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Decades ago, Naruto gave us some of the most edgy and badass ninjas. They were intimidating, fearless, and held unparalleled power. Some of these were kunoichis and kage that reshaped the ninja world in many ways.

Whoever said Masashi Kishimoto cannot write strong characters needs to check out this list. From Tenten to Tsunade, here are the 10 strongest female ninjas in the series. So what are you waiting for exactly? Let’s unpack this!

10. Tenten is a Bukijutsu expert in Naruto Tenten as a proctor during the Chunin Exams in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Tenten, hands down, is one of the most underutilized characters in Naruto. She had a zeal and passion for collecting various tools. But her mastery lay in Bukijutsu and Fuinjutsu, and the Fourth Shinobi World War showcased that.

Related: Madara vs 5 Kage Ruined ‘Naruto’s Power Scaling Worse Than It Already Was...

Do you remember the dynamic that Naruto and Sasuke had? From strangers to teammates to friends to enemies. Masashi Kishimoto made their journey an epic one in Naruto; however, it ended up losing its impact due to a forced fight between the two.

When you think of Naruto and Sasuke’s rivalry, two battles stand out: one is the first big battle between the two, which is extremely intense and thrilling, and the other is at the conclusion of Shippuden.

Both were raw, emotional, and epic. But if you ask a longtime fan, there is no doubt as to which one truly hit the hardest- the answer is often the first fight. Despite having better animation, abilities, and stakes, the final battle feels overhyped and an unnecessary insert.

The First Battle in ‘Naruto‘ Had Real Weight

Masashi Kishimoto took the story of Naruto through contours and twists that no viewer can fathom.

It’s been almost eight years since Naruto officially ended. Yet this doesn’t dispute the fact that the series has a chokehold on us fans. The series also shaped and redefined nuances of storytelling and characterization.

Masashi Kishimoto is lauded for creating impactful characters. From villains to side cast, they stand out in their individuality. He did, however, fumble the bag, but this character makes me want to not criticize the mangaka at all.

Be it his backstory or his motives, the mangaka outdid himself in layering this antagonist. He is, after all, one of the finest in the assemblage of side characters in the series. But what makes him so great? Well, let’s find out!

The Naruto Character That Redefined Villains

Villains come in all shapes, sizes, and personas, and that’s exactly what Naruto does best. It gave us a spectrum of villains and anti-heroes. Their backstories and pasts were jarring,...

Naruto: Shippuden has made a legacy for itself for being among the big three of anime, alongside Bleach and One Piece. The series has been entertaining its fans for many decades, with its first episode coming out in 2007. With the series ending in 2017, it has been a hot spot for many fans to rewatch and rewatch some of the story’s memorable moments.

From the heartbreak of a mentor’s final words to the final clash between sworn brothers, Naruto: Shippuden has never failed to bring its fans to the edge of their seats. This exact feeling is what makes them revisit these moments of raw emotion over and over.

5 highest-rated Naruto: Shippuden episodes one should not miss

While Naruto: Shippuden lasted around 500 episodes, only a select few have stood out to be the highest rated amongst others, and IMDb ratings make it clear which stayed the longest amongst its fans.

The Akatsuki remains one of Naruto’s most iconic villain groups, where each member is recognised for their unique abilities, twisted ideologies, and rich backstories. From the brutally twisted reality of Itachi Uchiha to the pain-fueled motives of Nagato Uzumaki, many members gained their rightful stories, except one. Hidan is one of the characters who is often brushed off as the weakest member of the Akatsuki, known for his immortality and foul mouth. But the character deserved much more.

While Hidan lacks the raw explosive powers like Pain and Diadara or the strategic intellect of Itachi and Sasori, what he brought to the table was never fully explored in the Naruto franchise.

Hidan’s unholy power was unique and underutilized

One thing that made Hidan unique amongst all the characters in Naruto is his immortality, which made him nearly impossible to defeat in a traditional fight. This unique ritualistic jutsu,...

The entire Naruto series has numerous cool fights. In fact, a part of its everlasting popularity is due to these fights alone. They are not only Studio Pierrot’s way of flexing their Sakuga, but they also tell a story, work as character development, and further enrich our understanding of this ninja world. And this is quite rare to find, even in modern anime.

However, among all those awe-inspiring fight sequences Naruto has, there’s one that stands out significantly more than the rest. It is the Sakura and Chiyo against Sasori fight. In fact, there are several reasons why this fight is revered as one of the greatest in the series, and here’s a rundown of all that, if you happen not to believe so.

