Let’s Face It: Naruto Nerfed One of Its Most OP Ninja, And We’re Not Talking About Kakashi

Naruto, a globally celebrated anime, is renowned for its roster of powerful characters who dominate both the ninja world and the genre itself. As one of the most popular and critically acclaimed long-running series, Naruto introduced numerous characters brimming with potential. However, the series’ narrative focus primarily revolved around its main characters and selected supporting roles, leaving others to fade into the background. A great example is Shino Aburame, whose initial portrayal promised greatness.

Despite making an incredible first impression with his unique abilities and strategic prowess, Shino’s character suffered from inconsistencies and a lack of development. As the series progressed, he became a victim of narrative neglect, ultimately being nerfed down. This decline left some fans disheartened. Shino’s potential to shine among Naruto’s elite was never fully realized, despite how much he deserved it.

Shino Aburame’s Potential in Naruto’s Original Series

He Should Have Been Given More Opportunities to Shine

The best of Naruto is the growth of its characters, especially when they were training hard to unlock their potential. While Team 7 captured much of the spotlight, side characters like Rock Lee, Gaara, Neji, and Shikamaru amazed fans with their unique abilities. Unfortunately, characters like Shino felt underdeveloped. Shino’s mysterious personality perfectly complemented his powers. He can control insects that nest in his body, using them to immobilize enemies, drain chakra, and even devour flesh. His strategic thinking and his skill was first shown during his Chunin Exams battle against Zaku Abumi, where he secured a decisive victory.

Shino’s fight with Zaku highlighted his strength, establishing him as a formidable opponent. Even Danzō, known for his high standards of recruiting ninjas, recognized Shino’s value. Shino’s composed demeanor paired with his remarkable skills earned him intrigue and respect, yet he remained on the sidelines for much of the series. Despite his impressive abilities, the story often overlooked Shino’s potential to contribute significantly to key battles.

Shino’s fight against Kankuro stands as one of his most notable moments, showcasing his calculated tactics. Although the battle ended in a draw, it underscored his ability to contend with equally skilled opponents. Sadly, his contributions were overshadowed by others, leaving fans to imagine what could have been if Shino’s potential was maintained like some of the series’ side characters.

The Overlooked Power of the Aburame Clan in Naruto

The Clan That Could Have Contributed More to Konoha

It is not just Shino himself who ended up not getting the attention he deserved, but also his entire clan. After the Uchiha were annihilated by Itachi, the Hyuga clan rose to prominence as Konoha’s strongest clan. While they are deserving of the title, many tend to overlook the Aburame clan’s power, which rivals even the most recognized clans in Konoha. The Aburame’s strategic use of insects, combined with their unique jutsus and tactical precision, makes them a force to be reckoned with. Their subtle yet devastating control of insects is a stark contrast to the showy abilities of other clans, which often gain more attention.

While much of Naruto focuses on the main character’s prowess in battle, it’s important to remember that they are all still ninjas. Infiltration, knowledge gathering, and general spycraft are all important tools in any shinobi’s repertoire. It is here where the Aburame clan truly shines. While they might not fool rival ninja who could sense the chakra being used to manipulate them, the insects that give the Aburame clan their abilities are essentially peerless as tools for spying. Given this, few other Naruto clans have the potential to live up to the title of ninja like the Aburame clan does.

Related

Sorry Fans, But Boruto’s Depiction of Naruto is Much More Accurate Than Most Think

Naruto’s depiction in the sequel aligns more perfectly with his character than fans’ desire for him to be a strong mentor like Gojo or All Might.

This understated power has led to the Aburame being overshadowed, despite their ability to pose a significant threat to any enemy. Shino’s reserved demeanor mirrors the quiet strength of his clan but also contributes to their lack of visibility. The series’ focus on other flashier clans and ninjas diminished the recognition the Aburame deserved. If the Naruto franchise delved deeper into their contributions and what they could have offered more for Konoha, it could have elevated the Aburame clan’s status as one of the village’s most formidable and strategic clans.

Boruto Continued to Weaken Shino Aburame’s Legacy

A Cooler Teacher Than Kakashi—If the Series Allowed It

Sequels often give fans hope that unresolved storylines from the original series will be explored and improved, and many had high expectations for Boruto: Naruto Next Generation. With the success of the Naruto franchise and the immense popularity of its iconic ninjas, fans eagerly anticipated seeing the adult versions of their favorite characters. While some lived up to expectations, Shino was once again overlooked in Boruto.

In Boruto, Naruto’s friends pursued their own paths, and Shino, despite his mysterious character, became an instructor at the academy. He eventually earned the respect and admiration of his students, such as Boruto Uzumaki, and became more expressive of his feelings as a teacher. In episode 6 of Boruto, Shino was possessed, leading to a battle where he fought his students to the death. This episode offered a rare glimpse of Shino’s incredible abilities, impressing his students who initially underestimated him. However, for long-time Naruto fans, this display of power was a reminder of what Shino had always been capable of, leaving them longing for more.

His character might have leveled up in entertaining the fans with his expressive teacher persona, but he still fails to engage the fans with much more needed action. If both Naruto and Boruto had given more focus to Shino, he could have become an even more formidable character. In a world where he wasn’t an overlooked side character, Shino’s potential could have been fully realized. With his ability to control thousands, even millions of insects, he possesses a power that sends chills down spines. His ability to defeat his opponents by devouring their chakra or even their flesh marks his status as a terrifyingly powerful ninja, one that few could ever hope to challenge.

Naruto

Release Date

2002 – 2006

Showrunner

Masashi Kishimoto

Directors

Hayato Date

Stream