Naruto or Bleach?

[The 1-2-3 Killam]

I've always been a huge fan of anime, and no matter how popular, Naruto and Bleach will always be two of the best out there. They both have legions of fans and a giant amount of support that will likely never die. At this point they've probably surpassed the level of popularity of things like DBZ and Full Metal Alchemist. Here's the real question... which of these icons is truly the best?

I can only speak from the perspective of a long-time Naturo fan. I haven't nearly gotten as into Bleach, but only from lack of time. What I can tell you is both have amazing characters, both have come so far from where they started, and both have crafted these near perfect stories that always surprise me with their depth. I just recently caught up with Shippuden, and I thought about going through Bleach from the beginning.

So let's hear it... which of the dynasties is the best? Naruto or Bleach? And yes I do count Shippuden in with original Naruto as one complete thing. The series simply goes from good to phenomenal in the transition...

 

[HoHo]

I voted for Naruto, when DBZ finished with GT their was a empty feeling inside for the Martial Arts action that I loved.I grew up with DBZ and I remember putting it on Cartoon Network and seeing a character that had spiked up hair, funny like Goku and I was hooked.Even though DBZ is done, my love for Martial Arts stays alive as long as Naruto will stay alive with it''s popularity.You guys ever think either Naruto or Bleach will get it's live action movie like DBZ even though it was done badly, Naruto or Bleach movie would be awesome!

 

[Hyorinmaru]

I obviously voted for bleach and it was for the simple reason i like it better.

I've watched both shows and out of both of them bleach was the one to grab my attention and keep it. better characters better storylines and captured my attention much better and for longer than naruto.

naruto is good don't get me wrong. but I found Naruto the character abrasive and he grated on me so bad I eventually found him very very annoying. It could have gotten better but I haven't seen it since the beginning so I really have no idea

 

[Bernkastel]

Both series have massive amounts of filler to the point where it's often painful. It's obvious that Viz Media wants to milk both series for all their worth.

Right now I like Naruto better than Bleach. I read Naruto every week, but I generally catch up on Bleach every other month. Bleach seemed to tank when Ichigo beat Aizen, and the new arc took absolutely forever to make sense and get good, while Naruto has been building and building momentum ever since the War arc started. Naruto is not only action based, but I feel it's got more meaning and philosophy than Bleach. Bleach kinda seems superficial right now.

 

[JamJam]

This one's kinda hard to choose. I'm dying to read each manga as the week goes by but due to computer troubles, I've missed the last two. But anyway, I voted for Naruto here. I just love this arc of the 4th Ninja World War. And plus, I don't like how Bleach got rid of Aizen so fast -____- But it's current arc has been pretty good if you ask me.

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

I've never actually sat and read or watched Naruto. The concept has always seemed a little off to me. This guy's a ninja...and he wears (at the start at least) a bright orange jumpsuit. I mean, what the flying fudgcicle is that about? It may be a ropey decision, but it's still what I stand by. As for Bleach, the anime is a mixed bag. There are some well cast roles (Johnny Yong Bosch is inspired as Ichigo and Michelle Ruff's excellent as Rukia too), but also some odder choices (Kyle Hebert's Aizen is very hit/miss for me). The filler is relatively uninteresting, and the expansion of the core material doesn't always work.

As for a manga, Bleach is fantastic. It's a clever, well thought out and executed piece. True I've yet to read the newer things (though I'm well aware of Aizen's downfall and this new arc), but with where I am at the moment (Volume 37), the series is working really, really well. The characters are compelling and the arc is engrossing.

It's at this stage that I also want to talk a little about this whole Aizen defeated thing too. I think it's fairly obvious that he's coming back. He wasn't killed, there are plenty of loose ends yet to be tied up and perhaps most important of all, the fight between he and Ichigo did not feel like a true "final battle". Rest easy folks, I see an Aizen return on the cards, not too far away (and if I were making a proper prediction, I'd say Momo will have a hand in his return) after all Kubo's already said the next arc will be a lot longer than the current one, which seems close to it's conclusion.

