Bleach, Naruto, Yu Yu Hakusho & More Appear in Stunning Pierrot Anniversary Movie

In May 1979, Pierrot, the anime studio behind beloved series like Yu Yu Hakusho, Bleach and Naruto, entered Japan's animation scene. In honor of its 45th anniversary, the company has released a commemorative and highly nostalgic video chronicling its prolific history.

Released on Pierrot's official YouTube channel, the three-minute video features a rotating showcase of works from the studio's extensive backlog, from '80s classics like Urusei Yatsura to modern-day gems like Saiyuki Reload, Mr. Osomatsu and Tokyo Ghoul. Pierrot accompanied its video retrospective with a brief thank-you message directed toward the studio's fan base: "Since 1979, we have been creating numerous anime shows ranging from television series, OVAs to theatrical features. To celebrate our anniversary and to thank our fans for their continued support, we made a [video] chronicling the shows we had created over the past 45 years. As we continue our creative journey, we hope to keep bringing exciting shows to generations of anime fans around the world."

Studio Pierrot was founded by Yuji Nunokawa, who originally worked as a key animator and director at Tatsunoko Production (Speed Racer, Mokku of the Oak Tree). Pierrot unveiled its first official project in 1980 -- an animated TV series called The Wonderful Adventures of Nil. Adapted from Selma Lagerlof's titular children's novel, the anime revolves around a boy named Nils Holgersson who enjoys tormenting the animals who live on his parents' farm. After pulling a prank on the farm's resident goblin, Nils is transformed to a fraction of his original size, which prompts the animals to seek revenge. After making his escape, Nils sets out on a journey across Sweden in search of a cure. The series ran for 52 episodes, initially airing from January 1980 to March 1981.

Naruto and Boruto Are Two of Studio Pierrot's Most Iconic Anime to Date

The Wonderful Adventures of Nils was just the beginning for Pierrot. Among its many accomplishments, the company is responsible for some of the world's most popular shonen anime titles. Adapted from Masashi Kishimoto's titular manga, Pierrot's Naruto series premiered in October 2002 and went on to become a huge success. Now, the franchise is a massive multimedia phenomenon that includes various comics, light novels and video games. In 2017, Naruto scored an animated follow-up titled Boruto: Naruto Next Generations: Part I, which ran for 293 episodes until its conclusion in March 2023. Although there is a high level of anticipation for Part II, which is expected to adapt Two Blue Vortex's storyline, Pierrot has not set a concrete release window for the anime.

Studio Pierrot's Bleach Continues in the Upcoming Thousand-Year Blood War Season 3

Pierrot's Bleach premiered only two years after Naruto. Adapted from Tite Kubo's popular manga of the same name, Bleach (2004) follows 15-year-old Ichigo Kurosaki, a high school student who uses powerful supernatural abilities to protect humankind from soul-eating spirits called Hollows. While the original anime ended without adapting the manga's final arc, Pierrot later revived the franchise with Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War (2022). This series follows an aged-up Ichigo as he attempts to resolve a centuries-old conflict between opposing factions in the spirit world. Part II, titled, The Separation, concluded in October 2023. Pierrot is currently working on Part III, which is slated to debut in 2024.

Four and a half decades after its creation, Pierrot continues to introduce anime fans to all-new worlds, stories and characters. Last month saw the debut of the studio's latest series YATAGARASU: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master. The anime centers on a race of anthropomorphic ravens who frequently masquerade as human beings. One day, a young yaragarasu named Yukiya is appointed to serve as an attendant to the nation's crown prince. In his new position, Yukiya ends up getting involved in a large-scale conspiracy against the Imperial Throne. Yatagarasu, in addition to Naruto, Bleach and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

Source: YouTube

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Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Season 3 to Join New "Fast, High Quality" Brand Under Studio Pierrot

Bleach: Thousand -ear Blood War Season 3 is set to join anime studio Pierrot's newly established PIERROT FILMS brand -- a new venture signaling the studio's future production aims.

Studio Pierrot anime producer Yoshihiro Tominaga spoke to Men's Non-No magazine, touching on the company's long-term plans. To respond to the growing demand for high-quality anime that can be produced quickly, like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen, the company has announced the launch of PIERROT FILMS. "This studio will produce original works as well as works based on manga for adults," Tominaga said. "The next season of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War will also be produced at PIERROT FILMS. I believe this work is aimed at people who have already seen Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen, so our goal is to provide high-quality pictures and stories in a short period of time while firmly strengthening the studio's brand power."

Studio Pierrot's New PIERROT FILMS Brand Aims to Create Anime in a New Style

Rather than just a branding move, PIERROT FILMS represents a major change in production style in addition to Pierrot's regular processes. While Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Season 3 may grab most fans' attention, it's likely that Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master is the first anime of this new venture, airing in addition to Crunchyroll's Spring 2024 lineup. Pierrot president Michiyuki Honma mentioned the series in a recent interview when he touched on the studio's history, anime censorship, how Naruto was almost canceled in 2011 due to the Tohoku earthquake and more.

Honma said on Yatagarasu, "[Yatagarasu:] The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master, which has been airing since April, is also a work created in this new style, so please pay attention to it, as well as many series works that are currently on hiatus. Please look forward to the future of Pierrot, who is taking on the challenge of creating new animation."

Tite Kubo Will Be Far More Involved in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Season 3

With Pierrot pulling out all the stops for Bleach, fans may be excited to recall that original manga creator Tite Kubo will have a much deeper involvement in Season 3 onward than in previous seasons of the anime. In a translated Q&A, he said he was involved in storyboarding, ensuring important meaning wasn't lost and much more.

Disney+ currently streams all seasons of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, acquiring the streaming rights to the anime. It describes the new series: "When a new enemy appears, Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki jumps back into the battlefield with his Zanpakuto to help those in need."

Source: Men's Non-No

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Bleach's Studio Pierrot: "We're Not Good at Making High-Quality Anime Quickly Like Jujutsu Kaisen"

Pierrot, the popular anime studio behind major adaptations like Bleach and Naruto, admits that the company is lacking when it comes to producing high-quality titles quickly, citing Jujutsu Kaisen as one example.

Studio Pierrot and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War producer Yoshihiro Tominaga recently spoke to Men's Non-No about how changes in the anime industry are forcing the studio to adapt. “In recent years," he said, "there has been a trend among other production companies to produce animation of extremely high quality while dividing the broadcast season into separate seasons. While Pierrot has a long history and is highly regarded for consistently delivering high-quality works, I think we are also seen as a company that specializes in long-term series. Of course, there is value in having people enjoy our animation without interruption over a long period, such as two to three years, but we are not good at producing high-quality works such as Jujutsu Kaisen in a short period of time."

Pierrot Aims to Brand the Studio With Long-Term Shows & High-Quality Anime Produced Quickly

"In light of the current situation," Tominaga continued, "where it is becoming increasingly difficult to continue to produce the high quality demanded of us without interruption, I believe that the time has come for us to consider how our production company should operate and what structure we should have in place. I believe that Pierrot should continue to emphasize the production of long-term series as it has in the past, while at the same time balancing its strengths in producing high-quality works in a short period of time. To achieve this, we also want to focus on branding the company."

