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Weebs have that one anime that is a treasure trove of memories and Naruto is one such example. The series was a true rollercoaster with its own highs and lows. Like every Shonen anime, it was laden with criticism but the mangaka wasn’t someone to back down in any case, especially with this scene.

Minato bids farewell to Naruto in the Shippuden anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Shippuden gave us an underrated yet impactful scene that would shut out blatant criticism regarding the series. It is intense and complex but on the whole, it screams peak fiction in every sense. This is precisely why this particular arc stands underappreciated for the most part.

Naruto’s underrated scene screams peak fiction

Naruto is all about the vibes be it battles or loss. The mush of strength and vulnerability makes it wholesome especially with characters. It is a universal fact that characters...

In Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto world, a Hokage is the most influential and authoritative position that determines the future of a village and the people living in it. And while Konoha has seen its fair share of Hokages, there are very few who can compare themselves to the likes of Minato Namikaze, the fourth Hokage of Konoha in Naruto.

Minato Namikaze as the Fourth Hokage | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Minato’s screen time in Naruto might be limited, but the effect of his character development and his role as the fourth Hokage resulted in a lot of major twists and turns within the story. In fact, his biggest decision led to Naruto being hated by the village for half of his life, and also motivated him to overcome his shortcomings and become the greatest shinobi in the world.

And while some fans might criticize him for making his son go through such devastating times,...

Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden have 720 episodes of character-focused plot, but a few characters still have mysterious backgrounds, inexplicable power or unexplained absences. Most of Naruto is, naturally, focused on Naruto and the main cast. Like the Kakashi side story, most filler and backstory arcs explain fan-favorite characters' mysterious skills, relationships and personality traits. But what happens to the other characters that fall through the cracks?

A long-running franchise like Naruto naturally invites inconsistencies between canon and non-canon stories, backstories and the sheer number of adventures. The Naruto franchise was good at keeping its facts straight for the most part, and there aren't many unexplained mysteries. But it may come as a surprise that even some of the most popular characters, like Naruto himself, have mysterious aspects of their character despite reappearing throughout the anime.

Updated on March 13, 2025, by Natasha Elder: Naruto has a plethora of characters, which understandably leads to some gaps in their histories.

Kakashi Hatake could have easily been the poster boy of Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto and nobody would complain. As a character, Kakashi is reliable, lovable, strong, and perceptive. Whether it’s the village elders wanting to assign a top-secret mission or the youngins looking for a friendly adult, Kakashi was the go-to person for everyone.

Kakashi Hatake in Boruto | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

This is why it hurts so much to have him on the sidelines in Boruto. In Boruto, most of the older characters have been significantly nerfed and removed from the main storyline. However, Kakashi deserves better than that. He can easily make a great comeback with a good enough power-up. And here’s a perfect idea for what this power-up could look like for him.

Purple Lightning Armor could be Kakashi’s next big power-up in Boruto Kakashi uses Raikiri | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

During the Fourth Great Ninja War,...

Minato Namikaze is one of the greatest characters in Naruto. He was the youngest to become a Hokage at 27. His fluency in chakra control and flow is impeccable, but his greatest feat lies in one of the most legendary battles in the series.

Minato with the reanimated Hokage in the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Not the tailed beast ball, but his duel with yet another iconic ninja proved his powerhouse status. He was a total beast when it came to defeating his enemies. But what the showdown did was live up to the theatrics and nitty-gritty that need more appreciation.

Minato Namikaze is a true powerhouse

Minato Namikaze might be young, but his looks shouldn’t fool anyone. He was toe-to-toe with the Fourth Raikage, and this was where his finesse came in handy. He lived up to his reputation as Konoha’s Yellow Flash through his impeccable speed, agility,...

If being infectiously popular is a crime, then Tsugumi Ohba would be the biggest criminal of all. Eons after the release of his magnum opus, Death Note has remained one of the most prominent series that has transcended the imaginary borders of Japan and became a huge name in the West.

Kira. Credits: Studio Madhouse

From featuring an anti-hero protagonist to unforeseen plot twists, many consider this series to be the top-notch work of the 21st century. Some even walked the extra mile by calling it the work that defined our generation. However, even such high praises couldn’t hide the one major flaw that plagues the legacy of the reverse mystery series.

Surprisingly, this flaw is the same as the one present in Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto, which happens to be poorly written female characters.

Death Note and its almost tale of becoming the ‘perfect’ anime in the Otaku...

Maybe it’s time for some Naruto fans to finally face the truth. While we all love fantasizing theories, it’s simply outrageous how some of you are still holding onto the idea that there is any chance of Kushina forgiving Obito! That’s just not gonna happen.

