Remember Naruto? (And why I can never hate it)
(slight spoilers for early episodes ahead)
It’s funny how people (and things in general) can change in such a relatively short period of time. A few years ago, I was a short 14 year old boy, just starting high school, and a huge fan of Naruto, the (now) immensely popular anime series. It was the first anime I ever watched. Back then, I was moved by the emotional scenes , I was intrigued by the plot. I know that what I’m going to say is really cheesy – but it really was such a simpler time back then. The highlight of my week was downloading the latest Naruto episode, subtitled, off of the subbers website Nowadays, the word “Naruto fan” makes you think of loud, obnoxious, and immature forum users. But back then, Naruto was just starting to become popular in Japan, and the mainstream Canada & US had never heard of it. Only a few episodes had been released, and for me, it was a fresh and interesting series. So that meant that the fandom here in Canada was not as large as it is now, but it wasn’t so small that it was obsolete. You were sure to find fellow Naruto fans in your school, and in fact, some of the first friends I made in school were found through a common love for Naruto. It was a bit of a shared experience – we would discuss new episodes in class, argue about the stupidest things. And it was fun. There’s absolutely nothing like it anymore.
Yes, excessive nostalgia is unhealthy. Yes, Naruto has now become a cash cow, and there’s only a faint remnant of whatever quality it may have had. And yet, whenever people start bashing it, I don’t want to join in. Because I remember myself a few years ago, watching my first real anime, how moved I was when I watched Sasuke apparently die, after saving the life of his rival, Naruto. I remember how I was affected by watching the death of Haku and Zabuza – indeed, I was moved by the deaths of the villains! That should tell you right away that Naruto was not always the DBZ-clone it appears to be becoming. Those early episodes were well-made, there was a sense of ambiguity in the morality. The episodes continue and it may have starting going downhill, but I didn’t notice because by then, I had become so familiar with the characters and setting. Of course, there came a point where I just couldn’t watch any more, and so I gradually lost interest, and moved onto anime like “Honey and Clover” and never looked back.
Nowadays “Naruto” has become little more than a word that anime fans use to belittle other anime. For example – “The plot and characters are even worse than Naruto” – clearly an insult of great proportions, right? I’ve heard it quite a lot. But should I be embarrassed to admit that finding Naruto actually changed my life in some way? After all, I made quite a bit of friends through our shared love of the series. I learned more about web development, graphics, and about computers generally because of Naruto-related activities (setting up website, downloading episodes, browsing forums, etc). I started watching more anime and indeed, many foreign films because of how much I loved Naruto. And I do think that all of this had a big part in determining what kind of person I was. After all, when you’re 14, you haven’t completely developed your character and personality. The fact that Naruto introduced me to this whole new world definitely opened my mind and made better than if I had never discovered it, and thus, never really gotten into anime altogether.
A fair portion of you readers are probably staring at this page and wondering if I’ve gone crazy. How could an shounen action series have such an effect on me? Well, it is probably similar to the reason that as a child, a person like Mr. Rogers can profoundly affect your development and views on the world. When you grow older, you may realize that Mr. Rogers message was very simple – but even as your friends may joke about those kids shows, in the back of your head, you still have a sense of respect for him. I suppose that’s what coming into play here. And I know that there are others like me out there, who have had a similar experience with this series. That’s not to say Naruto is as childish as Mr. Rogers. There really are some captivating stories within this series. And there is the reason why I will never be able to bash Naruto, no matter what happens.
11 responses so far
dude naruto is still great and it has never went down hill and its characters are still great and yes i know exactly what you mean
i def fell the sam way u do but disagree in to some of ur opions naruto is a great series still espeacially shippuden episodes and also introduced me to other anime and friends
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I really dont understand you how can you say that Naruto isnt good anymore , hes very good Shippuuden its awesome and in manga are hapening some important things . Indeed the filler episodes sfter the Sasuke fight were annoying but now they are over . I am also a big Naruto fan foar almost 2 years and I still arent bored by the show (indeed it hasnt have the same impact on me like the first days when i ve just read everithing about Naruto watched a lot of amvs and trying to emulate Naruto games on my pc just to have the chance to play characters from the show).
My advice is to watch Shippuuden and to read the manga . Naruto isnt going that bad and the manga it s better than before.
Of course, you have to realize that I watched Naruto when I was in the first half of my teenage years. All these years later, the fact that Naruto is a kids’ show is much more jarring to me.
Naruto changed my life too.I’m no more a silly scared little girl that I used to be.I don’t cry for silly reasons anymore.Naruto taught me the true meaning of life and saved me from the darkness.It is my whole world.I love naruto.
I hear you. The first two story arcs in the manga were great (and I liked the Chuunin Exam aswell) but then it all went downhill when I realised the story was focusing on Sasuke instead. I never found him interesting one bit. Just the cliche lone wolf with a moody personality. But even in the early episodes there were some great elements that kept my interest.