The events following this fight marked Sakura’s character growth

The Akatsuki has always been a great threat to the plot of Naruto,...

2025 hasn’t been a great year for us anime fans. This is quite surprising because this was also the year I had major expectations. I mean, come on, Sakamoto Days and The Beginning After the End in the same year, and much less the same anime season? I was all signed up for it.

That is, until those anime series actually hit the screens. Honestly speaking, I haven’t seen such great titles being reduced to such deep messes in such a short time. Especially since the source materials were almost flawless masterpieces.

Regardless, if 2025 has taught me anything so far, it is that bad animation can turn even the best storylines into absolute horse-sh*t. If anything, these five anime series are the biggest example of that.

1. Seven Deadly Sins

Nakaba Suzuki’s Seven Deadly Sins once used to be hailed as one of the best shonen series in recent years.

There are many battles in Naruto that fans enjoy, but one of the most heart-wrenching moments in the series is definitely the fight between Jiraiya and Pain. The short battle remains one of the most emotionally charged and impactful moments in Naruto.

It was the fall of a kind, fun, and trusted mentor who had a lot of character development, signifying a massive change in the personality of Naruto, but also a loss that felt real to the viewers, leaving them in tears. But hidden beneath the layers of tragedy and action lies a forgotten subplot that could’ve completely flipped the outcome.

The Akatsuki’s mysterious ring network has never been explained in the series. There were enough hints dropped to suggest it had ties to the group’s unique communication method, and more importantly, to how Pain operated. If Kishimoto had chosen to flesh this out or let Jiraiya uncover the truth,...

If there’s one thing Naruto fans know best, its that he is a powerful ninja who made his mark as a Hokage. He dared to dream and he did achieve it. We commend Kishimoto for that. But there are things that even the Seventh Hokage fail at.

For instance, there are the Chunin Exams and then the bad leadership. No doubt, he is a strong and formidable shinobi of his time. He mastered Senjutsu and even perfected it better compared to his mentor Jiraiya. But even he cannot use this iconic and lethal S-rank nature release.

We fans have often debated whether he can perform Wood Release or not. He seems capable, so why can’t he use the kekkei-genkai? Well, some solid reasons behind it seem plausible for the most part. But also, it points to the retcons associated with Hashirama’s ability in the series.

Why can’t Naruto use the wood-style?...

Almost 11 years ago, Masashi Kishimoto’s opus Naruto concluded with 700 chapters. It stands as one of the best sellers in the Shonen genre, and this also applies to the anime. The series was all the rage and continues to impact us fans even today.

Some remember the anime for its fights while others reminisce about the emotional moments. Regardless of that, its impact and influence on anime fans cannot be disputed in any case. Though this leaves me with a question that still haunts me to this date.

Why did the mangaka not expand on Nagato’s fate in the series? He is one of the pivotal characters who also makes a comeback during the War arc. But the question remains: what happened to his character in the end? This also connects well with the idea of an afterlife and the like in the series.

Nagato’s ambiguous fate in...

The anime/manga community has its fair share of epic badass villain gangs, and Akatsuki from Naruto is undoubtedly one of them. From Itachi’s death stare to Pain’s god-complex vibes, they had this oozing aura that takes this series to the next level.

But then you get to see Deidara and Tobi, the two little chaotic gremlins that make world domination into some sort of silly buddy sitcom where they bicker and argue like crazy. Looking at Deidara, he is out in the world yelling about his explosive “art” like a mad artist, and while Tobi is just being… Tobi, delulu, stupid, and doing the best to get a laugh out of you.

They make you almost forget that they are a part of the Akatsuki gang, and you have to take them seriously. Instead of having those dark and gritty vibes like Kakuzu and Hidan, Deidara and...

To unlock Mangekyo Sharingan is a rarity, and Itachi Uchiha is one such case. He is among a few who were able to grasp the extent of the dojutsu’s power. His abilities were truly overwhelming, be it in activating Tsukuyomi, Susanoo, or even the Totsuka Blade,

However, nothing compares to the ultimate form of Sharingan, the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. It was the most menacing weapon for which Uchiha killed their brethren, but there is a question that plagues most fans. Why is it that Itachi never sought this power through his father?

In other words, the genjutsu prodigy’s inability to take his father’s eyes is a mystery to this date. It is yet another plothole, yet to be expanded upon for many reasons. There are speculations and conjectures, so let’s unpack this plothole now, shall we?

Why didn’t Itachi take Fugaku’s Mangekyo Sharingan?

Itachi...

