if u want to know each char well.... u should.

how about the story?

Reading the manga doesn't get you caught up in watching all the anime filler arcs and you'll move along quicker to Shippuuden and have the full account of the previous story.

There are some ties between the shippuden and older version. Like the'll start talking about something or someone from the first naruto chronicles.

Yes you should watch it first because it shows the characters pasts which are really importand their strengths and weaknessed too, but after that all the important things are over which is when Sasuke and Naruto fight at a waterfall then I suggeast you move on to Shippuden trust me you'll learn a lot about the show :)

You don't have too unless you want to actually know some major answers of small things that end up pooping up!

it's kind of noneventful but yes you should it's very critical

WELL,IF YOU WANT TO KNOW ANYTHING FROM THE PAST YOU NEED TO WATCH IT. THEN YOU WOULD KNOW ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY MEAN. LIKE THE FACT THAT SAKURA AND INO ARE ENEMIES.OR THAT EVERYONE(BUT HINATA) THINKS SASUKE IS A TOTAL HOTTIE.YOU SEE MY POINT?

i guess you don't HAVE to but it's HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. otherwise like, virtually nothing would make sense.

yes unless you want to be confused or at least read the manga

umm yeaa u need to bec u want even get nothing about whats going on in naruto shippdun like all of the flash backs that happuden when there younger and the hole point of shippduen is what happden in the first naruto....so yeaa!!