 

[Trance Metaphor]

Neither. It's all about One Piece. Naruto and Bleach don't even compare to this continuous epic marvel of a series that continues to exceed all expectations and provide quality after quality of emotionally-rewarding adventures that never disappoint (check out the Enies Lobby and Battle of Marineford arcs for proof). There is so much drive behind the characters' motives and relentless optimism in Monkey D. Luffy that you can't help but to actually care. Also, Roronoa Zoro is the most bad-ass character I've seen in popular Shounen Anime in the past decade. Naruto certainly has its share of interesting characters and a great starting arc in Shippuden, but it fluctuates too often. A lot of it is slow-paced and uninspiring. The battles are creative and memorable though. Bleach is the worst. What started as something that would have climbed to the top as quality writing greatly declined once the Soul Society arc finished. The amount of retcon is ridiculous and Ichigo (as well as others) come across as pathetic more often than not after so many high expectations. This is a shame, since I really do like some of the characters such as Rukia Kuchiki and Uruhara Kisuke.

 

[The 1-2-3 Killam]

naruto is good don't get me wrong. but I found Naruto the character abrasive and he grated on me so bad I eventually found him very very annoying. It could have gotten better but I haven't seen it since the beginning so I really have no idea

I completely agree. Especially if you watch the Japanese, which with Naruto you HAVE to, there is a billion episodes of filler and you can't help but get increasing annoyed with Naruto's character. I belive I actually skipped about 100 episodes at one point and nothing major had developed in the plot at all... I ended up watching the last 20 episodes to get closure, and moving on to Shippuden.

HOLY COW! Shippuden is 1,000 times better than the original Naruto series. THere is very littler filler, and when there is it's still incredibly awesome. From the very beginning there's the sense of nostalgia, mixed with the pride of seeing the characters finally grow up. There's such a great feeling when Naruto finally does things you've been wanting him to do for years! EVERYONE is very grown up, and you get to see the former-youngsters evolve in the future of the HIdden Leaf village. The plot is also phenomenal... Some of the best fights I've seen in any anime, and it just gets better and better. And not in the way that DBZ just gets more and more ridiculous, and Goku keeps finding new ways of going Super Saiyan 9,003 (cuz...it's over 9,000)... It's similar, but in ways that are believable. They never put a cap on the Nine Tails ability, so they don't have to come up with some bullshit reason as to why he keeps getting more powerful. It's really well done...

 

[keehlnate]

Neither. It's all about One Piece. Naruto and Bleach don't even compare to this continuous epic marvel of a series that continues to exceed all expectations and provide quality after quality of emotionally-rewarding adventures that never disappoint (check out the Enies Lobby and Battle of Marineford arcs for proof). There is so much drive behind the characters' motives and relentless optimism in Monkey D. Luffy that you can't help but to actually care. Also, Roronoa Zoro is the most bad-ass character I've seen in popular Shounen Anime in the past decade. Naruto certainly has its share of interesting characters and a great starting arc in Shippuden, but it fluctuates too often. A lot of it is slow-paced and uninspiring. The battles are creative and memorable though. Bleach is the worst. What started as something that would have climbed to the top as quality writing greatly declined once the Soul Society arc finished. The amount of retcon is ridiculous and Ichigo (as well as others) come across as pathetic more often than not after so many high expectations. This is a shame, since I really do like some of the characters such as Rukia Kuchiki and Uruhara Kisuke.

Yah me too. I wonder why there isn't One Piece. When you talk about shounen series there is always this 'big 3'. That is Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece. I just don't know if the OP has not able to watch One Piece yet, or he just overlooked it. I have watched Naruto and Naruto Shipuuden from the start (excluding the fillers) and I can really say that it is one of the best. Although I only watched 120+ episodes of Bleach, it also brings something on the table. But we are talking about the anime here. Those two particularly Naruto has killed itself with the unlimited number of fillers that become so annoying that certainly kills the interest of the fans.

One Piece on the other hand, despite the poor animation compared to Naruto and Bleach, there is something about this anime that it stands out. The story, every single arc is well made. I can't even remember the last time that it has shown a filler out of the 525+ episodes. Don't be discouraged by the poor animation, I have been there before but after I watched it I took back my word.

Certainly, these big 3 might have surpassed the level of popularity as DBZ but I don't think if DBZ is shown with these big 3 simultaneously I don't think they will even come close.

Well as for Naruto or Bleach? I'll have to go for Naruto since there is no story arc there that makes me bored excluding the fillers of course. And the fight scenes are awesome.