NationStates Jolt Archive

It seems like there's been a craze around the anime series Naruto, stemming from its re-release on Cartoon Network's Toonami. Having watched the first 90 episodes with fan translated subtitles, I can't really find what's the big deal. It's a show about "ninjas" who fight in broad daylight as mercenaries and handymen who curiously have some trappings of modern technology but not others. And the main character has a demon fox trapped in him for good measure!

But, seriously, it's not all that great. I wouldn't consider it anywhere nearly crazeworthy. But it does make good material for parodies, Naruto: The Abridged Series (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxfitqgw4EY&mode=related&search=) on Youtube.

Nothing at all. It's animé for twelve year olds who are into ninjas. This is all.

It's just the popular gateway anime right now. Before Naruto, it was Pokemon (And clones), before that, GundamWing, before that, Sailor Moon, before that, Ranma 1/2, then Urusei Yatsura, Akira, and Dirty Pair and so on (Shows how dated I am). The only reason why it seems to be everywhere is because anime in general has gotten popular so it's getting far more exposure than the previous ones.

Sure it's a gateway, but the fans are a bunch of frikkin' Narutards.

It's just the popular gateway anime right now. Before Naruto, it was Pokemon (And clones), before that, GundamWing, before that, Sailor Moon, before that, Ranma 1/2, then Urusei Yatsura, Akira, and Dirty Pair and so on (Shows how dated I am). The only reason why it seems to be everywhere is because anime in general has gotten popular so it's getting far more exposure than the previous ones.

how many did they need and Akira was just a movie

how many did they need and Akira was just a movie
How many WHAT did they need?

And, yes, Akira was just a movie, but it also saw theatical release in the US in a few places and was widely shown around various college campuses. For a lot of people, it was Akira that first introduced them to anime and got them interested in it.

For me it was more obscure movies, but I've always been strange so... ;)

How many WHAT did they need?

And, yes, Akira was just a movie, but it also saw theatical release in the US in a few places and was widely shown around various college campuses. For a lot of people, it was Akira that first introduced them to anime and got them interested in it.

For me it was more obscure movies, but I've always been strange so... ;)

Pokemon
i don't think Akira ever came out in movies here
the first time i saw it was on TV station SBS ,then got it out on video, now own it on DVD

Naruto is only popular because Cartoon Network and Adult Swim wont pick up cool animes like Last Exile, or Excel Saga, or Black Lagoon.
OK, maybe they have good reasons for not picking up Black Lagoon. I guess even AS has to avoid things like oceans of blood, child pornography and human trafficking...
But c'mon, the other two are at least five times better than Naruto AND PG-13-ish.
(Aside from Excel Saga Episode 26. But that one doesnt really count since its not official anyway :P)

Naruto is only popular because Cartoon Network and Adult Swim wont pick up cool animes like Last Exile, or Excel Saga, or Black Lagoon.
OK, maybe they have good reasons for not picking up Black Lagoon. I guess even AS has to avoid things like oceans of blood, child pornography and human trafficking...
But c'mon, the other two are at least five times better than Naruto AND PG-13-ish.
(Aside from Excel Saga Episode 26. But that one doesnt really count since its not official anyway :P)

I think that we need more good mecha anime like Neon Genesis, and less pseudo-hip teenagers with magic powers anime like Naruto, but that's just me.

Meh, most anime is overrated, anyway.

Pokemon
i don't think Akira ever came out in movies here
the first time i saw it was on TV station SBS ,then got it out on video, now own it on DVD
Too damned many I guess.

And it saw release in the US (sorry for not being clearer).

The funny thing is, Naruto isn't all that popular in Japan right now.

I think that we need more good mecha anime like Neon Genesis, and less pseudo-hip teenagers with magic powers anime like Naruto, but that's just me.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=T5boCKoH1Wg

Needs less of both and more epic steampunk.

I think that we need more good mecha anime like Neon Genesis, and less pseudo-hip teenagers with magic powers anime like Naruto, but that's just me.

would not mind see Hellsing on TV
oh many like to look at this place
http://anime.com/index.html

As many before have said, Naruto is the big "Gateway Anime", which in America is aimed mostly at kids (The original non-Cartoon Network version is less than kid-friendly). Fullmetal Alchemist has also been compared in a similar fashion, but with one difference:

I happen to LIKE Fullmetal Alchemist...and loath Naruto. It's just not good. Too many freaking fanboys and Yaoi princesses...

Goddamn bishounen fuckers...

