I haven’t read Naruto in almost a year. I think I was distracted by other things, mostly Vince and his revival of American comic reading for me. Due to Joe’s urging, I got caught up again the other day. Chapter 384 was intense, to say the least.

Some people bad-mouth Naruto because it has a fairly generic plot. Social outcast struggling for acceptance and even greatness through impossible trials by sheer force of willpower. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have obscure prophecies or help from your shadowy past along the way.

But I think it is such a popular story because we all want to be Naruto. Everyone wants to belong and to do great things. Everyone wants to be the child of prophecy who saves the world.

At least, I think everyone does. I know I do. Now if only I could get better control of my chakra.