Naruto is an acclaimed anime with many fan-favorite characters, but one of the most popular is Jiraiya. As a fascinating juxtaposition of honorable hero and raging creep, he grew on fans and had one of the most infamous demises in anime history. Fans' hearts were broken when losing the author, teacher, and fantastic ninja. One of the most humanizing aspects of Jiraiya, though, is his pure, unending love for Tsunade Senju. She was both his teammate and friend since an early age, and thus his relationship with her is one of complete respect and sincerity.
They never move beyond friendship, and they annoy each other incessantly, but they are always there for one another. Their lives are complex, heartbreaking ones, but their relationship is what keeps both of them afloat for a very long time. Tsunade may not love Jiraiya the way he loves her, but their bond is undeniable. Through school, training, war, loss, leadership, and saving the world, they are there for each other until the end.
Updated on March 21st, 2022 by Amanda Bruce: While the Naruto franchise is often focused on the next big fight, a large part of what makes the characters so interesting is the relationships between them. Jiraiya and Tsunade might never have a fully romantic relationship, but their unwavering for one another is something that fascinated fans from the moment they were introduced. The gradual reveal of their backstory throughout the franchise (and in plenty of filler episodes of the anime) gives fans a lot of insight into the two of them.
Jiraiya Always Loved Tsunade
When they were young genin, Jiraiya and Tsunade were placed on the same team. Jiraiya was always a brash, headstrong ninja with a little too much interest in the female form. He took a particular liking to Tsunade, however, from the second he met her.
His feelings for her were wildly apparent, but Tsunade never seemed to share them. This didn't stop Jiraiya from staying by her side for a very long time, however. Even once he left her, and until the day he ed away, he still considered her the love of his life.
Jiraiya Left Town to Avoid His Feelings For Tsunade
Jiraiya left Konohagakure to pursue his own destiny, but he also left because he struggled with his feelings for Tsunade. Her relationship with Dan Katō and her disinterest in him romantically made him helpless, as she simply didn't love him back. To let Tsunade live her own life, Jiraiya took the first chance he could to leave.
He first stayed with some orphans in Ame after a battle that left them helpless. Later, he traveled around and met many beautiful women, writing romantic novels on his experiences. His life started over - he was a handsome ninja who dazzled women and intimidated foes. However, Tsunade remained the owner of his heart.
Jiraiya Turned Down Marrying a Princess for Tsunade
Jiraiya traveled far and wide in his many travels. On one such journey, he ran into a unique village with an even more fascinating princess. In their village, the princesses are highly skilled warriors. When a man wishes for their hand in marriage, they must defeat the princesses in battle. This proves that the man is a worthy husband.
A princess of the village tried to fight Jiraiya for his hand in marriage, but he declined. He told her that his heart belonged to another. Then he described the hardships that Tsunade has gone through and the fact that, despite his love being one-sided, he is devoted to making her life happier.
Tsunade And Jiraiya Nearly Dated
Jiraiya and Tsunade spent an ominous night together before he left to fight Pain. She went out drinking with him and enjoyed his company, but as the night came to a close, things got more serious. Tsunade was far too aware this might be the last time she'd see her dear friend.
That night, she seemed to accept how important having him in her life was and dared to take a leap of faith. She promised that if he came back, she'd give him a shot. She thought that she could try to love him like he loved her and that perhaps the hope of a future for them could motivate Jiraiya in battle. Heartbreakingly, Jiraiya never returned.
Jiraiya And Tsunade Were of The Legendary Sannin
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, taught a team of ninjas before he took the position as village leader. His team was bold, bright, and extremely powerful. During the Second Shinobi War, they became known as the Sannin.
The Sannin consisted of Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya. Each had connections to a great beast: Orochimaru had the snake, Tsunade the slug, and Jiraiya the toad. While they all had fairly different personalities, they were an unstoppable team and grew quite close to one another. Eventually, every Sannin member left Konoha and the shinobi life.
Neither Wanted To Be Hokage
Though Jiraiya and Tsunade were some of the strongest ninjas alive, they both resented the idea of being the head of Konohagakure. Jiraiya believed that he wasn't cut out for the job. However, it was more because of his dedication to his destiny. After all, a great toad told him that he would train the ninja who would go on to save the world. He couldn't risk distractions from his mission, even to be Hokage.
Tsunade didn't want to be Hokage because of her discomfort with Konoha. There, her brother and the love of her life had perished. She lost her family to shinobi life, which left her heartbroken. However, Tsunade eventually was convinced to come back and become Hokage.
Tsunade Refused To Let Jiraiya Confess His Feelings
Tsunade, along with most everyone in Konoha, was always very aware of Jiraiya's feelings for her. She considered him one of her closest friends, but for a very long time she never saw him that way. Her concern about their friendship was so serious that every time Jiraiya tried to confess his feelings, she'd punch him before he could get in a word.
Though she knew how he felt all along, Tsunade was dedicated to never letting his love of her make their friendship murky. In fact, she was so dedicated that she preferred knocking him out over letting him tell her that he loved her.
Jiraiya And Tsunade Have Complicated Relationships With Naruto
Jiraiya started off with a close bond with Naruto, as he was his godfather and Naruto's father's teacher. However, the relationship becomes more complicated when Jiraiya realizes that Naruto could be the child of prophecy -the one to save the world. He then becomes Naruto's teacher, too, and tries to lead him well.
When Tsunade meets Naruto, she thinks that he's just an annoying brat, as he's overexcited and belligerent. Her feelings about him change, though, when she sees that he's willing to put himself in danger to protect her, even though he's a young boy. While she may not be his biggest fan, she does respect him. Both soon learn that the young ninja is a lot more than he seems.
Jiraiya And Tsunade Have the Same Blood Type
The Sannin were a disturbingly close-knit group of ninjas. Even though they were very different, their separate journeys were very similar. Every member left Konoha, they each struggled with some aspect of shinobi life, and they all had connections to their great beast. This strong bond between them was so deep that even their bodies were connected.
Each Sannin had the same blood type: B. Down to the life running through their veins, these three ninjas are connected. While Team 7 has an impressive bond, they hardly compare to the relationship between the three infamous Sannin.
Tsunade And Jiraiya Were Deeply Troubled by Orochimaru's Dissent
Orochimaru always felt like an outsider in Konoha. Even in the tight-knit Sannin, he remained an oddity. Despite their differences, though, Tsunade and Jiraiya still cared quite a bit for him. Though they were constantly in disagreement, the three of them formed a sort of familial bond. Departing after the Second Shinobi War began the unraveling of the Sannin. This was also when Orochimaru began his unethical experiments.
Jiraiya was desperate to stop Orochimaru from running off after his crimes and left Konoha again to investigate. When, ultimately, Orochimaru's life was ended, both Tsunade and Jiraiya mourned in their own way for the team member they had lost. However, as the audience knows, this wasn't the last time that they would see Orochimaru.
