Naruto Fans Discuss The Factors That Set It Apart From Other Battle Shonen Anime – Looper

With the spotlight firmly placed on the hero of a battle shonen, it often feels like the rest of the anime’s world is out of focus. Characters can come and go by an episode’s end, never really to be seen or remembered again. But some fans on the Naruto Reddit felt this is where “Naruto” greatly differs and outperforms other anime. As some fans expressed, “Naruto” does a great job of showcasing an identifiable cast and a more fleshed-out world.

“It’s got a Game of Thrones vibe to it where we have this vast land with many different people and communities and ambitions all playing out at the same time,” u/hibok1 posted. “Comparably, other shounen are focused only on the main character, and everyone else follows their lead. Here, Naruto is the main character among many in the series.” There are times when Naruto seems to take a backseat in his series, such as when Killer Bee first duels with Sasuke or whenever the series gives us some insight into the political ambitions of the Five Kage. But it’s all for letting his world live and breathe rather than serve as a meager setting.

The world-building may be a strong point of “Naruto,” but for other fans such as u/shikadai-dono, the anime’s emotional depth and relatability of real issues are essential to note. With a series that basically features child soldiers, “Naruto” shows off the effects of trauma, loss, and cycles of hatred in such detail we’re not used to seeing from other battle shonen anime. The fall and redemption of Sasuke alone easily encompasses those aspects, along with camaraderie and attempts at better understanding your enemy.