Pierrot has already revealed how it plans to create high-quality works quickly, announcing the new PIERROT FILMS, with Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Season 3 as one of its first major titles. While Tominaga singled out Jujutsu Kaisen, Michiyuki Honma, president of Pierrot, recently said that Demon Slayer was the turning point of the anime industry. He admitted that Pierrot's long-running anime series was a big financial risk and that after watching Demon Slayer, he "really felt that we had to change the way we create things."

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Season 3 arrives in 2024, and based on Tominaga and Honma's words, fans can likely expect Season 4 not too long after. Disney+ streams the anime series, describing it: "When a new enemy appears, Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki jumps back into the battlefield with his Zanpakuto to help those in need."

Source: Men's Non-no

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Naruto's Best Fight Happened Surprisingly Early in the Anime

Anime fans love nothing more than ranking battles. Testament to this is the fact that fan spaces are always overflowing with debates about which anime fights are the best. Often, fans' favorite battles come near the end of a series, as the immense stakes combined with the massive power of everyone involved means these fights stick in viewers' memories long after the episode finishes. However, this isn't always the case. Naruto is one of the best examples, as one of its most beloved fights happens very early in the anime's run. Based on Masashi Kishimoto's manga, the Naruto anime arrived on screens in 2002.

Fans wouldn't need to wait long to experience this fan-favorite fight as it happened in 2004's "The Battle Begins: Naruto vs. Sasuke", the 107th episode of the anime. The episode sees Sasuke Uchiha resting in the hospital, trying to recover from injuries he sustained after falling from a bridge in the previous episode, "The Last Leg: A Final Act of Desperation". As he sits in bed, Sasuke becomes increasingly frustrated by his feelings of powerlessness, unable to handle the shame of losing to Aoi. Doubly so because Naruto defeated them with ease a few moments later. As the day continues, Sasuke stews in his thoughts, becoming even more frustrated by Naruto's success and dwelling on the fact he isn't strong enough to defeat his brother, Itachi Uchiha.

The Battle Between Naruto and Sasuke Pays Off Episodes Of Build-Up

When Sakura and Naruto visit Sasuke, his frustration overflows, and he challenges Naruto to a fight. Naruto initially attempts to turn down the challenge, but Sasuke keeps pushing and insulting Naruto until he accepts. Filled with rage, they head to the hospital's rooftop and square off. After some trash talk, the pair exchange blows and throws, though neither gets the upper hand. Eventually, Sasuke breaks through Naruto's block, but Naruto quickly escapes, climbing onto a water tank before jumping down and hitting Sasuke. Soon after, Sasuke covers Naruto with a sheet and pins him to the wall, repeatedly punching him in the face as he does, causing Sakura immense distress as she watches from afar.

Eventually, Naruto breaks free from the sheet. Full of rage, Naruto activates his Shadow Clone Jutsu and sends them to attack Sasuke. Sasuke holds the clones off for a few minutes before the numbers get too much for him. Aiming to pull back the battle, Sasuke unleashes a fireball that wipes out the clones in a massive wave of flame, evening up the fight again. As Naruto charges Rasengan and Sasuke gets ready to unleash his Chidori, Sakura runs towards the pair, begging them to stop as the episode fades to black. Thankfully, Episode 108, "Bitter Rivals and Broken Bonds" picks up right where the previous one ended. Seconds before the pair can use their attacks, Kakashi appears and grabs the boys by the wrists, throwing them into nearby water towers. The shock of the impact and Kakashi's scolding brings Naruto and Sasuke to their senses, causing them to stop fighting and declare it a draw.

One of the most memorable things about this fight is how it pays off many episodes of build-up. The relationship between Naruto and Sasuke has been rocky from the beginning. Naruto took offense to Sasuke's cold and arrogant personality the second they met, forming a one-sided rivalry that grew in intensity over time. Plus, Sasuke had been going through a crisis of confidence for several episodes due to his interaction with Itachi. This crisis was only intensified when Sasuke nearly died after being thrown off a bridge, making him hate and doubt himself even more. Because of this long build-up, the fight has a lot of emotional weight, as the audience can understand exactly how the characters ended up at this point. The slow building of emotions gives this fight a cathartic quality, almost like the viewers can feel Naruto and Sasuke expelling their mental burdens as they fight.

This extended build-up also makes the battle feel important and earned. In many shows, fights between the main cast tend to be filler, existing to show off new powers or set up later plot points. However, by giving this fight a long build-up, the writers made this battle feel like a massive event that has significant ramifications for the story, adding plenty of tension and emotion to this battle.

Naruto's Rooftop Battle Involves Heightened Emotions

While this fight isn't the most plot-important, longest, or over-the-top fight in the Naruto franchise, it stands out because of the raw and visceral emotions involved. The build-up to the battle is expertly handled, showing how Sasuke gets caught in an emotional loop that magnifies his anger and self-hatred, leading to him lashing out at Naruto because he is the nearest available target. The argument Naruto and Sasuke have before the former agrees to the fight is painful to watch, as viewers can feel the palpable tension in the room and see how Sasuke manipulates Naruto's emotions until Naruto ends up losing his perspective and becoming entangled in his anger. This intense atmosphere only continues when the two go up to the roof as both Naruto and Sasuke get even angrier due to the continuing trash talk and their frustration at being unable to take the other down. Credit must be given to the animation team and the voice actors, as both do a fantastic job of conveying the immense rage both boys feel through their voices and body language.

Sakura's presence massively improves this battle. Throughout the fight, the show frequently cuts to show Sakura's reaction to what is happening. As the fight rages on, viewers see her become gradually more upset and terrified as she slowly realizes that both Naruto and Sasuke have lost their way and won't stop until one of them is badly hurt, something they'll regret when they come to their senses. Letting viewers see Sakura's reaction helps inform audiences that this isn't just a sparring match or an over-the-top argument, but a dangerous conflict that risks becoming something horrible. Plus, her presence adds another twist to the fight, as the audience is unsure if she'll step in and who she'll help if she does get involved, adding another layer of suspense to an already tense moment.

But the best thing about this battle is that it is grounded in realistic emotions that viewers can relate to because they have likely experienced them themselves at some point. Everyone knows how toxic jealousy and low self-esteem can be and how they can slowly eat away at you, clouding your judgment until you do something you wouldn't usually do. The same is true for Naruto, as viewers will understand how it feels to be insulted in a way that causes you to lose your cool. Viewers can also empathize with Sakura's perspective. Anyone who has watched friends slowly start to turn on each other will resonate with her plight deeply, as the episode beautifully captures the uncomfortable feeling of knowing that the pair will eventually blow up at one another but not knowing when or how it will play out, or how to stop it once it starts.

The writers and animators also did a masterful job of lacing this fight with an air of tragedy. The build-up to the scrap is full of dramatic irony, as in the previous episode, the viewers saw that Naruto had to exploit the crack Sasuke made in Aoi's Sword of the Thunder God to defeat him, meaning that Sasuke didn't fail in his mission. Plus, earlier in the episode, viewers got a glimpse into Sasuke's head, letting them see the torrent of negative self-talk and traumatic memories dragging him down. Because of this, viewers know Sasuke is lashing out as he can't effectively work through his anger. They also know that if Sasuke or Naruto could communicate their feelings better, the fight would end instantly. But, as they can't, viewers are stuck helplessly watching them fight over something that is both fixable and not the fault of the person they're fighting.

