Move Over, Team 7: Naruto Should Have Given These 10 Characters More Screen Time

The Naruto franchise is home to some of the most beloved and popular anime characters of all time. The story created by Masashi Kishimoto did an excellent job developing several of its most important cast members. From the titular protagonist to the most powerful villains like Madara, fans learned to love each one of the main characters.

Nevertheless, the fact that the series focused so much on Team 7 that a handful of side characters were robbed of their chance to join the main cast. Some of the most interesting and unique characters were barely present as the series progressed. By developing their stories, abilities, and personalities more, they had the potential to also become extremely beloved.

10 Yugito Nii

An Experienced and Powerful Jinchuriki

Vessel to the Two-Tails Beast, Matatabi, Yugito was an elite member of the Hidden Cloud Village. She was an extremely agile, acrobatic, and fierce fighter, capable enough to completely control her Bijuu's power. Yugito was also known for being a quick thinker and outstandingly smart, as she alone could trick two of Akatsuki’s strongest members into following her into a trap.

Lamentably, her story ended shortly after being introduced, with Hidan and Kakuzu knocking her out and taking her to the Akatsuki’s hideout. She died immediately after her Tailed-Beast got extracted, robbing fans of the chance to see what a fully realized Jinchuriki’s life would be like outside the Hidden Leaf. Seeing one of the most interesting and experienced Jinchuriki die moments before her first appearance was beyond disappointing.

9 Kushina Uzumaki

Naruto’s Mother Deserved More Time With Her Son

Naruto’s parents are undoubtedly some of the most important characters in the series. Their love for their child and the Hidden Leaf Village is what led them to seal Kurama inside their newborn baby, as well as leave remnants of their consciousness inside the protagonist. Still, Kushina’s time on screen pales in comparison to her husband's, who was a major player in a plethora of episodes.

Worst of all, while Minato was often portrayed as one of the strongest ninjas in history, next to nothing is known about Kushina’s time as a kunoichi. The series relegated her to a more supportive role in almost all her appearances, with her only major battles being against Kurama and in the Road to Ninja movie, one of the best in the franchise. It would have been amazing to see Kushina in action more often, proving her skills and strength as a warrior.

8 Sakumo Hatake

A Ninja Rumored to Have Surpassed the Sanin

One of the main reasons why Kakashi Hatake grew up to become such an excellent shinobi is the teachings of his father, Sakumo. Also known as the White Fang of the Leaf, this kind and fierce fighter was said to be above the power level of the Legendary Sanin themselves, often being considered by fans as a god among ninjas. Despite his strength, he was one of the most open-minded and considerate characters in the series, a trait that ended up being his undoing.

After being disgraced for abandoning a mission to save his comrades, Sakumo was shunned by the ninjas of the village, even those whom he protected. He decided to take his own life to prevent his shame from falling into Kakashi, a decision that sealed the fate of Naruto’s teacher. Sakumo would not be seen again until the battle against Pain, during which his spirit had a much-needed conversation with his son. Fans have been asking to learn more about his time as a ninja, to no avail, as he has never been mentioned again.

7 Tenten

The Only Weapons Expert in Konoha

Often mocked for being one of the weakest and least relevant characters in the franchise, Tenten is a kunoichi who deserved much better. She is one of the few warriors in the Shinobi World who specializes in ninja weapons, one of the hardest and most impressive skills to dominate. Her arsenal is near-infinite, with her being able to use almost any object as a lethal weapon.

Regardless of her unique and intriguing skills, she was never given a proper chance to shine. Her first battle against Temari, during the revolutionary and near-perfect Chunin Exams arc, made her seem like an underwhelming opponent, as she was defeated almost immediately. After that, she was not included in almost any relevant mission and her most important battles do not have a lasting impact on the story. If developed properly, she could have become one of the most versatile and distinctive fighters.

6 Shino Aburame

A Man Who Could Terrify Anyone

Among the powerful and capable members of the Konoha 11 group, many characters become vital to Naruto’s story. Others, like the impassive Shino Aburame, never got the chance to prove themselves. Thanks to his clan’s special technique, which allowed them to breed and use special types of bugs linked to their Chakra, Hinata’s teammate was a truly terrifying opponent.

