Characters:
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== Growth and Popularity ==
== Growth and Popularity ==
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The series' length and popularity is comparable to that of [[Wikipedia:Akira Toriyama|Akira Toriyama]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Dragon Ball|Dragon Ball]]'', another popular action/martial arts-oriented [[Wikipedia:shōnen|shōnen]] manga, and one that was said to have greatly influenced Kishimoto's manga, Naruto. Since its creation, ''Naruto'' has spawned a large number of fansites that contain detailed information, guides, and active forums. Some of the first and most popular sites targeted at English speaking audiences were established shortly after the first English manga volume was released in August of 2003. And Like many other manga and anime titles, ''Naruto'' has also spawned its [[Naruto Collectible Card Game|own collectible card game]].
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The series' length and popularity is comparable to that of [[Wikipedia:Akira Toriyama|Akira Toriyama]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Dragon Ball|Dragon Ball]]'', another popular action/martial arts-oriented [[Wikipedia:shōnen|shōnen]] manga, and one that was said to have greatly influenced Kishimoto's manga, Naruto. Since its creation, ''Naruto'' has spawned a large number of fansites that contain detailed information, guides, and active forums. Some of the first and most popular sites targeted at English speaking audiences were established shortly after the first English manga volume was released in August of 2003. Also, like many other manga and anime titles, ''Naruto'' has also spawned its own [[Naruto Collectible Card Game|collectible card game]].
Prior to the anime's North American debut in 2005, several [[Wikipedia:scanlation|scanlation]] and [[Wikipedia:Fansub|fansub]] groups translated the series and made it available for free download on the internet. Despite North American companies' perceived tendency to prosecute fansubbing groups more frequently than Japanese companies,<ref>[http://animesuki.com/doc.php/licensed/ Licensed Anime @ AnimeSuki]</ref> there are some that have continued to translate new ''Naruto'' episodes due to the extremely large gap between the English and Japanese versions.
Prior to the anime's North American debut in 2005, several [[Wikipedia:scanlation|scanlation]] and [[Wikipedia:Fansub|fansub]] groups translated the series and made it available for free download on the internet. Despite North American companies' perceived tendency to prosecute fansubbing groups more frequently than Japanese companies,<ref>[http://animesuki.com/doc.php/licensed/ Licensed Anime @ AnimeSuki]</ref> there are some that have continued to translate new ''Naruto'' episodes due to the extremely large gap between the English and Japanese versions.
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''Naruto'' has a large and colourful cast of characters, running a gamut of detailed histories and complex personalities, and allowing many of them their fair share in the spotlight; they are also seen to grow and mature with the series, as it spans several years. As fitting for a coming-of-age saga, Naruto's world constantly expands and thickens, and his social relations are no exception – during his introduction he has only his [[Iruka Umino|teacher]] and the [[Hiruzen Sarutobi|village's leader]] for sympathetic figures, but as the story progresses, more and more people become a part of his story.
''Naruto'' has a large and colourful cast of characters, running a gamut of detailed histories and complex personalities, and allowing many of them their fair share in the spotlight; they are also seen to grow and mature with the series, as it spans several years. As fitting for a coming-of-age saga, Naruto's world constantly expands and thickens, and his social relations are no exception – during his introduction he has only his [[Iruka Umino|teacher]] and the [[Hiruzen Sarutobi|village's leader]] for sympathetic figures, but as the story progresses, more and more people become a part of his story.
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The students at the Academy, where the story begins, are split up into teams of three after their graduation and become [[Genin]]. Each team is assigned an experienced sensei. These core teams form a basis for the characters' interactions later in the series, where characters are chosen for missions for their team's strength and complementary skills; Naruto's Team 7 becomes the social frame where Naruto is acquainted with [[Sasuke Uchiha]] and [[Sakura Haruno]], and their sensei [[Kakashi Hatake]], also called the "copy ninja" for copying thousands of ninja techniques with his [[Sharingan]], forming the core of his world-in-the-making. The other three-man teams of his former classmates form another such layer, as Naruto connects with them to various degrees, learning of their motives, vulnerabilities, and aspirations, often relating them to his own. The groups of three are not limited to the comrades Naruto's age – groups in the story in general come in threes and multiples of three with very few exceptions.
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The students at the Academy, where the story begins, are split up into teams of three after their graduation and become [[genin]]. Each team is assigned an experienced sensei. These core teams form a basis for the characters' interactions later in the series, where characters are chosen for missions for their team's strength and complementary skills; Naruto's [[Team 7]] becomes the social frame where Naruto is acquainted with [[Sasuke Uchiha]] and [[Sakura Haruno]], and their sensei [[Kakashi Hatake]], also called the "copy ninja" for copying thousands of ninja techniques with his [[Sharingan]], forming the core of his world-in-the-making. The other three-man teams of his former classmates form another such layer, as Naruto connects with them to various degrees, learning of their motives, vulnerabilities, and aspirations, often relating them to his own. The groups of three are not limited to the comrades Naruto's age – groups in the story in general come in threes and multiples of three with very few exceptions.
Sensei-student relationships play a significant role in the series; Naruto has a number of mentors with whom he trains and learns, most notably Kakashi Hatake and [[Jiraiya]], and there are often running threads of tradition and tutelage binding together several generations. These role models provide guidance for their students not only in the ninja arts but also in a number of Japanese aesthetics and philosophical ideals. Techniques, ideals, and mentalities noticeably run in families, Naruto often being exposed to the abilities and traditions of generation-old clans in his village when friends from his own age group demonstrate them, or even achieve improvements of their own; it is poignantly noted that Naruto's generation is particularly talented.
Sensei-student relationships play a significant role in the series; Naruto has a number of mentors with whom he trains and learns, most notably Kakashi Hatake and [[Jiraiya]], and there are often running threads of tradition and tutelage binding together several generations. These role models provide guidance for their students not only in the ninja arts but also in a number of Japanese aesthetics and philosophical ideals. Techniques, ideals, and mentalities noticeably run in families, Naruto often being exposed to the abilities and traditions of generation-old clans in his village when friends from his own age group demonstrate them, or even achieve improvements of their own; it is poignantly noted that Naruto's generation is particularly talented.