viewing age for Naruto and Naruto Shippuden

[UchihaGodMadara]

I know naruto is supposed to be for kid/teens (12 -15)
But as I was just looking back through all the episodes and things that their have been it doesn't seem like it all, its seems like this show should be aimed for a little higher of an audience, not in the aspects what has happened but more of the plot/message that the show serves. Cause to be honest all the "younger people I've talked to who watch Naruto don't get the main message, and besides At times Naruto can be quite a violent show (eye goudging, stabbing people in the back, literately.,massive slaughtering, and then orochimaru... etc.)

What do you think?

 

[Deadmed]

He got awarded for "giving depth to a shonen manga" therefore he did something that was not expected. Naruto is an artwork not a merchandise.

 

[roggeroo]

I'm interested which younger people you are talking to - western kids or Japanese? I can imagine the western kids not understanding it because a lot of the characters are based on Japanese mythology or Japanese word play, which most (if not all) of western kids are not likely to pick up on, unless they have an active interest in the Japanese language or mythology.

Actually I think Naruto is a great introduction to many of those myth stories and I think people could enjoy Naruto more if they knew more about those stories - Izanagi and Izanami creating Japan, Izanagi giving birth to Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi and Susanoo, Susanoo's fight with Yamata no Orochi to win the hand of Kushinada-hime and finding the Kusanagi no Tsurugi - being some of the most recognisable names in the Naruto series took inspiration from some of the more well known myth stories of Japan.

To be honest I doubt the Naruto creators worry/care what the western market thinks and I'm glad they don't pander to it either. I imagine they make want they want to make and leave the worrying to the western distributors.

It comes down to a difference in culture - all manga are created predominantly for the Japanese market, which are more open to violence in kid's comics than in 'the west'. It's fantasy violence, which is acceptable.

And I'm not sure Kids are interested in the main messages anyway - I doubt many can explain what Spider-man/Superman/Batman is actually about. I think what they look for is being able to relate themselves to the main protagonist. Which is true for all stories, I think.

The violent aspects of the show (eye goudging, stabbing people in the back,massive slaughtering, and Orochimaru) make up a very tiny amount to the series - but if you feel it's too suggestive for your kids, then you probably shouldn't let them watch it. If you want them to be watching something more grounded and stimulating then something like 'Space brothers' (Uchuu kyoudai) is a great managa/anime about space! And kids love space ... well they used to ... (now they like eye goudging, stabbing people in the back,massive slaughtering, and Orochimaru)

 

[UchihaGodMadara]

I'm interested which younger people you are talking to - western kids or Japanese? I can imagine the western kids not understanding it because a lot of the characters are based on Japanese mythology or Japanese word play, which most (if not all) of western kids are not likely to pick up on, unless they have an active interest in the Japanese language or mythology.

Actually I think Naruto is a great introduction to many of those myth stories and I think people could enjoy Naruto more if they knew more about those stories - Izanagi and Izanami creating Japan, Izanagi giving birth to Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi and Susanoo, Susanoo's fight with Yamata no Orochi to win the hand of Kushinada-hime and finding the Kusanagi no Tsurugi - being some of the most recognisable names in the Naruto series took inspiration from some of the more well known myth stories of Japan.

To be honest I doubt the Naruto creators worry/care what the western market thinks and I'm glad they don't pander to it either. I imagine they make want they want to make and leave the worrying to the western distributors.

It comes down to a difference in culture - all manga are created predominantly for the Japanese market, which are more open to violence in kid's comics than in 'the west'. It's fantasy violence, which is acceptable.

And I'm not sure Kids are interested in the main messages anyway - I doubt many can explain what Spider-man/Superman/Batman is actually about. I think what they look for is being able to relate themselves to the main protagonist. Which is true for all stories, I think.

The violent aspects of the show (eye goudging, stabbing people in the back,massive slaughtering, and Orochimaru) make up a very tiny amount to the series - but if you feel it's too suggestive for your kids, then you probably shouldn't let them watch it. If you want them to be watching something more grounded and stimulating then something like 'Space brothers' (Uchuu kyoudai) is a great managa/anime about space! And kids love space ... well they used to ... (now they like eye goudging, stabbing people in the back,massive slaughtering, and Orochimaru)[/QUOTEi guess, I don't have kids though... but anyway I don't know asmi was looking at the entire war arc and everything after it it gets pretty sophisticated, but I geuss your right though about the culture thing.

 

[Merkel]

You have a good point. I think Naruto Pt 1. is easier to follow than part 2. as far as the embedded meanings and messages are concerned. On the other hand Pt 2. is a bit deeper with it's themes and messages, eg. hatred is bred from love, those who bear hatred seek revenge which creates a seemingly endless vicious cycle of hatred etc etc etc...
I think that young ages can watch Naruto Pt 1. and follow on easily and Pt 2. as well, I don't think it's a matter of understanding alot of the underlying messages but more just appreciating them rather than them only enjoying the fights and explosions and whatnot. I'm 15 and enjoy the action/fights in Naruto but without good plot, emotion and reasoning behind the action it just wouldn't be that enjoyable to be honest.
As far as the violence is concerned I think most kids at about 12 on-wards have seen or become used to violence on par with Naruto if we're being realistic here so I don't think that's an issue.
In short I'd say for maximum enjoyment, Pt 1. is 12+ yrs and Pt 2. is at least 14+ yrs but I could be totally wrong about this, there may be a loads more people close in age to me that don't really grasp the meanings in Naruto very well.

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[Torche]

I got the DVDs of part one and it's all rated M which is 15+ in my country, although one is PG, but I don't know how that managed...

 

[New Dawn]

its a damned cartoon. Its for kids my man.

 

[Torche]

its a damned cartoon. Its for kids my man.

Of course it is.

Spoiler

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Just like the Disney movies.

 

[Deadmed]

its a damned cartoon. Its for kids my man.

Just because something is a cartoon doesn't make it for kids, it's played close to prime time in Japan its for kids and adults, just look at the episode where Obito butchers the mist Ninja, that's not "made for kids". The only major shonen that airs in the morning for younger children in One Piece as far as I know. Hunter x Hunter was as well until they realized how inappropriate it was placed there, so they moved it too late night. Cartoons like Monster and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex are strictly for adults.