Over the years I gave up because it seems all the naruto forums I came across weren’t very tolerating of people’s opinions., and the manga really started getting boring. Nothing much happened, and when it did it didn’t have the same impact as, say, the death of Zabuza.
From what I’ve read of the new stuff Naruto has changed alot in terms of character (ie more boring) which is a shame. I see him now and don’t think of that obnoxious, likeabe brat, but a strong ninja who looks out for his friends (where’s his personality gone?).
Ah well, thats my two cents. I still look back on the early stories with fond memories.
You should not be ashamed to say that serie has changed your life…..
the same happens for all persons with other things……other series….etc.
but don’t think you’ve too “growned up” or changed….
there’ll be a time when the past will come out again to knock at your door…..
and then you’ll decide to open your door to see that old friend again….or to shut it at his face forever…
Naruto taught me a lot
i love the way they all have their own personalities…. And its going really great right now. Naruto might have changed A bitbut thats because he has grown up too. Just like everybody else.
I know exactly what you mean. And I do agree that things went a little downhill at some point. Things aren’t as genuine. Yes, I dropped the series a LONG time ago. But when I really started watching it, I was in 6th grade. And even though I’ve never made any friends through it. ( Heck, all of my friend hate anime. They’re all very preppy and.. Well you get the picture. They’re not into that kind of stuff.) Even though I haven’t made many friends through it, like you, it has taught me many lessons. It touched me in so many ways. Moments of my life remind me of Naruto because sometimes I remind myself of Naruto. His character really inspired me. Although my range of friends wasn’t as prominent while watching it, I didn’t know that I was learning so much. So many things I would use later. Naruto inspired me with his sincerity, his courage, and faith. And I think I’ve taken some of those traits from him and I’ve DEFINITELY used them in life. The show strengthened my friendships mostly, but also mostly gave me a different way to look at life. And what I hate is when people pair Naruto and Sasuke up because I really understamd Naruto’s chasing of him. Because he loves him and always will.
Want an example? Well… Recently, one of my best friend’s boyfriends attempted suicide and feigned death. Later, he revealed the death part to be fake. But ever since the day, no one has been able to contact her. No one knows where she is. Its like she went completely missing off the face of the earth. Every attempt has been made to contact her. (Except barging into her house really.) Most people have given up hope. My other friend told me to give up finding her. She literally said to me “What can you do that everyone else can’t? Your just a teenage girl!” But as soon as that was said to me, I knew it was up to me to prove her wrong. Its been weeks. But it doesn’t make a difference to me. I’m going to search and search until I find her. Even if the last thing she did to me was hurt me. I will love her all the same.
Another example? Me and another friend. We are complete opposites. We hurt eachother and make eachother cry. At one point she realized that we were too different. It was a day that I had made her cry all day. Before that, we had been ignoring eachother for a month. Hating eachother. But she had came and humbly apologized to me for everything. I admired her so much for it because… It was something I could’ve never done. I was too prideful. I knew were supposed to stay together though. She said “no. We suck together. We fight and disagree all the time.” But I knew. I knew all the good things trump the bad. I loved her too much to leave her for all those bad things. And that’s exactly what I said to her. After that we cried and cried and made up. It had been SO long. But I felt like our relationship was the strongest force in the universe right there. (Well, except for God.) I felt to refreshed and strong. And after all that ruckus, I had time to think. Our relationship really reminded me of Naruto and Sasuke’s. At least at the beginning.. Hmm well I stopped watching it a while after Shippuden started. But I felt like we just recreated a happy ending for Naruto and Sasuke. (: That actually happened quite recently..
So despite my yaoifangirlness, I can’t look at their relationship like THAT. Because I understand it.
Wow, sorry that was so long. I decided against editing anything though because everything I wrote came straight from my heart and without a second thought. I think I’ll keep it that way. (:
yeah its been a year since someone commented on this , but im glad i did,
FortunateCookie8 – your story honestly jst made me cry and gave me hope that one day my brother will break free from the drugs that hes using,.. i hope you find your friend as well.
but Naruto has changed my life in many ways, when ever i watch it i just feel happy for some reason, and he gives me courage to do things i normally wouldnt do, lately ive been more outgoing than ever and i love it cuz it reminds me of Naruto >.< and with my life, i have become immune to people walking out of my life, it happened so much i have lost hope for a friend that will actually stay in my life, but after watching Naruto , only then did i realize how fortunate i am for have these 2 best friends. actually right now i am goin to call both of them and tell them how much they mean to me. because before i would probably not even care if they got mad at me and left. but now.. i cherish them more than ever, of course i let them fight there own battles they need to grow as well but i will help them with no hesitation if needed. and in this evil filled world its incredibly hard to find a good friend, and im blessed.
he also helped me break free and find my own peace in life. he saved my from self destruction..
Masashi Kishimoto, you are own incredible person to be able to come up with a life changing story with a deep meaning . thank you