Naruto has some painful and heartbreaking moments in the series, including deaths. These were jarring, to say the least, both for readers and viewers. But sometimes, some of these were way too unnecessary and made fans flip tables for worse.

One such case is Neji Hyuga, and we do not blame fans at all. He was and shall always remain a fan-favorite for various reasons. His death, though, was uncalled for and, to this date, it feels strange. But what if Kishimoto had second thoughts about it?

Sasuke’s Rinnegan in the series | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Well, to begin with, this theory states that the character was supposed to be in his villainous era. He was supposed to join the Akatsuki, but that did not happen because his path was too similar to Sasuke Uchiha’s. Hence, he was killed off, and the mangaka chose not to follow his pattern of parallels.

Masashi Kishimoto’s opus, Naruto, is a true masterpiece in every way. This applies to the complex themes and symbolism in the narrative, be it friendship, resilience, or self-discovery. The series is thought-provoking and compelling in every manner.

There were moments when he wasted its potential. The characters, lore, and even the world-building were frittered away despite the sheer number of possibilities. What’s more disappointing is that this happened to one of the best arcs in the storyline.

Ino-Shika-Cho in the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

But we’re not done yet, especially with fans’ reactions and comments. They won’t forgive the series for having butchered one of the pivotal characters. It was underwhelming and unnecessary for the most part, but it also highlights the mangaka’s knack for creating fodder characters.

How Naruto butchered an iconic character

Naruto has an interesting assemblage of characters, especially villains. They’re menacing,...

The final war in Naruto was a mix of many great moments and some lackluster drawn-out ones. The war might have been shorter and more coherent if Konan hadn’t been killed off so soon, and that’s what a new Naruto theory suggests. Right before the war, Obito visited Amegakure to retrieve the Rinnegan. Konan put up a great fight, but it marked the conclusion of her character arc, as she was killed off.

Many characters were reincarnated by Kabuto through Edo Tensei including the likes of Madara and the Hokage. While the legendary shinobi were able to break free of the mind control, some characters still had to fight their loved ones.

Konan in Naruto Shippuden | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

If Konan had been alive during the Final War or even if she was reincarnated, she could have made a difference. If you’re wondering how, the...

The dynamic between Sasuke and Naruto in Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto was one of the biggest elements of the entire series. Their uncanny relationship involved friendship, constant chase, and dangerous battles, and finally, reconciliation became the central theme of the entire series for a very long time, and fans were more or less happy with it.

Naruto and Sasuke | Credit: Studio Pierrot

However, there were some moments where the development of the two characters in the story felt a little weird and raised some big doubts in the minds of Naruto fans. One such moment was after the time skip when Naruto met Sasuke for the first time, and Sasuke showed Naruto the gigantic difference in their training over the past two years.

This was a contentious writing decision by Kishimoto because the plot made it look like Naruto did nothing for the past two years, but Sasuke was working very hard.

Other than being a genjutsu prodigy, Itachi Uchiha is a true mastermind. They don’t call him a genius for nothing. He outmaneuvered both Orochimaru and his protege Kabuto. This is true for the moment when he defeats and seals away the Snake Sannin.

With his apprentice, he used the Izanami to break free from the Edo Tensei Jutsu. He outsmarted his enemy through his strategic thinking and combat prowess. However, there is a skill so broken and overpowered that it could potentially overpower Naruto.

A reanimated Itachi uses Izanami in a still from Shippuden. | Credit: Studio Pierrot

He could have easily kidnapped him if he wanted to because of this ability. This also outlined his true motivations and goals in the series. But above all, Itachi’s most broken ability of the Sharingan would have overpowered Jiraiya himself, considering he never mastered the Sage Mode to perfection.

Itachi’s...

If you ever thought Tsunade, Ino, and Hinata are the ultimate princess-charming trio in the Naruto-verse, then hold up, there’s another character in town who could give them a serious run for their money. However, there’s a twist to it!

It’s not a female character we’re talking about! He’s an Akatsuki member with some seriously striking features that have caught the attention of fans and cosplayers alike. When you look at him, even if you don’t immediately think too much, he’s got some hidden charm. And, as some beautiful female Naruto cosplayers have shown us, if he were a woman, he’d be an absolute stunner!

Hidan from Naruto | Credit: Studio Pierrot

In fact, one of those cosplayers has brought him to life with so much perfection that the results are nothing short of mesmerizing. In case you haven’t taken a guess yet,...