This fight also stands out for its intensity, which helps it sidestep a common issue that plagues the shōnen genre. In many battle-based shōnen series, especially ones that give their characters supernatural powers, fights can quickly lose all impact as the moves deviate from the rules of reality so heavily that viewers lack a frame of reference for their effect, making world-ending moves feel the same as a basic punch. However, this fight avoids this as Naruto and Sasuke's radiating anger makes every move feel like a vicious attack meant to hurt the other person, adding a layer of grittiness to the fight that further intensifies the fight's emotional core.

Naruto And Sasuke's Fight Is More Violent Than Other Naruto Battles

This grittiness is further increased by the moves used during the fight. The vast majority of the scrap consists of punches, kicks, and grapples, making the battle feel much more brutal and visceral as the up-close nature of this combat conveys both boys' anger and burning hatred. It also sets it apart from the more technically advanced ninja battles seen elsewhere in the franchise, further hammering home that this is an ugly, emotional brawl rather than a display of martial arts skills.

Plus, when Naruto and Sasuke start using supernatural abilities, they stick to ones that fit the violent feel of the fight. Naruto's Shadow Clone Jutsu sees a horde of Naruto clones attack Sasuke en masse in a visual that resembles a mob beatdown. This visual also doubles as a fantastic visual metaphor for how Sasuke's jealousy of Naruto has overtaken his mind. When Sasuke opts to use a Jutsu, he uses a fireball. This attack is terrifying and violent by its very nature, as viewers are well aware of the damage fire can do to the human body. The animation in this scene helps intensify this, as the animators do a great job of capturing the inherent violence of fire, making it clear to viewers that this isn't a magical flame that can be blocked or brushed off, but an intense and dangerous blast of heat.

This is also a rare Naruto fight where Naruto and Sasuke fight dirty, as both employ underhanded tactics several times during the battle. When Naruto first appears on the water tower, he angles his body so Sasuke will get blinded by the sun when he looks up, letting Naruto get a cheap shot in when he's stunned. Later, Sasuke repays the favor by throwing a sheet over Naruto's head before punching him in the head, using the fact that Naruto can't see or block to his advantage. These dirty moves enhance the mood of the fight, showing that both men are so angry and desperate to hurt the other that they're willing to throw away all of their morals and tactics, further adding to the battle's intensity and atmosphere.

Another great thing about this fight is the choice of location. The hospital roof the pair fight on is realistically boring, being nothing more than a place to dry laundry and store water tanks. This helps ground the fight while also stripping it of honor and grandeur. This mundane industrial setting shows that this fight has no grander purpose or meaning, that it is just a brawl between two people who have lost control of their emotions and are being fueled by pure hate for the other person, making the fight feel even more violent and visceral.

While Naruto has featured many amazing fights, the rooftop fight from "The Battle Begins: Naruto vs. Sasuke" stands out due to its story and how it tells it. The episode's story of Naruto and Sasuke getting lost in their anger and frustration and taking it out on each other is deeply relatable as it is built on common emotions everyone will experience at some point in life. This, combined with the fight's intensity and violence, makes this episode a surprisingly good teaching moment, showing why it's crucial to keep control of your emotions and do your best to communicate with those around you. Because of this, "The Battle Begins: Naruto vs. Sasuke" is one of Naruto's best and most memorable fights.

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Naruto: 10 Sasuke Quotes Everyone Can All Relate To

One of the most complex characters of the entire Naruto series is Sasuke Uchiha. He was introduced as an ambitious young ninja with the goal of avenging his fallen clan, but when prompted to choose between revenge and his friends, he chose revenge. Despite being so blinded by his past that he abandoned his friends and his village to gain the strength he needed to defeat the traitor who murdered the Uchiha Clan and fled the Hidden Leaf: his own brother Itachi.

Though he ultimately came to terms with his losses and forgave those whom he thought had done him dirty, Sasuke will forever remain the edgy and savage ninja from Konohagakure fans either love or hate. Even as he's become a father to Sarada, one of Konoha's upstanding young ninjas, Sasuke remains one of the franchise's most broody, complex, and distant characters. The fact that he has a lot on his mind simply confirms that when he does speak, it's bound to be both memorable and profound.

Updated by Jenny Melzer on April 23, 2024: While the Naruto franchise may focus on the titular character, Naruto's eternal rival and best friend Sasuke Uchiha was responsible for a significant portion of the plot in both the anime and manga. His tormented past drove him to take some of the most questionable actions in the series, and all because he was driven by hatred and revenge. Even after the darkness of his past was resolved, he remained a dark avenger, traveling in solitude to make right the many wrongs he committed in his youth. Now a father himself in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Sasuke's outlook and perspective have changed some, but many of the things he's said over the years still resonate deeply with fans.

10 "It's Not The Future I Dream Of Anymore. Only The Past."

Naruto: Episode 128, "A Cry On Deaf Ears"

In the moment Sasuke says this, he is referring to the fact he constantly thinks about his past and his vendetta against Itachi for killing his family. Most people might not be able to directly relate to carrying the weight of that kind of vendetta, but a lot know the pain that comes with focusing solely on the past. Replaying every moment, analyzing it and trying to figure out how it could have been done differently, how things could have been changed, is unhealthy.

Obsessing over the past is emotionally damaging and obscures the path to the future. One significant example of this falls on the opposite side of the coin with Sasuke's older brother, Itachi. Itachi also carried around the weight of his past, constantly analyzing all the things he'd done, and over time he developed a psychosomatic illness that ate away at him. Eventually, Itachi's obsession with his past deeds destroyed him. He didn't want the same thing for his younger brother.

9 "Because That Which Is Destroyed Can Always Be Fixed And Rebuilt."

Naruto Shippuden, Episode 372, "Something to Fill the Hole"

A lot of Sasuke's quotes have different meanings depending on the context that you read them in. Some of his quotes actually have villainous and evil origins, especially when his intentions were to essentially kill everyone and destroy the known shinobi world. When he finally came to his sense, he realized that the best way to make right the wrongs the Hidden Leaf leaders did to Itachi would be to become Hokage and rebuild it all anew.

Despite the dark connotations of this quote, it has an uplifting message. It is a nice thought to consider that broken things, destroyed things can be fixed, and they can be rebuilt and grow even better over time, but Sasuke wanted things to be his way, which may not have been for the best of the village and its people.

8 "I See. I Don't Understand Even One Of These Problems."

Naruto, Episode 24, "Start Your Engines: The Chunin Exam Begins!"

This particular Sasuke quote has been made into a meme over the years by people who can completely relate to Sasuke's supposed confusion over the written part of his Chunin exam. In reality, the scene was the beginning of the Chunin exams, and Sasuke was actually being smart since he deduced that the written exam was actually about information-gathering rather than getting correct answers. He realized he was supposed to cheat without getting caught.

Out of context, the quote just seems like Sasuke is confident in not knowing any answers on his test, something everyone can relate to. As his character evolves across the series, later becoming a father in Boruto, his response to Sarada's needs is deeply reflected in this comment. While there's no cheating at being someone's dad, he learned pretty quickly that the only way to understand her was to finally take the time to get to know her.

7 "Even If I Must Take The Devil's Fruit, I Must Gain Power. I Am An Avenger."

Naruto, Episode 33, "Battle Formation: Ino-Shika-Cho"

This particular quote might not seem like something a person might hear out in the real world but in this case, it certainly applies to those who may have endured a dark or edgy emo phase in their teen years. Sasuke is so dramatic, feeling everything that happens in his life so intensely. Given the circumstances, that's certainly understandable, but even the darkest night sees the light of the moon sometimes.

