Naruto Shippuden May Be an Anime Classic, But One Death Nearly Derails the Whole Show

Naruto Shippuden is widely regarded as one of the greatest anime series ever released. However, if the series had been better paced and free of fillers, it would likely have received even greater acclaim, with fans readily calling it a perfect anime. Despite its flaws, many elements of Naruto Shippuden are exceptional, particularly the emotionally impactful character deaths. While fans often debate whose death was the most significant, Itachi's, Jiraiya's, or Pain's, there is one death in the series that has faced considerable criticism.

While characters like Asuma Sarutobi had a profound impact through their deaths, which were well-executed narratively, this particular death feels forced and unnecessary. Given that this character was part of the main cast, the series could have significantly benefitted from handling this moment more effectively. This highlights how, despite excelling in many areas, Naruto Shippuden falls short in a few, one of which is its failure to give Neji Hyuga's death proper meaning.

Neji Hyuga's Death in Naruto Shippuden Was Truly Unnecessary

Naruto Shippuden Fails To Give Meaning to Neji’s Death

The Naruto franchise features a significant number of deaths, beginning as early as Naruto's first official mission with Haku and Zabuza. Each death in the series is typically well-crafted, adding profound meaning to the story when it occurs. Asuma Sarutobi's death, for instance, was deeply impactful, leaving behind high stakes with an unborn child and profoundly affecting his greatest student, Shikamaru Nara. In comparison, Neji's death doesn't hit the same, which is disappointing given his significant involvement since the start of the franchise.

Neji Hyuga's introduction in the series establishes him as a prodigy with a traumatized and poignant background, later revealed through the story of his father sacrificing himself to protect something greater. This event led Neji to believe that everything in life is predetermined until Naruto's actions inspire him to break free from his bonds and better understand his father's choices. This profound foundation sets Neji up to become a truly great character, making it all the more important for the series to have given him a meaningful death.

Instead, Neji dies shielding Naruto and Hinata from Obito's spike-range attacks using the Ten-Tailed Beast's powers. From the beginning of the series, Neji is portrayed as the most talented member of his clan, even possessing a unique Byakugan. With such exceptional skills and abilities, it feels implausible for Neji to die from a ranged spike attack that he could have easily deflected. Following this moment, the narrative attempts to frame Neji's death as meaningful, drawing parallels to his father's sacrifice for others.

However, Neji's death is poorly executed, making it feel forced and primarily intended to serve Naruto's character development and overall arc. Given that his death occurs during the war, there is little time to properly mourn him, leaving fans bewildered when characters suddenly mourn Neji after, reminding them of his unnecessary death mid-battle. Instead, the series would have benefitted from keeping Neji alive, preserving the significance of deaths in Naruto as a recurring, meaningful element. Additionally, Neji's survival could have allowed the sequel to give him a substantial role, further enriching the narrative.

Neji Hyuga Could Have Become a Good Mentor for Boruto in the Sequel

Neji was exceptionally talented from the beginning, and with his intellect and skills, it is easy to envision him as one of the most prominent ninjas of Konoha, even as a strong contender for the Hokage position. Additionally, Neji could have played a significant role in Boruto as a mentor figure. While Boruto is inspired to follow in Sasuke's footsteps rather than Naruto's, viewing him as a mysterious figure protecting the village from the shadows, Neji could have offered a contrasting yet equally impactful form of guidance.

Sasuke's absence for much of the time makes his role as Boruto's mentor less compelling. While Konohamaru does an excellent job as Boruto's teacher, his primary goal of becoming Hokage doesn't perfectly align with Boruto's interests. Neji, with his exceptional strength and wisdom surpassing many others, could have served as a more fitting and impactful mentor for Boruto. With Neji's savvy and disciplined personality, he could have imparted exceptional qualities to Boruto, as he did in the anime filler in only a single interaction.

As part Hyuga, Neju could have helped Boruto unleash Byakugyan, adding another powerful ability to his arsenal and further justifying his role as the sequel's protagonist. Additionally, Neji's dynamic with Naruto's children as a mentor could have introduced a layer of comedy, balancing his responsibilities as both a mentor and an uncle. Neji was a brilliantly written character from the start, and with so much potential for his role in the sequel, his death in Naruto Shippuden stands out as one of the show's most unnecessary losses.

Naruto

First Episode Air Date

October 3, 2002

Cast

Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei

Current Series

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

First Film

Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow

Latest Film

Boruto: Naruto the Movie

First TV Show

Naruto

Naruto is a franchise spawned from the manga series penned by Masashi Kishimoto that began in 1999. Generating several tv series, games, movies, and more, Naruto follows the exploits of a young outcast ninja harboring the spirit of a demon fox who seeks to become the Hokage, the leader of his ninja village, to break the stigma against him. Upon the conclusion of the initial series, Naruto expanded into Boruto, following many series protagonists' children and returning faces.

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