Kushina Uzumaki from the Naruto series | Credits: Studio Pierrot

The sheer amount of trauma Kushina got from Obito is something that can never be forgiven. So, despite some fans’ hopes for redemption, it’s time to make clear the harsh reality of her character and the severity of Obito’s actions.

No way Kushina is forgiving Obito! Nine-tails from Naruto | Credits: Studio Pierrot

Kushina has always been very level-headed and cheerful, and for someone like that, what Obito did was straight-up horrific. She had literally been ripped apart by him, was kidnapped, had the Nine-Tailed Fox ripped out of her, and pretty much sealed her fate.

Other than being an iconic ninja story, Naruto is among the Big 3 of Shonen Jump. It lives up to the status in most aspects, be it storyline and characters. The series may have ended but it branched out into sequels and spinoffs. That doesn’t, however, mask the problems it faced with the publishers.

Naruto Uzumaki in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

To be specific, it has to do with the physical copies being inaccessible to most fans. The reasons behind it tie in well with Jump sparking a controversy with its latest move. It further sheds light on Masashi Kishimoto’s series amidst the age of digitization.

Shonen Jump’s physical manga debate sparks controversy

Shonen Jump, or Jump as we call it, is one of the most popular manga magazine publishing works in the genre. At this rate, its popularity is a mere understatement considering its sales and recognition.

In the Naruto verse, every Shinobi flaunts different fighting styles and ninjutsu techniques that can change the tide of a battle in an instant. From Hashirama Senju to Might Guy, everyone would include different styles and become one of the many pillars of the Konohagakure.

A still from Shippuden. Credits: Studio Pierrot

Despite most of them relying on genjutsu or ninjutsu, speed remains one of the most essential elements that they can use to their advantage. Now, when it comes to speed, the first name that pops up in our minds is the Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, Minato Namikaze.

The legends of the Yellow Flash of the Leaf are countless, including the one where he defeated Obito Uchiha disguised as Madara Uchiha. However, there’s a fallacy in the series, which undermines how fast Minato really was in the first place.

Naruto misconception discredits Minato Namikaze’s...

There are many reasons why Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto is considered one of the greatest works in the manga and anime industry, but the biggest one among them is its protagonist, Naruto himself. For many anime enthusiasts, Naruto was the first character they came across that connected with them and helped them understand the real essence of the anime art form.

Naruto Uzumaki in Naruto | Credit: Studio Pierrot

From his personality to his hard work, every aspect of Naruto’s character makes him iconic, but the one that is the most popular is his fighting style. Just like any other stereotypical shonen protagonist, Naruto’s fighting style also includes a uniqueness that makes him different from other characters and thus helps him become prominent among fans.

In Naruto’s case, many anime fans think that he learned his fighting style from his mentors like Kakashi and Jiraiya, or maybe he got it genetically from Minato.

Anime has the power to evoke strong emotions in viewers to where it leaves such an impact that it can stick with viewers years later. From heartbreaking tales set during wartime, first-love heartbreaks and friendships ending, anime has an amazing power to truly pull at the heartstrings.

Anime movies that have the intention of making viewers reflect on life and relay deep messages are common. From anime first released back in the 1980s to anime released in the 2020s, there's a vast selection of depressing anime films that viewers can dive into right now.

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Grave of the Fireflies Is a Heartbreaking Tale About War Streaming on Netflix

Grave of the Fireflies is one of Studio Ghibli's earliest films, and...

Although it is an iconic ninja story, Masashi Kishimoto’s series Naruto is ridden with its fair share of disadvantages. There are upsides and then there are downsides, especially when it comes to characters. The mangaka had every opportunity to overshadow the Marineford Arc, but he fumbled big time.

A reanimated Itachi says goodbye to Sasuke as he fades away | Credit: Studio Pierrot

To be fair, every Shonen series has its drawbacks, yet the manga garnered major flak from viewers as well as readers. The fumble is tied to the recurring plot inconsistency in the series. But it leaves us with a pressing question: Are stakes that low in the manga?

Masashi Kishimoto’s fatal fumble in the series

As we all know, Masashi Kishimoto has had his fair share of highs and lows with his series. It is a rollercoaster ride when it comes to the good, the bad and the ugly.

There are educated and then there are literates. Masashi Kishimoto’s series, however, has a mix of both with a majority of illiterates. But that isn’t limited to his work entirely. Shonen series like Bleach and One Piece fandom is laden with the criticism of “lack of comprehension” and here’s why.

Sakura Haruno’s Hundred Healings Jutsu in the Shippuden anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Now, illiteracy here doesn’t equate to the inability to read but has more to do with the inability to comprehend. The fandom took to addressing this issue on Reddit and it was brilliantly done. This also fits perfectly with the problematic culture of haters and glazers in the anime community on the whole.

Are Masashi Kishimoto “fanatics” illiterate?