A village that cries endlessly seems almost fascinating, doesn’t it? Well, it most certainly is the case with Amegakure in the Naruto Shippuden anime. The village has a history of war, loss, and suffering. It is evident with children either being orphaned or turning to criminal organizations.

Moreover, it doesn’t exist for mere aesthetic purposes in Kishimoto’s series. Rather, it has deep symbolism of pain, loss, and suffering. It represents the history of oppression and tyranny, but there’s a catch to that. There is a plausible explanation for its unnaturalness in the anime.

Amegakure in Naruto Shippuden anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

According to this theory, the downpour can be attributed to a weapon test gone wrong. It does align well with the village’s history of conflict and its technological advancements. The rebreathers and the village’s landscape are only a fraction of its true potential.

One of the biggest criticisms of Naruto is that Masashi Kishimoto fumbled majorly in writing female characters. That he hates women is something we often hear from the fandom. The mangaka indeed flubbed one of the most promising female characters in the series, and that is indisputable.

With Shippuden, it only got worse with Studio Pierrot’s misrepresentation. To the point that the fandom vilified her and continued to do so for decades. Even today, most fans deem her useless and trash. But there’s one thing the fandom needs to know about Kishimoto’s writing of women in his series.

Sakura’s Byakugou Seal in the Shippuden anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Yes, he fumbled the bag with Sakura, and yes, it was unnecessary. To make matters worse, the power-up felt almost inconclusive to fans. But the mangaka can create well-written, strong female characters and expand on their potential, and here’s how.

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 20, "Because of Love," now available on Viz Media.

The ongoing Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga arc reminds fans of Madara Uchiha and Kaguya Otsutsuki's violence during the Fourth Great Ninja War. Boruto Uzumaki's shinobi generation was born from the ashes of the devastating Fourth Great Ninja War that ended the Naruto franchise, and it seems they are now destined for war once again. Although Boruto's villains, Otsutsuki and otherwise, have failed to live up to the same infamy as Madara and Kaguya, a truly terrifying antagonist capable of rivaling them finally appears to be in the making.

The prospect of a fierce villain who's a challenge for the shinobi cast to defeat is enticing to Boruto manga readers craving more intensity since the timeskip. Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 20 delivers on fans' wishes for a darker story. Unfortunately, a...

Several different elements must come together to craft a fantastic anime. A wonderful story is a necessity, as are likable characters. Stellar animation is always a bonus, although anime like Mob Psycho 100 proved style isn't everything. Of course, great voice actors always have a role to play as well.

However, not all voice actors stick around for the series' entire lifetime. While the reason for not remaining for an entire series may vary, from retirement to being let go for controversial reasons, a new voice actor has to come in to replace the original. This transition can sometimes be quite jarring for fans. Yet, there are times when the new voice actor that takes over the role does so with flying colors.

Kagome's New Voice Feels Slightly More Professional in Inuyasha: The Final Act Voice Actor: Kira Tozer; Streaming On Hulu

Inuyasha is a classic fantasy adventure that fans keep coming back to,...

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #20, "Because of Love," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

As Boruto: Two Blue Vortex continues, readers are witnessing a very scary fight indeed. The manga is pitting the God Trees, Ryu and Matsuri, against a Konoha and Sunagakure alliance. Sarada is collaborating with Mitsuki and the Sand's Yodo and Araya to battle Ryu.

Meanwhile, Boruto's mentor, Konohamaru, is fighting Matsuri. Unfortunately, the God Trees are very overpowered. It makes sense, given they are offshoots of the Ten Tails Beast and have Ōtsutsuki DNA in them. However, Konohamaru has found a way in his bout to overcome. The problem is, he has a flaw in his strategy which could prove fatal for all parties in the desert battle.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex's Konohamaru Almost Dies Fighting Matsuri Konohamaru Baits Matsuri...

The key to plot armor is to make it subtle, allowing fictional heroes to survive with their own wits and resourceful thinking. Or, like Game of Thrones' Jon Snow, a character's plot armor may be both thick and obvious. Not even death itself could keep Jon out of the picture while countless other characters got killed off, and anime has plenty more Jon Snows.

These anime characters refuse to die or stay dead, because the plot twists around to keep them safe or because they have inner power that shields them from certain doom. Fortunately, the stories of these plot-favored characters are cool and fun, so fans don't mind the thick plot armor that much, but it's still conspicuous just how safe these characters are from mortal danger.

Gaara Returned to Life Thanks to Chiyo's Sacrifice in Naruto Streaming on Crunchyroll

It was practically a given Naruto Uzumaki would...

