How the ‘Chosen One’ Twist Ruined Naruto’s Hard Work Message

Summary

Naruto emphasized hard work over talent, showcasing underdog characters like Naruto and Rock Lee.
Shippuden introduced a chosen one theme, undermining the series’ original message of hard work triumphing.
Naruto’s lineage and reincarnation as Asura led to power-ups that undercut his growth through hard work.

In the Naruto series, intricate themes and deep symbolism are woven throughout, with one standing out from the start: the importance of diligence and determination in achieving success. From the outset, this message is strongly emphasized – anyone can triumph if they put in enough time and effort. This idea was a recurring motif in Naruto, given that Naruto started as an underdog, facing disdain and neglect since the beginning of his journey.

In Shippuden, the central theme of the series shifted significantly following the introduction of the “chosen one” twist. Instead of continuing as a determined underdog, Naruto transformed into a character with a noble lineage, being both a member of a respected bloodline and the reincarnation of a demigod. This newfound heritage, which boosted his power, seemed to overshadow the effort and perseverance he had consistently shown throughout the series, potentially contradicting the core message that had been skillfully established since its inception.

The Notion Of Hard Work Triumphing Over Talent

Naruto Crafted a Theme Of Hard Work Being Superior to Latent Abilities

From its inception, the Naruto series consistently reinforces the idea that determination conquers all, regardless of inherited abilities like Kekkei Genkai or innate talent such as prodigies. Though numerous characters embody this concept, Naruto stands out as a classic underdog character who was scorned by his peers due to being considered worthless and insignificant. Yet, he demonstrated his worth through sheer perseverance and relentless pursuit of self-improvement, transforming from a delinquent kid into one of the Hidden Leaf Village’s esteemed heroes.

Just like Naruto, other characters such as Rock Lee faced challenging beginnings. Unlike most shinobis who can employ ninjutsu, Rock Lee couldn’t. Yet, he was determined to become a shinobi. Through tireless training and mastery of taijutsu, he achieved his dream. Remarkably, Rock Lee managed to overpower Gaara at one instance, making him the only shinobi who has ever touched him. This impressive feat was accomplished by Rock Lee despite his inability to use ninjutsu, which underscores the power of perseverance over innate talent.

My superior taijutsu skills are not ideal against your Sharingan, and I’ll demonstrate this using this specific technique… Work ethic often outshines raw talent.

In their epic battle during the Chunin Exams, it was clear that the struggle between Naruto and Neji Hyuga symbolized the idea of a determined underdog versus a naturally talented prodigy. Although other themes surfaced, like their discussion on fate and destiny, the main underlying message revolved around the power of dedication over innate ability. Eventually, Naruto emerged victorious against Neji, reinforcing the idea that perseverance prevails over any genetic advantage. Characters like Rock Lee also exemplify this theme, but Naruto’s story may be the most compelling illustration of this concept throughout the Naruto series.

The Introduction of the Chosen One Theme

Naruto Eventually Pivoted to the Theme Of the “Chosen One” Protagonist

At first, Naruto’s storyline strongly emphasized the importance of perseverance and the fact that determination always outweighs natural talent. However, Shippuden presented a contrasting perspective by introducing numerous new themes, some of which contradicted or redefined aspects from Part 1 of Naruto’s journey. One such element introduced in Shippuden was the “chosen one” concept. Previously, Naruto was portrayed as an insignificant underdog who had to struggle for recognition within Konoha. Yet, this narrative shifted with revelations that elevated Naruto, such as the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage or the theme suggesting his reincarnation as both Asura and Indra.

As a fervent devotee, I’ve always been captivated by Jiraiya’s journey. After honing my skills at Mount Myoboku, the Wise Toad Sage unveiled a profound secret: one of his disciples would be the Prophesied One, a shinobi destined to transform the world and vanquish all evil. With the Prophesied One set to become my apprentice, I embarked on an extensive quest to locate this future prodigy. At first, I believed Nagato was the one, but upon further reflection, I came to realize that Naruto was indeed the true Prophesied One. This prophecy ultimately unfolded when Naruto vanquished Kaguya Otsutsuki, preventing the world from being erased by the Infinite Tsukuyomi, thus fulfilling his destiny to better our world.

Furthermore, the concept of reincarnation served to underscore Naruto’s inherent greatness, suggesting that he would achieve significant success regardless of his efforts during his youth. In the latter half of Shippuden, it was disclosed that the Sage of Six Paths’ sons, Indra and Asura, were reborn multiple times among their kin, with Madara and Hashirama being their final manifestations. Following these two figures, Naruto and Sasuke assumed the roles as the incarnations of Asura and Indra respectively, inheriting not only their chakra but also their ideologies and strengths. Given that Naruto is the reincarnation of Asura and a descendant of a divine figure in essence, his character was set on a path to reach great heights, propelled by destiny rather than mere willpower overcoming adversity.

How the Theme Undermines the Series’s Message

The New Twist Undermines Naruto’s Struggles Throughout the Series

From the get-go, it was evident that the Naruto series aimed to underscore the idea that diligence consistently triumphs over inherent talent, and Naruto served as the embodiment of this concept. The series boasted numerous compelling training sequences, each highlighting Naruto’s relentless pursuit of strength and power through sheer perseverance. Regrettably, introducing the chosen one narrative and designating Naruto as a character predestined for greatness weakened this original message significantly. In essence, by revealing that Naruto was a gifted prodigy due to his lineage as an Uzumaki, a clan known for its Otsutsuki descent, and for possessing formidable Fuinjutsu abilities, the series somewhat contradicted its initial theme of hard work prevailing over natural talent.

Beyond being an Uzumaki, Naruto boasted enormous chakra reserves, robust vitality, and exceptional longevity. Furthermore, as a reincarnation of Asura, his abilities and strength were significantly augmented. He acquired the powers of the Sage of Six Paths along with Asura’s chakra, resulting in his renowned Six Paths Sage Mode and virtually limitless chakra. These enhancements transformed him into a demigod, making him almost unbeatable, culminating in his remarkable victory over an actual alien deity by the end of the series. However, this diminished the significance of his growth throughout the Naruto series, as his achievements were primarily due to his tireless effort and indomitable spirit.

In the case of Sasuke, he eventually became a reincarnation of Indra and received powers from the Sage of Six Paths, yet due to his natural talent as a shinobi, he didn’t have to put in much effort from the start. Unlike Naruto, who rose to prominence through sheer determination, particularly during the first part of Naruto. However, these plot twists significantly undermined Naruto’s growth throughout the series, making him appear as yet another “chosen one” character who was destined for greatness regardless of his struggles.

Naruto is available to stream on Prime Video.

2025-05-29 16:05