Decades back, Masashi Kishimoto made quite the splash with his ninja series in the Shonen genre. His manga is iconic, legendary and phenomenal in every single way.

Despite his broken kekkei-genkai, Kimimaro was thoroughly underutilized in Naruto. He was wasted and frittered away for plot development, but that didn’t stop fans from appreciating him. His abilities made him a force to reckon with and, while he may have had enemies fans found his arch-nemesis after all.

A reanimated Kimimaro during Fourth Shinobi World War | Studio Pierrot

Not Zabuza, but an Akatsuki member is menacing and completely on par with the Sound Four member. The fight would be nothing short of intense considering the stakes and aftermath which brings us to the question of the hour. What is the true extent of this arch nemesis’ strength?

Kimimaro’s true arch-nemesis in the series

Wasted characters equal wasted opportunity and Masashi Kishimoto’s series is no exception to that. In this case, this has to do with the mangaka squandering Kimimaro’s potential merely for plot development. To this date,...

Naruto is a story that is perfect for children. It has themes of friendship, affection, and kindness. At the very beginning, we have wars and the massacre of the Uchiha clan. What if this was an example of a darker reality?

The Uchiha brothers in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Hidden beneath the battles and struggles for growth was a much darker message that pointed to the core issue, one that showcases the hypocrisy of how history defines its heroes and villains.

This can be clearly seen from the comparison between Minato Namikaze and Itachi Uchiha. Why does Itachi get so much hate? Even Obito was forgiven, so why not Itachi who did what he had to for the greater good? Let us delve into and understand the roles of Minato and Itachi and why they became famous (or infamous).

The paradox of heroes and villains

From the beginning of the series,...

Perhaps the most baffling contradiction of Naruto is how genetics, which was a huge element in developing powerful characters throughout the series, was excluded in the latter half of the story. This is especially evident in how Masashi Kishimoto appeared to have forgotten the greatest genetic potential of one lineage, one that would have produced the most overpowered shinobi of all time.

Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha from Naruto. | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Think about it: Hashirama Senju, the strongest of his clan, a literal walking god of war, and Mito Uzumaki, a powerful kunoichi from a clan famous for their massive chakra reserves and sealing abilities, had children. By all reasoning, their offspring should have inherited a mix of unmatched abilities. However, their descendants do not feature in the story at all, and there is no reference to their great potential. But why so? Let’s find out.

The overlooked...

There is one thing common between Sasuke and his brother Itachi and that is their genius. Both Uchiha brothers are considered child prodigies in Naruto. It is interesting how Masashi Kishimoto brings out the binary of hard workers versus geniuses in his series. Yet there is a genius who is often overlooked.

The Uchiha brothers in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Surprisingly, this mastermind isn’t a Konohagakure ninja in any case but one thing is certain. It doesn’t diminish his relevance in any case. This does, however, point to the problem of glossing and overshadowing which stripped the characters away of their deserved glory.

The uncrowned genius that isn’t Sasuke or Itachi

In all honesty, Masashi Kishimoto’s series isn’t about mere glazing of ninjas and their edginess. Yes, they’re cool and bada** but it often comes at a cost of collateral damage be it wars,...

Sony’s Columbia Pictures has secured the rights to remake “366 Days,” the Japanese romantic drama that has taken the box office by storm, for English-speaking audiences.

Co-produced and co-distributed by Shochiku and Sony Pictures Japan, the film has been a major hit locally since its Jan. 10 release. Propelled by strong word-of-mouth, “366 Days” climbed to No. 1 in total admissions by its fourth weekend and has since become the highest-grossing local film produced by a Hollywood studio in Japan based on an original screenplay. The film has grossed more than $11 million.

Directed by Takehiko Shinjo with a screenplay by Kaho Fukuda, “366 Days” draws inspiration from the popular Japanese band Hy’s beloved song of the same name. Columbia’s Peter Kang is overseeing the remake on behalf of the studio.

The film follows Minato Makiya, played by Eiji Akaso (“Pending Train”), a high school senior in Okinawa who falls...

Toei Animation's Dragon Ball Z anime and popular footwear brand Crocs have partnered up for a pair of stylish new clogs themed after none other than Vegeta, the prince of all Saiyans himself.

Via Sole Retriever, Crocs is teaming up again with Dragon Ball Z for new Vegeta clogs, set to be released on Feb. 25, 2025. The shoes feature clear nods to Vegeta, with the tan and blue-white colorway matching his battle armor, in addition to Jibbitz reading "Vegeta" in katakana and another of the Saiyan Royal Family crest. Readers can check out the images of Crocs' Dragon Ball Z-inspired Vegeta clogs below.

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Dbz's Anime Series & Crocs Partner for New Vegeta Clogs This...

