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.
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