I'm pretty new to Naruto, read it over the course of a week this past summer.
It started off well, with a plot that was sufficiently tightly-woven, but it became way too big for itself with the only thread of continuity being the one tied to the anvil beating the readers about the head with warm fuzzies.
What I've found is that by reading and completely ignoring the main plot and whatever else might be going on you can find aspects of it that are interesting enough to kill half an hour thinking about without it feeling like a waste of time... though that's nearly a given in a series as huge as this.

Clichéd, though I admit sometimes it's a nice read occasionally. I didn't read past around chapter 13 though, and I've heard about how repetitive it is, so I probably won't try again. It would have been better if it had ended earlier, probably, instead of just dragging on and on.

@Ghostmage:
"These three titles are beyond the normal classification of shounen manga in terms of scope, story, and/or character development"
Seriously? The three manga you listed are called "the big 3". They are overrated, and use a lot of clichés to "develop" a clichéd storyline. They also drag on forever, past 100 chapters, past 200 chapters... Seriously, enough is enough. At some point, you have to stop dragging an overused, clichéd plot on.

I began watching Naruto when I moved to Canada, it was literally the coolest thing since Dragon ball z. I never started watching it so I could fit into any gay groups, why don't you people understand that just because you don't like something, does not mean the whole world actually hates it but wants to be popular.

It is a great series, no doubt, but kind of depressing now, I want to see some story progression though, but I do like the fact that the chapters do normally progress the story compared to bleach...

brainwashing? maybe it sounds overboard, but it strangely sounds down-to-earth enough for me. especially if it's someone who get this manga as his/her first time into manga world. It's just a common dragging shounen plot. the story has became uncontrollable and I think it's hard enough to just keep this series running.

At least I think it's better to have a plot that will makes you a little sad when it ends sooner than you expected than a seems everlasting plot.

Well, this manga tempted me to world of Manga, so i wont rate....

But but...Holy..... 168 times (+1 rated).....(it was rated 2600+ times) may be thats why its EPIC. (People hate it so much then too they read it)

this series is OVERRATED!
don't read this manga or watch this anime
this series could wash your brain!, i'm sure!

i know, you the Narutofan only read this too make you still exist in your community!
this Naruto suck!...

I love this manga sooo much!! I'm still crying from the last chapter I read. It's... IT'S SO TOUCHING!!! This manga's whole plot was thought out really well. Things you thought you knew about in the beginning gets turned around with a shocking truth. So shocking, it makes you cry..... Waaaaaaaaa Naruto!!!!!!!!!!!

... Last updated on July 22nd, 2010, 9:34pm

I used to really like this but its gotten so unbearable. At the beginning the story had a solid foundation "I'm gonna be a hokage" but about a hundred chapters in a villian pops up, then about another hundred chapters in some traitor pops up, then about another hundred or so chapters a secret organization of superhumans show up (they get pounded by 13 year old kids who look older than me...) and then about another hundred or so chapters in....well thats how far it is. Not worth the time. The manga should have ended 16 volumes and it wouldve been great but new plots kept popping up left and right...like bunnies! Well thats the opinion of an 18 year old but i was really intrested 3 years ago so if your 15 or younger, knock yourself out and try it. What really boils me is that this is intended for younger people yet they try to cram romance into it. Its like its promoting love between 10 year olds.

i think naruto is just awesome....to me naruto has change me as person personally in so many ways...i see so many things 2 learn from this manga....one thing is naruto's favourite line of never giving up..and his undying spirit of always trying 2 do his best....another thing that is so good about naruto is the villains...to me tobi*which is actually madara*is totally awesome and funny..he is a little mysterious though but thats wat keeps the story so interesting...the akatsuki also played an important role...to see kishi put the plot in place so well make me feel so much respect for him...he deffinately to me is the best shonen mangaka that ever existed...he is d reason that i read manga..if i never came across naruto, i dont think i would ever know about the world of anime..and i'm truly grateful that i did..
now dont ever listen to people who say that naruto is boring..they only say that coz they dont understand the depth of this manga...and has yet to understand that to read a great story one needs to think a little outside the box...one needs to put oneself in kishi's shoes and image wat he is trying to convey to his readers...many people say to me that they hate sasuke...but to me i love sasuke...and it is not becoz he is good looking...but how much of depth his has as a character...to me sasuke is a misunderstood character...they dont understand y he is cold and harsh...the only reason he is like that is becoz he lost everything at a age of 7..how would u be if u found out that ur intire clan was killed by ur beloved brother..2 him it look like his brother pretended that he loved everyone...he look up at him....*eventhough now we who read naruto know the reason behind his brother's action*...but just so you know sasuke didnt...he was lost,confuse and afraid...the only reason he never told anybody about how he felt was becoz he was afraid 2 be deceived...sasuke might act cool and strong as well as harsh but this is just to cover up how vulnerable he really is inside...he also grew up hating his older brother which itachi asked him 2 do....ofcoz if anyone trys 2 tell him it is wrong 2 do this or do that...he deffinately wouldnt understand instead if someone tried 2 influence him by bringing hatred intoit.. obviously he is going 2 accept with ease...coz thats wat he understand...he himself never had anyone 2 turn to like naruto but naruto had someone who accepted him..if not, naruto would have ended up just like sasuke,,,,i think i said to much already about sasuke....but thats how i really feel...hate or not...this my opinion..i love naruto becoz of so many reasons but u wouldnt truely understand what i am talking about until u read it ...i mean just by reading my coment, u saw how emotionally connected i am with the character... so to me...THIS IS DEFFINATELY A MUST READ MANGA...

... Last updated on June 19th, 2010, 7:51am

i started watching naruto episodes on dvd when i was about 12. 3 years later, and i am still a big fan!
this was the first and the best shounen that i have ever watched/read---i'm a girl, in case you're wondering.
the plots are all very interesting and unique although naruto being a loner is stressed a little too much.
no manga or etc. can achieve perfection, but in my opinion, this manga comes very close.