One thing that Naruto does best is variety. The series has a diverse range of characters, jutsu as well as kekkei-genkai. This also ties perfectly with the rich world-building in the manga.

Other than that, it had some of the best clans. This standalone aspect made the series so special. Yet it was also an element that was highly overlooked. This fits perfectly in conjunction with one of the lethal jutsu in the series.

Dead Demon Consuming Seal jutsu in the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

In particular, the Reaper death Seal stands as one of the forbidden techniques in the series. But that is not the end of it all. The jutsu is packed with its disadvantages and is detrimental in most cases.

And though it has its fair share of retcons, Masashi Kishimoto screwed the pooch in this instance. This is especially true for one of the most underplayed...

Fuji Television Network -- one of Japan’s largest broadcasters, and well-known for broadcasting hit anime shows such as the currently airing Dragon Ball Daima, One Piece, Honey Lemon Soda and more -- has been embroiled in a public scandal for months, and its effects continue to be felt. Now, after several high-profile companies have pulled their sponsorship, two of Fuji TV’s most celebrated anime are left without backing.

Via Unseen Japan, the world's longest-running animated television series, Sazae-san, has seen a substantial drop in sponsorship in response to Fuji TV’s sexual assault scandal and its continuing fallout. Although not widely known in the West, Sazae-san, which portrays an idealized Japanese family, is one of Japan's most cherished anime and is a cultural institution. At the end of an episode, a placard displaying the show's sponsors is shown, but on Jan.19, X user @arakawakohsen_B documented the show's waning support.

In the world of Naruto, the strongest characters are not limited to the Hidden Leaf Village. Across the vast shinobi world, powerful figures rise from different regions, each possessing powerful abilities that surpass the limits of ordinary ninjutsu. From the fearsome Akatsuki members to the most formidable jinchurki and village leaders, these characters show strength in many forms.

Whether through raw power, strategic brilliance or deadly mastery of ninjutsu, they challenge the boundaries of what's possible in the ninja world. These powerful leaders and warriors redefine what it means to be strong, often making the most experienced ninjas doubt their own abilities. Ultimately, it's these extraordinary individuals who prove that true strength knows no boundaries, leaving a lasting impact on the world of shinobi.

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Kage are respected leaders in Naruto who are strong in a variety of ways, but can falter depending on physical or mental limitations.

Undoubtedly, Naruto is one of the bestselling manga in the shonen genre. The series took the anime realm by storm back in the 2000s. It still holds a special place in both viewers’ and readers’ hearts for many reasons.

Apart from being one of the Big 3 of Shonen, the series had a massive impact on culture and society worldwide. And though it was celebrated for its portrayal of camaraderie and action, it was laden with dark elements.

Kin Tsuchi’s corpse in the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Most readers would vouch for the sheer amount of brutality present in the text. Compared to the anime, it had its fair share of jarring and nerve-racking scenes. And though it was impactful, there were caveats to that as well.

In particular, Studio Pierrot chickened out with its faithful adaptation of gore and violence which made the scenes flat and bland in every aspect.

The anime and manga world has seen many instances where the story or the character is inspired by a real-life individual or scenario. The perfect example of this is Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, which has taken inspiration from almost every major historical event or character. However, what fans might not know is that even Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto has such a character.

Jiraiya in Naruto | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Although Naruto is set in a fictional world of Shinobis, it still has a real-life-inspired character that is a particular fan favorite. This character is none other than Jiraiya, the legendary Sannin, and the mentor of the protagonist Naruto. Jiraiya is one of the most popular characters in the series who contributed a lot to the development of the narrative and the main character.

Kishimoto once revealed that he might be the only character in the entire storyline that is based on the legendary masterless samurai,...

Following a series of heavily publicized scandals, Fuji Television Network President Koichi Minato has stepped down to allow Dragon Ball Z producer Kenji Shimizu to take over as the new Fuji TV President.

Fuji TV has been dogged by more than one scandal in the last few months, the most notable of which has been that involving a sexual assault linked to the former leader of Smap, a popular Japanese boy band. Masahiro Nakai has been at the center of the scandal due to his alleged assault of a woman at a 2023 dinner party, which was allegedly planned by Fuji TV staff. The allegations were reported in magazines in December and have led to numerous claims of cover-ups and other misdealings within Fuji TV, including widespread complaints regarding the lack of explanation of the network's handling of the situation, as reported by Japanese news website Oricon.

Related Dragon Ball Super...

Fuji TV chairman Shuji Kano and president and CEO Koichi Minato have resigned in the wake of a widening sexual assault scandal around a 2023 dinner that the Japanese network is alleged to have organized at which a former member of the now-disbanded pop idol group Smap is claimed to have assaulted a woman.

