Naruto is a household name when it comes to the shonen genre. The series was a massive hit during the Shonen jump’s golden age. Aside from its Big 3 status, it raised the bar with its storytelling and characterization.

Other than that, it immensely impacted culture and society worldwide. The chokehold it has on fans to this date is real. And while it holds its fair share of cult popularity, it isn’t exempt from criticisms either.

Team 7 in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Most specifically, the anime was ridden with blunders and controversies on several occasions. This is evident in its treatment of Sasuke and Itachi’s characters. With fans calling out the blunder, one thing is certain.

While this underscores the issue of inauthenticity and botched adaptations, it most certainly isn’t the first time. From animation to mistranslation, Studio Pierrot’s slapdash rendition of Kishimoto’s manga remains irredeemable.