- Updated on: January 9, 2023
Many of the characters in Naruto have rather mysterious origins. And I’m not talking about some good old’ Zetsu. For example, we have no idea who Lee’s father is, for instance.
Even very important characters like Minato never have their parents mentioned. In Boruto, we have a similar situation with Metal Lee, an important character with no information about his parentage. In this article, we are going to be going over some of the most popular theories regarding who Metal Lee’s Mother might be.
Table of Contents
We’ve gathered all the Theories in recent times on who Metal Lee’s mother could be and we are going to be looking at all of them one by one.
Spoilers Alert
Note: There are spoilers ahead. Beware!
Theory 1: Tenten is married to Rock Lee
Point 1 Tenten's care for Rock Lee
The ship is here to stay!
Now, Tenten did care for Rock Lee, and it is shown in the anime where Tenten would give Rock Lee a lot of care and attention. For example when Neji died (Naruto: Episode 364), and how Tenten paid a lot of attention to Rock Lee.
These two, as a couple, do make a lot of sense, more than some of the other couples that came to be like Choji and his wife for one.
Moreover, it seems that the two don’t really have a lot of friends (sounds like me, LOL) besides each other in the series.
Tenten isn’t usually shown hanging out with most of the other girls. In fact, by far, she has the most appearances when shown with the rest of her team, indicating they are the ones she cares the most about (Naruto: Episode 49).
Point 2 Rock Lee's care for Tenten
Events occurred in Tenten vs Temari
Another situation was when Tenten fought Temari (Naruto: Episode 36), and ended up losing. But as she was blown away from the midst of battle.
Rock Lee came and ended up catching her in his arms (Naruto Episode 43). Aww, that’s cute, right?
Point 3 End Credits in Boruto Anime
In Boruto Anime
Also, another suggestive piece of evidence is the END CREDITS. Where you see a lot of couples all together: Rock Lee and Tenten are actually seen to be together, and if you look beside them you see Sai and Ino together (Boruto Anime.)
Point 4 TenLee Ship
Tenten supporting Rock Lee since forever
The people that Rock Lee is seen to be mostly hanging out with are Guy Sensei or Tenten.
Also if you recall in the series Tenten was also always supportive to Rock Lee, when he would be down, being negative & doubting his abilities.
In fact, from everything we know, Rock Lee seems downright awkward with everyone else, not quite knowing how to interact with them. And this was shown in Metal Lee too. Like father, like son, I guess?
Rock Lee is most comfortable around his teammates, especially Tenten, if not the arrogant NEJI HYUGA with God complex (Just Kidding.)
Point 5 Metal Lee vs Shikadai
Metal Lee showing similar traits to Tenten in terms of skills
Also, the time Metal Lee vs. Shikadai Nara. When these two were fighting and Shikadai pulled his shuriken and weapons out, there was a dragon that would appear behind Metal Lee.
In the few fights we have seen of Tenten, she was using the same symbol during her attacks. (Boruto: Episode 3)
Point 6 Metal Lee and Tenten
The resemblance is uncanny!
Metal Lee’s eyes are completely in line with a combination of Rock Lee and Tenten. Here’s what I mean. Rock Lee’s eyes are completely circular, but not Metal Lee’s. His eyes have more of a shape, kind of like Tenten’s.
It would only make sense if Metal Lee’s features were somewhere in the middle of the two of them. This would also fall in line with other children’s characters’ appearances, such as Sarada’s character design being in the middle between Sasuke and Sakura (Boruto: Episode 2).
Point 7 Metal Lee's Shyness
Guess who else was shy in her childhood?
In terms of personality, Metal Lee is a lot shyer than his father is. Lee was awkward but he was still anything but shy. This trait of his has to come from somewhere (Boruto: Episode 1).
In the Leaf Village, there are only two named female characters known for having more shy or reserved personalities and Tenten is one of them.
The other is Hinata, but she’s obviously not in the picture for something like this.
Point 8 Metal Lee's Abilities
Dragon Lee!
