Naruto: Why did Hinata Hyuga cut her hair short? Explored

When Hinata Hyuga was first introduced in the Naruto series, viewers didn't expect to see her become the extremely powerful and resourceful shinobi that she is today. At first, she appeared timid, lacking confidence in herself. Furthermore, she was noticeably the only female shonobi with short hair, which made her stand out from among the rest of the characters.

However, her character growth and transformation throughout the series have been a spectacle to witness, as she eventually became one of the most beloved characters of the franchise.

Despite this, there's one important aspect of her character that has left fans confused for a long time - why does she cut her hair short for the majority of the series? While there's no definitive answer to that question as of yet, there are a few possible reasons that might explain her decision to keep her hair short.

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Exploring the reason behind Hinata's haircut in the Naruto series

Hinata Hyuga as seen in Naruto (Image via Studio Pierrot)

When Hinata Hyuga was first seen in the classic Naruto series, she was visibly different from the other female shinobi, both in behavior and appearance. She was the only female shinobi with short hair, whereas others like Sakura, Ino, and Tenten had long hair.

This has led several fans to question the reason behind Hinata's short hair throughout the years. While there's no definite answer provided by the series or Masashi Kishimoto himself, the reason can be deducted based on Hinata's backstory.

Hinata certainly had one of the most tragic backstories in the entire series. Due to not possessing enough strength or capabilities to be certified as a capable shinobi, Hinata was banished from her family by her father. She was considered to be a failure and a disgrace to the prestigious Hyuga clan.

Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga as seen in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

In Japanese culture, people who were considered to be a disappointment to their families had to cut their hair short as a sign of failure or being rejected by their homes. This could likely be the most sensible reason behind Hinata's short hair, as she was shunned by her family for being an incapable shinobi.

Another fan theory suggests that when Hinata cut her hair short, it was to ensure that Naruto didn't think that she liked Sasuke. It was stated earlier that Sasuke liked girls with long hair, which might have prompted Hinata to cut her hair short. However, this theory seems rather unlikely considering her character.

Although Hinata has been seen with short hair throughout the entirety of the classic series, she started becoming more confident in herself and grew out her hair in the Naruto: Shippuden sequel series. Her long hair signified her new-found confidence and growth as a character.

However, in the epilogue of The Last: Naruto the movie, and at the beginning of Boruto, Hinata was once again seen sporting short hair. This time, however, it may have been due to her personal choice as she became more comfortable with the look or found it challenging to maintain long hair.

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Final thoughts

In conclusion, Hinata has always been a favorite among fans, regardless of her appearance. It can be argued that her haircut serves as a visual testament to her evolving character, as several fans engage in debates about the symbolism of her short hair.