173.79.199.80
Since: Dec, 1969
173.79.199.80
Since: Dec, 1969
11/06/2010 00:00:00
Finally, someone writes a review that isn't one-sided hated.
dungeonmaster11
Since: Jul, 2012
04/04/2011 00:00:00
I gotta say, it is nice to see a review of Naruto that is willing to admit that it is flawed, but doesn't decry it as "being ruined since the timeskip," or some such assessment. Granted, opinions are opinions, but still, as a fan of the series, it is nice to see someone give a positive review of the series nowadays. Thanks.
Leave a Comment:
An Experience You Could Really Get Into
Naruto has many good things going for it that make it well worth checking out, although some elements may drive off long-time readers and newcomers.
The characters are all very diverse in both design and personality, and there are plenty of badasses you'll be rooting for. Naruto is endearing with emotional depth that some Shonen heroes don’t quite have. The villains range from Affably Evil to love-to-hate, though some important ones tend to come off as card carrying. The most controversial character is Sasuke, and though his actions are very frustrating for the reader to follow, they are in-character for someone who’s lived and breathed revenge for 7/8 years. On a side note, the black characters' designs are refreshingly non-offensive unlike most black characters portrayed in other manga.
The plot is addictively engaging to the point where someone who hates this series will have a hard time pulling themselves away. One of the strongest contributors to that would probably be the plot twists that are revealed at the end of a chapter. Most of them leave the reader itching to see what happens next (but they can be predictable at times). There is more drama and angst after the time skip, so mileages may vary in that aspect. The time skip also centers around Naruto’s pursuit of Sasuke; if you hate seeing a character relentlessly chase after another character you can’t stand and have given up on, this series may not be for you.
The fight scenes deliver with many a Crowning Moment of Awesome, and they are balanced with the amount of downtime. The females in this series have a few great fights, but one big flaw is that they aren’t nearly as involved as much as they should be. Another problem is that some characters are just so frakkin’ powerful that others Can't Catch Up; characters will sit there and watch while one or two others do all the work. Also, someone you really want to see have another fight scene might not get one until many, many chapters later.
All in all, Naruto tends to be a somewhat divisive series, but one you may end up really enjoying.
And now that the manga is over, all I have to add is that this series has one of the most disappointing endings I've ever come across. My recommendation is to just stop reading at chapter 698. Or just avoid it entirely.