12 replies to this topic

[xxRomanceGirlxx]

Another brilliant idea of mine lol. We have at least two other variants of this thread. And I thought, why not do one about Naruto? Basically, it's the same as the other ones. How much do you like or dislike him and why? Also, what does Naruto represent and what is his purpose in the story other than being the main character (Those are easy to answer. XD)

I'll start by saying that Naruto's my favorite character in the series. I used to dislike him and found his constant boasting/cockiness greatly annoying, even though I've always felt bad for his messed-up childhood. But then, he grew on me so fast I didn't even realize he was my favorite until later. I love how he represents determination and if you try as hard as possible, you'll always succede. He's grown a lot from the selfish, annoying character he used to be, even though his goals are still the same. Naruto's really selfless and kind, I love that about him!

He still has those idiotic and dense moments (which he will always have) but I no longer find them annoying usually, I find them funny or "cute". It's just Naruto, I hope he always stays a kid at heart.

Thoughts?

[Kakashi-Sensei]

He is one of my favorite of course. Probably in the middle of my top 5
Kakashi
Jiraya
Naruto
Sakura
Sasori

[Derock]

Ah yes, the main titular character himself!

And I agree, Naruto was indeed annoying at first, although that was because Sasuke was taking over the heroic spotlights at first. I was awaiting for his shining moment, and it came during his fight with Gaara. After that, Naruto was growing up to what he is today! His guts of never giving up and his determination blew me away in the development department and I find much better to read than any other shonen hero. Not to totally diss Goku, Kenshin and others. (Though I really wish Kishimoto write more about him, instead adding more and more information about the Uchihas. After the Sasuke vs. Itachi fight, the background info should had halted indefinitely, until it is really necessary and right now, the recent stuff, isn't).

I always support main characters in every fictional works, and Naruto is one of them. I can't wait how he acts as an adult. Being a child at heart: ignoring paperwork, sneaking out to get some ramen, and of course for the pervs, trying to get some with Sakura. *ahem*

[CloudMountainJuror]

I don't really care about him that much anymore, I have to say. He's just become bland to me. I really, really liked him at the peak of the Pein arc, but since then he's just been on a steady downward slope.

Edited by zacrathedemon5, 27 February 2013 - 03:05 AM.

[Phantom_999]

WAS. IS. And ALWAYS will be my favorite character in the series.

[sushi.]

I like Naruto as he is now, but I liked him more in part 1.

He was just this goofy kid that inspired me. It was abnormal for me to look up to someone so much smaller than me, and I liked the "little kid, big heart" idea. I understand that he has a lot more to deal with now, but things like his first confrontation with Tsunade or Gaara is something he currently lacks. I feel like I'll never see that side of him again, or maybe it's Kishi's drawing style that makes his expression different.. ÔO He still has that cool TNJ, but he's using them on the wrong people. I've become tired of his chatting with Obito. I'm also tired of his obsession with Sasuke and the "I can save everyone ideal". + and his OOC broken spirit in 615.

That being said, that's all I have to complain about and I still like his character. But he's not my favourite. That one would go to his big daddy :3

Edited by sushi., 27 February 2013 - 07:44 PM.

[candycane-chan]

I really like his character !!
His aloofness and levity makes me appreciate the moments when he's all tough and mature. I liked him the most during the pein invasion arc. He was just epic, coming out of nowhere to save the village like the hero he is.

I wasn't much of a fan of him in part 1. I obviously changed my opinion , however...he's not my favorite.
That place goes for kakashi!

[kirabook]

I've always loved Naruto and probably always will. Given, I don't agree with some of his decisions and whatnot (like continuing to chase Sasuke after everything), but he's still my favorite.

I actually never found Naruto annoying. When I recognized he only acted that way because of how he grew up and how people treated him, I only grew to love him more. He was trying not to let their cruelness get to him and acted out to be recognized. I find that very inspiring and adorable.

