Naruto: Kishimoto Missed A Golden Opportunity By Not Making A Naruto Prequel

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This post contains spoilers for Naruto.

Summary

  • Kishimoto should have made a Naruto prequel exploring fan-favorite characters like Hashirama or Minato.
  • There were plenty of options for a prequel, such as Itachi, Kakashi, or Jiraiya, that fans would have loved.
  • Boruto, the Naruto sequel, was a disappointment with poor manga sales and a poorly received anime full of fillers.

Masashi Kishimoto is known as the creator behind the beloved “Naruto” series. Over many years, he dedicated meticulous effort to crafting the manga, leading to its immense global popularity. After the manga ended, there was much speculation about what Kishimoto might tackle next.

In the end, he opted for a follow-up as the most suitable choice, which led to Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, and since then, that’s been the story. Initially, enthusiasts were thrilled about the sequel, but their enthusiasm started to lessen quickly. Many fans even debated whether Kishimoto made the right move when he had a different, potentially better option. However, is there any validity to these doubts?

Kishimoto Should Have Made Naruto A Prequel

Masashi Kishimoto might have chosen a distinct route and focused on a Naruto prequel instead. This concept held immense promise, and it could have significantly enhanced Kishimoto’s reputation. Given the depth of Naruto’s history, the author had the liberty to select any period that appealed to him. All Kishimot needed was to choose popular characters and delve deeper into their backstories. If a prequel with a solitary protagonist didn’t appeal, an alternative could have been a series exploring the ninja world’s history in detail, featuring various heroes from different eras.

Instead of creating a prequel centered around Kishimoto, he might have opted for a storyline focusing on a single protagonist, specifically Hashirama Senju. This character is known to be the first reincarnation of Asura Otsutsuki. The narrative could delve into Hashirama’s upbringing and the formation of his bond with Madara Uchiha. It would explore their battles, along with other notable ninjas from the same period. Furthermore, this tale might provide insights into how Hashirama perfected his Sage Mode.

Minato’s Story Would Have Been Perfect

If Kishimoto had decided that Hashirama wasn’t suitable for the protagonist role, he could have chosen Minato Namikaze instead. Known for his intelligence and academic prowess, Minato excelled at the Academy, breaking numerous records along the way. Unlike Naruto, Minato was distinct in certain aspects, which would have added an intriguing twist to the prequel’s narrative.

In the pre-story, Kishimoto had a chance to delve deeper into Minato’s past, exploring his childhood experiences and the bond he shared with his parents. It could have also included scenes of Minato training under Jiraiya and charting his path towards greatness. The author could have depicted how Minato ascended to become a prime candidate for the position of Hokage, and what strategies he might have had in dealing with the Uchiha crisis. The prequel could have concluded with the tragic deaths of Minato and Kushina, paving the way for the Naruto comic series’ narrative.

There Are Many Other Characters That Kishimoto Could Have Used

He Had Many Choices To Pick From

  • Itachi would have been a great fit for the prequel
  • There were other options to pick from

Without a doubt, Kishimoto had an abundance of characters at his disposal. If he opted against Hashirama or Minato, there were still many alternatives like Itachi, Kakashi, and Jiraiya to consider. These three characters are particularly beloved by fans, who eagerly seek out any additional information about them. Among the trio, Itachi seems to garner the most fan interest, making him a promising choice. The narrative could then be centered around exploring his past and unveiling fresh insights into the Uchiha clan.

You are weak. And you are weak because you don’t have enough hate. —Itachi Uchiha

Instead of building upon his extensive cast of characters, Kishimoto chose to begin anew with a fresh set. So far, Boruto has not lived up to expectations; its manga sales are hardly something to brag about, and the quality of the anime is best left unmentioned. Studio Pierrot was responsible for the anime production, and the adaptation turned out poorly. It was filled with an overwhelming amount of filler episodes, which brought back memories of Naruto Shippuden for many fans.

Due to persistent criticisms from fans and a scarcity of relevant content, the studio was forced to halt the manufacturing of the anime. Additionally, Boruto has faced issues with the mishandling of beloved characters like Naruto and Sasuke. Although a prequel isn’t entirely off the table, it appears rather improbable at this point.

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2025-04-26 21:04