The Eye Color Mystery: Why Himawari’s Eyes Are Not Completely White

Himawari Namikaze-Uzumaki, introduced in the Naruto franchise, has a distinct eye color that differs from her mother, Hinata Hyuga. This unique characteristic has sparked curiosity among fans, particularly regarding why Himawari's eyes remain partially white despite her mother's white eyes and her father's non-white eyes.

Her Unique Eye Color

Himawari, daughter of Hinata and Naruto Uzumaki, exhibits an eye color that combines traits from both her parents. Unlike Hinata, who has traditional white eyes characteristic of the Hyuga clan, Himawari's eyes retain a more human-like appearance, with a darker iris surrounding the white part. This design choice not only adds uniqueness and depth to her character but also visually distinguishes her from her mother while still maintaining a connection to the Hyuga lineage.

The Reason Behind the Partially White Eyes

There are several reasons why Himawari's eyes are not fully white like her mother's, including:

Character Design and Uniqueness: One of the main reasons for this design choice is to give Himawari her own distinct identity. By diverging slightly from her mother's appearance, she becomes a more unique character, avoiding the risk of being a carbon copy of Hinata. This adds variety and complexity to the character palette within the Naruto series.

Incorporating Her Father’s Eye Color: Naruto, being a member of the Uzumaki clan, has normal eye coloration, which influences Himawari's appearance. The combination of Hyuga and Uzumaki traits results in her unique eye color, which retains some of the Byakugan's characteristics but is not completely white. This also includes a possible tinge of blue, further distinguishing her from her mother.

Retcon for Consistency: According to interviews with the author, Masashi Kishimoto, the reason for not having Himawari's eyes white from the beginning is a simple oversight. It was discovered that he forgot to give her the Byakugan initially. In The Day Naruto Became Hokage, a special one-shot, Himawari's Byakugan was depicted for the first time, addressing the issue and ensuring continuity in the story.

Background and Historical Context

Hinata is a pure Hyuga, known for her white eyes, while Himawari's heritage is more diverse. Her father, Naruto, has normal eye color, adding to the complexity of her eye color. This difference is not a random occurrence but a deliberate design choice to reflect her unique background.

Originally, the Byakugan was a natural eye that Hyugas possessed from birth, but the series delved deeper into its nature, revealing that the Byakugan is actually the regular eyes of the Otsutsuki subspecies. The Hyugas are descendants of the twin who inherited these eyes. This revelation raises questions about the genetic aspects of the Byakugan and how it is passed down.

Many fans speculate about the specific genetics and possible sibling incest to ensure the Byakugan genes thrive. However, Kishimoto simply wanted to introduce this detail later on, in a more convenient manner, when Himawari's Byakugan was mentioned.

Concluding Thoughts

The design of Himawari's eyes, combining the white and non-white traits, is a testament to the careful balance between character design and continuity in the Naruto franchise. While it may have been a simple oversight, the choice to have her reveal her Byakugan later in the series is a smart move, allowing for a more consistent and coherent storyline.