Metal Lee’s abilities seem to be a good mix between Lee and Tenten. He is very good at Taijutsu like his father but he has also shown himself to be more than capable when it comes to using ninja tools (Boruto: Episode 3).
The only character in the entire series known for being good with those is Tenten. Considering every other character in Boruto has a mix of their parent’s abilities, it makes sense that Metal Lee would get one aspect of his strength from Tenten.
Counterpoint 1 TenLee Ship
The platonic love
While Tenten is shown to care for Rock Lee a fair bit, it was never shown as being anything other than platonic.
Tenten is more or less always occupied with Neji instead, and she never looked at anyone else. She never even paid any attention to other popular guys like Sasuke.
This can also be seen after the death of Neji that Tenten was missing our lad. (Naruto: Episode 414)
Counterpoint 2 Boruto Panel
The ship is not real!?
While yes, the ending in question does show many of the couples we know pairing off, such as Sasuke and Sakura, the panel where we see Lee and Tenten is not like that
Plenty of characters like Shikamaru and Choji, were not seen pictured with their significant other. There isn’t any direct reason to believe that Tenten and Lee were meant to look like a couple here.
Theory 2: Is Rock Lee married to Azami?
Point 1 Kishimoto’s Interview
The interview about Metal Lee's mother
In an interview with Kishimoto, he said,
“I have a few characters in mind. So there’s a huge possibility that Tenten is not Metal’s mother.”
Now, this is a straight declination of Tenten being Metal Lee’s mother and Rock Lee’s wife.
It seems Kishimoto doesn’t plan to make the obvious happened. When Naruto became Hokage (Boruto: Episode 18), Tenten and Metal Lee were not even standing close to each other.
Why does Kishimoto want to hide Metal Lee’s mother so badly? Will his mother play a key role at a turning point in the series?
This is a script from Chapter to in Konoha Hiden, Tenten Declaring that “she’s never cared for Romance or Femininity.”
What was bothering her? The truth was, she already knew the answer. “Marriage, huh…well it’s a nice thing…”
Tenten exhaled, leaning against one of the stakes. Her hands silently played with one of the kunai she’d collected.
This was what had been bothering her. Naruto and Hinata were getting married. It was a happy occasion.
Tenten herself had always been getting caught up in thinking about shuriken or kunai or flying guillotines, so she’d never had a boyfriend. She lived her life without any thoughts for romance or femininity.
Hearing about someone close to her getting married suddenly made one disturbing thought fly into Tenten’s mind and refuse to leave from morning until night, it was always Ninja Weaponry, Ninja Weaponry, Ninja Weaponry… Was it really okay for a young woman to be like that?
On that note, the most recent feeling of ‘love at first sight’ for Tenten had been for the flying guillotine.
She only had to hear the weapon’s name before deciding she liked it, and then gone and bought it. But well, how could she not?
Point 2 Is Rock Lee married to Azami?
Maybe? Or... Is Azami just a filler character?
Another situation was when Tenten fought Temari (Naruto: Episode 36), and ended up losing. But as she was blown away from the midst of battle.
Rock Lee came and ended up catching her in his arms (Naruto Episode 43). Aww, that’s cute, right?
Choji ended up marrying Karui, who’s actually from Team Samui, the 4th Raikage’s personal squad, from the Hidden Cloud village (Kumogakure). The girl who is closest to Rock Lee other than Tenten is Azami.
She was the granddaughter of Chen, the legendary taijutsu master, and a jōnin of Hidden Leaf Village (Konoha). (Naruto: Episode 312)
If you remember watching this episode Chen was a lot like Rock Lee in many ways. He initially couldn’t use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu either.
Hence, he concentrated and focused on becoming a master of Taijutsu. But unfortunately, he was said to besides have died in the 3rd Shinobi War but had not.
This once, when Rock Lee, along with Tenten and Naruto came to Chen’s grave to pay respects to him. But they ended up finding out he was alive from his granddaughter Azami! She told them that he was still alive.
Lee took Chen on as his master after seeing his Taijutsu prowess for himself, specifically the secret technique called, “Leaf Dragon God” (Naruto: Episode 312).
