Naruto vs Shippuden: Reasons the Original Naruto Series Excels

Essential Insights

The initial Naruto series exhibited a superior power scaling compared to Shippuden, ensuring character consistency and preventing the emergence of overly dominant figures.
In the original Naruto, female characters were more prominently featured, whereas Shippuden tended to prioritize male characters.
The original series invested more time in the development of side characters, centering on their battles and narratives, unlike Shippuden, which largely overlooked supporting characters.

As a prominent title in the Big 3 of anime, the Naruto franchise has not escaped scrutiny. Critics may sometimes dismiss these points of contention, but they resonate strongly, particularly when discussing Shippuden. Initially heralded as a greater success than its predecessor, Shippuden eventually fell victim to persistent issues, resulting in a noticeable decline in storytelling and overall quality relative to the original series.

From plot advancement and power dynamics to the portrayal of supporting characters, the original Naruto series outshines Shippuden. Conversely, Shippuden devolved into complexity with the introduction of numerous new plotlines, combined with a significant lack of development for various ancillary characters. Despite both iterations being compelling narratives, these discrepancies have clearly favored the earlier series.

Uncontrolled Power Dynamics

The First Part Has Superior Power Scaling

A significant drawback affecting the Naruto franchise is the disparity in power levels, especially with elements like the Rinnegan in Shippuden and Karma in Boruto. The original series, however, showcased a well-rounded approach to power dynamics where protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters operated on a more level playing field without any characters being excessively powerful. In stark contrast, Shippuden disrupted this balance by presenting increasingly extreme power-ups.

Did someone invoke divine power?

Following a promising start after the two-year time skip, Shippuden quickly spiraled downward with the introduction of the Rinnegan, a god-like ability dramatically influencing the narrative trajectory. This was merely the beginning of several overpowering abilities, with the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan compounding the issue of power imbalance. By the series’ conclusion, Naruto and Sasuke emerged as nearly invincible figures after absorbing the chakra of the Sage of Six Paths. While an escalation in power was expected, the original Naruto series maintained relative consistency in its 220 episodes.

Female Character Representation in Naruto

Female Characters in the Original Series Had Greater Impact

One pivotal issue surrounding the Naruto franchise is the inadequate representation of female characters. Creator Kishimoto has publicly acknowledged his struggles to craft nuanced female roles; however, this assertion fails to account for the significant development of female figures in the original series. Many of these characters were integral to the plot, often rivaling their male counterparts.

“I will make sure to protect him!” – Tsunade

Fierce rivals like Temari and Tayuya were depicted as superior to their male peers, while Tsunade had a prominent role in the first part of Naruto, though her influence diminished in Shippuden. The narrative largely shifted towards male protagonists, sidelining nearly all major female characters in the later series.

Character Development in Naruto

Konoha 11 Characters Were Neglected in Shippuden

The growth of supporting characters is crucial to storytelling. While the original Naruto series excelled in this regard, Shippuden fell short in providing substantial development for its side characters. Although it’s common for anime featuring large casts to overlook numerous characters, the original Naruto series managed to give ample screen time to its supporting cast. The Konoha 11 serves as a prime illustration, particularly during the Chunin Exams and Sasuke Retrieval Arcs, which prioritized the rookie squads and their journeys.

Noteworthy moments from Naruto highlight battles among side characters, such as the clash between Rock Lee and Gaara during the Chunin Exams or Neji and Choji’s fights against the Sound 4. Conversely, Shippuden largely ignored these characters, leading to a number of Konoha 11 members, including Tenten, being forgotten. While it’s typical for new stories to divert focus from older characters, Shippuden failed to manage this transition well, resulting in a poorly developed supporting cast.

Filler Episode Quality

The Original Series Had Superior Filler Episodes

The Naruto franchise is notorious for its abundance of filler episodes in both the original series and Naruto Shippuden. Although both series contain a similar number of fillers—averaging around 41 percent—the disparity in their quality is quite pronounced. The filler episodes in the original series often matched the high standards of its canonical stories, offering profound character arcs for supporting characters.

Moreover, some iconic fillers, like “Laughing Shino” or “the Curry of Life,” are celebrated in the original series for their exceptional quality, making these non-canonical episodes quite enjoyable for viewers. In contrast, Shippuden is burdened with unnecessary filler that disrupts the narrative’s flow. Aside from Kakashi’s background and the Akatsuki’s history, much of Shippuden’s filler felt disappointing. This stark difference in filler quality further solidifies the original series’ superiority over Shippuden.

Recurring Plot Holes

Shippuden Suffered from Significant Plot Holes

Plot inconsistencies and retcons are recurring issues within the Naruto franchise. However, the vast differences in plot holes between the original and Shippuden are significant. The earlier series, over 200 episodes, featured relatively few plot discrepancies. The primary one involved the Fourth Hokage’s supposed resurrection, which should have been impossible due to the Reaper Death Seal Jutsu.

In contrast, Shippuden is riddled with numerous inconsistencies and narrative holes. From the inconsistent portrayal of the Tailed Beasts to the revision of Itachi’s involvement in the Uchiha Massacre, the latter series is filled with confusing retcons. As the narrative grew increasingly complex, author Kishimoto felt compelled to alter certain aspects, inadvertently creating plot holes affecting the overall story.

The notable disparity in plot integrity between the original series and Naruto Shippuden exemplifies the former’s superiority. Concepts like the Senju-Uchiha rivalry, the origins of the Tailed Beasts, and the Otsutsuki clan were never part of the original plot. Their forced inclusion into the narrative culminated in various plot holes, undermining the franchise’s legacy.

Enhanced Pacing in the Original Series

Shippuden Had Erratic Pacing

Arguably, one of the most notable differences between the two series is the pacing of the overall story. The original Naruto maintained a much steadier pace, allowing viewers to absorb the plot without being overwhelmed by sudden twists and new information. Examples include the Chunin Exams and the Konoha Crush arcs, which demonstrated a well-rounded narrative without rushing through key developments.

Through well-constructed fight sequences and enriching character moments, the original series effectively delivered a comprehensive story — whether exploring Zabuza and Haku’s dynamic or showcasing epic battles during the Chunin Exams. Shippuden, however, struggled to maintain this pacing fluidity. Though the initial arcs that focused on the Akatsuki were commendable in their pacing, the narrative deteriorated as the Fourth Great Ninja War commenced.

Over 200 episodes were devoted to this war, which lasted merely two days within the Naruto universe. The pacing of this segment dragged significantly, with the plot progressing at a glacial speed. Many episodes merely consisted of filler, lacking substantial narrative growth. This left fans dissatisfied, as the poorly constructed arc fell short of expectations.

Naruto can be streamed on Prime Video.

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