Cherry-Bloss93

Who's read the Pokemon manga? Read thru Ruby/Sapphire, Emerald, and Diamond/Pearl and loved it

Apparently someone said that Kishi held a contest for people to draw ending covers, and that he chose the one he liked best and redrew it for the last volume cover. Is that true?

I see that the reviews for this cover are quite mixed - so, I figured I would add mine to this splendid concoction.
At first glance, I like the artwork. The colors are bright and bold, and the scene depicted is dramatic and striking. In spite of all it's inconsistencies, I like how it was drawn. However, that is about as far as my praise for this cover goes.
While it in itself stands as a fine piece of artwork, one must remember that this image is intended to represent the ending of Naruto. It's quite strange that, as one tumblr user put it, "Naruto starts alone and he ends alone." What, may I ask, happened to the important people in his life who helped him to achieve his goals? What about his family who he should love very much? Why is he alone? Now, this may not seem to be that big of an issue, but this is Naruto we're talking about - the story that put over 80% of its focus on BONDS. Not to mention this is Naruto the character we're talking about - that sad, neglected boy who put so much value into his very first BONDS, his FRIENDS that saved him from the darkness. This cover combined with the story of Naruto seems to imply that, ironically, nothing has really changed. Even though he is Hokage and he did make friends along the way, this cover emanates a feeling of hollowness, that though the victory is won something is missing. And that, my friends, is drive - purpose. It seeks that once Naruto became Hokage, his purpose was fulfilled, and there is no more need for his character. It's sad, but this is the impression that I get from this.
Naruto no longer has a purpose, therefore he is no longer needed. Since he is no longer needed, the characters who helped to develop him are no longer needed, either. And that's why I don't care for this cover.

One of the reviews I see has the movie at 7.7/10... Not sure which are more accurate :/

@Nefertieh - thanks :)