Naruto: A Long and Fulfilling Ninja Journey
Title: Naruto
Original Title: ナルト (Naruto)
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.32 (as of May 24, 2024)
IMDb Rating: 8.2 (as of May 24, 2024)
Director: Hayato Date (Part 1), Yasuhiro Naruto (Part 2)
Writer: Masashi Kishimoto (based on his manga of the same name)
Studio: Pierrot
Format: Anime (TV Series) Note: Multiple Series
Episodes: 220
Premiered: Fall 2002
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Shounen
Trailer:
Story(Spoiler Free):
Naruto Uzumaki is a chaotic, loudmouthed ninja-in-training who gets rejected by his community for keeping a dark secret. The Nine-Tailed Fox, a horrific beast that once attacked the community, is sealed within him. Despite his fear and seclusion, Naruto aspires to be the village’s leader and most respected ninja, or Hokage.
Naruto is not alone on his journey. He joins Team 7, a group of aspiring ninjas commanded by the reserved Kakashi Hatake. Naruto, along with his lively partner Sakura Haruno and the gloomy prodigy Sasuke Uchiha, goes on missions and trains relentlessly to improve his talents.
As they face obstacles and battle dangerous opponents, Naruto and his newfound companions create unbreakable relationships. They learn about cooperation, loyalty, and the value of never giving up on their aspirations. Naruto’s ambition to become Hokage leads him on epic journeys where he discovers secret truths about himself, his village, and the world around him.
Review:
Naruto is a shounen anime powerhouse with a vast fanbase and a sprawling story. Let’s look at the various factors that contribute to its ongoing popularity:
Story:
Strengths: The central theme of an outcast underdog aspiring to become Hokage is both realistic and inspiring. The plot builds on this base by incorporating complicated characters and interconnected narratives. The themes of friendship, resilience, and breaking the cycle of hatred are present throughout the series.
The sheer length can be overwhelming, and the pacing lags in various arcs with repeating aspects. Fillers, while useful for character development, can break the primary storyline for some viewers.
Animation and BGM:
The animation quality improves dramatically throughout the series, resulting in exciting action sequences and visually stunning jutsu bouts. The soundtrack excellently suits the tale, with energetic fight tunes and emotional moments.
The earlier episodes have a simpler animation style that may not be suitable for viewers used to modern standards.
Voice Acting:
Both the Japanese and English casts give legendary performances that bring their characters to life. The voice acting adds humour, drama, and depth to the plot, allowing you to fully believe in the characters’ journeys. Some viewers may find the English dub’s portrayal of some characters to be overly dramatic.
Overall Review:
Naruto requires a commitment, but it is one that pays well. Despite its length and occasional pacing flaws, the series tells an engaging story with well-developed characters, thrilling fights, and eternal ideas. The animation and sound design improve the viewing experience, while the voice acting is a great strength.
However, be prepared to commit a large amount of time. Naruto is a must-see for fans of long, character-driven narratives with plenty of action and heart. For those looking for a tighter plot or a shorter series, the sheer number of episodes may be a barrier.