8 Naruto Characters Who Are Never Coming Back

Throughout the run of Naruto, fans were introduced to a large cast of characters, with some playing much bigger roles in the story than others. While many have reappeared in the Boruto series, which takes place in a new era, some Naruto characters are gone for good. A few have made quick cameos in the sequel, but it’s highly unlikely they’ll return in a significant way.

Many characters from Naruto won’t reappear because they’re no longer relevant to the current storyline. Some may have even died between episodes, though we didn’t see it happen. While most of these characters had small parts, one was incredibly important to Naruto’s development, and another is a famous villain.

8. Pakkun

Kakashi demonstrated his strength during the fight with Zabuza on the Great Naruto Bridge, establishing himself as a powerful figure in the Land of Waves Arc. However, he couldn’t have defeated Zabuza alone; he relied on assistance from Pakkun and his ninja dogs. Pakkun, a small pug, has a surprisingly strong bite that can temporarily immobilize even experienced Jonin-level ninja. He later reappeared during the Konoha Crush Arc, where he aided in locating Sasuke and Gaara.

Pakkun, Kakashi’s ninja hound, appeared occasionally in Naruto: Shippuden, mostly in filler episodes besides a short role in the Five Kage Summit Arc. He seemed elderly even when he was first summoned, and considering how Akamaru aged, ninja dogs likely have lifespans similar to normal dogs. Given that Boruto is set nearly 20 years after the Fourth Great Ninja War, it’s probable Pakkun has passed away from old age. Even if he’s still alive, it’s doubtful Kakashi would summon him, as he’s no longer a central character in Boruto’s storyline.

7. Gamabunta

Although Naruto mastered many impressive techniques after the war, his Summoning Jutsu remains incredibly useful. The first time he tried it, he unexpectedly summoned Gamabunta, who was likely the most powerful ninja toad ever. Gamabunta was a formidable fighter – his Water Style attacks could flood an entire battlefield, and he was strong enough to battle both the Nine-Tails and a fully transformed One-Tail.

Gamabunta used to fight with Jiraiya and Minato, so he was frequently pitted against very powerful opponents. Towards the end of Naruto: Shippuden, it became apparent that Gamabunta’s son, Gamakichi, would become Naruto’s new partner in battle. Since Boruto summons snakes and not toads, Gamabunta won’t be helping him. The only possibility of seeing Gamabunta again would be if Koji Kashin summoned him, but Koji doesn’t seem to be fighting anymore, making that unlikely.

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6. Yugao

Yugao Uzuki is a highly skilled ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village, serving in its elite Anbu Black Ops. Despite her abilities, she wasn’t often called upon for missions. However, she played a role in defending the village during the Konoha Crush Arc, fighting against the Sand and Sound ninjas. She was also part of the Anbu team assigned to protect Tsunade during the attack by Pain. While she kept her specific ninja skills a secret, Yugao appears to be a master of advanced sword fighting techniques.

Yugao only really appeared during the Fourth Great Ninja War, but those episodes weren’t crucial to the main story. Since then, the new generation of ninja has largely ignored the Anbu Black Ops, with Sai being a rare exception. Bringing Yugao or any other named Anbu back now doesn’t make much sense, especially because Ada’s powerful Senrigan ability has made the Anbu’s spying and scouting roles unnecessary.

5. Baki

Baki trained Gaara and his siblings in ninjutsu and has been a trusted advisor to the Kazekage for more than ten years. Even in his limited screen time, he proved to be a formidable fighter, quickly defeating a skilled Jonin like Hayate and holding his own against Genma, a bodyguard for the Hokage. Considering his position and abilities, Baki is undoubtedly one of the most powerful ninjas in the Hidden Sand Village.

During the Naruto: Shippuden series, Baki temporarily led the village when Gaara was captured by the Akatsuki. He wasn’t seen again until Gaara and his siblings headed to the Five Kage Summit. Although a skilled Jonin, Baki didn’t fight in the Fourth Great Ninja War. He hasn’t appeared in the Boruto anime or manga, and with Kankuro now serving as Gaara’s main advisor and the story focusing less on the Sand Village, it’s unlikely he will return.

4. Kurenai

Kurenai is a well-known female character from Naruto, but she mostly appeared in filler episodes. Before retiring, she was a highly skilled Jonin in the Leaf Village, and many believe she was the village’s most talented genjutsu user. She retired after becoming pregnant with Asuma’s child, choosing to focus on raising her child full-time.

Besides helping Shikamaru cope with Asuma’s death, Kurenai wasn’t a significant character in the later part of the Naruto series. She only appeared once more, when she needed to be saved during Pain’s attack. While she makes a brief appearance in the Boruto anime, it’s mostly focused on her student, Mirai. Since Mirai hasn’t been featured after the timeskip, it’s unlikely Kurenai, who isn’t connected to the main storyline, will reappear either.

3. Killer B

Killer B is a unique ninja known as a Perfect Jinchuriki because he has a strong bond with Gyuki, the Eight-Tails. This allows him to transform into the Eight-Tails at will without losing control, and fully utilize Gyuki’s immense power. He can even create the incredibly destructive Tailed Beast Ball, capable of leveling an entire village. This makes Killer B one of the few characters in Naruto strong enough to defeat a large army single-handedly.

Killer B was a crucial character in Naruto, guiding Naruto in controlling the Nine-Tails’ power. In Boruto, he’s one of only two remaining Jinchuriki (along with Himawari) and briefly fought Momoshiki Otsutsuki, surviving the battle. However, he hasn’t been involved in the fight against the Sentient God Trees, making a future appearance unlikely. He also probably won’t help Himawari, as she’s already shown she can perfectly control her powers naturally.

2. Choza Akimichi

Choza Akimichi, Choji’s father and the former head of the Akimichi Clan, was a powerful ninja. He played a key role during the attack on Konoha, defeating many Sand ninja and helping to uncover the mystery behind Nagato’s powerful technique alongside Kakashi and his son. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Choza and Choji worked together to defeat numerous White Zetsus and temporarily restrain the Gedo Statue.

Choza is the only remaining member of the original Ino-Shika-Cho team, but he hasn’t been seen in the Boruto anime or manga. It’s surprising, considering he’d likely be assisting his granddaughter with her training and helping Choji when ChoCho was ill. Although he’s still officially an active Jonin, his absence during major events like the Kara and God Tree attacks suggests he probably won’t appear in the new storyline.

1. Hidan

Hidan was the cruelest member of the Akatsuki, deeply devoted to the Jashin religion. Through Jashin rituals, he gained immortality, making him a unique character in the Naruto series. Jashin also granted him a powerful, signature technique that he used to defeat opponents like Asuma and the previous host of the Two-Tails.

While Hidan wasn’t a particularly skilled ninja overall, his unique abilities still made him a dangerous opponent comparable to a leader. Shikamaru defeated him by trapping and destroying his body with explosives, then burying him deep within the Nara Clan forest. Many fans believe Hidan is still alive due to his immortality, but the series creator, Masashi Kishimoto, clarified that Hidan can die if deprived of sustenance. Considering he’s been buried for about twenty years, he’s almost certainly dead and won’t be reappearing in future storylines.

2026-05-07 14:35