Often his quotes are far more intense than they need to be in the majority of his conversations or his monologues. It's something someone in real life might say when making fun of or mocking someone they look down, and there's no doubt that for a very long time, Sasuke looked down on everyone around him—especially Naruto.

6 "I Can See No Reason Why She Would Love Me."

Naruto Shippuden, Episode 214, "The Burden"

Unfortunately for fans of the Sasuke and Sakura pairing, their path to marriage was not an easy one. Even discovering their little family in Boruto, many people still have doubts about their relationship after everything that happened. Even Sasuke couldn't understand why Sakura would love him when Kakashi berated him for nearly killing her.

He was too cocky to say this out of low self-esteem. He truly didn't understand why Sakura would want to be with him when he was never exactly kind to her, especially after he tried to kill her. That said, for many people in real life, self-doubt is a harsh reality that makes it impossible to see why loved ones feel the way they do.

5 How On Earth Could You Possibly Understand What It Feels Like To Lose All That?

Naruto: Episode 133, "A Plea From A Friend"

The dark and brutal events of Sasuke's childhood shaped him into someone who couldn't let go of the past. For a time, Naruto believed they had something in common because they were both orphans, but Sasuke saw things much differently. He had a good life, a loving family, an older brother he idolized before Itachi's betrayal. There was no one in the world who could relate to what he went through, not even Naruto.

Naruto had good intentions, and his own loneliness painted a picture of Sasuke he refused to let go of. He saw them not just as eternal rivals or friends, but brothers. Unfortunately, Sasuke had already been betrayed by one brother, and there was no way he was letting Naruto get close enough to betray him, too. So many can relate to his words here, as it's common for others to say they get it, they know how it feels, but everyone's experience is singular. Maybe they can relate, to an extent, but no one ever really gets it, and Sasuke pointed this out time and again to anyone who would listen.

4 "If Anyone Who Criticizes My Way of Life Were To Come Forward, I'd Kill Every Single One Of Their Loved Ones!"

Naruto Shippuden, Episode 152, "Sombre News"

Unfortunately, the depth of Sasuke's anger is something a lot of people can related to. Not only has he endured a tragedy of epic proportions, but during the events in Naruto and Shippuden, he was transitioning from a boy into a man. Becoming an adult is a confusing time, without the added venom of a tragic past, and coupled with hormones, it's honestly no wonder he was so hateful.

One of the interesting things about this particular quote that makes it so relevant is that no one likes to have their point of view called into question, and people tend to like it even less when critics judge the experiences that brought them to it. While it's hard to imagine most people threatening to kill those who don't understand them, many a raging teenager has made such brutal statements in a fit of rage, things that can't be taken back once they've been said. Fortunately for Sasuke, he didn't get a chance to take his threat that far, though he easily could have.

3 "Why Do You Always Treat Me Like Such A Pest?"

Naruto Shippuden, Episode 455, "Itachi Shinden: Moonlit Night"

Sasuke might have spent the majority of the series trying to kill his older brother Itachi, but the two Uchiha brothers were actually very close prior to the murder of their clan. And like any pair of siblings, they would bicker and tease one another.

On the day that the Uchiha Clan would be murdered, Sasuke asked his older brother to train with him. Itachi simply brushed aside his little brother's request, which made Sasuke upset. Sasuke asked Itachi why he treats him like a pest, but Itachi's response was a jab to Sasuke's forehead. Like Sasuke, many people have at some point felt like they were treated as an annoyance by their siblings, peers, or family members.

2 "You're Actually Worse Than Naruto."

Naruto, Episode 20, "A New Chapter Begins: The Chunin Exam!"

Sasuke and Sakura have always had an interesting relationship. When they were first placed on Team Seven together, Sakura had such a huge crush on Sasuke that she acted out of desperation to get his attention. She often berated and criticized Naruto, thinking it would win Sasuke over and endear him to her, but he didn't care for either one of them very much.

Prior to the Chunin Exams, Sakura asked Sasuke if he wanted to spend time together. But unfortunately for Sakura, Sasuke had no interest in her whatsoever. Instead, he said she should focus more on her ninja training because she's "worse than Naruto." Because Sakura is not the most well-liked character out there, many fans would agree with Sasuke's insult.

1 "I Hate A Lot Of Things, And I Don't Particularly Like Anything."

Naruto, Episode 4, "Pass or Fail: Survival Test!"

In Team Seven's introductions, Kakashi wanted everyone to tell him a little about themselves. Naruto said he liked ramen and wanted to become hokage, Sakura was too flustered by Sasuke to speak, and Sasuke's response was something a lot of people can relate to. Often times, people are more vocal about what they dislike than what they like because it's easier to complain and see the bad in things.

This quote is very fitting for Sasuke, who never really had anything nice to say about anyone or anything throughout the series. Even when his allies were kind to him, he was hurtful or spiteful, pushing them away instead of acknowledging any kind of relationship with him. It's a sad state of mind to be in, especially for someone so young, but there have definitely been times when many people can admit to identifying with his sentiment.

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Boruto Cast and Character Guide

The story of Naruto Uzumaki may have come to a close with Shippuden's final episode in 2017, but Boruto followed soon after to continue the action in the Hidden Leaf Village. Boruto focuses on Naruto's son and his own ninja team, introducing exciting new characters into the franchise.

With Naruto: Shippuden being one of the best anime of all time, fans are likely already familiar with much of Boruto's returning cast, with characters like Sasuke, Hinata and Rock Lee making appearances throughout the series. With Boruto set years after Shippuden's end, these familiar faces are now often in supporting and parental roles, allowing a new cast of characters to take the spotlight.

Naruto's Son Boruto Leads the New Series

Boruto is Naruto's son and is following in his father's footsteps when the series begins. He's initially not too excited to be a part of Team 7, and he wants to break free from his father's shadow and forge his own identity. Just like his father, Boruto is quite loud and, at times, obnoxiously energetic. He's also quite the prodigy when it comes to ninja techniques, seemingly destined to be a Hokage himself one day.

Naruto ends up learning valuable lessons from being a father to Boruto, and his son grows to respect his father and the role of Hokage in the process. Boruto eventually forms his own team of ninja allies like his father before him, and this new group of ninjas finds themselves facing terrifying enemies on their journey.

Naruto is Both a Father and Hokage

Naruto's days of being a young and hyperactive ninja are gone by the time Boruto begins, and he now finds himself married to Hinata and taking on a more parental role in Boruto. His duties as Hokage have kept him busy, much to the annoyance of Boruto, who longs to spend more time with his father.

Despite no longer being the main character, Naruto has a heavy presence in Boruto, and he develops a close relationship with Boruto and his friends. He is still an extremely powerful ninja in his own right, capable of defending his son and village when all else fails.

Kawaki is Boruto's Villainous Adoptive Brother

Kawaki is Boruto's adoptive brother with a complicated past that has given him a villainous vendetta. He was originally raised by Kara, a secret society in Boruto focused on finding a new vessel for the Celestial Being, Isshiki Otsutsuki. They performed cruel experiments on Kawaki and the other potential vessels, leading him to have a deep-seated hatred for Kara and the Otsutsuki clan.

When he is brought to the Hidden Leaf Village, Kawaki is adopted by Naruto, and the two form a meaningful bond with each other. Eventually, Kawaki's desire to protect Naruto and get revenge on Kara leads him to do the unthinkable -- seal Naruto away and frame Boruto in the process.

