Naruto Did Many Things Right, But It Really Fumbled in One Major Area
Narutois a classic anime that has stood the test of time, captivating fans across generations. With its PG-13 rating, it has remained accessible to younger audiences while still delivering compelling storytelling. As one of the longest-running anime alongside Bleach, One Piece, and Dragon Ball, its legacy is undeniable. However, the ever-changing tastes of anime fans might challenge its lasting appeal.
Modern audiences are increasingly drawn to darker, more mature narratives, making some question Naruto’s reliance on plot armor. While the series excels in crafting emotional backstories, many believe it would have been even more impactful if more characters had experienced justifiable, hard-to-grasp deaths. The emotional stakes of Naruto could have been heightened by embracing loss in a way that wasn’t softened by convenient survival. Its success is undeniable, but its approach to character mortality remains a debated aspect among fans.
Naruto Might Have Played Too Safe to Please the Fans
Might Guy's Legacy Could Have Matched Itachi Uchiha's
Naruto introduced numerous characters that fans continue to love even years after the series ended. It wasn’t just the main trio—Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura—who kept the story engaging, but also the side characters who were given meaningful development. The series’ strategic storytelling allowed moments for even minor characters to shine, making them harder for fans to let go of. The creators recognized this, which influenced how they handled character fates.
Across the entire franchise, which features almost hundreds of heroes and villains, only 15 characters have died—a surprisingly low number. While this wasn’t initially a problem, longtime fans began noticing how many characters were excessively protected. Naruto is home to some of the most powerful ninjas in anime, yet in many battles, the good guys would suffer extreme injuries only to be miraculously saved. This trend, while thrilling at first, eventually made certain moments feel less impactful.
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Plot armor became a growing issue as the series progressed, making some deaths feel overdue. For instance, Obito Uchiha was crushed by a massive boulder, yet he survived and went on to play a major role in the war, even though his initial death could have been justified with the absence of the Hashirama cell that helped him. Similarly, in Naruto: Shippuden episode #421, Might Guy nearly died fighting Madara Uchiha, but Naruto saved him at the last moment, diminishing the weight of his supposed sacrifice. In fact, he barely has significant roles in the franchise's sequel, Boruto: Naruto Next Generation.
While wishing for a character’s demise isn't ideal, the consequences of how this changes the story and the characters nearest that death have proven to resonate with audiences more. Many Naruto characters became even greater heroes in death, such as Itachi Uchiha and Jiraiya, and some sacrifices would have left a more profound impact rather than having their survival lessen their narrative weight.
More Deaths Would Have Raised the Bar More For the Fourth Great Ninja War
The Kage Surprisingly Withstood the Strongest Villain’s Enhanced Powers
Naruto has faced numerous criticisms over the years, with fillers being a major complaint that diminished the viewing experience for some. However, another issue fans highlight is the lack of significant character deaths as mentioned. Battles often end with one side winning, the other losing, but rarely with anyone dying. This pattern was reinforced by redemption arcs given to major villains like Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Obito.
While these redemptions set the series apart, some fans revisiting the show might find it lacks tension. The Fourth Great Ninja War, spanning over 250 episodes, introduced powerful antagonists like Madara Uchiha, Obito, Black Zetsu, and Kaguya Otsutsuki, yet few major characters died. Despite the war’s catastrophic scale, the high survival rate made it feel less impactful. Naruto and Sasuke’s god-tier powers, combined with Sakura’s Strength of a Hundred Healing Jutsu, further ensured most characters’ survival.
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In addition, Madara Uchiha, one of history’s strongest shinobi, fought all five Kage yet failed to kill any of them. As amazing as his battles were, they lost weight since he never eliminated a single major character. The fact that all the Kage—especially Onoki—survived the war was surprising, making Madara’s dominance less intense. Worse, the fight wasn’t fully shown, with only glimpses in Naruto: Shippuden opening song 13, Not Even Sudden Rain Can Defeat Me by NICO Touches the Walls, leaving fans wanting more.
There are Very Few Meaningful Deaths in Naruto
Kishimoto and the Team Could Have Taken Bolder Risks
Deaths in a series don’t always negatively impact the plot or its characters. When handled well, they can add depth, elevate the story, and enhance the roles of surviving characters. Modern anime, like Attack on Titan, have shown that the loss of major characters doesn’t diminish their popularity—instead, it makes them even more memorable. Their sacrifices add weight to the narrative, making the stakes feel real, and the emotions felt more by the viewers.
Naruto Is Cool, But Fans Are Seriously Underrating A Much Different Hokage
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While Naruto is already known for its well-written emotional arcs, it often avoided taking risks with character deaths. Many characters who were on the brink of death could have justifiably died, yet the series leaned towards survival, maintaining a more fantastical world where most lived. Characters like Kushina Uzumaki, Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Nagato Uzumaki, Konan, Zabuza Momochi, Haku, Itachi Uchiha, Jiraiya, Shisui Uchiha, and more had truly meaningful deaths. If Naruto had embraced this approach more, it could have further solidified its reputation as a series willing to take bold narrative steps.
Naruto’s Limited Deaths Affected Its Storytelling
The Story Could Have Been Darker and More Realistic with More Deaths
Naruto’s storytelling is not without its flaws, as is the case with any long-running series. While it is praised for its emotional depth, there are instances where the stakes could have been heightened through more meaningful deaths. During the Pain Arc, many villagers from Konoha temporarily lost their lives, and one notable character was Kakashi Hatake. His death, though reversed, would have been a significant moment, as his tragic backstory and skills as a shinobi played a major role in the series. Kakashi’s return served the narrative, but his potential sacrifice could have added emotional weight and furthered the stakes of the story, especially for his students.
The absence of key character deaths in significant moments weakened the overall tension.
In conclusion, while Naruto excels in its redemption arcs and moments of hope, its reluctance to embrace the consequences of death limited its emotional impact. The absence of key character deaths in pivotal moments weakened the overall tension. By taking more risks with character development, the series could have elevated its storytelling and made victories feel more earned. Saving characters from the brink of death, though heartwarming, lessened the potential for a more unpredictable, impactful narrative.
- Latest Film
- Boruto: Naruto the Movie
- First TV Show
- Naruto
- Latest TV Show
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
- First Episode Air Date
- October 3, 2002
- Cast
- Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei
