Naruto, Episode 6: A Dangerous Mission! Journey to the Land of Waves!
Role in the Episode
- Introduction as an Antagonist:
- Gato makes his debut at the very end of the episode.
- He is shown as a wealthy but cowardly businessman, hiring ninjas to eliminate Tazuna to protect his own interests.
- Employer of the Demon Brothers & Zabuza:
- It is revealed that Gato hired Gozu and Meizu (the Demon Brothers), but their failure forces him to seek stronger help.
- He expresses frustration over their incompetence and fears retaliation from Team 7.
- Foreshadowing of a Greater Threat:
- The scene with Zabuza shows that Gato has even stronger forces at his disposal.
- His fearful reaction to Zabuza’s Kubikiribocho establishes that he is not a fighter himself but rather a manipulative figure who controls others through money.
Impact Rating: 3.5/10
- Narrative Significance – Gato’s introduction establishes him as the true mastermind behind the conflict, setting up the Land of Waves arc’s stakes.
- Combat Contribution – Gato does not fight or contribute directly to any battles.
- Screen Presence – He only appears in one scene, but his fearful interaction with Zabuza adds weight to his role.
- Emotional Weight – His cowardly demeanor contrasts with Zabuza’s menace, creating an interesting dynamic.
Final Score:
While Gato’s role is mostly setup, he is crucial for the arc’s overall conflict. However, in this specific episode, his actual impact is minimal, as he does not influence Team 7’s immediate struggle.
Naruto, Episode 7: The Assassin of the Mist!
Gato’s Role in the Episode
Gato does not physically appear in the episode, but his presence looms heavily over the plot as the main antagonist behind the conflict. His actions drive the mission escalation and justify the involvement of Team 7 in protecting Tazuna.
Key Contributions:
- Primary Antagonist (Indirectly):
- Gato is introduced as a corrupt shipping magnate who has taken control of the Land of Waves through wealth, violence, and intimidation.
- His fear of the bridge’s completion leads him to hire mercenaries and rogue ninja like Zabuza to assassinate Tazuna.
- Establishes the Stakes of the Arc:
- His economic stranglehold over the Land of Waves highlights the desperation of its citizens, showing that even feudal lords lack the resources to fight back.
- His brutality is emphasized by his use of gangs and illegal dealings to exploit vulnerable nations.
- Creates the Conflict for Team 7:
- His assassination order on Tazuna directly leads to Team 7’s continued involvement.
- His hiring of Zabuza, a powerful rogue ninja, forces Kakashi to take the fight seriously, as he is an opponent far beyond the Genin’s level.
Impact Rating: 4.0/10
While Gato’s influence sets up the arc’s main conflict, he does not directly participate in this episode. His presence is purely narrative, serving as a background villain whose actions motivate others to act. However, without his schemes and financial power, the events of the episode (and the arc) would not take place.
Naruto, Episode 10: The Forest of Chakra
Gato’s Role in the Episode
Gato serves as a secondary antagonist in this episode, reaffirming his role as a ruthless and arrogant tyrant who holds control over the Land of Waves. His presence is limited to a confrontation with Zabuza and Haku, but it highlights his overconfidence, cruelty, and lack of respect for his own hired mercenaries.
Key Contributions:
- Challenges Zabuza’s Reputation
- Gato mocks Zabuza for his failure, belittling him and the Kirigakure ninja, calling them weaklings.
- He underestimates Zabuza and Haku, showing that he sees them as nothing more than disposable tools.
- His arrogance creates tension, as Zabuza quietly holds a hidden kunai, hinting that he is not one to be pushed around forever.
- Triggers Haku’s Display of Power
- By taunting and physically reaching for Zabuza, Gato provokes Haku into action.
- Haku dominates Gato’s bodyguards (Zori and Waraji) within seconds, showcasing his incredible speed and skill.
- This moment solidifies Haku’s superiority and hints at Zabuza and Haku’s growing dissatisfaction with Gato.
- Establishes the Mercenary Dynamic
- Gato asserts his temporary power over Zabuza and Haku, reminding them that if they fail again, they will be discarded.
