Tried to get into the series and felt like you were deceived by the fandom about its nature? Perhaps this is why.
Summary:
Many newer fans try to get into Naruto only to be met with its first episodes, which are nothing like what they saw discussed about the show.
The first episodes are slow, and the first major arc is drastically different in tone from the content that comes later.
It’s generally a trend with all longer series, including all the Big Three.
Defying the expectations of many, Naruto’s popularity seems to be on the rise. That can be attributed to many reasons, but one of the most important ones is the fact that it’s an epic story with dozens of memorable characters.
It almost became notorious for that fact — and many newer fans, trying to get into it, feel like they’re not getting what they were promised. Naruto’s first episodes are often described as boring and bland — and while that might be a bit harsh, there is some truth in this take.
First episodes don’t feel like what the Naruto fandom describes their anime as
If someone heard about Naruto on the internet, they probably heard about its later arcs with crazy power levels and numerous over-the-top characters. Then they get into the series, and after a cool — if somewhat generic — first episode, they’re met with two that are essentially just slice-of-life. Yes, they introduce Konohamaru, but he won’t become very relevant in many, many episodes.
Then there’s Kakashi’s test, which, while it has a point in the anime, might be regarded as pointless by an average viewer — and the Land of Waves arc is radically different from the later ones as well, being darker in tone than the content after it. It’s still great but, once again, it might not be what new fans expect from the anime.
Many fans drop the series early because of that
Before the series gets to Akatsuki (which is considered one of the best villain organizations in all of anime), it goes through hundreds of episodes. Yes, Itachi and Kisame appear way earlier, and there’s a cameo of Zetsu, but most of the members don’t appear until Shippuden.
That’s where the fights and abilities get crazier, and, according to many, early Shippuden is the best part of the series. Yet with how odd the beginning is — different in tone from what’s advertised by the fandom and arguably quite slow — many fans won’t even get there, dropping the series before (or around) the second major arc of the series, the Chunin Exam arc.
Naruto’s early episodes are far from bad, but the reputation the series got later makes them uninteresting for those who are just getting into it.
More anime than just Naruto have this issue
It’s not even a problem exclusive to Naruto. All of the Big Three are criticized for this. Bleach’s first episodes aren’t much different, leaving some new fans disappointed with the series.
Even the East Blue arc of One Piece is often called a slog to get through — while it still has the feeling of adventure, the grand scale of it isn’t quite there yet. Maybe that’s why it’s getting a remake, after all.
However, it’s also important to remember that with an anime that long, it needs quite a lot of time to introduce all the concepts and plot elements — perhaps you shouldn’t expect too much from just the first episodes.
Tried to get into the series and felt like you were deceived by the fandom about its nature? Perhaps this is why.
Summary:
Many newer fans try to get into Naruto only to be met with its first episodes, which are nothing like what they saw discussed about the show.
The first episodes are slow, and the first major arc is drastically different in tone from the content that comes later.
It’s generally a trend with all longer series, including all the Big Three.
Defying the expectations of many, Naruto’s popularity seems to be on the rise. That can be attributed to many reasons, but one of the most important ones is the fact that it’s an epic story with dozens of memorable characters.
It almost became notorious for that fact — and many newer fans, trying to get into it, feel like they’re not getting what they were promised. Naruto’s first episodes are often described as boring and bland — and while that might be a bit harsh, there is some truth in this take.
First episodes don’t feel like what the Naruto fandom describes their anime as
If someone heard about Naruto on the internet, they probably heard about its later arcs with crazy power levels and numerous over-the-top characters. Then they get into the series, and after a cool — if somewhat generic — first episode, they’re met with two that are essentially just slice-of-life. Yes, they introduce Konohamaru, but he won’t become very relevant in many, many episodes.
Then there’s Kakashi’s test, which, while it has a point in the anime, might be regarded as pointless by an average viewer — and the Land of Waves arc is radically different from the later ones as well, being darker in tone than the content after it. It’s still great but, once again, it might not be what new fans expect from the anime.
Many fans drop the series early because of that
Before the series gets to Akatsuki (which is considered one of the best villain organizations in all of anime), it goes through hundreds of episodes. Yes, Itachi and Kisame appear way earlier, and there’s a cameo of Zetsu, but most of the members don’t appear until Shippuden.
That’s where the fights and abilities get crazier, and, according to many, early Shippuden is the best part of the series. Yet with how odd the beginning is — different in tone from what’s advertised by the fandom and arguably quite slow — many fans won’t even get there, dropping the series before (or around) the second major arc of the series, the Chunin Exam arc.
Naruto’s early episodes are far from bad, but the reputation the series got later makes them uninteresting for those who are just getting into it.
More anime than just Naruto have this issue
It’s not even a problem exclusive to Naruto. All of the Big Three are criticized for this. Bleach’s first episodes aren’t much different, leaving some new fans disappointed with the series.
Even the East Blue arc of One Piece is often called a slog to get through — while it still has the feeling of adventure, the grand scale of it isn’t quite there yet. Maybe that’s why it’s getting a remake, after all.
However, it’s also important to remember that with an anime that long, it needs quite a lot of time to introduce all the concepts and plot elements — perhaps you shouldn’t expect too much from just the first episodes.
