Naruto Creator Hints at Shocking New Itachi Spin-Off Manga—Fans Are Losing It!

Enthusiasts of the initial manga/anime series have a wealth of fresh tales to delve into through Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, yet many devoted Naruto aficionados prefer revisiting the original series’ characters and background. The cast members of the original Naruto anime are still iconic and cherished, leading to additional adventures in light novels, manga spin-offs, and so on. Notably, Itachi Uchiha, a former antagonist, has already had his moment, and he’s now set to regain the limelight again.

Naruto creator hinted at a potential solo manga chapter focusing on Itachi, mentioning he was somewhat joking about the idea. Previous one-shots have been produced by him, and the outcome of the Naruto Global Poll indicates that fans are eager for an Itachi one-shot to quench their curiosity. However, this raises questions among Naruto fans not only about what the chapter might contain, but also whether it’s necessary for Itachi, considering other characters who may be more deserving.

What Could Itachi’s One-Shot Manga Chapter Cover?

There Are Still Some Gaps in Itachi’s Life Story

In simpler terms, a one-shot manga (a standalone story) in a series often serves to provide more details about the lore or advance the storyline, especially for main characters like Itachi from Naruto Shippuden. These one-shots can also fill in gaps in a character’s history that were not fully explored in the main series. Even though Itachi’s backstory was expanded upon in the Naruto Shippuden series and light novels such as the Itachi Shinden books, there are still aspects of his life story that might be left unexplored. In these cases, a one-shot manga chapter could be used to provide additional information or closure.

From what we’ve observed in previous anime, manga, and light novel adaptations, there seems to be a strong interest among fans about delving deeper into Itachi Uchiha’s life, especially aspects not yet fully explored. While we’ve seen Itachi interact with his father Fugaku, his brother Sasuke, and even Naruto in various Naruto media, his relationship with his mother Mikoto remains relatively unexplored. Regrettably, mothers often take a back seat or even suffer the ‘fridging’ trope in shonen manga/anime, leaving little room for heartfelt mother-son dynamics. In Naruto, the reunion between Naruto and his parents was a rare and moving moment, but such instances are few and far between.

Initially, you might find it surprising to delve into the character of Itachi’s mother, Mikoto, given her limited screen time in Naruto. However, this could be precisely the intention. Fans have already witnessed many aspects of Itachi’s relationships with other family members, and a standalone story featuring Mikoto would offer a welcome change of pace.

Remember, Itachi isn’t the ruthless villain Sasuke once perceived him to be. Instead, he was a reserved, thoughtful, and compassionate individual who deeply lamented having to massacre his clan for the sake of duty. If we understand the depth of Itachi’s bond with his loving mother, Mikoto, this personal tragedy will resonate even more powerfully, adding layers to his character that make him all the more relatable.

The sibling rivalry between enemies is a theme often explored in Naruto, and fans are familiar with Fugaku and Shisui’s dynamics. Now, it would be intriguing to explore how the women in Itachi’s life impacted his family, offering a unique perspective on his story. Moreover, delving into the challenges Itachi faced when forced to take the life of someone as close as his mother, Mikoto, would highlight just how difficult his choices were.

In simpler terms, a standalone manga chapter titled “Itachi” might delve into the enigmatic period of Itachi Uchiha’s life when he was part of the Akatsuki organization. While glimpses of this time have been shown in different Naruto media, such as Itachi’s fight against Orochimaru and his initial encounter with Kisame Hoshigaki, there are many unanswered questions about Itachi’s actions during this gap period. The one-shot could potentially explore Itachi’s beliefs and personality to their fullest extent as he faces orders to commit atrocious acts under Pain’s command. The decisions Itachi makes next could shed light on his true character and essence.

Is Itachi the Best Character For a One-Shot Naruto Chapter?

Many Other Characters Got Less Development Than Itachi

One challenge in creating standalone chapters or light novels for a series like Naruto lies in striking a balance between featuring popular characters who can draw large audiences and lesser-known characters who might benefit from their own stories. Popular, prominent characters have the star power to attract readers, but they often don’t have as much room left for new developments within their established arcs. On the other hand, minor side characters offer plenty of opportunities for one-shots and light novels, but they may not have the same initial appeal. To create an engaging experience, it’s important to find a practical balance between popularity and creative potential, leaving Naruto fans curious about how Itachi’s character has managed this equilibrium. Some fans might argue that with two Itachi Shinden books already available, this character has been explored enough, and only the most dedicated Itachi enthusiasts would be interested in more of his story.

While Masashi Kishimoto hasn’t definitively announced plans for an Itachi one-shot manga chapter yet, he’s been casually considering it. This doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t change his mind or focus on another character. Regarding the Naruto universe, a one-shot might be more beneficial if Mr. Kishimoto were to create a story around a somewhat popular character whose storyline has some unexplored aspects. Characters like Obito Uchiha, who didn’t receive as much backstory as Jiraiya, could potentially benefit from such a chapter.

A standalone chapter might delve into Tsunade’s life during her years marked by sorrow and solitude, where she immersed herself in games of chance and spirits. While fans have a general understanding of this period from the original Naruto, there is potential to explore Tsunade encountering new individuals and engaging with them, or even defending them against villains. This could offer insights into how deeply Tsunade yearned to return home and resume her role in the struggle for good. Similarly, a one-shot chapter could shed light on Orochimaru’s life post his departure from Akatsuki and prior to his subsequent actions. It could detail the intricacies of Orochimaru’s creation of the Hidden Sound Village, including the strategies he employed to attract followers and establish himself as a respected leader.

Among the Konoha 11, there are several characters who deserve their own standalone story due to the mix of their popularity and the limited screen time they’ve received in Naruto media so far. One such character is Hinata Hyuga, Naruto’s partner, who has been featured across various platforms but could benefit from more appearances. While fans have enjoyed glimpses into her romantic life in The Last: Naruto the Movie, they also yearn to see Hinata striving to enhance herself as a ninja. A one-shot could delve into her training sessions and missions that prepare her for action in Naruto Shippuden, such as one focusing on her journey towards becoming a stronger kunoichi. Alternatively, a one-shot might center around Shikamaru Nara, who often prefers to rest but may be compelled to act again due to his new responsibilities following Asuma’s death. This story could explore the consequences of his leadership role and the challenges he faces in balancing his duties with his personal desires.

One-Shot Chapters Help Keep a Franchise Like Naruto Fresh

With or Without Boruto, the Naruto Franchise Needs This

A sequel anime series can be quite beneficial for maintaining a popular franchise’s relevance, as demonstrated by titles such as “Boruto: Naruto Next Generations,” “Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest,” and “Dragon Ball Super.” However, these sequels can sometimes falter, like Boruto, or experience lulls when seasons take breaks. Over the long haul, even iconic franchises like Naruto might require additional support. That’s where spin-off one-shots and light novels come into play, providing extra content to keep the franchise’s momentum going.

In any upcoming “Naruto” standalone story, it would be beneficial for Masashi Kishimoto to maintain an active involvement in his creation by incorporating brief additional elements. This approach not only gives Kishimoto the opportunity to oversee his intellectual property more closely, but also caters to fans who may not be invested in “Boruto”, while adding a deeper emotional and personal dimension to the franchise as a whole.

The main “Naruto” and “Boruto” series primarily concentrate on plot development, leaving limited space for character-focused moments. However, an Itachi or other character’s standalone story could delve deeply into a character’s emotional state, providing the kind of immersive, emotionally rich experience that Naruto fans are eager for.

2025-05-06 02:07