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Who is Hotaru in Naruto? Explore the story of the kunoichi from Tsuchigumo Village, her abilities, her role in the story, and more.
Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto series is often hailed by fans as one of the greatest animanga series in the world. Apart from its impressive worldbuilding, the series has a wide and expansive cast of characters, each with their own stories and contributions to the overarching narrative.
The Naruto series has introduced some of the most unforgettable and iconic anime characters in the anime industry, including the likes of Madara Uchiha, Itachi Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, and the protagonist of the series himself, Naruto Uzumaki.
While fans worldwide are certainly familiar with these iconic figures, there are several side characters who, despite having an impactful contribution to the narrative, mostly remain unsung. One such character is Hotaru, a kunoichi of the Tsuchigumo Clan and a memorable part of the Naruto: Shippuden anime’s Six-Tails Unleashed arc.
Who is Hotaru in Naruto?
As mentioned earlier, Hotaru is a young kunoichi who was introduced in the Six-Tails Unleashed arc of the Naruto: Shippuden anime. Despite being a filler arc, it introduced several characters who fans fondly remember to this day.
Hotaru is a member of the Tsuchigumo Clan. It is a small and isolated shinobi clan, who are renowned for their once-formidable technique, aka kinjutsu. Hotaru is also the granddaughter of the former leader of the Tsuchigumo Clan, En no Gyoja. While Hotaru’s character isn’t as deeply explored as other prominent characters like Sakura Haruno or Sasuke Uchiha, she has been shown to be a kind-hearted and determined kunoichi.
She is also deeply loyal to her clan and their traditions. In spite of her clan’s decreasing influence, Hotaru was determined to carry on their legacy by asking her clan members to implant the kinjutsu on her back. Moreover, she possessed an unbreakable resolve, similar to Naruto Uzumaki, as she endlessly practiced all the techniques that her master, Utakata, taught her until she learned the basic mastery over them.
Hotaru’s Role in Naruto
In terms of her role in the overarching narrative, Hotaru is a minor character. Her appearance in the series was limited within the confines of a filler arc. However, many consider her relationship with Utakata to be the highlight of the arc. In fact, her overall character arc resonated with audiences worldwide, making her one of the most memorable side characters in Naruto.
In the Six-Tails Unleashed arc, Hotaru’s clan, i.e. the Tsuchigumo Clan, were once renowned for a formidable technique created by the clan’s leader, En no Gyoja. Apparently, it had the potential to wipe out an entire village. Due to the sheer destructive power of this kinjutsu, the Third Hokage negotiated a pact with the Tsuchigumo Clan to prevent the reckless usage of the technique.
Hotaru served as the guardian of this forbidden technique. She had it implanted on her back in order to carry on the legacy of her clan. This made her both a symbol of her clan’s legacy, as well as a target for those who wanted to exploit the kinjutsu’s power. She first came across Naruto Uzumaki and his team when they took on the task of protecting her and ensuring that the kinjutsu didn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Hotaru’s Powers and Abilities
While she didn’t possess any exceptional combat skills, Hotaru had the natural talent for being a shinobi. Initially, her grandfather and her previous mentor, Tonbee, had only taught her the basics of ninjutsu. However, she eventually managed to develop her skills after coming across Utakata, the jinchuriki of the Six-Tailed Beast.
Utakata had initially refused to be Hotaru’s master. That said, he eventually gave in and reluctantly started training her. Believing that she would not be able to master it, Utakata tasked Hotaru with learning to stand on top of water. However, Hotaru managed to master it by training all night, thus surprising her master.
Later on in their training, Utakata discovered that Hotaru possessed water-nature chakra. This allowed her to master the Water Release: Wild Water Wave technique pretty easily. As such, we can conclude that Hotaru is a naturally talented shinobi, given that she was even able to master the basics in chakra control and techniques in a short amount of time as well.
Hotaru’s Importance in Naruto
Hotaru’s importance in Naruto was significant only within the boundaries of a filler arc. Regardless of that, her character shone bright in the eyes of many. In fact, her relationship with her mentor, Utakata, is a particularly heartbreaking part of the Six-Tails Unleashed arc. It is also one of the most fondly remembered moments of the Naruto: Shippuden anime to this day.
Her character arc is a shining example that even the most minor characters in the Naruto universe can have compelling stories that resonates with audiences far and wide. Although her journey in the story is brief, her overall arc, especially its heartbreaking end, had a profound impact on fans.
Conclusion
Its no secret that the one thing that fans often dislike about the Naruto series is the surreal amount of filler episodes and story arcs. However, the Six-Tails Unleashed arc is an exception to this, as many deeply appreciate the story that unfolded in this arc. The tragic tale of Utakata and Hotaru’s relationship remains one of the series’ most gut-wrenching storylines, one that fans will likely remember fondly in the future as well.
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