While the Naruto The franchise has evolved from a property based on crude jokes and levity to something more serious and political. This surprised fans who didn't see the sudden change coming; one that honestly made the property better. It did a lot to set it apart from its contemporaries of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The anime, in particular, had a different spin than the manga, splitting Naruto's run into two blocks.

First came the popular Naruto series where he was a child honing his craft. It ended with Sasuke leaving Konoha to become a terrorist. Secondly, Naruto Shippuden dealt with Naruto losing his playful side and training as a leader in his teens. However, Naruto wasn't the only person to shine. Here's a list of heroes and villains who improved drastically, with major upgrades that overshadowed even Naruto's growth.

10 Lady Tsunade has become a fearsome leader

Tsunade has finally accepted her Senju heritage.

• Tsunade debuted in Naruto Chapter # 139 in 2002.
• Tsunade debuted in Naruto Episode #83 in 2004.

Lady Tsunade assumed the role of Hokage after Orochimaru killed Sarutobi Hiruzen (the Third Hokage). The Shippuden The era saw her step more into the battlefield, however. She was more assertive in her role, stood up to Naruto's immaturity, and worked with Jiraiya to learn more about the Akatsuki. But she knew she needed to take a bigger step in the face of the threats that were coming.

She wasn't the drunken gambler she once was, or someone who took the mantle just because her grandfather was Senju Hashirama (the First Hokage and founder of Konoha). Tsunade accepted that the Hidden Leaf's Will of Fire was in her blood. She became much more authoritative, fighting on the front lines and making even Uchiha Madara admit that she was worthy of the mantle. This was the warrior many of her fans had been waiting to see; one her grandfather would have been proud of.

9 Might Guy has transformed into a huge weapon

Guy unleashed destructive power

• Might Guy debuted in Naruto Chapter #38 in 2000.
• Might Guy debuted in Naruto Episode #21 in 2003.

Might Guy's protégé Rock Lee showed just how powerful taijutsu could be in the Chunin Exams. But Might Guy didn't really get into the act. He mostly did most of the talking behind the scenes and joked that he was better than Kakashi. He seemed like comic relief and comedic foil more than anything.

THE Shippuden was, however, caused Guy to unleash more power when he joined the alliance. He eventually fought Madara, wounding the divine tyrant. Guy did this by unlocking all Eight Gates, granting him enormous chakra and transforming him into a superhuman weapon. This culminated in a Shippuden change that showed he could do the same, and not just talk the talk. Guy didn't win, but a mistreated Madara showed immense respect. This left Guy in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. But to this day, fans see Guy's arc and that fight as one of the Naruto better, aging like wine too.

8 Uchiha Itachi has changed from mythical status

Itachi finally illustrated his true strength

• Itachi debuted in Naruto Chapter # 139 in 2002.
• Itachi debuted in Naruto Episode #180 in 2004.

Pre-Shippuden, Itachi was the Akatsuki agent that Sasuke wanted dead for massacring the Uchiha clan. Itachi bullied his younger brother a few times, warning him to improve. Vir ShippudenFans learned more about Itachi's role, how he was really disguised, why he killed his treacherous clan, and how he just wanted Sasuke to become a hero.

Shippuden added depth and dimension to Itachi. Even after he died, he was resurrected by Kabuto, only to end up working with Naruto. Fans saw a more human side to Itachi. This led many to question why he was the best hero in the franchise. He was torn apart by duty, with Shippuden illuminating the difficult choices and sacrifices he had to make. In the end, he proved that his true strength was not his Sharingan, his genjutsu techniques, or brute physical strength: it was his heart.

7 Yakushi Kabuto has finally become a true villain

Kabuto stepped out of Orochimaru's shadow

• Kabuto debuted in Naruto Chapter #39 in 2000.
• Kabuto debuted in Naruto Episode #23 in 2003.

THE Naruto era had Kabuto playing second fiddle to Orochimaru. He assisted the villain in several scientific experiments, centered around capturing Sasuke. But come Shippuden, Kabuto moved into the next gear. He was already separated from Orochimaru.

But Shippuden made him his own person. Kabuto changed his appearance, attitude, and overall demeanor. He even became a snake ninja. Kabuto resurrected Itachi, the Hokages, and other important instruments of destruction, without realizing that he was being manipulated by Kaguya's minions. That being said, even Naruto realized that Kabuto might have to die if the shinobi world was to be saved. Fortunately, Kabuto switched sides and redeemed himself.

6 Orochimaru has stepped up his sinister antics

The Main Snake Ninja went after Itachi

• Orochimaru debuted in Naruto Chapter #45 in 2000.
• Orochimaru debuted in Naruto Episode #27 in 2003.

THE Naruto era had Orochimaru attacking Konoha, killing Hiruzen (his former mentor) and placing a Cursed Seal on Sasuke. However, it felt derivative and generic. Shippuden stirred things up by having him hunt Itachi. This led to a brutal fight within the Akatsuki ranks.

