Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-12509038-20141124214040/@comment-8284722-20141127070548

1. Characters - this is one of the series' greatest attributes. Sometimes I felt there were just too many characters. And sometimes I felt that characters could be elaborated on far more than they were (*cough* Tenten *cough*). But for those more major characters, everything just fit right in place. Even back when every character was seen as a rip-off, there was plenty of reasons to love every one of them, and watching them grow caused tears in more than a few hundred people's eyes. Favorite character: admit it, people; your favorite character is Naruto. My reason for this is his ability to stand out, given his background and personality, as well as his ninja way, which has inspired me to be more like him (tragically, everyone I know thinks I'm a Shino).

2. Plot - The overall concept of Naruto was one that instantly had people hooked. And here's how I viewed it. It wasn't about a boy trying to become the leader of his village. It wasn't about a boy attempting to stop his friend from causing destruction and death. No. The story of Naruto is about a boy spreading love to a world that only knows hate. I found this thing beautiful, and the stories that developed out of it are flat-out amazing. I can only wish it lasted longer, but oh well. My favorite arc has gotta be Invasion of Pain. Watching Konoha fall left everyone in the dark, and Naruto's fight with Pain is easily the best. Plus, Naruto meeting Minato and Naruto finally getting the love he deserves made this easily the magnum opus of Naruto as a whole.

3. Mythology - one of the most impressive things about the Narutoverse is its mythology. I am utterly astounded as to how Kishi was able to connect so many elements in such a large space without a single misstep or retcon. It is also very intricate and unique. I wish it would've been elaborated on a bit more, but as it is, it is still a major philosophy that can transcend time and space. My favorite technique is, hands down, the Rasengan. Not only is it an amazing jutsu on its own, but it also allows for plenty of variation. I only wish there was a lightning release: rasenshuriken. Speaking of which, my favorite release in the series is the wind release, due to my little fascination with air.

4. Action - there was lots of good action in the Naruto series. Engaging, brutal, and gorgeous, each fight scene left you wanting more and more. It also helped how the action was able to blend so easily with the comedy-drama, something that Naruto might as well be considered revolutionary for. My favorite battle is easily Naruto vs. the Six Paths of Pain, as I already mentioned.

5. Themes - the themes are what really got me into the series. Let's go over the ones that stuck out the most. "Never going back on one's word" - kinda iffy given what happens overtime, but under certain circumstances, it can be a driving force for action and change. "The next generation" - wish this had been emphasized more, but the series' use of foils and how the future is where everything good shall come has left a particularly profound impact on me. "Love overcomes hatred" - I'm Catholic, so I've long believed this, but never has it stood out to me in a media work how it has with Naruto, seeing people one by one come to believe in this little knucklehead. I have a lot of favorite moments, so I'll go over them in chronological order: Iruka recognizes Naruto, The Bell Test, Naruto interacts with Haku, Naruto unleashes Nine-Tails for Sasuke, Zabuza's final moments, The Exam of the Chunin Exam, Lee vs. Gaara, Sakura vs. Ino, Naruto vs. Neji, Hiruzen's final moments, Naruto redeems/headbutts Gaara, Naruto meets Itachi and learns of the clan massacre, Naruto hits Kabuto with Rasengan, Sasuke goes crazy on roof, Sasuke knocks out Sakura, Naruto vs. Sasuke, Naruto comes home (anime version), Big Ball Rasengan, Naruto cries for Gaara and gets Chiyo to believe in him, Naruto and Sai bickering, Four-Tailed Nine-Tails, Sasuke reunites with Naruto and nearly kills him, Naruto's waterfall training (anime version), Rasenshuriken, Naruto meets Itachi again, Sasuke vs. Itachi conclusion, Sasuke joins Akatsuki, Naruto learns Jiraiya died, Pain destroys Konoha, Naruto kicks some Pain ass, Naruto meets Minato, Naruto talks with Nagato, Naruto becomes a hero at last, Naruto has himself willingly beaten for his teammates' sake, Naruto pleads with A, Naruto saves Sakura from Sasuke and reunites Team 7, Naruto meets Kushina, Naruto and Killer B vs. Itachi and Nagato, Sakura defeats the Neji clone, the Konoha 11 vow to protect Naruto, Itachi gives his final words to Sasuke, Obito is unmasked, Sasuke meets the Four Hokage and finally comes home, Neji dies (death itself, not its aftermath), Hokage come to the battlefield, Naruto tries to bring back Obito, Madara comes back and nearly kills Naruto and Sasuke, Naruto and Sasuke meet Hagoromo, Naruto and Sasuke use their Sage powers to kick Madara's ass, Obito sacrifices himself, Obito and Hokage leave for afterlife, Sasuke reveals his true plans, Naruto and Sasuke's final battle, Naruto and Sasuke become brothers again, Naruto returns Sasuke's forehead protector, and last but not least, Lord Seventh comes into Five Kage Summit.

6. Artwork - I agree with Kirin entirely. The artwork went from purely cartoony to a realistic, amazing work of art. I can't wait for Kishi's future progressions in his style. Then there are my personal ramblings. To be honest, I have never been as engaged or as amazed with a manga/anime as I have with Naruto (though AOT and DB come close). Naruto will continue to remain very close to my heart, as it will with all of you for certain, and I can only imagine the bright future that awaits. After all, as I always say: "Everything lasts forever".