The Tailed Beasts and their Jinchūriki are integral to the Naruto series, and their fate in Boruto has sparked ongoing discussions among fans. As key elements in the narrative, it is important to consider how their liberation has impacted the series' world and its characters, given their significance in the story's conclusion.
Disclaimer: The following article will contain spoilers for Naruto and Boruto. All opinions are solely the author's.
The fate of all of Naruto's tailed beasts as of Boruto, explained
1) Shukaku (The One-Tailed Tanuki)
The Shukaku and Gaara (Image via Our Website)
In Naruto Shippuden's Kazekage Rescue Mission arc, the One-Tailed Shukaku was forcefully taken from Gaara. After being released from the prison created by the Ten Tails and Sasuke's Chibaku Tensei, Shukaku has been separated from Gaara and now roams freely.
In Boruto, Shukaku maintains telepathic communication with Gaara and Naruto. Shukaku was even temporarily sealed into a mini teapot during the One-Tail Escort Arc and remains active during the Kawaki Arc. Its animosity towards humanity has been subdued, thanks to the efforts of Gaara and Naruto.
2) Matabi (The Two-Tailed Cat)
Matabi and Yugito (Image via Our Website)
During Naruto Shippuden, Matabi, along with most other Jinchūriki except Gyūki and Kurama, was taken by the Akatsuki and its host Yugito Nii was killed. After a meeting with Naruto and Kurama, Matabi assisted in the battle against Madara and was subsequently sealed into the Ten-Tails.
Following this, Matabi was released and allowed to roam freely. However, when Urashiki Otsutsuki appeared, Matabi refused aid from humanity out of fear of being captured and exploited once again. Despite this, Matabi did appear with the other Jinchūriki to pay respects as Kurama's chakra vanished. In Boruto, Matabi is free to live as it pleases.
3) Isobu (The Three-Tailed Turtle)
Isobu, Rin, and Yagura (Image via Our Website)
Isobu is a Tailed Beast with multiple people tied to its story. The first was when it was sealed into Rin Nohara, but that failed when Rin killed herself, Isobu's next host was Yagura the Fourth Mizukage, who was enslaved under Obito Uchiha's genjutsu. After Yagura's death, Isobu roamed free until it was sealed into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Despite reports of Isobu vanishing after the Third Shinobi World War, it reappeared to listen to Naruto's message about Urashiki and pay respects to Kurama.
4) Son Goku (The Four-Tailed Monkey)
Son Goku and Roshi (Image via Our Website)
Son Goku was last sealed within Roshi of Iwagakure and harbored a deep resentment towards humans for exploiting its power. Like the other Tailed Beasts, it was freed after being sealed by Roshi's defeat at the hands of Kisame, then used as a weapon by Obito, and ultimately released by Naruto during the Shinobi World War.
Although Son Goku was known for being temperamental, it ultimately came to respect both the Sage of Six Paths and Naruto for their teamwork with their respective Tailed Beasts. After the war, Son Goku remains without a host but continues to appear to warn about Urashiki and to pay homage to Kurama.
5) Kokuo (The Five-Tails)
Kokuo and Han (Image via Our Website)
The Five Tails, a quiet and reserved dolphin-horse combination, was a Tailed Beast that rarely spoke. It took great offense to being used as Obito's puppet and was grateful when Naruto and Kurama freed it, and in turn, it aided them.
After the war, Kokuō expressed its desire to settle in the forest. With its host, Han, deceased and no one attempting to control it, Kokuo was free to do as it pleased. This included not attending the warning meeting about Urashiki, although Kokuo did return to see Kurama's departure from the mortal world.
6) Saiken (The Six-Tails)
Saiken and Utakata (Image via Our Website)
Saiken, the massive slug-like Six Tails, was first observed fighting off Utakata's master during an extraction attempt. It was later targeted and taken down by Nagato's Six Paths of Pain. Although a difficult opponent, it eventually aided in the fight against Madara and Obito after gaining its freedom.
After the war, Saiken was allowed to retire to humid and cavernous regions but still attended Kurama's death and received a warning about Urashiki. Saiken had a notably positive relationship with its host Utakata, which is highly uncommon for a Tailed Beast and Jinchūriki.
