Naruto: How Rock Lee Surpassed Guy After The Ninja War

The following article contains spoilers for Naruto and Boruto.

Naruto is a really captivating story thanks to its detailed world and the many characters you won’t forget. Although the story mainly follows Team 7 – especially Naruto and Sasuke (with Sakura also playing a key role) – a lot of the supporting characters became fan favorites. Rock Lee is a perfect example of a side character who became incredibly popular and iconic within the series.

Rock Lee is a compelling character known for his energy, determination, and inspiring personal story. He makes a strong first impression during the Chunin Exams, though he hasn’t had many opportunities to shine since then. Despite this, he successfully achieved his lifelong goal of becoming a powerful ninja in Konoha. Given his popularity – he consistently ranks among the top 20 characters in fan polls worldwide – it would be great to see his story expanded in Boruto, perhaps through a dedicated light novel series that delves into aspects of his journey not covered in the main story (though he did have a separate, unique spin-off series previously).

How Rock Lee Became Iconic in Naruto

Rock Lee quickly became a fan favorite during the Chunin Exams in Naruto, despite not being a central character throughout the entire series. His battle with Gaara is considered one of the most exciting moments in the show, and many viewers still believe he should have won that fight.

Lee became a fan favorite because of his difficult beginnings. Unlike many other characters, he struggled with ninjutsu and genjutsu – he couldn’t effectively control his chakra to use those techniques – and was often made fun of for it. Although Naruto also faced teasing and wasn’t initially seen as talented, he always demonstrated the potential to become a skilled ninja by showing he could manipulate chakra.

Rock Lee was determined to become a ninja, even though he didn’t seem naturally gifted. He trained relentlessly to get better, and his dedication caught the attention of Mighty Guy, who took him on as a student. Because Lee struggled with chakra control – he couldn’t shape it properly – Guy focused his training on taijutsu, teaching him powerful hand-to-hand combat techniques, including the extremely dangerous Eight Gates. While Lee can use chakra, his inability to mold it means he relies on pure physical strength and skillfully applied chakra to execute his impressive taijutsu.

I wasn’t naturally gifted like some people, like Neji. But I make up for it with hard work and determination! That’s what I’m good at, and that’s how I approach being a ninja!

— Rock Lee to Tenten in Naruto

Rock Lee’s fight with Gaara highlighted a contrast between hard work and natural talent. Lee had to train relentlessly to become a ninja, while Gaara was incredibly powerful due to the immense chakra he inherited from a powerful beast within him. Because of this, the fight is often seen as a battle between dedication and inherited advantage. Many fans were upset with the outcome, even though Lee fought with incredible determination, as his injuries were so severe doctors feared he’d never be able to continue as a ninja. However, true to form, Lee refused to give up and continued to train.

What Was Lee’s Role During the War?

Following dangerous surgery by Tsunade, Rock Lee healed and could finally train without limitations, allowing him to support his friends during difficult missions with Team Guy. Later, in Naruto Shippuden, he participated in several missions focused on the Akatsuki. When the war began, he fought with Guy and Sakura as part of the Third Division.

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During the war, he faced many reanimated shinobi, including powerful opponents like Haku and Kimimaro. He witnessed Guy suffering serious injuries, but Sakura was able to provide some healing. Rock Lee greatly assisted Guy in his battles against Obito and Madara Uchiha, and also during the fight with the Ten-Tails, and was inspired by watching his mentor reach his full power. Although he wasn’t as crucial as Naruto and Sasuke, Lee definitely distinguished himself during the conflict. Considering he was once ridiculed for his inability to manipulate chakra, Rock Lee’s journey proves that dedication and hard work can lead to incredible achievements.

Have Rock Lee Really Surpassed Guy?

Might Guy is considered the ultimate master of taijutsu in the series, demonstrated by his ability to open all Eight Inner Gates. His battle against Obito and Madara showed he was one of Konoha’s most powerful ninja. Sadly, the war left him with lasting injuries to his legs. Though he survived, he never regained the ability to walk and now relies on a wheelchair.

Most fans believe Rock Lee has become stronger than Might Guy, though he probably hasn’t reached Guy’s ultimate potential. It’s a little disappointing because Lee’s strength would be due to Guy’s injuries, not Lee’s own hard work surpassing Guy at his peak. However, the story suggests Lee can fully open all Eight Gates, which could give him a chance to prove himself in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex. It’s possible Lee is now stronger than Guy could have been, but he just hasn’t had the opportunity to demonstrate it yet.

Is Rock Lee Still Alive in Boruto?

Rock Lee is still a character in Boruto, even though he hasn’t appeared much on screen yet. He has a son named Metal Lee and is married, but we don’t know who his wife is. It’s possible she isn’t a ninja and hasn’t been shown in the series. Currently, Lee is working as a supervisor for the Chunin Exams.

With Naruto and Sasuke retired and no longer possessing their abilities, Rock Lee is currently considered by many to be Konoha’s strongest ninja. While Sakura is also very powerful, she usually provides medical support during fights, leading some to believe she could be even stronger. However, the author doesn’t seem interested in focusing on Rock Lee’s story, and it’s likely the next generation of ninjas will eventually become more powerful than him.

Will Rock Lee Shine Again in Boruto?

Fans have been hoping to see more of the original characters from Naruto in Boruto. While the series understandably focuses on the new generation and their growth, many were eager to see favorites like Rock Lee play a bigger role. So far, this hasn’t happened, and a lot of viewers are disappointed.

With a new Shinobi World War potentially starting in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, fans are hoping to see Rock Lee fight again. This war could finally give him the opportunity to prove he can master all Eight Inner Gates, something he’s always strived for. However, the story is currently focused on the Shinju Clones, the conflict between Kawaki and Boruto, and hints about the return of the Otsutsuki clan. As a result, Lee has largely been a supporting character, appearing only briefly in the manga.

Where to Read Boruto: Two-Blue Vortex

The manga Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is published monthly in Japan’s V-JUMP magazine and on the Shonen Jump+ app, where it’s very popular. Fans worldwide can read new chapters at the same time as their Japanese release through the MANGA Plus app (in multiple languages), as well as on VIZ Media’s website and the Shonen Jump service. The next chapter will be available on April 20, 2026.

Two Blue Vortex is the next major story arc following Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. While the anime hasn’t reached this part yet, it’s expected to begin when the series returns. There’s still a bit of the previous story to cover, but the current arc isn’t long enough to fill an entire season. Because of this, the anime might blend the ending of Next Generations with the start of Two Blue Vortex.

We don’t have a confirmed return date for the anime yet, but the studio has announced that Boruto Part 2 is currently being made. They might be waiting until the manga is further ahead so they can adapt the story without needing to add filler episodes. Like many anime now, Boruto will probably switch to a seasonal release schedule. Another possibility is turning the ending of Next Generations into a movie, and then dedicating a whole season to adapting the beginning of Two Blue Vortex. Because Two Blue Vortex jumps ahead in time, Part 2 will likely focus only on that story arc, similar to how Naruto Shippuden did.

You can read Naruto, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, and related stories on MANGA Plus. While many chapters are free, a subscription might be needed to access everything.

2026-04-19 02:44