Konohamaru Sarutobi is one of the side characters in Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto. He takes up a bigger role in the Boruto series. As a shinobi of Konohagakure, Konohamaru is highly skilled by adulthood and reaches the rank of Jonin. He's also Naruto Uzumaki's apprentice and aims to become the next Hokage of the village.

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While Konohamaru is certainly an incredible shinobi and has a lovable personality, no character in Naruto is perfect. He certainly has flaws that affect his likability by quite a margin.

10 Konohamaru Sarutobi Loses Most Of The Fights He Takes Part In

Konohamaru vs Koji Kashin

Konohamaru has taken a big responsibility in Boruto and as the leader of Team 7, he is supposed to set an example for his team by defeating those he comes up against. Sadly, Konohamaru hardly ever does that.

Most of the fights that he takes part in end in his defeat. Although he's been a Jonin for quite a long time, he's underperformed, which has frustrated fans quite a lot at times.

9 Konohamaru Lets His Students Outshine Him

Images feature Konohamaru, Boruto and Sarada

Konohamaru is Team 7's leader, which includes Boruto Uzumaki, Sarada Uchiha, Mitsuki, and now, Kawaki as well. A Jonin leader is supposed to lead from the front and teach his students how to be proper shinobi. In Konohamaru's case, this rarely happens.

Most of the time, Konohamaru ends up being outshined by his underlings, which further undermines his role as the Jonin leader of the team.

8 He Failed To Defeat Kara Outers

Boruto Ao

In Boruto's Ao arc, Konohamaru Sarutobi faced Ao, a former Jonin of Kirigakure, who was now working for Kara. Despite being capable back in the day, Ao wasn't strong enough to break into the Inners of the group, meaning he was a disposable pawn to the Inners.

Even then, Konohamaru Sarutobi struggled against him in the fight and was even knocked out. It was Boruto Uzumaki who ended up defeating Ao, and Kashin Koji who ended up killing him.

7 Konohamaru Sarutobi Offers Nothing Unique That Fans Haven't Seen Already

Konohamaru Rasengan

As a Jonin, Konohamaru should have Jutsued up his sleeves that make him worthy of the rank. So far, he's shown nothing but things that have already been seen long ago. He's still a user of the same Rasengan that took down one of the Pain, and his Jutsu are very similar to those of Naruto Uzumaki.

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He can summon toads, which other characters do as well. He can also summon Enra, but again, it's another copy of Hiruzen using Enma. So far, nothing about him is unique, which is very disappointing and thus affects his likability.

6 Konohamaru Has A Weak Arsenal Of Ninjutsu

Konohamaru Sarutobi stands with his arms crossed and a forest in the background

As a Jonin, Konohamaru Sarutobi knows more than one nature type. So far, he's shown himself to be a capable user of Wind Release, Fire Release, and in the anime, Lightning Release. Despite having these nature types, Konohamaru hardly ever utilizes them on a great scale.

The only time he uses Wind Release is with his Rasengan and his Fire Release arsenal isn't strong enough to take on the elites of the Naruto world. Undoubtedly, Konohamaru has a very disappointing array of Ninjutsu so far.

5 He Can't Match Up To Kakashi Hatake

Konohamaru and Boruto

Kakashi Hatake set great standards for what a Jonin leader should be like in Naruto. As the most important person in this role, Kakashi was pivotal to the plot and also to the growth of his underlings. Sadly, Konohamaru does neither of those things.

So far, he's hardly proven himself to be a shinobi worthy of being compared to the Copy Ninja. The standards that Kakashi Hatake set are too high for him to reach and Konohamaru just isn't at that level yet.

4 He Lacks The Qualities Of A Great Leader

Konohamaru saves Kiri in Boruto

As a leader, Konohamaru is certainly decent. He takes charge of the situation when the need arises, but he always falls short. For someone occupying his position, being average isn't an option.

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Konohamaru certainly needs to be a cut above every other Jonin in the village and prove himself to be a great leader. What's more, like Kakashi, he should willingly be throwing himself in harm's way to protect his students, but he's hardly ever done that, especially in the manga.

3 Konohamaru Sarutobi Isn't Involved In The Main Plot

Konohamaru Sarutobi In The Manga

As the leader of Team 7, Konohamaru should certainly be playing a big role in the manga; however, he is hardly around when his team needs him. Most of the time, he ends up being occupied with something else or just isn't deemed necessary to be written into the plot.

Undoubtedly, this is frustrating for the fans, who had great expectations from him. When Team 7 fought Boro, he was nowhere to be seen, and similarly, when Isshiki Otsutsuki attacked, Konohamaru was, once again, not involved.

2 He Isn't Hokage Material Yet

Naruto Uzumaki and Konohamaru Sarutobi

Just like his idol and mentor, Naruto Uzumaki, Konohamaru Sarutobi aims to become the Hokage one day. His goal is certainly a grand one and to reach those heights, he has to produce something that sets him apart from the rest. However, he isn't at the level as of yet.

Konohamaru can't even take on Kara Outers in battle without having trouble, meaning taking care of Konohagakure as a whole is beyond his skills. Thankfully, he still has room to grow as a ninja.

1 He's Barely Helped Kawaki So Far

Ino And Kawaki At Yamanaki Flowers

Konohamaru is an example to the likes of Boruto Uzumaki, Sarada Uchiha, and Mitsuki. However, when it comes to Kawaki, he's hardly been of help. Despite him being a young boy who's a victim of abuse, Konohamaru hasn't done what a leader should do, and hasn't helped him.

Without a doubt, he could've made a bigger effort in helping Kawaki settle and take care of him along with Naruto Uzumaki, but he's not made the effort despite being responsible for him as his Jonin leader.

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