Despite ending years ago, the Naruto series is still loved and remembered by fans, being one of the default recommendations for getting into anime. With its length, however, it is only natural that some of the characters received less attention from Masashi Kishimoto than they probably deserved.
Rock Lee didn’t really get to fulfill his role
Introduced very early in the series, Rock Lee was meant to symbolize how a hard-working person could still beat a prodigy. In that, he was similar to Naruto himself in early stages (you know, before he was revealed to belong to a clan famous for its chakra reserves while also being a Hokage’s son). However, he didn’t really play a major role later in the series, despite being integral to the show’s message. He didn’t even get any memorable fights in Shippuden — his sensei, Guy, fought Madara, and that could have been Lee’s time to shine.
Neji’s death was basically for nothing
Ah, yes, the prodigy who wanted to defy fate. Neji was one of the first people whose worldview changed after they lost to Naruto — and for him, it made perfect sense. Being on the same team as Rock Lee, he also didn’t have a prominent role in Shippuden, despite being promoted to jonin during the timeskip. However, his case is even worse, as he dies in The Fourth Great Shinobi War. His death is very impactful during the moment, however, him dying never impacted the series as it went further. Seems like Kishimoto didn’t want Neji to defy his own fate.
The Third Hokage has only shown a fraction of his power
Hiruzen Sarutobi was nicknamed “Professor” for, apparently, knowing every technique. He doesn’t show it in the anime or the manga, though. It can be speculated that by the time of the series he was already old, but his only fight (before he got resurrected in the war) was against the two other Hokage, in which he didn’t showcase his knowledge at all. The fight, sadly, was very underwhelming as well.
Deidara’s death didn’t make much sense
Okay, this one was somewhat understandable. Sasuke had to win that, and Deidara’s way to die was a perfect fit for his character, but it shouldn’t have been in this fight. However, it seems that his entire preparation against Sharingan was for nothing. It’s disappointing, as Deidara was a very fun character, and the way Sasuke escaped from the explosion was seen as a cop-out by many.
Sakura’s marriage to Sasuke isn’t a happy one
Many people dislike Sakura. She plays a unique role in the series: a normal person thrown into the world of overpowered monsters. In a sense, she’s a voice of reason to her own teammates, though not without flaws herself. Like her or not, you can’t help but feel sorry for her, as even after marrying Sasuke, whom she admired for most of her life, he just seems to never be there for her or their daughter. Seems like most Uchihas have family issues.
Despite ending years ago, the Naruto series is still loved and remembered by fans, being one of the default recommendations for getting into anime. With its length, however, it is only natural that some of the characters received less attention from Masashi Kishimoto than they probably deserved.
Rock Lee didn’t really get to fulfill his role
Introduced very early in the series, Rock Lee was meant to symbolize how a hard-working person could still beat a prodigy. In that, he was similar to Naruto himself in early stages (you know, before he was revealed to belong to a clan famous for its chakra reserves while also being a Hokage’s son). However, he didn’t really play a major role later in the series, despite being integral to the show’s message. He didn’t even get any memorable fights in Shippuden — his sensei, Guy, fought Madara, and that could have been Lee’s time to shine.
Neji’s death was basically for nothing
Ah, yes, the prodigy who wanted to defy fate. Neji was one of the first people whose worldview changed after they lost to Naruto — and for him, it made perfect sense. Being on the same team as Rock Lee, he also didn’t have a prominent role in Shippuden, despite being promoted to jonin during the timeskip. However, his case is even worse, as he dies in The Fourth Great Shinobi War. His death is very impactful during the moment, however, him dying never impacted the series as it went further. Seems like Kishimoto didn’t want Neji to defy his own fate.
The Third Hokage has only shown a fraction of his power
Hiruzen Sarutobi was nicknamed “Professor” for, apparently, knowing every technique. He doesn’t show it in the anime or the manga, though. It can be speculated that by the time of the series he was already old, but his only fight (before he got resurrected in the war) was against the two other Hokage, in which he didn’t showcase his knowledge at all. The fight, sadly, was very underwhelming as well.
Deidara’s death didn’t make much sense
Okay, this one was somewhat understandable. Sasuke had to win that, and Deidara’s way to die was a perfect fit for his character, but it shouldn’t have been in this fight. However, it seems that his entire preparation against Sharingan was for nothing. It’s disappointing, as Deidara was a very fun character, and the way Sasuke escaped from the explosion was seen as a cop-out by many.
Sakura’s marriage to Sasuke isn’t a happy one
Many people dislike Sakura. She plays a unique role in the series: a normal person thrown into the world of overpowered monsters. In a sense, she’s a voice of reason to her own teammates, though not without flaws herself. Like her or not, you can’t help but feel sorry for her, as even after marrying Sasuke, whom she admired for most of her life, he just seems to never be there for her or their daughter. Seems like most Uchihas have family issues.
