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Time of India
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Why the original Naruto series still outshines Shippuden: 8 Reasons fans prefer part I
From improved character development to enhanced storytelling, here's all the reasons why most fans still believe the original Naruto anime was the best. The Naruto anime franchise is one of the most popular shonen anime franchises of all time. It's about Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who aspires to be the leader of his village, the Hokage. This epic tale is divided into two parts. Naruto (Part I) and Naruto Shippuden (Part II). Though Shippuden delivers on grander battles and more intricate stories, a lot of older fans feel there's plenty the original Naruto anime handled far better. So whether you're curious about anime for the first time or you've been a viewer for decades, these fundamental differences help shed some light on why the first dozen episodes of Naruto remain so beloved among fans. Here are 8 reasons why the first Naruto anime is still widely regarded as being superior to Naruto Shippuden by most fans. 1. Stronger storytelling and simpler plot The original Naruto anime balanced a more focused and emotional narrative. It begins with Naruto as a rejected outcast, and continues on as he bit by bit wins acceptance from not only his village but fellow ninjas. The pacing is brisk, and the plot never bogs down under the weight of convoluted backstory. It runs the gamut but it's all very accessible, and each mission feels like it has high stakes — whether it's protecting a bridge builder, or the entirety of the Chunin Exams arc. While Shippuden would go on to explore more political themes, gods and ancient history, Part I was more down-to-earth and focused on connecting with its teenage audience. 2. Less filler, more canon Shippuden in particular is notorious for its filler, with more than two-fifths of the entire anime consisting of non-canon material. It turned off a lot of fans due to these extended gaps in the main plot line. So in comparison, the original Naruto anime has a helluva lot less fillers, and even when it does, they tend to be more entertaining and don't stop epic fights in the making. On an aesthetic level, this presents audiences with a more integrated and dynamic visual experience. 3. Better use of side characters In part. Me, characters such as Rock Lee , Neji, Shikamaru, and Hinata were treated to serious character development. To be clear, this isn't just some superficial change for Tokenism's sake — as some of you might assume when you hear the word 'pansexual.' They had character development, backstories, and their own significant arcs. Shippuden sidelined a lot of these fan-favorites to solely focus on Naruto and Sasuke . This change shrunk the world of Naruto and deprived many fans of watching their favorite background characters show off their skills in battle. 4. Consistent quality in story and animation For every Shippuden epic high (Pain arc anyone?!) there were major dips in animation and pacing—in particular during drawn-out flashbacks or filler arcs. The original Naruto series was far more stable with its animation style and current story. Even in a world where unicorns and ninjas can co-exist, the emotional gravitas of scenes such as Haku and Zabuza's farewell or the Sasuke Retrieval Arc have yet to be replicated. 5. A perfect ending that sets up the future The original series concludes with Naruto departing the village to train with Jiraiya, following his emotionally charged fight with Sasuke. It was a bittersweet yet triumphant finale that laid the proper groundwork for even bigger things to come while capping off his childhood odyssey. Shippuden's final scenes take place during Naruto's wedding. Though heartwarming, it unfortunately glosses over him finally achieving his goal of becoming Hokage — his lifelong dream — something that was only depicted subsequently in a dedicated special in 2015 and sequel series Boruto. 6. Fewer plot loles and retcons Often, Shippuden would pull the rug out from underneath viewers with surprising plot twists and retcons that left fans scratching their heads. The more it delved into the origins of chakra, the Ōtsutsuki clan, and Madara's plan, the more questions it raised. This usually violated rules set up in earlier arcs. Part I took a minimalist approach and it paid off, focusing on connecting the audience to what was happening right now without requiring them to go back and catch up on earlier seasons to understand where new developments fit in. 7. Naruto and Sasuke's bond felt more real The development of the friendship/rivalry between Naruto and Sasuke was well executed and emotional. Though each other's politics and presentations were very different, they felt each other's pain and began to really connect and become friends, slowly breaking through the stereotypes. Even by Shippuden, their relationship had become a lot more toxic, with Sasuke running away all the time and Naruto in pursuit. The heart and warmth from their early days were largely replaced by revenge and edgier story telling. 8. Fights were better balanced and more creative Sure, Shippuden had some all time classic fights — I mean who could forget Naruto vs Pain or Madara vs the Shinobi Alliance — but many of them were heavily influenced by ridiculous god-like powers and convoluted jutsu. The battles in the first series of Naruto were things like Rock Lee versus Gaara or Naruto versus Neji and those fights were a lot more focused on strategy, emotional impact and technique. The power levels were less lopsided, so no fight ever felt like a foregone conclusion. Nostalgia or just better? This isn't simply the bias of nostalgia — countless fans will tell you that the original Naruto anime simply excelled in character development, story cohesion, and emotional impact delivery. If you're new to anime, or considering a rewatch of the series, starting with Part I makes for a more down-to-earth, touching experience. The full Naruto anime is available for streaming in English and Japanese on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Naruto: How Itachi Uchiha's illness stopped him from becoming the strongest ninja
