Kids who were born in the 90s and had an interest in anime likely grew up watching Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, and then Naruto. All of them filled kids with excitement that turned into nostalgia as they aged and grew into adults.
Fans love speculating about what Pokemon fictional characters would capture and battle with. With Naruto, it's interesting to think about what Pokemon these beloved characters would want as their partner. Let's now take a look at the perfect Pokemon partners for specific Naruto characters.
10 Orochimaru/Arbok
Avoiding spoilers for Naruto, the ideal of Orochimaru training a snake Pokemon is pretty fitting and a choice that would eventually come full circle. The Pokemon franchise has a handful of snake Pokemon, but none exude the energy and evil vibes that Orochimaru does quite like Arbok. The Poison-type cobra has the ability called Intimidate, which makes sense considering Orochimaru has the same effect on people based on the reputation he made for himself. He'd likely have his Arbok poison and immobilize both Pokemon and humans for his experiments.
9 Shikamaru/Greninja
Shikamaru happens to be much more talented and capable than his lazy exterior would lead people to believe. He considers himself a coward, but that's an entirely correct assessment considering he has a strong moral compass and is dedicated to his friends beyond belief. Greninja happens to be a Water and Dark-type Pokemon based on ninjas, so it'd make sense for it to be paired with the greatest fighter in Naruto, but having Shikamaru train and bond with it would thematically help him understand his full potential.
8 Obito/Arcanine
As a kid, Obito was proud and focused on wanting to do right by his village. He has a just heart and would go out of his way to perform good deeds for the elderly and those in need. All he ever wanted was to be acknowledged, a byproduct of Obito growing up with no parents.
It would make sense then that he'd find affection via Arcanine, a Fire-type canine/feline hybrid. It's unclear how his relationship with his Pokemon would change when the death of a loved one changes him completely, but before that point, it'd likely be a perfect pairing.
7 Gaara/Scizor
Growing up as a more than capable fighter who was often referred to as the "ultimate weapon" it's safe to assume that Gaara would search for a Pokemon partner that was just as capable as he was. Scizor not only looks the part, but the Bug and Steel-type as an astounding physical attack base stat. It makes sense that a kid who ever really knew himself as a weapon would capture and raise a Pokemon who's also likely never seen as anything more than a tool for destruction. Their bond would help each of them feel loved and appreciated.
6 Jiraiya/Braviary
There's a commonly shared notion that dogs tend to look similar to their owners. It's a remarkable thing that becomes a lot more believable with the more evidence that is viewed. It may seem weird to pair Jiraiya with Braviary, a Pokemon that resembles him quite shockingly, but that hasn't stopped people from owning dogs that resemble them in some manner. It would make sense that a hermit-like Jiraiya would prefer to own a Flying-type bird Pokemon that could act as surveillance for him as it navigates the skies above.
5 Sakura/Ivysaur
Sakura is one of the more interesting characters in Naruto as she becomes a different character than the one that viewers initially meet. She is introduced as a kind and bashful girl who lacks self-confidence and ends up growing into a capable and talented fighter who rises the ranks. There's no particular reason why the Grass-type starter Pokemon middle evolution known as Ivysaur is her perfect Pokemon partner, but the two just seem to fit together like separate puzzle pieces coming together to form a complete picture.
4 Itachi/Charizard
On the surface pairing Charizard with Itachi might seem odd. The former is a difficult and hard-headed Pokemon to train and the latter is an insightful and humble person. Itachi's surprising maturity for his age and ability to adapt to any situation makes him the ideal trainer for a Pokemon like Charizard.
He'll likely figure out how to best serve both Charizard and his interests and understand that building a relationship with Charizard is worth all of the difficulty and headaches it takes to build a truly loyal bond with one another.
3 Kakashi/Absol
Kakashi has always presented himself as an independent person who knows who he is and what he wants. In the world of Pokemon, this would likely mean that when he decided who his Pokemon partner would be he'd likely choose a less common creature that isn't owned by that many people. Absol, the Disaster Pokemon, is a Dark-type creature that not only fits his assumed criteria but has a design that matches his iconic look. The two would always be the coolest looking pair of trainer and Pokemon in any given room.
2 Sasuke/Houndoom
Sasuke happens to be one of the more tragic characters in Naruto and he'd likely opt for a Pokemon like Houndoom. The Dark and Fire-type is very menacing in terms of appearance and has an aura about it that feels very similar to the energy that revenge gives off. Sasuke is a character fueled and guided by revenge and stopped at nothing to accomplish it. He'd also develop a deep bond with his Pokemon for fear of losing it like he did many of the other people he held near and dear to him at an early age.
1 Naruto/Pikachu
It may be considered boring to pair Naruto with Pikachu as its placing the world's most popular Pokemon alongside the main character of the anime. The pairing makes sense when considering who and what Naruto represents. He's a wildcard who is often considered outside of the box and unorthodox in his actions and words. Pikachu can be difficult to train and they require a strong trainer with a real sense of persistence to get the most out of them. Naruto may hate his Pikachu at first, but the two would likely build an inseparable bond.