Jiraiya is one of Naruto's most beloved characters, and as a fan favorite, he left anime lovers with a lot of wise quotes to ponder. As a Toad Sage and one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya holds an impressive reputation known throughout the Hidden Villages. While doing "research" for his latest novel, he catches Naruto's attention. Naruto recognizes his incredible abilities and harasses Jiraiya until he agrees to train him. Jiraiya reluctantly agrees, and the show's best student-teacher relationship is born.

Fans learn much about Jiraiya through his relationship with Naruto and his startling connection with the Akatsuki. It's through these interactions that fans become emotionally attached to his character, as they discover that he not only trained Naruto's father, Minato Namikaze, but inadvertently named Naruto and declared himself his godfather. Jiraiya is a kindhearted and powerful shinobi who helps Naruto become the unstoppable force he became later and...

KonoSuba fans, rejoice: isekai's most hilarious series will be back with a new anime season. This time, fans didn't have to wait for seven excruciating years before knowing that a new installment of the adventures of Satou, Megumin, Darkness, and Aqua is on the way.

As announced by the official KonoSuba X account, a fourth season of the anime is now officially confirmed. There are no details at this stage about a release window for the next installment of the series, but given KonoSuba's undeniable success, it shouldn't be too long before this wacky isekai story comes back.

KonoSuba Season 4 Is Officially Confirmed Fans Can Fill the Wait With a New Ova Special Coming Soon +:｡:✧￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣　✨アニメ続編制作決定✨　　＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ï...

In the world of Naruto, the tailed beasts or biju were the strongest beings. They defined ultimate power with their immense chakra and boundless strength. The strongest characters could barely compare to them, and a single strike from them was equal to death. Even Hokage-level shinobi ended up sacrificing their lives against tailed beasts.

Considering that, it doesn’t make much sense for someone like Suigetsu to escape a full-fledged battle against Killer Bee alive. Killer Bee was the Jinchuriki of one of the strongest tailed beasts, and even attacked Suigetsu with his strongest attacks.

Sasuke meets Suigetsu for the first time in Naruto Shippuden | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

So, how come Suigetsu escaped that fight alive? There are some reasons that could explain Suigetsu’s luck, especially when we consider his powers. However, it’s still hard to deny that plot armor played a huge role in that entire fight.

Naruto and One Piece have several commonalities. Both share the title of the Big 3 of Shonen Jump along with Bleach. But other than that, the series has an impressive cast of voice actors who made their mark in the industry. One of them is Showtaro Morikubo whose recent update has fans in disbelief.

Team 7 during the Fourth Shinobi World War | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Morikubo is a seasoned voice actor who has worked in Eiichiro Oda as well as Masashi Kishimoto’s series. His retirement was hinted through the recent updates but one thing is certain. This doesn’t diminish his pivotal role as a Va in the anime and video game industry, especially with his impressive roster.

Naruto voice actor hints at retirement

It isn’t uncommon for voice actors to work in a top-notch franchise and Naruto is no exception. From Junko Takeuchi to Toshiyuki Morikawa, the series...

Naruto is usually excitable and thrilling. There are only a few moments that leave the readers and audience in genuine anger and shock. A Shonen anime isn’t meant to provoke such feelings of disdain and hatred. However, there are just some scenes fans cannot forget.

Deidara from Naruto. [Credit: Studio Pierrot]

Deidara might not be the biggest antagonist in Naruto. He’s a small fry compared to Madara Uchiha but he’s an Akatsuki nonetheless, and Kishimoto wanted us to remember that. His arrogant and self-centered nature makes him the perpetrator of some of the most respectful moments.

There was no reason Deidara had to sit on Gaara’s corpse after he sacrificed himself

Naruto fans can all agree Gaara’s redemption arc was brilliant. He had no friends or allies until he met his fellow Jinchuriki Naruto, who found his strength through friendship. So he began learning from this.

Pre-orders are now live for Crunchyroll’s June 2025 home video release slate. In addition to My Hero Academia Season 7 Part 1 , June's offerings include three seasons of Log Horizon , another One Piece voyage and the complete season of The Ossan Newbie Adventurer . See what else is on the way this June and add to your collection via the Crunchyroll Store below! Crunchyroll June 2025 Home Video Releases Log Horizon Season 1 (Blu-ray) One day, while playing the online game Elder Tales, 30,000 players suddenly find themselves trapped in another world. There, eight-year veteran gamer Shiroe also gets left behind. The trapped players are still alive, but they remain in combat with the monsters. The players don't understand what has happened to them, and they flee to Akiba, the largest city in Tokyo, where they are thrown into chaos. Once proud of his loner lifestyle, Shiroe forms a guild called Log Horizon with his old friend Naotsugu,...

