10 Reasons Why the Naruto Series Is Better Than Its Successor

Find out why the Naruto series is better than its successor Boruto through battles, characters, and storytelling. A must-read for anime fans.

Reasons Why The Naruto Series Is Better Than Its Successor
Reasons Why The Naruto Series Is Better Than Its Successor (Source: Studio Pierrot)

Naruto sold millions of manga copies and generated one of the most passionate fanbases in anime history. While its successor Boruto series attempted to carry the same fire forward, the original Naruto series still shines brighter than ever.

There’s something special about watching young Naruto Uzumaki grow from a troublemaking castoff to the legendary icon of the Hidden Leaf Village. The journey was epic, the stakes were high, and every episode felt like it mattered. Whether a longtime fan who grew up screaming “Believe it!” or a newbie to the ninja world, these reasons will remind you why the original series remains unmatched.

10. Naruto‘s Character Diversity and Development

Naruto and Gaara's friendship
Naruto and Gaara’s friendship (Source: Studio Pierrot)

When comparing the Naruto series to its successor, one thing becomes evident: the original series absolutely settles its character roster. The stubborn Rock Lee and the tactical genius Shikamaru, each character in the series brings something exceptional to the table. The Naruto series is better than its successor because of how it handles its diverse cast. Take someone like Gaara, who transforms from a terrifying antagonist to one of Naruto’s closest allies. Or consider Hinata’s growth from a shy wallflower to a confident kunoichi who stands up to Pain.

Each character has their own distinct fighting style, personality quirks, and compelling backstory. Whether it’s Ten-Ten’s weapon mastery, Neji’s Gentle Fist technique, or Might Guy’s taijutsu expertise, everyone brings something special to the table. The series doesn’t just give us cookie-cutter ninjas.

9. Pacing and Story Progress

Ninja Ostrich Episode
Ninja Ostrich Episode (Source: Studio Pierrot)

Talk about hitting the ground running! The Naruto series is better than its successor when it comes to keeping viewers on the edge of their seats from day one. Remember that heart-pounding Land of Waves arc? Within just a few episodes, we’re thrown into an intense battle with Zabuza and Haku, setting the tone for the entire series. There’s no waiting around – the story moves at the perfect pace, like a well-thrown kunai.

The series masterfully balances its plot progression, moving from the challenging Chunin Exams straight into the dramatic Konoha Crush arc led by Orochimaru. Each story beat flows naturally into the next, creating a sense of constant forward momentum. While filler episodes exist (yes, we’re looking at you, endless Ninja Ostrich episodes), the main story arcs in Naruto maintain a consistent rhythm that keeps viewers invested.

8. Suspense and Stakes in Naruto

Kakashi and Itachi's confrontation
Kakashi and Itachi’s confrontation (Source: Studio Pierrot)

Let’s talk about heart-stopping moments that made us all hold our breath! The Naruto series is better than Boruto because it wasn’t afraid to make us worry about our favorite characters. Think of when Gaara nearly crushed Rock Lee’s dreams (and his bones) during the Chunin Exams. Or that nerve-wracking moment when Kakashi faced off against Itachi and Kisame. They were edge-of-your-seat battles where anything could happen.

When Orochimaru attacked during the Chunin Exams, even the mighty Third Hokage wasn’t safe. Each arc raised the stakes higher than the last, from Sasuke’s defection to Akatsuki’s threats. The show made us genuinely fear for our heroes’ lives – something its successor struggles to replicate. Even in seemingly smaller battles, like Naruto versus Neji or Shikamaru’s strategic showdowns, the tension was palpable.

7. Battle Sequences and Action

Naruto and Sasuke fights at hospital's rooftop
Naruto and Sasuke fight on the hospital’s rooftop (Source: Studio Pierrot)

In just its first hundred episodes, we witnessed some of the most iconic battles in anime history. Picture Naruto unleashing the Nine-Tails’ power against Neji, or that mind-blowing tactical battle between Shikamaru and Temari that had us all calculating shadow angles!

The fights weren’t just about flashy techniques – they were strategic masterpieces. Remember Naruto and Sasuke’s rooftop battle? Or the legendary throwdown between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru? Each fight told its own story, complete with emotional weight and tactical brilliance. The series gave us Rock Lee dropping his weights against Gaara, Naruto mastering the Rasengan, and countless other moments that left us speechless.

6. Villain Quality and Development

Pain as seen in Naruto
Pain as seen in Naruto (Source: Studio Pierrot)

Talk about raising the bar for bad guys! The Naruto series is better than its successor because it created villains who were more than just obstacles. They were compelling characters with deep, twisted motivations. From the moment Orochimaru’s sinister smile first gave us chills in the Forest of Death, we knew we were dealing with a different class of antagonists.

