Why Naruto Remains the Unbeatable King of Anime on Netflix!

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Some well-known anime series continue to generate excitement as they release fresh content. Even some classic, beloved anime have managed to maintain a strong following years, even hundreds of episodes later. Naruto, in particular, belongs to this category. Unlike other franchises that gain more episodes or started airing many years ago, Naruto remains relevant with a loyal, ever-expanding fanbase who continue to engage with their beloved series. And given its iconic, respected storylines and characters, the franchise richly deserves this ongoing attention.

With such a daring, legendary, and lasting franchise as its namesake, Naruto surpasses other franchises in its newest achievement, holding the top spot on Netflix‘s anime rankings for the second half of 2024. Given its reputation, it’s no surprise! Naruto, despite encountering hurdle after hurdle in his ninja journey and grappling with emotional struggles that resonate deeply, never gives up. His determination to achieve his dreams amidst obstacles embodies the spirit of “never give up” and serves as an inspiring beacon for otaku worldwide. Trust us on this!

Naruto is Still the Best! Believe it!

After more than two decades, Naruto continues to reign supreme. A study by PJB Entertainment comparing viewership hours for each franchise up until the end of 2024, as reported in Netflix’s “What We Watched” data, has placed Naruto at the number one spot. This encompasses the original 2002 series through its ending with Naruto: Shippuden in 2017, filler content, and other projects like Boruto. In total, these elements have accumulated a staggering 330 million hours of watch time. With this undisputed #1 position as the most-watched anime worldwide, Naruto surpasses long-running series such as One Piece (over 1,000 episodes), Demon Slayer, Pokemon (also over 1,000 episodes), Black Clover, Hunter x Hunter, Seven Deadedly Sins, My Hero Academia, Dandadan, and even Jujutsu Kaisen. This is quite a shift from the first half of the year when Delicious in Dungeon temporarily took the lead.

Without any contemporary series quite capturing the entirety of Naruto, it underscores the profound influence this series has had on its fans, as its most memorable moments continue to hold a lasting appeal. Naruto is a character who strikes a chord with audiences worldwide due to his unwavering determination in the face of challenges, and he serves as an enduring inspiration for otaku everywhere. Accompanied by both friends and enemies throughout his journey, Naruto’s escapades—ranging from side-splitting humor to poignant emotional moments—have left a lasting impact not only on the narrative arcs and characters within the franchise but also on anime culture at large.

A Beloved Anime Franchise Since 2002

In the concealed village called Konohagakure, or Hidden Leaf Village, lives Naruto Uzumaki, a spirited young ninja with big dreams. Due to an act of self-sacrifice by the Fourth Hokage, Naruto carries within him the sealed Nine-Tailed Fox demon, a being once threatening the village. Despite the villagers’ wariness and rejection towards him, Naruto remains undeterred in his pursuit of becoming the next Hokage, aiming to earn the village’s admiration and respect. As he navigates friendships and challenges, Naruto undergoes rigorous training to become a powerful ninja, confronting numerous adversaries and battling the inner demon lurking within himself.

From its modest start as a manga written by Masashi Kishimoto and published by Shueisha back in 1999, this adventure/fantasy/comedy/martial arts series for young males grew to encompass 72 volumes before wrapping up in 2014. In 2002, Pierrot transformed it into an anime that has since gained widespread acclaim. The franchise consists of the original 220-episode Naruto series across 5 seasons, followed by Naruto: Shippuden with a massive 500 episodes spanning 22 seasons, and concluding in 2017. Now, Boruto, Naruto’s son, leads the storyline in the latest installment of the franchise.

Despite other franchises such as “One Piece” boasting an apparently longer-lasting impact through ongoing manga and anime series, “Naruto” continues to captivate generations of anime enthusiasts, old and new. This franchise has uniquely managed to transcend cultural boundaries in its viewership. With a steady stream of merchandise, promotions, and collaborations, the franchise remains as popular as ever, balancing marketing efforts with genuine appeal. The vast number of watch hours serves as evidence of its enduring popularity.

Given the continued enthusiasm of fans for more content from the franchise, it seems reasonable that Boruto should bring back its anime series. Meanwhile, Two Blue Vortex stands out as a compelling reading experience within the ongoing 2016 two-part manga series, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. The franchise’s longevity demonstrates that it could maintain its strong viewership if the anime were to continue. However, until then, fans can indulge their passion with the ongoing monthly manga instalments of Two Blue Vortex. As Boruto navigates new abilities and aspirations, the story becomes more captivating as it unfolds, making it a worthwhile investment for readers.

It’s perfectly fine if you can’t catch up with Naruto on Netflix. You can still enjoy it on various other popular streaming platforms like Amazon, Hulu, Peacock, Crunchyroll, and many others.

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2025-03-21 21:14