Naruto episode Guide, Analysis, and Discussion

[Rinku]

This is Rinku once again... and now I've decided to start a long and (hopefully successful) discussion and analysis on each episode of the great anime series Naruto.

Here's how it works: First I'll provide a summary of the episode, then talk about the important points of it. After I say *end of episode (blank) analysis* people are welcome to provide their own input.

And no, fillers will not be included.

So.... I need 5 people (and 5 only, please) to comment whether u think it's a good idea or not to this topic. That way I won't be double posting.

[Mysterious F.]

I'm not really sure what the point of this would be. Wouldn't it be easier to just make an archieve of the episodes. (That is, if you can find an episode, with what Youtube's been doing with anime lately)

[Rinku]

Eh.... STAR testings over and I'm bored.

[Rincewind]

I don't see why not, no harm done and all.
I think it would be cute.

[Zelda Veteran]

I'll provide links to all the episodes you need linked, and put them on the front page of this topic. :)

[Mysterious F.]

As said, that is if you can find them.  ::)

[alical]

They're all still out there, you just have to look hard.
I think this would be fun.

[Rinku]

Woo! Okay let's start!

Naruto Episode 1: Sanjo! Uzumaki Naruto!
Enter! Uzumaki Naruto!

[/u]

Okay, the beginning of the episode starts with the story of the Kyuubi, or the nine-tailed fox demon and how it was destroying everything in its path.  :)

The next scene cuts to Naruto, who was in the middle of vandalising the Hokage statue faces. The 3rd Hokage sighs, as if he kind of expected it. People start chasing him, and in the end his academy instructor Umino Iruka catches him and takes him back to class.

The first thing Iruka does is scold Naruto for skipping class to play his pranks instead of studying, seeing as Naruto had failed the past 2 graduation exams. The class lines up to practice the transformation technique, or Henge no Jutsu. The first two kids, a preppy pink haired girl and a scowling black haired boy perform perfect copies or Iruka... then it's Naruto's turn, but instead performs his own technique, the well-known Sexy no jutsu AKA turning into a naked girl. Iruka nosebleeds while Naruto laughs in his face. *pay attention to the other kids in line, those of you who haven't watched many eps- they'll get more important later on*

As punishment for vandilising the statues Naruto is forced to scrub it all off. Iruka, who is overseeing him says, "You're not going home until it's all gone."
To which Naruto replies, "It's not like there's anyone waiting at home for me anyway." Iruka changes the subject and in the next 30 seconds viewers learn of Naruto's obssession for ramen and, more importantly, his dream: to become the village's number one ninja, or the Hokage.

The next day at school Iruka starts the graduation exam, and to pass all the students have to do is the replication technique, or Bunshin no jutsu. Naruto fails for the third time in a row, even though Iruka's partner Mizuki felt sympathy for him.
The next scene shows the happy graduates celebrating outside the academy with their parents, while Naruto sits alone on a swing farther away. Mizuki appears and takes him away.

Mizuki explains that Iruka wasn't being unfair, and that he just wants Naruto to pass because his skills were actually improving- not just because he felt sorry for him. Mizuki convinces Naruto that if he steals a certain scroll and learns one of the techniques in it, Iruka would pass him for sure. Naruto believes him and does just that.

Meanwhile the village notices the scroll's absence and tries to track him down, including Iruka. It later turns out that Mizuki was just using Naruto so that he could have the scroll all to himself. He tells Naruto that Naruto is actually the Kyuubi, and that it was a law that everyone but him could know it. He attacks Naruto, and just as he goes in for the death blow Iruka appears, shielding Naruto and taking Mizuki's giant shuriken attack instead. Naruto looks up, frozen with fear and asks, "Why?" Iruka replies that he and Naruto were very much alike.

As the fight progresses Mizuki tries to finish Iruka off, but Naruto knocks him away, gives him the death look and says, "Don't lay a finger on Iruka-sensei.... Or I'll kill you!" Mizuki says that he could easily get rid of a kid like him, but Naruto uses his new and signature technique, Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (shadow clone), makes a mass army of duplicates and finishes him off. *Note, he doesn't kill him, just beats him up*. Iruka is amazed that Naruto can do a jounin-level technique already and rewards him with a Konoha hitai-ate, or ninja headband, making him a full-fledged ninja and putting him one step closer to his dream.
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Now one of the main themes is Naruto is loneliness, which is really expressed even in just this first episode. The old swing Naruto sits on becomes a familiar symbol of such a sad theme throughout the series. Iruka and Mizuki both tell him that they are all very alike. (Note that Mizuki's opinion is that Naruto is just as evil as he is). Iruka, like Naruto, was the class clown because it was the only way to get any attention. I haven't met a class clown who acted as an idiot because they had the same motivation as Naruto for it, and although the reason is a bit far off it makes sense. Not all orphans in the series with tragic pasts end up acting like fools, although it still implies that there are A LOT of other characters like Naruto (which we will get into as soon as we get to those episodes). You'd think a series would get boring if everyone was the same, but it's the OPPOSITE. People who think deeply into the series love the similar yet different personalities of the characters, like the bloodthirsty Gaara. As you watch more episodes it seems like all the main characters have tragic pasts, problems, weaknesses, or issues (boy, aren't all these people messed up?). Well the point is they all have very well-written back stories, so fans feel like they actually know the characters, and not just their signature jutsus or who they killed or who they have crushes on, etc. Fans understand the motives and WHY they killed whoever.

Another theme of the series is that if you work hard enough and do whatever it takes, you can accomplish anything. When Naruto steals the scroll, he does it without any remorse. Stealing is wrong, and Naruto knows that- but he did it without any hesitation. Why? Because he had enough reason to do it. Because he was sick of all the pain he had to go through, and everyone looking down on him. Right now the clumsy Naruto doesn't look like he'll be top dog of the village anytime soon, but does he care? Of course not! This also shows how naive he is. Blinded by his anger at being the odd man out every time and his loneliness, he doesn't stop to think about the consequences of his actions.

Naruto's personality also changes in different situations. At times he's happy-go-lucky and carefree, but in tough times he becomes known as someone you can depend on.

Naruto is a great story in my opinion, and once we get farther in I promise there will be a lot more analysis.

---------End of Episode 1 Analysis----------------

[Bboy94]

Pretty good ananlysis. Even though I know the episode well, it makes it interesting.

[Zelda Veteran]

I added the link. Also, they will not all be in english, however there are subtitles at the bottom. Youtube has been deleting Naruto vids, so I might not be able to deliver everytime.