Before Naruto and Sasuke showcased their respective paths to growth in theNarutoanime, the rivals first told their stories toNarutofans in the manga. And while theNarutoandNaruto Shippudenanime reach similar episode numbers, portrayals of certain characters in the adaptation seem to miss a mark when it comes to nailing their original counterparts.
For fans and newcomers to Naruto’s journey towards being a Hokage, which characters were best portrayed in the manga compared to the anime iteration of his journey? And for characters better showcased in the manga versus the anime, what were the most noticeable differences in the eyes of fans?
10Hashirama Senju
Sensing Black Zetsu Early On Adds Impact To His Role
Konoha being established byHashirama Senjuand Madara Uchiha ended the ancient feud between their two clans, something that theNarutoseries would reveal as part of a plot for the return of Kaguya Otsutsuki. While fans often dismiss Kaguya’s “intervention” as rushed, a moment in the manga may have hinted at this all along.
During Hashirama and Madara’s supposed final fight, Hashirama senses a distinct rustling from the cliff above them. In the anime, this is dismissed as Hashirama looking up. However, fans speculate that the distinct “Zaaaa…” sound may be from Black Zetsu, Kaguya’s observer of her grandson’s Indra and Asura’s descendants and reincarnations. This moment could’ve helped cementHashirama’s status as the God of Shinobi, as being able to sense Black Zetsu’s monitoring when no one else in history could can add to his relevance to the narrative instead of just being a “powerhouse Hokage.”
9Shikamaru Nara
Smoking Cements His Mentor’s Legacy
Despite his preference for a simple life,Shikamaru Narapossesses a gifted intellect that made him his generation’s earliest-promoted chunin, advisor to Lord Seventh Naruto, and eventually Lord Eighth in his absence. However, his capacity to have a soft side has been dampened in the anime because of one simple change: he doesn’t smoke.
While Shikamaru didn’t like smoking as a teenager, the death of his mentor Asuma Sarutobi encouraged Shikamaru to follow in his footsteps as a smoker. Fans consider Shikamaru’s smoking habit as a way to honor his mentor. He carries over this smoking habit in theBorutomanga, even if people often tell him his chosen smoking areas are non-smoking zones.
8Hinata Hyuga
Only Openly Laughed During Her Wedding
Weak side character writing remains one of the weakest points of theNarutostory, withHinata Hyugaoften relegated to the sidelines in the manga versus her more involved nature in the anime’s filler arcs. However, one might argue that Hinata’s moment in the latter arcs received much-needed momentum precisely from her depiction as an extremely reserved character.
Such a portrayal makes her moments of true emotion more evocative in the manga, especially when she saves Naruto from Pain up to heropenly laughing for the first time during her wedding with Naruto. Hinata’s release from her shell has become more impactful precisely because of Naruto’s influence, something the manga properly demonstrates.
7Danzo Shimura
Lack Of Public Appearances Added Credence To His Shadowy Role
Perhaps considered the epitome of shinobi politics, the bandagedDanzo Shimuraended up being the puppet-master behind the tragedy that was the Uchiha Massacre. While Sasuke’s confrontation with Danzo turned out to be one of the series’ finest moments, it wasDanzo’s characterization that marked him as one of Konoha’s most dangerous figures. Unfortunately, the overexposure of Danzo in the anime downplayed his “shadowy” nature.
ANBU filler episodes commonly hinted at Danzo as wanting to actively undermine Hiruzen’s rule. In the anime, he even convinced Amegakure’s Hanzo of the Salamander to try and eliminate the Akatsuki. While theNarutomanga still showed Danzo in the same manner as the anime in integral plot moments, manga Danzo being portrayed as more word-of-mouth than an actual existing figure did a better job in presenting him as a force to reckon with.
6Orochimaru
A More Cruel Villain
AmongNarutovillains,Orochimaruhas been consistently portrayed as a cunning and vicious rogue shinobi. Compared to the rest of Konoha’s famed Sannin,Orochimaru’s obsession with Forbidden Jutsuand immortality led to his eventual exile. Despite his rather uncharacteristic change of heart near the end of theNarutoseries, Orochimaru is one of the worst enemies Naruto has ever faced.
