Masashi Kishimoto’sNarutofranchise is generally considered one of the best examples of what a Shonen should be. The plot, characters, and special abilities introduced in the series have inspired countless creators, creating a legacy that will last for many generations to come.
Nonetheless, despite how iconic Naruto’s quest to become the Hokage is,it is not without flaws. There are many aspects of the story, characters, and world that have been heavily scrutinized over the years. One of the biggest, and for many the most relevant, is the ending, which failed to reach the expectations of fans.
Naruto’s Ending Is Its Greatest Weakness
Fans Noticed Several Flaws in the Finale
The Fourth Great Ninja War arcis the finale of theNarutoseries, focusing on the massive battle between the Allied Shinobi Forces and the coldhearted Madara Uchiha. This worldwide confrontation was hyped throughout the entirety of the second part of the series, as it would be the conclusion to this amazing story. After it was finally released,many fans began to voice their displeasure with how the story ended, noting how rushed and somewhat out of nowhere the events felt. The main issue comes from how disappointing the actual war felt.
This conflict was hinted at as the ultimate battle where all the ninjas in the world would join forces to put an end to Madara and his plans. Yet, once the story of this arc began, fans quickly noticed that it would not be quite as spectacular as promised, with most of the events taking place over just a couple of days. Worst of all, the fight that was supposed to see every shinobi in the world battleonly focused on a handful of characters, with most others just appearing to die at the hands of the main villain.
Naruto Has One of Anime’s Best Supporting Casts, But 10 Characters Deserved So Much More
Naruto developed so many memorable characters over its long run, which makes it all the more unfortunate how these characters were treated.
Kaguya’s sudden introductionwas also a major letdown, as she was not successfully foreshadowed as the final enemy, genuinely shocking fans when she killed Madara. She was not seen as the ultimate enemy, but rather a plot device to get rid ofan opponent too overpowered for Naruto and his friends to defeat. Although the arc is still remembered fondly and gave fans some of the most iconic moments in the series, it is one of the franchise’s greatest weaknesses.
Naruto’s Worldbuilding Was Also a Major Letdown
The Shinobi World Is Never Fully Explored
One of the major changes in perspective that the Fourth Great Ninja War caused among fans was the realization thatthe Shinobi World could have been much better handled. Despite how extensive the universe of the series was hinted at during the first few chapters,it feels indeed quite small. The number of Hidden Villages is extremely low considering they are supposed to be the major strength, and even fewer are relevant to the story. If a village was not related to an important character, it would rarely ever be explored or included in the story.
Even the ones that were studied in-depth during the seriespaled in comparison to Konoha’s relevance. A significant part of the important events and battles of the franchise revolves exclusively around Naruto’s home village. The series missed a big opportunity to greatly expand its lore by having the heroes explore other locations. Places like the Sand or Cloud Villages were slightly less ignored, but they were still rarely ever featured in the story. The final arc of the series helped fans realize that a large majority of the main characters were from Konoha, which was quite disappointing.
The Otsutsuki Clan Caused Irreparable Harm
The Introduction of Aliens Continues to Plague the Series
When asked, many fans will state that introducing the Otsutsuki clan might have been one of the strangest and most questionable decisions of theNarutofranchise. Kaguya was not only an underwhelming final villain, but she was also the introduction of a trope that would take over the series for years to come. With the Mother of All Chakra introduced, Naruto’s strongest enemies were no longer other humans like him. The hero now needed to worry aboutan entire clan of strong alienswho wished to destroy the Earth.
The Otsutsuki clan became the biggest and main antagonist from that point forward. A member of this intergalactic family was the antagonist of the tenth entry in the franchise’s movie list, completely removing the human element. They are also the main enemies of theBorutoseries and have been slowly controlling every aspect of the story. Humans can no longer compare tothe strongest members of this alien clan, a fact that has pushed many fans away from the franchise.
Despite Its Flaws, Naruto Is Still a Masterpiece
Few Shows Can Influence and Entertain Fans Like Kishimoto’s Work
Even though the final act of theNarutoseries is not perfect, there is no denying that it isstill one of the best anime in history. Kishimoto’s world, characters, and story have inspired and entertained fans for decades, letting them travel to a land full of excitement and impressive warriors. Naruto’s impact on the industry has no equal, fromalmost perfecting the tournament arc tropeto the introduction of protagonists who prefer to understand an opponent rather than simply kill them.
It might have some flaws, like any other iconic anime, but this does not make it less deserving of praise and admiration. Naruto’s story is one of perseverance, determination, and the bonds that make humans strong. It is a timeless adventure that will not be forgotten for many decades. It has some of the most beloved arcs in anime, like the Chunin Exams, the Kazekage Rescue Mission, and the incredible Fated Battle Between Brothers. Kishimoto’s masterpiece is and will remain one of the best in the world, and its legacy should be celebrated by fans.
Naruto’s final arc might not have been as impressive as fans expected, but it is still an outstanding ending to such a beloved franchise. Few anime series can claim to have such a large following as Kishimoto’s work, and it genuinely deserves its fame.
Naruto
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Naruto is an action-adventure anime series based on the manga series created by Masashi Kishimoto. The titular Naruto Uzumaki is a fearsome Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit sealed inside him, which once wreaked havoc on his village. Shunned by his community yet determined to earn their respect, Naruto dreams of becoming the greatest ninja, the Hokage. This series follows his journey through the Ninja Academy as he continues to train and grow, hoping to prove himself to his peers- and himself.
