Naruto was a huge stride for the Western world into the foray into anime. Naruto, along with One Piece and Bleach, succeeded shows such as Dragon Ball Z by being the mainstream audience for anime watchers. They were in fact at a time considered the "Big Three" for many and played a huge role in changing the perception and appreciation of the medium. As time went on, fans diverged into other anime and manga for one reason or another. That is a great thing as well. A strong factor of anime like Naruto was its ability push readers and watchers alike to exploring newer worlds and taking inspirations from the genre as a whole.
The outlook of the Big Three has changed because of these fleeting or revived interests.
-One Piece is still considered an immortal phenomenon, in Japan and has grown in popularity since its its time outside of it, being the one struggling the most initially out of the three. Its stabalized now, but many still hate the length and simplistic/seemingly simplistic style.
-Bleach in my opinion... is a Shinigami of its former self. I say no more.
Naruto on the other hand has, from what I've seen, the biggest current highlight in the Western world among the three to the point that it even set a strong rivalry and friendship between the authors of Naruto and One Piece, Kishimoto and Oda respectively.
It has had a lot of criticism, especially post- Pain Arc, but it really carried with it a legacy for many.
Among the three, its the first to manga to officially end. Despite whether or not you enjoyed the series, no one can really deny Naruto's growing theme of determination and hope despite the obstacles and suffering one goes through in order to achieve their goals. A repeating theme that also matured with the series. With the manga over, I expect the anime to end by the end of the winter season.
But what comes next? What can replace the anime/manga series that made us beleive it for the longest time? Honestly, nothing, but that's what's so greeat about manga/anime. Naruto has made its own unique impact and it can't simply be replaced. It can however, be succeded. Succeeded in the same sense that the Big Three succeeded DBZ. Instead of simply regurgitating Dragon Ball Z's fighting Shonen style, they each had there own profound and unique elements in them.
So what can succeed Naruto? I beleive Boku No Hero Academia will be one that truly does so.
My friend recommeded me Boku no Hero when I really had nothing better to do. I didn't expect to like it at all. I'm so glad I was wrong. Its a great blend between superhero antics, depictions, and a Japanese take on them. If I had to describe it, its somewhere in between Naruto and One-Punch Man, but my description isn't deep enough. The characters have great developent, there are characters that become suprisingly like-able and meaningful in the story. In fact, that's one of its distinctions so far: the characters aren't simple. Sure, some may start off as such, but its never that easy for this series. There is a continual sense of development and stuggle, that is paced rather well from my perspective. Its never as simple as a Saturday morning cartoon, but its never drawn out unecessarily either. To sum up, the characters are multifaceted. I don't want to say too much on abilities or techniques, but overall its handled very well and differently too.
So far the manga has blown up in Japan, so its a shoe-in to have an anime. Hopefully not too soon though, as I've noticed recently animation studios like to do so too early and eventually hurt it due to pacing issues. One chapter makes me suspect Madhouse ma do it as well.
In any case, time will tell!
**Additionally One-Punch man is a real highlight this year and I recently heard JoJo part 4 has been announced. I will probably a Ninja Slayer review soon too.
