Why does everyone hate Naruto?

It's an anime gateway drug for 10-14 year-olds.

I think I've asked this before, but if I wanted to catch up Negima, I'd be better off just doing the whole manga vs. the OVAs, ya?

As in, just watching the OVAs? No. The OVAs don't cover much of the story at all, they're meant to be seen if you've already read up to those points. It's just animated parts of the manga, but you'd be completely lost if you tried to jump into them.