7) Chomei (The Seven-Tails)
Chomei and Fu (Image via Our Website)
Chomei and Fu, both pleasant and carefree Tailed Beasts, shared similar personalities and got along well. However, the trauma of being repeatedly used as a weapon drove Chomei away from humanity, especially after Fu's death during the war.
As a result, Chomei was hesitant to accept humanity's help when Urashiki targeted Shukaku, fearing exploitation once again. Despite its trust in Naruto, Chomei skipped the meeting with Urashiki and was only spotted when Kurama's chakra vanished. Chomei's current whereabouts are unknown and it prefers to keep it that way in Boruto.
8) Gyuki (The Eight-Tailed Ox)
Gyuki and Killer B (Image via Our Website)
Gyuki, one of the most unpredictable Tailed Beasts, had been sealed into numerous hosts over the years. Killer B was the first to successfully cooperate with Gyuki, thanks to their compatible personalities and B's impressive power. Unlike Kurama and Naruto, they initially avoided being absorbed into the Ten Tails. When Gyuki was eventually captured, it used its energy to save B.
After the war, Gyuki and Killer B continued to work together, with Gyuki residing within B. They faced a close call when attacked by Momoshiki and Kinshiki during the Versus Momoshiki/Boruto Movie arc, but managed to survive and evade capture through deception.
9) Kurama (The Nine-Tailed Fox)
Kurama and Naruto past and present (Image via Our Website)
Kurama is a familiar figure to fans of the series, having been an integral part of Naruto since the beginning. Its character arc, from being a major threat to becoming a lifelong friend, is a crucial aspect of this entry. In Boruto, Kurama's presence may have been more subtle, but it remains just as important. A surprising twist reveals that while the host is still alive, the Tailed Beast is now deceased.
Throughout its journey, Kurama formed a bond with Shukaku, instilled fear in Himawari, developed affection for Naruto's family, and even offered guidance to Kawaki. In a poignant moment, Kurama had a deep and nostalgic conversation with Naruto about their shared journey before ultimately sacrificing itself in the Baryon Mode to help defeat Isshiki Otsutsuki.
10) The Ten Tails
The Ten Tails and Madara (Image via Our Website)
The Ten Tails is a crucial element in both Naruto and Boruto's stories, as it was the ultimate goal of the Akatsuki and plays a significant role in the conclusion of Naruto's story and the development of Boruto's. It is a manifestation of the God Tree, driven by Kaguya's will, and is depicted as a mindless creature seeking to reclaim all chakra for itself.
Notable hosts of the 10 Tails include The Sage of Six Paths, Obito Uchiha, and Madara Uchiha, all of whom are long deceased by the time Boruto's story unfolds. Despite Code's attempts to gather smaller clones and incarnations of the Ten Tails, the true entity was destroyed during the battle with Momoshiki, along with the God Tree.
Final thoughts
The Tailed Beasts were listed above to provide a comprehensive answer to the question of their current whereabouts. As of the current time in Boruto, Killer B is the sole remaining Jinchūriki, while the other Tailed Beasts are either deceased (Kurama and The Ten Tails) or free to roam. This fate is the best outcome the Tailed Beasts could have hoped for in the post-war era of Boruto, as they are now able to live peaceful lives. Even Killer B and Gyuki have improved their relationship significantly.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan of the Naruto series, I have mixed feelings about the fate of the Jinchūriki and their tailed beasts in Boruto. On the one hand, I am glad that the tailed beasts are finally free from their human hosts and can live in peace. They have suffered greatly throughout the series, and it is only right that they should be allowed to experience freedom. On the other hand, I am also sad to see the end of the Jinchūriki system. The Jinchūriki were powerful and iconic characters, and their bond with their tailed beasts was one of the most compelling aspects of the Naruto series.
I believe that the writers of Boruto have done a good job of handling the transition from the Jinchūriki system to the current era of free-roaming tailed beasts. The tailed beasts have been given distinct personalities and motivations, and they have played an important role in the story so far. I am excited to see how their stories continue to develop in the future.
