Naruto stands as one of the most renowned and cherished anime series of all time. Its captivating story has left a lasting impression on countless fans, evoking sweet childhood memories of eagerly rushing to our TV sets, ensuring not to miss a single moment of the show, including its nostalgically heartwarming openings. Such was the series‘ success that it paved the way for a sequel titled Boruto.
However, as we matured and watched the series as adults, we couldn’t help but notice how some of the characters we once adored and admired revealed their less appealing sides. Though they may possess strength and unwavering determination, they are not impervious to garnering fan hatred. Thus, here’s a ranking of the most disliked characters in Naruto, ranging from simply annoying to downright spiteful.
Renowned as the „God of Shinobi,“ Hiruzen Sarutobi served as the esteemed Third Hokage and was a devoted disciple of the first two Hokages. Additionally, he played a pivotal role as the mentor to the „Three Legendary Sannin“ (Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru) during their youth. Tragically, in his old age, he met his demise at the hands of his own disciple, Orochimaru, who deemed him too weak.
However, Hiruzen’s reputation has not remained untarnished. Many hold disdain for him due to his neglectful attitude towards the young Naruto Uzumaki. Following Kushina’s (Naruto’s mother) death, she entrusted her child’s well-being to Hiruzen, yet he failed to fulfill this responsibility adequately, leaving a lingering sense of disappointment among those who observed his actions.
Karin, a loyal subordinate of Orochimaru, became a member of the organization „Hebi“ that Sasuke formed after departing from Akatsuki. Her infatuation with Sasuke knows no bounds, to the extent that she even forgave him for attempting to harm her. However, her affectionate demeanor is exclusively reserved for Sasuke, while she remains aggressive with everyone else.
Fans often find themselves disapproving of Karin due to her immature behavior and unpredictable mood swings, fluctuating from excessive sweetness to aggression, which can be rather irksome. Her singular focus on fawning over Sasuke becomes tiresome, and despite her confrontational nature, she appears to be of little practical use.
Hinata, unfortunately, suffered from significant shortcomings in terms of character development and screen time throughout the series. Her primary role seemed to revolve around being deeply and unwaveringly in love with Naruto, making him the center of her universe. This singular focus left her character lacking depth and purpose beyond her affection for him.
Throughout the extensive 500+ episodes of the series, Hinata’s character development remained minimal at best. The audience was left with scant knowledge about her friends, life aspirations, or what her existence beyond Naruto even entailed. On the other hand, the obliviousness of the blond-haired protagonist towards her feelings persisted until the very end, further adding to the frustrations of fans.
It’s challenging to harbor hatred towards Hinata, as she is not inherently dislikeable, but the lack of substantial development and presence in the story ultimately leads to disappointment and dissatisfaction among fans.
Ino has often faced criticism from fans for being perceived as a character with similarities to Sakura, almost like a substitute with limited significance in the story. During Part One of the series, she was depicted as shallow, arrogant, and more volatile than Sakura. Her infatuation with Sasuke also caused a rift between her and Sakura, which remained unresolved, aside from a few moments of courage and maturity. As the series progressed, Ino’s character seemed to become less „annoying“ mainly because she was featured less frequently. However, her growth and development were minimal, with the primary change being her reduced brattiness.
Nonetheless, in the sequel series Boruto, Ino has demonstrated her abilities as a capable ninja and a dedicated mother, earning some redemption in the eyes of the audience. Despite her past shortcomings, she has shown growth in both her personal and professional life, proving that she is not entirely devoid of positive qualities.
Kabuto, the loyal right-hand man of Orochimaru and a skilled spy, dedicated his life to serving his master. However, he eventually reached a breaking point with Orochimaru and decided to part ways, disillusioned by his role. Taking matters into his own hands, Kabuto became the catalyst for the Fourth Great Ninja War, having mastered the Reincarnation Jutsu.
Many people harbor a dislike for Kabuto primarily due to his arrogant and deceptive nature. Even during his appearance in Naruto Classic, he was characterized as a cunning spy who exuded self-importance. Furthermore, his insatiable hunger for power drove him to instigate a full-scale war, which significantly worsened his image and made him even less popular among fans.
Ironically, in his own anime, Boruto Uzumaki has become a character largely disliked by the audience. While he shares some personality traits with his father, Naruto, he is also depicted as rebellious, lacking a true allegiance to his village and family. Foreshadowing has hinted at the possibility of him committing actions in the future that could lead to disastrous consequences. This newly-minted version of Naruto’s son didn’t quite resonate with fans, and the reception has been mixed.
