As Naruto returns to Konoha after a long training trip with Jiraiya, Naruto Shippuden starts off with a lot of excitement, but also shows missed opportunities. The series focuses on Naruto's journey to become Hokage with the help of friends like Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha.

The Hokage is a key figure in Konoha, and this focus on Konoha highlights a major issue: while other regions are mentioned and visited, they are often not well developed and may even be forgotten.

This problem is noticeable in Naruto, but it's especially clear in Naruto Shippuden because the story involves the Akatsuki trying to capture the tailed beasts from various jinchuriki. This plot requires traveling to different villages, but Naruto Shippuden doesn't spend enough time in these villages. As a result, the world feels flat when it could be much more vibrant.

Naruto's worldbuilding and focus on Konoha overshadows other villages and their depth

The world of Naruto is a simple one, with several countries and hidden villages where shinobi live and train. The most important of these is Konohagakure, the "Village Hidden in the Leaves" in the Land of Fire. The series also includes other countries and villages, as seen in the Chunin Exams, where shinobi from different villages compete to advance in rank.

Although Konoha shinobi are often sent on missions to other villages, viewers and readers rarely get to see these places in detail. A good example is the arc in which Naruto's team goes to rescue Gaara from the Akatsuki.

This arc takes a look at the daily life and politics of the village of Sunagakure. It stands out because Naruto tries to give depth to another region, but doesn't quite succeed.

After Gaara is rescued, Sunagakure is not revisited. This is a common problem in Naruto. The story remains focused on Konoha and its activities, with few other villages receiving similar attention in Naruto Shippuden.

For example, Killer B gets a lot of screen time, but the Hidden Cloud Village and its leader, A, aren't as prominent. While the world of Naruto could be fleshed out more, it remains underdeveloped.

How neglecting other regions affects the story and themes

Naruto's handling of other countries can have unintended effects on the story. For example, Konan and her village, Amegakure (the Village Hidden in the Rain), are portrayed as minor and war-torn. Despite Naruto's promise to help these villages, the lack of focus on them contributes to Konan's tragic fate and her village's continued suffering, even in Boruto episode #157.

It's concerning that other regions in Naruto are often sidelined, which weakens the series' themes. When locales are ignored and Konoha ends up acting merely as a helper for other villages, it lessens the series' impact. The individual clans, including the Uzumaki clan, aren't really explained well, which is a downside.

On the other hand, it's interesting to think of an alternate Naruto where the story involves traveling to different regions and discovering their customs and people. This would add a new dimension to the series. Sunagakure highlights what could have been, showing missed opportunities.

The Impact of Worldbuilding on Narrative and Appeal

Comparing Naruto to One Piece is useful here. While Naruto didn't need to copy One Piece, it's notable that One Piece's appeal lies in its richly developed world, which continues to captivate audiences years later.

Naruto began about two years after One Piece, and both are part of the “Big Three” of shōnen anime. One Piece follows Luffy and his pirate crew as they explore the world in search of adventure and their dreams.

One Piece stands out because it gives each region that Luffy and his crew visit a unique identity, unlike Naruto. Each island in One Piece has its own culture, and the characters have detailed backstories that connect them to their surroundings. This creates clear differences between the regions in the series.

Naruto doesn't have this depth; during the Fourth Great Ninja War, the focus remains on Konoha, with other regions playing a smaller role. In contrast, One Piece's Egghead Arc shows the impact of a major threat on each island.

Naruto Worldbuilding: The Challenge of Balancing Depth and Scope in a Vast Universe

Another example is Assassination Classroom, which focuses on a regional level while keeping the story contained. My Hero Academia also focuses primarily on Japan, which fits its narrative style. While Naruto is a beloved series, it often tries to cover too much ground at once. It creates a vast world but doesn’t fully develop its regions, making Konoha feel like the center of the story.

Building a world in a story is challenging. It’s hard to create a large world and give enough focus to all of its parts. Manga artists have to work within the confines of the genre and meet the expectations of their readers and publishers. For viewers, it can be difficult to fully enjoy Naruto when the story covers so much land that it feels unfamiliar.

Naruto's worldbuilding isn't bad; many viewers would argue that it effectively achieves its goals. However, the world often feels empty, as everything is seen through the lens of Konoha. This makes the more serious peacekeeping missions seem pointless. While we love Naruto, it's hard to shake the feeling that its worldbuilding could be improved.