8 Underrated Naruto Characters Who Secretly Shaped the Entire Story

Summary

Side Naruto characters had significant impacts despite limited screen time, saving key moments in the story.
Underrated characters like Jugo and Chiyo play vital roles in saving the main characters or altering the plot.
Small characters like Ino and Fukasaku became crucial assets in the final war, proving their importance.

Despite the fact that the Naruto anime series is widely admired for its captivating narrative by many anime enthusiasts, one recurring critique leveled against it centers around the perceived underutilization of side characters. As the plot progressed and concentrated on a limited number of principal characters who possessed formidable abilities, it resulted in the lesser characters seeming less significant. However, some of these minor figures did manage to seize their moments to significantly impact the storyline.

Occasionally, a character who appeared to be insignificant or had a minor role in the story would suddenly become pivotal, either saving the day or thwarting a dangerous threat unexpectedly. While characters like Naruto and Sasuke received more screen time, it’s challenging to deny that the story would have unfolded quite differently without these lesser-known characters stepping in at crucial moments. Let’s now evaluate their significance in shaping the larger narrative.

8. Jugo

Sasuke’s Knight In Shining Armor Saved The Uchiha In A Critical Moment

First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 116

Many fans might view Jugo as somewhat underappreciated due to his relatively less screen time compared to what some believe he deserves, given his intriguing background. This can make Jugo appear to be just a powerful team member at first glance within Sasuke’s Taka squad, but it is during the intense battle with Killer Bee that Jugo truly shines. In this epic confrontation, when Sasuke’s organs are critically damaged, it is Jugo who steps up to save him from certain death.

In this scenario, with Suigetsu engaged in defending against Bee’s assaults and Karin unable to heal Sasuke due to insufficient Chakra, Jugo merged his flesh with Sasuke to revive him. This transformation returned Jugo to a childlike state. Though it was a brief instance, it appears highly probable that Sasuke would have perished in this situation, given his helpless state and the fact that Bee had not yet exhausted his strength.

7. Chiyo

An Old Lady Who Sacrifices Her Life To Save Gaara, The New Kazekage

First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 9

In the early stages of Naruto’s Shippuden, when Chiyo appeared to aid Naruto and his fellow ninja in rescuing Gaara from Akatsuki, it initially seemed like she would merely serve as an advisor. While her past with Sasori did provide some depth to her character, Chiyo appeared to be just another new side character. However, things took a dramatic turn when she selflessly gave up her life in order to resurrect Gaara following his death.

In essence, this action by Chiyo could be seen as her trying to atone for the past, specifically for sealing Shukaku within Gaara years ago. This act had been causing him distress since his childhood. Clearly, the narrative would have taken a different course had Chiyo not chosen to make the selfless sacrifice when she did, ultimately reinstating the Kazekage.

6. Ino Yamanaka

Ino Became An Invaluable Asset During The Final War

First Appearance: Episode 1

Although several supporting characters in the Naruto series often get overshadowed by having minimal screen time throughout the storyline, Ino was one of the most significantly affected. Due to her limited appearances, it became effortless to overlook Ino completely, particularly when compared to her team leader Shikamaru, who receives far more attention from the narrative.

During the climactic battle, Ino emerges as a vital partner for the ninjas. Her telepathic abilities are fully utilized, and she plays a pivotal role. For instance, she was instrumental in confining the incredibly powerful Kinkaku at the onset of the struggle. Moreover, she repeatedly saved Choji from Asuma’s attacks. Remarkably, she even seized control of Obito momentarily, thereby preventing Naruto and his companions from being obliterated by a Tailed Beast Bomb. Although Ino might not have left a significant mark in earlier storylines, her character became indispensable during the final chapter of the narrative’s epic tale.

5. Fukasaku

Jiraiya’s Loyal Companion Who Played A Crucial Role In The Resistance Against Pain

First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 127

As I watched Jiraiya succumb to Pain, it was clear that his death served no vain purpose. Instead, he imparted a secret code onto his faithful toad, Fukasaku. This cryptic message, later deciphered by Tsunade, revealed the presence of another mastermind behind the scenes, someone who wasn’t among the slain bodies that claimed Jiraiya’s life. This revelation paved the way for Fukasaku to escort Naruto to Mount Myoboku, ensuring his training towards becoming a Sage would continue.

