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What makesNarutostand out in most aspects is its riveting storyline, characters, and unique power system. The series topped the charts with its power scaling and lore. And while it may not be as flashy as ninjutsu, Taijutsu has its unique charm.
It stands as one of the most badass abilities despite its gross underutilization in the series. An iconic filler scene in the series precisely proves why it deserves its much-needed comeback.
To add to that, the series left no stone unturned in squandering the potential of an iconic character. His Taijutsu prowess and finesse were wasted, and he was given only limited screentime. In all honesty, the character truly deserved better.
Narutofiller highlighted this iconic yet broken Taijutsu
One of the blatant criticisms associated withNarutois the sheer amount of filler episodes the series has. While it may not be as saga-esque as One Piece, it has its fair share of drawbacks. The filler episodes are a perfect example of that.
Mostly, the episodes are a hit or miss depending on their relevance to the series. But a specific episode from the series highlighted one of the most broken Taijutsu abilities in the series.
Of all the filler episodes,Run! The Curry of Lifeis a fan favorite in terms of its visual appeal. The episode holds relevance in terms of its impact on food and culture, with several influencers recreating the curry recipe.
But it is also the worst in many aspects, including the lack of development of Rock Lee. The episode outlined one of the most badass yet hilarious fighting styles by theTaijutsu prodigy. Even fans would vouch for this aspect.
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Besides his duel with Kimimaro, this was thesecond timeLee was shown using the Drunken Fist. Hilariously, the character is seen sparring with Raiga Kurosuki while dodging the latter’s attacks.
Even after decades, the scene would have most fans in splits. On a serious note, though, this is a dangerous yet effective form that shows the character in his prime. Something that the Shippuden series failed miserably in, in more ways than one.
Fourth Shinobi World War frittered away Rock Lee’s taijutsu prowess
Undoubtedly, Rock Lee is one of theunsung heroesof Masashi Kishimoto’s series. His mastery of the Taijutsu proves that he can stand up to god-tier shinobi. But what makes him a respectable shinobi is his resilience and determination.
Often, Kishimoto doesn’t get enough credit for creating layered and fleshed-out characters. While he may be weak in ninjutsu, the character highlighted his finesse in martial arts. His excellence proved fruitful in his duel against Master Chen.
But most of all, he couldtake on Gaara of the Sandalong with Sasuke in their duels. While the former incapacitated him, it only strengthened him. His mastery of the Eight Gates is no less than a grand feat on its own.
His duel against Kimimaro stands as one of his most memorable fights in the series. The Shippuden series failed the character miserably. While his fight with Chen is a standout, it doesn’t negate the gross underutilization of the character.
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Lee, along with Tenten and several other side characters, deserved his due glory and acknowledgment in the series. Whether Drunken Fist will make a comeback is uncertain. Regardless, Lee remains a prodigy and a true master of Taijutsu.
Narutois available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The manga is available for reading on Viz Media.
Himanshi Jeswani
Anime Writer
Articles Published :993
Himanshi Jeswani is an anime writer at Fandomwire, with her work spanning over 900 articles. Her articles cover shojo, shonen, seinen, and all things beyond. Her interests, however, aren’t limited to simply anime. She has a penchant for exploring different genres of manga, be it horror, yanki, music, and food. She brings out her specialization and expertise in the performing arts through her articles. As a writer, she strives to bridge the gap between the viewers and the medium itself. To her, anime is a revolutionary medium that is capable of creating communities and stories after all.
