Naruto: How Kaguya Became Kishimoto’s Biggest Mistake

As a die-hard fan of Naruto since its inception, I must say that Kaguya Otsutsuki, the ultimate antagonist of the series, left me with a bittersweet taste in my mouth. Having grown up with characters like Naruto, Sasuke, and Madara, who were deeply rooted in their struggles and emotions, Kaguya seemed like an outsider, disconnected from the rich history and dynamics of the Shinobi world.

Her introduction felt like a sudden twist, a change that I, along with many other fans, found hard to accept. The buildup towards Madara’s character was immense, and his tragic demise in exchange for Kaguya was a blow that left many of us disappointed. The fight between Kaguya and Team 7 was lackluster, failing to evoke the same level of excitement and emotional connection that we had come to expect from Naruto’s battles.

However, I must admit that Kaguya did bring about some interesting plot twists and revelations, setting the stage for the Boruto series. But if given a chance, I would have loved to see Madara’s story concluded in a more satisfying manner, perhaps with a climactic battle worthy of his character development.

In the end, I can’t help but joke about it: You know what they say, sometimes even the best manga writers get stuck in a Genjustsu!

This article contains spoilers from Naruto’s Fourth Great Ninja War.

Summary

  • Kaguya was a detrimental addition to Naruto, ruining the plot and being disliked by fans.
  • Madara Uchiha was set up as the ultimate villain, having a compelling story and significant impact.
  • Kaguya’s lackluster character and fight against Team 7 disappointed fans, leading to a disconnect in the story.

Kaguya is a character from the Naruto series who isn’t widely liked, and it’s easy to understand why. Even though it’s undeniable that Kaguya was the strongest character in Naruto (at least in the original storyline), her arrival in the narrative didn’t sit well with many fans. In fact, she seemed to negatively impact the plot, potentially weakening what is considered the best arc of the series.

Initially, as Naruto prepared to confront his most formidable adversary ever, a fresh character emerged who seemed unrelated to the ongoing narrative. This newcomer instigated a directionless battle within the series. Despite possessing immense power, Kaguya managed to thwart Naruto’s conclusion in ways that left fans utterly astonished.

How Kishimoto Set Up Madara As A Great Villain

  • Madara Uchiha Was The Ultimate Villain In Naruto
  • Madara Was Struck Down By Zetsu

As a die-hard Naruto fan, I can’t help but notice the inextricable link between Kaguya and Madara throughout the series. In a sense, they were never truly separate entities, as one’s rise often coincided with the decline of the other. Towards the end of the Naruto saga, it seemed like Masashi Kishimoto was prepared to sacrifice one for the other, a trade that proved intriguing and captivating.

Madara, in many ways, was a character woven into the story from its very inception. The Shinobi statues in the Valley of the End served as an early hint to fans that Madara was an ancient legend. Even at the start of Naruto Part 2, Kurama’s ominous warning about Madara’s menacing presence resonated with Sasuke, foreshadowing Madara’s future significance in the narrative. Indeed, these subtle hints were Kishimoto’s way of letting us know that Madara would play a crucial role at some point in the story, and true to form, his impact was substantial.

I, Madara Uchiha, declare you the strongest! – Madara

Initially appearing in the narrative, Obito’s introduction sparked speculation among fans that author Masashi Kishimoto was crafting an intricate plot centered around Madara. As the enigma of the Masked Man unfolded and the Fourth Great Ninja War commenced, the plan to resurrect Madara gained momentum. Halfway through the Fourth Great Ninja War, Madara Uchiha made his return, and fans were thrilled to discover they had found the Naruto series’ most formidable villain yet, capable of redefining what it meant to be a villain. It can be said that Madara met and even surpassed fan expectations. His battles against the Shinobi Alliance, later the Five Kage, were masterful, and he challenged not only the four Hokage but also confronted the Tailed Beasts in an impressive display of power.

Madara’s Downfall And Kaguya’s Introduction

Zetsu Used Madara As Kaguya’s Vessel

It’s clear that among all Naruto’s adversaries, Madara stood out as the most captivating. It wasn’t merely his strength that made him popular; it was his intriguing backstory. Fans recognized a deep desire for peace in Madara, a desire linked to the founding of Konoha by Hashirama. Just like Hashirama pursued peace through his unique methods, Madara chose a different path and devised a meticulously planned scheme. This plan, though brutal, was intended to ultimately bring peace, even at the cost of many lives, including those of some individuals close to him.

Zetsu? What are you doing? You’re my will incarnate! – Black Zetsu

From my vantage point, it was thrilling to witness Madara’s ambition aligning with Naruto’s quest for peace, adding an extra layer of intensity to the narrative. It became clear that Madara sought power in a specific manner, which ignited the Fourth Great Ninja War and offered viewers the spectacle of the Ten-Tails’ revival. Eventually, Madara became the Jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails, serving as the most shocking climax in the Naruto series.

In an unexpected twist, Black Zetsu killed Madara, drastically altering the storyline forever. Kaguya took over as the main villain from where Madara left off, effectively dismantling years of character development set up by Kishimoto in the Naruto series. As the story neared its conclusion, Kaguya was unveiled to the audience and eventually reappeared during the Fourth Great Ninja War. Her resurrection utilized Madara’s body as a medium, which represented a significant shift that left fans stunned. Some fans were reluctant to accept this as the definitive end of Madara, believing he would return someday. Others chose to abandon the series altogether, rejecting Kishimoto’s creative choice. Ultimately, though, fans had to come to terms with this plot twist and witness how Kaguya played out as the final antagonist in Naruto.

Kaguya Vs Team 7 Is One Of Naruto’s Most Lackluster Fights

A Battle That Lacks Emotional Connection

One reason Kaguya Otsutsuki was disliked by many fans was due to her being introduced at the cost of Madara. It’s important to note that the criticism wasn’t solely about Kaguya’s character; it stemmed from the fact that author, Kishimoto, struggled to find a way to defeat a powerful character like Madara after building him up for so long. However, when the time came to resolve this, Kishimoto didn’t seem to have an answer. The climax of the story was disappointing for fans as it felt like Madara’s sacrifice was for Kaguya. If Madara hadn’t been written out in that manner, the backlash against Kaguya would likely have been less intense. What angered fans the most was Madara’s death in exchange for Kaguya.

Unfortunately, Kaguya fell short of meeting expectations during her fight with Naruto and Sasuke. Her performance was underwhelming, lacking any real emotion or intensity. Furthermore, her objective of regaining the chakra from all beings on Earth seemed insignificant when set against Madara’s aim for peace through his brutal means.

In summary, Kaguya, compared to other villains in the Naruto series like Nagato, Obito, and Madara, lacked depth and connection to Shinobi history. This disconnection made it difficult for fans to empathize with her as they did with these other characters. Furthermore, the battle against Kaguya was considered by many to be Naruto’s weakest fight and a disappointing conclusion to an otherwise excellent Final Arc of the series.

It’s fortunate that the character Kaguya was resolved before Naruto ended, allowing fans to witness a much-anticipated fight between Naruto and Sasuke. This battle served as a reminder of why fans were so captivated by the story. However, the introduction of Kaguya has led to ongoing events in the Boruto series, but if given the chance, many fans would likely reverse that decision made by Kishimoto, blindfolded.

Excitedly, I’d love to share that you can dive into Naruto’s thrilling adventures right on the MangaPlus and Shonen Jump apps! By reading the official version, not only are you immersing yourself in the story, but you’re also lending your support to the talented author. Enjoy the ride!

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2025-01-03 01:12