I made an account just to write about this manga. I'm not an expert on this particular type of literature in general, or even anime if that has a whole lot to do with it, but I'll try anyway since the hours I've sunk into this one should mean something. The Naruto series, in all of its forms, seems like a daunting experience to most newcomers due to how much content it offers. My decision to read through the events of Shippuden specifically was made on the basis of my impatience towards having to watch hundreds of episodes of it otherwise; a choice that, while beneficial in regards to my time and attention span, ultimately showed me how lucky this series is with its nostalgia shield and hype culture.

Of the little I know about anime/manga and their popular aspects of appeal, the shonen genre is one such idea I'm most familiar with, like everyone else. Naruto primarily tackles the idea of self-betterment for the sake of the greater good, with characters that are defined by the inadequacies, their realizations of them, and their efforts to overcome them. The first part of Naruto does a nice job with this, presenting a premise that is scaled to a reasonable degree and gives the audience reasons to care for certain characters and things. In fact, it's the difference in quality between parts 1 and 2 that largely contribute to my feelings towards this entire story. It's relatively easy to see past the tropes of part 1, like how backstories are as sad as can be or the prominent tournament arc that takes the place of creative characterization, since nothing is overly complicated in concept.

But then, the Shippuden stuff becomes the main story focus. They extend on everything part 1 has set up, and introduces to the audience even more things to learn about in this ninja world. I was particularly anxious to read this second part, since I'd become invested in the things that preceded it, but ultimately felt disappointed with the direction Naruto eventually goes in. Almost all aspects of the overarching story become overstuffed with characters whose names I still don't know and interactions I didn't care for. Trust me when I say that this claim still holds true (at least for me) despite the fact that this is literature, something that doesn't have to be experienced all at once like a binge session for a TV series. Exposition and flashbacks occur all too often, making me wonder about the viewing experiences of all those hardcore Naruto anime fans out there during the later arcs. Many of the interesting ideas set in place by part 1 are never fully realized, since there's no more room for them. Characters I grew fond of and wanted to see more of were pushed to the side. This is especially noticeable in what might be the longest climax to anything that I've ever experienced. The incredibly lopsided approach to this whole story's end exemplifies all the other problems I mentioned, yet somewhat worsen the experience as a whole. This is how things end up? This is how the potential is fulfilled? To the more impressionable audience, Naruto and its deceptive grandness may be a worthwhile experience, but to the people who want an inventive ninja story or to just see why everyone seems to love this series, it's practically everything but that. Unless you completely skip part 2.