And let's not forget
NarutoNardo did not even work that hard to Hokage. Kakashi handed him the position because he got bored of it/didn't like the position anymore. Naruto's life goal was an cheating, freebie hand-me-down. and like I said, "the hard work to become hokage" part came from the mouth of "Naruto" who was one of if not THE biggest academic slacker of his generation. Reallly when you go back on it a lot of the so called themes and messages lose their charm and meaning .
and on the romance aspect, BECAUSE first loves and because someone is "hot and sexy" is TRUE LOVE!!!!! BELIEVE IT!!!!!! Sasuke is "hot and sexy". Hinata is "hot and sexy" (to her fanatics only). And also Sakura always loved Sasuke and Hinata always loved Naruto
Kakashi was the seat-warmer.
It makes me wonder why, if for any reason at all, we loved the series in the first place. Naruto came out at the most opportune time when any anime in the states gained popularity, even the bad ones, but now times have changed and well the standards have become different.
Yet people still hold onto the idea that Naruto is a "good" story. Not because it actually is, but because of that nostalgia factor. The fact that most "fans" can't remember any of it just proves this. This is also why Boruto is failing because THAT series is in an era where the original fans grew up and are now watching better anime and the newest generations really don't give any kittens. Seriously, I conversed with kids of the latest generation and they are nowhere NEAR the fandoms are now. Barely anyone I know younger than me is into anime or games. It is a generation dark ages. (Yet, they think Rap music is the only "culture" that exists)
Now we have anime that actually have plot, characters, development, and love relationships that actually have meaning and purpose other than "this goes here. squirt."
Naruto is just....bad. It really is a bad story that had some good ideas and was blown apart by a fandom that care very little for anything else.
I think I said this one. Naruto is the marijuana of anime. Its a gateway anime that introduces you to the genre. If you only watch it, it the greatest thing ever. If you watch other anime; its OK.