Konohamaru Becomes a Mentor to Boruto

Konohamaru Sarutobi takes on a leading role as Team 7's teacher and Boruto's mentor in the series. After learning the powerful Rasengan jutsu from Naruto, Konohamaru is the one to teach it to Boruto, an impressive feat that fills him with joy.

Konohamaru is an amazing teacher to the young ninjas, proving how far he's come from his early days at the Academy. He still idolizes Naruto, and his role as Boruto's mentor and team leader is something he cherishes.

Mitsuki is the Son of a Feared Naruto Villain

Mitsuki is a synthetic human, designed as a partial clone of one of the Naruto franchise's most powerful characters, Orochimaru. After having his memories erased, he runs away from Orochimaru and befriends Boruto, attending the Ninja Academy and joining Team 7.

His ties to Orochimaru have given him a striking appearance, with ghostly pale skin, blue-white hair and striking golden eyes. Mitsuki is calm and collected as well as incredibly intelligent. He also cares deeply for both Boruto and Naruto, never hesitating to come to their defenses.

Sarada is the Daughter of Two Naruto Legends

Sarada Uchiha is the daughter of Naruto legends Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha. She was raised by Sakura alone, but after meeting her father thanks to Naruto's help, Sarada began following her destiny, joining Boruto's Team 7 and aspiring to become the Hokage herself. Sarada is often at odds with Boruto, with the two arguing over even the tiniest of details but remaining close friends nonetheless.

Sarada inherited the best of both of her parents' abilities, and she proves to be both a prodigious ninja like her father and extremely intelligent like her mother. During her Academy training, she was ranked third in her class, considered an elite ninja and even stronger than her father when he was her age.

Isshiki was Partners with Naruto's Final Villain

Isshiki and the rest of the Otsutsuki clan are the main antagonists of Boruto, with Isshiki arriving on Earth alongside the Naruto: Shippuden villain Kaguya. She betrayed him, leaving him weakened and forced to take over the body of a monk to survive.

In his new, weaker body, Isshiki strives to find a new vessel capable of handling his full range of power, leading him to create the Kara organization. The evil secret society experimented on many children, trying to find one strong enough for Isshiki, eventually deeming Kawaki to be his destined vessel.

Amado is a Double-Crossing Evil Genius

Amado Sanzu was the evil genius scientist of Kara, responsible for using Scientific Ninja Tools to augment Kara's members and make them even more difficult for Boruto and his allies to defeat in battle. He assisted Isshiki in finding a suitable vessel, participating in cruel experiments on children, with Kawaki and Code being the only survivors.

Eventually, Amado betrayed Isshiki and defected to the Hidden Leaf Village. Through lying and manipulation, he earned the trust of Naruto, but with his evil backstory and double-crossing nature, it's highly likely he's up to no good.

Code is a Maniacal Failed Experiment

Code was one of the fifteen candidates to be a vessel for Isshiki alongside Kawaki. During the experimentation, Code seemed to die along with the others, leaving Kawaki to be deemed the only viable vessel. Code actually survived, and his failure to become Isshiki's vessel infuriated him.

After Isshiki's untimely death, Code becomes the last remaining member of Kara, and he is determined to carry on the Otsutsuki clan's evil legacy despite how Isshiki and Kara treated him. As the series progresses, Code is building a highly dangerous army and working hard to become one of the most dangerous villains in the Naruto franchise.

Koji is the Clone of a Naruto Fan Favorite

Koji Kashin is a clone of Jiraiya, and in many ways he's even better than Naruto's original sensei. One of the main differences between the two characters is Koji's evil nature, having been created by Amado in his efforts to kill Isshiki Otsutsuki.

As a result, Koji is a highly-skilled assassin, augmented with Scientific Ninja Tools and unafraid to use them in despicable ways. He still retains the jujutsu abilities of his genetic ancestor, making him a terrifying force when these powers are used maliciously.

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Hunter x Hunter Creator Reveals Second Positive Update in Under a Week

Hunter x Hunter manga creator Yoshihiro Togashi has shocked franchise fans with his second drawing update in under a week, sparking optimism over the series' official return after a long hiatus.

In a post to his official X (formerly Twitter) post, Togashi revealed that he was working on page 7 of Hunter x Hunter Chapter 405, simply posting a picture of a draft manuscript without further comment. Even so, the post quickly went viral, amassing 6.7 million views and 234k likes in under 12 hours. Readers can check out the post and general reaction below.

The new post follows the May 1 update just yesterday, representing the first new Hunter x Hunter update in seven months. Togashi had revealed an image of the fifth page of Chapter 405, titled, "Moon Healing Escalation!" Given that he's now on page 7 and was comfortable posting two days in a row, many fans have voiced renewed optimism that Togashi has now found his pace. Togashi stated in March last year, "Although the production system hasn't been finalized, I'm happy that the amount of time I spend working at my desk has increased little by little."

Hunter x Hunter's Yoshihiro Togashi Is Known for Being Absent or Brief on Social Media

The massive reaction to Togashi's back-to-back post hardly comes as a surprise given his typical nature. Notably a man of few words on social media, one of 2023's biggest manga stories only came through a letter from Togashi to a Japanese idol that was read out on a talk show. He had revealed that he had multiple endings planned for Hunter x Hunter -- one of these in case he died prematurely.

Hunter x Hunter went on hiatus in Chapter 400 -- approximately a year and four months ago. VIZ licenses the manga series in North America, describing it: "Gon might be a country boy, but he has high aspirations. Despite his Aunt Mito's protests, Gon decides to follow in his father's footsteps and become a legendary Hunter. The Hunter hopefuls begin their journey by storm-tossed ship, where Gon meets Leorio and Kurapika, the only other applicants who aren't devastated by bouts of seasickness. Having survived the terrors of the high seas, Gon and his companions now have to prove their worth in a variety of tests in order to find the elusive Exam Hall. And once they get there, will they ever leave alive...?"

Source: Togashi via X (formerly Twitter)

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RETRO REVIEW: My Hero Academia Season 6 Delivers Explosive Action, Shocking Deaths & Intense Drama

By now, My Hero Academia fans watched six entire seasons' worth of material, and it's clear that this shonen anime has two kinds of seasons: setup and payoff. When My Hero Academia sets up its characters and plot threads, the story tends to drag and feels predictable. This was what held back Seasons 1, 2, and 5 which, in hindsight, were setups for Seasons 3, 4, and 6, respectively. Fortunately, seasons like the recent sixth one are worth the often meandering setup, with explosive payoffs in terms of action, drama, and Quirks.

Fans may agree that Season 5 was one of My Hero Academia's weakest outings yet and had too few plot twists, but fortunately, patient fans were rewarded with Season 6's nonstop battles, personal revelations, and intriguing character arcs from beginning to end. Remarkably, while Season 6 is comprised mostly of payoffs for what Season 5 laid the groundwork for, it also serves as setup for the upcoming Season 7, which will continue the war against the Paranormal Liberation Front. The key is that Season 6 has a robust plot of cool payoff moments that simultaneously sets up future developments. This is a fine balance that Season 5 or any of the previous seasons never achieved.

