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.

As for the Obito and Neji thing, I'm not saying that Obito shouldn't have used his death to argue his point; I'd think it silly if he hadn't. I'm pointing out that Neji's death wasn't about Neji. It was about giving Naruto and Obitio more to argue about, and making Naruto seem even more right in his convictions. The actual emotional factors of the death of a close friend, and the story of Neji himself, are barely mentioned. It just proves Naruto right yet again and then they keep fighting like nothing happened. I think my biggest problem with things like Neji's death and Sasuke abandoning the Leaf is that Naruto never even come close to abandoning his beliefs and convictions. I think it's great that he believes in those things at the end, in spite of what has happened, but it never really feels to me that those beliefs are truly challenged. The closest Naruto ever comes to considering that he might be too naive or wrong is when he worries that he'll never save Sasuke, but that doesn't last all that long before he goes straight back to making his wild promises about bringing everyone back safe. I think it's great that Naruto hold those optimistic ideas to the end, but I feel the argument for them could be stronger if there was ever really any doubt from him.

@Lord 7th Hokage- I agree! This is what I'm saying about the whole "savior Naruto" thing- the other character's contributions feel insignificant when they give Naruto all the credit like that, which just feels like it cheapens the message of teamwork and friendship.