Key Takeaways
- The Naruto manga introduces the genin naturally, while the anime features spaced-out introductions, impacting character depth.
- In the manga, Chidori surrounds the user’s arm in lightning; it’s not just a ball like in the anime.
- Sakura shows concern for Naruto in the manga, while the anime portrays her as mean.
Naruto is one of the best shonen anime of all time, capturing the attention of fans all over the globe as the titular character proved everyone wrong and became the Hokage of the Leaf Village. This story is a slow burn that pays off with a satisfying conclusion, with hardcore fans finding more even things to love about this series with the sequel, Boruto.
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While the anime adaptation is pretty faithful to the manga in most respects, there are some changes between both versions of Naruto that are worth highlighting. Some of these alterations were for the better, while others left fans puzzled.
8 The Genin Are Introduced More Naturally In The Manga
The Introduction Of Certain Characters Happens Way Later
The manga introduces Naruto’s classmates pretty early, making their inclusion in later arcs feel more natural. However, the anime decides to pace these introductions so that fans aren’t overwhelmed by the wealth of new characters at the very start of this series.
This may either be a great or poor decision depending on a fan’s subjective viewpoint. Sure, characters were easier to remember with these spaced-out introductions, but it also left viewers confused about the depth of the bonds Naruto shared with his classmates.
7 The Chidori Is Supposed To Surround The Arm In Lightning
It Forms A Ball Of Lightning In The Anime To Serve As A Parallel To The Rasengan
- Appears In:Naruto & Naruto: Shippuden
The Chidori is one of the coolest techniques in Naruto, clashing with the Rasengan time and time again in the series. The ball of lightning that ninja conjure in their hand looks like a perfect counter to the ball of swirling energy in Naruto’s patented technique.
However, the manga’s iteration of the Chidori has a notable difference. Instead of just a ball of lightning, this technique coats the entire arm of the user with this jutsu, allowing them to strike enemies with potent energy for devastating results.
6 Tenten And Temari’s Fight Is More Detailed In The Anime
The Manga Relegates This Fight To The Background As Ino And Sakura Have A Conversation
After Sakura and Ino fight to a draw and are both knocked out of the Chunin Exams, they have a heart-to-heart while Temari and Tenten start their battle. In the manga, this conversation is so important that readers don’t even get to see the final fight of the Chunin Exams.
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The anime didn’t need to restrict itself to just one scene, however, and fleshed out this battle, making it clear how Temari was able to outclass Tenten with ease. It’s a nice inclusion that ensures that all of the fights in Naruto feel important, even if a few do take up more of the screen time.
5 Team Guy Gets A Rare Moment To Shine During The Kazekage Rescue Arc In The Anime
The Scene Where They Fight Their Clones Is Completely Original
- Appears In:Naruto: Shippuden
After the time skip, manga readers were saddened to see that Team Guy was relegated to the sidelines and didn’t get a single moment to shine. The anime tries to rectify this by adding an original fight during the Kazekage Rescue, although the impact of this scene is up for debate.
Team Guy ends up fighting their clones when they try to take off a certain seal, with the battle seeming impossible to conquer until the group realizes that they need to be better than they were before to best their identical foes. It may be a little silly, but fans will take this if it means that characters like Neji and Lee get a chance to be useful.
A Great Way To Give More Importance To Shikamaru’s Character
In the manga, Shikamaru is promoted to the Chunin rank behind the scenes while Naruto is busy searching for Tsunade with Jiraiya. However, the anime changes this sequence to add more weight to Shikamaru’s character.
While deciding the squad that will track down Sasuke when he’s taken by Orochimaru’s lackeys, Tsunade informs Shikamaru that he was promoted to Chunin and would lead the rescue effort. It’s a small yet notable change that makes Shikamaru’s promotion more impactful.
3 Shikamaru’s Breakdown And Subsequent Revelation Is An Anime-Original Scene
One Of The Best Inclusions In The Adaptation
- Appears In:Naruto: Shippuden
The Naruto adaptation has been criticized numerous times for relying too much on meaningless filler. However, this doesn’t mean that the anime didn’t have the potential to add some meaningful scenes when the situation called for it.
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This was the case when Shikamaru breaks down in front of his father after Asuma’s death, before eventually experiencing a strategic breakthrough that willed him to lead an effort to avenge his sensei’s death. It’s a powerful scene that feels right at home with Naruto, and most fans were amazed to find out that this entire sequence was an anime-only inclusion.
2 Sakura Shows Concern In The Manga When Naruto Is Struggling With The Written Exam
For Some Reason, She’s Mean And Laughs At Naruto In The Anime
It’s easy to see why some Naruto viewers aren’t huge fans of Sakura’s character. It doesn’t help that the anime changes her reactions in a critical scene, making her look more despicable to her haters.
When Naruto is struggling with the written exam, Sakura is genuinely worried for her team member and wonders how he’ll be able to pass such a tough test. However, the anime turns Sakura into an insufferable character who laughs at Naruto’s misery and secretly hopes that he fails.
1 Naruto Taught Konohamaru The Rasengan Before The Time-Skip
In The Anime, Naruto And Konohamaru Are Older When The Latter Is Taught This Move
- Appears In:Naruto: Shippuden
Konohamaru didn’t get a lot of screen time after the time skip, so fans were glad to see him become relevant again after he used a Rasengan to take out one of the bodies of Pain. The chronology of when he learns the Rasengan changes is slightly different between the manga and anime.
The manga makes it clear that Naruto taught Konohamaru the Rasengan before heading on his journey with Jiraiya before the time skip. Meanwhile, the anime clearly shows that both characters are older when the training starts, making for a small yet notable change.
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Naruto: Shippuden
- Release Date
- February 15, 2007
- Seasons
- 22
- Studio
- Pierrot
