Finally cracking on Naruto after years of avoiding it

I used to think Naruto was just a overhyped shonen with too much filler and screaming. But last week I overheard a guy at the comic shop explaining how the Chunin Exams arc actually sets up themes about loneliness and cycle of hatred that carry through the whole series. He mentioned specific episodes like Rock Lee vs Gaara and how Lee's determination despite being a underdog hit hard. So I gave episode 1 a shot on Crunchyroll Monday night. By Wednesday I was 40 episodes deep and honestly I was wrong about the show. The character growth for Naruto himself feels earned and not just power ups for no reason. Has anyone else changed their mind on a series after hearing someone break it down like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

lily3941mo agoMost Upvoted

Oh man, that is such a cool story! I had a friend who was exactly like that with Hunter x Hunter actually. He swore it was just a kiddy show for like a whole year. Then a coworker spent a lunch break explaining the Yorknew City arc and how the Phantom Troupe are basically broken people lashing out. My friend went home that night and binged like 30 episodes in one sitting. He texted me at 2am all apologetic about being wrong and it was hilarious.

dylanward1mo ago

Had a buddy do the same thing with Attack on Titan. He kept saying it was just people flying around on ropes until I made him watch the first episode with me. Changed his tune real quick after that basement reveal.