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Naruto is a delightful anime which is most definitely fun for all ages. Don't get me wrong, it can't be considered a masterpiece which has transcended the Shounen genre. However, to deny Naruto's impact on the anime world is foolish.

For many people (including myself) Naruto was the gateway into watching anime with more depth than the Shounen Jump series. But what is it that makes Naruto such a great gateway anime to watch? Is it the characters who can come off as either incredibly layoured (think Itachi) and the enjoyable (if not basic) story telling or is it simply down to the remarkable action scenes ... and animation which the show can sometimes offer.

Personally I find the entire journey that our protagonist goes on riveting from start to finish. The characters around them and the way they affect him are real to the story. Whilst the protagnonist can come off as an annoying brat near the start of the show the emotional depth that is layered upon him keeps the viewer rooting for the little guy to win.

The supporting cast can be a mixed bag with some characters having incredibly detailed backstorys and depth and some falling flat as little more than comic relief or exposition drops (looking at you Tenten). In the later series some of the characters who were built up in Naruto also seem to drop off the map in favour for a more streamlined focus on Naruto and his rival Sasuke Uchiha which can be polarizing at best.

While the supporting cast can range from excellent to lackluster, one thing which Naruto suceeds over most Shounen anime is the incredible variety of villains which the show has to offer, most of which come with incredibly deep and heartbreaking backstories which perfectly parallel our protagonist. Whether it is the perfect opposite of Naruto in the form of Gaara to the incredible range shown from the Akatsuki, you will always find yourself accidentally rooting for the protagonist to win.

The world itself I feel is also deep and meaningful to the story of Naruto. Whether it dates as far back as the story of the Sage of the Six Paths or more recent events such as the Nine Tailed Fox's attack on the Hidden Leaf, almost everything has a connection to the story and doesn't feel entirely forced.

In summary, Naruto is a charming little anime to watch if you want to have a good time. It is not entirely groundbreaking (taking the global success of the series out of the equation) but if you are like myself, you might find yourself having an enjoyable ride with this show.