He was one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful, ninjas in Naruto, but illness prevented him from reaching even greater heights. In the world of Naruto, one of the most popular pieces of Japanese anime that is viewed by millions around the world, some characters are so tragic and complicated that they remain on the mind long after their final scenes. One of them is Itachi Uchiha—a stoic mastermind forced to shoulder unbearable secrets and unbearable burdens. Initially, audiences thought Itachi was truly the monster he seemed to be – a merciless foe who killed his entire clan. Yet as the tale unfolded, we discovered the tragic reality underneath it all: Itachi was not evil. He was a hero who had to make unspeakable decisions. Now, there were several factors along the way. One thing that gets lost in the wave of history and sort of love affair with the man was this silent disease that robbed him of his strength. Itachi wasn't sick, Itachi is one of the all-time strongest ninjas in anime history. Young Itachi was a true ninja prodigy Even as a young child, Itachi was well beyond the maturity of his peers. By the age of 7, he was well on his way to thinking like a Hokage (the leader of the Hidden Leaf Village). At 8, he became the first of his clan ever to unlock the powerful Sharingan, an advanced clan-based ninja ability. At just 11 years of age, he earned the rank of the youngest ANBU Captain, a rank reserved for the most elite ninjas. His abilities just got more honed after training with the legendary Shisui Uchiha, another legendary teacher and master ninja to boot. With the horrific pain of that loss, Itachi opened the Mangekyo Sharingan , allowing him to wield deadly new powers like Amaterasu (black flames that burn endlessly) and Tsukuyomi (a soul-shattering jutsu). With these powers, not even an elite ninja reincarnated from the dead like Orochimaru could perform. Itachi didn't just outplay his opponents—he wrecked them. The illness that held back a legend Behind the scenes, Itachi was gradually succumbing to death. Naruto never goes into specifics about the disease, we can all agree that it was deadly. As Itachi fought throughout his run in the series, he was fighting on more than one front. He was fighting for his life. He could frequently be found spitting up blood, and his bruising energy levels were a constant drain. His physical condition led him to become partially blind as a result of overextending the use of his Mangekyo Sharingan. Even in this compromised condition, Itachi was still effortlessly defeating high-level characters such as Kakashi Hatake. In his climactic fight with his brother Sasuke, Itachi was all but blind and very sickly. He still managed to perform and even retrieve victory. Itachi could've been stronger than Madara and Sasuke It's a question posed by countless Naruto fans over the years: What if Itachi had survived longer? The answer should be obvious—he would have achieved a whole new orbit of power. Characters like Sasuke, Madara and even Naruto per se became strong in their adult years. Itachi died young in his early 20s. Given more time, and improved health, Itachi could have achieved the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, eliminating the risk of blindness and providing him even greater power. He would have had the potential to access the Six Paths power, a unique power to few in the series that could have made him more intimidating. In summary, Itachi's potential was never fully realized. His illness stunted his development long before he died. Itachi's legacy lives on in Naruto Despite dying young, Itachi Uchiha still stands as one of Naruto's most revered and adored characters. Through his actions, he defined the future of the Hidden Leaf Village and set in motion various events that would lead to some of the biggest story arcs in Naruto and Naruto: Naruto Uzumaki—part one & Naruto Shippuden. From child prodigy, to misunderstood villain, to tragic hero — we encourage you to watch as his convoluted journey turns him into one of the most interesting anime characters around. While his terminal illness deprived him of physical strength, he never lost the strength of his heart. Itachi needed more time for this final piece Itachi Uchiha wasn't simply a strong ninja—he was a narrative embodiment of sacrifice, love, and concealed suffering. Had he not been afflicted with a disability we can only describe as a mysterious anime illness, he would have easily turned into one of the most powerful anime characters ever. Fans continue to argue to this day about how far he would've gone, and that's what makes his story so legendary. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Naruto: The Uchiha clan's curse of hatred continues to plague the series
