Naruto Shippuden is often hailed as one of the finest anime series of all time. Nonetheless, many fans believe that the show’s pacing issues and excess fillers detract from its overall quality, leaving room for debate on its ultimate place in anime history. Despite these shortcomings, the series excels in various aspects, particularly in its emotionally charged character deaths. Fans frequently engage in discussions about the most impactful deaths, weighing the significance of characters like Itachi, Jiraiya, and Pain. However, one particular death has sparked considerable controversy among the fanbase.
While characters such as Asuma Sarutobi made profound impacts with their deaths, Neji Hyuga’s demise is viewed as forced and superfluous. As a core member of the ensemble, the series could have benefited greatly from a more meaningful handling of his death. This critique underscores a crucial gap in Naruto Shippuden’s storytelling, illustrating how even a celebrated series can stumble in significant areas.
Neji Hyuga’s Death: An Unjustified Loss
The Disappointing Significance of Neji’s Death
The Naruto franchise is no stranger to poignant deaths, starting with Haku and Zabuza in Naruto’s inaugural mission. Typically, these deaths are masterfully woven into the narrative, imparting depth to the storyline. For example, Asuma Sarutobi’s passing significantly raised the stakes, impacting his student Shikamaru Nara and leaving behind an unborn child. Conversely, Neji’s death fails to elicit the same emotional response, a letdown given his pivotal role throughout the series.
Neji’s character is introduced as a talented prodigy shaped by a tragic history, notably the sacrifice of his father for the greater good. This backstory leads him to initially embrace the belief in a predetermined fate—an ideology later challenged by Naruto, who inspires him to rise above his constraints and understand his father’s legacy. Such a rich character foundation made it imperative for the series to deliver a meaningful demise for Neji.
Instead, Neji’s heartbreaking moment comes when he dies sacrificing himself to protect Naruto and Hinata from Obito’s spike attacks powered by the Ten-Tailed Beast. Throughout the series, Neji is portrayed as an elite member of the Hyuga clan, boasting unique abilities such as his Byakugan. Therefore, his death feels improbable and illogical, particularly considering the skills he possesses to defend against such attacks. Following his death, the series tries to imbue his sacrifice with significance by paralleling it with his father’s previous sacrifices.
However, the execution of Neji’s demise leaves much to be desired, rendering it a contrived moment largely intended to expedite Naruto’s character arc. Since this crucial event takes place during a chaotic battle, fans are left with little time to process the loss, only to hear characters mourn Neji’s passing post-battle, emphasizing its unnecessary nature. The storyline could have thrived by allowing Neji to live, thereby preserving the gravitas of death within the Naruto universe and potentially enhancing future narratives.
Neji’s Potential as a Mentor in Boruto
From his early days, Neji’s impressive talents marked him as a standout ninja in Konoha, positioning him potentially as a future Hokage. In the sequel series, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Neji could have emerged as a vital mentoring figure, providing guidance and support not only to Boruto but also to the next generation of shinobi. While Boruto’s aspirations are gravitated towards Sasuke—viewing him as a shadowy guardian—Neji could offer a different yet equally enriching perspective.
The absence of Sasuke diminishes the impact of his mentorship for Boruto. Although Konohamaru plays a useful role as a teacher, his ambition to be Hokage does not align closely with Boruto’s character trajectory. Neji, with his intellect and martial prowess, would have been a much more suitable mentor, providing nuanced lessons rooted in strength and wisdom, enhancing Boruto’s growth as a ninja.
Moreover, it’s delightful to note that Boruto’s name is a homage to Neji; while Neji suggests “screw”(linked to his spinning technique), Boruto means “bolt,”a reference depicted in the series’ logo. The dynamic between Neji and Naruto’s children, along with potential comedic moments bringing forth a blend of mentorship and familial bonds, would have added a layer of depth to the sequel. Ultimately, Neji’s character, crafted with precision, becomes a symbol of missed opportunities, standing out as one of the most unnecessary losses in the narrative of Naruto Shippuden.
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