Nothing.Like all anime,its the worst shit on tv.Boycott anime.
Anime sucks (http://www.animesucks.com)-hilarous site.Read it!

Too damned many I guess.

And it saw release in the US (sorry for not being clearer).

The funny thing is, Naruto isn't all that popular in Japan right now.

anime only seen on TV here or lucky you may came a cross it at the video store

Nothing.Like all anime,its the worst shit on tv.Boycott anime.
Anime sucks (http://www.animesucks.com)-hilarous site.Read it!

*Yawn* -_-

It seems like there's been a craze around the anime series Naruto, stemming from its re-release on Cartoon Network's Toonami. Having watched the first 90 episodes with fan translated subtitles, I can't really find what's the big deal. It's a show about "ninjas" who fight in broad daylight as mercenaries and handymen who curiously have some trappings of modern technology but not others. And the main character has a demon fox trapped in him for good measure!

But, seriously, it's not all that great. I wouldn't consider it anywhere nearly crazeworthy. But it does make good material for parodies, Naruto: The Abridged Series (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxfitqgw4EY&mode=related&search=) on Youtube.

I used to love it, but now I just regard it as OK. I still read the manga, which is getting weirder and weirder. And I have a long-running fanfic (It's actually pretty good). Bleach is just as cool, but it's slowing up, and Shaman King is also cool.

As for the Adult Swim and late nighters... that's on past 11. Way too late for many an American anime fan.

Pansy! Real men stay up to 1:00am to catch that new episode of Trinity Blood!

For shame!

It seems like there's been a craze around the anime series Naruto, stemming from its re-release on Cartoon Network's Toonami. Having watched the first 90 episodes with fan translated subtitles, I can't really find what's the big deal. It's a show about "ninjas" who fight in broad daylight as mercenaries and handymen who curiously have some trappings of modern technology but not others. And the main character has a demon fox trapped in him for good measure!

But, seriously, it's not all that great. I wouldn't consider it anywhere nearly crazeworthy. But it does make good material for parodies, Naruto: The Abridged Series (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxfitqgw4EY&mode=related&search=) on Youtube.

Here's the dilemma...

The channels that broadcast animes are also kid's networks. So anything has to pass through a steaming morass of parents and "moral guardians" who think they need to make TV pure and clean. So all the cooler animes are filtered, and the ones they do pick are heavily watered down. Thus the end product ends up like One Piece. However, Naruto has escaped some watering down, so it's better than the rest of the non-late-nighters. And it isn't bad anyway...

As for the Adult Swim and late nighters... that's on past 11. Way too late for many an American anime fan. Including myself... but that's because South Park is on at 11.

EDIT: And let's compare it to its two companioning shows on the same time block.

One Piece- Anime for 6-year-olds. That's how much it's been watered down. Seriously.

Bo-bleh something= Um... what? I don't get it. At all.

There is nothing good about Nurato. It has to be one of the dumbest animes ever. I'd rather watch Tenchi over and over.

Are you implying that Tenchi is good...or that it is the lesser of two evils?

There is nothing good about Nurato. It has to be one of the dumbest animes ever. I'd rather watch Tenchi over and over.

The anime isnt that cool, that is true. But for a 14 year old its perfect.

Not that I hated it. I watched it when I was 21, and I liked it. I didnt expect much, I just went with it. It was an interesting anime, those kind you turn of your brain to watch.

But overall, yes, its not that awesome. They use 20 episodes to build up a fight that last 5 episodes, yet everything could be over in 3 episodes if they didnt showed half of the last episode in the new one. I swear, in the 24 anime minutes, there are at least 5 minutes of recap every episode.

There are tons of much better anime, yes. Most anime is overated, yes. But even Naruto can be entertaining if you´re not expecting too much.

About people who hate anime, I should tell you that there are some that are awesome, and that I consider masterpieces. Last Exile is one of them, and there are a lot more. BTW, I wouldnt show Evangelion to my kid, and I dont think anyone younger than 16 should watch it.

I think that we need more good mecha anime like Neon Genesis, and less pseudo-hip teenagers with magic powers anime like Naruto, but that's just me.
An oxymoron if I ever saw one. The only thing more pointless and childish than making a giant humanoid robot is giving it a sword.
Anyway, you can get all the stupidly unrealistic, scifi violence you'd ever want from American animation, the Japanese should stick to being disturbing and impossible to figure out.
Pansy! Real men stay up to 1:00am to catch that new episode of Trinity Blood!
Bah, real men don't sleep! They just turn up the volume and adjust their drug combinations every few days.

