Kiba Inuzuka is one of the main supporting characters in ‘Naruto Shippūden’, alongside his trusty canine companion Akamaru. In the series, there are many moments where Kiba nearly dies, but thankfully he and Akamaru remain alive throughout the entire series.
Who Is Kiba?
Kiba Inuzuka was born on July 7 and is a member of the Inuzuka clan of Konohagakure.
Kiba is very close to his sister Hana and his mother Tsume – his father did not live with them whilst he was growing up.
As a young boy, Tsume gave him Akamaru, and they became life-long partners and friends.
While studying at the Academy, Kiba often cut classes with Akamaru, and this led to friendships with other characters such as Chōji, Shikamaru and Naruto.
Kiba and Naruto, although friends, have a rivalry that stems from their childhood – a big catalyst being a battle between them during their Chūnin exams. Kiba was matched against Naruto, and expected to easily win as Naruto was one of the weakest students at the Academy. However, Naruto defeated him with the Naruto Uzumaki Combo after farting in his face to disorient him (definitely an unusual fighting tactic!), and this fed into the rivalry that would follow them into adulthood.
Kiba has a girlfriend named Tamaki, often thought of as the ‘cat-girl’ to Kiba’s ‘dog-boy’. The two lived (and still live) together, amongst many pet cats and dogs.
While growing up, Kiba’s talents for raising animals grew him a reputation, and he became recognized as the top animal breeder. Alongside this role, he also joined the Konoha Military Police Force.
What Does Kiba Look Like?
Kiba has the red fang markings of the Inuzuka clan on each of his cheeks, alongside messy brown hair, black eyes with slit-shaped pupils, canine teeth and nails that transform into claws. Although definitely human, many of Kiba’s traits have a canine feel and look to them.
Kiba’s attire changes often throughout the Naruto series. It begins with armor, a fishnet undershirt, dark grey pants, a grey hooded coat and blue sandals. Kiba most often wears his blue forehead protector.
After this, he wears an outfit of black, and during the Fourth Shinobi War he wears the standard Konohagakure shinobi outfit.
As an adult, he no longer wears his forehead protector. His hair is longer and less messy, and he wears a mesh shirt. His jacket is similar to the jacket from his genin outfit, and he wears grey pants down to his calves and standard shinobi sandals.
What Is Kiba Like?
Kiba is often short-tempered and impulsive, and this can cause him to make mistakes when agitated and flustered in battle. In contrast to this though, he cares very deeply for Akamaru and would do anything to protect him. This care also applies to his sister and his clan, and he is fiercely loyal to them.
Kiba brings out a jovial, humorous side in his close friend Shino, and this is a beautiful look at how important and valued Kiba is by his friends.
Kiba is extremely close to his teammate Hinata, and when she marries Naruto, he is incredibly excited to – along with Shino and Akamaru – get them the best wedding present possible, to make Hinata happy (he really can be very sweet!). Kiba calls this venture Team 8’s ‘last mission’, giving us an insight into how highly he values the journey he has shared with his friends and teammates.
Although Kiba and Naruto got off to a rocky start during the Chūnin exams, Kiba grew to respect him as a warrior and friend.
Kiba dreams of being the Homage one day, and would like to create a national holiday for all dogs.
Throughout everything he goes through, Kiba’s love for Tamaki shines brightly. Whenever he sees her, he becomes love-struck; lost for words and utterly in love.
What Is Akamaru Like?
Akamaru is a ninja-dog, and is white in color with floppy ears.
He is devoted to Kiba, and is as much Kiba’s best friend as Kiba is to him. They play together often, running through the woods together, and share a deep level of connection and understanding.
Akamaru is incredibly loyal, and whenever Kiba is hurt or struggling in battle, Akamaru will rush to his side.
In “Rai no Sho”, a story from Akamaru’s perspective, we get to witness his sense of humor and his scientific way of thinking about and observing humans.
Akamaru believes that humans spend too much time finding a ‘mate’ as opposed to being shinobi, and this can be seen when Kiba first encounters Tamaki: Akamaru tries to pull him away from her.
What Are Kiba’s Abilities?
Kiba fights alongside Akamaru using collaboration techniques, and this ability lends itself to Kiba being very good at synchronizing with his teammates also.
Kiba is skilled in Ninjutsu, and amongst other things, he can use the Shadow Clone Technique, and Earth and Yang Release (you seriously wouldn’t want to go up against this guy in battle!).
As a member of the Inuzuka clan, Kiba has enhanced canine-related senses – he has an incredible sense of smell (no wonder Naruto’s fart incapacitated him during the Chūnin exams!) and is very talented at reconnaissance and tracking. He attacks with the ferocity and vigor of a beast itself, using his claws and other canine qualities to fully disarm his opponent.
In addition to all of this, Kiba can turn Akamaru into a clone of himself, enabling them to attack an enemy with coordinated high-speed (called the ‘Fang Passing Fang’). The duo can also transform into a two-headed wolf, and even a three-headed wolf (by adding a shadow clone).
What Are Akamaru’s Abilities?
Akamaru has heightened senses as a ninja-dog, and his close communication with Kiba makes him very adept at finding and relaying information.
Akamaru can take a version of Kiba’s form using the ‘Beast Human Clone’ technique, which enables him to perform coordinated attacks with Kiba, and transform into the two-headed and three-headed wolf.
Because these attacks are so high-speed, Akamaru urinates on their target so that they can locate them through their heightened sense of smell, instead of trying to visually see them throughout their speedy movements. Akamaru’s nose also lends itself to sensing chakras, allowing him to judge an enemy’s strength.
What Happens To Kiba and Akamaru?
Kiba and Akamaru are alive and well, now appearing in the new anime and manga, Boruto. Kiba has settled down with Tamaki, and Akamaru lives happily alongside them.
Who knows what new adventures await them!
