Kishimoto Explains Why Naruto and Hinata Became a Couple in Naruto

This article contains spoilers from the Naruto series.

Overview

Naruto’s early romantic interest in Sakura ultimately transitioned to a relationship with Hinata.
Kishimoto selected Hinata as Naruto’s partner to honor her unwavering support throughout the series.
Fans found Naruto and Hinata’s romance underdeveloped, lacking a well-defined emotional journey.

Naruto Uzumaki’s Romance Subplot

Throughout the Naruto series, the central narrative primarily revolved around Naruto Uzumaki’s ascent from being perceived as a worthless ninja to achieving the accolade of the strongest Shinobi. While this journey dominated the storyline, there were notable elements intertwined within it, one being a romantic subplot that initially featured Naruto’s affection for Sakura Haruno.

Ultimately, Naruto’s journey led to a relationship with Hinata Hyuga. The decision to pair these two characters sparked intrigue among fans. Kishimoto, the creator, later shared his motivations for this choice, emphasizing the implications it had for the storyline’s evolution.

Rationale Behind Naruto and Hinata’s Relationship

Kishimoto’s Perspective on Hinata’s Character

Fans have often pondered Kishimoto’s decision to unite Naruto with Hinata over Sakura, who could have also been a strong candidate given her evolving feelings towards Naruto throughout the series. Early on, Sakura viewed Naruto as an annoyance, but her perception shifted as they progressed together, especially in circumstances involving Sasuke’s character.

“Hinata exactly watched Naruto, as he persisted from the beginning, the whole time, Hinata was always the only child who was supporting and cheering for him. Although Naruto was unsuccessful and sometimes things went badly for him, he persisted and tried his best. Hinata understood, and that it was cool that Naruto was determined to never give up. However, Sakura also noticed and recognized that about Naruto along the way. Of course, as Hinata had been watching him since the beginning, I thought that I would feel sorry for Hinata for not being rewarded.”– Kishimoto

According to Kishimoto, the choice of Hinata as Naruto’s ultimate partner stems from her consistent support throughout the series. His intention was to ensure that Hinata, who had unyieldingly cheered for Naruto from the start, was rewarded for her loyalty and dedication. Rather than overlook her unwavering character development, he felt compelled to honor her support by linking her fate to Naruto.

Assessing Naruto and Hinata as a Couple

Criticism of Their Relationship

The question of whether Naruto and Hinata constitute a suitable couple has been a topic of debate among fans. While the concept is intriguing, many believe their coupling feels unsatisfactory. Throughout the series, Naruto and Hinata share only a few pivotal moments, with one feeling particularly forced. A notable instance was Hinata’s valiant intervention during Naruto’s battle against Pain, which demonstrated a significant effort on Kishimoto’s part to establish a connection between them. Yet, the series’ climax—marked by Neji’s sacrifice—came across as a desperate attempt to justify their relationship rather than a natural evolution of their bond.

For fans craving a richer narrative, a detailed love arc catering to Naruto and Hinata’s relationship would have been essential. Although the film The Last: Naruto the Movie partially filled this gap, it was perceived as too little, coming after the main storyline had concluded and fans were already aware of their eventual pairing. Ultimately, the burden of inadequate development lies not with the characters themselves but with the choices made during the series’ progression.

Naruto is available for reading on the MangaPlus and the Shonen Jump app. Fans are encouraged to read the official materials to support the authors.

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