Why Kakashi is Kishimoto's best written character

Masashi Kishimoto, author of the world famous Naruto manga series, is hailed by anime fans as one of the best writers of the modern era. His work has not only inspired several shows, movies and spin-offs, but has also touched the hearts of millions of followers since his debut in 1999. While its story is undoubtedly a work of art, what really keeps fans interested decades later is its amazing cast of characters, some of whom have become true icons for anime fans of all ages.

The world of Shinobi is full of memorable and lovable ninjas for every taste, from the lovable titular protagonist to his bitter rival Sasuke. Among the vast sea of characters created by Kishimoto, however, one stands out for his masterful design, interesting personality, and incredible strength: Kakashi Hatake. The leader of Team 7 is not only one of the most famous anime characters of all time, but also one of the best written, and many reasons prove why.

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Kakashi's story is compelling and emotional

As a child, Kakashi is carried by his father Sakumo.

Kakashi Hatake, the powerful leader and teacher of Team 7, is by far one of the most popular characters Naruto the series has a lot to offer. Naruto's mentor, known since childhood as a genius, grew up feeling isolated from the world and lived only to become a ninja worthy of respect and admiration. His father, a man the world feared for his immense strength, encouraged him to push himself and climb the ladder, never forgetting the need for bonds and friendship.

Unfortunately, his life changed forever at an early age after his father took his own life in an attempt to restore honor to their clan after a failed mission. Since his father's death was caused by the man breaking the rules of the ninja, Kakashi became a strict follower of the establishment and never once questioned an order. This mentality didn't change even after he made new friends among his teammates, until the supposed death of Obito Uchicha, his best friend.

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These moments prove that Kakashi is truly one of Naruto's strongest characters.

Tragedy continues to befall him, most of his other close friends die, from fellow teammate Rin to his teacher and parental figure Minato. Despite this, Kakashi has always been presented as a gentle soul, willing to help anyone and risk his own life to save the innocent. His determination, carefree personality, and love for others despite all his suffering make him one of the most compelling characters in the entire series.

Kakashi's Power-Ups feel earned and fair

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Every success he gained, from his early acceptance into the ANBU corps to creating the Chidori, one of the most powerful Jutsu in the series, was a result of his dedication. It can be argued that the Sharingan he received from Obito before his death was not given to him by effort, but even this advantage came at a price. Not only did his best friend have to die for him to get the Dojutsu, but he also couldn't use it effectively for a long time.

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For a short period of time, Kakashi was the strongest character in Naruto.

Other characters, like Naruto and Sasuke, were constantly given dramatic power increases for no proper reason. Kakashi was not the reincarnation of an ancient alien, nor was he chosen by fate to bring peace to the world. He was a really skilled ninja who worked hard to reach the level he was at throughout the story. This fact allows fans to easily empathize and embrace his power, something that cannot be said for other characters.

Kakashi's lessons helped Naruto become a great ninja

Team 7 members stand together for a photo.

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From a laid-back mentor to the hero of the Fourth Great Ninja War who became the Sixth Hokage, Kakashi has changed considerably over the course of the series.

Kakashi didn't judge Naruto for it; instead, he decided to become the boy's role model and guide him on a better path. Without Hatake, the protagonist would never have grown into the commendable man he is today. His teacher did more than force him to grow up to be a ninja; he also showed him the love and attention that was unfairly denied. By the end of the series, Kakashi was more of a family member to Naruto than a simple mentor, much like many of the teachers the blonde had throughout her life.

Kakashi's design is also top notch

Kakashi, as seen at the beginning of the series, holding a pair of bells.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

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His most identifiable features, his mask and hidden eye, would seem to make the character difficult to stand out, yet complement his personality and story perfectly. Kakashi's design proves that Kishimoto is not only a masterful writer, but also an all-around genius. Several other iconic characters in the series share a similar intent behind their creation, but few works are as flawless as Kakashi. The fact that he is still an important part of the franchise despite being absent from it Boruto series for a long time, speaks to how well the character was written.