Every fandom has its fair share of notorious and toxic fans and Naruto is no exception to that. Things do tend to go overboard at times, which is deeply concerning. It isn’t surprising considering how this has been going on for far too long. But this incident had fans in splits as well as confused.

Team 7 in a still from Naruto | Credit: Studio Pierrot

An Oregon man’s attack on a Tesla station garnered a variety of responses, ranging from anger to disgust. Some even questioned his motives, but for Naruto fans, they had an interesting move up their sleeve. What, you may ask? Well, it was to guess the hidden village he’s from and here’s why.

Oregon Man’s shenanigans left Naruto fans puzzled

It would be a gross understatement to call Naruto popular considering the cult fanbase it has. From kids to adults, Masashi Kishimoto...

A lovable protagonist, twisted and complicated villains, and heart-racing battles are just a few factors that have made Naruto one of the most popular shōnen anime of all time. Naruto set itself apart by making its characters feel human, allowing fans to form long-lasting emotional attachments. Many of the ninja viewers connected with were so well-written that they felt like real people.

And just like real people, some of these characters fell in battle, many times through self-sacrifice. Heroic and emotional, these ninjas' deaths profoundly impacted fans. As expected, many of the saddest deaths in Naruto involved sympathetic heroes, but a few villain deaths were notably sad, too, showing how emotionally complex the Naruto story can be.

Updated on March 5, 2025, by Natasha Elder: The complexity of Naruto characters, hero and villain alike, are one of the main draws to the show. Unfortunately, that means many of the character deaths are devastating.

Quick LinksWhat Was Boruto's Big Error?Two Blue Vortex's Matsuri Is Killing KonohamaruTwo Blue Vortex's Ryu Might Kill a Young NinjaTwo Blue Vortex's Death Count Could Unleash More Savage Heroes

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #19, "Konohamaru-chan," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

As the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga continues, Shikamaru's squad is facing a near-insurmountable task. The Konoha-nin have allied with Sunagakure ninjas, but the God Trees in that locale are proving too much. Ryu has sussed out the heroes' plans to dupe them, kill them and take their Thorn Soul Bulbs (aka their essence).

In addition, Matsuri is wooing Konohamaru, all while keeping a close watch on if he'll betray her attempts to seal her affections. Well, as Two Blue Vortex Chapter #19 unfolds, the God Trees have had enough of the deception. Jura...

The anime-manga medium presents creators with boundless possibilities as to what could happen. Masashi Kishimoto made great use of this expansive scope in Naruto. Fights that defy the laws of physics or teenagers who are capable of doing things far beyond their age, Kishimoto pushed boundaries where he could.

Shikamaru after his fight with Hidan in Naruto Shippuden | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

As a result, we got the thoroughly enthralling experience of Naruto. However, there was one time when the mangaka was particularly concerned about the wrath of the censor board. He spoke about the subject during an interview explaining exactly what it was that concerned him.

It was a scene from the iconic arc where Shikamaru takes his revenge against Hidan, and here’s everything you need to know about it.

Masashi Kishimoto was concerned about the censor board with this scene

Shikamaru is a fan-favorite character from...

What makes Naruto so great are the characters and this holds for the villains as well. From Sasori to Pain, Masashi Kishimoto outdid himself in writing some of the complex villains in his story. The backstories and their eventual fate in the series are well put out, but he may have fumbled in one aspect.

Obito Uchiha in a still from Naruto Shippuden | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Most specifically, his writing of Madara’s character and his ending betrays the purpose. This is true for the character’s redemption, which follows along the common thread of banality. In this case, another character tops the chart by being one of the finest villains in the series.

Masashi Kishimoto diluted villainy through redemption arcs

When we think about villains, Masashi Kishimoto gave us some of the top-tier antagonists in his series. But with the mangaka, the villains aren’t necessarily portrayed in a binary.

Most Narutofans dislike Sakura, and Sasuke's relationship, which has not aged well at all.Sakura's infatuation with Sasuke follows a tired anime trope and borders on annoying. Sasuke was cold towards her and, at times, abusive. It did not help that their character arcs were entirely different. Sasuke was driven by vengeance for most of Naruto's story, while Sakura spent the first half pinning over Sasuke and the second half trying to catch up to him and Naruto.

