As Naruto returns to Konoha after a long training trip with Jiraiya, Naruto Shippuden begins with a lot of excitement but also shows missed opportunities. The series focuses on Naruto's journey to become Hokage with the help of friends like Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha.
The Hokage is the key figure in Konoha, and this focus on Konoha highlights a major problem: while other areas are mentioned and visited, they are often not well developed and can even be forgotten.
This problem is noticeable in Naruto, but is especially evident in Naruto Shippuden because the story involves Akatsuki trying to capture Tailed Beasts from multiple Jinchuriki. This plot requires traveling to many different villages, but Naruto Shippuden doesn't spend enough time on these villages. As a result, the world feels flat when it could be much more alive.
Naruto's world building and focus on Konoha overshadows the other villages and their depth.
The world of Naruto is simple, with many hidden countries and villages where shinobi live and train. The most important of these is Konohagakure, the “Hidden Leaf Village” in the Land of Fire. The series also includes other countries and villages, as seen in the Chunin Exams, where shinobi from different villages compete to advance in rank.
Although shinobi from Konoha are frequently sent on missions to other villages, viewers and readers are rarely given details about these places. A prime example is the arc where Naruto's team goes to rescue Gaara from Akatsuki.
This arc provides a look at the daily life and politics of Sunagakure. This arc stands out because Naruto tries to give depth to another area but doesn't quite succeed.
After Gaara was rescued, Sunagakure was not returned to. This is a common problem in Naruto. The story still focuses on Konoha and the village's activities, with a few other villages receiving similar attention in Naruto Shippuden.
For example, Killer B gets a lot of screen time, but the Hidden Cloud Village and its leader, A, don't get as much prominence. While Naruto's world may be more detailed, it's still not as fully developed.
How ignoring other areas affects the story and theme
Naruto's treatment of other countries can have unintended effects on the story. For example, Konan and her village, Amegakure (Hidden Rain Village), are portrayed as small and war-torn. Despite Naruto's promise to help these villages, the lack of focus on them contributed to Konan's tragic fate and the village's continued suffering, even up to episode #157 of Boruto.
What's worrying is that other regions in Naruto are often sidelined, weakening the theme of the show. When locations are ignored and Konoha is just a supporting role for other villages, it weakens the impact of the series. Individual clans, including the Uzumaki clan, are not explained well, which is a drawback.
On the other hand, it's interesting to think of an alternate Naruto where the story involves traveling to different regions and discovering their customs and people. This would add a new dimension to the series. Sunagakure highlights what could have been, showing missed opportunities.
The Impact of World Building on Storytelling and Engagement
Comparing Naruto to One Piece is useful here. While Naruto doesn't necessarily copy One Piece, it's worth noting that One Piece's appeal lies in its richly developed world, which continues to delight audiences years later.
Naruto begins about two years after One Piece, and both are part of the “Big Three” of shōnen anime. One Piece follows Luffy and his pirate crew as they explore the world in search of adventure and their dreams.
One Piece stands out because it gives each region that Luffy and his crew visit their own identity, unlike Naruto. Each island in One Piece has its own culture and the characters have detailed backstories that connect them to their surroundings. This creates a clear distinction between the regions in the series.
Naruto lacks this depth; in the Fourth Great Ninja War, the focus remains on Konoha, with other regions playing minor roles. In contrast, One Piece's Egghead Arc shows the impact of a major threat on each island.
Naruto's Worldbuilding: The Challenge of Balancing Depth and Scope in a Vast Universe
Another example is Assassination Classroom, which focuses on a regional level by keeping the story limited. My Hero Academia also focuses primarily on Japan, which suits its narrative style. While Naruto is a beloved series, it often tries to cover too much at once. It creates a large world but doesn't fully develop its regions, making Konoha seem like the center of the story.
Building a world within a story is a challenge. It is difficult to create a world that is large and yet focused enough on all of its parts. Manga authors have to work within the confines of their genre and meet the expectations of readers and editors. For viewers, it can be difficult to fully enjoy Naruto when the story covers so much territory that they feel unfamiliar with.
Naruto's world-building isn't bad; many viewers would say it actually achieves its goals. However, the world often feels empty, as everything is seen through the lens of Konoha. This makes even the most serious peacekeeping missions seem pointless. As much as we love Naruto, it's hard to shake the feeling that its world-building could be improved.
