Sasuke Uchiha is one of the most powerful shinobi in the Naruto series, but that wasn't always the case. The last survivor of the Uchiha clan may have been the most skilled genin at the beginning, but he has taken some losses in the original series that some fans may have forgotten as the manga continued.
From Team 7's very first battle against Zabuza and Haku to Sasuke's battles while he was on the path of an avenger and villain in Naruto Shippuden, here are the first characters he lost to in the series and how, from first to last.
10 Haku (The Broken Seal)
The Broken Seal is the 16th episode of Naruto, and the source of the famed image of Sasuke protecting Naruto for the first time in the series. Although Naruto and Sasuke have done nothing but fight up until this point, they are in the midst of battling Haku who has them trapped in his Kekkei Genkai, Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals.
After Haku notices that Naruto is open for an attack and throws senbonーmetal needles that are mostly used by medical ninjasーat him, Sasuke moves to protect Naruto from the assault, resulting in his first loss in the series.
9 Orochimaru (The Sharingan Revived: Dragon-Flame Jutsu!)
Orochimaru's first appearance before Sasuke was episode 30 of Naruto and during the Chuunin Exams arc where he went undercover as a female ninja named Shiro, a genin from the Village Hidden in the Grass. Throughout the long and grueling battle, Sasuke's Sharingan activates and he uses Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique to end the battle.
However, Shiroe reveals herself to be Orochimaru, and he bites Sasuke's neck, leaving him with the Cursed Seal of Heaven.
8 Gaara (Late For The Show, But Ready To Go! The Ultimate Secret Technique Is Born!)
Late For The Show, But Ready To Go! The Ultimate Secret Technique Is Born was episode 67 of Naruto. Their fight was from episode 67 to 68. Sasuke and Gaara's fight has been the debate of many topicsーdid Sasuke win or was it Gaara? While their battle was interrupted, it continued on even as the village was under attack.
While Sasuke became the second person to pierce through Gaara's Absolute Defence with Chidori, Sasuke ultimately ran out of chakra in the end, with Gaara still having some because of Shukaku. While it was more of a tie, some argue Sasuke lost.
7 Itachi Uchiha (Hate Among The Uchihas: The Last Of The Clan!)
Hate Among The Uchihas: The Last Of The Clan was episode 85 0f Naruto and the source of the "Choking Sasuke" meme that exploded in popularity in 2019.
This was more of a beatdown instead of a fight, considering how easily Itachi deflected Sasuke's attack and proceeded to push him against the wall. Itachi then puts Sasuke in a Tsukuyomi and forces him to relive their parents and clans' deaths to make him stronger, albeit in a twisted way.
6 Aoi Rokushou (A Fierce Battle Of Rolling Thunder!)
A Fierce Battle Of Rolling Thunder was episode 105 of Naruto and a filler episode most fans most likely cannot remember. Nonetheless, this is a fight Sasuke lost. Aoi Rokushou was a ninja from Amegakure that both Naruto and Sasuke fought. When Sasuke used Chidori on Aoi's sword, however, he was repelled backward.
When he uses his jutsu once again and Aoi taunts Sasuke about his clan's massacre, he is deflected and thrown off the bridge. In the end, Naruto was the one who killed Aoi by causing him to fall off a cliff from the impact of his Rasengan.
5 Killer B (The Eight-Tails VS. Sasuke)
The Eight-Tails VS. Sasuke was episode 143 of Naruto Shippuden. While Killer B may have been used as a joke character up until this fight against Sasuke, Suigetsu, Juugo, and Karin, this fight showed their differences in strength.
Killer B would have killed Sasuke with his Lightning Release: Lariat if it wasn't for him utilizing Karin's Heal Bite and Juugo using his Cellular Regeneration Ejection on him. Sasuke almost died as it ruptured his organs, neck, and chest, leaving him to lie there dying until his left eye becomes the Mangekyo Sharingan and he utilizes Amaterasu and Chidori Sharp Spear to knock Killer B unconscious.
4 The 5 Kage (Power Of The Five Kage)
Power Of The Five Kage was episode 204 of Naruto Shippuden. No matter how strong of an opponent Sasuke was, attempting to fight all 5 Kage at once was a stupid and arrogant decision. The fight came to a close when they began using their advanced jutsu. After the Fifth Mizukage uses two Kekkei GenkaiーLava Release and Boil Releaseーand almost kills him, she is restrained by White Zetsu.
Near the end when he runs out of chakra, thee Tsuchikage uses Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique to try and end him, but Tobi saves him at the last second and uses Kamui to teleport them out the room.
3 Madara (A True Ending)
A True Ending is episode 393 of Naruto Shippuden. This is not much of a fight, as this scene was included to show how powerful Madara was as an antagonist. After Sasuke rejoins the battle, he arrives at where Madara is to begin battling him.
However, before he can do anything, Madara raises Sasuke in the air and stabs him through the chest.
2 Naruto (The Final Battle)
The Final Battle is episode 476 of Naruto Shippuden. This is the fateful fight all fans were awaiting, the 2nd half of Naruto and Sasuke's fight from the first season of Naruto where Sasuke won in the Valley of the End when they were children. Their fight is from episode 476 to 478, The Unison Sign.
After fighting for what appears like an entire day non-stop, both Sasuke and Naruto lose their arms. At the end of the fight, Sasuke admits that he lost the battle. Despite Naruto stating that it isn't about winning or losing, it was a declaration from Sasuke himself.
1 Momoshiki Otsutsuki (Boruto: Naruto The Movie)
The fight against Momoshiki Otsutsuki differs from the Boruto anime to Boruto: Naruto the Movie.
While Sasuke won his fight against Kinshiki Otsutsuki by using his Rinnegan skillfully, he could not go against both Kinshiki and Momoshiki without running out of chakra, resulting in Sasuke using Rinnegan to teleport to safety.