Their romance continues in the Boruto sequel series, and although they are both more mature, their relationship is still nothing to write home about because they hardly see each other. As problematic as their romance is, the argument can be made that Sakura and Sasuke's relationship is the most important outside of Naruto and Hinata's and Shimaru and Temari's.

Sasuke Did Nothing But Hurt Sakura For Most of...

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,...

The Uchiha clan from Naruto still has the ever-growing fandom in a chokehold. Although both the manga and the anime concluded long ago, the series continues to attract new fans every day. The Uchihas, and especially Itachi Uchiha, are a big reason behind that.

Itachi Uchiha in Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto Shippuden | Credits: Studio Pierrot

Hailed as one of the greatest ninjas, Itachi was one of the most dynamic characters in the series. This was as much because of his demeanor as it was because of his abilities. More importantly, he was also one of the strongest Genjutsu wielders in Naruto.

Interestingly, while Itachi’s ability had stumped many top-level ninjas, there is one ninja who had seemingly worked out the elusive method to get out of it. As it stands, fans might finally have an explanation as to why and how that is.

Itachi’s fellow Akatsuki member Deidara...

In the world of anime, there are very few moments that are as big as the 4th Great Ninja War or the Fourth Shinobi World War from Naruto. It is one of the, if not the, greatest moments in the history of the series and one of the main reasons why Naruto still sits at the top of the list in terms of the most popular anime and manga series of all time.

Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto | Credit: Studio Pierrot

The creator of Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto, has talked about the war and the idea around it multiple times. He has even explained how the war was conceptualized after the Pain arc, which makes it even more interesting. However, what many Naruto fans won’t know is that the Fourth Shinobi World War lasted for around two days in the series.

Considering the long hours fans have spent watching the iconic war,...

Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto has long been blamed for his handling of romance within the series. Fans often argue that romance within Naruto is rushed, not fully developed, or even completely ignored in favor of world-building and action.

Shikamaru and Temari’s bonding shows Kishimoto can excel in romance. | Credit: Studio Pierrot

While talking about this topic, Kishimoto himself once revealed in an interview, that he felt shy when writing romance and so did not depict it extensively. The comment was shocking to many fans because some of Naruto‘s relationships are really great, demonstrating Kishimoto’s skill in writing great romance.

Kishimoto can write romance: He just didn’t prioritize it

During an interview session with the Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun, Masashi Kishimoto revealed why in his original work, the depiction of full-blown love did not appear. When asked by the interviewer whether it was difficult to imagine?...

We all know how cool and edgy Sage Mode is in Naruto. But other than that, it is a broken ability that takes years to master. Only a handful of ninjas can tap into its potential and eventually master it. Jiraiya and the knucklehead ninja are perfect examples, however, there may be someone else as well.

Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan with the original Akatsuki members | Credit: Studio Pierrot

According to our theory, an Akatsuki member might potentially hold mastery in Senjutsu. This could also tie well with his unrivaled abilities and strength that are yet to be explained by the mangaka. But what we do know is that the character had some of the coolest drip in the series nonetheless.

Akatsuki’s Sage Mode master in Naruto

Sage Mode or Senjutsu is one of the most iconic transformations in the series. The jutsu itself however takes years for a ninja...

Many characters pale in comparison to the popularity Sakura enjoys in the anime community, albeit for all the wrong reasons. The discourse surrounding her can be best described as a hate parade. It’s sad to see how her merits are not as celebrated, as her shortcomings are criticized.

At the beginning of Shippuden, she defeated an Akatsuki member. Before that, we had already seen capable Jonin like Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai struggle terribly against Akatsuki members. Considering their skills and competence, it was admirable to see how far Sakura had come.

Sakura Haruno in Naruto Shippuden | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

The fight showcased her true potential and her best qualities as a Shinobi. Yes, she had great support and assistance with Chiyo, but her contribution can’t be ignored. She adapted to the opponent while keeping up with Chiyo’s strategy.

Sasori: The worst nightmare for any...

One of the most iconic classics in the harem genre, High School DxD is what many consider the golden standard of action-comedy ecchi. Despite the series' controversial raunchiness and, at times, uncomfortable fan service, it gathered a sizable fanbase among ecchi lovers and continues to attract attention even 16 years after the original light novel's release.

The story of Issei Hyoudou, a perverted high schooler who gets thrust into the world of absurdly attractive demons and angels by becoming the servant of one Rias Gremory, Kuoh Academy's number one beauty, is praised not only for its obvious appeal to harem fans but also for incorporating stellar action, a variety of compelling characters and a genuinely gripping plot into the genre that's often dismissed for being too shallow. Those who adore High School DxD for its unapologetic approach to harem comedy and its willingness to venture out of the ecchi genre's superficial...

