Can't decide if I want to collect Naruto or not

Snakering said:
When you speak of collecting, are you a completionist? Here is my personal opinion: if there are specific story arcs that you remember fondly, I would consider buying the DVDs for only those.

1. You're right that collecting media is expensive. There are ways to cut down these costs (buying used, buying as a set instead of individual DVDs, etc.), but it still adds up.
   
2. It sounds like you have a lot of mixed feelings about the series (and that you never finished Shippuden, if I understand your post correctly). It might not be worthwhile to collect *every* DVD (or too many DVDs) from a series that, when you look at it on your shelf, makes you think "eh" or "I wish this was different" when you look at it. For me personally, I try to only collect things that I love.
   
3. Naruto has like a billion episodes--I would only buy the ones you might watch again, and not parts of the show that make you remember what you *don't* like about it.
   

I can't say much about gay inclusion or lack thereof--it's just not something that Shounen Jump traditionally does much with. I do think it was extra hard for people who were strong Naruto/Sasuke shippers, and this is why we have so much fanfic and fanart even now featuring these characters. (I'm not sure if you were hoping for different ships, or if it's the way sexuality is handled that you don't like, but I think there are probably many people in the fandom who feel similarly to you.)


Anyway, this is just my opinion based on how I choose to purchase media. Although you've said that you are a DVD collector, don't forget that there are other ways that you can keep a memento of a show you're nostalgic for but see a lot of problems with--like buying a CD of soundtrack, merchandise, or even these really cool artbooks. These could be a better fit than owning the DVDs, based on what you've said, if you're willing to try them.

CMYK said:
Maybe you should hear this as someone who stopped collecting a series because of mixed feelings (manga tho). Not even my fond memories and really nice experiences with it could override my general disappointment. Every time I saw it on my shelf it was just a big sigh, thinking about the lost potential. It took me years to realize it’s not worth keeping - not because it’s incomplete, but because it doesn’t make me happy. I still love it, but don’t need or want it with me. My solution is to sell. It sounds like this could be Naruto for you. Of course, a few DVDs of your top favorite episodes might not be so bad. You could re-watch those and be reminded of the things you love about the series.

As Marie Kondo would say, if it’s on your shelf or in your hands, does it spark joy in you? Would you focus on the good, or you can’t help but think about all those things that don’t quite sit right with you, every time you pass by those DVDs? If it’s the latter, then I don’t think it’s worth it, personally. If it's the former, go ahead. It's all about how you frame your feelings.