Shino proved himself an adversary not to mess with during the Chunin Exams by defeating Zaku, one of Orochimaru’s lackeys, without moving. Woefully, after that encounter, Shino’s relevance began rapidly decreasing, to the point where the show itself started mocking him for not being important. The Aburame heir could have been one of the most imposing ninjas, using his special insects to terrorize opponents, but he was never given a chance to prove himself.

5 Dosu Kinuta

The Most Interesting of the Sound Ninjas

The leader of the Sound Village's Genin, Dosu, is considered by many fans as one of the most menacing-looking characters in Naruto. His costume is extremely cool looking, and it perfectly encapsulates what he was meant to be, a powerful and ruthless opponent. Dosu was by far the strongest member of his team, being the only one to advance to the Chunin Exams finals.

Viewers were excited about seeing him use his impressive sound manipulation in an all-out battle during the competition. Regrettably, he never got the opportunity to participate, as the author decided to use him as a plot device to prove how dangerous Gaara was. Dosu became obsessed with the idea of killing Sasuke, a desire that led him to challenge the One-Tail Jinchuriki. He died immediately after the battle began, with Gaara destroying his body in a gruesome manner.

4 Fuu

The Most Cheerful and Friendly Jinchuriki

Fuu, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, was a carefree, friendly, and fearless warrior who quickly became a fan-favorite character. Unlike most other vessels in the series, she did not become Choime’s host until she was already a kunoichi, making her life very different from her peers. Despite this, she never allowed her new burden to define her, trying hard to keep her upbeat attitude and make friends all over the world. Fuu was first introduced during the Hidden Sand Village’s Chunin Exams, proving to be a fearsome combatant.

Like most of the other Jinchuriki in the franchise, she was killed shortly after her introduction, having her Tailed-Beast forcefully extracted by the Akatsuki. It would have been interesting to see the life and struggles of a new vessel, one that did not suffer from childhood as Naruto or Gaara did. Her upbeat attitude could have also fit perfectly with the protagonist, making her death much more disappointing, as she could have been one of Naruto’s good friends.

3 Shisui Uchiha

Owner of the Most Powerful Genjutsu

Introduced as Itachi’s best friend and one of the kindest ninjas in Konoha, Shisui is to this day a character who fans wish had been better used in the story. Like most members of the Uchiha clan, he had a unique ability granted by his Sharingan, one feared for its overwhelming power: the Kotoamatsumaki. Shisui’s special technique allowed him to influence the minds of anyone who would stare at his eyes, convincing them to do exactly as he said.

Instead of using him to gain power or hurt others, Shisui would try to utilize his technique as little as possible, with the only official attempt being his plan to stop the Uchiha insurrection. Before he could complete his goal, he was attacked by Danzo, who wanted his Genjutsu for himself, forcing Shisui to take his own life and ask Itachi to hide his eyes. Fans have been asking for ages to see more of Itachi’s best friend and his time as a ninja, but this wish has yet to be granted.

2 Kimimaro

His Technique Impresses Fans to This Day

Kekkei Genkai are special techniques that only the members of certain clans can use, giving them abilities that are often considered inhuman. Kimimaro, a descendant of Kaguya, has one of the most disturbing but fascinating techniques in the franchise, as he was able to remove his bones to use them as weapons, although doing so could kill him. He was one of Orochimaru’s most loyal lackeys, willing to risk his life to protect his master.

He was a brief but significant adversary to both Naruto and Rock Lee during the series’ Sasuke’s Retrieval arc, acting as the final boss before the Uchiha. He left a lasting impression on fans, who were captivated by his unique and often shocking fighting style. There is no denying that seeing more of him battle and learning more about his special ability would have been an amazing addition to the story.

1 Ino Yamanaka

Sakura’s Rival Could Have Been Much More

Heir to the Yamanaka clan and one of the most powerful sensory ninjas in the world, Ino was first introduced as a spoiled and superficial girl who cared more about her looks than her work. As time passed, she began growing into a respectable and intelligent kunoichi, mastering her family’s mind-control techniques. She and her father were essential during the Fourth Great Ninja War, as they allowed the Shinobi Alliance to communicate telepathically using their brains as antennas.

Before this event, she was often relegated to the side, not being included in many of the most important missions. There were extended periods when Ino was not even mentioned, something that disappointed fans, as she was a compelling and charming character. Her mind control and telepathic abilities could have been used in many intriguing and inventive ways, an idea that is rarely ever explored in the series.