Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, the second installment in Naruto‘s sequel, is proving to be a true standout. In the past two years, with a total of 25 chapters released, the Boruto series has developed many elements that give it its own identity within the Naruto franchise. While the story is currently exploring the theme of “love” heavily, one of the most striking aspects so far has been the introduction of the Divine Tree villains. As the name suggests, these villains are derived from the Divine Tree, but with a twist. The entities that emerge from it bear a resemblance to the humans they have devoured.
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Because of this, the Divine Trees are shaping up to be compelling villains. With appearances similar to familiar faces such as Sasuke Uchiha’s and carrying fragments of their emotions, the Divine Tree villains continue to evolve with each new chapter. However, despite this potential, there are villains in Naruto whose presence remains unparalleled. In particular, the following three stand out with qualities that make them far more impactful than Boruto’s Divine Tree villains.
3) Itachi Uchiha
Itachi Uchiha’s role in the Naruto series can be seen as that of an anti-hero because of his actions. His most defining moment is indeed the massacre of his clan to prevent an even greater tragedy, taking on the role of a villain in the process. His portrayal is that of someone who will always be viewed as a villain by many, yet in reality, he is a silent hero whose actions shaped the very foundation of his society’s future.
What makes Itachi stand out even more is not only his actions but also his brilliance. He was a genius and arguably one of the strongest Uchiha, with unmatched mastery of Genjutsu that remains unrivaled in the franchise. Through his portrayal, Itachi has become a villain that fans both respect and admire, with an impact on the series that will always be far greater than Boruto’s Divine Tree villains.
2) Danzo Shimura
Danzo Shimura is the most hated villain in the history of the Naruto franchise, and likely one of the most despised across the entire anime industry. However, it is precisely his unlikability and his portrayal as a villain that make Danzo such a great character. Fans hate him for the role he plays in the story, and when you look closely at his portrayal, it becomes clear why he is so loathed: he embodies the traits of a political figure who is always thinking only of their own benefit.
Danzo is a character who can easily be compared to real-world political figures people despise because of their self-serving actions. His decisions in the Naruto series were always driven by what he believed to be good for himself and his village, even though there were often far better alternatives. His choices constantly make you wonder why he insists on acting in ways that frustrate you, much like that one politician whose decisions never make sense. For this very reason, Danzo stands out as one of the most well-crafted and impactful villains in the Naruto franchise.
1) Pain
Even though there are villains like Madara Uchiha and Obito Uchiha, none come as close to the portrayal and impact Pain had on both the fans and the series as a whole. Pain’s story is built on a seemingly cliché foundation: a character with a tragic past. Yet, the way the series depicts Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan shows that when a person’s limits are pushed beyond what they can bear, it can give birth to something truly dark.
Through Pain, Nagato sought to make others feel the same suffering that he and his friends endured when no one came to help them. His actions as Pain were both a cry for help and a desperate attempt for someone to understand and acknowledge his pain. Pain’s character embodies a level of realism, as many villains in both fiction and reality are shaped by tragic pasts, with their actions rooted in what they believe will ease their suffering. For such a raw and accurate portrayal of human emotion within a fictional narrative, Pain undeniably stands out as a villain, surpassing Boruto’s Divine Tree villains by far.
Which villain from Naruto do you think will always remain unparalleled, no matter how distinctive the villains in Boruto may be? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
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