| If your an anime nut like I am, it doesn't take much | | | | difficult to see connections between people and |
| effort to realize why Naruto and Naruto Shippuden are | | | | events. There are many instances in which some |
| first class anime productions. It is one of, if not THE, | | | | statement, or scene in season one may have some |
| hottest animated program in Japan with millions of | | | | significant relationship to a major event happening in |
| viewers tuning in weekly to see what antics the | | | | season four. The writers are definitely top-notch |
| "Orange and Black" ninja gets himself into. The litmus | | | | professionals with an eye for detail and continuity. |
| test of anime popularity (especially programs which | | | | 4) A thriving internet community that supports Fan |
| have not been translated) is the number of "Fan | | | | Subbing on a commercial scale, but without any profit |
| Subbing" groups supporting the anime. Fan subs are | | | | received. |
| groups of people skilled in multiple languages which | | | | My first exposure to Naruto was from a co-worker. |
| translates the spoken native language into subtitles, | | | | We were just 'getting over' the whole DragonBall Z |
| which are then digitally inserted into digitized screen | | | | experience (and feeling jaded about it too). He asked |
| captures of the originally aired television footage. The | | | | me to give it a try, so I looked it up on Google that |
| greater the number of subbing groups, the higher the | | | | night. One hundred thirty nine MILLION hits, and an entry |
| popularity of the animation. Without further ado, here | | | | in Wikipedia!!! I quickly started looking for Fan Subs |
| are five of my personal reasons for Narutos' | | | | sites, and on a recommendation from a forum I found |
| excellence. | | | | my resource. After attending two Comic-Con's, Naruto |
| 1) The ease at which Naruto can be looked upon as a | | | | literally exploded into the world of mainstream |
| REAL person, rather than a cartoon character. | | | | animation, comics and full-length feature film. Franchise |
| From a personal perspective, it was easy for me to | | | | sales for Naruto merchandise are staggering, with an |
| relate to Naruto as a real person after only a few | | | | increase every year. Naruto wall scroll, headbands, |
| episodes because he experienced things that many of | | | | keychains, dvd's, posters and wallpaper are all over |
| us have experienced in our own lives. His personal | | | | the internet. |
| struggle with acceptance from his townspeople for | | | | 5) It is a program that both children and adults can |
| being 'different' resounds throughout today's society. | | | | relate to. |
| Naruto MAKES people like him. That phrase is used | | | | While containing profanity and adult situations, Naruto is |
| over and over again in the anime, and it is because of | | | | generally kid friendly (I take the time to pre-screen |
| this talent, Naruto wins the hearts and loyalty of | | | | every episode before allowing my two pre-teen |
| everyone one he interacts with. | | | | daughters to view). I can sit down with my kids and |
| 2) The emotional breadth of all the main characters. | | | | look at 4 or 5 episodes back-to-back and we wont |
| Each of the main characters have a deep personal | | | | say a word until it's over. It really is THAT good. Then |
| story that intertwines with the main story line. A deep | | | | we talk about how we felt about their situation... and |
| sense of duty and loyalty (even if it is only to ones | | | | often times it reflects on some issues that come up in |
| self) is omnipresent in each episode, and we, the | | | | their schools. Themes like someone being teased, or a |
| viewers are allowed to see the emotional strength and | | | | bully that picks on smaller, younger kids... typical things |
| weaknesses of each and every character. When one | | | | that most of us adults have gone through already. But |
| person is hurting, their comrades comfort them and | | | | Naruto actually creates a situation conducive to child |
| share in their pain. With this, the viewer is also given | | | | adult commonality. |
| the opportunity to 'feel' along with the characters. | | | | I could list so many more reasons for Naruto's |
| 3) An EXTREMELY complex story line which ties | | | | success, but please don't take my word for it. Watch |
| connections to events past and future. | | | | this anime yourself to draw your own conclusions, and |
| Given that each character has a unique story that | | | | perhaps Naruto will draw you in to the story like is has |
| adds to the over-all Naruto Universe, it is sometimes | | | | for millions of other people around the world. Believe it!! |