I didn't read the new series, but I just skimmed through some comments from you guys on it...
Needless to say, my reaction to it was...
title="This will probably be my first memes....
Yikes! What a mess...
As I said before, smart readers who wanted to read qualified story will definitely stay away from the Naruto Gaiden as well as Naruto series' ending. A huge part of this series' ex-fans are currently here just to laugh off at how the series has become... a scape goat for mockery, thanks to its under qualified story telling....
Right now, the general perception of Naruto fans (those people supporting the ending & following the spin-off) are synonymous with NH/SS shippers who can't appreciate a good story and lack of moral message...
Up till 5 years ago (till about end of the Pein Arc, I suppose), following this series was synonymous with 'cool' as its general perception... "Wow, do you read Naruto too? That's cool!" --it was the feedback I got when I met some acquaintances from neighboring countries who happen to follow anime/manga industry. A journey of the never give-up boy, trying to change the world....
Now, I really prefer not to associate myself with this series anymore around my circles... God forbid, I'm not sure what they'd think of me if I'm still following this series... And vice versa as well, if I met someone who root for what the series has become and supports SS/NH, sorry, but you can guarantee that person will lost all my respects immediately
Where are you from in the US? Naruto hasn't been acceptably popular from what I've seen since toonami shut down? That partially because everyone got bored from the filler, and they hated it because they believe it's the reason toonami was shutdown. But mainly the fans that are called weeboos or something from what I recall make most people keep any interest in Naruto on the down low. Since, people don't want to be associated with those losers.