Theory: Why Do Ninjas in Naruto Run with Their Hands Behind Their Backs?

There might be one thing from the series Naruto which is so iconic that even many people who don’t watch the anime know it, namely his running style.

Ninja characters in the series Naruto has a unique and distinctive way of running, namely his head and body moving forward until he almost falls, then both his hands are behind him, but why is this?

Let’s analyze based on what we know in the real world!

1. There is a slight resemblance to real-world ninja running…

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Masashi Kishimoto created his character’s running style in Naruto Of course not without reason, because this is similar to the ninja running style in the real world: Namba Bashiri.

Although it’s not 100% the same, ninjas in the real world run by “dropping” their bodies to the front.

They run by pointing their head and body forward, without hand movements, therefore ninjas’ hands are usually at their sides or behind their backs when running.

Another factor of this running movement is that in the past, people usually carried swords on their waists. So if they ran normally, their swords would sway. (This is the explanation of Kawakami Jinichi, the last successor ninjutsu Koga clan, in the video “Japan’s “Last Ninja” Explains The Naruto Run” from channel Asian Boss).

Simply put, the ninja running style is like almost falling forward and the hands are not used to increase running momentum, unlike the running style we know today.

Another advantage is that this running style is said to be quieter and saves more energy.

You can check out some explanations about the ninja running style in the video below, starting at around the tenth minute.

2. However, in the Naruto series, his running style is actually quite extreme and if not done correctly he could fall.

Studio Pierrot/Naruto

In the series Narutothere are several moments where the ninjas run fast, their bodies leaning very far forward while the balance at the back is only their hands.

This is indeed like a ninja running style, but it is more “extreme” because if it is done quickly and leaning too far forward, then there is a high possibility of falling while running.

3. It doesn’t automatically make you run faster, but the use of energy becomes more efficient with this running style.

crunchyrol.com/Naruto Shippuden

Then why real ninjas and ninjas in Naruto running by leaning their bodies forward? Does it make them faster than regular running?

If based on real ninja considerations…

Technically, ninja running is not actually faster than regular running, but it is more energy efficient and seems to make less noise.

The reason it is more energy efficient is because the body is “dropped” forward when running, so the process of running forward is also assisted by the pull of gravity. Although of course like point 2, if the technique is wrong, there is a risk of falling face first onto the ground.

This may also apply to the world Naruto.

Well, that’s the theory about the reason why ninja characters exist. Naruto running with hands behind your back, what do you think?

First published May 2, 2023, republished July 13, 2024.