The "Sasuke Retrieval" arc of Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto brims with colorful side characters and expendable villains. While most of the side characters go on to leave an impact, their opposition is mostly forgettable. However, one villain introduced late into the arc, Kimimaro, is a game changer who bucks this trend and stands among high-tier shonen antagonists. His presence at the end of this storyline is refreshing and memorable, albeit short-lived.
Kimimaro quickly upstages the Sound Four, early Kabuto and Orochimaru's other cronies. His design, power and tragic tale established that he was a character to keep an eye on. When Kishimoto reveals that Kimimaro would have been Orochimaru's new body (rather than Sasuke) were it not for his illness, it becomes evident Kimimaro will be a formidable force.
Kishimoto found the perfect set of factors for Kimimaro to enter late in the game and make a lasting impact in and out of Naruto's story. Naruto ran out of supporters while pursuing Sasuke and the Sound Four, so his one-on-one with Sasuke seemed unavoidable. When Kimimaro blocked Naruto's path, it seemed like the fateful collision with Sasuke would have to wait while the protagonist dealt with equally powerful Kimimaro.
Rock Lee and Gaara combining forces to confront Kimimaro and free Naruto to continue his never-ending pursuit of Sasuke adds so much hype to Kimimaro's final stand. In the face of such terrifying opposition, Lee and Gaara make amends and utilize all they have to endure the villain's onslaught. Gaara and Lee had shown themselves to be among the upper echelon in Naruto, but Kimimaro pushed them to their limits.
Between the demon-like cursed mark form and his unsettling bone powers, Naruto's Kimimaro is straight out of a horror franchise. The sounds and visuals of him manipulating and manifesting his skeleton in a violent fight walked a fine line between impressive and repulsive. However, Gaara's overwhelming and near-impenetrable sand isn't enough to overcome Kimimaro, who prevails thanks to motivation stemming from his devotion to his master and cause.
Watching these top-tier ninjas succumb to the relentlessness of Kimimaro's attacks is distressing. Were the fates in his favor and he wasn't on his deathbed, the extent of Kimimaro's potential powers would be among the best. Instead, the scene of a desperate demon emerging from an endless field of razor-sharp bones with an enormous ivory lance is unforgettable.
While his time in Naruto may have been short, Kimimaro's appearance is powerful, unforgettable and full of the lost potential of a legend that passed too early. Kishimoto built the proper air of mystique for Kimimaro while establishing his glory by comparing him to some of the strongest characters and contrasting him to lesser antagonists. While it would be brilliant to see the extent of Kimimaro's potential, his character wouldn't have been as impactful were his time not ephemeral.