Kano and Minato announced they were stepping down during a press conference at the Fuji TV headquarters in Tokyo on Monday, the Associated Press reported.

Fuji Media Holdings, parent of Fuji TV, has launched an independent probe into the 2023 dinner at which the celebrity TV host and former pop star Nakai Masahiro is alleged to have assaulted a woman and subsequently paid out a settlement.

The allegations emerged in December 2024 magazine stories in Japan and led Monday to Fuji TV chairman Shuji Kano and president Koichi Minato stepping down amid an internal probe at Fmh launched and involving third-party investigators.

The president and chairperson for Japanese network Fuji TV resigned on Monday morning following weeks of criticism on how they handled sexual misconduct allegations against host Masahiro Nakai.

Back in December, Japanese magazines accused Nakai — who led the former boy band Smap — of sexual assault, for which he later paid a hefty settlement. According to the allegations, the incident happened at a dinner that was arranged by Fuji TV staff.

Following the allegations, the network reportedly saw a mass exodus by advertisers and sharp falls in stock price, as further accusations surfaced that executives covered up the scandal, having learned about it six months before it was revealed in the press.

After launching an independent probe to look into the company’s handling of things, the results of which aren’t expected until the end of March, Fuji TV chair Shuji Kanoh and Koichi Minato, head of Fuji Media Holdings’ TV wing,...

Top brass at Japanese network giant Fuji Television and its parent company have stepped down following explosive allegations involving former Smap frontman Masahiro Nakai and claims of a corporate cover-up, the Associated Press reports.

Network president Koichi Minato and chair Shuji Kanoh announced their immediate resignations Monday as fallout continues over Nakai’s alleged sexual assault of a woman at a 2023 dinner party — an event that Fuji TV staff purportedly helped orchestrate.

“We are very sorry that we mishandled the case because of our lack of awareness about human rights and corporate governance … and as a result our responses to the involved woman were inadequate,” Minato said at a press conference. “We are very sorry to have destroyed our credibility.”

The scandal, which first broke in December through Japanese magazine exposés, has triggered an advertising exodus at the network. While acknowledging the incident was treated as an “extraordinary” case requiring strict confidentiality,...

The Chairman and President of Japan’s Fuji TV have resigned over the handling of the sexual misconduct scandal involving TV presenter Masahiro Nakai.

In a press conference held today, Fuji TV Chair Shuji Kano and Koichi Minato, Head of Fuji Media Holdings (Fmh)’s TV wing, announced their resignations, bowing their heads alongside other executives before they spoke. EVP Kenji Simizu has been promoted to replace Minato as President. He has committed to “starting from scratch” to ensure no similar incidents occur in future and the BBC reported him saying he will “never tolerate acts that violate human rights.”

Advertisers have been pulling ads from the network in droves after allegations that Fuji TV execs were engaged in a cover-up over Nakai, who was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a dinner arranged by network staff in 2023.

Last week, Fuji TV held an extraordinary board meeting and established...

The role of Hokage is highly significant in the Naruto universe. As Konoha’s leader, the Hokage embodies power, leadership, and unshakable commitment to the village’s survival and success. Even Naruto Uzumaki’s greatest desire was to take over this position, and throughout the series, eight Hokage were featured, including Naruto himself.

Naruto and Kakashi | Credits: Studio Pierrot

In Naruto’s broad legacy, the title of “greatest Hokage” always stirred debate among the fans. While Naruto Uzumaki and Kakashi Hatake frequently take the stage as rivals for this honor, several fans feel Tsunade Senju stands out as a truly unique and underappreciated Hokage. Many fans believe that her leadership, sacrifices, and ideas during her time lifted her to the peak of Hokage’s brilliance, especially during Konoha’s most difficult days.

Was Tsunade the greatest Hokage in Konoha’s history?

Tsunade’s journey towards becoming Hokage is as fascinating as her tenure.

Major Japanese advertisers are fleeing broadcast powerhouse Fuji Television following an alleged sex scandal involving former boy band idol turned TV host Masahiro Nakai. Industry heavyweights such as Toyota, Nissan and Shiseido are among more than 50 companies pulling their spots from the network, per the Associated Press.

The advertising crisis erupted after weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported in December that Nakai, a former member of the mega-successful male group Smap, had reached a JPY90 million settlement with a woman over an alleged sexual assault at a 2023 dinner party. While Nakai acknowledged settling “a trouble,” he denied any violence took place.

The situation reached a boiling point following a Friday press conference by Fuji TV president Koichi Minato that drew widespread criticism for its lack of transparency. Minato admitted the network had sat on knowledge of the incident for roughly six months before the magazine expose broke the story.

Adding fuel to the fire,...

The following contains spoilers for Sakamoto Days Season 1, Episode 2, "Vs. Son Hee and Bacho," now streaming on Netflix.

