Originally Posted by
Scruffington
Naruto started off as a series about a character who had to work hard to overcome his obstacles. It ended with that same character being revealed as a prodigy child, who was the reincarnation of a deity who was effectively destined for greatness. Neji Hyuga was right all along.
The story was awful after the Five Kage Summit arc. Sasuke's entire story arc after that point makes zero sense. Naruto's entire philosophy becomes undone. Sakura, instead of becoming the strong person she should have been at the start of Part II, regressed to a terribly weak character.
I'm really frustrated with how the series ended. What should have been a great ending to a fantastic series was ruined by horrible characterization and pacing.
I can only look back on Naruto with mixed feelings. Appreciation for how good it was, but sadness with how Kishimoto undid a lot of the things that made the series so interesting in the first place. And frustration with how well it could have ended.