Originally posted by: Terracosmo
I pick Bleach. When my Naruto fandom was at it's peak, it was way higher than my current fandom for Bleach is now - even though that one is very high.
Thing is, though, when I was into Naruto I was still fairly new in the world of manga/anime. Thus, my standards weren't exactly the highest. Looking back on that series, there are of course lots and lots of great stuff, but overall, it's too predictable and occasionally too bland for my tastes. Both Naruto & Bleach have their fair shares of stereotypes (which shounen show doesn't have the occasional DBZ reference?) but I'd say that Bleach pulls it off better. Also, Bleach has way better characters. Sure Naruto has Neji, Kimimaro and stuff but it feels like that series doesn't take any chances. Killin' off villains then moving on the plot. Rarely do I react to anything that happens in Naruto with a "omgwtfhzfzfao!!" but in Bleach I get surprised all the time. Anyway about the characters again. There is noone i absolutely hate in Bleach. There are of course the obligatory cute female kid, obligatory kid genius, obligatory etc, but nobody pisses me off. I don't like Yachiru very much but I don't mind her either. That's when you know a series is really good. Naruto has several characters I'd trade my Yzak collection for to be able to slash the throat off of *cough Hinata Sakura *cough*. Despite Bleach having an enormous cast, there are few characters we know absolutely zero about. Kubo Tite adds quirks and stuff that make the chars memorable. Naruto has several characters that have appeared in lots of chapters and yet nobody gives a shit about them. Kishi focuses way too much on Naruto, Sasuke and their stupid cliche relationship.
The only field in which Naruto is better is music. Music in that show is good, fitting and catchy. Bleach has some really AWFUL tracks, like that song in which some chick that sounds like Whoopi Goldberg is singing. That one which Bud likes for some god forsaken reason...
Then again Bleach counters by owning the shit out of Naruto's worthless ops/eds...
Oh almost forgot. Bleach is fucking funny. Naruto's comedy makes me giggle at absolute best.