One of the most interesting aspects of Sakamoto Days is how efficient and brutal the hitman, Taro Sakamoto, is. Sure, he has retired from the assassin game, but even after putting on weight, he moves like a ninja. It shows when he cuts down assassins who hated that he retired.

It makes this John Wick-like anime even more interesting. Fans were wondering if Taro really left his lethal side behind after decades of kills, and if there is a caged beast waiting to be unleashed again. Well, Sakamoto Days' second episode provides the answer to this, creating a very intriguing yet endearing atmosphere.

Sakamoto Days Reveals Taro Has a No-Kill Policy Taro Doesn't Murder After Aoi's Heartfelt Pleas

As the former hitman, Shin Asakura, adapts to a normal life working...

The Boruto anime is currently on hiatus, but the manga has taken the shōnen to new heights with a compelling time skip in the form of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, which has taken the shōnen genre by storm for its darker themes and climactic narrative that continues to raise the bar. While there's still a bit of a wait for the anime only crowd until the series returns, that hasn't stopped fans from speculating about what could occur after such a climactic ending to the anime.

After Eida was introduced and forever changed the Boruto world with Omnipotence, the titular character himself became a fugitive of Konoha and went into hiding in the form of a time skip, like its predecessor, Naruto: Shippuden. Ultimately, there will likely be quite a wait for anime only viewers, as the production team takes its time to make sure the integrity of the sequel isn't lacking in quality.

Naruto is a wholesome series in many aspects. Be it the plot or characters, it never fails to amaze the readers and viewers to this date. Most specifically, the series is lauded for its iconic showdowns and power-packed scenes.

Particularly, it highlights themes of friendship and camaraderie. This is true for most battle sequences in the anime. While there is an interplay of individual and collective strategies, this seems to be dumbed down.

Ino-Shika-Cho in a still from the Shippuden anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Most specifically, Kishimoto frittered away Team 10’s potential in the Shippuden series. The famed formation of Ino-Shika-Cho was reduced to mockery in this particular scene. This had fans ridiculing his writing on the whole.

Interestingly, though, this isn’t the first time the mangaka slept on side characters. From Sasuke to Obito, his glossing of the Uchiha along with the knucklehead restricted the series to a two-man show.

When we talk about some of the greatest Shonen series with a great plotline, we often find ourselves talking about Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto and its follow-up Shippuden. The story features some of the greatest fights that add to the overall narrative and keeps the viewers hooked to the series by cleverly weaving character development that takes them to great heights.

Team 7 in Naruto. Credits: Studio Pierrot

With the series’ progression, the mangaka has featured Earth-shattering battles, comprising of Taijutsu fights or lethal Ninjutsu techniques that can take down their foes in one strike. Perhaps it is right to say that the core tenet of the Shinobi series is decided with monumental battles.

While these fights have added to the allure of the series, there have been some fights that have showcased the most embarrassing defeats that forever go down in anime history. Following are the Top 5 fights, which have...

Toei Animation's Dragon Ball Z anime series and Crocs have teamed up for an epic fusion. The collaboration will see the release of a new pair of clogs, inspired by the hit show's main character, Goku.

This week, Hypebeast reported that Crocs will partner with Dragon Ball Z on new Goku-inspired clogs with Jibbitz referencing the popular anime. The clogs come in an orange-blue colorway, are reportedly priced at $70 and will be released sometime in 2025. The strap takes inspiration from Goku's belt, while the orange body references his iconic gi. Jibbitz include the kanji symbol on Goku's gi, a Flying Nimbus cloud, Dragon Balls and the immortal dragon Shenron. Readers can check out the first look at the new Crocs below.

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The Naruto franchise is home to some of the most powerful ninjas in history. The abilities and strength demonstrated by characters like the titular protagonist, Sasuke, or Kakashi, have turned them into icons of anime. Yet, fans are aware that many of the most intriguing cast members were not given the spotlight they deserved.

One of the best examples of this is Genma Shiranui, who is by far one of the most interesting side characters in the series. Despite his extremely brief screen time, this elite warrior proved himself to be one of Naruto’s cast members with the most potential. It is a true shame that he was not allowed to shine at his full potential throughout the series.

Genma Was Among Konoha’s Strongest His Abilities Made Him Stronger Than Many Main Characters

A former member of Choza Akemichi’s team and one of the Special Jonin of Konoha,...

Studio Pierrot is soaring heights with its diverse roster of projects. Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War is a coup de maître for the eminent studio. From positive reception to ratings, it is making waves in more ways than one.

Conversely, nothing comes close to Masashi Kishimoto’s magnum opus. Be it popularity, premise, or characters, it carved its niche in the shonen genre. What’s even more interesting is that the series might be making its comeback.