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The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #19, "Konohamaru-chan," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

Readers often criticize the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga for its pacing. It's something that irked the Boruto readers in the prequel series, as well as the anime. Many felt both of these series trudged along too slowly. Admittedly, it's a problem this genre generally experiences.

As this error occurred, the Two Blue Vortex villains felt like a slog. They did more talking than anything. It came off as a rinse-and-repeat of how the Naruto franchise would take forever to uncage villains such as the Uchihas, Akatsuki, and the Ōtsutsuki invaders. Well, thankfully, Chapter...

Many anime series feature some power system. Iconic shōnen series like Naruto, Bleach, and Hunter X Hunter use these systems to communicate how strong their main characters can get and what they can be capable of with enough training. Most of these shōnen power systems take wildly different approaches to this technique. Isekai and other sci-fi fantasy anime offer a much more straightforward take on power systems.

Most Isekai anime have characters "level up" like a video game. This sounds simple on paper, but plenty of series use this concept creatively. Just like the shōnen anime, these power systems can vary in complexity. But there's no doubt that among Isekai anime, these rank as some of the best that current anime offers.

Log Horizon's Leveling System Feels Right at Home in the Anime's Jrpg World Streaming on Hulu

Log Horizon is one of the best examples of adapting Jrpg mechanics into an Isekai anime.

Sakamoto Days has been getting non-stop criticism for its disappointing animation quality. Its decline from one of the most anticipated series to a disheartening show was steep. But it is not the worst adaptation that anime fans have seen in recent years.

One 2024 anime also had a similar journey, except it was more depressing than Sakamoto Days. It was supposed to be the holy grail for horror lovers but turned out to be a sad mess. And it’s none other than Uzumaki, the anime adaptation of Junji Ito’s legendary manga.

No matter how bad Sakamoto Days gets, it can never overtake the Uzumaki disaster Uzumaki’s horrendous animation disappointed fans | Credits: Drive, Akatsuki, Fugaku

A 4-episode anime adaptation of Junji Ito‘s Uzumaki manga aired in October 2024. The trailers gave fans a glimpse into the work and convinced everyone that it would stand apart from the rest of...

Raging debates are common within the fandoms, and Naruto is no exception to that, especially with the Og versus Shippuden series. While both are phenomenal in their unique way, Shippuden is a cut above the rest.

Naruto Uzumaki’s Sage Mode in the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Be it fights or worldbuilding, fans revealed five areas where the anime reigned supreme over the Og series. In all honesty, the fans’ points further prove that the series was in a league of its own.

1. A rich worldbuilding

While Og Naruto introduced hidden villages, Shippuden took it to a whole new level. The first part underlined Kazekage, Hokage, and even Hoshikage, but the second part fleshed it out with its rich and abundant lore.

Konoha’s Hokage Rock in the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

From Jinchuriki and Akatsuki to external conflicts, the series unpacked worldbuilding brilliantly through these elements, as this Redditor pointed out.

Naruto may have ended almost eight years ago, but one thing is for sure. Its legacy lives on among many fans, including readers and viewers. The series made waves as a Big Three anime and one of the bestselling manga in the Shonen genre.

It has inspired popular series such as Black Clover, Jujutsu Kaisen, and so on. With Bleach making its on-screen comeback, it is only natural that Masashi Kishimoto finally gives fans what they truly need. The franchise could follow in its contemporaries’ footsteps with this move.

Nagato with the first Akatsuki in Naruto Shippuden | Credit: Studio Pierrot

After its ten-year hiatus, Bleach returned with a bang with the Thousand-Year Blood War anime. We all know how Studio Pierrot went above and beyond for the production quality of the anime. But it proves one thing for sure. One does not need an over-the-top novel idea for a spin-off.

Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto has some of the coolest and badass fights in the series and these were pivotal in unpacking the growth and development of the characters. While these are well-written and conceived, there are cons to them as well.

This is true for one of the major arcs in the series that highlighted the hero’s progress during a power-packed battle. It stands as one of the legendary moments in the series. However, the fight may have sidelined one of the key aspects of storytelling in doing so.

Kakuzu’s Earth Grudge Fear jutsu in the Shippuden series | Credit: Studio Pierrot

The depth and consistency, in particular, are essential to any storyline to maintain a thread. This isn’t to say that every story needs to be linear. Rather, it should be conclusive in the manner of its conception and writing. In this case, the mangaka may have rushed the hero’s edginess.