- This foreshadows an eventual betrayal, as it is clear that Zabuza and Haku are merely biding their time.
Impact Rating: 5.5/10
While Gato does not engage in direct combat or influence the main plot immediately, his cruelty and arrogance set up key conflicts for later episodes. His dismissive attitude toward Zabuza and Haku fuels Haku’s retaliation, reinforcing his strength. Additionally, his overconfidence hints at his eventual downfall, making him a significant but not dominant presence in this episode.
Naruto, Episode 11: The Land Where a Hero Once Lived
Gato’s Role in the Episode
Gato serves as the main antagonist in this episode, playing a crucial role in shaping the struggles of the Land of Waves. While he does not have a direct confrontation with the protagonists, his tyrannical control over the town and past atrocities are major driving forces in the story. His brutality, greed, and merciless nature cement him as a villain whose influence is felt across multiple characters, particularly Inari and Kaiza.
Key Contributions & Actions:
- Establishing the Town’s Suffering
- Through Tazuna’s dialogue and the dire conditions of the town, it is clear that Gato’s stranglehold has left the people impoverished and afraid.
- His reign has turned once-proud individuals into cowards, reinforcing the hopelessness and fear that Naruto and his team must overcome.
- Responsible for Kaiza’s Execution
- Gato perceives Kaiza as a threat due to his bravery and influence among the townspeople.
- In a public display of cruelty, he has Kaiza restrained, beaten, and ultimately executed in front of Inari and the town.
- This traumatizes Inari, stripping him of his faith in heroes and setting up his emotional arc in the story.
- Symbol of Oppression
- Gato’s presence is a looming threat, indirectly influencing multiple plot points, from the townspeople’s reluctance to fight back to the bridge workers quitting out of fear.
- His ruthlessness contrasts with Naruto’s determination, helping reinforce the theme of standing up to tyranny.
- Indirectly Motivates Naruto’s Resolve
- After hearing about Kaiza’s execution and Inari’s disillusionment, Naruto vows to prove that heroes exist.
- This marks a pivotal moment in Naruto’s character development and strengthens his resolve to fight for the oppressed.
Impact Rating: 8.5/10
Despite limited direct screen time, Gato’s influence permeates the entire episode. He is the cause of the town’s misery, the execution of Kaiza, and Inari’s despair, all of which contribute heavily to the episode’s emotional weight. His role as an oppressor sets the stakes for the conflict, making him a significant force in the narrative. However, because he is mostly discussed rather than actively present, his impact is slightly less than if he were more directly engaged with the protagonists.
Naruto, Episode 12: Battle on the Bridge! Zabuza Returns!
Gato’s Role in the Episode
Gato plays a minor but significant role in this episode as the main antagonist behind the conflict. His presence is limited to a single scene, where he communicates with Zabuza through a walkie-talkie while lounging on a couch. In this conversation, he pressures Zabuza to complete his task and eliminate Tazuna, making it clear that he is only concerned with results and not interested in delays.
However, Zabuza shows his disdain for Gato by smashing the walkie-talkie underfoot, demonstrating that while Gato is the employer, he doesn’t hold complete authority over Zabuza and Haku. This moment foreshadows the growing tension between them and hints at Zabuza’s eventual turn against Gato.
While Gato is the main driving force behind the conflict, his direct impact on this episode is minimal, as he only appears briefly and does not take any action himself. His influence is felt more indirectly through the threats looming over Tazuna, Inari, and the entire village.
Impact Rating: 2.5/10
Gato’s mention and influence are important, but his actual presence is minimal in the episode. His role primarily serves as a reminder of the larger threat at play, setting the stage for the upcoming battle rather than actively participating in it.
Naruto, Episode 17: White Past: Hidden Ambition
Summary of Gato's Role in the Episode
Gato is mentioned briefly in the episode but does not make a direct appearance or have any active role in the events that unfold. He is referenced through Zabuza's past and the context of Zabuza's mercenary work, as Gato is the person who hired Zabuza for his rogue missions, including the one involving Tazuna and the assassination plot. Gato’s character serves as a catalyst for some of the choices and actions made by Zabuza, but he does not appear physically in the episode or influence the events beyond being a figure of corruption and manipulation in the background.
