Unearthing the Forgotten Power of the Ruling Daimyo in Naruto
The Daimyo in Naruto were once believed to be all-powerful rulers, but the series later revealed them as mere political figureheads Discover the lost concept of the ruling Daimyo and how they ultimately lost their authority
The Naruto series, being a long-running shonen anime, went through several changes to its core concepts throughout its run. While minor changes and retcons are common in most anime, it is rare for a significant aspect of a series to be lost. One such element in Naruto that was eventually given less importance is the concept of the ruling Daimyo.
In the events of Shippuden, it is emphasized that the Kage have complete control over their respective nations, with no other authority questioning their decisions. However, in part 1, a different notion is presented where the final governing authority lies with the Daimyo of each nation. These feudal lords were depicted as powerful political rulers whom even the Kage respected, but this portrayal was later changed for the sake of the narrative.
Who Are the Daimyo?
The term "Daimyo" refers to the feudal lords who rule over each nation, and it is synonymous with nobility. These noble individuals hold the highest authority in their respective countries, making decisions on matters concerning their states. Additionally, they have complete control over the shinobi villages within their nations, giving them the power to govern the affairs of these hidden communities.
In the Land of Fire, where the anime is set, the Fire Daimyo has been seen multiple times, displaying his authority by selecting the next Hokage for the Hidden Leaf Village. This places the Daimyo above the Kage in terms of hierarchy, establishing them as the most influential figures in the series, albeit solely in a political sense.
The ruling Daimyo system closely resembles a monarchy, where a single noble governs an entire nation solely based on their bloodline. Although these rulers possess absolute control over their nations and the shinobi villages under their jurisdiction, they may not necessarily enjoy widespread popularity among the general public. An example illustrating this is the Hidden Sand's decision to align with Orochimaru after the Wind Daimyo reduced financial support to the village. However, acts of rebellion against these authoritative and powerful figures are infrequent.
The Initial Significance of the Ruling Daimyo
The feudal lords were initially veiled in an aura of enigma, symbolizing their importance and power through an air of secrecy. The involvement of the Fire Daimyo in key decisions regarding the Hidden Leaf's destiny, such as the selection of the next Hokage, solidified his presence. Additionally, it has been confirmed that minor disputes between Daimyo from different nations have sparked a number of conflicts and wars between shinobi villages.
The power of the Daimyo has been demonstrated on several occasions, solidifying their status as influential figures. In the movie Naruto Shippuden: The Will of Fire, the Fire Daimyo intimidates the Hidden Leaf Village by threatening its destruction when a rogue ninja from the Leaf declares war on the Five Great Nations. Although this event may not be considered official in the Naruto series, the actions of the Wind Daimyo, such as reducing the funding of the Hidden Sand and opposing their coup d'etat, effectively portray the dominance of the Daimyo.
How the Daimyo Lost Their Authority
In Shippuden, the Daimyo lost their initial authority and became mere figureheads for their nations. They were consistently portrayed as ineffective rulers, particularly the Fire Daimyo who was easily influenced and lacked decisiveness. This weakness resulted in Danzo forcibly becoming the Sixth Hokage candidate. The respect for the feudal lords diminished over time, viewing them as detached and incompetent. The Kage, on the other hand, took center stage and assumed the primary role in decision-making for their villages.
The Daimyo briefly appeared when discussing the formation of an alliance between the Five Great Nations. However, their involvement seemed insignificant as the five Kage had already made the decision to unite against the impending threat. Additionally, the massive number of shinobi participating in the war raised doubts about the Daimyo's power, as each shinobi village showcased formidable armies. Overall, the events in Shippuden exposed the flaws in the concept of the ruling Daimyo, rendering them insignificant and overshadowed in the Naruto series.
