Though Naruto ended nearly 6 years ago, it's still one of the most popular anime series ever created. Unfortunately, fans still have mixed reviews about the series' ending. Whether fans love or hate Naruto's conclusion, there are some key details they might've missed that could change their opinions. Controversial endings aren't new to anime, and viewers enjoy discussing their interpretations – giving fans the opportunity to vent, gush, or see things differently.
Writers and creators have their reasons for ending their works in a particular way. There might be meaningful content behind certain decisions that viewers may have overlooked. Some might even relate back to earlier chapters or episodes, which would deepen fans' feelings if they were privy to their existence.
Updated by Xandalee Joseph on January 5, 2023: As one of Shonen's "Big Three," Naruto is still one of the most popular and beloved series in anime. Though the series ended 5 years ago, fans still enjoy diving into the shinobi world. Thankfully streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and Hulu have every episode. With the option to rewatch available, and many online platforms open for discussion, viewers may identify new details in Naruto's ending that they may have missed the first or even second time around.
10 Sasuke's Survival Was Essential To Naruto's Central Themes
Naruto presented his dream of becoming Hokage in the first episode and chapter of the series. He remained steadfast in his dream throughout his journey. This was his dream, however, not his goal. His ultimate goal was to save his best friend Sasuke Uchiha from his revenge path and bring him home.
Though Sasuke's reckless decisions should've cost him his life, it was imperative that Sasuke survive. If Sasuke died, Naruto's themes of redemption, forgiveness, loyalty, and friendship would have been lost. Naruto showed that no friend is beyond saving.
9 Kakashi Was Always Going To Become The Hokage
After the Fourth Great Shinobi War, Kakashi becomes the Sixth Hokage instead of Naruto. Naruto wasn't eligible at the time because of his age, educational status, and medical condition after the war. Naruto's situation was different from Gaara's, who was the same age as Naruto when he became the Kazekage.
Gaara was in perfect health and had a personality that was more calculating and mature than Naruto. Kakashi was also considered for Hokage before Tsunade, and again earlier in the Shippuden arc. The series already presented the notion that there was someone available to take the mantle until Naruto was more mature.
8 Absentminded Writing Made Madara Nearly Immortal
Arguably the strongest character in the entire series, Madara met an anticlimactic end. This fact frustrated many fans, with justifiable reason. Still, his death is also understandable. Naruto's author, Masashi Kishimoto, wrote himself into a corner.
Even after developing Naruto and Sasuke's strength and sacrificing Might Guy, they still weren't able to defeat Madara. By overpowering Madara to near immortality, Kishimoto forgot to outline the protagonist's victory. As a result, an amazing character had to be defeated in the most frustrating way, so the protagonist could win.
7 Tenten's Tool Shop Has Valued Merchandise
Naruto's final chapter wraps up by showing the cast members after a time skip. True to her specialty, Tenten opens up a Ninja Tool shop. One scene shows Tenten selling three of the five Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths.
These tools require an enormous amount of chakra to use and are considered the most powerful ninja tools in the universe. The tools were introduced 5 years before the ending of the series, adding a nice easter egg for the fans. They were an exciting callback to the Great Ninja War.
6 Much Of Naruto's Content Is Influenced By Buddist Ideology
Naruto is heavily influenced by Buddist and Shinto teachings and history. One of the main theologies that the manga/anime addresses is understanding another person through sharing their suffering. Sasuke points out to Naruto early on that his need for revenge against his brother comes from losing his loved ones.
Because Naruto never had a family, Sasuke insisted he could never understand losing those bonds. That changes by the end of the series. Naruto lost many people that he held dear throughout his journey, bridging the gap between Sasuke and himself.
5 Sasuke Was A Rogue Ninja Before He Left Konohagakure
Most fans may not remember, but Naruto scratched Sasuke's headband during their first Valley of the End fight. When it ended, Naruto held on to Sasuke's headband after he left the Leaf Village believing he'd return it to him one day. This scratch foreshadowed Sasuke's defection from the Leaf and future Akatsuki membership. After Sasuke learned the truth about his brother's heroism, he turned his hatred toward the Leaf Village and joined the Akatsuki.
Akatsuki members show their dedication by crossing out their village's symbol on their headbands. Sasuke didn't have his, but he turned his back on the Leaf several years earlier. The Leaf village headband holds sentimental value to Naruto, and he respects what it represents. Naruto may have inadvertently marked Sasuke as a rogue ninja during their valley fight, but he was able to return the same headband to his dear friend once they reconciled, and he returned home.
4 Naruto And Sasuke Are Bonded Together As Brothers
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
Sasuke tried his best to reject Naruto's friendship, but Naruto refused to give up on his friend. Even during their final fight when Sasuke yells at him and literally tells him to give up, Naruto asserts that he "can't do that" because he's "[Sasuke's] one and only friend." In an intense clash with their signature attacks, Sasuke and Naruto both lose an arm.
After they regained consciousness, they were shown laying side by side as the blood they were losing from their injuries merged as it streamed downward. In this moment Sasuke finally accepts Naruto's friendship and realizes the error of his ways. As Sasuke reflects on their life together, he understands that they are family. Their blood symbolizes their bond as brothers.
3 Kishimoto Paid Homage To One Piece
One of the most charming details in the final panel of the series is Naruto's image on Hokage Rock with the Straw Hat's Jolly Roger symbol from Eiichiro Oda's tour de force, One Piece. Anime-only fans might've missed this charming detail. This touching tribute represented the respect both manga-ka have for one another.
Oda responded and showed his respect and admiration for Naruto on the cover of his manga by placing the Hidden Leaf's symbol on Nami's dress, Naruto's symbol on the fox's outfit, and if fans look closely they can see that Naruto is actually seated behind Nami. Further, the first few letters of each poster on the wall spell out "Naruto" and "Gratitude" when translated.
2 The Fourth Great Shinobi War Is Shorter Than Fans Think
Naruto's manga series lasted 15 years, and the Fourth Great Shinobi War took roughly 3 years, from start to finish. This large publishing time can skew the reader's perspective. In universe, the entire war only took two days. Kishimoto's dense fight scenes and diverse cast required a lot of time and effort.
There were several moving parts during the war, and many characters were given time in the spotlight. Each battle scene is produced with the utmost detail, and the characters involved in each scene showcase their capabilities. Fans were excited to see Tenten stand on her own, watch InoShikaCho mature as a team, and witness the five Kage in action.
1 Sasuke Denied Treatment For His Arm To Atone For His Sins
As soon as Naruto returned home, Tsunade put her medical skills and laboratory resources to work. She told Naruto she would harvest her grandfather's cells and fuse them with his to create a new arm. The series mentioned Hashirama cells and their healing properties before, a benefit Madara put to use several times over.
Though Sasuke stated his reason for leaving was to explore the shinobi world on his own and understand his feelings, it wasn't his only reason for passing up Tsunade's handy work. Sasuke wanted to keep his injury as a reminder of his harmful choices and the consequences of his actions.