Put Some Damn Respect on His Name: Kishimoto Should’ve Treated Naruto’s Strongest Non-Konoha Kage a Lot Better

Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto has left a long-lasting impression on its audience, enthralling viewers 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.

Naruto Uzumaki using Rasengan. [Credit: Studio Pierrot]

With over 250 million copies in circulation worldwide, the seasoned mangaka achieved a notable feat by earning a dedicated following, particularly among Western audiences. Apart from Naruto‘s deep exploration of the shinobi world, Kishimoto also examined the complexities of morality and featured a set of compelling characters that made it a standout among the rest Shonen series. 

Though Kishimoto introduced many compelling and powerful ninjas in the series, he arguably ruined one character’s legacy, who was once considered the strongest Kage.

How Masashi Kishimoto Undermined the Legacy of Naruto‘s Strongest Kage

Masashi Kishimoto‘s Naruto captivated an entire generation of fanbase for decades thanks to the series’ mind-boggling world-building and terrific action scenes. Moreover, Naruto was introduced as an orphan, frequently shunned by villagers who viewed him as a threat. This made several viewers sympathize with our beloved protagonist’s character.

Naruto Being Lonely | Credit: Studio Pierrot

After enthralling fans for decades, Naruto left a memorable impression on many fans. The legendary mangaka captivated countless fans by introducing a host of intriguing characters.

Some characters stood out, while others sadly faced criticism, affecting their likability and reputation. It’s true that the strongest characters left a lasting impression on fans, including Sasuke, Madara, Might Guy, Itachi, and others.

Madara and Hashirama | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Yet, there’s one character who, despite possessing powerful abilities and chakra skills, failed to make a significant impact, highlighting Kishimoto’s flaw in fully utilizing them, and that character is the 3rd Kazekage.

Though Gaara was introduced as a formidable Kazekage in Naruto, he remains far from being the strongest in history, always falling short of the legendary 3rd Kazekage.

Although he was killed by Sasori, he still ranks as the strongest ninja in the Sand Village history. The 3rd Kazekage was feared for his Magnet Release kekkei genkai, which enabled him to generate powerful magnetic forces with his chakra.

The 3rd Kazekage Reanimated in Episode 467 | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Furthermore, he combined this ability with iron powder to create the feared Iron Sand, allowing him to form large structures and shoot particles like bullets. Undoubtedly, the 3rd Kazekage’s abilities make him stand as one of the deadliest and most feared ninjas in Naruto’s universe.

However, Kishimoto failed to deepen his story, ultimately tarnishing his legacy and leaving him remembered merely as a legendary ninja of the past. Additionally, the 3rd Raikage is portrayed as much more terrifying in the anime, yet when it comes to chakra control and abilities, he pales in comparison to the 3rd Kazekage.

Naruto VS Sasuke: The Epic Showdown Kishimoto Always Intended

The Fourth Great Ninja War left a lasting impression on the audience. From Ten Tail to Edo Tensei No Jutso, fans were left stunned by Kishimoto’s splendid narrative.

Although the Fourth Great Ninja War was the biggest highlight of the Shippuden series, the mangaka planned the anime’s ending even before the anime production began.

Naruto vs Sasuke in the finale [Credit: Studio Pierrot]

The epic rivalry between Naruto and Sasuke back when they were just kids captivated many fans throughout the series. Kishimoto once revealed that he desired to conclude the series with an epic showdown between the most beloved characters.

The mangaka always wanted his audience to have a cinematic experience, and the anime’s epilogue beautifully showcased the two rivals’ contrasting ideologies and beliefs.

Naruto is available to stream on Crunchyroll