What happened to Anko after Naruto? Explained

Among the many characters introduced in Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto, Anko Mitarashi stands out as a memorable and beloved figure. With a vast and diverse cast of characters, this series boasts one of the largest character rosters, each with their own distinct personalities and roles throughout the show. Anko Mitarashi is just one of the many faces that fans have come to love and remember.

After the events of the original series, Anko continues her role as a Jonin and becomes an instructor at the Konohagakure Academy, where she imparts her knowledge and skills to the next generation of ninja. She shares a similar personality to Naruto Uzumaki, characterized by her loud, stubborn, and rash nature. However, beneath this exterior, she maintains a strong dedication to her village and mission, often choosing to face threats alone to protect her allies and allow time for backup to arrive.

What Happened to Anko After Naruto?

As previously stated, after the events of the original series, Anko made the decision to become an instructor at the Konohagakure Academy. This occurred approximately 10 years following the Fourth Shinobi World War. Alongside fellow shinobi such as Shino Aburame, Moegi Kazamatsuri, Hanabi Hyuga, Udon Ise, and others, she assumed the vital role of training and guiding the future generation of Shinobi.

Despite the lack of information about her after the events of Naruto, it was revealed that she played a role in proctoring Phase II of the Chunin Exams in Konohagakure. During this time, she encountered Orochimaru’s clone and reported his infiltration to the Third Hokage. She continued to make appearances in minor arcs throughout the main story.

In Naruto: Shippuden, she is featured prominently in two major events during the Fourth Shinobi World War. In the first, titled Countdown, she successfully locates the Mountains’ Graveyard and reports her findings to the Leaf’s superiors. In the second event, Confrontation, she engages in a battle against Kabuto and ultimately loses after he absorbs the chakra from her Cursed Seal to increase his strength. Throughout the war, her primary role was focused on reconnaissance.

Anko’s Status in Boruto

Anko Mitarashi in Boruto (Image via Pierrot)

Despite facing death during the Fourth Shinobi World War, Anko Mitarashi was one of the few supporting characters who survived and continued on to the next installment of the series, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. As an academy instructor, she was responsible for training the next generation of Shinobi. Throughout the sequel, Anko appears in various arcs, fulfilling her role as a mentor for the young Shinobi.

During the Academy Entrance Arc, my first appearance at the academy, I reprimanded students for their misbehavior. In the School Trip Arc, I accompanied Shino to meet Mei and discuss the growing conflict between the Land of Water and its neighboring countries. In the Graduation Exams Arc, I teamed up with Shino and Konohamaru to test the students’ abilities. In the Mujina Bandits Arc, I captained a team consisting of Himawari Uzumaki, Yuina Itomaki, and Eho Norimaki. In the Ao Arc and the Kawaki & Himawari Arc, I helped with a terrorist threat and listened to Hana’s explanation.

Anko’s Role in the Original Series, Explained

Despite being a supporting character in the original series, Anko played a pivotal role during the Chunin Exams. As the examiner in charge, she was given the most screen time and led the genin to the Forest of Death. During this second stage, Anko not only explained the rules but also warned them of the dangers they would encounter in the forest.

After discovering three deceased Kusa-nin without faces, she was the one who determined that Orochimaru had secretly entered the exams. Anko then shared this information with the Third Hokage, who then deployed two Anbu teams and sent her to search for Orochimaru.

While wandering, she unexpectedly encounters his duplicate who activates her dormant Cursed Seal of Heaven, causing excruciating agony. Despite this, Anko is able to find the Third Hokage who tends to her and receives valuable intel from Orochimaru through her. From then on, she joins him for the rest of the exams and makes brief appearances in other key events of the story.