The series didn’t just give us one-note villains; it created complex characters like Itachi Uchiha, whose true motives kept us guessing until the very end. The Akatsuki weren’t just generic bad guys in cool cloaks – each member had their own fascinating backstory and ideology. Pain’s philosophical debates with Naruto about peace and war still spark discussions among fans today. The antagonists were products of a flawed ninja system, each fighting for what they believed was right.

5. Naruto’s Noble Goals

Naruto gets acknowledged by everyone after he defeats Pain
Naruto gets acknowledged by everyone after he defeats Pain (Source: Studio Pierrot)

“I’m going to be Hokage!” – This wasn’t just a catchphrase, it was the driving force that made the Naruto series better than its successor. Naruto’s dream wasn’t just about gaining power or recognition. His dream was about proving that an outcast could become a hero. It transformed from a child’s desire for attention into a mature understanding of what it truly means to be a leader.

We watched Naruto grow from wanting to be Hokage just to be acknowledged, to wanting the position so he could protect everyone in the village – even those who once shunned him. This clear, unwavering goal gave the series its emotional backbone. Every major moment in the series tied back to Naruto’s dream of becoming a Hokage worthy of protecting everyone.

4. Character Background and Struggles

Naruto was an outcast during his childhood
Naruto was an outcast during his childhood (Source: Studio Pierrot)

When comparing the Naruto series to its successor, one thing becomes crystal clear – the original series absolutely nails its character development. Take our main hero, Naruto Uzumaki, whose journey from village outcast to respected hero resonates deeply with viewers. Unlike Boruto, who grew up with family support and village acceptance, Naruto had to overcome real isolation and prejudice.

The Naruto series is better than its successor because it wasn’t afraid to show genuine hardship. We watched Naruto deal with the burden of the Nine-Tails, face the village’s rejection, and still maintain his dream of becoming Hokage. Each struggle felt real, each victory earned, and every setback meaningful. This foundation of authentic character development made us truly invest in Naruto’s journey.

3. Mature Themes and Tone

Jiraya's Death
Jiraiya’s Death (Source: Studio Pierrot)

Talk about keeping it real! The Naruto series is better than its successor because it wasn’t afraid to tackle heavy themes head-on. From the tragic tale of the Uchiha clan to the devastating impact of the ninja wars, the series dove deep into serious territory. Bring back to mind when Pain destroyed the entire Hidden Leaf Village. Or when Jiraiya faced his former student in a battle to the death?

These weren’t just action scenes – they were powerful moments that explored themes of revenge, sacrifice, and the cycle of hatred. While Boruto tries to address serious topics, it often pulls back from the harder-hitting themes that made the original series so compelling. The original Naruto knew exactly when to be light-hearted and when to get serious, creating a perfect balance that kept us glued to our screens.

2. Work Ethic and Character Growth

Naruto increasing his Rasengan power
Naruto increasing his Rasengan power (Source: Studio Pierrot)

The Naruto series is better than its successor because it showed us that true strength comes from dedication and hard work. Recall Naruto spending weeks trying to master the Rasengan? Or his countless failed attempts at creating a simple clone? These moments were character-building moments that showed us the value of persistence.

Unlike Boruto, who seems to master complex techniques with relative ease, Naruto had to work for every single jutsu he learned. The series celebrated the underdogs like Rock Lee, who proved that hard work could compete with natural talent. Each character’s growth felt earned through blood, sweat, and determination, making their achievements all the more satisfying.

1. Power progression in Naruto

Naruto and Sasuke against Madara
Naruto and Sasuke against Madara (Source: Studio Pierrot)

When it comes to power scaling, the Naruto series is better than its successor by leaps and bounds. Think back to Naruto’s journey – from struggling with basic Shadow Clone Jutsu to mastering Sage Mode and eventually becoming one of the strongest ninjas alive. Each power-up came with its own challenges, training arcs, and character development.

The progression felt natural and earned, unlike in Boruto where the protagonist starts off incredibly skilled and gains powerful abilities at a much faster pace. Reflect on how long it took Naruto to control the Nine-Tails’ chakra. Or the intense training he required to master Rasenshuriken. All these were milestones in Naruto’s journey that we celebrated because we saw how hard he worked for them.

Conclusion

While Boruto has its merits, the Naruto series is better than its successor in these fundamental aspects of storytelling and character development. The original series created a rich, complex world where actions had consequences, growth required genuine effort, and characters faced real struggles. The careful attention to character development, mature themes, and natural power progression set a standard that remains difficult to match.


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