Naruto Uzumaki in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

With 2025 kicking in, the studio might offer fans a glimpse into its future projects in the upcoming Anime Japan Exhibition. This also ties well with the much-awaited and anticipated four-episode edition of Kishimoto’s series.

In retrospect, this also extends to Kishimoto’s upcoming projects including a new manga that is in the works. With Two Blue Vortex’s traction, it won’t...

Of all the burning questions in Masashi Kishimoto’s series, Minato Namikaze versus Itachi Uchiha tops the charts. To this date, this debate has often plagued the fandom and this holds especially true for the power scaling.

Overall, both characters seem to be on par with each other. But with fans’ speculations and conjectures, this debate might come to an end.

Fourth Hokage with his Hiraishin kunai in the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Interestingly, both characters are prodigies in their own way. They share a similitude in terms of their strength and genius. But when it comes to precision and skill, the Fourth Hokage takes the cake.

In retrospect, it also reflects the mangaka’s favoritism toward the Uchiha clan. In painting them as Dojutsu prodigies, he may have reflected his preferential treatment for the kind.

Minato versus Itachi’s moot debate in Naruto fandom

Itachi Uchiha and Minato Namikaze share several commonalities.

The fights in Naruto are the perfect fix for some thrill, as the exciting back and forth between characters throughout the series account for some great moments. Masashi Kishimoto crafted complex strategies and techniques, making the fights more tactical compared to a typical showdown of astronomical power-ups.

Konan during the fight against Tobi in a still from Naruto Shippuden | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

This doesn’t mean that there weren’t any overpowered abilities at all. There were some techniques that were so devastating that Kishimoto didn’t use them more than once, like Konan’s Paper Person of God Technique. She used it against Tobi and nearly killed him. While we didn’t get another fight that made use of that technique, its menace was properly established with only a few panels.

And one thing is clear: there are only a few characters who can escape Konan’s...

The main protagonists of anime rarely have living or present parental figures, like Eren Yeager’s father, Grisha, or Naruto’s father, Minato. It’s become a noticeable trend that these characters’ tragic stories stem from their parents, either by the loss, abuse, or neglect they faced.

Some of these protagonists go on to become parents themselves and because of the significant lack of parental figures don’t know how to be one. A prime example is Goku. He wasn’t raised by his parents and thus, became a rather absent one for Gohan and Goten.

Goku, Gohan, and Goten use Family Kamehameha in Dragon Ball. [Credit: Toei Animation]

Despite his absenteeism, he’s not a terrible father. He just had a more passive role in their life since he tends to prioritize fighting and holds the duty of protecting Earth close to him.

American cartoons, on the other hand, cultivate...

Throughout the world of Naruto, various unique Hidden Villages are showcased, serving as the homes for the vast majority of the series' important characters. These Hidden Villages include the Hidden Leaf, Hidden Cloud and many more. Each village has its pros and cons of living there due to its economy, military strength and climate. This can be compared to real world global politics, as countries have benefits and negatives to living within them.

In the anime, each village is important to the plot and the unique locations bring the story to life. Although there are other villages mentioned, there isn't enough information to know what the living conditions would be like there, so determining which one would be best to live in is best analyzed by looking at the most important of them. The reason they are called the Hidden Villages is that they are structured in a way that nature conceals them from outsiders,...

Naruto isn't a series known for its smart characters, but it should be. There are characters so smart in the series that they might as well be dubbed geniuses for their abilities to see into the future or figure other characters' intentions out. Some characters in Naruto are so smart, they can start entire wars by themselves. While other shōnen anime series might feature villains winning their fights through sheer strength, some villains in Naruto can level the playing field through their intelligence alone.

Naruto treats intelligent characters well by adding them to both sides of the story. Characters like Shikamaru, Minato, and more use their mighty brains for good, allowing the citizens of Konoha to live in peace. Other characters, like Kabuto and Madara, use their vast intelligence for evil, orchestrating massive battles at the cost of many innocent lives to satiate their desires.

Kabuto Yakushi Orochimaru's Assistant Turned...

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #17, "Wild Beast Cubs," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

As the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex story continues, manga fans are seeing Konoha at its most desperate point. There were many times before that the Hidden Leaf came under pressure. Villains like the Akatsuki, the Kara terrorist cell, and several Ōtsutsuki aliens who attacked caused so much chaos and collateral damage.

Now, Jura and the God Trees have the Hidden Leaf scrambling for a response. These beings are on par with the Ōtsutsuki. To make things worse, Naruto and Sasuke aren't around. The former is trapped in a secret dimension, while the latter is in a coma on the fringes. That leaves the new Hokage, Shikamaru, in charge of coming up with new ideas. Unfortunately, as the latest chapter unfolds, the Eighth Hokage proves that,...

