Originally posted by: CmDr_RavEn
Originally posted by: Zansatsu
Originally posted by: AssertnFailure
didnt someone say that naruto was rated the #2 most popular anime series right now in japan?
#2? What's the most popular?
I'm pretty sure it's One Piece, correct me if I'm wrong.
I think that's right, actually.

I'm absolutely AMAZED that your friends didn't think Naruto was popular in Japan. I'm not going to say that everyone is wearing the t-shirts and talking about it around the watercooler, but it's an incredibly popular anime with extensive merchandising to back it up. The Naruto movie has been advertised for the past two, three months or so outside of theaters. Every time you walk into a collector's/manga store, there's giant Naruto posters up. One of my favorites (the only place I've seen that can keep Naruto in stock, namely by having ten copies of every issue on hand at all times) actually has original manga panels up on their walls with giant signs that say "Not for sale", presumably because everyone and their brother kept asking.

It hasn't been completely whored out on the marketing, but it's definitely there and it's definitely strong. I think the parties responsible learned that oversaturation can kill a lot quicker than underexposure.