Upon reaching the 100 episode milestone I feel as though it is time to write another piece on my journey through Naruto. Since the last time I have been through the Chunin Exams, the Attack of Orochimaru and the sand village and the 100 episodes marks the hunt for Naruto. Again my opinion of the show has changed. I have become, much to my dismay, emotionally attached.
I still have a number of problems with the series, such as the women of the show (at this point) and that Naruto seems very much like a background character in his own story but I have met character that I absolutely love and adore. The Chunin Exams, for me, really set the whole universe into motion. We got to meet a vast number of ninja, all with different techniques, unique to them and we learned a great deal of history.
Characters I met and liked
Team 8
The Chunin Exams gave me further exploration of the others teams around Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke and to be honest I found myself gravitating towards them, specifically Team 8. I don't know what it is about them but there is something very affectionate and caring about Team 8. I know that it exists in all of the teams but I found that with Team 8 they seem a lot more supportive and confident in their teammates abilities. Yuukatan had already called that I would fall in love with Kiba and at first I thought she would be proven wrong. He seemed like a bully, a kid that always made fun of Naruto, something I wasn't cool with. But he proved to me that he is above that and isn't a sore loser. She wasn't wrong. I am so ready for more Kiba. I love Kiba a lot. But I also like the other members of the team. Shino is oddly intriguing to me. He is quiet and sneaky and I have to admit that his abilities are very creepy but there is still something super cool about them. I definitely think he is underrated and underestimated. Hinata also very some reason holds a special place in my heart. I think it is because throughout the series so far she has been depicted as weak and reserved and you couldn't possibly imagine what she was doing amongst some of these kids. But we finally got to see that she is in fact very strong. I think her perspective on Naruto is also interesting. As opposed to Ino and Sakura, who for the moment do things to impress Sasuke, Hinata is inspired by Naruto.
Gaara
Gaara is not my typical character type. He is such an amazing introduction into the universe though. In some ways Gaara is Naruto's foil. Gaara is serious, disciplined, focused on being alone and advanced in his communication with the demon that lives inside of him. Gaara is what Naruto could have been. But we have two sides of the same coin. I think Gaara will learn a lot from Naruto and eventually I will be even more invested in him.
Neji Huyga
I always like characters with a reputation beyond how they see themselves. I like to hear how other people talk about them. Neji is that character for me in Naruto. He is such a well thought out character who has so much potential and everyone sees that in him but he is too focused on a certain outcome that is tarnishes that a bit.
Tenten and Temari also hold down the fort when it comes to the female characters that are capable and strong and need more screen time.
Rock Lee
Rock Lee is my life. Rock Lee is my everything. Never in a million years did I think that when I entered the Naruto fandom that Rock Lee would hold such a special place in my heart. I love this character. I love everything about him. His youthfulness, his optimism, his genius determination. Against all odds Rock Lee becomes an amazing ninja. I used to look at this show as an outsider and absolutely roll back and laugh at Guy and Lee. Like what was their character design and why. But I take back all of the negativity I had towards them. They are so special. Especially Rock Lee. I mean how could I not love Rock Lee. He is based on a man from my childhood. I used to watch Enter the Dragon like every weekend. I know that this is only the beginning and Rock Lee and I have a long future ahead of us.
Continuation also strengthened my love for Iruka, Kakashi and even shun some light on Sasuke who is proving to be less of a stick in the mud.
Lastly Naruto is finally starting to shape up for me as well. I once went to a panel with Ian Sinclair where he talked about his role in One Piece extensively. He talked about how he went through most of the series not understanding why people liked Luffy and I was absolutely floored. How could you not love that adorable little jerk. It was immediate for me. So I guess that might be how people feel when I say the same thing about Naruto. I don't dislike the guy, far from it, but I don't understand yet. Sinclair also talked about how there was a moment in One Piece where Luffy said something along the lines of, "I’ve set myself to become the King of the Pirates…and if I die trying…then at least I tried!" and this was the moment for him that sealed Luffy as his protagonist. That Luffy was simple and uncomplicated. Sinclair just needed to accept that. I feel like I haven't had my Naruto moment yet. He has had a lot of fine moments and he is definitely a kid I like I am just not 100% yet.
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