Naruto VS Fairy Tail ! ナルト VS フェアリーテイル！

Since I’m really free and is up to date somewhat in both series, I shall do some commenting and comparing! o(*^-^*)o

For me, Naruto > Fairy Tail….. For now. (Even though I love them both o(>w<)o...)

In terms of characters, I feel that Naruto have “better” characters because the characters actually grow and mature in front of the audience. For example, you can see the characters actually training to get stronger and learning new jutsu. Also, there is always something new around the corner (Like Naruto finding out about elemental attacks). This seems to be lacking in Fairy Tail because in Fairy Tail, the characters merely repeatedly use their magic powers and uses emotions to add more power to what they already possess. Also, the power balance between the characters seems to not change at all (Unlike in Naruto where character like Naruto who used to be the last in class in the academy become a powerful ninja whom protected Konoha), unless, of course, the characters experiences a drive from their emotions. On the other hand, in Naruto, characters may feel a sense of helplessness of being unable to overcome the enemy’s jutsu. This will then drive them training harder for a goal unlike the mages in Fairy Tail who do not seem to even try to train before a battle. Although one may learn faster in a battlefield, it cannot become a sole way to improve oneself.

Also, up till now, Fairy Tail seems to have a lack of development in the plot as most of the arcs centers around protecting the guild, saving a guild member or bringing honour to the guild. In overall, Fairy Tail is a series which emphasizes on team work within a guild or working with another guild (such as that in the Oración Seis arc). Therefore, all the arcs seems to be a reiteration of a message which has already been sent. Naruto seems to, on the other hand, cover more themes. However, since Naruto have about twice the number of chapters and anime episodes, it is still hard to tell draw a conclusion and see where Fairy Tail will be heading.

In both series, there are touching and sad scenes. However, Fairy Tail seems to be a much lighter series compared to Naruto because unlike Naruto, the good seems to always win. The harshness of life has been constantly highlighted in Naruto. This makes the series more relatable to us who live in reality. There are almost no happy endings in life because after something joyful happens, you may stumble across something heart aching. The breaking of bonds is common in life and it has been illustrated through death and betrayal in Naruto. One thing hateful about Naruto is that you will start to like or even fall in love with a character, but in the next episode, he/she may die. This is truly heartbreaking. Also, seeing the other characters suffer due to the death of a fellow shinobi, friend, or family member will also trigger our sense of sympathy and even empathy. It teaches you to cherish the bonds that you have made with people before it is too late. This is what makes the series really great because it remind us of how most of us may have forgotten that what we own may not always be with us. On the other hand, for Fairy Tail, almost all the good characters will come out from a tight situation mostly unscratched unlike those in Naruto where they may be permanently injured.

Other than that, in Naruto, there can be a tendency (or maybe it is just me) to fall in love with bad characters. This is mainly because the characters have something they are fighting for (are are actually quite... worth fighting for) and you can actually make sense of their points of view (and they always have their own story to tell). This blurring of the line of good and evil makes the series even better because ... well... evil people have their reasons for being evil... right?... Even if its reasons like religion (for Hidan... which is actually...), Art (like Sasori-sama and Deidara), etc. Also, some of the Akatsuki members (like Nagato, Konan, Yahiko, Itachi, Sasori, Deidara, Kisame...) are not as evil as they are suppose to be. Actually, only those who are still alive in the Shinobi war arc are truly sick in the mind (...-.-"...Hidan is alive...) Also, in the case of Itachi, HE IS NOT EVEN EVIL! HE IS A GOOD PERSON! Other than that, the artist Sasori-sama and Deidara are actually just pursuing and trying to grasp their definition of true art. Even though they are quite some... extremist (Sasori-sama! I promise I will make your art immortal! <3). On top of that, Danzo, who is suppose to be a "bad" person is also just a person who holds very old and unbending and oppressing views. He actually cares for the village. On the other hand, in Fairy Tail, most of the bad character are depicted as being pretty... weird (like those in the phantom lord arc). It is hard to sympathize with them who are merely labeled as rouge or bandits or dark mages, etc because there is a lack of understanding. The characters like those of the Oración Seis have certain background stories. However, most of them are related to the tower of heaven. I really feel that unique stories is what is needed for people to remember a character better and to understand their doings and their plight. With unique stories, more plot can be generated and there will also be better character development (Even bad guys need some development, right? O.O...). 

