In Naruto, the titular character has realistic and lovable mentors who only want to help him succeed. His first mentor is Iruka, although he often gets overshadowed by Kakashi with much less screen time.
Both Iruka and Kakashi care deeply about Naruto, and while some of Kakashi’s methods can be tough, it’s what helps Naruto become a more respectable shinobi. This is also true of Yamato, the first mentor figure who takes Kakashi’s place and guides Naruto in Shippuden. He’s introduced as a mysterious yet powerful captain who’s able to use the First Hokage’s kekkei genkai, and the mystery around him combined with his role in Naruto’s life makes him a character fans can’t help but want to know more about.
10 All Of His Names Are Aliases & His True Identity Is Unknown
It’s not uncommon for shinobi to use aliases rather than their true name in order to protect their real identities. In Yamato’s case, he’s only used nicknames all his life, and his true identity is completely unknown.
He didn’t even have a nickname at birth, but his first codename was Kinoe which he used as his name for a time. He later adopts the name Tenzo after becoming a good guy, and he’s later assigned the name Captain Yamato by Lady Tsunade, which seems to stick with him.
9 He Has Two English Voice Actors
It’s not entirely unheard of for a character’s voice actor to switch partway through a series, though it’s something that’s avoided if possible. In Yamato’s case, both of the voice actors who handle his English dubbing are incredibly beloved and well-recognized talents.
This isn’t the standard case of one voice actor handling the present-day character and another handling their younger self, either. While Troy Baker voices Yamato for around 200 episodes at the start of Shippuden, the role is then handed off to Matthew Mercer for the rest of the series.
8 His Side Interest In Architecture Helps Rebuild The Leaf Village
Although he isn’t shown to have many hobbies outside of his duties, Yamato does take a surprising interest in architecture. His passion and Wood Style kekkei genkai make him a force to be reckoned with, as he’s seen crating large prisons and domes to trap targets in when the situation calls for it.
This hobby of his is also a huge asset for the Leaf Village. Following Pain’s assault on Konoha, Yamato uses his Wood Style to build the village back up from its destruction.
7 He Tells His Team He’ll Rule With Terror But Only Scares Naruto With Silly Facial Expressions
Yamato claims that he’s a different leader than Kakashi and has no problems controlling his team with fear if he has to. However, the way he goes about this is hilariously comedic, and he only ever manages to spook some sense into Naruto.
His expert skills as a shinobi might be intimidating, but his facial expressions aren’t nearly as scary as he thinks. It does manage to intimidate Naruto, though, and he’s the real member of the team Yamato needs to keep in check, so it’s as effective as it needs to be.
6 He Was Kidnapped & Abandoned As Orochimaru’s Experiment
Yamato was one of sixty test subjects Orochimaru used to attempt to replicate the First Hokage’s unique bloodline limit. Yamato is kidnapped as an infant in the source material and a young child in the anime.
Yamato is the only one who manages to survive the experiments, which explains why he’s able to use Wood Style. However, Orochimaru assumes that all sixty are failures and flees the village under the assumption that all of the test subjects are dead. This is how Yamato is later found, raised, and trained by Danzo.
5 He’s Close With Kakashi, But The Two Start Out On Antagonistic Terms
Yamato and Kakashi are close friends who care deeply for one another, but they first meet as enemies. When Yamato first encounters Kakashi, it’s during an assigned assassination attempt on the Third Hokage that Kakashi intercepts.
They meet again when Yamato’s assigned to steal Kakashi’s Sharingan, but he’s spared yet again, and Yamato begins to realize that he shouldn’t treat fellow Leaf shinobi in such a way. Eventually, he leaves Danzo with help from the Third Hokage and Kakashi. It’s ironic that the two characters whom Yamato has tried to kill are the ones who rescue him and give him a second chance at life.
4 His Dream In The Anime Is To Serve His Village & Be Recognized For His Efforts
Yamato’s dream is an incredibly wholesome one, as revealed by the Infinite Tsukuyomi. His biggest dream is to work as hard as he can in the name of the Leaf Village and make others happy. This is especially true when it comes to Team Seven, as although he originally joins as a fill-in for Kakashi, he truly cares for the members of his squad. It makes sense, seeing as the Leaf Village rescues Yamato and gives him a chance to find personal fulfillment.
3 He Plays Pranks Between Missions & Spooks Naruto With Scary Stories
Despite Yamato’s seemingly serious nature, he also houses a surprising playful side that he lets out most often during downtime on missions. Naturally, the target of his pranks is Naruto, who often pranks him in return.
These pranks typically involve Yamato spooking Naruto while telling scary stories and using his trademark “scary face.” Yamato will also sometimes summon Wood Clones to spook Naruto, despite the fact that his Wood Style is quite exhausting to use.
2 His Wood Release Isn’t As Powerful As The Original Version
Despite the fact that Yamato’s highly skilled in using his Wood Style, he’ll never be able to unlock its full potential. Because his kekkei genkai isn’t acquired naturally, he realizes over time that he’ll never be on the First Hokage’s level in terms of skill or power.
Even so, Yamato is skilled enough with Wood Style to make it an essential part of his fighting style. He’s such a capable user of the technique that he even garners some fame as a shinobi.
1 All Of His Combat Statistics Are Well Above Average
The official Naruto databooks give fans extra information on their favorite characters. This includes numbered statistics that display how proficient a character is in different combat fields, and Yamato is well above average in every aspect.
His genjutsu, strength, stamina, and hand seals are all at a three-and-a-half out of five. His taijutsu and speed sit at an impressive four, while his ninjutsu and intelligence are a staggering four-and-a-half out of five.
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