My Hero Academia Season 6 Launched the War Fans Have Been Waiting For

The Heroes and Villains’ Decisive Battle Was Better Than Fans Expected

My Hero Academia already had a few major battles between the heroes and villains. Notable clashes include All Might's team fighting the League of Villains in Kamino Ward, and the Shie Hassaikai raid where Izuku Midoriya defeated Overhaul with the aid of Eri's remarkable Rewind Quirk. But these were merely petty scuffles compared to the grand melee of Season 6. The battle for Jaku General Hospital alone is worth the constant buildup of Season 5. As promised, My Hero Academia Season 6 gathers all the Pro Heroes and nearly every hero student to confront Tomura's and Re-Destro's combined forces. The heroes' mission: capture Dr. Garaki and stop Tomura Shigaraki from realizing his potential as All For One's successor and the next Symbol of Evil.

What follows is a hard-hitting battle that delivers on all fronts. A stunning variety of Quirks are used, with some Quirks are making their battlefield debut. Some examples include the intense melee power of Mirko's Rabbit, and Hawks' Fierce Wings. Tomura Shigaraki even partly succeeds in becoming the next All For One, and he uses a variety of deadly Quirks to threaten the heroes in new ways. To make matters worse, he did all this while using his original Quirk's, Decay, recent awakening. Tomura is now a one-man army thanks to Dr. Garaki's dark science, making him a more credible threat than ever as the anime's stakes continue to rise. The best the Heroes can do is force Tomura to awaken from his medical tank early, so that he's prematurely unleashed and not fully at 100% power.

The great battle for Jaku General Hospital also delivers on a personal level, not just a shonen action level. To begin with, the #2 hero Hawks shows a brutal new side of himself, using his Fierce Wings Quirk to not just betray, but outright kill his "ally" Twice, who trusted Hawks as a fellow Paranormal Liberation Front member. Curiously, the bloody duel between Hawks and Twice partially flipped the accepted moral depictions of heroes and villains common in superhero fiction. The ostensibly heroic Hawks was now the vicious traitor, while the villainous Twice was the sympathetic underdog whom My Hero Academia fans might be rooting for deep down. The deconstruction of the simplistic binary between good and evil is a recurring theme in My Hero Academia's later arcs, and it begins with a tragic bang in Season 6.

This massive war's physical and emotional impact continues to take its toll on everyone, with several notable character injuries and even deaths. Mirko pushed herself to the extreme to take down Tomura, but sustained major injuries and lost limbs along the way. These will have any fan both admiring the rabbit-themed hero's strength, while also fearing for her life. Season 6 also boldly started killing off named Pro Heroes, with X-Less losing his life to Tomura Shigaraki as the latter awakens in the hospital's lab. Fans may not know X-Less very well, but it's still shocking to see a villain kill off a Pro Hero so easily and casually. Most of all, Season 6 kills off the beloved R-rated hero Midnight. Her demise is a heart-wrenching blow that left Classes 1-A and 1-B in tears, and fans just might cry along with them.

These made the war feel more real for characters and viewers alike, making it horribly clear that this is a proper war, and not just some heroic raid or "cops and robbers" scenario. Worse, the darkness will continue even after the battle for Jaku City concludes. What's also interesting about the great Jaku battle is that the result are ambiguous. The heroes fail to score a decisive victory, but they also didn't leave the bloody battlefield empty-handed. Both sides suffered serious losses, so there's no telling how the second battle will play out. This feels realistic, and it keeps many plot threads dangling because relatively little was settled in the fight. War is a messy affair, and My Hero Academia Season 6 made this vividly clear.

The Villains’ Jail Break Is a Cool but Slightly Development

All For One and Tomura Shigaraki’s Fight for Villainous Leadership Muddies Things a Bit

Not long after the great battle of Jaku General Hospital, the villains find a way to tilt the scales in their favor despite their heavy casualties. The maximum security prison Tartarus, which was once considered impossible to escape from, becomes the site of a major villain victory as a mass breakout unfolds. Tomura personally oversaw the breakout, slaughtering the prison's defenses as countless convicts escaped into free air, including familiar faces like Muscular and brand-new ones like Lady Nagant. Naturally, in a high-stakes war like this one, both sides will seize any advantage or resource they can find to get the edge. It just so happened that the villains did it first. This boosted the season's tension effectively, and helped prove that absolutely nothing can be taken for granted -- not even the security of the supposedly ultimate prison for super-powered villains. The prison breakout paid off in a few special ways, including setting up rematches between Izuku Midoriya (aka Deku) and Muscular, then his deadly first encounter with Lady Nagant. Both are key fights in his Dark Deku phase. The breakout also brought back the overall supervillain All For One to the scene, which is the most terrifying development.

However, it's also a bit confusing for the plot, since it's now unclear whether it's Tomura or All For One is the real supervillain who the heroes have to focus their energies on. Figuring out who is really in control of Tomura's body can be a bit confusing. Perhaps Tomura and All For One wrestling over the position as the Symbol of Evil is this season's point, since they are both selfish and ruthless monsters who want to destroy the world for their respective selfish reasons. However, this also cheapened Tomura's rise to power, since he's supposed to be All For One's successor, not his sidekick or partner. Tomura squabbling with All For One for agency instead of forging his own evil path rendered him a lackey rather than his own supervillain. Additionally, this even cheapened All Might's swan song victory over All For One back in the Kamino Ward, since everything (including his biggest triumph) was part of the villain's masterplan. Granted, it does make sense that an evil mastermind like All For One would have contingencies for his contingencies, but his planned comeback and jailbreak still tainted All Might's last hurrah. Ideally, My Hero Academia Season 7 will clear things up.

Dark Deku Humanized Izuku Midoriya Like Never Before

My Hero Academia Season 6 Deconstructed Izuku Midoriya's Hero Complex

In earlier seasons, My Hero Academia made One For All a physical burden for Midoriya, since the Quirk could easily break his bones and scar his arms as he trained with its enormous power. He took these in stride, and carried on doing his best to live up to All Might's example. It's because of this that Deku was branded as something of a "Mary Sue" (i.e. an unbelievably perfect and skilled character) by My Hero Academia's biggest detractors. It was only in Season 6 when the narrative showed how much of a personal burden this legendary Quirk was. Midoriya isn't just a kid with a power he could barely control; he was also a kid with a destiny he couldn't even handle. It was incredibly easy for Midoriya to agree when All Might asked him to succeed him as the next Symbol of Peace. But as the anme progressed and as war broke out on all fronts, the emotional and mental toll of succeeding the greatest hero to ever live was too great for Midoriya. This is a vital development for My Hero Academia, and one that feels overdue.

Midoriya is a sensitive young man who is determined to protect and cheer up everyone, but he's also willing to take this mission to a self-destructive extreme. Previously, Midoriya was an inspiring hero and big brother for Eri during the Shie Hassaikai raid. But now, in the face of war and with casualties mounting, Midoriya showed a new scary side. During this arc, Midoriya ran off to face Tomura and the other major villains alone, understandably unwilling to expose his classmates and other heroes to more danger. He thinks he's being noble, but he's actually being selfish. Worse, he unintentionally insulted his classmates by all but saying that they were too weak to help him. Midoriya always had a habit of taking all the burden for himself because of his hero complex, but Dark Deku pushed his good if twisted intentions to their worst extremes. Being the Symbol of Peace isn't worth it if Midoriya discards everyone in his life and pushes himself to the breaking point. In retrospect, this makes All Might less of a hero than ever, since he burdened an innocent teenager with immense power and responsibility that he wasn't fully prepared for on any level.

