Shonen anime evolved considerably over the years, with newer titles likeDemon SlayerandJujutsu Kaisenhooking larger audiences with their breathtaking animation and storylines. These series quickly grew in popularity and brought forward fresh ideas to the genre,raising the bar for what fans can expect in their favorite anime. Yet, while these anime are popular, there is something aboutNarutothat keeps the series in a league of its own.
Narutostands out not only for its narrative and battles but also for its deep consideration of the characters themselves. Every ability the characters have is well-thought-out and adds to the narrative quality in a way other shonen series haven’t fully recreated. While newer titles have redefined anime in their own way,Narutostill stands out thanks to the clever consideration put into the characters.
Demon Slayer & Jujutsu Kaisen Are Great Series That Don’t Use Their Power Systems To The Fullest
Many Characters Are Defined by Their Power Rather Than the Other Way Around
Demon SlayerandJujutsu Kaisenare refreshing takes on the shonen genre and have unique power systems. The animation of both series visually captivates audiences and makesDemon Slayer’sBreathing StylesandJujutsu Kaisen’sCursed Techniques stunning to watch on screen. However, despite being eye-catching and thrilling to watch in action, theytend to fall short in regard to reflecting on the characterswho wield them as Naruto does.
For example, inDemon Slayer, characters like Tanjiro and Inosuke have Breathing Styles that match their personalities. Tanjiro’s introduction to Water Breathing acted as a mirror to his calmness and purity. Similarly, Inosuke’s Beast Breathing is a direct nod to his wild upbringing. Yet,many other characters seem to be defined by their styles rather than their styles being defined by the character. Rengoku is a perfect rendition of this, with his bold and fiery personality, along with his appearance, being directly influenced byhis status as the Flame Hashira.
Demon Slayer’s Rengoku is Deeper in the Anime Than in The Mugen Train Movie
The serialized adaptation of Demon Slayer’s Mugen Train movie expands on Rengoku significantly, giving him a whole episode’s worth of focus.
Jujutsu Kaisenalso has some characters that fit this mold, such asSatoru Gojo’s Limitless Technique, which aligns with the distance between his character and the others. Despite being around other sorcerers, there will always be limitless space between them, mirroring his isolation and desire for connection within the series. However, likeDemon Slayer,not every character shares the same intricacieswith their power and techniques.
BothJujutsu KaisenandDemon Slayerexcel in their respective abilities to flesh out a character and create moving and meaningful histories. The power systems are nothing to look down upon and are deeply unique and beautiful in execution, yet they do not all relate back to the characters as individuals. Nobara may be a fun and intriguing character, but her Straw Doll Technique, while visually impressive and effective, doesn’t speak much to her identity or struggles.
Naruto’s Strongest Element Is Just How Well Its Powers Reveal Character
The Powers in Naruto Build Upon the Characters Rather Than Being Overshadowing
Naruto, on the other hand,ties every ability to a piece of the characterand allows for a deeper understanding of their personality or history. Starting with Naruto, the Nine-Tails reflects on the pain and anger he had built as a result of Konoha shunning him when he was young.Naruto’s Shadow Clone Jutsu also reflects his loneliness, self-reliance, and his desire to connect with others.
This intentional alignment inNarutois not limited to the titular character and appears in the rest of the cast as well. Just as Naruto’s Rasengan is a widespread attack, Sasuke’s Chidori is a much more precise attack, similar to his single-minded drive to get revenge. Rock Lee’s reliance on taijutsu mirrors his strength and unbreakable resilience, and Shikamaru’s Shadow Possession is a nod to his intelligence and ability to take control of any situation with strategic thinking.
By tying powers directly to the characters,Narutohas more meaningful battlesand evolution as the characters continue down their journey. Reflecting a core aspect of the character through their abilities allows fans to have a deeper understanding of the character’s inner struggles and personal growth. This thoughtful approach to the cast set a standard for character-driven storytelling that hasn’t been matched in anime just yet.
Naruto Still Reigns Supreme Because of Its Supporting Cast
The Supporting Characters Share the Same Depth as the Protagonist
A strong supporting cast is vital to any great series, and by ensuring the side characters are just as compelling and intricate as the protagonist,Narutois placed a step above other shonen titles. By having other characters like Shikamaru and Gaara and even antagonists like Itachi and Pain,Narutoadds a layer of complexity and a solid foundation for the series. With each character’s backstories heightened by their respective abilities, the narrative feels more alive and interconnected.
Gaara’s story heavily paralleled Naruto’syet took a darker path after being unable to make the same connections Naruto was able to. Being a character initially driven by a mix of hatred and loneliness, Gaara’s eventual redemption and rise to become the Kazekage wereall the more impactful. As for Shikamaru, his development from a lazy genius to a respected leader is reflected and hinted at through his powers alone. His Shadow Imitation Technique relies on his strategic mind and ability to plan several steps ahead, both of which are essential aspects for any leader to master.
The amount of thought that went into the supporting cast down to their unique powers and abilities isnot fully reflected in newer series likeDemon SlayerandJujutsu Kaisen. While these are both outstanding series, each with a level of depth and mastery, they still don’t hold up to the same standards. A major factor in the success ofNarutolies in its supporting cast, whose purpose isn’t just propelling the protagonist’s story but rather adding to it through their own journeys, struggles, and victories.
Naruto
Naruto is a franchise spawned from the manga series penned by Masashi Kishimoto that began in 1999. Generating several tv series, games, movies, and more, Naruto follows the exploits of a young outcast ninja harboring the spirit of a demon fox who seeks to become the Hokage, the leader of his ninja village, to break the stigma against him. Upon the conclusion of the initial series, Naruto expanded into Boruto, following many series protagonists' children and returning faces.
Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaibais a wildly popular anime and manga franchise created by Koyoharu Gotouge. Set in Taishō-era Japan, it follows Tanjiro Kamado as he battles demons and seeks a cure for his sister, Nezuko, who was turned into one. The franchise includes a manga, anime TV series, films, video games, and spin-offs. Known for its stunning animation and gripping storyline,Demon Slayeris one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisenis a Japanese anime and manga series created by Gege Akutami. The story is set in a world where Cursed Spirits, born from negative human emotions, prey on humanity. It follows high school student Yuji Itadori as he becomes entangled in the world of Jujutsu Sorcery after swallowing a cursed talisman—Ryomen Sukuna’s finger—and becomes the host for one of the most powerful curses. Yuji joins the Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical College to learn how to combat curses while searching for the remaining fingers of Sukuna to exorcise him permanently.
