The Boruto anime). Originally written and created by Masashi Kishimoto, the Naruto franchise has captured the hearts of anime lovers because of its ability to show personal development among its many characters. A common theme shown throughout the series is Naruto’s ability to never give up and the philosophy of “Will of Fire.”
In conjunction with these themes, Kishimoto also portrays his characters' personal flaws. This technique allows the audience to establish a personal connection to the characters of the story whether they are good or evil. Tsunade is a perfect example of a character who has plenty of personal flaws and fears but can overcome them for the greater good of the village and her overall growth into a great kunoichi. Tsunade (綱手) is known by many names, most importantly as Fifth Hokage (五代目火影, Godaime Hokage) and Konoha's Slug Princess Tsunade (木ノ葉のナメクジ綱手姫, Konoha no Namekuji Tsunade-hime). While considered the most beautiful kunoichi in the world and a great healer, Tsunade also has plenty of secrets.
Updated on March 21st, 2022 by Amanda Bruce: When it comes to the Hokages of the Naruto franchise, Kakashi might be the fan-favorite, but Tsunade has just as much interesting backstory as he does. From her initial introduction as a gambler who doesn't want to return to her home village, Tsunade intrigued audiences. Even though she's not a huge part of the Boruto series, fans still wonder just what the character gets up to in her retirement from the political position.
Tsunade Graduated The Academy At Age Six
In the world of Naruto, young shinobi go through their training at the Ninja Academy before being assigned to teams. Typically, children are enrolled at the Academy around age six or seven, take three or four years to complete their training, and graduate to become a genin, on average, around age 11. Most of Naruto and his friends become genin around that age.
That's not true of Tsunade. Tsunade enters and completes her training very early. Her stats in the manga dictate that she graduated from the Academy at the age of six - before most children would even begin attending. The only other character known for sure to have graduated at a younger age than Tsunade is Kakashi. He finished the Academy at the age of five.
Tsunade Has Type B Blood
Blood types are one of the many pieces of information included about Naruto characters in the companion books for the manga. It's a common practice for fictional characters in Japan as there is a personality trait theory built around those blood types. Tsunade is revealed to have Type B blood, which is relatively rare in Japan. (Type A is the most common.)
According to the theory, those with Type B blood tend to be incredibly creative and ionate people. They also, however, are sometimes seen as selfish. Many have begun moving away from the practice of predicting personality based on blood type because of the negative traits associated with the types. For curious fans though, Tsunade shares her blood type with both Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
Tsunade Is A Leo
It's unlikely that the fictional world of Naruto's shinobi follows the Western zodiac signs very closely, but if it did, Tsunade's August 10 birthday would make her a Leo. Leo is often seen as the partier of the zodiac, someone who loves to be the center of attention.
While Tsunade might not always present herself as someone who wants all eyes on her, she does maintain her youthful appearance for those eyes, and she also loves to have a good time. Leos can be charming, getting everyone to follow their lead, a good quality for a Hokage to have. They can also hold a grudge, as seen in the way Tsunade wants nothing to do with Konoha, Jiraiya, or Orochimaru when she's introduced to the series.
Tsunade Shares A Voice Actor With Kurenai
When the characters from Japanese television are dubbed for English audiences, they don't always keep the same voice actors. For the anime, Tsunade is dubbed into English courtesy of Debi Mae West. The voice actress has done a ton of work in animation and in video games, but her voice isn't leant to every Tsunade appearance.
Some of the video games see Tsunade voiced by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn. Sometimes, both voice-over actors even lend their voices to the same game. McGlynn is the actor responsible for dubbing another Naruto character into English, the sensei for Hinata, Kiba, and Shino - Kurenai.
Tsunade Is Mentioned Much Earlier Than She Appears In The Manga
It's well known that Tsunade doesn't appear early in the anime series. She doesn't make her appearance until right before the time skip as Konoha needs a new Hokage and Jiraiya takes Naruto on a journey to train him. In the manga, her first appearance isn't until chapter 139. Her character, however, is teased long before that.
