Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-12509038-20141124214040/@comment-26023629-20150121175246

@Gemnist- I'm not denying that other characters contributed to Naruto's victory. I'm just saying that the story intentionally manufactured a situation wherein everyone else proved to be powerless to be anything more than sacrificial pawns and glorified cheerleaders for Naruto and Sasuke. I agree that it was a team effort; but the framing of the story makes it seem like Naruto is just inherently the most important. There are so many times when all the other characters talk about how much Naruto inspired them, how they have to try hard for Naruto. That's fine for people like Gaara and whatnot because it actually is appropriate to their character, as we see Naruto making a very personal difference to them. But the way that every member of the Konoha 11 picks up on Naruto's Hokage mantra at the end (even Shino, who Naruto can't even remember exists, let alone offer any actual support or guidance to) just makes them seem like a bunch of Naruto groupies. It just feels to me that the message about camaraderie is weakened by the way that Naruto just becomes this sole, central guiding figure towards the efforts of literally the entire world. By making a prophecy that labels him as a savior, it creates the idea that ultimately, without him, everyone else is powerless to change the world, and that weakens the message of hard work: hard work did a lot for him, but he's a chosen hero, so there's no guarantee that it will work out that way for you, the reader/viewer. That's all I'm saying.