Why is Naruto so popular...?

[Admiral Kirk]

I don't get why the anime series Naruto has become so popular. Is there something I'm missing? What's so great about it, or appealing to the younger demographic of anime viewers in general?

 

[skysthelimit]

I'm not sure. Some anime just takes off from certain fan clubs and word gets around. Maybe it's because it involves ninja's and all that stuff?

 

[Qyöt27]

The demographic it's aimed at is easily pleased. That's about it. Oh, and because the genre itself tends to be a money magnet, in Japan and here - so they're long-lived series, with tons of shameless merchandising (although, not even a fraction as shameless as the merchandise machine GAINAX built around Evangelion is) and so on and so on.

It's like asking why Dragon Ball Z was so popular ten years ago. Mindless action shows = high ratings among 10-14 year old boys. Older fans of it are more or less subject to runoff effect.

Also, American TV is heavily heavily skewed toward shounen action series. It's virtually the only thing that gets on the air nowadays. So the simple level of exposure is another factor - many of the ones that make shows like Naruto so popular simply don't look outside of Adult Swim for their anime programming, whether out of ignorance or sheer laziness.

 

[Flutters]

completely agree with you there ^^ Naruto has never interested me, ever...i guess it could be down to the action, however mindless it is

 

[meowmix]

Were you watching the Dubbed episode's Of Naruto? In English?

I dont like the Dubbed episode's but then when I watch it in Japaneese with the Subtitles its A lot more intresting and Exiting.

 

[Breetai]

Maybe because it's about underdogs overcoming the odds? Have you ever seen the very first few episodes? How wouldn't like that??? As long as you skip all the filler episodes, or just stick to the comics, it's a pretty fun story.

Also, it's been really heavily promoted right from the start thanks to things like Weekly Jump magazine. It got huge in Japan and became quite popular internationally.

Happy 10th anniversary Naruto!

Also, American TV is heavily heavily skewed toward shounen action series. It's virtually the only thing that gets on the air nowadays. So the simple level of exposure is another factor - many of the ones that make shows like Naruto so popular simply don't look outside of Adult Swim for their anime programming, whether out of ignorance or sheer laziness.

The OP isn't from America, if he's honest in his profile.

 

[Qyöt27]

The OP isn't from America, if he's honest in his profile.

True, but frequency of range. The selection and availability of anime in Europe is far worse than it is in the US, from all the reports I've heard. So instead a lot turn to the Internet, and I wouldn't be surprised in the least if the current state of the American fan scene weighs in heaviest among Western audiences, no matter the language.

 

[meowmix]

Yeah. ^

 

[Admiral Kirk]

Actually, just so we're on the right page here, I'm not from Europe, but I have lots of family there, so I sometimes like to identify my national icon as Croatia. Call it a sort of patriotism if you want. I'm from the U.S.

Anyway, like I said, Naruto never appealed to me. In my opinion, there's better stuff like Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, Animatrix (is this considered anime?), Case Closed, and Lupin III.

 

[Breetai]

In my opinion, there's better stuff like Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, Animatrix (is this considered anime?), Case Closed, and Lupin III.

Macross!

I've never heard of Animatrix.

 

[meowmix]

mmm they Dont play Naruto on TV anymore anyways soz..

 

[Qyöt27]

Macross!

I've never heard of Animatrix.

The Animatrix was a collection of shorts related to The Matrix series.

The Animatrix - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It apparently counts as anime enough for A-M-V.org to allow its listing in the catalog. I was never interested enough to watch it.

 

[Mankin]

It's a fun story with a lot of action. Those type of shows appeal to a lot of people.

As far as literary quality goes, it is severly lacking, especially in the character development department. It is a double edged sword at best. It can introduce a lot of people to anime but it can also give people a bad impression of anime.

 

[crackaskeet]

For me Naruto was alot better, when they were just little kids, due to them being actual ninjas. I think that ninja stuff is what made Naruto a good anime.

Right now the anime looks alot more like Naruto ball Z!

 

[Riddik7]

this is a very simple thing to answer....

people wish their lives weren't boring... anime geeks wish they could be things like ninjas... especialy ninjas (guilty of wanting to be a ninja myself)... so when an anime comes out with decent artwork, a sub-par story line but a story line none the less with ninjas, action, big boobs, crazy outfits etc... then made into a long on going series, then it is simple for it to build a big fan base...

I find it interesting that out of the americanized anime the most popular ones are always the long on going ones... americans dont want something they enjoy to end so they attach themselves to ongoing series, even otaku do this (unless you're a true otaku then your favorites become the high quality short anime that are still only available in Japanese)

 

[golfiscool]

I don't understand this either, really. I see Naruto is extremely popular though.

 

[Mankin]

For me Naruto was alot better, when they were just little kids, due to them being actual ninjas. I think that ninja stuff is what made Naruto a good anime.

Right now the anime looks alot more like Naruto ball Z!

Real ninjas don't wear brightly colored orange vests.

And they also don't have bad smoking habits. Come on, you know Naruto is addicted to cigarrettes. XD.

 

[SAint Mark]

I don't get why the anime series Naruto has become so popular. Is there something I'm missing? What's so great about it, or appealing to the younger demographic of anime viewers in general?

Have you watched/read the first episodes/volumes? It has a pretty decent story and good character development. Simple as that .

I still read the manga from time to time and it is fun to see that the characters grow older, like the fans . Kinda like Harry Potter. Good marketing.