He was so powerful that later on Kabuto stole his DNA, and resurrected him. Hence, why he was said to be on par with Guy sensei in terms of skills. Once resurrected, Rock Lee and Chen had a battle. Where Rock Lee manages to defeat him. (Naruto: Episode 312).
Due to this common love for Taijutsu, and respect for another teacher of Rock Lee, Chen. It is assumed that Rock Lee and Azami (Chen’s granddaughter) would bump into each other, as they’d both be going to pay respects to Chen. (Even though Rock Lee destroyed him, LOL)
There are a few things that would make their union make sense in terms of the story. Azami obviously would admire someone like Lee a lot, as he carries on the same will her grandfather did.
If anything, his humble origins are enough to rival even Chen’s. When the two split off, they left on very good terms. This is more than enough reason to think that Chen likely already likes Lee at this point.
What we all tend to forget is the fact that outside of Azami, no other female character in the show seems to give Lee much attention. Most of the other girl’s either ignore him or mock him for his eyebrows.
Even all the girls that do end up becoming his friend never think of him romantically. Being the only girl in the series who seems to admire Lee, it only makes sense that Azami is our next best guess after Tenten. (My boy is suffering alone?)
Counterpoint Azami is not Metal Lee's mother?
Filler Character #12412498127489
It is very, very important to note that Azami is purely a filler character introduced in the anime that does not exist in the manga sad life, right? She may have no role to play beyond the one filler episode she took part in.
Naruto, in fact, is famous for the fact that none of its filler ties at all into the canon storyline. It would then be very odd that someone like that was the mother of one of our important characters in Boruto.
Theory 3: Metal Lee Does Not Have A Mom
What if Kishimoto has been so hidden about Metal Lee’s mom because it could be, that it is to be revealed that Metal Lee doesn’t have a mom?
But then some would say that Metal Lee and Rock Lee look like each other a lot. So how’s that possible?
It’s possible because they could be potentially from the same clan! What? But the only two remaining members of this clan are now Rock Lee and Metal Lee.
Point 1 Introducing the Lee Clan
Pac Lee!
Yes, there is a clan called “Lee Clan” in the Hidden Leaf village (Konohagakure).
It is a clan that was referenced by Narutopedia as well. In fact, in the 4th Shinobi World War, there was seen to be another member named “Pac Lee” that was spotted on the battlefield.
This can be seen in Ep. 20 of Naruto Shippuden: Rock Lee’s Springtime of Youth Full Power Ninja Chronicles.
Point 2 Poor Metal Lee
Error 404: Mom Not Found?
At Metal Lee’s parent-teacher meeting, and also when Metal Lee was injured, his mother was not to be seen anywhere. How can a mother, unless away on missions not be there for a son, ahh poor Metal Lee. (Boruto: Episode 35).
This leads us to believe that he must not have a mother, otherwise, we would’ve heard something about her involvement with his calamities, and circumstances at some level by this point.
Counterpoint Metal Lee has a mom!
Not another Orochimaru's experiment
Every character in the entire series is mentioned as having a mom. There is no reason to believe that Metal Lee would be the exception to this.
Even when we have characters like Minato with mysterious origins, we still know that he did have both parents. It’s not like Metal Lee was an experiment like Mitsuki, right?
Theory 4: Metal Lee’s Mom is Dead
Point 1 Mother Power
Every character in Naruto has a mother (Except Mitsuki)
The world of Naruto is a violent and bloody place, though that’s something you often forget just watching the series.
While our main cast is very strong and not the types of people that are going to be done in by normal threats, for everyone else, even simple missions might quickly turn into life or death.
If Metal Lee’s mom was a ninja, it is entirely possible that she may have passed away not long after giving birth to her son. For example, Naruto’s parents died right the day when Naruto was born. If that isn’t tragic, I don’t know what is! (Naruto: Chapter 607, Naruto Shippuden: Episode 350)
You might ask why something like this never gets brought up but Naruto has more than a few examples of things like this happening.
For Naruto himself, we never found out anything about the way his parents died until very far into the show’s life. The same may hold for Metal Lee, and we will only learn more about her in an arc dedicated to him.
