This article contains spoilers from Naruto and Boruto.
Naruto ended years ago, but the shinobi world it built continues to entertain fans in Boruto. Long-time fans are still following Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha after the war, patiently waiting for how their journey will officially end. Even after they were sidelined, fans remain excited for the day Naruto and Sasuke step back onto the battlefield with a new incredible power-up.
Naruto and Sasuke aside, there are plenty of Naruto characters who deserve to come back in Boruto for various reasons. From supporting Boruto Uzumaki, Sarada Uchiha, and the other next-generation ninjas to resolving unfinished storylines, these Naruto characters could bring epic battles, new developments, and an overall sense of continuity between the old and new generations.
Say Goodbye To Naruto Uzumaki And Sasuke Uchiha For Now
Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha will not be returning anytime soon, and fans should bid them farewell for now in Boruto.
Asuma Sarutobi
Asuma Sarutobi Died Early
Asuma Sarutobi’s death is one of the most painful moments in the history of Naruto. While his students did avenge him in a very satisfying way, many fans are still longing for his presence in Boruto. Seeing his daughter with Kurenai grow up without Asuma adds to the desire for his return as fans imagine the mentor and father he could be to Mirai.
In addition to Mirai, some of the closest people to Asuma have been in a very difficult position for quite some time now, and they could use his guidance and support to find strength and direction. From Konohamaru and Shikamaru to Mirai, these characters could greatly benefit from his presence.
Orochimaru
Orochimaru’s Relevance Is Fading
At the moment, Orochimaru maintains a low profile in Boruto, almost as if he’s intentionally staying in the shadows while Jura and the Shinju Clones reign supreme. The present Orochimaru is completely different from his former self, even though he still pursues his experiments but with a more measured and cautious approach.
Because of Orochimaru’s inactivity, manga fans believe he deserves to have a major comeback in Boruto, wherein he could provide crucial insights about the Otsutsuki Clan and the Shinju Clones. His experiments, combined with his intellect and lust for information, could reveal secrets about the Otsutsuki and Shinju that no one else could uncover.
Kaguya Otsutsuki
The Only Otsutsuki Who Should Return in Boruto
It’s been ages since Kaguya Otsutsuki was sealed away by the old Team 7, and yet she remains a point of intrigue, leaving questions about her status, power, and connection to the Otsutsuki Clan, especially Shibai. Because of this, Kaguya deserves a place on this list, as her return could dump more lore about the Otsutsuki, which the manga has been deliberately withholding for quite a long time now.
Additionally, Kaguya Otsutsuki’s return in Boruto could position her as an unlikely ally to Boruto, now a full-fledged Otsutsuki himself. In the face of planetary-level threats, having Kaguya around could strengthen Boruto’s side significantly.
Minato Namikaze
Boruto Has No Memories of Minato
One of the reasons why Minato deserves to come back in Boruto is because of his Flying Thunder God Technique, which his grandson has never seen before. Without seeing Minato’s iconic technique, Boruto’s version of Flying Raijin has few limitations, which could only be fixed if Minato himself were to teach him the finer details and applications of the jutsu.
Beyond that, Boruto and Himawari need Minato’s presence, even if it means appearing only briefly in their dreams, especially now that Naruto and Hinata are sealed away. They have no memories of Minato, so even a fleeting encounter could give them a sense of comfort and connection to Naruto.
Kakashi Hatake
Kakashi Hatake Is Missing in Action
Kakashi Hatake has been noticeably absent in the Boruto manga, to the point where fans jokingly claim he’s “not canon” anymore due to his lack of involvement. However, Ikemoto assures fans that Kakashi will return sometime in the future, but the timeline remains uncertain, and so does his role.
So far, Kakashi only appears in the Boruto anime, acting as an advisor to Naruto and Shikamaru. Most of the time, fans believe he’s enjoying his time in the hot springs, far away from the affairs of the village. However, with the village under constant danger from Jura and the Shinju Clones, it might be the best time for Kakashi to come back.
Rock Lee
Rock Lee’s Taijutsu Deserves Better Treatment
Rock Lee’s presence in the Boruto manga is very limited, and the same is true for other sidelined Naruto characters like Tenten, Temari, Shino, and more. Back in the Naruto series, Rock Lee was a huge fan favorite thanks to his likeable personality, relentless determination, and taijutsu mastery, but that’s ancient history. Now, Rock Lee mostly serves as a forgotten Naruto character, a far cry from his former self.
Clearly, Rock Lee deserves another opportunity to show off his taijutsu, which has probably improved significantly over the past years. Who knows, maybe Rock Lee has found inventive ways to incorporate ninjutsu or even genjutsu, especially with the rise of scientific ninja tools enhancing his fighting style.
Itachi Uchiha
Itachi Uchiha’s Return Remains Uncertain, Yet Within Reach
When it comes to Itachi Uchiha, fans are constantly torn between wanting him to return and letting the genius Uchiha rest in peace. With rumors about Kishimoto and Ikemoto possibly bringing Itachi back, the speculation among fans has only grown. What could his role be? Why is he coming back? These questions fuel endless debate, and that makes the wait more exciting.
If Itachi returns, the internet will undoubtedly explode with reactions from fans around the world. Expectations will also be there, as fans look forward to his potential interaction with Sarada Uchiha, who recently unlocked the Mangekyo Sharingan Ohirume. In Sasuke’s absence, Itachi’s presence would mean a lot for Sarada.
- Release Date
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2002 – 2007-00-00
- Showrunner
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Masashi Kishimoto
- Directors
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Hayato Date
- Writers
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Masashi Kishimoto
- Franchise(s)
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Naruto