However, it’s worth noting that Boruto does have his moments of adorableness, which serves as a redeeming factor for some viewers. Additionally, he exhibits impressive strength, suggesting the potential for character growth and likability as time progresses. On the other hand, there’s also the chance that he could move in the opposite direction and become even less popular with the audience. Only time will tell how Boruto’s character will evolve and be perceived by fans as the story continues to unfold.
The issue at hand is not so much with Sasuke himself but rather with some of his fans who staunchly defend him without considering the consequences of his actions. While it’s entirely acceptable for people to appreciate complex or morally ambiguous characters, continuously excusing Sasuke’s reprehensible behavior by claiming he is merely „misunderstood“ lacks credibility. Sasuke was undeniably an extremely arrogant character, and his motivations often lacked consistency.
Regardless of the admiration some fans may have for him, it cannot overshadow the fact that Sasuke was directly responsible for the destruction of his entire village and committed numerous brutal crimes. It is crucial to acknowledge and understand the consequences of a character’s actions, even if they have redeeming qualities or face internal struggles. Blindly defending such actions without any critical assessment undermines the narrative’s depth and the consequences of the character’s choices.
Orochimaru stands as a legitimate example of a character in Naruto who is widely hated, and rightfully so, due to the heinous evil he has committed, such as killing orphans to achieve immortality and conducting unethical experiments. However, what may be more upsetting to some fans is the complete forgiveness he receives for these unspeakable crimes. This absolution is largely due to Naruto’s unwavering philosophy of „forgiving your enemies.“
While forgiveness is a noble and compassionate value, it can be difficult for many fans to accept when applied to a character as malevolent as Orochimaru. The fact that he escapes severe consequences for his actions can be frustrating and diminish the impact of the seriousness of his crimes.
Despite some dissenting opinions, the vast majority of Naruto fans understandably abhor Orochimaru for the evil he represents and the apparent leniency he is granted in the narrative. This dichotomy of perspectives contributes to the depth and complexity of the fandom’s engagement with the series.
Danzo Shimura, a highly disliked character in Naruto, is loathed for various compelling reasons. His ruthless and manipulative nature makes him prioritize personal ambitions over the welfare of others, earning him a reputation as an opportunistic and power-hungry individual. This self-serving attitude leads him to make morally questionable decisions, even if it means sacrificing innocent lives.
Danzo’s involvement in the Uchiha Clan Massacre has sparked immense outrage among fans. He played a pivotal role in orchestrating this tragic event, resulting in the annihilation of the Uchiha clan, including Itachi’s heart-wrenching mission to kill his own family. This act of treachery and betrayal deeply impacted the series‘ narrative, fueling a strong sense of hatred towards Danzo.
His secretive and underhanded methods, particularly his manipulation of the ROOT organization, add to his villainous persona. This lack of transparency and disregard for the principles of the Hidden Leaf Village cause fans to feel disillusioned and distrusting of his intentions.
Overall, Danzo Shimura’s cunning and morally questionable actions, especially his involvement in the Uchiha Clan Massacre, and his relentless pursuit of power, have firmly established him as one of the most despised characters in the Naruto universe. His actions and decisions have left a lasting impact on the series, and fans continue to harbor deep animosity towards him for the darkness he brings to the story.
Sakura’s character has been subject to criticism and mixed reception among Naruto fans. She is often characterized as shallow and overly infatuated with Sasuke, with her romantic feelings for him overshadowing other aspects of her personality. Her decision to break off her friendship with Ino due to their shared interest in Sasuke adds to her reputation as a character driven primarily by love and romantic pursuits.
One major point of contention among fans is Sakura’s perceived lack of effectiveness in crucial battles, especially when facing formidable opponents like Kaguya and Obito. Some viewers find her contributions to be underwhelming compared to other powerful characters in the series.
While Sakura’s initial animosity towards Naruto is somewhat understandable due to his rivalry with Sasuke, it has diminished over time, especially as Sasuke’s actions have revealed a darker side to his character.
Despite these criticisms, Sakura has her share of defenders who highlight her growth and development throughout the series, particularly in terms of her medical ninjutsu skills and determination to protect her loved ones. Nevertheless, it is evident that she remains a divisive character in the Naruto fandom, with some considering her among the most disliked characters in the series.
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