Counterpoint Not important enough?
Another filler character?
It is entirely possible that his mom is alive but she just isn’t an important enough character to mention in the series as of yet.
She is not an important ninja, or she would have come up by now. Nonetheless, she might instead be a civilian and be alive while having no significance to the story.
Theory 5 - Metal Lee’s Mom Will Feature In A Future Arc
Point 1 Metal Lee's redemption arc?
So far, we haven’t had an arc devoted to Metal Lee. He hasn’t really had his time to shine yet but we can be sure he will eventually get one.
Just like the original Naruto, Boruto often focuses on an arc to develop the characters of one or two people. During these, we learn a lot more about them.
Point 2 Metal Lee's mother
The hype is yet to be announced?
Metal Lee is a very important character in the show and he will eventually get his share of development. When that happens, what better way to do it than to address the most important mystery surrounding him, that of his mother?
Counterpoint
While it is certainly possible that Metal Lee’s mom will be part of a future arc there haven’t been any hints to indicate so. Usually, we get future arcs teased a bit in advance but we haven’t even seen any of these hints yet.
Conclusion
Metal Lee and Rock Lee, despite being one of the flashiest yet introverted at times, have so many mysteries revolving around them.
Just like Metal Lee, we’ve never even seen a glimpse of Rock Lee’s parent’s in the series. Now, that’s pretty shady, isn’t it?
This has got me thinking, will we even get to see Metal Lee’s mother? With all those spicy enchiladas in the Naruto series, who do you think is Metal Lee’s mother?
References
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(Naruto: Episode 364)
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(Naruto: Episode 49)
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(Naruto: Episode 36)
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(Naruto Episode 43)
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(Boruto: Episode 3)
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(Boruto: Episode 2)
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(Boruto: Episode 1)
(Boruto: Episode 3)
(Naruto: Episode 414)
(Boruto: Episode 18)
(Naruto: Episode 312)
(Naruto: Episode 312)
(Boruto: Episode 35)
(Naruto: Chapter 607, Naruto Shippuden: Episode 350)
In the last counter point you see all the couples but not the significant other of choji and shikamaru because they came from another village (sand and cloud) so I think tenten is the mom of metal.
Wow! That’s actually a really good point. Yes! Most of the evidence screams “Metal Lee’s mother is Ten Ten” and it would be cool if the author releases a statement. Thanks for the wisdom!
I personally think that Azami could be married to Rock Lee, but it was TenTen who had Metal Lee, but felt too focused on ninja training and missions to care for him, so therefore, TenTen is sad she isn’t married, but gets to watch Metal Lee grow up when she gave him to Azami and Rock Lee.
Don’t forget that that not everyone in the village is a ninja, and not all ninjas make it back. There’s a chance the metal’s mother was actually just a typical villager who just never was important, or she died on a mission.
Kishimoto DID WRITE Azami she was filler for the anime only there for she can’t be with Rock Lee as she non-canon. And yes it is Tenten that is the mother.
*NOT
If Tenten is Metal Lee’s mother, I’m literally gonna stop watching everything Kishimoto made. I hated the fact that Neji died, and I’ve always been a NejiTen shipper, so that’s just plain upsetting. It she ends up being Metal’s mother, that’s basically Kishimoto killing off Neji for a very bad reason (and his death could have easily been avoided), then shipping Rock Lee with Tenten. He mentioned in an interview if Neji had lived, he and Tenten would be together. Sadly, he had to die.
I know Neji was GOAT for sure. Everybody def not happy about his death. Who else could be his wife though Jen, you know?
Tenten never love Neji that way most of this “ship” moments where filler for the anime ONLY Kishimoto did not write the filler for the anime there for it not canon. Most of the Rock Lee moments where in the manga. Tenten was for Rock Lee.
They cpuld have bonded relationship wise because of Nejis death (or heck could have even spent a night in each other’s arms for comfort.) It’s not u common for example when a woman’s husband dies and the best husband’s best friend tries to support her that they end up together in real life.