Kakashi Hatake is one of Naruto's most adored characters for a reason. In addition to a compelling and well-developed personality, he is a strong and talented shinobi with a sad history who prioritizes teamwork and loyalty above all else. He also has his flaws and struggles as a real person would, but this only adds to his rounded characterization.
As Team 7's first mentor, Kakashi plays an integral role as one of the show's first guides into the shinobi lifestyle. Even outside this, his persona is so likable, and he has so many great moments that viewers continue to want to know more about his character, even after the anime's ending.
Spoilers ahead!
10 The Land Of Waves Arc Demonstrates His Skills And Tools
The first fight with Zabuza during Team 7's mission to the Land of Waves is the first time viewers see Kakashi's full abilities as the legendary Copy Ninja. His Sharingan is displayed, and he uses both strategy and manipulation in combat. When Zabuza returns, this time with Haku to keep Naruto and Sasuke busy, Kakashi uses his Summoning Jutsu to call his ninken and scent his nemesis through the fog.
This arc also shows viewers the toll that Kakashi's abilities have on him: he immediately faints when the first fight concludes since the Sharingan drains his chakra. This means he is powerful but not invincible, foreshadows his Sharingan's original circumstances, and answers the question of why he keeps it covered.
9 His Similarity To Sasuke Deepens His Character While Also Distinguishing It From His Student
Following Sasuke and Naruto's duel on the hospital rooftop, Kakashi lectures Sasuke over aiming the Chidori at a comrade. He sternly advises his student to give up on revenge since it never ends well. When Sasuke claims Kakashi could only understand if he himself also loses everyone important to him, Kakashi responds that this has already happened.
Kakashi's backstory even shows that his respective role on his team was similar to Sasuke's. These similarities make their differences stand out since Kakashi has a similar character and history, yet he never betrays Konoha or places his pain over everything else. This comparison stuns Sasuke and even briefly makes him question his stance.
8 He Has An Amusing Interest Outside Of Being A Shinobi
Kakashi's love for the Icha Icha series is a memorable running gag for contrasting with his quiet personality and top-notch ninja skills. Though serious on the battlefield, his preference in reading material makes him endearing. Even on missions and during training, he can be seen reading, and he is even shown sleeping with the book on his face.
This fanboy mentality extends to supplementary Icha Icha properties. During the first filler where Team 7 tries to see beneath his mask, they witness Kakashi's glee over the ad for an upcoming Icha Icha film adaptation, and he is also starstruck when the princess/actress they save in Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow is cast for said Icha Icha movie.
7 His Friendship/Rivalry With Guy Is One Of The Series' Best
Rivalries are a common occurrence in Naruto with the idea being that both sides challenge the other to improve. But unlike Sasuke and Naruto, or Kakashi and Obito, the competition between Guy and Kakashi lacks negative undertones. Instead, any challenge between the two is comical, amusing, and good-natured.
They can easily be considered good friends alongside their rivalry, something that is more in doubt with other duos. From races to paper-scissors-rock matches to eating contests, any competition between Guy and Kakashi is entertaining, and neither side takes it personally when enduring a loss. Guy's presence is also one of Kakashi's few connections that prevented him from spiraling during a darker time in his life.
6 Fillers Center On His Choice To Wear A Mask
Kakashi's choice of wardrobe lends him a layer of mystique since his entire face is almost never visible. The anime took advantage of this by centering two filler episodes on Team 7 trying to catch a glimpse of his actual features. Both episodes end in failure for the younger ninja, although the viewer is privy to his actual appearance toward the end of the second.
Kakashi also never reveals why he chooses to wear a mask. Flashbacks to him as a child even show him with one. According to Kenji Taira's Naruto spin-off Rock Lee's Springtime of Youth Full Power Ninja Chronicles, the reason is to cover up the anime nosebleeds he gets from reading his adult romance Icha Icha novels.
5 He Has A Dynamic And Tragic Backstory
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Life has not been kind to Kakashi. He was forced to confront his father's suicide at a young age. Then, he lost his teammates within a year. Obito evidently died during a mission, and he himself unintentionally killed Rin. Minato had him assigned to ANBU Black Ops as a young teen to get his mind off his loss, which only exposed him to further darkness.
Minato and his wife Kushina then sacrificed themselves to seal the Nine-Tails, and Kakashi was left alone to deal with grief and the PTSD from Rin's death. It is only after his leaving ANBU, his reassignment as a Jonin instructor, and his training of Team 7 that Kakashi begins to heal.
4 He Holds His Own Against An Enemy That Killed His Fellow Jonin
After the death of Asuma Sarotobi, Kakashi accompanies Team 10 on a mission to avenge their mentor. Akatsuki members Hidan, with his immortality, and Kakazu, with his multiple hearts, turn out to be difficult foes, and Kakashi is forced to battle for his life.
Even though Kakashi is clearly stretched to his limits, with Yamato even stating how his physical state reflects this, this fight is one of Kakashi's best in the show. He improvises several times, his kunai skills and dexterity are stellar, and he cleverly utilizes diverse jutsu against his opponent.
3 His Compelling Character Arc Does Not Cease With The Past
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The anime delves into Kakashi's past to show how losing his father made his ninja philosophy rigid and how Obito's words changed this after Kakashi gave up on Rin during a mission. He retains this lesson even after losing both teammates, and gradually, especially after leaving ANBU, he becomes kinder, more relaxed, and even goofy.
With Team 7, now given context with his Shippuden backstory, Kakashi shows signs of being able to bond again. During the war, Kakashi is aghast at Obito's reveal, but this and Obito's own redemption allow Kakashi to finally move on from his demons and live his life instead of wallowing in guilt or existing as a memorial to Obito's memory.
2 His Battle With Obito Is Iconic
Kakashi is shell-shocked at Obito's reveal as Tobi during the Fourth Great Shinobi War to the point of catatonia. But soon, he overcomes this thanks to Naruto and engages in battle with his former teammate. This is another one of Kakashi's best fights in the show, and what makes it distinctive is the friends-turned-foes dramatic tone, making it very similar to Naruto and Sasuke's duel at the Valley of the End.
The anime's editing adds extra tragedy points as it juxtaposes the two dueling and interacting as friends in their younger years with the enemies they have become as they fight with murderous intent.
1 He Gets The Ending He Deserves
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In spite of his misgivings and lackadaisical attitude, Kakashi's qualifications and loyalties are rewarded and recognized at the end of Shippuden when he is elected to the Hidden Leaf's leadership post as the Sixth Hokage. Kakashi has also started to be at peace with himself after the war and is moving on from his past.
By the time Boruto happens, Kakashi has stepped down from the Hokage post and gladly relinquished its responsibilities to Naruto. While Kakashi is officially retired, his shinobi abilities are as sharp as ever. He seems much more relaxed in his daily life, this time natural, instead of trying to evoke Obito.