Rating of Gato's Impact: 1.0/10
Given that Gato's role is purely indirect in this episode, his impact is very minimal. He is only mentioned in passing, and his presence does not directly affect the ongoing actions between Naruto, Haku, and Kakashi, nor does he shape the battle in any significant way. As such, Gato’s impact is very low, earning him a 1.0/10 on the impact scale.
Naruto, Episode 18: The Weapons Known as Shinobi
Gato's Role in the Episode
In this episode, Gato plays the role of the antagonist who appears at the climax of the battle between Zabuza and Kakashi. He is shown arriving on the scene after Zabuza has been defeated, accompanied by a group of mercenaries. Gato's presence serves to reinforce his role as a manipulative and cowardly villain. He taunts Zabuza for failing and expresses his disappointment in him. This is significant because it highlights the disconnect between Gato's view of Zabuza as a tool and the deeper bond between Zabuza and Haku, where Zabuza has shown a semblance of honor and respect, even in the midst of his rough demeanor. Gato's appearance serves as a final insult to Zabuza, who had hoped to regain control and power, but now faces the disdain of his employer.
While Gato doesn't directly influence the outcome of the battle, his arrival marks a key moment in the episode. His words to Zabuza emphasize the core theme of the episode: power, betrayal, and honor. In a way, Gato's role provides a sharp contrast to Zabuza's personal journey, highlighting Zabuza's internal struggle and his growing bond with Haku.
Impact Rating: 5.0/10.0
Gato's impact is moderate. While he doesn't participate in the battle or drive much of the action, his appearance in the final moments adds a layer of emotional complexity to Zabuza's character arc. He serves as a catalyst for Zabuza's realization of his own worth and his strained relationship with his employer. Gato’s role is important in framing the episode’s theme but doesn't actively shape the plot in any dramatic or immediate way. As a result, he earns a mid-range impact score.
Naruto, Episode 19: The Demon in the Snow
Gato's Role in the Episode
Gato plays the role of the villain and ultimate antagonist in this episode. His actions primarily serve to create tension and to highlight the contrast between his greed and the emotional complexities of the main characters, particularly Zabuza and Haku. While Gato is not deeply developed in this episode, his presence significantly impacts the trajectory of the plot.
- Antagonist Role: Gato’s arrival on the scene signals the final confrontation. His disdain for Zabuza and his treatment of Haku's body reinforce his cruel, callous nature. By mocking Zabuza, calling him "a cute little demon," and kicking Haku’s corpse, Gato demonstrates a complete lack of respect for human life, deepening the viewer's dislike for him.
- Catalyst for Zabuza's Emotional Shift: Gato's actions, particularly his treatment of Haku's corpse, push Zabuza to reflect on his own feelings toward Haku. It is Gato’s callousness and disrespect that provoke a crucial moment for Zabuza, as he comes to terms with his emotions and the kind of person he has become. This emotional shift is key to Zabuza’s final actions.
- Source of Conflict: Gato’s henchmen are the ones who engage in the final battle against Zabuza, creating the external conflict. While Zabuza takes down Gato’s men, his role as a greedy businessman who controls mercenaries highlights the corrupt, ruthless side of the world Team 7 is up against. He represents a corporate power hungry for control, not interested in loyalty or honor, making him a fitting foil to the more personal and emotional battles the characters face.
- Symbol of the World’s Corruption: Gato is a stark reminder of the world’s darker side, particularly the exploitation of people for profit. His actions towards Haku and Zabuza emphasize the impersonal, transactional nature of his worldview. He contrasts with Zabuza’s emotional turmoil and his eventual realization that being a tool without emotion is not truly living.
Impact Rating: 7.5/10
Gato plays a critical role in shaping the episode's conflict and serving as the final catalyst for Zabuza's emotional redemption. While not a deeply developed character, his impact is significant enough to warrant a high rating. His cruelty and actions set the stage for the emotional resolution of the arc, and without his presence, the cathartic moment for Zabuza, and the resulting change in Naruto, wouldn’t have occurred. He is a necessary evil to bring closure to the story of Zabuza and Haku, but his character is more functional than nuanced.