The Naruto series is definitely a roller coaster of a journey. The series has many highs and lows within the story. One thing that Naruto doesn't shy away from that a lot of shounen anime usually avoid is death. Unlike anime like Dragon Ball Z or One Piece, there are a lot of significant deaths that occur within the Naruto series.

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Throughout the story, fans see characters, both good and bad, fall. Some die over the course of the narrative while other important characters actually died before the story even truly began. Unfortunately, like in real life, death always has bad timing. In this list, there are characters that died too soon as well as ones that didn't die quickly enough.

10 Didn't Die Soon Enough: Gatō

Some fans may have forgotten, but some presumably remember a man known as Gatō. Gatō was a wealthy businessman, but also a drug dealer who used his money and power to control and abuse those less fortunate. With his wealth and influence, he took over control of the Land of Waves and its people.

Gatō quickly became hated when it was revealed that he executed Kaiza, a man admired by all the villagers in the Land of Waves. Gatō only lasted one arc in Naruto, but when fans learned that he broke Kaiza's arms and killed him in front of all the villagers, people hoped his death would come all the more sooner.

9 Died Too Soon: Haku

Haku in Naruto.

Another character from the Land of Waves arc is Haku, a ninja who was taken in by the mercenary ninja, Zabuza. After being taught the way of the ninja by Zabuza, Haku becomes his partner. At first, many people wanted Haku dead for tricking Naruto and his team, but things changed when Haku's story is revealed.

Haku was nothing more than a small child who was abused and beaten for having a rare ninja ability. It was then while freezing out on the streets, that Haku and Zabuza happen to meet. It was because of this that Haku's only dream was to serve and help Zabuza any way he could. Haku was a young boy that just wanted to be useful, and it was sad to see him die before he actually made any dreams of his own.

8 Didn't Die Soon Enough: Kisame Hoshigaki

Kisame Hoshigaki was a member of the Akatsuki who was partnered with Itachi Uchiha. Kisame was a strong close-range fighter who battled by mostly using water nature and absorbing the enemy's chakra. Even though Kisame was a cool character, his death did not come soon enough.

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During his battle with the Raikage and Killer Bee, one would think that Kisame was down for the count. However, Kisame only hid in the shadows waiting for his chance to strike. He caused even more trouble by delivering information about Naruto and the others to the enemy. It wasn't until his capture where he committed suicide to avoid having his mind read that the shark-like ninja was no more.

7 Died Too Soon: Zabuza Momochi

naruto zabuza with a kunai in his mouth

Yes, that's right, Haku and Gatō were not the only two to die during the Land of Waves mission. After being shielded by Haku, Zabuza attempted to attack Kakashi only to have his arms broken by the copy ninja. It was after this Gatō appeared to tell Zabuza that he was fired and to beat an already deceased Haku.

At this point, it is revealed that Zabuza cared more about Haku than he led people to believe. After going berserk and receiving wounds from nearby mercenaries, Zabuza killed Gatō. Zabuza's last request was to die next to Haku. Zabuza died unable to repent for what he had done and unable to build a true partnership with Haku.

6 Didn't Die Soon Enough: Danzō Shimura

All Naruto fans can agree that the sooner Danzō died, the better. Danzō Shimura was an elder of the Leaf Village and leader of a branch of the Anbu Black Ops called Root. Danzō is a man who worked behind the scenes and was up to things that would be seen as immoral.

It is emphasized that Danzō believed that everything he did was for the sake of the Leaf Village. However, manipulating Itachi and virtually forcing him to have to kill his own clan is why he is such a detested character.

5 Died Too Soon: Hiruzen Sarutobi

Hiruzen as a young man

The first Hokage fans are introduced to is Hiruzen Sarutobi. Unfortunately, during the Chūnin Exams, the sound and sand ninjas plotted against the Leaf and staged an attack. This attack was all orchestrated by Orochimaru, a former student of Sarutobi.

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It is here that the first battle of mentor versus student starts. Sadly, this fight ends with the third Hokage sacrificing his life for the village. This is the first big loss the village takes during the story. While viewers didn't get to know Sarutobi for long, his last moments revealed that he was willing to risk his life for everyone in the village.

4 Didn't Die Soon Enough: Hidan

Next is another member of the Akatsuki, Hidan. He is a very loud-mouthed and disrespectful character who is a pain to fight. His powers are difficult to read and understand and yet it was still a surprise to see him kill Asuma. It would have been satisfying to see Hidan die right there and then, but Hidan proved to be too strong with an unknown ability forcing Shikamaru and the others to retreat.

It was a pain knowing that this obnoxious immortal ninja was still running around free. However, when it was time for Shikamaru to avenge his sensei, the battle didn't disappoint. Although one can argue that Hidan is still alive, albeit trapped and buried, the point is that he is now gone forever.

3 Died Too Soon: Minato Namikaze

Naruto Minato and Kushina

Another Hokage who was taken out of the picture is Minato Namikaze.  He stopped the Nine-Tails' attack by sealing the demon fox in his recently born son, Naruto. Unfortunately, Naruto's father and mother, Kushina, lost their lives trying to accomplish this.

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Tragically, Naruto's parents died while they were still so young. To make matters even worse, at the time, Minato was the Leaf Village's Hokage, its leader. Not only was Minato's death before the series actually started but he died too quickly into his reign as Hokage.

2 Didn't Die Soon Enough: Deidara

Deidara in Naruto, looking down

The final Akatsuki member that didn't die soon enough was Deidara, who partnered with Sasori. The two were tasked with capturing the One Tail Jinchūriki, Gaara, and they succeeded. Their success ultimately leads to Gaara's death and, because of this, Deidara needed to die.

However, fans would not be satisfied until much later down the line, when Deidara faced off against Sasuke. It was during this fight seeing that he had no other options, Deidara attempted a self-destruct attack to kill himself and Sasuke in the process. However, it was only the explosive-loving ninja that lost his life.

1 Died Too Soon: Madara Uchiha

This is one where many Naruto fans were upset about. After succeeding in reviving himself, Madara's final goal was to activate Infinite Tsukuyomi. However, to do this, he first had to defeat Naruto, Sasuke, and the few other ninjas that remained.

This is where fans thought the final fight would be between the long-time friends and rivals versus the legendary leader of the Uchiha clan; instead, Madara was literally and figuratively stabbed in the back by Zetsu who planned to release Kaguya. For some this was okay, but for others, having Madara cut down so soon and suddenly left a bad taste in their mouths.

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