The number one knuckle-headed ninja has managed to captivate audiences for over 15 years, with many people — myself included — beginning the show as a young child and seeing its conclusion as a legal adult. To put it into numbers, I’m almost 20 years old and Naruto has been one of my favorite shows for OVER half of my life. I’ve had friends who were juniors in high school pick up the show from the start.
This is just a testament to the popularity of the anime. But why is it so popular? Ultimately, Naruto appeals to so many people regardless of age because of the valuable lessons taken away from the excellently developed characters. There is almost never a canon arc that does not result in a practical life lesson learned for the viewer. That is what makes the show so great and long-lasting, so without further ado: here is a list of 5 life lessons from 5 different character quotes.
1. "Don't underestimate me! I don't quit and I don't run! You can act tough all you want! You're not gonna scare me off! No way! I don't care if I DO get stuck as a genin for the rest of my life! I'll still be Hokage someday!"—Naruto Uzumaki
The titular character of the series has captivated long-time fans for years. Through his ridiculous antics and kind heart, Naruto has been a favorite ninja for many people. But what makes him so likable is his relatable character. Naruto spent his childhood alone and as he grew up, all he wanted to do was make friends and become Hokage. Let’s face it: all anyone wants to do is make friends and succeed.
2. "No matter how powerful you become, do not try to shoulder everything alone. Becoming the Hokage doesn't mean people will acknowledge you. But when the people acknowledge you, you can become Hokage. Never forget your friends!" —Itachi Uchiha
Speaking of friends, Itachi understands the importance of the friends you make. While Itachi is a poor example of what it means to not bear burdens alone (peep the slaughter of his entire clan), he still grasps the concept and passes it on to his younger brother. It’s an important thing to think about when it feels like you have to take everything life throws at you alone. Yes that can be a lot sometimes, but that’s what your friends are for.
3. "Those who break the rules and laws are regarded as scum, but those who would abandon even one of their friends are worse than scum." — Obito Uchiha
Obito basically says “no man left behind.” We just mentioned that you need friends in order to be strong… so yeah, it probably isn’t a good idea to abandon them. This line from 12-year-old Obito resonates in Kakashi, and ultimately makes its way into Naruto’s set of values: his ninja way.
4. "I believe that someday, the day will come when people truly understand one another. If I can't find the answer, it will be up to you to do it!" — Jiraiya
The cool thing about Naruto’s past is that it is all connected. Naruto inherited his ninja way from Kakashi, who inherited his ninja way from Minato (the 4th Hokage), who inherited his ninja way from Jiraiya, who, coming full circle, is Naruto’s teacher for a bulk of the series. The ninja way is passed from teacher to student. While we don’t always see it, our own teachers/mentors pass down their ideals to us all the time, and it ultimately is what allows youth to grow.
5. "That may be true... but they don't just rot and die! They will become nourishment for the new, fresh leaves! The time when a new spring comes and the fresh leaves bud... is the peak of youth! It's time to burn, deep crimson!" — Might Guy
In what I feel is the MOST heartfelt (as well as badass) moment in the entire series, Might Guy opens the 8th Gate: the Gate of Death, which we have known, since Lee’s fight with Gaara, kills the user. But what makes this so powerful and beautiful is not only Guy’s willingness to sacrifice his own life, but the metaphor he uses when Madara provokes him. Madara says the crimson aura around Guy looks like dead leaves, but Guy sees it differently. As I mentioned with Jiraiya’s quote, our elders pass the youth the torch so we can do what they were not able to. It makes Guy’s sacrifice a valiant marker for the youth (i.e. Naruto and Sasuke) to start from and save the Shinobi world.