When I first saw Naruto, I was about his age (12, 13) and I found him very cute. I still find him very attractive now and I never understood how the girls still liked pretty boy Sasuke when Naruto was obviously destined to be so handsome. (Hey, I justify my crush due to the fact that manga time is so slow and I used to be the same age/younger than him. U_U)

But anyway, I think the main reason why Naruto is my favorite is because I have a fetish for characters with inner demons/evil split personalities/mysterious past they want to remember/another side they don't know about/secret powers they only just discovered or keep secret type of characters. Examples being:

- Sora from Kingdom Hearts (in a way)
- Rin from Ao no Exorcist
- Allen from D.Gray Man
- Jio from 666 Satan
- Natsume from Natsume Yuujinchou
- Oz from Pandora Hearts
- Teito from 07 Ghost
- Ichigo from Bleach (or used to be)

The list can go on. There are so many. Naruto is the embodiment of this, or at least, he used to be. I don't mind how he is now since he still has an inner demon that can occasionally speak through him (which I find absolutely awesome). That is also a common theme in the fanfictions I read, so yeah, definitely awesome.

And just because, my list of favorites go as follows

1. Naruto
2. Minato
3. Jiraiya
4. Kushina
5. Sakura

Now to the problems I have with Naruto, although some of these problems aren't necessarily with him but with how the story involves him I guess? I'll copy and paste a thought of mine from another forum and go on from there.

"It's not that I want Naruto to hear sob stories and suddenly feel sorry for his enemy, I want Naruto's travels to be the stuff expanding the world, not Sasuke.

Why are we introduced to the UZUMAKI shrine with Sasuke's travels and not Naruto's?
Why is Sasuke involved in the Akatsuki when it should be Naruto who will face their challenge?
Why do we know what the Uchiha's were doing at 6pm Friday night on the toilet in Emo Lane, yet we hardly know anything about Naruto's family at all? "

Not exactly Naruto's character problem, but a problem with how the story involves him. I want Naruto to be more interested with himself and how he came to be. Naruto isn't exactly stupid, he's actually very wise in a way, but Kishi never seems to expand on this you know? It seems like unless something is happening that endangers the world, Naruto is playing card games against himself. (hurr) How come there has never been a time where Naruto demands to know who his parents were or if he has any other family or history?

You can't say he doesn't exactly care. For example, when he was traveling with Jiraiya to find Tsunade. He looked really depressed seeing the kid with his father and he seemed to grow more depressed when he couldn't impress Jiraiya.

I wouldn't have minded seeing a Naruto who cared more about his actual family and past. I mean, I know he has his 'new' family and everything, but still. I'm not saying his family should have had some super secret ability and have been mega powerful (even though they were) I only mean that he would be interested in at least knowing you know? We never really got to see much of his inner turmoil with that, but it obviously existed.

Another issue I have is with his extreme attachment to Sasuke. It's like... it's worse than Sakura's obsession with him. I understand that Naruto has more of a reason to care for Sasuke, but I still feel this is just too much. Ok, you can get your friend back, but why are you giving so much of yourself away to help someone who just doesn't want any involvement? I think there's a time when someone should not pursue something if it gets too dangerous and that time has long passed for Naruto. Sadly though, Sasuke is now a big part of Naruto's character (urg) and he has related his nindo to his journey to 'save' Sasuke. It's truly a hopeless situation in my eyes and I don't like the fact that Naruto is sticking with it, but there's no fighting it.

As for his abilities, I wish the manga hadn't gone in such a powerhouse direction. I would have liked to see Naruto being more down to earth with more classic ninja techniques rather than big flashy ones, then again, he wears an orange jumpsuit. Either way, I do get excited when Naruto learns new things. I don't mind that his main technique is based on rasengan. It's better than him learning new uber technique after uber new one (like Sasuke). Naruto builds up on what he has already learned and improved it. Yeah, it might be better if one focuses on more than one technique, but he's only 16, he has time. (I would like to see more fuuton techniques though, also something I enjoy reading in fanfiction)

Naruto isn't perfect, but if Naruto had been any other character (not a main one I mean), I'm sure Kishi would have screwed him up like he did for Sakura's development. Naruto is not too bad off and I can't image him getting any worse.

Edited by kirabook, 01 March 2013 - 03:32 PM.