An oxymoron if I ever saw one. The only thing more pointless and childish than making a giant humanoid robot is giving it a sword.

There is a difference between watching giant fighting robots, and playing as a giant fighting robot *coughArmoredCore4comesoutMarch20cough*.

Bah, real men don't sleep! They just turn up the volume and adjust their drug combinations every few days.

Unfortunately, the nanomachines that the Illuminati installed in my head need to recharge every 20 hours...so I need to sleep you see, or else they'll kill me.

anime only seen on TV here or lucky you may came a cross it at the video store
Well, if it helps, not too many get theatical release in the US either...

Still, every time I get home I get shocked at just how mainstream anime is nowadays, especially when I compare it to how it was when I first got into it.

Nothing.Like all anime,its the worst shit on tv.Boycott anime.
Anime sucks (http://www.animesucks.com)-hilarous site.Read it!
Dude... you've mentioned this time and again, enough already!

Honestly, it wasn't even that funny.

Well, if it helps, not too many get theatical release in the US either...

Still, every time I get home I get shocked at just how mainstream anime is nowadays, especially when I compare it to how it was when I first got into it.

i find it better then the cartoons out of the US now days and don't mind sudtitles

Are you implying that Tenchi is good...or that it is the lesser of two evils?

The lesser evil. Though I do admit that I watched some Tenchi out of boredom.

*shoots self*

i find it better then the cartoons out of the US now days and don't mind sudtitles
No argument here.

Naruto is the Dragonball Z of today. Complete with battles that stretch 30+ episodes and the dialogue that comes with it.

The anime would be alright if the fillers hadn't completely trashed the series. I still occasionally read the latest manga chapters, the plot actually progresses in the manga.

The lesser evil. Though I do admit that I watched some Tenchi out of boredom.

*shoots self*
Hey! I like Tenchi!

Well, Ryo-Ohki version, not Tenchi TV, Universe, or Tokyo (blegh!).

Hey! I like Tenchi!

Well, Ryo-Ohki version, not Tenchi TV, Universe, or Tokyo (blegh!).

It is ok if bored but I prefer a different kind of anime. Last Exile was excellent along with Gundum, Bleach, Tenjho Tenge and Full Metal Panic and more. So many animes to watch...

It is ok if bored but I prefer a different kind of anime. Last Exile was excellent along with Gundum, Bleach, Tenjho Tenge and Full Metal Panic and more. So many animes to watch...

...and not nearly enough money to pay for it.

Anime: Crack is Cheaper!

...and not nearly enough money to pay for it.

Anime: Crack is Cheaper!

I agree which is why I survive with watching my anime on the internet. :)

Naruto sucks more then the suckiest thing to ever suck suck. GAWD I HATE NARUTO FANGIRLS!!!!

Naruto sucks more then the suckiest thing to ever suck suck. GAWD I HATE NARUTO FANGIRLS!!!!

You are among friends comrade! Here, have some Cognac!

Naruto is the Dragonball Z of today. Complete with battles that stretch 30+ episodes and the dialogue that comes with it.

The anime would be alright if the fillers hadn't completely trashed the series. I still occasionally read the latest manga chapters, the plot actually progresses in the manga.

The thing about Naruto is that it's missing something. At times it's great, but then some episodes... nothing much happens. I, of course, suspect that most of the missing part was removed in the Parents' Censorship Alliance's watering down of it, but that's from someone who hasn't seen the un-f*cked-up edition. And the fact that the US is still in the Chunin Arc doesn't help either...

(NOTE: I've yet to hear of one anime before the watershed that hasn't been messed up in bumping down the rating. If there IS one, do tell.)

(NOTE: I've yet to hear of one anime before the watershed that hasn't been messed up in bumping down the rating. If there IS one, do tell.)

Just stay up later.

What'd I say? NSG haet youtube?
You guys make me sad.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing is good about Naruto. Not one damn thing.

*burns it*

Nothing. Absolutely nothing is good about Naruto. Not one damn thing.

*burns it*

Except for this (http://youtube.com/watch?v=-8OWzP65mQ4) :D

You are among friends comrade! Here, have some Cognac!

:D I don't drink though, you have the cognac, I'll smoke the chronic.

And then we can watch Berzerk.

You really cant rate an anime based on the TV version.

You have to watch it uncutted, uncensored and in the original voices.