Personally, if it wasn't for Shippuden, I probably would have stopped watching Naruto as a full :/ Imo, in the beginning of the series it had a good overall backstory for the main character, had good characters and focused alot on the group themselves. Then, after the Chunin exams arc, I really couldn't get into it. Why? Well for one, I couldn't STAND how weak Sakura was. I mean, she is the main heroin of the story and all she did was nothing but complain about getting stronger, and was usually kidnapped at some points, I liked her, but I was like "really?" This is just sad. Two, There were alot of fillers during that time of me remembering watching most of the series. Personally, Naruto as a whole was very slow for me. Not that much action, thinking alot was involved, but the only plot at the time time was to bring back Sasuke, and that's basically it :/
Now at least in Shippuden, Sakura has gotten an upgrade (FINALLY can hold her own) the story was improved 100 fold by adding more characters with unique backgrounds. New ninjutsu's and genjutsu's. As well as Arcs that were all interesting and well. Personally, i know that without the "original" Naruto series, there couldn't be a Shippuden, so it all comes together to blend in to help make the story better. Yes, there was ALOT of thinking involved in the original Naruto, but not enough action for me, and WAY to many flashbacks. We got it already Kishi, after showing Naruto's past for the 7th time, we get it >.> Yes, there are alot of flashbacks in Shippuden, but when they have them, it usually is during a good fight or talk and not just at a random given moment's notice.
Personally, i think the main reason you might feel you don't like Naruto, is because you may not quite understand what may be going on. There is ALOT involved in Shippuden that the original Naruto series didn't have (like more characters, more unique forms, genjutsu's and ninjutsu's that all vary) and by reading your post of personal opinions, what I make out of it, is that perhaps you miss the simplicity of what was Naruto. By reading one of your last opinions about "Kishi rushing through the end", how you came to that conclusion I still have yet to analyze. Afterall, the manga is not going to end for another year or two so calling the ending "rushed" right now is just making a false observation without giving it a shot UNTIL the end is announced. It's like saying midway of DragonBall Z during the Cell Saga saying "The ending was rushed" but the series wasn't done yet. Imo, Naruto Shippuden is what brought BACK alot of the Naruto fans that were getting tired of the show/manga, as I know ALOT by personal experienced that have started watching the show again as they started to say it was getting more "interesting" So yes, as it all comes down to opinion, the MAJORITY of the Naruto fan base pretty much continue watching Naruto imo, for this very reason. Afterall, there wasn't really much "story" to the original Naruto but to focus on "Bringing Sasuke back" in which he failed and then Filler Central took over until Shippuden arrived. Yes, they still are trying to get Sasuke back, but at LEAST there are more interesting arcs and enemies to keep us occupied with until then, instead of lame spoilers lol
I do however, understand where you're are coming from with you theory. It's like how I LOVED DBZ but HATED DBGT, but at LEAST the reason on why I disliked DBGT was because of the terrible story and character development. You really cannot say the same to Shippuden as imo, the story so far is VERY good and is only going to get better, but that is just me. Yes, the whole "If you don't have Senju blood in you or a jinchurki or Sharigan eyes, then you are basically trash" may be true, but look at DragonBall Z? If you aren't a Saiyan, you may as well take a seat and watch the fights, because EVERYONE else dies lol Yet, people STILL loved the show. Why? It had a good story, a great arsenal of characters and so forth. It all comes down to how well you interpret Naruto. I will never be able to change your opinion but I can at least tell you in my own words why I like it, as well as probably the millions of other fans too :3
This is personally my own opinion. I feel that, if it wasn't for Shippuden then I GAURENTEE YOU the Naruto craze would have died off...easily. You must be the minority that actually loved old school Naruto, as there are still fans like that, as well as those that enjoy the "New School" Naruto as well. Like I said, it all comes down to what you like.