The Uchiha clan in Naruto are a tragic, yet powerful clan known for their amazing eyes. Yet behind all their power is a tremendous moral burden — the Curse of Hatred — that forged many of the series' greatest champions and antagonists. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now For those of you who haven't heard about Naruto, this long-running anime and manga series produced in Japan is the story of a young ninja named Naruto Uzumaki, who aspires to become the strongest leader in his village, the Hokage. Though the adventure is packed with action, companionship, and loyalty, the narrative digs just as fiercely into subjects such as trauma, parental legacy, and the cost of emotional trauma. One of the saddest subplots in Naruto is that of the Uchiha clan and an unknown emotional legacy inherited through the bloodline — called the Curse of Hatred. What Is the Uchiha curse of hatred? Photo from Shippuden episode 22 The Uchiha are well known as one of the most powerful clans in the entirety of the Naruto universe. Their signature ability is the Sharingan, a red eye technique that grants them improved perception and combat foresight. There's a tragic twist — the Sharingan is only awakened through great emotional suffering, particularly the loss of someone they care for deeply. This link between grief and power is one aspect of what's referred to as the Curse of Hatred. It's a mental, emotional, and chakra cycle in which the more an Uchiha experiences pain and loss, the greater they are rendered. This curse at times leads them to rage, retribution, and seclusion. Indra vs. Asura: The first clash of love and power The roots of this curse and the inequity that follows its development stretch all the way back to the sons of the Sage of Six Paths, an immortal, godlike character who birthed chakra and ninjutsu to the world. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now His elder son, Indra—over the course of millennia—was a genius who came to realize that power was the secret to peace. The younger son, Asura, on the other hand, was a believer in love and the power of working together. Yet, when the Sage decided on Asura as his successor, Indra was filled with jealousy and fury. Well, that bitterness inherited through Indra's descendants ultimately manifesting itself as the Uchiha clan. The Senju clan, descendants of Asura, became their bitter, unstoppable enemies. This clash between Indra's hatred and Asura's love, established as the two sons' inheritance that fueled Naruto's world, left the Uchiha twisted in an endless loop of betrayal and misfortune. Power through pain is a troubling shift Their greatest weapon, the Sharingan, is an extension of this emotional depth. The eye opens once these warriors of the light face heart wrenching trauma, almost always the loss of a loved one. To obtain the Mangekyo Sharingan, the next level, the suffering needs to be worse. This usually includes dying, treason, or conflict. Characters such as Itachi, Sasuke , Obito , and Shisui all gained their Mangekyo after devastating tragedies. When the curse made them stronger, it made them colder, angrier and more dangerous. This beautiful connection of trauma and resilience is the essence of the Curse of Hatred. In Naruto, the deadly effect of the curse, from Madara to Sasuke For the rest of Naruto, we are subjected to the sad truths about the curse that further demonstrates its insidious power to warp the purest of souls. As a leader, Madara Uchiha let his arrogance and lust for vengeance take over when he lost hope in achieving peace. Obito Uchiha , once a wide-eyed believer in the power of friendship, after losing his childhood love interest to some bad guys lost all hope in the world and became a big bad villain. Sasuke Uchiha , Naruto's rival and best friend, wanted revenge above all after his brother Itachi murdered their family. Even Itachi, who appeared calm and noble, chose to do the terrible act of killing his entire clan to prevent a civil war. This act was motivated by reason but by the curse's dreadful power. Not every Uchiha succumbed to hate. Characters such as Sarada (Sasuke's Daughter) and Kagami proved that love and loyalty were enough to end the cycle. Naruto's friendship stopped the cycle of Hate The Curse of Hatred was never really about magic or bloodlines — it was about the cycle of pain that the Uchiha created by reacting badly to pain. Even though so many succumbed to the shadows, their stories, like those of Kierra and Daz, showed that healing is not only a dream—it's an achievable reality. Naruto Uzumaki, who even though he wasn't an Uchiha, nevertheless helped break this curse in a monumental way. Just like his friendship and belief in him pulled Sasuke back from the edge and allowed him to end the Uchiha's long cycle of revenge. In the next generation, Sasuke's daughter Sarada Uchiha exhibits no signs of hatred or darkness. She's driven, conscientious, and motivated by the dream of becoming a leader for peace. Her journey to victory just might be the one to lift the sports curse for good. The Uchiha Curse continues to resonate with fans for several reasons: Complex Characters: The Uchiha clan members are often portrayed with deep backstories and intricate motivations, making them relatable and compelling. Tragic Themes: Themes of loss, betrayal, and revenge are prevalent in Uchiha