This list contains spoilers up to the end of Naruto
While it's honestly hard not to love Naruto Uzumaki, the truth is, there are a plethora of interesting side characters within the Naruto series who have also caught fans' attention over the years.
Whether it's because of their unique fighting style, their interesting character arcs, or even just simply their designs, there are many reasons why a character can become a fan favorite, to the point where it's easy to wonder what it would be like if they were given the opportunity to have their own standalone series.
Naruto: 32 Strongest Characters In The Series
These Naruto characters are the strongest individuals in the series.
While it's understandable that the story that followed Naruto focuses on Boruto, considering he is the Hokage's son after all, it does still feel as though there are many other key individuals who would also be a lot of fun to follow in the leading role. Today, this list will be taking a closer look at which characters from Naruto would do the best job at playing the protagonist in their own series, and what exactly such a story would even look like if it were ever to actually become a reality.
7 Shikamaru Nara
His Serious And Stoic Demeanor Would Result In A Drastically Different Vibe And Aesthetic
- First Appearance: Episode 1
It's not uncommon to hear Naruto fans say that their favorite side character in the series is Shikamaru, and while there are many reasons why this has become such a popular sentiment, a big one is because of just how vastly different he is from the protagonist. Unlike Naruto, known for being a knucklehead hot-headed ninja, Shikamaru is a lot more stoic and methodical in his actions, to the point where many people regard him as being somewhat of a genius because of how effortlessly he can outmaneuver his opponents in battle.
Having Shikamaru as the main character of his own series would result in a drastically different story in terms of its aesthetic and tone. It could even present itself as being a slightly more mature coming-of-age story, considering how much Shikamaru has been forced to overcome throughout his life to become a stronger person, especially the death of his beloved teacher Asuma. While he does play a key role in the Boruto story, Shikamaru is a character who's more than worthy of carrying his own standalone series if he were ever given the opportunity.
6 Killer Bee
From One Powerful Jinchuriki To Another
- First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 244
Though Naruto may feel like an outcast in his own village due to inheriting a Tailed Beast, he does eventually meet someone who he can relate to, and that's Killer Bee. Bee is the Jinchuriki of the Eight Tailed Ox, but because he shows up fairly late in the story, he doesn't get to receive quite as much screen time as many fans would have liked. This is a real shame, considering Bee is one of the most upbeat, fun and jovial characters in the story, and his eight-blade fighting style is simply jaw-dropping to watch in action.
Naruto: Every Main Character's Age, Height, And Birthday
Naruto's main characters are among the most iconic in anime, so let's go through their birthdays, heights, and ages.
Because of this, there are two ways that a standalone series with Killer Bee as the protagonist could go. On the one hand, it could be a little more comical, showing Bee's sibling rivalry with the Raikage, along with the brotherly companionship he shares with the Eight Tails. However, it could also be more of a serious story that sheds light on Bee's upbringing, and how inheriting the ferocious beast impacted his life, especially in terms of how everyone around him viewed Bee when he was still young.
5 Hidan
Hidan Is A Unique Character Who Is Begging To Be Explored In Greater Depth
- First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 71
All members of the group known as the Akatsuki are unique in their own special ways, but there's a reason why Hidan especially stands out from his colleagues. When he first shows up in the story, Hidan is happy to reveal that he is a devout follower of Jashin, a mysterious evil god who had barely even been mentioned up to that point in the story. Being part of the cult not only meant that Hidan could perform all kinds of strange rituals and techniques on his enemies, but it also made him immortal. Clearly, the Cult of Jashinism is something that really ought to have been explored in greater depth, so an additional side story would definitely make sense if it were to focus on Hidan and his upbringing.
Not only could it show why he decided to devote his life to Jashin in the first place, but it would also be great to see how Hidan became officialy inducted into the Akatsuki. Naruto fans are always eager to learn more about the members of the Akatsuki on an individual basis, but Hidan is the one member who still has so many mysteries surrounding him that he is definitely a top contender for having a series entirely based around him and his devious adventures.