[xxRomanceGirlxx]

I've always loved Naruto and probably always will. Given, I don't agree with some of his decisions and whatnot (like continuing to chase Sasuke after everything), but he's still my favorite.

I actually never found Naruto annoying. When I recognized he only acted that way because of how he grew up and how people treated him, I only grew to love him more. He was trying not to let their cruelness get to him and acted out to be recognized. I find that very inspiring and adorable.

When I first saw Naruto, I was about his age (12, 13) and I found him very cute. I still find him very attractive now and I never understood how the girls still liked pretty boy Sasuke when Naruto was obviously destined to be so handsome. (Hey, I justify my crush due to the fact that manga time is so slow and I used to be the same age/younger than him. U_U)

You're right. I always felt bad for his childhood like I said, but I rolled my eyes constantly on how he acted like he was better than everyone and said it so loudly when he actually wasn't. Sure, it's good to have confidence but not disregard everyone else (Come to think of it, I think I have that problem with Sasuke too). It just got so annoying, I'm honestly not that surprised Sakura didn't like him back then. The thing about Naruto though is that, even if you think he's annoying and dislike him, he grows on you subconsciously until you realize you actually really love how he is. At least that's how it was for me, I didn't realize he was my favorite character until the Search for Tsunade Arc. I parallel my thoughts on Naruto changing to Konoha's opinion of him changing.

Lol at the crushing on him part. xD In Part 1, I actually didn't find Naruto cute. IMO, he was a little weird-looking and too short. But when Part 2 started (Literally when I saw the first episode of Shippuden), he suddenly became very attractive to me and I was really surprised. He's definitely a handsome anime character now!

Sadly, even though I love Naruto's character more than Sasuke, I still can easily admit Sasuke still overpowers him in the looks department. He has a more elegant, nice face than Naruto does and just the dark hair/eyes ... it works. However, Naruto's always been a better person than him. Looks definitely aren't everything, personality counts too. Sasuke only has half ('cause, tbh, his personality is absolutely terrible) and Naruto has both.

I can't believe I'm judging anime characters based on looks lol. I suddenly feel uncomfortably obsessed.

[kirabook]

But that's the thing, I don't exactly find 'elegant' to be 'handsome'. Elegant is a compliment I think refers to a girl (and I'm not attracted to girls XD)

It's something about Naruto's... 'rough' or rather, more masculine features that makes him more attractive to me than Sasuke. I like the angle of his jaw compared to the smooth one on Sasuke. I also like his blond hair blue eye combination (especially when his hair goes over his eyes sometimes, oh yeah. ) Totally something to fangirl over. (Of course, I wouldn't do that in real life, just in the comfort of my dorm room. XD) His looks along with his personality and overall story probably also helps me like him 100% more than Sasuke any day.

Naruto isn't the only anime/cartoon character I find to be attractive. I'm not obsessed, or at least, not crazy obsessed. (Like some fangirls calling a fictional character their boyfriends and getting aggressive if you happen to like them too. o_O) There are bounds of reason. Either way, I can't deny my fangirl heart.

Edited by kirabook, 02 March 2013 - 12:21 AM.

[merryGOflava]

Naruto isn't the only anime/cartoon character I find to be attractive. I'm not obsessed, or at least, not crazy obsessed. (Like some fangirls calling a fictional character their boyfriends and getting aggressive if you happen to like them too. o_O) There are bounds of reason. Either way, I can't deny my fangirl heart.

naruto is cute :3 I like the way Darui looks~ XD

Edited by merryGOflava, 02 March 2013 - 02:29 AM.

[Phantom_999]

For me, He's the character I can relate the most with. Well minus that one person obsession thing.

[Canadian_DJ]

I really like narutos character, plus hes gotten really..erm hot

But seriously his character is adorable!

And while this may be off topic, but even though some people hate the uchiha's and especially sasuke I really like him, hes one of my favourite characters, and so is kakashi hes absoloutly awsome, and ofcoarse sakura is uughhh AWSOME!!! I LOVE HER now I see why kishi is so find of her!!!!

Edited by Canadian_DJ, 13 March 2013 - 12:25 PM.