You and I are on the EXACT same page @klw! The pattern that Naruto follows has us hate a villain and then we learn more about them. This allows us to sympathize with the villains and then Naruto turns their thoughts and feelings. Kishimoto needed to have a villain where Naruto could just beat that had no dramatic sob story. That way it could just close out the villain cycle. It was incredibly dumb I agree. Madara was sooooo good because you knew about his character from the very beginning!
Madara was a perfect ending but of course we also had to resolve the Naruto and Sasuke conflict which was dissapointing. Sasuke just got a "get out of jail free card" and everyone just ignored everything that happened. Have you started Boruto?
I only read a few chapters of Boruto manga. Because its not the original author anymore, so wasn't sure to continue reading or not.
How is it? Maybe I can start watching the anime if it is good.
You have read and seen more then me at this point. I haven't even touched Boruto the series, except for that one anime movie they did. I think my years of Naruto exposure have just killed all interest in the show at this point.