Before Naruto and Sasuke showcased their respective paths to growth in the Naruto anime, the rivals first told their stories to Naruto fans in the manga. And while the Naruto and Naruto Shippuden anime reach similar episode numbers, portrayals of certain characters in the adaptation seem to miss a mark when it comes to nailing their original counterparts.
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For fans and newcomers to Naruto’s journey towards being a Hokage, which characters were best portrayed in the manga compared to the anime iteration of his journey? And for characters better showcased in the manga versus the anime, what were the most noticeable differences in the eyes of fans?
10 Hashirama Senju
Sensing Black Zetsu Early On Adds Impact To His Role
| First Appearance | Naruto Chapter 118, Episode 69 |
| Role in the Story | The First Hokage, Co-Founder of Konoha |
| Major Difference in the Manga | While already a force to reckon with, Hashirama being able to sense Black Zetsu in his fight with Madara cements his place as leagues apart from others |
Konoha being established by Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha ended the ancient feud between their two clans, something that the Naruto series would reveal as part of a plot for the return of Kaguya Otsutsuki. While fans often dismiss Kaguya’s “intervention” as rushed, a moment in the manga may have hinted at this all along.
During Hashirama and Madara’s supposed final fight, Hashirama senses a distinct rustling from the cliff above them. In the anime, this is dismissed as Hashirama looking up. However, fans speculate that the distinct “Zaaaa…” sound may be from Black Zetsu, Kaguya’s observer of her grandson’s Indra and Asura’s descendants and reincarnations. This moment could’ve helped cement Hashirama’s status as the God of Shinobi, as being able to sense Black Zetsu’s monitoring when no one else in history could can add to his relevance to the narrative instead of just being a “powerhouse Hokage.”
9 Shikamaru Nara
Smoking Cements His Mentor’s Legacy
| First Appearance | Naruto Chapter 34, Episode 1 |
| Role in the Story | Naruto’s best friend, this shinobi with a genius-level intellect also became Naruto’s adviser and eventual successor as Hokage |
| Major Difference in the Manga | Shikamaru smokes in the manga after Asuma Sarutobi’s death, showing just how much of an impact a mentor could have to their students |
Despite his preference for a simple life, Shikamaru Nara possesses a gifted intellect that made him his generation’s earliest-promoted chunin, advisor to Lord Seventh Naruto, and eventually Lord Eighth in his absence. However, his capacity to have a soft side has been dampened in the anime because of one simple change: he doesn’t smoke.
While Shikamaru didn’t like smoking as a teenager, the death of his mentor Asuma Sarutobi encouraged Shikamaru to follow in his footsteps as a smoker. Fans consider Shikamaru’s smoking habit as a way to honor his mentor. He carries over this smoking habit in the Boruto manga, even if people often tell him his chosen smoking areas are non-smoking zones.
8 Hinata Hyuga
Only Openly Laughed During Her Wedding
| First Appearance | Naruto Chapter 34, Episode 1 |
| Role in the Story | Naruto’s batchmate in the Ninja Academy, Hinata grew up admiring Naruto from the sidelines |
| Major Difference in the Manga | Hinata only ever openly laughed during her wedding with Naruto, showing just how much of an impact Naruto had when it came to helping her open up |
Weak side character writing remains one of the weakest points of the Naruto story, with Hinata Hyuga often relegated to the sidelines in the manga versus her more involved nature in the anime’s filler arcs. However, one might argue that Hinata’s moment in the latter arcs received much-needed momentum precisely from her depiction as an extremely reserved character.
Such a portrayal makes her moments of true emotion more evocative in the manga, especially when she saves Naruto from Pain up to her openly laughing for the first time during her wedding with Naruto. Hinata’s release from her shell has become more impactful precisely because of Naruto’s influence, something the manga properly demonstrates.
