Have you ever found yourself rewatching Naruto Shippuden and wondered about the ages of your favorite characters, or perhaps even a specific character like "Near"? It's a common query that pops up for fans, as the passage of time plays a crucial role in the series, marking growth, new abilities, and pivotal plot points. Understanding where each character stands in their life journey adds a rich layer to their individual stories and relationships.
Before we dive deep into the specific timelines of the Shinobi world, let's address a common point of confusion. If you've been searching for "How old is Near in Naruto Shippuden," you might be thinking of a character from another popular anime. Near is actually a prominent character from Death Note, not Naruto Shippuden. There is no character named Near in the Naruto universe. This flagship hub, however, is designed to be your definitive resource for all age-related questions concerning the beloved characters within Naruto Shippuden, ensuring you have accurate, comprehensive details at your fingertips.
From Naruto's own incredible transformation to the complex histories of the Akatsuki, knowing their ages helps us appreciate their development, struggles, and ultimate destinies. Get ready to uncover the detailed ages of every significant character throughout the epic journey of Naruto Shippuden.
Unpacking the Timeline: Naruto's Journey as Our Guide
The entire Naruto series unfolds across distinct time periods, making character ages a dynamic factor. Naruto Part 1 (often just "Naruto") covers the Genin days, while Naruto Shippuden (Part 2) picks up after a significant time skip, depicting the characters as teenagers and young adults facing global threats. Naruto Uzumaki himself serves as the best benchmark for the series' timeline, his birthday on October 10th marking key progression points.
He begins Part 1 at the age of 12, soon turning 13, a fact established by the 12-year gap since the Nine-Tails attack. The leap into Shippuden sees him return as a 15-year-old, a significant shift in both appearance and power. For most of the Shippuden saga, Naruto is 16, and eventually celebrates his 17th birthday during the intense Fourth Great Shinobi World War. To understand , explore his full growth from spirited Genin to powerful Hokage.
Team 7: The Core of Shippuden's Story
The bonds and rivalries within Team 7 are central to Naruto Shippuden. Observing their individual growth, both in power and maturity, often directly correlates with their advancing ages.
Sasuke Uchiha: The Path of Vengeance
Sasuke's journey is one of the most compelling, driven by a quest for revenge that leads him down a dark path. He starts Part 1 at a similar age to Naruto, 12 to 13, but by Shippuden, he's matured significantly. At the beginning of Part 2, Sasuke is 16, matching Naruto's age, and by the series' conclusion, he too reaches 17. For a complete breakdown of , discover how his age influenced his decisions and transformations.
Sakura Haruno: A Blossom of Strength
Sakura's development from a genin with a crush to a formidable medical ninja is incredible. Just like her teammates, she begins Part 1 at 12-13. During Shippuden, she is initially 15, making her slightly younger than Naruto and Sasuke for a period due to her March 28th birthday, before turning 16 and then 17 by the end of the war. Dive into the specifics of to see her journey of growth.
Kakashi Hatake: The Copy Ninja's Wisdom
Their beloved sensei, Kakashi, carries a much longer history of experience. He's already 26 years old at the start of Part 1, a seasoned Jonin with a legendary past. By the time Shippuden begins, he's 29, eventually reaching 31 by the series' conclusion. His wisdom and battle prowess are a testament to his years of service. Curious about ? Our dedicated guide covers his full timeline.
Konoha's Next Generation: Allies and Rivals
Beyond Team 7, the broader Konoha 11, Naruto's generation of ninja, also grew and matured alongside him. Their ages reflect the shared experiences and challenges of their shinobi lives.
- Hinata Hyūga: Hinata, a character beloved for her quiet strength and unwavering loyalty, shares a similar age progression. Starting Part 1 at 12-13, she is 16 throughout most of Shippuden due to her December 27th birthday, ensuring she remains the same age for a significant portion of the series. Discover more about and her journey.
- Neji Hyūga: The prodigy of the Hyūga clan, Neji, was slightly older, beginning Part 1 at 13-14. By Shippuden, he's between 17 and 18, his advanced age reflecting his early mastery. Understand to fully appreciate his profound character arc.
- Rock Lee: Lee, known for his relentless effort, also started Part 1 at 13-14. His age remained consistent at 17 throughout the entirety of Shippuden, a testament to his enduring spirit and youthful determination. Learn more about and his impactful role.
Legendary Figures and Antagonists: A Spectrum of Ages
The world of Naruto Shippuden is populated by individuals spanning many generations, each bringing a unique history and perspective to the unfolding narrative.
The Legendary Sannin and Their Successors
- Jiraiya: The eccentric but powerful Sannin, Jiraiya, was a seasoned 50-year-old in Part 1. His age had advanced to 54 by Part 2, and it was at this age that he met his tragic end. To fully grasp , our guide offers detailed insights into his final moments.
- Orochimaru: The enigmatic Sannin, Orochimaru, matched Jiraiya in experience, being 50-51 in Part 1. He maintained an age of 54 through Part 2, his pursuit of immortality blurring the lines of conventional aging. Explore to understand his complex journey.
- Tsunade Senju: The Fifth Hokage and medical genius, Tsunade, was 51 in Part 1. Her role as Hokage during Shippuden saw her age from 54 to 55, proving that age is no barrier to leadership and strength. Discover for her complete timeline.
Akatsuki, Uchiha Legacy, and Other Key Players
- Itachi Uchiha: Sasuke's elder brother, Itachi, carried a heavy burden. He was 17-18 in Part 1 during flashbacks and reveals. In Part 2, he was 20 at its beginning, tragically dying at the age of 21. Our comprehensive guide on sheds light on his poignant story.
- Gaara: The Fifth Kazekage, Gaara, underwent a profound transformation. He was 12 in Part 1, a fearsome Genin. By Shippuden, his age ranged from 15 to 17 as he bravely led Sunagakure. Trace through our detailed pillar.
- Madara Uchiha: A legendary figure, Madara was introduced in Part 2 at an astonishing age of 90, though his reappearance was due to resurrection. His age is a testament to the ancient history intertwined with the modern ninja world. For a deep dive into , explore his monumental impact.
- Obito Uchiha: A character with a hidden past, Obito was 13 during the Part 1 flashbacks. By Shippuden, his true identity revealed, he was between 32 and 34, a tragic figure shaped by decades of manipulation. Uncover and his complex history.
- Nagato: The leader of Akatsuki, known as Pain, Nagato was introduced in Part 2 as a 35-year-old, his experiences and losses etched into his formidable power. To understand the full scope of , our guide provides crucial context.
- Minato Namikaze: Naruto's father and the Fourth Hokage, Minato, died heroically to save Konoha before the start of Part 1, at the young age of 24. His impact, however, resonated through the entire series. Learn more about and his lasting legacy.
- Kabuto Yakushi: Orochimaru's loyal aide turned independent mastermind, Kabuto, was 19-20 in Part 1. He became a pivotal antagonist in Part 2, aging to between 23 and 24. His full story, including , offers a fascinating character study.
By understanding the ages and developmental stages of each character, you gain a deeper appreciation for their motivations, power levels, and how they fit into the grand tapestry of the Naruto Shippuden narrative. This hub serves as your go-to guide, offering dedicated explorations for every key figure in this legendary anime. Keep exploring to unlock more secrets of the Shinobi world!