Summary

Shino Aburame, initially a strong and strategic shinobi, was later sidelined in Naruto Shippuden.
Shino's unique insect-based ninjutsu and intellect set him apart as the strongest of Konoha 11.
Despite his potential, Shino's character was wasted in Shippuden and Boruto, used for comedic relief and sidelined.

With an absurdly large roster of characters, Naruto plays host to a number of underdeveloped characters. This is further exacerbated in the case of Konoha 11, Naruto’s ancillary characters that were sidelined altogether in the latter parts of the franchise. While some still received their due screen time and development, one character in particular, Shino Aburame, got the short end of the stick, despite being a relatively promising character.

From being the strongest of the Konoha 11 in part one of Naruto to being pushed into obscurity in Shippuden, Shino became a mere background character in the series’ narrative. While this holds true for a plethora of characters in Naruto, Shino’s case is quite lamentable, especially considering the potential he held with his novel ninjutsu and overall characterization.

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Shino’s Initial Characterization

A Character Shrouded in Mystery

First Appearance	Naruto, Episode 1 "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"
Debut Date	October 03, 2002

Shino Aburame was properly introduced to Naruto’s premise during the Chunin Exams arc, and right from the get-go, he was touted as a fierce shinobi with a unique ninja art. While the Naruto series often deems shinobi as strong and all-powerful without showcasing their strength, Shino’s case is backed by a number of examples that clearly cemented him as the strongest out of Konoha 11.

Shino’s strength and insect-based ninjutsu weren’t the only unique element of his character, as his mysterious persona and calm intellect further painted him as a commendable shinobi. He was arguably the smartest of the Konoha 11 after Shikamaru, and his strategic planning and tactical fighting style remains unparalleled.

Shino’s Strength in Battle

Much of Shino’s mysterious persona and fearsome presence stemmed from his strength, which was a result of his insect-based ninjutsu. Albeit scarce, Shino’s battles throughout Naruto are a testament to his strength, as almost every single battle of his has either resulted in a victory or a draw. His very fight against Zaku in the Chunin Exams cemented him as a force to be reckoned with.

Never underestimate your opponent, no matter how small they may seem.

His battle against Kankuro further showcased his fearsome strength, coupled with giving insight into his keen intellect and strategic prowess. This further painted him as one of the strongest members of Konoha 11, with a track record that remained undefeated for the most part. However, this only remained till the first part of Naruto, as Shippuden entirely sidelined Shino Aburame altogether.

How Shippuden Treated Shino’s Character

Relegated to the Sidelines

While Shippuden certainly upped the ante for Naruto’s narrative and it’s primary characters, the series’ roster of ancillary characters suffered tremendously. The effects were exacerbated in Shino’s case, since his screen time was one of the lowest out of all the members of Konoha 11. Throughout the entirety of Shippuden, Shino was witnessed in battle only a handful of times.

Whether it was during the Pain Assault arc or the Fourth Great Ninja War, Shino remained a background character who only made an appearance alongside other Konoha 11 members. While characters like Shikamaru or Ino still played an integral role, Shino was relegated to the sidelines altogether. His only moment during the war was stopping Torune’s Jar of Poison Jutsu, a large-scale technique capable of spreading widespread destruction.

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However, this small altercation had no implications for the overall war, and the narrative would largely remain the same even if Shino and Torune’s fight were to be removed altogether. This showcases exactly how inconsequential Shino’s role was in Shippuden, despite being a powerful shinobi with considerable potential.

Shino’s Wasted Potential

Kishimoto Failed to Capitalize on an Already Well-Written Character

Shino’s ninjutsu is arguably the most novel in ninjutsu, coupled with being the most gruesome and lethal one as well. There are several instances in Naruto where Shino has disintegrated his opponents through his bugs, or sucked their chakra dry without even lifting a finger. This unprecedented strength, along with his strategic prowess, was the perfect recipe for an intriguing character among Naruto’s lineup.

However, Kishimoto failed to capitalize on any of these aspects, instead relegating him to the sidelines altogether. He could have potentially played a significant role in several major events in the series, yet he was nowhere to be seen during the most significant moments in the series, whether it was the final war or fighting off the Akatsuki.

The Boruto series had an opportunity to develop Shino’s character, yet the franchise ended up tarnishing his character altogether. With a visually unappealing design and the role of Konoha’s academy teacher, Shino was stripped of his initial mysterious persona and intriguing design. Instead, he was used for comedic relief on multiple occasions. He was even implied to have been defeated by Mitsuki, which further paints Shino as a weak character. This drastic shift in his characterization is one of Naruto’s many mistakes, as Shino possessed the potential to outshine almost every other member of Konoha 11.

Naruto is available to stream on Prime Video.

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