Why I think Naruto as a story is technically brilliant
A lot of anime requires you to suspend your disbelief to believe in and be invested in the universe of the media in question. For example the magic system. Dragonball-power levels. HunterxHunter-Nen. Bleach-Bankai(?). (As a sidenote I think the evolving nature of the magic system of JoJo very cool).
Naruto as a story requires you to believe in Chakra. Simple and fundamental like a vascular system or a nervous system. A third system that runs physically throughout the body. Backed up by centuries old Japanese mythology and the concept of weaving hand signs. The combination of mystical and physical. Paper bombs. Blood summoning. It's so cool. Every element is possible. The original unleashed design of the leaf village. It's incredible almost Batman level high quality villains. Orochimaru is such a sneaky snake. The Akatsuki are all so cool.
Personally I want to share the exact moment that I knew the story would be truly great.
When Naruto allows himself to be kicked a second time by Zabuza. Just to retrieve his Konoha headband.
As if Kakashi and the Hidden Mist outfit designs weren't cool enough.
More importantly, I would argue, Naruto rewards the viewer (the fans) for their patience and interest unlike many other stories we are sold. It's really obvious when a story's ending hasn't been considered at all. Accidental or tangential, aspects of this story come together in an incredible way.
Rock Lee - finally seeing the 8th Gate opened by Might Guy. For what sometimes feels like a Saturday morning cartoon it allso even has gentle moments like Shikamaru lamenting Asuma and Shikamaru's Dad's incredible advice in that episode.
I think it's cool.
Anywho whatever. Rewatching at the moment. Hokage level battle is so cool. Whoever was animation director on this episode and 133 is a genius.
If anyone wants to talk about favourite moments i'd love to hear/read.