The Hidden Potential of the Byakugan: Why Naruto’s Series Failed to Unlock Its Power

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Summary

  • Byakugan has untapped potential with enhanced vision abilities, but remains underutilized in the series.
  • Unlike Sharingan, Byakugan lacks evolution beyond Tenseigan, hindering its complexity and allure.
  • Boruto has a chance to delve into Byakugan’s capabilities, potentially unlocking new powers through storyline development.

The following article contains spoilers for Naruto and Boruto.

The series “Naruto” is known for its intricate world-construction, and the consistency and ingenuity of its universe are truly noteworthy. What primarily draws in many fans is the unique ability system referred to as “kekkei genkai,” which are genetic anomalies that empower users with extraordinary techniques like the Sharingan and Byakugan.

As a die-hard fan, I’ve always been captivated by the Sharingan from Naruto, but there’s another unique ability, the Byakugan, that hasn’t received the same level of attention. Both these extraordinary powers, known as Kekkei Genkai, had immense potential right from the start. However, many of us feel that the original narrative didn’t fully exploit the Byakugan’s potential. Could we perhaps delve deeper into this fascinating power in future storylines?

What Is The Byakugan In Naruto?

Much like the Sharingan, the Byakugan is a unique, powerful ability called “doujutsu kekkei genkai,” but it differs significantly in its activation. Unlike the Sharingan, which becomes active only after a traumatic event, the Byakugan is naturally present at birth within certain clans, such as the Otsutsuki and Hyuga clans, who inherited it from the former.

Despite the anime suggesting that having the Byakugan doesn’t automatically grant the ability to use its powers early on, it requires training, and not everyone may be able to harness these abilities. Although this point isn’t directly stated in the manga, it could still be considered part of the franchise’s broader lore. The Byakugan offers users an extraordinary range of vision, enabling them to see in a full 360-degree sphere, barring a minor blind spot. Additionally, they can peer through walls, beneath ground level, and even inside a person’s body, resembling X-ray vision. However, certain objects like smoke may obstruct their vision.

The Byakugan Had A Lot of Potential

From where I stand, it appears that the Byakugan’s primary attributes revolve around extraordinary vision capabilities. Wielders of this unique power possess an uncanny ability to visualize chakra and its intricate network within a person or object, a sight beyond the reach of even the Sharingan. Furthermore, they can discern jutsu-manifested duplicates from their creators, detect if a ninja is ensnared in genjutsu, and perceive rapid movements with ease. The anime expands upon these core abilities, showcasing additional talents such as mind reading and the prediction of destinies among certain Otsutsuki clans.

It’s clear that the Byakugan showcases its hidden power as a unique ability. As the story unfolds, new capabilities are revealed, suggesting that with dedicated practice, users can uncover more abilities. This is distinct from the Sharingan, which gains additional powers through painful experiences. Interestingly, despite requiring training, the Byakugan has often been overlooked in the series.

There Is No Evolution for the Byakugan

In contrast to the Byakugan, which doesn’t undergo evolution beyond its initial form, the Sharingan has multiple stages of advancement: 2-Tomoe Sharingan, 1-Tomoe Sharingan, Mangekyo Sharingan, Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. Additionally, there is the Tenseigan, a unique eye power that can only be obtained by an Otsutsuki member. This happens when an Otsutsuki implants a Hyuga’s Byakugan into their own eyes, merging the chakra of both clans. The process takes several days to complete.

I’m Uzumaki Himawari. Nice to meet you… Kurama.

— Himawari in Boruto TBV

In a different wording: Some followers believe that the Byakugan doesn’t need to advance in power since users can learn stronger skills as they practice this doujutsu. However, it appears that the upgraded Sharingans like the Mangekyo Sharingan and Rinnegan outperform the base Byakugan. This makes the Sharingan more intriguing compared to the Byakugan. Furthermore, the narrative could be enriched when introducing new abilities for those who have mastered the Byakugan. The fact that the Sharingan gets more screen time, particularly with Sasuke and Itachi, doesn’t help matters either.

Boruto Can Still Explore The Byakugan

Although the Byakugan is not fully explored in Naruto, it can be further developed in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex. With Himawari Uzumaki now being the jinchuriki of the Nine Tails, she has the potential to unlock numerous new abilities with her Byakugan. Moreover, if a Hyuga were to receive an Otsutsuki’s Byakugan, it would merge the energies of both clans, potentially allowing for the evolution of the Byakugan and unleashing its full power, granting users capabilities beyond imagination.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is available to read on MANGA Plus, in English and many other languages.

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2025-05-20 15:45