5 Most Annoying Naruto Plotlines That Haunt Fans to This Day

by

Mostly, the series called Naruto is widely recognized as a well-written piece of work. Its major virtues lie in its powerful emotional moments and an exceptionally engaging group of characters. Each character possesses their own significant character development and personal stories. Interestingly, even the sequel, Boruto, which faced initial criticism from fans, has recently started to gain more favorable responses in the series Two Blue Vortex.

Despite its popularity, Naruto is not without flaws and some might find certain plotlines bothersome or illogical. Remarkably, many of these issues are traced back to the initial Naruto series, with fewer occurrences found in Shippuden. It seems that the writing quality may have improved over time for the series, but those problematic moments in Naruto remain difficult to ignore or forget for fans.

5) Nawaki’s Anti-Climactic Death

In terms of character deaths, Naruto rarely disappoints when it comes to making them meaningful. Many of the show’s most significant deaths, such as Jiraya, Asuma, and Itachi, continue to linger in fans’ memories. However, there is one exception – a moment that could be considered the series’ most notorious flop. The death scene in question belongs to Nawaki, Tsunade’s younger brother, whose demise, given its importance, is surprisingly comical.

The death of Nawaki not only intensifies Tsunade’s beliefs about the First Hokage’s necklace but also triggers a significant response in Orochimaru, causing him to confront his own mortality, which ultimately shapes his villainous journey. Some viewers may argue that it feels underwhelming in the anime when Nawaki dies from just one explosion, contributing to one of Naruto’s most popular memes. (Paraphrased version)

4) Kimimaro and the Kaguya Clan

Among the early Naruto villains, Kimimaro stands out as one of the most captivating characters after the Akatsuki themselves. A significant factor contributing to Kimimaro’s lasting impression is his distinct kekkei genkai, a power never before seen in the series at that time. However, what truly sets him apart is his enigmatic background, shrouded in mystery.

Discovering Kimimaro was like unearthing a hidden treasure for me! He was the one who initially revealed the captivating Kaguya Clan to us, a lineage that surprisingly possessed the powers of Kaguya Otsutsuki. From Kimimaro’s very presence alone, it was evident he had ties to the Otsutsuki. However, it’s a shame that the intriguing Kaguya Clan didn’t receive the attention it deserved, considering how fascinating they were, even without delving into the enigmatic illness that ultimately took Kimimaro’s life.

3) Sasuke Backstabbing Karin… Quite Literally

Though Sasuke’s character evolution and redemption in Naruto is superbly crafted and emotionally fulfilling, there remains one action of his that continues to trouble fans, and it is his act of betrayal towards Karin. In the course of the storyline, viewers had already developed affections for Hebi, making Sasuke’s violent stabbing of her to defeat Danzo all the more heart-wrenching.

The hurt was profound because of Karin’s constant loyalty, and it was further aggravated by the disclosure that Sasuke and Karin had a history in the Forest of Death, where their encounter ignited her affection for him. This instance made Sasuke appear extremely unlikeable at a time when viewers were finding it hard to comprehend his decision to destroy Leaf Village, a struggle compounded by an expectation to empathize with him following the revelation about Itachi’s truth.

2) Rock Lee Being Effectively Written Out of the Story Too Early

From the very start, during the Chunin Exams, Rock Lee has stood out as one of the most captivating characters within the Naruto universe, particularly following his intense battle with Gaara. What made him even more endearing was his vibrant and charming demeanor, coupled with a unique focus on taijutsu in his fighting style. Unfortunately, after sustaining an injury during the Chunin Exams, it became a bit disheartening when he seemingly took a backseat in the Naruto series for quite some time.

Despite the fact that Rock Lee eventually reappeared to battle Kimimaro during Shippuden, it was Might Guy who ended up receiving all the most exciting moments and battles utilizing their joint abilities instead. What’s even more disheartening is that Rock Lee has yet to have a significant or memorable role in Boruto outside of filler episodes or movies, which underscores how he’s been marginalized despite being adored by fans so deeply.

1) Sakura and Ino’s Rivalry

For several years, viewers of Naruto have frequently expressed dissatisfaction regarding the portrayal of female characters, acknowledging that a few notable exceptions exist with compelling narratives. However, Sakura and Ino do not fall into this category. Their ongoing rivalry is often criticized as one of the most irritating aspects in Naruto, and it’s fair to say that the series could have benefited without this particular plotline.

While a rivalry between Sakura and Ino might have been interesting if compared to Sasuke and Naruto’s intense competition, or even healthier versions of such, the current storyline falls short. What truly makes their rivalry problematic is the basis for it – both characters’ romantic interest in Sasuke.

The central issue isn’t the idea of a rivalry itself; instead, it’s the motivation that derails this plotline effectively. A more nuanced portrayal of Sakura and Ino’s relationship would have undoubtedly enhanced the series.

Initially, it’s not typical for girls to compete fiercely over a boy, leading to long-term rivalries, as this behavior often comes off as superficial. Moreover, such actions can diminish the respect fans have for characters like Sakura, and even Ino seems less credible when she drastically changes her hairstyle during the Chunin Exams, which appears rather absurd. What’s more important is for female characters to strive for strength and competence out of personal ambition, not to catch the attention of a boy who doesn’t reciprocate their feelings or deserves their effort. The friendship between Sakura and Ino before Sasuke came into the picture makes their later behavior all the more disappointing. Although they eventually reconcile as friends, it would have been preferable if Naruto had allowed them to maintain a friendly rivalry without any romantic entanglements from the beginning.

Naruto can be streamed on Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, Pluto TV, and Tubi.

Keep yourself informed about the latest geek entertainment headlines! Add us as a favorite source in your Google news settings – right here!

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/naruto-shikamaru-hokage-worthy-moments/embed/#

Read More

2025-09-08 03:41