For many years, fans of theNarutoanime have been made aware of the impact the Seventh Hokage had on the world of the series. The titular protagonist is more than just the savior of humanity; he is also an influential figure who helped the Elemental Nations enter an era of peace and prosperity.
Although there is no denying how important Naruto is to the world, he isnot the only interesting village leaderintroduced in the series.Mei Terumi, the Fifith Mizukage, is a woman with a fascinating past and a unique set of skillswho deserves much more attention than what she received. Despite how incredible her character is, she was mostly abandoned shortly after her introduction, a complete shame in many fans’ opinions.
Mei Terumi’s Story Is Beyond Interesting
She Is a Survivor of Kirigakure’s Cruelest Era
Kirigakure, also known as the Hidden Mist Village, is one ofNaruto’s most interesting locations, as its story is unlike any other. While the town has always been known for being far more ruthless than others, its true horrors occurred during the reign of Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, andone of the 9 Jinchuriki. The villagers were unaware that the man was being controlled by Obito Uchiha’s Genjutsu, forcing him to act in usually cruel ways.One of the most terrifying was the persecution of families with bloodline techniques, such as Haku’s Ice Release.
Mei, who would later become the successor of Yagura, was one of the people with unique abilities, but she managed to remain hidden for most of her life. She was also a participant in another of Kirigakure’s horrid traditions, as she was forced to kill all her classmates to graduate as a ninja. Her backstory seems to be one of the most tragic, gruesome, and interesting in the franchise, yet it was barely touched upon during the series. She was first introduced as an adult, after being promoted to the rank of Mizukage.
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During her tenure, she made sure to change the cruel traditions that had kept her village from progressing, ending the persecution of citizens with Kekkei Genkai and changing the graduation process. She was a force for good for the sake of progress, like Naruto’s role for Konoha and their neighboring villages. Lamentably, not much is known about her time as the leader, as the show seldom used her outside irrelevant fights.
Mei’s Powers Made Her a True Powerhouse
She Is One of the Few Characters With Two Kekkei Genkai
Besides having one of the most compelling backstories in the series, Mei is alsoan outstandingly strong woman, being able to defeat a large majority of the characters introduced in the series. Besides her superior strength, speed, and durability, all traits commonly found among village leaders, she also had two special techniques that could easily overpower any enemy. The first one, titled Lava Release, gave her the ability to transform her Chakra into pure magma, which would pour out of her mouth. This skill could be used either offensively or defensively, as the lava would quickly harden into solid rock.
Her second Kekkei Genkai, and perhaps the most useful, was the Boil Release. By accumulating energy in her lungs, the Fifth Mizukage could expel a highly corrosive mist from her mouth, capable of destroying a human body in a matter of seconds. While the smoke could be seen by the opponent, evading it was quite a challenge, as Mei could expel it from her lungs at an alarming speed. Since she was not damaged by the effects of her Jutsu, she could also use it to hide from the enemy.
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The Fifth Mizukage is one of a handful of characters who have natural access to two different Kekkei Genkai. Most of the ninjas who were able to use several bloodline techniques gained them through experiments or plotlines, such as Sasuke receivingone of the best eye techniques in the series, the Rinnegan. Despite Mei’s powers and abilities, she was mostly relegated to a secondary role, participating in a few filler fights and being swiftly defeated by Madara to prove his strength.
Mei Deserved Much Better Than What She Got
Her Character Was Reduced to an Unfunny Joke
A large majority of the fandom agrees that one of the biggest issues with theNarutofranchise is how much it underuses beloved characters. Even though Mei cannot be grouped withthe characters who deserve more screen time, as she was a prominent fighter during the beginning of the final war, she deserves much better treatment. After her defeat at the hands of Madara, Mei went from the competent and peaceful leader of the Hidden Mist to a woman desperate to find a husband.
Her entire character was abandonedin favor of making her a joke character, never again focusing on her work as the leader of her village. Despite being one of the strongest characters in the franchise, as well as the best Mizukage the Hidden Mist had ever seen, her entire character arc was disregarded disrespectfully. TheBorutoseries did her an even bigger disservice, as they stripped her of her role as Mizukage despite her age not being as advanced as the other past Kages.
Mei’s Story Could Be an Amazing Spin-off
The Series Could Easily Release a Special Chapter Focused on Her Past
Over the years, theNarutofranchise has begun releasing short stories about popular side characters. Entries like the beloved Minato chapter or theItachi Shindennovel have proven how successful this trend can be. As such, it would not be out of the question to assume that Mei’s backstory could become one of these popular side chapters. Her life during Yagura’s reign of terror, her fight for survival as an academy student, and her eventual rise to power would be beyond compelling to read. A chapter focused on her would also serve to make up for the treatment she received.
TheNarutofranchise has several unique and memorable characters whose stories still need to be revealed. Mei’s tragic past would make for an intriguing and significant entry, one that millions of fans would be more than happy to support.