During the Chunin Exam arc of the manga, chapter 84 features Lee and Gaara's matchup. It's there that Tenten actually mentions Tsunade for the very first time. Her character is teased 55 chapters before she's ever seen by readers.
Tsunade Might Be Naruto’s Great Aunt
Nothing has ever been explained in canon as to how Tsunade and Naruto are related. Yet, even without this being explained, the evidence is overwhelming to the fact that Tsunade is related to Naruto. Tsunade’s grandparents were Hashirama Senju (the first Hokage) and Mito Uzumaki. Naruto’s parents were Minato Namikaze (the fourth Hokage) and Kushina Uzumaki. Minato’s mom is an unnamed character in Naruto, but she is possibly the daughter of Hashirama Senju.
While the whole Senju and Uzumaki family tree might be confusing, it leaves open the possibility that Tsunade is related to Naruto and is actually his great aunt. Since the relation between Naruto and Tsunade is never officially discussed or revealed, this scenario stands to be the most likely. Perhaps in Boruto the lineage will eventually be revealed and fans can finally get an answer.
Her Strength Developed Due To Jiraiya Teasing Her
During Tsunade’s time at the academy, she was often the brunt of Jiraiya’s jokes. Her body had yet to develop since they were only children, which led to Jiraiya constantly calling her flat-chested. This teasing would cut Tsunade deeply, leading her to advance quickly in learning how to use her strength. She used this newfound strength to punch through walls and hit Jiraiya when she caught him peeping at her while she was bathing.
Would Tsunade have developed the great strength she has today if Jiraiya hadn’t teased her when they were younger? Perhaps, but it’s also possible that his teasing strengthened her to a whole new level. Ironically, the teasing would continue into their adult years. After the defeat of Orochimaru, they are seen hanging out together and reminiscing about the old days, with Jiraiya still making jokes about her physique.
Tsunade Initially Refused The Position Of Hokage
Prior to the showdown with Orochimaru (when Tsunade refuses to heal his arms in exchange for the resurrection of Dan and Nawaki) Jiraiya asks Tusande to become the fifth Hokage. Appalled at the notion, Tsunade states that the past Hokage wasted their lives for the village and goes on to say, “only a fool would ever want the title.”
The battle with Orochimaru, however, would change her perspective, giving her a new purpose and outlook on life. It was during this battle that she would decide that her loved ones wouldn’t want to be resurrected in exchange for the destruction of the village that they died to protect. Tsunade would then overcome her fear of blood during the battle and finally be moved by Naruto’s “Will of Fire” to never give up. She would leave that battlefield with a clear and determined mindset, which she most likely hadn’t felt since the death of Dan and her younger brother.
Tsunade Is The Last Surviving Member Of The Senju Clan
The Senju clan (千手一族, Senju Ichizoku) and the Uchiha clan (うちは一族, Uchiha Ichizoku) were the first two clans to form a shinobi village. The name Senju means “a thousand skills," and its are known for being adept and proficient in all the ninja arts. This balance of skill led to the Senju becoming one of the most powerful clans in the world, next to the Uchiha.
The Senju have commonly been Hokage due to their vast knowledge of the ninja arts, great leadership skills, and their main philosophy known as the “Will of Fire.” Despite Tsunade not wanting to be a Hokage at first, it’s in her blood to be a natural leader, along with the protector of the village and its people.
Tsunade Witnessed Two Generations Become Hokage After Her
The transition of Tsunade leaving the Hokage position, along with who took office after her, can be confusing. During her battle with Pain, Tsunade uses up all of her chakra, leaving her in a comatose state in which she was saved by Dan Katō's Spirit Transformation Technique. Danzō Shimura is elected as the sixth Hokage but dies before being officially appointed the position in battle at the Samurai Bridge.
Kakashi Hatake is then made the official sixth Hokage, and Tsunade helps him with the duties during his first year. Following Kakashi’s term, Naruto is elected and becomes the Seventh Hokage. To retire as a Hokage is uncommon, as most end up sacrificing their lives to save the village. Because of her healing abilities and Dan’s soul being released from the Impure World Reincarnation, Tsunade was saved from this fate and lived to witness more than her predecessors.
