
Naruto’s Fight Scenes Have Variety
Good and Diverse Combat Choreography
One of the most obvious reasons why Naruto excels over any other shonen anime is its fight scenes. Fans can search the internet for anime’s best fight scenes of all time, and most likely, two or three articles and/or videos will always feature a showdown from Naruto. For instance, Kakashi and Obito’s match, Gaara and Rock Lee’s skirmish, Madara vs. The Ninja Alliance, and, of course, Naruto and Sasuke’s final confrontation, which has amassed millions of views from fans.
The best thing about Naruto’s fight scenes is their variety. It is not repetitive, avoiding a boring exchange of blows that will disappoint the fans. Instead, Naruto always had something new to offer. The fights aren’t all about who’s stronger and hits harder, as each fighter uses their heads, dojutsu, and other abilities to get ahead of the enemy. Strategy and deception are incredibly vital in fights.
Naruto Never Loses Its Central Message
Naruto’s Consistent and Brilliant Depiction of the Cycle of Hatred
The cycle of hatred is a recurring theme throughout Naruto, which can be traced back to the ancient conflict among members of the Otsutsuki Clan. This theme drove not only the villains to achieve their goals but also the main characters, especially Naruto Uzumaki, who went above and beyond just to break it.
While Naruto is infamous for its “never giving up” message to viewers, it is also known for its consistent depiction of the cycle of hatred. The show has incredibly shed light on the consequences of hatred through story arcs and character arcs. Fans saw how hatred destroyed a village, claimed innocent lives, and brought pain and suffering to characters, including Naruto.
- Release Date
- 2002 - 2007-00-00
- Showrunner
- Masashi Kishimoto
- Directors
- Hayato Date
Cast
-
Junko Takeuchi -
Noriaki Sugiyama
WHERE TO WATCH
- Writers
- Masashi Kishimoto
- Franchise(s)
- Naruto
- Creator(s)
- Masashi Kishimoto
