| “ | When one person dies... he disappears... Along with his past, current lifestyle, and his future. Many people die in missions and wars. They die easily and in surprisingly simple ways. Hayate was one of them. Those who die have goals and dreams. But everyone has something as important as those. Parents, siblings, friends, lovers... People who are important to you. They trust and help each other. The bond between the people important to you ever since birth... And the string that binds them becomes thicker and stronger as time goes by. It's beyond reason. Those bound to you by that string will do that. Because it's important... | „ |
| ~ Iruka to Naruto. |
Iruka Umino is a supporting character in the Naruto anime/manga series and the Boruto anime/manga series. He is a chūnin-level shinobi of Konohagakure who serves primarily as an instructor at the Academy. Later, he was promoted principal of the Academy.
He is voiced by Taisuke Yamamoto and Toshihiko Seki in the Japanese version of the anime, and by Quinton Flynn and Kyle McCarley in the English version of the anime.
Appearance[]
Iruka is a man of average height and build. He has black hair (brown in the anime) that he keeps in a ponytail, dark eyes and a scar that runs across the bridge of his nose — which he has had since his youth. He wears the standard Konoha shinobi outfit complete with forehead protector, sandals, and flak jacket. His sleeves are also rolled up about ¼ way. As a child he wore a simple outfit along with mesh-armour underneath it.
History[]
During his childhood, Iruka's parents were killed by the Nine Tails. After his parents died, Iruka has similarity as Naruto Uzumaki does. He became an orphan and had no one to acknowledge him. He became a prankster who pulled pranks and being an idiot. When Naruto attend to the Academy, the Third Hokage assigned him to become Naruto's homeroom teacher. When Naruto failed to graduate, His childhood "friend" Mizuki tricked him and Naruto as well revealed the secret to never tell Naruto as the Nine Tails' Jinchuriki until he beaten up Mizuki with his mastered Shadow Clone Jutsu causing Iruka to allow him to graduate and return the Konoha as well arrest Mizuki when he went rogue. He later became the homeroom teacher for Konohamaru Sarutobi, Moegi Kazamatsuri and Udon Ise. After the Third Hokage died, he attends his funeral and explained Naruto why people risk their lives to protect the other people. After three years, Iruka continue become the homeroom teacher for new student after Konohamaru and his classmate graduated. After the Fourth Great Shinobi War, Iruka was assigned by Kakashi as Naruto's Jonin teacher for 2 years since he didn't take the Chunin Exams. Years later, Iruka was given the advanced exam for his promotion as the vice-principal of the Academy and assigned Shino Aburame to become the next instructor after him. After 12 years, Iruka became the principal of the Academy. He punished Boruto Uzumaki for his prank on him.
Abilities[]
As a former head instructor of the Academy, Iruka is highly proficient in all forms of basic ninja skills. He has some skill with Barrier Ninjutsu, using it mostly for binding purposes, such as with the String Light Formation, and in the anime, the Sealed Binding Formation. He is also able to use nature transformation, possessing Fire, Water, and Yin Release. He was noted as having the potential to become a jōnin or Anbu member.
In the anime, he has shown noticeable skill in genjutsu, as seen when he performed the Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique to test Sakura, and saw through Mizuki's illusion. He also displayed what seems to be an echolocation ability, where he could get a sonar image of his surrounding area. He was able with shurikenjutsu, being able to calculate the deflection points among a thicket of bamboos to cause a kunai to bounce at his target at unsuspecting angles.
Personality[]
Iruka is described as having a big and soft heart. This is most often seen in his teaching methods, often keeping a close eye on his students as they progress. This does not mean he is arrogant, however, as he can be strict when the situation requires it, most often yelling at his students to obey him. Despite the tragedy of losing his parents at a young age, Iruka remained a determined and strong-willed person with a kind disposition. This is seen in his lack of hostility towards Naruto Uzumaki, who was often the victim of misplaced anger towards the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox that was sealed within him. Because of this, Iruka became the only person Naruto respected in his youth, as well as the only person who could control Naruto's behavior to some extent. Naruto ignored all the chūnin and jōnin who scolded him for painting his Hokage's face, and only showed fear when Iruka appeared.
As a child who grew up without parents, Iruka began performing pranks at the Academy in order to gain the appreciation of others who would otherwise ignore him or look at him with pity for being an orphan. This also allowed him to see some of these markings and understand what they meant when displayed by Naruto. Due to Iruka's more caring, considerate, and compassionate nature, Naruto sees him as a mentor, and Iruka in turn sees Naruto as a younger brother. The two enjoy their favorite ramen dish at Ramen Ichiraku when Naruto returns from a mission, where Iruka has the opportunity to see Naruto grow as a ninja. Iruka's refusal to let Naruto graduate at first was not out of malice, but merely out of caring strictness and a desire for Naruto to work harder and reach his own potential. He also has a great sense of duty, honor, and selflessness, as seen when he protected Naruto from Mizuki's attack, suffering a shuriken wound to his back to protect him. He greatly admires both the Third Hokage, who was there to help him during his troubled time as a child, and strongly believes in the Will of Fire. As a result, he considers the village's children to be the backbone of Konoha - even willing to sacrifice his own life to ensure their safety.
Quotes[]
| “ | Because you're the same as me. After my parents died, no one ever complimented me or recognized me. Being the bad student I was, I screwed up a lot during class. Because I wanted to get everyone's attention. I couldn't get anyone's attention when I was a good student. So I acted like an idiot. It was tough... Right, Naruto? You were lonely, right? It was tough, right? I'm sorry, Naruto. You didn't have to feel that way if I was more aware. | „ |
| ~ Iruka revealed to Naruto that he was just like him |
In other media[]
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto[]
Iruka's cameo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto
Iruka appears in the flashback of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto comic series where he and Naruto enjoyed ramen together at Ichiraku — the moment Naruto recalled when calling out Shredder for betraying Hamato Yoshi just to sate his selfish lust of power. Both Iruka and the crossover's iteration of Yoshi are experienced ninjas and instructors who have faced hardships in their youths, and both took in Naruto and Oroku Saki respectively and treat them as a family while no one else didn't for the same reason.
Trivia[]
- His first English voice actor, Quinton Flynn, also voiced Marcus Damon in Digimon Data Squad, Axel in Kingdom Hearts, Kon in Bleach and Silver the Hedgehog in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise from 2010-2017.
- His name "Iruka" means "Dolphin" in Japanese.
External Links[]
- Iruka Umino on the Heroic Benchmark Wiki
Gallery[]
