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BlueStranger Since: Oct, 2014
11/26/2014 18:04:27 •••

Really Up For You To Decide

Naruto is the first anime/manga series I've ever read, so now that it's ended, there's plenty of nostalgia to go around. It's also the first to introduce all sorts of different themes I hardly read about in normal kids literature like loneliness, revenge and retribution, war, hope, determination, existence etc. in a new level I never felt before. Perhaps it was Anvilicious here and there, and maybe a few Broken Aesops scattered around, but I think it managed to get me started thinking more about the world and my place in it. Yeah, that's overly philosophical and all, but I think this series helped me grow up in a way. This will always be something of a favourite despite the flaws, the Base Breaker characters, the Ass Pulls, the plot holes, the crazy villains at the end and the Unfortunate Implications. But anyways, let's just go over the series.

Naruto comes out fairly strong with characterization in the beginning, firmly establishing unique characters that are easily distinguishable from each other. Of course, not every character is fully fleshed out or even gets A Day in the Limelight and there's also the issues of Sakura and Sasuke where I'm not going to bother arguing here. Character Development is fairly strong as well woth the main character gradually growing out of his underdog status, but Naruto can be seen as becoming more static when delving into more complicated politics and especially Sasuke. This will either be a serious Wallbanger or inspirational depending on how you look at it.

Plot is good, but there are arguments about Cliche Storms and what not. Personally, I think it was clichés done fairly well. As I mentioned above, yes, there are a few Ass Pulls. Nothing too egregious if you're willing to mentally Retcon a few things in. For a fifteen year old series, things can get very inconsistent, data books being the worst offenders. The end may seem over the top, especially with the Juubi on top of Hashirama-gene-spamming Madara and Obito which leads to another antagonist with another Ass Pull. However, it makes some sense if you remember that Naruto is supposedly still the underdog.

The final verdict is that this is pretty much up to you to love or hate, although I would recommend this series to people who aren't going to be bothered by the flaws or errors.

Austin Since: Jan, 2001
11/18/2014 00:00:00

Some of the things in this review just seem like stating the obvious. "It's good if you're willing to ignore the flaws"? Well yeah, everything is good if you're willing to ignore the flaws. Saying that it's fine if you mentally retcon things just seems like an admittance that the continuity got sloppy. Continuity is important, especially for something as long running as Naruto, and that doubly applies if the continuity only started changing during the last story arc.

To be honest, it feels like you can't deny that the manga got bad, but you just don't want to outright say it.

BlueStranger Since: Oct, 2014
11/26/2014 00:00:00

I do acknowledge the flaws, but I still like it all the same. Something catchy about that draws you in. It might be odd that I would still think it's a good story, but I really do. I dunno how to explain it, but it never really blew me off like Bleach. I actually didn't become aware of most of the flaws until I read about it. Just a point of view from a casual reader.

I do admit the ending was wonky. Kaguya was out of nowhere, Sasuke was way too easily forgiven, Madara was pretty much a Villain Sue and Obito's Freudian Excuse lacked impact. The entire series was still favorable to me, but I think the fanbase is so divided over everything that the reader should probably be better off reading by his/her own self.


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