Not only is Naruto a top-tier series, but it stands as a shonen masterpiece in many aspects. Be it characters or lore, the series is a cut above the rest. But there is one thing that makes it stand out in every sense.

Team 7 in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

As one of the bestselling manga, it has its fair share of intricate panels that showcase Masashi Kishimoto’s finesse. But there is a panel so great that it would have critics eat their words in every way.

On top of that, it only goes to show the mangaka’s attention to detail and the immaculate nature of the art. Something that even Studio Pierrot failed to replicate and eventually botched up in the end.

Naruto’s best manga panel is a gem in every sense

Naruto doesn’t get enough credit for being the utter gem it is. This is true for the manga and its stunning visuals. While the anime gave us some of the finest fight scenes with the best battle choreography, manga is the real deal.

It also brings out the brutal and gory aspects of the series which were cut out in the anime. From Jugo killing his inmates to Shikamaru’s melting arms, the manga is not for the weak-hearted. But there is more to it than meets the eye.

Pain’s Shinra Tensei in the Shippuden anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Interestingly, the mangaka spent days and even weeks working on a single panel. This applies to his drawing of the shadow clone jutsu which he cited as tedious for the most part. And though it is well-detailed, it isn’t the only one.

So far, there remains a panel so immaculate that highlights the series’ masterpiece status in every sense. But most of all, it only proves that the manga peaked through its art. This is something that fans would agree upon.

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On r/Naruto most Redditors were of the consensus that Pain’s Shinra Tensei is the best panel in the series.

Is this the greatest panel in Naruto? It still blows my mind how well-executed it is byu/Party-Preference-882 inNaruto

As many users commented, it is true for a fact that Kishimoto took time with the panel. It says a lot about the mangaka’s dedication and true craftsmanship. But it is this very intricacy that was flattened out in the anime.

The marvelous and meticulous Masashi Kishimoto

Masashi Kishimoto lives up to his title of an esteemed mangaka. Like most seasoned artists he is excellent in bringing out the intricacies and details in his series. And while it was an arduous task in every sense, it does pay off.

While the Shinra Tensei panel is commendable in most aspects, the mangaka is an excellent foreshadower. This is evident in his writing of both Sasuke and Itachi Uchiha’s characters which most fans often overlook.

Eight-Tails and the Nine-Tails in a still from the Shippuden anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

More often than not, though, the detail and immaculate nature get lost in the anime. This also ties in well with the mistranslation which has stirred the pot for the most part. But that is not the end of it all.

On several occasions, Pierrot rendered it shoddy with its animation, especially with the Pain’s Assault Arc. It is a total shame how one of the most beautifully crafted scenes was reduced to a meme.

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All in all, while Studio Pierrot ruined some of the most well-put scenes one thing is certain. It doesn’t diminish Kishimoto’s brilliance and craftsmanship whatsoever.

Naruto: Shippuden is available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The manga is available for reading on Shueisha’s Manga Plus app.
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