7 Danzo Shimura
Lack Of Public Appearances Added Credence To His Shadowy Role
| First Appearance | Naruto Chapter 281, Episode 32 |
| Role in the Story | Leader of the Root faction within the ANBU Corps, Danzo was one of the most talented schemers in Konoha politics |
| Major Difference in the Manga | Whereas Manga Danzo didn’t have a lot of public appearances unless necessary, Anime Danzo ended up being in public quite a lot of times for being the leader of a ninja village’s supposed elite unit |
Perhaps considered the epitome of shinobi politics, the bandaged Danzo Shimura ended up being the puppet-master behind the tragedy that was the Uchiha Massacre. While Sasuke’s confrontation with Danzo turned out to be one of the series’ finest moments, it was Danzo’s characterization that marked him as one of Konoha’s most dangerous figures. Unfortunately, the overexposure of Danzo in the anime downplayed his “shadowy” nature.
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ANBU filler episodes commonly hinted at Danzo as wanting to actively undermine Hiruzen’s rule. In the anime, he even convinced Amegakure’s Hanzo of the Salamander to try and eliminate the Akatsuki. While the Naruto manga still showed Danzo in the same manner as the anime in integral plot moments, manga Danzo being portrayed as more word-of-mouth than an actual existing figure did a better job in presenting him as a force to reckon with.
6 Orochimaru
A More Cruel Villain
| First Appearance | Naruto Chapter 45, Episode 27 |
| Role in the Story | One of Konoha’s Legendary Sannin with an obsession for immortality and Forbidden Jutsu, Orochimaru was one of the series’ cruelest villains |
| Major Difference in the Manga | The anime showed a tamer version of Orochimaru via lack of gore, whereas Manga Orochimaru was often shown actively dabbling in human experimentation |
Among Naruto villains, Orochimaru has been consistently portrayed as a cunning and vicious rogue shinobi. Compared to the rest of Konoha’s famed Sannin, Orochimaru’s obsession with Forbidden Jutsu and immortality led to his eventual exile. Despite his rather uncharacteristic change of heart near the end of the Naruto series, Orochimaru is one of the worst enemies Naruto has ever faced.
While Orochimaru’s anime and manga depiction remained consistent, the anime’s desire to lean away from gore ruins the sheer dread associated with his character. For instance, the Third Hokage’s confrontation with Orochimaru in the manga has bodies in his lab as opposed to the barren room in the anime. This was an important detail to miss, as what made Orochimaru extremely abhorrent was his nonchalant resort to human experimentation.
5 Sasuke Uchiha
Isn’t Solely A Brooding Loner
| First Appearance | Naruto Chapter 3, Episode 1 |
| Role in the Story | Naruto’s rival, Sasuke wants to kill his older brother for killing the rest of his clan |
| Major Difference in the Manga | While Sasuke has a tendency to brood in both the manga and the anime, Manga Sasuke is capable of showing emotions - giving him more personality |
The Naruto series’ resident brooder Sasuke Uchiha is justifiably lonely due to his elder brother executing the Uchiha Massacre, with Sasuke’s present motive gathering enough power to kill Itachi. However, the rather irritable Sasuke in the anime isn’t as snobbish as his depiction in the manga.
Manga readers may be surprised to find Sasuke more nuanced in terms of his emotional displays as early as the series’ first half. Sasuke is often seen smiling, frowning, blushing, and even winking at Sakura during the Chunin Exams. While still irritable, Sasuke in the time skip also displays a capacity for humor, sarcasm, and the occasional friendly remark.
4 Konohamaru Sarutobi
Scaled Better Outside Filler
| First Appearance | Naruto Chapter 2, Episode 2 |
| Role in the Story | Naruto’s friendly rival and apprentice, Konohamaru grew up to become the mentor of Naruto’s son |
| Major Difference in the Manga | Manga Konohamaru’s lack of filler allowed him to showcase the threat levels of enemies effectively without being sidelined by the kids |
First appearing as the rather snotty and annoying grandson of the Third Hokage, Konohamaru Sarutobi and Naruto swore to become Hokage one day, eventually becoming friendly rivals. Years later, Naruto made it to the post first, and Konohamaru ended up being Boruto and teammates Sarada and Mitsuki’s Team 7 captain. Unfortunately for Konohamaru, he receives the same manner of curb-stomping in both the anime and the manga as he fights stronger foes, such as Kashin Koji and Jigen.