While Orochimaru’s anime and manga depiction remained consistent, the anime’s desire to lean away from gore ruins the sheer dread associated with his character. For instance, the Third Hokage’s confrontation with Orochimaru in the manga has bodies in his lab as opposed to the barren room in the anime. This was an important detail to miss, as what made Orochimaru extremely abhorrent was his nonchalant resort to human experimentation.
5Sasuke Uchiha
Isn’t Solely A Brooding Loner
TheNarutoseries’ resident brooderSasuke Uchihais justifiably lonely due to his elder brother executing the Uchiha Massacre, with Sasuke’s present motive gatheringenough power to kill Itachi. However, the rather irritable Sasuke in the anime isn’t as snobbish as his depiction in the manga.
Manga readers may be surprised to find Sasuke more nuanced in terms of his emotional displays as early as the series’ first half. Sasuke is often seen smiling, frowning, blushing, and even winking at Sakura during the Chunin Exams. While still irritable, Sasuke in the time skip also displays a capacity for humor, sarcasm, and the occasional friendly remark.
4Konohamaru Sarutobi
Scaled Better Outside Filler
First appearing as the rather snotty and annoying grandson of the Third Hokage,Konohamaru Sarutobiand Naruto swore to become Hokage one day, eventually becoming friendly rivals. Years later, Naruto made it to the post first, andKonohamaru ended up being Boruto and teammates Sarada and Mitsuki’s Team 7 captain. Unfortunately for Konohamaru, he receives the same manner of curb-stomping in both the anime and the manga as he fights stronger foes, such as Kashin Koji and Jigen.
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This isn’t to say Konohamaru is weak, as his power level is enough to contend with Jugo with Cursed Seal Level 2. Sadly, the anime that exacerbates the “uselessness” of adult characters by showcasing Boruto and pals pulling off ridiculous feats. Alternatively, the manga sticking to a tighter story lets Konohamaru become a “gauge” to threats the kids couldn’t handle unless they put their brains together, adding more weight to their achievements.
3Boruto Uzumaki
Grows Up Early Like Naruto, With The Fate Of Konoha In His Hands
Naruto’s sonBorutotakes the reins as he stars in theNarutosequel series, with the youngster maintaining the same mischievous streak as his father. Sadly, Boruto’s semblance of a normal life as a genin is interrupted by the reemergence of the Otsutsuki Clan, forcing him to mature much faster.
While the Boruto anime and manga portray Boruto similarly, the supposed canon anime’s exclusive arcs remove a layer of forced maturity present in the manga. Compared to anime arcs whose depictions of missions cancel out the urgency of Otsutsuki dealings, the Boruto manga swinging from one crisis to the nextgives Boruto a harsh coming-of-age storythat may prove more brutal compared to his father’s.
2Gaara
More Brutal Beginnings Explain Naruto’s Impact
Naruto rushing to aid the kidnappedGaarain the Kazekage Rescue Arc was deeply rooted in their similar struggles. After all, whereas Naruto became a mischievous brat to hide his loneliness as a jinchuriki,Gaara became a self-contained but extremely violent child. Thanks to Naruto’s stubborness in “awakening” Gaara during their fight in the Chunin Exams, Gaara realized the value of love others have for him.
However, the impact of Gaara’s change was more evident in the the manga. While Gaara was indeed violent in the anime, Gaara in the manga had more gory displays of his ferociousness. Prior to Orochimaru, Gaara was portrayed as a legitimate threat that wouldn’t hesitate to kill to achieve his goals.
1Sakura Haruno
Emotions Are More Nuanced With Her Point Of View
Compared to otherNarutocharacters,Sakura Harunoreceives a lot of flak due to her depiction as a nagging damsel in distress. Unfortunately, this characterization was due to the anime emphasizing Sakura’s bouts of obsessing about Sasuke and general incapability of contributing to the plot. However, manga readers may find the original story’s iteration of Sakura more complex.
For starters,Sakura didn’t necessarily shun Naruto in the manga. Moreover, her infatuation with Sasuke isn’t as juvenile as mere attraction. Rather, Sakura has already developed deep feelings with Sasuke that intensified further in the time skip arc. Moreover, Sakura’s internal struggle to become just as capable of saving Sasuke as Naruto is better represented in her training with Tsunade.
