Kishimoto’s Possible Inspiration for Key Characters in Naruto: The 7 Deadly Sins

The Naruto series has gained widespread recognition for its depiction of various philosophies and its examination of the impact of warfare and trauma on individuals. However, the series’ antagonists are particularly captivating. While there are multiple villains throughout the Naruto series, characters such as Madara, Orochimaru, and rogue Sasuke stand out for their immense popularity, complexity, and reception.

As there are many well-crafted villains in this series, numerous fans have speculated that Kishimoto may have drawn inspiration from a particular group. It is evident that the majority of these prominent villains represent a unique trait or person from that group.

Please be advised that this article contains major spoilers for the Naruto series.

Naruto: The Seven Deadly Sins

In recent times, several fans of Naruto and Boruto have put forth theories and connections between the villains in Naruto and the seven deadly sins. The concept of the seven deadly sins has been a source of inspiration in multiple anime, with one series even being named “The Seven Deadly Sins.”The original concept of the seven deadly sins encompasses pride, envy, wrath, gluttony, lust, sloth, and greed, all of which perfectly align with the characteristics of numerous Naruto villains.

Despite his initial motivations of seeking revenge on Itachi, whom he held responsible for the destruction of his clan, Sasuke’s character arc ultimately leads him to embody the sin of wrath. His growing anger and bitterness drive him down a dark path, causing him to extend his targets beyond Itachi.

Consumed by rage, Sasuke directs his wrath towards Konoha, convinced that the village is to blame for his clan’s tragic fate. This all-consuming anger compels him to take drastic actions, such as aligning himself with the criminal group Akatsuki, betraying those closest to him, and plotting the downfall of the Hidden Leaf Village.

Despite his introduction at the beginning of the Boruto series, Momoshiki Otsutsuki is considered a newer Otsutsuki villain, potentially embodying the sin of sloth due to his heavy reliance on his jutsu absorbing abilities. His appearances consistently showcase his tendency to effortlessly consume chakra fruits and absorb chakra from others to gain power.

Despite his actions, Momoshiki still considers the shinobi ideals and methods to be pointless. He has currently sealed himself within Boruto in order to harness the young ninja’s increasing power and eventually possess his body, highlighting his inherent laziness.

As one of the two children of the Sage of Six Paths and an early follower of the ninja path, Indra, the founder of the Uchiha clan, may represent the sin of jealousy. Despite his superior skills, Asura ultimately inherited their father’s teachings.

The entire situation caused Indra to become envious and hateful, leading to a war between himself and Asura that lasted for generations. This conflict was carried on by their subsequent reincarnations until it was ultimately ended by the current incarnations of Indra and Asura, Sasuke and Naruto.

Indra as shown in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Madara Uchiha could be said to embody the sin of pride, as evidenced by his actions. His story began with the loss of his brother and the oppression of his people. Despite the Uchiha clan being accepted into the Hidden Leaf Village, Madara chose to depart and pursue his own agenda, the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan. This decision was driven by his savior complex, causing him to ignore the perspectives and input of other shinobi and instead rely solely on his own, a clear demonstration of his pride.

Rasa, the fourth Kazekage and father of Gaara, was undoubtedly guilty of the sin of greed. His entire narrative revolved around amassing riches and materials for his struggling village, disregarding all else. It was Rasa who instructed Chiyo to seal Shukaku within his own son, Gaara.

Despite being the cause of Gaara’s mother’s death during his birth and his poor treatment of Gaara which resulted in his ostracization from the village, Rasa’s actions also led to the death of Pakura, whom he sacrificed in a ploy. In essence, Rasa’s greed is ultimately responsible for many of the struggles faced by Gaara and the other members of Sunagakure.

Orochimaru as shown in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Hidan, as a minor villain, was primarily responsible for Asuma’s death and served as a catalyst for Shikamaru’s character growth. However, he also served as a means to introduce the corrupt Jashin religion and its practices, which revolve around sacrificing humans and experiencing intense pleasure and gratification through them.

Hidan’s entire persona can be described as a fanatical devotee who derives great satisfaction from engaging in human sacrifice, bloodshed, and violence. His inherent tendencies constantly feed his insatiable desire for bloodshed, making him a manifestation of the sin of gluttony.

Despite initially seeking immortality out of a genuine fear of death, Orochimaru, the primary antagonist in the Naruto series, ultimately succumbed to the sin of lust. His relentless pursuit of knowledge and power through his cruel and immoral research eventually consumed him, causing him to disregard morality and human decency. As a result, he became the embodiment of lust in the series.

Final Thoughts

Despite fans’ theories about the potential influence of the Seven Deadly Sins on Naruto villains, the true inspirations behind them remain a mystery. While these parallels are fascinating, they are merely speculations. The Seven Deadly Sins have been a common trope in various anime, making it possible that Kishimoto may have incorporated elements of them into his villains. However, without direct confirmation from the creator, we cannot definitively state their influence. It is intriguing to delve into these connections, but they should be considered as conjectures.