This isn’t to say Konohamaru is weak, as his power level is enough to contend with Jugo with Cursed Seal Level 2. Sadly, the anime that exacerbates the “uselessness” of adult characters by showcasing Boruto and pals pulling off ridiculous feats. Alternatively, the manga sticking to a tighter story lets Konohamaru become a “gauge” to threats the kids couldn’t handle unless they put their brains together, adding more weight to their achievements.
3 Boruto Uzumaki
Grows Up Early Like Naruto, With The Fate Of Konoha In His Hands
| First Appearance | Naruto Chapter 700, Episode 500 |
| Role in the Story | Naruto’s son, Boruto becomes involved with Otsutsuki matters following their return during his batch’s Chunin Exams |
| Major Difference in the Manga | Lack of anime filler arcs showed Manga Boruto thrown from one crisis to the next, showcasing his maturity more than his anime counterpart |
Naruto’s son Boruto takes the reins as he stars in the Naruto sequel series, with the youngster maintaining the same mischievous streak as his father. Sadly, Boruto’s semblance of a normal life as a genin is interrupted by the reemergence of the Otsutsuki Clan, forcing him to mature much faster.
While the Boruto anime and manga portray Boruto similarly, the supposed canon anime’s exclusive arcs remove a layer of forced maturity present in the manga. Compared to anime arcs whose depictions of missions cancel out the urgency of Otsutsuki dealings, the Boruto manga swinging from one crisis to the next gives Boruto a harsh coming-of-age story that may prove more brutal compared to his father’s.
2 Gaara
More Brutal Beginnings Explain Naruto’s Impact
| First Appearance | Naruto Chapter 35, Episode 20 |
| Role in the Story | Naruto’s fellow Jinchuriki and eventual Kazekage, Gaara began as one of Naruto’s biggest threats and ended up being a close friend |
| Major Difference in the Manga | While Gaara developed similarly in both iterations, Manga Gaara’s more violent nature made Naruto’s impact on him more apparent in the time skip arcs |
Naruto rushing to aid the kidnapped Gaara in the Kazekage Rescue Arc was deeply rooted in their similar struggles. After all, whereas Naruto became a mischievous brat to hide his loneliness as a jinchuriki, Gaara became a self-contained but extremely violent child. Thanks to Naruto’s stubborness in “awakening” Gaara during their fight in the Chunin Exams, Gaara realized the value of love others have for him.
However, the impact of Gaara’s change was more evident in the the manga. While Gaara was indeed violent in the anime, Gaara in the manga had more gory displays of his ferociousness. Prior to Orochimaru, Gaara was portrayed as a legitimate threat that wouldn’t hesitate to kill to achieve his goals.
1 Sakura Haruno
Emotions Are More Nuanced With Her Point Of View
| First Appearance | Naruto Chapter 3, Episode 1 |
| Role in the Story | Naruto’s teammate, Sakura is frequently shown as Sasuke’s frequent admirer, eventually becoming Tsunade’s student and a Medical-nin |
| Major Difference in the Manga | Sakura shows more nuanced emotions in the manga, unlike in the anime where she’s commonly portrayed as majorly a Sasuke fangirl |
Compared to other Naruto characters, Sakura Haruno receives a lot of flak due to her depiction as a nagging damsel in distress. Unfortunately, this characterization was due to the anime emphasizing Sakura's bouts of obsessing about Sasuke and general incapability of contributing to the plot. However, manga readers may find the original story’s iteration of Sakura more complex.
For starters, Sakura didn’t necessarily shun Naruto in the manga. Moreover, her infatuation with Sasuke isn’t as juvenile as mere attraction. Rather, Sakura has already developed deep feelings with Sasuke that intensified further in the time skip arc. Moreover, Sakura’s internal struggle to become just as capable of saving Sasuke as Naruto is better represented in her training with Tsunade.