While Masashi Kishimoto aced the kunoichis character designs in Naruto, Bleach reigns supreme over One Piece with its badass female characters.

SUMMARY

Naruto stands iconic through its edgiest and coolest characters.
Redditors choose their pick for the best kunoichi with the coolest drip.
Bleach reigns supreme over One Piece in this aspect.

The early 2000s were the golden era for the Big 3 of Shonen, including Masashi Kishimoto’s series Naruto. Decades back, he gave us one of the most iconic ninja stories of all time that remains relevant to this date.

From characters to plot, it is wholesome in most aspects. While it peaked in its fights and storytelling, it is overshadowed by yet another shonen masterpiece. And it isn’t One Piece, so to say.

Nico Robin and Nami in a still from the anime | Credit: Toei Animation

Be it power-packed battles or edginess, Tite Kubo’s series Bleach stands iconic for its female characters. Both Kishimoto and Kubo left no stone unturned when it came to the women.

As contemporaries, both series highlighted edginess and badassery in more ways than one. This is also true for Redditors, who picked their favorite kunoichi with the best drip.

Masashi Kishimoto amped the characterization in Naruto

One of the blatant criticisms of Masashi Kishimoto’s series is that of his sidelining of side characters. The mangaka rarely gets credit for his conception of characters. This is especially true for Tsunade’s character.

The mangaka indeed left several territories unchartered with his characters. It is evident with Tenten, Kurenai, and several kunoichi in the series. However, he outshined himself in rendering them their unique and individual strengths.

Temari in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Be it Sakura or Ino, Naruto is abundant with its diversity of female characters. While some of them were sidelined by the two-man show, others got their screen time later on. A perfect example of these are Tenten and Temari.

Both were introduced to each other during Chunin exams. And while Tenten lost to the Sand shinobi, her resilience overshadowed her failures. Boruto is a saving grace for both characters in most aspects, especially their characterization.

Of all the kunoichi, Redditors chose Temari as their favorite character with the coolest drip

Kishimoto’s writing of kunoichi was rather hit or miss. While his writing of Sakura remains incorrigible, he topped the charts with Tsunade’s character. This also applies to Tenten and Temari as both characters display immense growth throughout the series.

In a similar vein, Tite Kubo is second to none when it comes to his writing of badass women. While he is known for his stylish characters and flamboyant art, Kubo peaks with his character design and building.

Tite Kubo’s Bleach surpasses One Piece with badass women

Be it Yoruichi Shihoin or Soi-Fon, Tite Kubo went above and beyond regarding his characters. His Shinigami aren’t run-of-the-mill soul reapers in any case. They’re cool, edgy and define sass in every aspect.

On top of that, Bleach stands superior among the Big 3 with its writing and representation of women. From swordplay and power-packed battles to leadership, the female characters are second to none when it comes to strength.

Yoruichi and Soi-Fon in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

This contrasts with Eiichiro Oda’s magnum opus One Piece. This isn’t to say the characters lack drip but they flatline in terms of their edginess. Both Nami and Robin are symbolic of strength and wisdom.

Both women are free-willed and independent. However, their feats and brilliance are overshadowed by gross objectification and sexualization. The post-time skip designs have been subject to major criticisms by the fandom and viewers on the whole.

By and by, the Big 3 are ridden with their fair share of flaws and follies. In most aspects, the manga compensates for the lack in many ways. With Kubo, it is the characterization that peaks in most aspects.

On the other hand, Kishimoto outdid himself with the storytelling and depth. Lastly, Oda outlined his brilliance with impeccable worldbuilding and the foreshadowing aspect.