15 Naruto Characters Who Deserved Their Own Mini-Arc

‘Naruto’ and ‘Naruto Shippuden’ feature many supporting characters with interesting backgrounds that are only hinted at briefly. Expanding on these characters with dedicated story arcs could have revealed more about their skills, the inner workings of the ninja villages, and their past experiences. Because they’re already connected to key events and teams, there’s plenty of potential material readily available. Here are twenty characters whose stories deserve a closer look.

Shino Aburame

Shino is a ninja from Konoha’s Aburame clan, famous for their unique partnership with special insects. He participates in the Chunin Exams and often joins missions involving finding or protecting people, where his ability to track others is incredibly useful. While we know his clan has a long history of breeding and caring for these insects, it’s mostly kept a secret. We also see that Shino helps teach younger students, suggesting he has duties beyond fighting.

Tenten

Tenten is a ninja known for summoning weapons using scrolls and specialized tools, which she uses effectively in combat. She trains with Might Guy, Rock Lee, and Neji, and fights in both the Chunin Exams and the Fourth Great Ninja War. While her extensive weapon collection hints at a connection to a weapons shop or research facility, the details of where she gets her tools and how she learned to use them aren’t fully explained. Her experiences with powerful, legendary weapons during the war suggest she has a deeper understanding than what’s shown in the story.

Kiba Inuzuka

Kiba fights alongside his ninja dog, Akamaru, using special combined forms and heightened senses. He comes from the Inuzuka clan, a family in Konoha known for raising ninja dogs and fighting with close-quarters combat that emphasizes teamwork. His missions, like the attempt to bring Sasuke back, often highlight the clan’s skills in tracking and chasing enemies – abilities passed down through generations. While the series shows the close bond between ninja and their dog partners, it doesn’t often explain how these dogs are bred, trained, and chosen.

Anko Mitarashi

Anko is a highly skilled ninja who was once trained by Orochimaru and still bears traces of his dangerous experiments. She first appears during the Chunin Exams and later fights in the Fourth Great Ninja War. Records show she worked with Konoha to investigate Orochimaru’s research, shifting from his student to someone monitoring his forbidden techniques. Details about this transition and her work are often found in supplementary materials.

Yamato

Yamato used to be a high-ranking operative known as Root. He has a unique ability called Wood Release, gained from cells belonging to Hashirama, which lets him control and weaken the power of tailed beasts. Currently, he’s temporarily leading Team Kakashi and uses his Wood Release to create structures and support the team during missions. While his history working under Danzo and within the ANBU organization is mentioned, it isn’t explored in detail. After those events, he was assigned to keep watch on Orochimaru and his research facilities, suggesting he continues to have important, off-screen responsibilities.

Kurenai Yuhi

Kurenai is the leader of Team 8 and is famous for her skill in creating illusions (genjutsu), though the specifics of her techniques aren’t often explained in the series. Because of her connection to the Sarutobi family – through Asuma and their child – she’s a well-known figure in the village. She participates in events like the Konoha Crush and makes appearances later on, but generally avoids direct combat. While her family history and intense genjutsu training are mentioned, they aren’t explored in great detail.

Shizune

Shizune supports Tsunade as both her assistant and head of medical operations, managing the hospital and planning emergency medical responses. She was involved in assessing the damage after the Konoha Crush, and handled the distribution of antidotes and supplies. During the attack by Pain, she took charge of the emergency procedures. Her medical training, passed down from Dan and Tsunade, deeply influences Konoha’s medical policies, though this connection isn’t fully explained in the story.

Hanabi Hyuga

Hanabi is Hinata’s younger sister and a remarkably talented member of the Hyuga clan, possessing a powerful Byakugan ability. Though she participates in important family discussions about the clan’s complex structure, the details aren’t always fully explained. Her training and protective duties hint that she’s being prepared for a leadership role. We only catch glimpses of the clan’s special fighting techniques and how they decide who will lead in the future.

Konohamaru Sarutobi

Konohamaru is the grandson of the Third Hokage and often tries to fight like Naruto. He creates a team with his friends, Moegi and Udon, called the Konohamaru Corps, and eventually becomes a Jonin – an elite ninja. He learns the Rasengan technique and develops strong leadership abilities, which lead him to a role in helping run the village. While we see him grow from a mischievous kid into a teacher and mission leader, the details of that journey aren’t always fully shown.

Temari

Temari is a ninja from the Hidden Sand Village who skillfully uses wind techniques with a large, folding fan, allowing her to control battles over wide areas. She acts as a diplomat for her village, building relationships with the Hidden Leaf Village, and eventually marries into the Nara clan, strengthening ties between the two. Throughout events like the Chunin Exams and the Fourth Great Ninja War, she proves herself as a capable leader and strategist. While she juggles important political responsibilities for both Sand and Leaf, the specifics of her work aren’t often detailed.

Kankuro

Kankuro, a ninja from Sunagakure, became a skilled puppet master, building on the work of Sasori after Gaara was saved. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, he led teams and specialized in defense against poison and traps. While we don’t see much of it, it’s clear he runs a workshop, carefully maintains his puppets, and works with Sunagakure’s engineers. Most of the sharing of puppet techniques between Kankuro and his allies happens behind the scenes.

Shisui Uchiha

Shisui was a highly skilled ninja, famous for his Body Flicker technique and a powerful, but time-consuming, genjutsu called Kotoamatsukami. We learn about his close bond with Itachi and his efforts to avoid war within the Uchiha clan through memories shown later in the story. Details about how he lost his eye and the steps taken to safeguard the village are revealed bit by bit. Records are incomplete regarding the Uchiha clan’s police work and secret missions during their final years in Konoha.

Fugaku Uchiha

Fugaku leads both the Uchiha clan and a special police unit in Konoha. After the attack involving the Nine Tails, he’s responsible for protecting the clan from increased scrutiny and political pressure. We see him as a father to Itachi and Sasuke, juggling family life with his duties. While the story hints at the complex workings of the police force and clan meetings, it doesn’t show all the details.

Karin

Karin is a member of the Uzumaki clan, known for her heightened senses and stamina. She accompanies Sasuke on his solo missions, and her unique healing ability – using her bite to transfer chakra – and long-range chakra sensing are often noted during battles. Documents suggest she has a history connected to Orochimaru’s labs and previously worked in border patrol. Information about other Uzumaki survivors and where they ended up is limited to brief mentions.

Suigetsu Hozuki

Suigetsu is a member of the Hozuki clan from the Hidden Mist Village and has the unique ability to turn his body into liquid, allowing him to move quickly and protect himself. He’s on a quest to collect the legendary Seven Ninja Swordsmen’s blades and joins forces with Sasuke as part of the Taka team. He’s related to Mangetsu Hozuki and has a background in the Mist Village’s ninja training. However, the story doesn’t present the details of his sword collecting or the history of the swordsmen in a clear, chronological order.

Let us know in the comments which characters you’d like to see featured next, and tell us why they deserve the attention!

2025-10-30 15:16