narratives, drawing in fans who appreciate emotional depth. Power Struggles: The pursuit of power and the consequences that come with it are central to Uchiha stories, sparking discussions about morality and ambition. Legacy and Identity: The exploration of legacy within the Uchiha clan allows fans to reflect on their own identities and familial ties. Cultural Impact: The Uchiha clan has left a significant mark on the Naruto series and the broader anime community, ensuring its continued relevance. A beautiful, sad tale about love, death and forgiveness The Curse of Hatred is one of the most potent emotional currents running through Naruto. It is an exploration of how love can curdle into hurt and how that hurt can either beat you down or build you up into something new. It's a reminder that even the mightiest warriors have battle wounds, and that often the toughest fight of all happens within us. Even today, fans are still picking apart, identifying, and deconstructing the Uchiha's arc due to its profoundly human nature. Their potent combination of grief, power, family, and forgiveness combined to make their saga one of the most epic and iconic in anime history.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Naruto was jonin-level from day one – And defeating the third Hokage proves it
Naruto was jonin-level from day one – And defeating the third hokage proves itCredit- IMDb How Naruto outwitted the Hokage in the first chapter Naruto proved he was Jonin-level time and time again. Naruto was never just a loudmouth ninja. Why this moment is important even today in Naruto's legacy The Naruto franchise might have started its protagonist off a complete loser. One as early as one early scene in the Naruto series showed Naruto Uzumaki was already doing Jonin-level stuff right from the starting his journey as a genin — the lowest of the ninjas' castes — Naruto was already more than cut out for high-level missions that only the elite ninjas could fend off. After all, in Naruto chapter #1, he had outwitted and destroyed the Third Hokage, at the time the most powerful man in the village. That was only the fact, in the very first chapter of Naruto, the young ninja flunks his graduation exam from ninja school because he cannot use the Shadow Clone Jutsu correctly. Just a few moments later, he surprises everyone by pulling off something much more remarkable — he breaks into the Hokage Mansion, steals the fabled forbidden Scroll of Seals, and escapes with this is not the worst digital gag ever. The Hokage Mansion is supposed to be the most secure building in the Hidden Leaf Village. Even the Third Hokage himself is sent to confront Naruto, but Naruto lures and defeats him with a sneak attack — his trademark 'Sexy Jutsu' — and while he that single act, Naruto's stealth, deception, and infiltration skills were established as being much greater than a genin's. Had this been a real-life ninja operation, it would have earned an A-rank or possibly even S-rank — the type of assignment reserved for elite Jonin-level ninjas such as Kakashi or Might crafty gambits didn't end with the Chunin Exam . Only a handful of chapters later, Naruto is able to surprise Sasuke Uchiha, the star pupil of the Ninja Academy. Naruto is able to restrain him easily as part of a plan to switch places and fool his crush, later, in the Land of Waves arc, Naruto and Sasuke work together to defeat Zabuza, a dangerous assassin with Jonin-level abilities. Naruto employs transformations, clones, and a heightened sense of battle experience to ultimately defeat an enemy that had previously proven too strong for even their teacher certainly aren't the moves of a inept ninja. They don't just speak to a fighter who was previously clear-headed, war-ready, and innovative — things you'd want from a veteran enormous part of why Naruto was written off at the beginning is due to his character design. He's brash, boisterous, impetuous, loud, over-the-top, hyperactive, gluttonous, crass, obnoxious and a prankster. Yet behind that goofball antics was a true ninja with technical stealth, speed of thought, creativity in combat well preceded the formal training he received learning the snazzy jutsu like Rasengan or Sage Mode. As the series progressed, Naruto grew into a world-conquering force. His natural aptitude for subterfuge and trickery was apparent right off the trained and unacknowledged though he was, he was still going on missions, doing things, and achieving things that most experienced ninjas wouldn't even want to attempt. That's the thing that, I think, makes Naruto such an inspiring character — his hard work wasn't all that made him special in the end, he had it all along even when no one else believed he transformation from an outcast to the Hokage is the stuff of legend, one of the most recognizable story arcs in anime and manga. Moments like this first defeat of the Third Hokage serve to remind viewers that Naruto was never weak — only this franchise that's become dominated by massive monster battles and celestial powers, we start to lose sight of what made the early days of ninjas so special with a focus on things like stealth and deception. Just because Naruto started off dressed like an orange jumpsuit-wearing goofball doesn't mean he wasn't a highly trained and deadly shinobi deep the next time someone tries to tell you Naruto only got stronger later on in the series, just let them know he defeated the Third Hokage before he graduated even once.