The short but essential Dark Deku Arc showed Midoriya fighting both Muscular and Lady Nagant and almost losing himself to the darkness in the process, until Class 1-A caught up to him. It's a touching moment when Midoriya's classmates make a heartfelt appeal to him, pleading with him to let them fight by his side. Even Katsuki Bakugo, Midoriya's shonen-style rival and lifelong bully, sincerely apologized to help end Dark Deku and reinforce the power of friendship. After a bloodless scuffle, Midoriya concedes and snaps out of his Dark Deku mode for good. He always needed that kind of emotional support from the rest of his class, and now it's here, making Class 1-A more united than ever.

My Hero Academia Season 6 Gave the Heroes Some of Their Best Character & Emotional Development Yet

Ochaco Uraraka and the Todoroki Family Were the Biggest Standouts

To round things out on a character level, My Hero Academia Seaosn 6 also expanded the personal arcs for Ochaco Uraraka and the entire Todoroki family, with mixed to positive results. One example is when Class 1-A returned to the UA school campus, only for the refugees to push Midoriya away. They were afraid that Midoriya, who's a prime target for the villains, will attract disaster to the school. It then fell to Ochaco to change everyone's minds with nothing but her words. On the plus side, it's inspiring to see heroes fighting with their hearts, since there's more to being a hero than fists and Quirks. It also gave Ochaco a moment to shine, which was overdue for her. But then again, it was also somewhat predictable. It was obvious that Midoriya would return to school at some point, and be rejected by frightened refugees. It was also somewhat obvious that Ochaco, easily Class 1-A's kindest student and Midoriya's love interest, would be the one to appeal to the crowd's goodwill.

Meanwhile, the villain Dabi publicly outed himself as Toya Todoroki, the firstborn son of Enji and Rei Todoroki who was thought to be dead. He relished this moment, tarnishing the image of all Pro Heroes by revealing that a villain is the son of the current Number One Hero. Worse, he exposed Endeavor's history of being an abusive father and husband. Dabi's announcement had the intended effect on the Japanese populace (i.e. further shattering their faith in the heroes), but it had the biggest impact on the Todorokis themselves. Endeavor was now forced to take the next step in his long and difficult redemption. Once more, some characters and even fans are divided on whether or not Endeavor even deserves a second chance at all. For what it's worth, the Todorokis are more united than ever before, with the common goal of bringing Toya back now that they know he's alive. This fueled the character arcs for not just Endeavor, but also Rei, Shoto, Natsuo, and Fuyumi. Seeing a broken family comes back together after so many years of misery could even inspire some viewers. In some ways, Dabi's dramatic reveal may feel like a distraction or a side show in light of Dark Deku's rampage and Tomura's rise to power. However, My Hero Academia isn't just about destiny and superhero action -- it's about the people who are impacted by war, loss, Quirks, and much more.My Hero Academia needs a robust humanitarian side to make all this action worth it in the end, and Season 6 delivers, even if it is a bit messy and overstuffed at times.

My Hero Academia is now streaming on Crunchyroll.

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Government Civil Service Worker Arrested After Oshi no Ko Spoiler Assault

A Japanese government civil service worker has been arrested and may be charged by prosecutors after allegedly assaulting a man over Oshi no Ko spoilers.

Via Mainichi Shimbun, a civil service staff member working at the Kyoto District Legal Affairs Bureau was arrested on suspicion of assault after his subordinate spoiled the current events of the popular Oshi no Ko manga. The unnamed male has since been referred to prosecutors, with documents submitted to them on April 30, 2024.

Reportedly, the arrested male, aged somewhere in his 50s, had yelled at his similarly aged subordinate, "I don't want to be spoiled!" grabbing him by the chest and kicking him in the waist area. He did not suffer significant injury. Kyoto District Legal Affairs Bureau is conducting its own investigation, adding, "Due to the ongoing investigation, we will refrain from commenting."

Leaks and Spoilers Are a Hot-Button Issue in the Manga Industry

Spoilers remain a major issue in the manga community. While arising under different circumstances, major manga publishers like Shueisha, Kodansha and more issued statements condemning early leaks of manga and its effect on fans, stating, "[we] will proactively take all possible measures to ensure that our readers can enjoy manga in an appropriate manner." This followed the arrest of two individuals in Japan, and the shutdown of several major One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen leakers immediately after.

Oshi no Ko is written by Aka Akasaka and illustrated by Mengo Yokoyari. Published on Jump+ in Japan, it's one of the highest-selling manga to have debuted this decade. Yen Press licenses the story in North America, describing it: "'IN SHOW BUSINESS, LIES ARE A WEAPON.' Tensions are running high on the set of the Tokyo Blade theatrical adaptation—though not in the way anyone expected! Surprisingly, Kana and Akane are managing to keep their longstanding rivalry purely professional; in fact, the amount of talent onstage is motivating all the actors to do their very best. But there’s someone who isn’t thrilled with the direction things are headed, and she’s the one person whose opinion matters most: the original manga creator!"

Oshi no Ko Season 1 is available to stream on Prime Video and Apple TV. Oshi no Ko Season 2 will premiere on HIDIVE in July 2024, although a specific release date has not yet been provided.

Source: Mainichi Shimbun

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10 Strongest Naruto Characters Sung Jin-Woo From Solo Leveling Can Beat

Sung Jin-Woo is the main character of Solo Leveling, and when the series started, he was the weakest Hunter in the world. He was killed in a double Dungeon, but an unknown entity saved him. Sung Jin-Woo can now increase his strength by completing tasks and defeating enemies, and there is now no theoretical limit to his strength. As a result, Sung Jin-Woo can definitely defeat several characters from Naruto.

All of the Naruto characters that Sung Jin-Woo can beat are skilled ninja with unique abilities. Many of them are from the Hidden Leaf Village, but others once belonged to other villages. Several of these characters are Jonin-level, and the argument can be made that a few are Kage-level. Sung Jin-Woo can even defeat an Akatsuki member under the right circumstances.

10 Zaku Can Be Overwhelmed By Sung Jin-Woo's Skills

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 21: "Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals"

Zaku was one of the enemies introduced during the Chunin Exams. He was one of the first ninja to possess scientific body modifications. These modifications came in the form of hollow air tubes that extended through his arms. As a result, Zaku can fire pressurized air and sound from his hands.

These pressurized shots can deflect ranged attacks, and they can slow boulder-sized objects. If Sung Jin-Woo gets hit by one of these shots, he will sustain a good amount of damage. Unfortunately, Zaku's shots go in one direction. Sung Jin-Woo can avoid Zaku's attacks with Dash, and he can follow it up with a clean dagger strike. Sung Jin-Woo could also get behind Zaku and use his strength to break the modified arms - just like Sasuke did in the Forest of Death.

9 Shino's Insects Would Be Useless Against Sung Jin-Woo

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 1: "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"

Shino mainly uses Kikaichu beetles during combat. These beetles can swarm an opponent will consume their chakra until they are knocked unconscious. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Shino revealed that he can also use kidaichu beetles. If these insects are placed on another host, they will rapidly grow in size while devouring the new host's chakra and body.

Sung Jin-Woo does not use chakra though, so Shino's insects would be ineffective. Shino relies on his insects, and as a result, his melee skills are a bit lacking. Sung Jin-Woo can simply dash through the insects to strike Shino. Since Sung Jin-Woo does not have chakra, Shino's insects would not be able to detect him if he uses Stealth. This means that Shino may not have time to react to Sung Jin-Woo's assassination attack.

