A common debate among fans of anime and manga is which of the two is more often superior. For Naruto, a lot of fans seem to be divided on this argument, though there are certainly scenes in the anime that many would admit were more clearly depicted, while the opposite is true, as well.
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There are many scenes that were more vividly depicted in the Naruto manga than in the anime. Sometimes, the artists would have more time to focus on one panel in the manga, rather than having to worry about filling up the entire 20 minutes of an episode quickly in the anime. Here are six scenes that particularly shined greater in the Naruto manga rather than the anime.
6 Madara vs. The Shinobi Alliance
An Untouchable Opponent
- One man against thousands
- Manga's choreography depicts more impactful scenes
- More expressive emotions on each character
In the anime, the battle between Madara and the entire Shinobi Alliance depicts Madara immediately running towards the large group without much focus on his facial expressions. Most of the scene is zoomed out, and Madara just kicks and slices his way through the fight in typical anime fashion. The scene doesn't really stand out as a particularly memorable one, but instead just gives viewers a quick summary of what's happening.
However, in the Naruto manga, readers get to sit with the pure power that Madara holds from only a few panels. Most of them are broad and depict Madara as one man against thousands, showing just how powerful he can be. The manga also shows just how easily Madara is able to take down each shinobi, with striking movements and unforgettable scenes.
5 Night Guy (Taijutsu)
A Forbidden Taijutsu
- Performed by Guy in the anime and manga
- Can be used after opening the Eight Gates
- Causes massive destruction
Night Guy is a forbidden taijutsu used by Guy in Naruto, and can only be utilized after opening all the Eight Gates. When Guy uses this ability, his chakra turns into a red dragon floating around him. The scene in the anime is certainly colorful and shows just how powerful the attack can be, but it doesn't show just how destructive it can be.
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In the manga, readers are able to see how gory and painful the damage from the Night Guy taijutsu is. As Guy attacks Madara, readers can see Guy's leg completely shoved into Madara's stomach, which causes him to immediately spit out blood. Readers of the manga are able to fully focus on the attack and how it actually affects Madara and Guy, and they are also able to clearly see the lead-up before the attack is unleashed.
4 Pain's Destruction of Konoha
Pain Uses Shinra Tensei
- Utilizes devastating Shinra Tensei to destroy Konoha
- Was actively looking for Naruto among the villagers
- The Shinra Tensei ability can be utilized by Sasuke as well
As Pain is invading the village of Konoha in order to find Naruto, he finds out that Naruto is currently at Mount Myoboku instead. Soon after, Pain chooses to unleash a Shinra Tensei, which completely destroys Konoha. In the anime, the scene is relatively short and doesn't relay the feeling of just how devastating the attack is.
In the Naruto manga, readers get to see how massive the scale is of the Shinra Tensei ability. There is one panel in particular that shows Pain hovering high above Konoha, depicting the impact of his attack on an entire village as a single person. There is also a light aura around him while performing the Shinra Tensei, giving him an otherworldly and untouchable appearance.
3 Orochimaru vs. Hiruzen (3rd Hokage)
A Truly Unsettling Villain
- Orochimaru reanimates previous Hokage during the battle
- Hiruzen is forced to fight his former student
- Hirurzen uses the Grim Reaper Seal on Orochimaru
When Orochimaru meets Hiruzen again in Naruto, they are on opposite sides and engage in a significant battle during the Konoha Crush arc. In the anime, much of the scenes are just your typical anime battle, with predictable villain lines from Orochimaru, and quick changes. This doesn't allow viewers to really see how both characters are feeling in the moment.
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In particular, the manga really shows just how much this battle affects Hiruzen emotionally, since he used to train Orochimaru. The panels in the manga show his eyes and hands shaking, and we also see Orochimaru's expressions, which are far more unsettling and creepy. The manga panels also give more emphasis to Orochimaru's cruel actions, such as reanimating the previous Hokage, and tying up innocent citizens of Konoha.
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2 Zabuza and Haku's Death
Greater Emotional Impact
- Shows the unspoken bond between Zabuza and Haku
- Is one of Naruto's first enemies
- Depicts Zabuza's redemption
The death of both Zabuza and Haku in Naruto is one of heavy emotions, as the two spent the majority of their lives dedicated to protecting one another. In the anime, though Haku's death is emotional and reveals Zabuza's actual feelings towards Haku (similar to a brotherhood), Zabuza's death isn't as memorable.
In the manga, readers are able to see just how bloody and gruesome Kakashi's attacks are on both Haku and Zabuza, and Zabuza is able to get a proper redemption scene. The panels showing Zabuza lying on the ground by Haku's side, with the snow and blood mixed together around them, are some of the best in the manga and are incredibly emotional. Haku and Zabuza are then both taken and buried together by the team.
1 Naruto vs. Sasuke Final Battle
Friends and Rivals for Life
- Naruto and Sasuke battle due to opposing beliefs
- Shows their bond, both as friends and rivals
- It ends with the two both receiving significant injuries
Naruto and Sasuke have a long relationship in the Naruto series, having trained together since they were kids to become some of the strongest shinobi. Due to Sasuke feeling as if he has to cut off all bonds in order to be all-powerful, a fight breaks out between him and Naruto. In the anime, the fight has a lot of flashy choreography, but lacks a bit of emotion.
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When this fight was depicted in the manga, readers experienced the devastation that this battle caused for both Naruto and Sasuke. Not only do readers get to see more intense hand-to-hand combat and the true extent of the injuries, but there are more emotional panels showing how desperate the two are. This is certainly one of the best scenes to occur in the Naruto series, and it shows just how intense the relationship between Naruto and Sasuke is.
Naruto
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- 2002 - 2007-00-00
