Naruto, before Shippuden started, had some of the most underrated episodes in the series. The episodes not only focused on the beginnings of the protagonist and his team but also showcased their growth through different exams.
One such exam was the Chunin Exams, one of the best tournament arcs in the series. The exam took place in three phases. The first phase was a written test, which was just a way to see how the applicants tried to pass. The second was a survival test in the Forest of Death, and lastly, it was a battle between the applicants.
One of the best battles in the last phase was the protagonist vs Kiba Inuzuka. The battle showcased masterful hand-to-hand combat and saw the young buds demonstrate their newly learned jutsu techniques. Moreover, a recent fanart from an X user (@mikeyartbook) took this fight to another level with an aesthetic touch.
Note: The article includes the author's opinions. Reader's discretion is advised.
The fanart that enhanced the Kiba vs Naruto fight
The X user posted a fanart of the battle that took place during the Chunin Exams. The battle was between Naruto Uzumaki from Team 7 and Kiba Inuzuka from Team 8. The X user drew one scenario from the fight in which the protagonist impaled Kiba and Akamaru (who transformed into Kiba).
The battle in the anime started with the protagonist underestimating Kiba and considering this an easy win. But after Kiba gave him a run for his money, the protagonist realized that he had to step up his performance. Akamaru eventually transformed into Kiba, but it was not possible to overpower the protagonist who made a flashy move and won the battle.
Reactions from the fans on the fanart
Fans didn't hold back on showering the X user with praise. Some fans commended the artist and questioned if they could become good just like the artist by practice. Moreover, some fans stated that the X user's art style looked pretty similar to the original author of the series, Masashi Kishimoto. Others praised the X user's fanart for being intricately detailed and refined.
"The way your works is so dynamic makes me wanna cry lol" a fan said
"Wat can i use to practice to get to this point in perspective?" another fan questioned
"Looks like Kishimoto did it himself" another one said
"Damn! Great style dude!" another one appreciated
Final thoughts
Fans paying homage to their favorite authors by drawing their art from a unique perspective, just like this X user did, is always welcomed by the fandom. Although the art style is a bit different from the original author's, the artist is still talented, as appreciated by fans. Moreover, the choice of fanart is also worth the appreciation as most fans tend to forget how the protagonist became one of the most powerful characters.
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