Shonen anime are typically known for having an unrealistic amount of episodes of both filler and canon content as well as massive casts of characters to flesh out throughout those episodes. After all, series that are known for lasting upwards of several hundred episodes would eventually get boring if all the main characters go through their development too early on.
Naruto manages to thoughtfully flesh out just about all of its characters, even ones that don't get introduced in the most favorable way. Often, it's those who appear the least capable at first that end up blossoming into some of the strongest, most beloved characters in the entire franchise. Naruto's eventual wife, Hinata Hyuga and later Hinata Uzumaki, is a terrific example.
10 Hinata Stands Up To Neji Despite Knowing He's Stronger
The Chunin Exams arc is the first to give Hinata a substantial amount of growth. She goes from someone who's really only watched Naruto from the background to someone who actively gains his attention, though he still finds her a bit strange this early on.
She's pitted up against Neji, who holds an intense grudge against her for being born into the main house while he's a part of the branch family. She understands that she likely doesn't have any chance of winning against him, but does her best to stand up against him anyway, earning both Naruto's and fans' respect.
9 Hinata's Willing To Stand Against Pain To Protect Her Love
In the beginning, Hinata is an incredibly shy girl who has trouble feeling any semblance of confidence in herself. This isn't helped by how her family treats her, as she's ultimately deemed unworthy to be the heiress of the Hyuga Clan, and is passed over for her younger sister.
By the end of Shippuden, though, she's bloomed into someone who can stand up against life-threatening villains without flinching if those she cares about are in danger. This is best seen when she bravely stands up to defend Naruto from Pain despite Naruto begging her to leave for her own safety.
8 Hinata Recognizes Her Flaws & Works To Better Herself
Similar to Sakura, Hinata starts as someone who isn't sure of herself and has trouble handling herself on the battlefield. However, this is something that she's highly aware of from the very beginning, and she works tirelessly to improve herself.
While this development is much more prevalent in Shippuden, the classic series shows signs of her development as early as the Chunin Exams arc. After all, it's her desire to change herself into someone stronger that compels her to sign up along with her teammates in the first place.
7 Hinata Manages To Have A Healthy Relationship With Hanabi
It would be completely understandable if Hinata and Hanabi ended up having more of an antagonistic relationship. After all, they're pitted against each other by their father and forced to fight for the right to be the Hyuga Clan heiress, with Hinata ultimately losing to her younger sister.
Despite all of that, the two of them manage to retain a healthy relationship. Hanabi deeply cares for her elder sister and takes quite an interest in her relationship with Naruto as it develops. Likewise, Hinata is supportive of her younger sister, and doesn't hold a grudge against Hanabi.
6 Hinata Loves Her Family Despite Being Disinherited By Them
It would've been incredibly hard to blame Hinata if she chose to eventually cut ties with the Hyuga Clan for how they treated her. Not only was she passed over as the Hyuga Clan's heiress, but her father also went as far as to relinquish her entirely to the care of Kurenai.
Early on in her training, her family believed that she was a lost cause who wouldn't be able to amount to anything. Despite all of this negativity, Hinata's kind heart allows her to maintain a cordial relationship with them, going as far as to agree to an arranged marriage in order to save her younger sister.
5 Hinata Proves Herself To Her Clan, Restoring Their Belief In Her
It would have been understandable if Hinata succumbed to despair and stopped trying entirely after the falling-out she has with her family. She actually almost does, but Naruto's influence and his unwavering determination despite having an even harder life keep her going.
Although a large chunk of her development isn't until Shippuden, by the end of Part One, it's noted that her family's faith in her is restored and strengthened. She truly takes Naruto's ninja way to heart and begins to improve herself, which becomes evident to those around her.
4 Hinata Helps Lifts Naruto's Spirits Before His Fight Against Neji
Hinata has always admired Naruto's can-do, never-give-up attitude, even in the face of certain adversity. This is part of why she initially seems so shocked when the two talk before his Tournament fight against Neji, and he admits to her that he acts tough to cover up the fact that he feels like a failure.
Hinata immediately shoots back that she sees him as a "proud failure" before explaining herself further, saying that it's not about how many times he falls, but how many times he's willing to pick himself back up. Her speech sparks newfound inspiration in him. It's also the first time he admits he likes people like her.
3 Hinata Sees Through & Calls Out Neji During Their Fight
During her fight against Neji, Hinata subjects herself to a ton of internal suffering, as Neji is an incredibly talented shinobi who also holds a grudge against the main branch of the family. Because of this, he doesn't hesitate, even directly striking her heart at one point. As she struggles to her feet, he insists that she give up, since all she's doing is worsening her own suffering.
Hinata sees through Neji's cruelty, shooting back that it's actually him who's suffering the most since he's caught in the conflict between the main and branch family instead of living for himself. It's one of the first moments she truly stands up for herself, and it's clear that she's correct, as Neji tries to lash out in anger despite their fight already being over at this point.
2 Hinata Comes Up With A Plan To Hopefully Locate Sasuke
In the anime, it's shown to greatly affect Hinata just how distraught Naruto is after Sasuke defects from the village. At her insistence, her team devises a plan to hopefully locate Sasuke, using a rare beetle that has the ability to track him by scent.
Of course, because this plan is little more than anime-only filler, it doesn't work out in the end. It still shows a ton of initiative on Hinata's part, which is something she hadn't really displayed before this point.
1 Hinata Pulls Naruto Out Of Despair Despite Grieving Herself
By the time the Fourth Shinobi War rolls around, Hinata's resilience and fortitude have evolved to a point where they can match — or even exceed — Naruto's. After losing Neji, all the war's hardships start weighing on Naruto, to the point where he almost gives up fighting entirely.
However, Hinata is able to give him a firm slap in order to bring him back to reality. She reminds him that Neji was only following the ninja way he'd chosen for himself — to never let his friends die. Hinata goes on to say they both have their own ninja way to uphold as well, which is enough to convince him to continue the fight.