It’s clear that Naruto wouldn’t have fared well against the Six Paths of Pain if not for his Sage-like speed and abilities. We owe this advantage to Fukasaku, even though he’s a minor character who might be easily overlooked. Despite his lesser role, Fukasaku made a significant contribution to the story, particularly during the Pain arc in Shippuden.

4. Izuna Uchiha

Izuna’s Death Led Madara Down A Path Of Spite And Resentment

First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 136

From my perspective, when one considers Uchiha characters, names like Madara, Sasuke, or Itachi often spring to mind first. However, it’s worth noting that Izuna, though not as frequently depicted, holds significant importance due to his deep-seated animosity towards the Senju clan and his demise at the hands of Tobirama’s sword. This pivotal event in our series narrative significantly shaped its course.

The tragic loss of his younger brother led Madara to nurture intense animosity towards the Senju clan and wholeheartedly adopt the Uchiha’s characteristic obsession with vengeance. Furthermore, it was Izuna who bestowed upon Madara the Mangekyo Sharingan, a gift that significantly enhanced his power as a ninja.

3. Kabuto Yakushi

Despite Being Little More Than Orochimaru’s Lackey At First, Kabuto Becomes A Significant Threat Later Down The Road

First Appearance: Episode 23

Although Kabuto makes an early appearance in the series during the Chunin Exams, his role as a primary antagonist of the show never fully materializes, largely due to his subordination to his master, Orochimaru. It’s not until Naruto defeats Kabuto with a Rasengan that he becomes less prominent in the narrative, at least until Orochimaru exhausts his life force.

After Kabuto assimilated Orochimaru’s abilities, he amassed sufficient strength to employ the Edo Tensei ritual, which allowed him to revive any character he desired, even former Kage leaders. Given that numerous undead adversaries, many of whom were familiar figures, were encountered during the climactic war, Kabuto would prove instrumental in shaping the narrative’s events.

2. Rin Nohara

Little Did She Know It At The Time, But Rin’s Death Would Be The First Spark Of A Fourth Great Ninja War

First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 119

Despite suffering a fate where half his body was crushed by a boulder during a mission, Obito, a friend of Kakashi and Rin, retained some semblance of human kindness – up until the moment he saw Rin being fatally struck through the chest by a Chidori wielded by Kakashi. Although Rin’s death was a self-inflicted sacrifice to prevent the release of the Three Tails sealed within her, it was a tragic event that left an indelible mark on Obito and significantly altered his perspective on life.

In an effort to establish a perfect world free from pain and sorrow, Obito instigated a full-blown war, and while Rin wasn’t solely responsible for this chain of events, her premature death significantly influenced the narrative trajectory. Had Rin not been part of the story at all, it’s uncertain how Obito’s path would have unfolded or whether he would have succumbed to the darkness as deeply as he did in the main plotline.

1. Black Zetsu

It Turns Out This Minor Antagonist Was Pulling Many Of The Strings From Behind The Scenes

First Appearance: Episode 134

Throughout most of the series, Black Zetsu appears to aid the Uchiha clan and doesn’t seem too menacing as a villain. Yet, this seemingly innocent role concealed a shocking truth: he is actually the embodiment of an ancient entity called Kaguya, manipulating events all along to resurrect her at the climax of the story. This unexpected unveiling was a mind-blowing twist.

In the intricate narrative of Naruto, Black Zetsu plays a pivotal role by stoking the Senju-Uchiha feud and encouraging Madara to carry out his “Eye on the Moon” plan by altering the Uchiha’s Sacred Stone Tablet. Initially portrayed as a secondary character throughout most of the storylines, Black Zetsu becomes one of the key figures in the plotline, often overshadowed by the more prominent members of Akatsuki, who tend to dominate the focus of various arcs.

2025-03-29 19:11