4 Rock Lee
Lee Would Be The Perfect Protagonist For An Underdog Story
- First Appearance: Episode 22
Naruto certainly didn't have an easy time making his way through the Ninja Academy, but at least he was actually able to throw out Jutsu techniques when in battle. The same can't be said for Rock Lee, who is restricted to only using hand-to-hand taijutsu, which on paper, would put him at a severe disadvantage compared to many of the other Genin. However, by putting in enough time and effort, he was able to become one of the best physical fighters Konoha had ever see n, proving that even someone with no talent for using Ninjutsu or Genjutsu can still excel as a ninja.
This would make Lee the perfect character to fill the shoes of the protagonist in an underdog story. It was always emotional seeing the brief flashbacks of Lee pushing himself to his limit to become just as strong as everyone else, but having this made into a lengthy series would allow fans to resonate within the Bruce Lee-inspired ninja even more. Lee's also a character who manages to balance his serious and goofy personality in a way that makes him very endearing, which is another reason why he would definitely be a top pick for leading his own series.
3 Madara Uchiha
Madara's Long And Important Backstory Extremely Fascinating
- First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 130
The first time fans actually get to see Madara in the flesh in the main story, the legendary Uchiha takes down an entire army of ninja without even breaking a sweat. While this has gone down as one of the most exciting scenes in the entire series, it would be great to have a series that documents how Madara actually reached such a staggering level of power, as while it is explained in some depth within Naruto, this is clearly a man who has many more stories to tell the audience.
Naruto: The 24 Most Iconic Female Characters
These iconic female characters from the Naruto franchise are well-known for their impact on Masashi Kishimoto's popular series.
Once a leading member of the Uchiha Clan, Madara would eventually become embroiled in the devious politics that swept through Konoha. After facing many trials and tribulations, he would find himself becoming obsessed with a plan to hypnotize the entire world to prevent war from ever breaking out again. Therefore, this story would probably work best by focusing on how Madara turns from a hero into a villain, and exploring how the incidents that affected his clan warped his own mind and outlook on the world.
2 Jiraiya
The Tale Of Jiraiya The Gallant Needs To Be Made Into A Series
- First Appearance: Episode 52
No one who has read or watched Naruto will ever be able to forget about Jiraiya. Though the Pervy Sage may have gotten off on the wrong foot when he first took Naruto or under his wing, Jiraiya eventually became a lovable teacher who proved that he had a lot more experience than he was willing to let on. Jiraiya was once a member of the Legendary Sannin, though in the main story, his days of fighting alongside Tsunade and Orochimaru are clearly far behind him.
Not only that, Jiraiya is taken out of the story pretty abruptly, and is one of the only characters not to return in the final arc, meaning he doesn't get to wrap up his story as cleanly as many others. Having a series based on the tail of Jiraiya would be a real treat for long-time fans, especially since it could portray not only his relationship with Naruto's father, but also his wild adventures as a member of the Sannin, neatly leading into the role he plays in the main story.
1 Itachi Uchiha
A Complicated Character Whose Journey Is Well Worth Exploring
- First Appearance: Episode 81
Itachi is undoubtedly one of the best written characters in Naruto, and though he may initially seem like little more than a ruthless killer, it's soon revealed that this Uchiha member is a lot more complex than many first realized. While Itachi is a character who is explored in a good amount of depth through Naruto, having his personal story be a focus of a standalone series would be something that all fans of the franchise would tune into. It could start off with the Itachi's humble beginnings as a feared ninja of Konoha, who is eventually forced to make the difficult decision to massacre his entire clan to prevent another war.
In a way, the series could act as a deep character study, analyzing Itachi's view on Konoha and the ninja world as he deals with the effects of his heinous actions. Of course, this would include honing in on his complicated relationship with Sasuke, which grows and evolves over the course of the main story. Despite how prominent of a character he already was in Naruto, many fans have long been begging for Itachi to be the star of his own show, so it would definitely be a dream come true for many if this were to ever happen.
- Release Date
- 2002 - 2007-00-00
- Showrunner
- Masashi Kishimoto
- Directors
- Hayato Date
Cast
-
Junko Takeuchi -
Noriaki Sugiyama
WHERE TO WATCH
- Writers
- Masashi Kishimoto
- Franchise(s)
- Naruto
- Creator(s)
- Masashi Kishimoto
