Shonen anime has evolved considerably over the years, with more recent titles such as Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen captivating larger audiences with its breathtaking animations and stories. These series quickly grew in popularity and brought new ideas to the genre. raising the bar for what fans can expect from their favorite anime. However, although these anime are popular, there is something about naruto which keeps the series in a league of its own.
naruto it stands out not only for its narrative and battles, but also for its deep consideration for the characters themselves. Every ability the characters possess is well thought out and adds narrative quality in a way that other shonen series have not fully recreated. While newer titles have redefined anime in their own way, naruto still stands out thanks to the intelligent consideration put into the characters.
Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen are great series that don't use their power systems to the fullest
Many characters are defined by their power and not the other way around
Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen They are refreshing takes on the shonen genre and have unique power systems. The animation of both series visually captivates the audience and makes Demon Slayer Breathing styles and Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Techniques impressive to watch on screen. However, despite being attractive and exciting to watch in action, they tend to fail when it comes to reflecting on the characters who wield them like Naruto does.
For example, in Demon SlayerCharacters like Tanjiro and Inosuke have breathing styles that match their personalities. Tanjiro's introduction to Water Breathing acted as a mirror of his calm and purity. Likewise, Inosuke's Beast Breathing is a direct nod to his savage upbringing. Yet, many other characters seem to be defined by their styles rather than their styles being defined by the character. Rengoku is a perfect representation of this, with his bold and fiery personality, along with his appearance, being directly influenced by his status as Flame Hashira.
Jujutsu Kaisen There are also some characters that fit this mold, like Satoru Gojo's Limitless Technique, which aligns with the distance between his character and the others. Despite being close to other sorcerers, there will always be limitless space between them, mirroring their isolation and desire for connection within the series. However, as Demon Slayer, Not every character shares the same complexities with his power and techniques.
Both Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer stand out in their respective abilities to flesh out a character and create moving and meaningful stories. The power systems are nothing to sneeze at and are deeply unique and beautiful in execution, but they don't all relate to the characters as individuals. Nobara may be a fun and intriguing character, but her Straw Doll Technique, while visually impressive and effective, doesn't say much about her identity or struggles.
Naruto's strongest element is how well his powers reveal character
Powers in Naruto are character-based rather than obfuscating
narutoon the other hand, ties all skills to one part of the character and allows for a deeper understanding of your personality or story. Starting with Naruto, the Nine-Tails reflects on the pain and anger he built up as a result of Konoha avoiding him when he was young. Naruto's Shadow Clone Jutsu also reflects his loneliness, self-sufficiency, and his desire to connect with other people.
This intentional alignment in naruto It is not limited to the titular character and also appears in the rest of the cast. Just as Naruto's Rasengan is a generalized attack, Sasuke's Chidori is a much more precise attack, similar to his single-minded desire for revenge. Rock Lee's reliance on taijutsu reflects his strength and unbreakable resilience, and Shikamaru's Dark Possession is a nod to his intelligence and ability to take control of any situation with strategic thinking.
By linking powers directly to characters, naruto There are more significant battles and evolution as the characters continue their journey. Reflecting a core aspect of the character through his abilities allows fans to gain a deeper understanding of the character's internal struggles and personal growth. This thoughtful approach to casting set a standard for character-driven storytelling that has yet to be matched in anime.
Naruto Still Reigns Supreme Because of Its Supporting Cast
Supporting characters share the same depth as the protagonist
A strong supporting cast is vital to any great series, and by ensuring that the supporting characters are as compelling and complex as the protagonist, naruto is a step above other shonen titles. By having other characters like Shikamaru and Gaara and even antagonists like Itachi and Pain naruto adds a layer of complexity and a solid foundation to the series. With each character's backstories heightened by their respective abilities, the narrative feels more alive and interconnected.
Gaara's story strongly parallels Naruto's, but took a darker path after being unable to make the same connections that Naruto was able to. As a character initially driven by a mixture of hatred and loneliness, Gaara's eventual redemption and rise to become the Kazekage was even more impactful. As for Shikamaru, his development from a lazy genius to a respected leader is reflected and hinted at solely by his powers. Your Shadow Imitation Technique depends on your strategic mind and ability to plan several steps ahead, essential aspects that any leader must master.
The amount of thought put into the supporting cast regarding their unique powers and abilities is not fully reflected in more recent series like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen. While both are excellent series, each with a level of depth and mastery, they still don't meet the same standards. An important factor in the success of naruto resides in its supporting cast, whose purpose is not just to propel the protagonist's story, but to add to it through their own journeys, struggles and victories.