8 Jirobu's Physical Strength Can Be Outmatched

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 68: "Zero Hour! The Konoha Crush Begins!"

As one of the Sound Four, Jirobo was considered one of Orochimaru's elite bodyguards. In terms of physical strength, he was the group's strongest member, and he could use that strength to lift massive sheets of rock. Jirobo was branded with Orochimaru's Curse Mark, and he could use the Level 2 Transformation.

This transformation gave Jirobo a demon-like appearance, and it significantly enhanced his physical strength. The original Sung Jin-Woo would die if he were hit by one of Jirobo's Level 2 punches, but the current Sung Jin-Woo is much faster. He can easily avoid Jirobo's attacks, and he can still cut Jirobo with his dagger. With enough leveling, Sung Jin-Woo can stop Jirobo's punches with his bare hand, and he can theoretically take Jirobo out with a well-placed punch of his own.

7 Kiba's Strongest Jutsu Is Basically A Weaker Version Of Cerberus

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 1: "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"

Like other members of the Inuzuka Clan, Kiba goes into battle with his own ninja dog. He and Akamaru are inseparable, and they can fight in unison with each other. Thanks to the Beast Mimicry Technique, Akamaru can transform into Kiba, and they can perform a coordinated rotating attack that can land multiple blows.

This attack is fast, but Sung Jin-Woo should be able to dodge it with Dash. Kiba and Akamaru can also transform into a massive two-headed or three-headed dog. This transformation is actually Kiba's strongest jutsu. Sung Jin-Woo has already defeated a three-headed dog boss named Cerberus - who was immune to the Bleed and Paralyze effects of Sung Jin-Woo's dagger. Kiba's transformation is not immune to these effects, which means that Sung Jin-Woo can take it down much easier.

6 Choji's Expansion Jutsu Can Be Countered With Speed

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 1: "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"

Choji is now the sixteenth head of the Akimichi Clan, and he has mastered the clan's secret techniques. He can use the Expansion Jutsu to enlarge specific body parts, but he can also increase his overall size until he becomes as tall as a mountain. While Choji is in his giant form, all of his physical attacks deal significantly more damage.

In some instances, Choji can convert his body's calories into chakra. This Butterfly Mode allows him to fight on par with the Gedo Statue for a short time. At first, Sung Jin-Woo might be intimidated by Choji's size, but he will quickly realize that Choji's size can be countered with speed. Sung Jin-Woo can dash around Choji's body, and slash him at the same time. Despite his size, Choji can still succumb to the Venom Fang dagger's effects, and he will eventually be immobilized. Once Choji is unable to move, Sung Jin-Woo can deliver a finishing blow.

5 Sai's Ink-Based Jutsu Is Easily Countered

First Appeared in Naruto: Shippuden Episode 21: "Return of the Kazekage"

Sai was a member of Root - a special Anbu sub-division that carried out dark missions. He was considered the strongest Root member of his generation, and Danzo believed he was skilled enough to kill someone as strong as Sasuke Uchiha. Sai possesses a unique fighting style that makes use of his artistic nature.

Thanks to the Super Beast Scroll Technique, Sai can use his chakra to bring anything he draws to life. He typically creates multiple animals that can attack his opponents. Unfortunately, these ink beasts can be destroyed if they are hit just once. At his current level, Sung Jin-Woo can neutralize Sai's main jutsu. Sai may be a skilled Anbu-level ninja, but even he cannot keep up with Sung Jin-Woo's Stealth and Dash combo. Even if Sai tries to intercept Sung Jin-Woo's attack with a kunai or sword, he will be overwhelmed by Sung Jin-Woo's superior strength.

4 Shikamaru May Be Smart But He's Not Much Of A Fighter

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 1: "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"

Shikamaru is one of the smartest ninja in history, and he has used his intelligence to restrain or outright defeat various opponents. As a member of the Nara Clan, Shikamaru can use the Shadow Possession Justu - which allows him to merge his shadow with his target's. Even someone as strong as Sung Jin-Woo would be restrained for a time if Shikamaru successfully merges their shadows.

Shikamaru can also use his shadow to strangle Sung Jin-Woo, or he can use his shadow to impale Sung Jin-Woo multiple times. If Sung Jin-Woo uses Stealth, he should be able to avoid the Shadow Possession Jutsu. He can then use Dash to slice Shikamaru apart. Shikamaru is not much of a melee fighter, so he likely won't react in time to dodge Sung Jin-Woo's attacks.

3 Zabuza's Silent Killing Technique Can Theoretically Be Countered By Sung Jin-Woo's Skills

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 6: "A Dangerous Mission! Journey to the Land of Waves!"

Prior to his defection, Zabuza was part of the Hidden Mist Village's legendary Seven Ninja Swordsmen. He was actually part of the group's strongest generation. He wielded the Executioner's Blade - a large broadsword shaped like a butcher's knife. Zabuza was known as the Demon of the Hidden mist, and he mastered the Silent Killing Technique.

If it wasn't for Naruto and Sasuke's quick thinking, Zabuza would have killed Kakashi - a future Hokage. Even if Zabuza uses the Hidden Mist Jutsu, Sung Jin-Woo can negate the Silent Killing aspect by using Stealth to conceal his presence, and he can use Dash to escape the mist. He can also use his Necromancy to summon soldiers that can distract Zabuza while Stealth is active. In this instance Sung Jin-Woo could take the opportunity to deliver a silent killing blow of his own. If they engage in a clash of blades, Sung Jin-Woo's superhuman strength will give him an edge, and if he manages to nick Zabuza once, he will gain a permanent advantage.

2 Hidan Can Be Immobilized By Sung Jin-Woo's Dagger

First Appeared in Naruto: Shippuden Episode 71: "My Friend"

Hidan was part of the Akatsuki, and he was a devout follower of the Jashin religion. Thanks to the religion's forbidden techniques, he gained a form of immortality, but he also learned how to use a deadly curse. If Hidan consumes his target's blood, he will become a human voodoo doll. Hidan and his target will then share every injury that the other sustains. That being said, the voodoo doll aspect will only trigger if Hidan stands in a Jashin symbol that was placed on the ground.

If Hidan successfully activates this curse on Sung Jin-Woo, no amount of levels can save him from a pierced heart. Sung Jin-Woo is very perceptive, so he may figure out that the symbol on the ground is important. He can just fight Hidan head-on to keep him away from the symbol. Sung Jin-Woo's dagger may not be able to kill Hidan, but it can still paralyze him. If Hidan is immobilized, Sung Jin-Woo can simply remove Hidan's head, so he is no longer a threat.

1 Sakura Is One Of The Strongest Female Ninja In History

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 1: "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"

Sakura was trained by Kakashi and Tsunade, and she has become one of the strongest female ninja in history. She can concentrate chakra into her fists - which gives her superhuman strength. Even at his current level, Sung Jin-Woo would probably get taken out by one of Sakura's punches.

Fortunately, the Dash skill should make Sung Jin-Woo faster than Sakura. He should be able to dodge her attacks and slash at her at the same time. Sakura has mastered Mitotic Regeneration, which essentially makes her immortal for a short time. This technique would not stop her from being paralyzed by Sung Jin-Woo's dagger. If Sakura is immobilized, Sung Jin-Woo can finish her off without having to worry about her monstrous strength.

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