Healing magic/jutsu is seen in both series. However, the difference in it is that in Fairy Tail, Healing magic seems to be able to magically (well, it is magic…) heal any injury instantly (and aside from that, the characters seems to be magically tough and only take in very little injury despite being repeatedly attacked by the opposite party). Whereas, in Naruto, Medical ninjutsu cannot heal any injury (As illustrated by the Tsunade and Dan incident). Also, this is a skill/power which needs years of training in order to perfect or even learn. The characters need to put in effort to obtain it, which is unlike that in Fairy Tail where the characters seems to possess the power from the start. This consequently makes Fairy Tail seem more like merely an entertaining fantasy story (which is actually good as it is light hearted^^… your head and heart can only take in so much…) especially when it is paired up with the comedy in it. On top of physical injuries, mental injuries seem to be lack in Fairy Tail. They seem to be really tough and be able to get back on their feet really fast. This is unlike the case in Naruto where characters may be traumatized (Like Tsunade’s temporary fear of blood). This thus make Naruto a more believable story. (Even though it is fiction anyway…. But speaking about logic…).

To me, character development is very important for a series to be successful. However, up till now, I see a lack of character development in some characters in Fairy Tail. For example, I must say there can be more development in Juvia’s character instead of making her talk about and think about Grey-sama in every scene. She IS a powerful mage but she seems to under-use her powers. On the other hand, in Naruto, after the three-year time skip, we can see that almost all the characters, especially the young ones, become more powerful through hard work and training. This can show how the characters, instead of being “frozen” in one state, move on to become someone else. This makes watching Naruto seem like watching your own children grow. For example, from the character Konohamaru, the evidence of maturing is pretty obvious. From a kid who do not even know how to hide himself (refers to the … boxes…), he become a proactive genin who prossesses the will of fire, being able to protect his friends, use powerful ninjutsu (and even take down one pain ^^…. ). Therefore, from this point, I feel that Naruto > Fairy Tail.

One more thing which I feel that Fairy Tail lacks in is the bond and connection between the teacher and the student. Even though there is the guild master, but he seem to be more like a parent than a teacher (Well…. He doesn’t guide them in the using of magic….He guides them in terms of values…). Also, for the dragon slayers like Natsu who have been constantly talking about Igneel training him dragon slayer magic (Well... he can be a parent too…), we don’t really see that happening. I personally feel that more on the area can be shown. The connection between a teacher and a student is extremely essential because it shows how one becomes one he is today. This can be seen in cases in Naruto such as Naruto and Jiraiya-sama, Hotaru and Utakata. The teacher’s teachings have a huge impact on the development of the student and thus, character development. It will be better if one is able to see how one becomes one he is today.

In overall, I feel that for now, Naruto > Fairy Tail. However, the table can be turned and it may be better to compare the two series when more chapters of manga and episodes of anime of Fairy Tail come out. After all, Fairy Tail is still like a new born baby!


(I didn't really touch on bonds - and also a lot more things - between guild members/Shinobi/friends because they are all nice and strong and unbreakable^^)

Word of caution: DON’T EVER watch twenty episodes of Naruto a day… your dreams will start to become 2D and Naruto characters will invade your dreams… (x_x)…


Use of Images:
http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/32600000/naruto-movie-uchiha-obito-32601006-3965-2802.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vTaNqdoiLXc/T2P1gxYpuFI/AAAAAAAAAZE/qJql3DK5aXo/s400/Anime+Fairy+Tail+Wallpaper.jpg
http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/33400000/Naruto-evoliution-naruto-33413374-1600-1152.png
http://static.tumblr.com/e9c99bc387e03d7bd5b5a162e99a052e/n24wcwt/m6Wml0edx/tumblr_static_fairy.tail.full.1294219.jpg
http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111026180722/fairytail/pl/images/5/57/Oracion_Seis_member.jpg
http://www.wallpaperdev.com/stock/naruto-wallpapers-of-akatsuki-naruto-shippuden-s.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6y0QZCc45afHUM8WHQWgPkVMKSrPi_ieXpNu0N8jiCzFyhGg-RMWAAoVWpeBmQxAN2MSMewzOeUwATY3ObC5oHhjKa3hrM6YOWJ1VhWE0qhv-1sJqskf82HJusv8xZUJWTMZ1Z_2agEQ/s400/032.png
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGlDD47vXmAwPLdcyjkS9lJCsNAxYbwIYc-dDcd83T3PtkIlLGRMxtxyVxCqkFqqQjuMZMD1yBF8z75gsSig-nUdSqa2oXliacgn9aYTHxjPEqOMG31fhGAmBCQRuo21uUTS8uf4_TCg/s400/jiraiya_and_naruto_by_e_maney.jpg
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbpba5cdTb1rbzd35o1_500.png
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/201/ft04.jpg/
http://narutotemple.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/82a_asuma_funeral.jpg
http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110105151810/fairytail/images/e/eb/Wendy_healing.jpg
http://dailyanimeart.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/tsunades-love-dan.jpg
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120129195026/naruto/images/7/7e/Konohamaru_attacks_Naraka.png
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111217235230/fairytail/images/b/b9/Juvia_vs._Meredy.jpg