5 Things Naruto Does Better Than Every Other Shonen Anime

The Naruto anime, created by Masashi Kishimoto, is widely considered one of the greatest in the shonen genre. Despite the original Naruto series concluding years ago, fans are still eager for new content to continue the story of Naruto Uzumaki. Many dedicated fans are now watching the Boruto series to see what happens with their favorite characters.

It’s clear why Naruto is considered one of the best shonen anime, considering its lasting popularity with fans. As a cornerstone of the “big three,” Naruto has really mastered the typical shonen formula. But it doesn’t just follow the formula – there are some areas where Naruto truly stands out from every other shonen anime. Let’s take a look at what makes it special.

Naruto Has a Complete and Satisfying Protagonist Journey

Naruto’s Story Is Incredibly Rewarding

These days, many anime shows feature incredibly powerful main characters right from the start. They quickly gain amazing abilities, often within the first few episodes. However, Naruto was different. This popular anime began with a flawed, weak, and sometimes frustrating protagonist. Naruto Uzumaki started as an underdog who gradually improved, achieving success through hard work and perseverance.

Many fans watched Naruto throughout his entire journey, witnessing his complete and rewarding development. He wasn’t naturally gifted, so he had to work hard for every improvement, even basic techniques like the clone jutsu were initially difficult for him. Building friendships wasn’t easy either, but ultimately, people like Sasuke Uchiha were drawn to and accepted him.

Naruto Makes Its Side Characters Relevant

The Side Characters Are Fleshed Out

With over 500 episodes, Naruto includes a large cast of supporting characters. Almost every episode introduces someone new who becomes involved in Naruto’s journey, each with their own unique motivations. These characters aren’t just filler; they often have compelling storylines, whether it’s learning about their past, watching them battle, or discovering their personal goals, which keeps viewers engaged.

The supporting characters in Naruto primarily serve to enrich the series’ overall story and world. They’re valuable for building a detailed universe, offering insights into the political and social landscape, showcasing life beyond the village of Konoha, and introducing different ninja systems and cultures outside of Team 7’s immediate experience.

One of the strengths of Naruto is its well-developed supporting characters. Fans often have strong feelings about them and can easily talk about their stories. Importantly, these characters aren’t just used to help Naruto get stronger; they have their own motivations and depth.

Naruto’s Villains Are Top Tier

The Villains Don’t Just Fight

Naruto features a wide range of villains, from minor opponents to incredibly powerful and destructive enemies. What makes these villains compelling is that they aren’t simply evil; they all have complex motivations and larger goals that drive their actions.

The show consistently presented compelling villains with complex, emotional backstories. These characters often showed fans what Naruto himself could have become had he made different choices. Pain, Obito, and Zabusa are just a few examples of the memorable villains in Naruto who deeply resonated with viewers. Their impactful words and stories redefined how fans thought about villains in the series.

Itachi Uchiha is another standout character, brilliantly crafted by Kishimoto. His story is heartbreaking but perfectly executed, beginning with his depiction as a villain seemingly consumed by hatred for his own family, before the truth behind his actions is unveiled.

Naruto’s Fight Scenes Have Variety

Good and Diverse Combat Choreography

One of the biggest reasons Naruto stands out from other action anime is its incredible fight choreography. A quick online search for the best anime fights of all time will almost certainly turn up several battles from the series. Iconic examples include the fights between Kakashi and Obito, Gaara and Rock Lee, Madara versus the Ninja Alliance, and the climactic showdown between Naruto and Sasuke, which has garnered millions of views from fans worldwide.

What makes the fight scenes in Naruto so good is how diverse they are. They never feel repetitive or just rely on characters hitting each other – that would quickly become boring. Each fight introduces new elements and isn’t simply about raw strength. Instead, characters use their intelligence, special techniques, and abilities to outsmart their opponents. Clever tactics and deception are key to winning.

Naruto Never Loses Its Central Message

Naruto’s Consistent and Brilliant Depiction of the Cycle of Hatred

A repeating pattern of hatred is central to the story of Naruto, stemming from a long-ago war between the Otsutsuki Clan. This hatred motivated both the antagonists and the heroes, particularly Naruto Uzumaki, who was determined to end the cycle.

Though often celebrated for its inspiring message of perseverance, Naruto also powerfully illustrates the destructive cycle of hatred. Throughout the series, viewers witness the devastating consequences of this hatred – from the ruin of entire communities and the loss of innocent lives, to the immense pain inflicted upon many characters, including Naruto himself.

2026-01-08 21:35