Orochimaru then formed his own terrorist cell and motivated Sasuke to become a greater monster if he wanted to change the world. This made Orochimaru a villain of principles and philosophy. This kind of symbolism was something Naruto would struggle to break, especially since it further corrupted Sasuke's mind and his thirst for power, order, and control. Orochimaru became an unpleasant father, similar to Emperor Palpatine twisting Darth Vader. He would also atone, but his brilliance is why people are skeptical of him in the first place. Boruto history.

5 Sarutobi Konohamaru has transformed into a beginner warrior

Naruto's protégé learned more about the purpose

• Konohamaru debuted in Naruto Chapter # 2 in 1999.
• Konohamaru debuted in Naruto Episode 2 in 2002.

Konohamaru was the little boy who kept challenging Naruto. He was Naruto's younger 'brother' and Hiruzen's grandson. He hated how his life was defined by loss, as he also endured the death of his uncle Asuma against the Akatsuki. But he was so aggressive and didn't really understand what was going on around him.

Shippuden had Naruto educate him more about destiny, honor, and the Hokage code. This is what Konohamaru wanted to become in the future. There were more sentimental moments, including captivating training scenes that made Konohamaru grow wiser. In time, he mastered the Rasengan and used it against Pain and the Akatsuki. This informed Konohamaru's identity and ideals, which now have him as a full-fledged senior shinobi in the Boruto was.

4 Hyūga Neji became more heroic

Neji's evolution changed Naruto for the better

• Neji debuted in Naruto Chapter #36 in 2000.
• Neji debuted in Naruto Episode #21 in 2003.

Neji was a rival that Naruto defeated during the Chunin Exams. Shippuden capitalized on Neji's potential, eliminating his arrogant side and making him care more for Naruto. Neji also grew closer to Hinata (his cousin) and helped spark the romance between her and Naruto.

Unfortunately, Neji died fighting the Ten Tails. This unlocked a new side of Naruto in the field as he realized how high the stakes were. When Naruto grew up and became Hokage, he credited Neji's wiser side as a major catalyst in his development. This is why Boruto was happy to meet Neji in the Time Slip arc and understand this. Shippuden legend on my mother's side a little more.

3 Haruno Sakura unlocked more inner power

Sakura broke the clichés and stigmas of fans

• Sakura debuted in Naruto Chapter #3 in 1999.
• Sakura debuted in Naruto Episode #1 in 2002.

Sakura was more or less a support for Naruto and Sasuke on Team 7. Shippuden The stories, however, made her unleash more power and strength when she became Tsunade's apprentice. Sakura took more advantage of her chakra abilities, her talents as a medical ninja, and kept the alliance strong in Kaguya's fights.

She even managed to break Akatsuki members like Sasori and was instrumental in stopping the Rabbit Princess. Without her, Sasuke and Naruto would have died in battle. It was a clever turnaround from creator Masashi Kishimoto and his creative team after severely underestimating her talents as a kunoichi. It may not have completely solved the franchise's feminist issues, but it was a welcome progression.

2 Nara Shikamaru has found his inner fighter

Shikamaru lost his lazy side at the best time

• Shikamaru debuted in Naruto Chapter #34 in 2000.
• Shikamaru debuted in Naruto Episode #1 in 2002.

THE Naruto was had Shikamaru as a lazy, spoiled brat who didn't like being a soldier. The Shippuden era changed that. After losing his teacher, Asuma, Shikamaru became Naruto's right-hand man. He knew the gravity of the situation, so he worked to shut down Akatsuki.

Shikamaru became more of a leader; someone Naruto trusted for strategy. Even when he and Ino lost their parents in the war, Shikamaru rallied everyone together. Fans saw a mental fortitude that even Shikamaru didn't know he had. This is why he eventually became Naruto's advisor and a Hokage in the Boruto: Two Blue Vortexes was. It's all due to the baptism of fire that Shippuden became.

1 Sasuke has reached his complete form

The Uchiha Warrior Upgraded to a God

• Sasuke debuted in Naruto Chapter #3 in 1999.
• Sasuke debuted in Naruto Episode #1 in 2002.

Now, many would say that Sasuke didn't shine. But he really did. In Naruto At the time, he was just a grumpy teenager, taking advantage of his innate tools due to his DNA. This included the Chidori, his Sharingan, etc. But in order to fight Naruto (who had Kurama inside him) and Kaguya's minions, Sasuke needed to upgrade to a god mode - one that not even Itachi had evolved to. Otherwise, he would remain one-dimensional and layerless.

Sasuke used Orochimaru's science, the Uchiha's sacred tablets, and eventually his Rinnegan, to become a powerful villain. He became the Second Coming of Madara, which was reflected in his clothing, his sword, the founding of his Taka squad, and how he manipulated Naruto. In short, the boy of few words became a man spewing terrifying speeches. Fortunately, Naruto stopped him. If that hadn't happened, Sasuke would have done what Kaguya wanted and enslaved the world. Sasuke's change made him feel fresh, nuanced, and like someone who could defeat Naruto.