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 also touched the hearts of millions of followers since his debut back in 1999. While his story is undoubtedly a work of art, what has really kept fans interested even decades later is his fantastic characters, some of which have become true icons for all anime fans.

From the lovable titular main character to his bitter rival Sasuke, Shinobi World is full of memorable and endearing ninjas for all tastes. Nevertheless, among the vast sea of characters created by Kishimoto, one stands out for his masterful design, intriguing personality and incredible power set: Kakashi Hatake. Team 7's leader 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 backstory is compelling and emotional

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

Kakashi Hatake, the powerful leader and teacher of Team 7, is by far one of the most beloved characters Naruto series has to offer. Known as a genius since childhood, Naruto's mentor grew up feeling isolated from the world and lived only to become a ninja worthy of respect and admiration. He was encouraged by his father, a man feared throughout the world for his immense strength, to push himself and climb the ranks, not forgetting the need for bonds and friendship.

Sadly, 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 failing a mission. Due to his father's death being caused by the man breaking the rules of a ninja, Kakashi became a strict follower of the establishment and never questioned an order. This mentality would not change, even after finding new friends among his teammates, until the presumed death of Obito Uchicha, his best friend.

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Tragedy continues to befall him, with most of his other close friends dying, from his fellow teammate Rin to his teacher and parental figure, Minato. Despite this, Kakashi was always 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 deserved and fair

Kakashi Hatake Smartest characters in Naruto

Every achievement he achieved, from his early acceptance into the ANBU Corps to the creation of the Chidori, one of the most powerful Jutsu in the series, was a result of his dedication. It could be argued that the Sharingan he received from Obito before his death was not given to him through effort, but even that advantage came at a cost. Not only did his best friend have to die for him to get the Dojutsu, but he also couldn't use it effectively for long periods of time.

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Other characters, like Naruto and Sasuke, constantly got dramatic power-ups for no real 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 during the story. This fact makes it easy for fans to empathize and accept his strength, something that cannot be said for other characters.

Kakashi's lessons helped Naruto become a great ninja

The members of Team 7 stand together to take a picture.

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

Kakashi didn't judge Naruto for this; instead, he chose to be a role model for the boy, guiding him onto a better path. Without Hatake, the main character would never have grown into the commendable man he is today. His teacher did more than push him to grow as a ninja; he also showed him the love and attention that had been unfairly withheld. By the end of the series, Kakashi was more of a family member to Naruto than a simple mentor, similar to many of the teachers the blonde had throughout his life.

Kakashi's design is also top notch

Kakashi as seen during the beginning of the series, wearing a pair of watches.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)

His most identifiable features, his mask and hidden eye, seem like they would make it hard for the character to stand out, but they complement his personality and story perfectly. Kakashi's design proves that Kishimoto is not only a masterful writer but also a 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 missing from Boruto series for a long time, says a lot about how well written the character was.