Anime Already Has Its Successor to All Might: Why Naruto Fills That Role Perfectly

My Hero Academia‘s All Might has cemented his place as one of the most iconic figures in the anime universe. Embodying the heroic qualities reminiscent of Superman, All Might is celebrated as a symbol of hope and immense strength, characteristics that are hard to find in other media. Conversely, Naruto has also represented similar ideals long before All Might graced our screens, reinforcing the timeless nature of these attributes.

Naruto’s story begins with him as an orphan, ostracized and viewed with fear. Despite these challenges, he remained steadfast, largely due to the influential support from Iruka Umino. This guidance transformed Naruto’s hatred into unwavering determination to become Hokage, aiming to earn respect and recognition from society. His relentless spirit culminated in extraordinary achievements, notably vanquishing Kaguya to save the world from catastrophic destruction at just 16 years old. This feat emphasizes Naruto’s incredible power, and at his current age in the sequel series, he should have emerged as the foremost ninja. However, his portrayal in Boruto sometimes lacks depth, reflecting the series’ writing inconsistencies.

Naruto Embodies All Might’s Best Traits

Naruto: A Beacon of Hope and Strength

As the Symbol of Peace, All Might dedicated himself wholly to protecting others and restoring hope where there was despair. His single-handed defeat of All For One showcased the heroic feats that only a chosen few could aspire to achieve. This monumental act not only returned normalcy to society but also exemplified the strength he possessed before ultimately passing his quirk to Deku.

A closer examination of Naruto’s character reveals a similar trajectory. All Might’s resolve to protect stemmed from a tragic past, losing his parents to villainy amid a dark era. In contrast, Naruto’s ambition to become Hokage arose from his desire for recognition, a reflection of his deep-rooted struggles with being seen as a monster. While his initial motivations could be viewed as selfish, Naruto’s subsequent actions led to significant changes in society, including heroically rescuing Konoha from Pain’s reign of terror, establishing himself as the village’s hope.

While both figures resonate as symbols of hope, Naruto’s sidelining in his own narrative reveals a disconnect worth addressing. With the potential for great development, he should have naturally progressed into an indomitable force, akin to All Might, as the series evolved.

Boruto Should Have Sidelined Naruto More Thoughtfully

The Flawed Transition: Naruto’s Sidelining

In Boruto, the narrative took a sharp turn towards extraterrestrial themes with the introduction of Kaguya. Unfortunately, this shift led to the abrupt sidelining of established characters like Naruto. By the conclusion of Naruto, both he and Sasuke reached their peak power, naturally raising expectations for their evolution. Their fierce battle against Momoshiki should have been a demonstration of their strength, showcasing their continued dominance.

This confrontation provided a prime opportunity for Naruto to sustain a legitimate injury or experience a significant limitation that would gracefully transition him into a supportive role for the new generation. Instead, the story abruptly shifted focus towards alien elements, lessening the emotional stakes for fans. The result left Naruto overshadowed by Boruto and alien influences.

An injury during the fight could have paralleled All Might’s narrative, where a severe encounter with All For One led to his gradual decline. This would not only deepen Naruto’s character arc but also explain the necessity for the younger generation to rise. Had Naruto faced genuine stakes, such as potential loss of life, it would have left audiences truly invested in his journey.

Boruto Has a Chance to Realign Naruto’s Role

Despite Naruto’s diminished powers and the loss of Kurama, many fans believed this might signify the end for this beloved character. Yet, his unexpected entrapment by Kawaki in another dimension during the first part of Boruto brought him back into relevance, albeit in an unsatisfactory manner that prevented him from fully embracing a mentor role like All Might’s.

The recent reappearance of Kurama within Himawari’s body, showcased in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, opens the door for potential mentorship opportunities. If freed by Kawaki before the pivotal battle against the Divine Trees, Naruto could guide his daughter to harness Kurama’s powers — a pivotal step in reclaiming his legacy.

In contrast, My Hero Academia masterfully depicts its powerful generational transitions, making All Might’s character evolution feel authentic. There remains hope that Naruto can reclaim his status as a guiding figure for a new generation, allowing fans to witness the mentor he was destined to be.

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