"Naruto," one of the world's most successful anime and manga series, has captivated fans with its compelling story and action-packed sequences. Part of its massive appeal lies in its diverse cast of characters, many of whom are skilled ninjas with relatable personalities. As the series progressed, over 100 characters were introduced, with some deserving all the praise they received, while others, in the eyes of fans, are a bit overrated.

A character might be considered overrated for various reasons: they could be portrayed as exceptionally powerful but later revealed to be weaker compared to other characters introduced later, or their character development and contributions to the plot might be called into question. Whether you're browsing an anime store near you or searching for anime merch in India, here's a rundown of the top 10 Naruto characters often deemed overrated by fans.

8. Zabuza Momochi

Zabuza Momochi, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, was the first significant threat that Naruto and Team 7 faced. As a Jonin, Zabuza was a formidable opponent, but his strength is often exaggerated. He failed to defeat pre-time-skip Kakashi in a one-on-one battle, suggesting he would not stand a chance against characters like Kakuzu.

Though Zabuza was feared for his Silent Killing Technique combined with the Hidden Mist Jutsu, this tactic only worked against nameless ninja and could be countered with basic clones or Substitution techniques. Despite being an iconic figure, Zabuza is often seen on anime merchandise, like anime hoodies and figures, yet his true power is less impressive than fans believe.

7. Rock Lee

Rock Lee is beloved by many Naruto fans for being a true underdog, but some argue he is still overrated. Unable to use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, Lee relied solely on Taijutsu, becoming a master through sheer determination. He made a strong impression before the time skip, overpowering Sasuke and fighting against Gaara and Kimimaro.

However, post-time-skip, Lee's relevance dwindled. He fought a clone of himself during the mission to rescue Gaara and contributed little to the Fourth Great Ninja War, where he had minimal impact on key battles. Despite his popularity, the hype surrounding Lee often doesn't match his actual contribution to the story, a fact worth considering when picking up Naruto merchandise or anime figures of him at your local anime store.

6. Hinata Hyuga

Hinata Hyuga is often adored by fans, but her character development is quite limited. Initially, she is portrayed as a shy girl deeply in love with Naruto, who remains oblivious to her feelings. Many fans likely relate to her unrequited love, contributing to her popularity.

After the time skip, Hinata did show growth by attempting to save Naruto from Pain and fighting alongside him during the war. However, these moments were few and far between, and her character is primarily defined by her affection for Naruto. Despite this, she remains a popular character found in many anime merch stores in India, including anime clothes and anime figures.

5. Sakura Haruno

Sakura Haruno is a character who divides the Naruto fanbase, with some finding her overrated and others considering her underrated. While she was initially disliked for her perceived weakness, she later trained under Tsunade and acquired tremendous physical strength. She also mastered Mitotic Regeneration, a rare medical ninjutsu that makes her nearly invincible in battle.

However, Sakura's lack of originality and versatility makes her overrated. She never developed her own techniques but rather mastered specific ones taught to her by others. Throughout the series, her character was largely focused on her infatuation with Sasuke. Nevertheless, Sakura remains a staple in Naruto merchandise, whether it's an anime hoodie, a figure, or anime merch in India.

4. Neji Hyuga

Neji Hyuga, despite being a prodigy of the Hyuga clan, is another character who is often considered overrated. As the first of the Konoha 11 to become a Jonin, Neji appeared to be one of the Leaf Village's strongest ninja. However, he never reached Kage-level strength.

Neji's role was significantly reduced in the latter half of the series. Although he made a notable sacrifice by saving Naruto during the Fourth Great Ninja War, many fans felt it was an unnecessary and avoidable death, serving more as a plot device than a meaningful conclusion to his character arc. Despite these criticisms, Neji's presence remains strong in anime merchandise collections, including anime figures and anime clothes. Click here for the coolest and craziest anime merch in india!

3. Kisame Hoshigaki

Kisame Hoshigaki, an early member of the Akatsuki, was introduced as a character with near-limitless chakra. As one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, he wielded Samehada, a sentient sword that consumes the chakra of its victims.

Although Kisame came close to defeating Killer B, his sword Samehada betrayed him for B's chakra, suggesting that much of his power stemmed from his weapon rather than his own abilities. When Kisame fought Guy, he forced him to use the Seven Gates but ultimately failed to achieve victory. For all his fearsome reputation, Kisame's actual strength was less impressive than his myth, a point to ponder when searching for Kisame-related anime merch in India or Naruto merchandise online.

2. Madara Uchiha

Madara Uchiha, one of the most powerful characters in "Naruto," demonstrated his strength during the Fourth Great Ninja War, where he single-handedly wiped out thousands of shinobi. He gave Nagato the Rinnegan and manipulated events to turn Obito into his pawn.

While his strength is undeniable, many argue that Madara's character is overrated as a villain. His plan to "save" humanity would have led to its extinction, and it turns out he was merely following Black Zetsu's plan to resurrect Kaguya. This revelation suggests that the legendary Uchiha was just another pawn, not the mastermind many believed him to be. Despite this, Madara remains a popular character in anime merch stores, from anime hoodies to anime figures.

1. Shisui Uchiha

Shisui Uchiha, often regarded as the most talented Uchiha of his generation, was renowned for mastering the Body Flicker Technique and possessing a Mangekyo Sharingan that could control minds. Based on his abilities, some argue he might have been stronger than Itachi.

However, Shisui ultimately served more as a plot device than an actual character. His most significant moment was giving Itachi his eye, which later helped end Kabuto's Reanimation Jutsu. The anime attempted to make him more relevant with filler fight scenes, but these efforts fell flat. Even so, Shisui remains a popular choice for Naruto merchandise and can often be found on anime clothes, anime figures, and other anime merch.

Whether you’re looking for anime merch in India, an anime store near you, or online stores for Naruto merchandise, these characters remain popular choices, though their actual impact on the series might not always live up to the hype.

[The images used in this blog post are not owned by Anime Devta, they are just for entertainment purposes]

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