With how power scaling unravels in shonen series, nobody expects every new power-up to make sense or align with the existing standards. However, during the Fourth Great Ninja War in Naruto, the power scale was completely disregarded as Masashi Kishimoto introduced astronomical power-ups one after the other.

From Naruto being the reincarnation of Indra to Obito’s Ten-Tails transformation, the progression in the power levels was staggering. Even amidst such revelations, Hashirama Senju’s wood release stands out for how overpowered it is. It’s a good thing Kishimoto has since kept this technique out of the narrative, as it clearly turns the tides in a biased manner.

This technique is arguably the strongest in Hashirama’s arsenal Hashirama uses the True Several Thousand Hands technique against Madara in Naruto Shippuden | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

Hashirama Senju was one of the strongest shinobi in the Naruto universe. Unlike many other characters with special abilities,...

Naruto and Sasuke are the strongest heroes of their generation of shinobi; however, their achievements required significant sacrifices and help from others. They may be the focus of most of the series, but other ninjas managed to stand out despite not having as much screen time. For some, one fight was enough to prove that their potential could have been far greater if they had their own story.

It wasn’t just Naruto and Sasuke that kept fans engaged with thrilling action and power-up scenes. They were surrounded by extremely talented and dedicated teachers, leaders, and opponents who stood their ground and showed not only other ninjas but also fans that the rivalry pushing Naruto and Sasuke wasn’t the only compelling theme in Naruto when it comes to strong heroes.

Tobirama Senju The Shinobi Behind the Feared and Powerful Jutsu

Tobirama Senju's strength shone during the Fourth Great Ninja...

Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto has charmed its viewers with its gripping plot and compelling storylines with an action-packed storyline that has elevated the Shonen series’ status to a modern classic. Despite so much greatness, the series could never run too far away from the fans’ criticism of how poorly the manga author decided to treat its female characters.

Tsunade. Credits: Studio Pierrot

When she was introduced initially, Tsunade Senju, who played a key role in the overall story, was also believed to receive a similar treatment. However, that is not true because Kishimoto-Sensei decided to go all out on her, giving her unmatched medical ninjutsu prowess and superhuman strength.

Surprisingly, that’s not all because the mangaka also gave her a tragic backstory, which was heartbreaking to watch but not caring enough to remember it.

Masashi Kishimoto’s underrated backstory for Tsunade will break fans’ hearts

This comes as no...

The mention of Masashi Kishimoto and female characters in the same sentence is enough to make fans frown, and The Last: Naruto the Movie reinstated that fear. Throughout the Naruto series, there are many memorable characters who can easily make it to the list of best anime characters of all time. With how good the male characters in the series are, the female ones miserably pale in comparison.

Ino Yamanaka in Naruto Shippuden | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

Even the good ones often get reduced to their physical appearances, as Kishimoto fails to write decent developmental arcs for them. This is exactly what happened with Ino Yamanaka. She is one of the few characters whose design post-Shippuden didn’t disappoint fans. Although, the same can’t be said about her character arc in The Last: Naruto the Movie.

Ino’s glow-up is easily the best out of all Naruto characters...

Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto is arguably the most popular and best-selling manga, captivating fans around the globe for decades. The iconic anime secured its place in the “Big Three” with its incredible character designs, dynamic combat system, unforgettable dialogue, and countless epic moments.

Obito’s mask during the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox’s Attack in Naruto. [Credit: Studio Pierrot]

The Uchiha clan is known to be one of the strongest clans in the entire Naruto series, if not the strongest of them all. With notable members like Madara, Itachi, Obito, and Sasuke, the Uchiha clan’s fearsome legacy tragically ended at the hands of Itachi himself.

Nevertheless, many fans wonder if the Uchiha clan leader could have single-handedly averted the massacre or possessed powers rivaling those of Itachi and Sasuke.

Unveiling the Uchiha Clan Leader’s untold might in Naruto

Masashi Kishimoto‘s Naruto captivated an entire generation of fanbase for decades...

As one of the seasoned mangaka in the shonen genre, Masashi Kishimoto isn’t appreciated enough. This is especially true for his impeccable writing of villains along with greyscale characters in his ninja series Naruto.

Be it Nagato Uzumaki or Obito Uchiha, Kishimoto redefined antagonists. This extends to his writing of Itachi Uchiha albeit the character’s biggest mistake during the clan massacre.

Itachi and Sasuke in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Apart from being one of the child prodigies, the clan killer made a huge mistake in the series. With fans pointing to the detail in a Reddit post, it circles back to the problem of plotholes in the series.

On top of that, it highlights the problematic portrayal and glorification of child soldiers by Konohagakure. This also ties well with the ever-present symbol of prodigies and their intelligence.

Itachi’s biggest mistake during the Uchiha...