One of the famed "Big Three" of Shonen Jump is Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto, the tale of a cursed boy who aspires to become the next Hokage and become a hero everyone can admire and respect. He gets into plenty of fights along the way in his ninja career and proves himself every time.
While Naruto Shippuden has some of the biggest fights and features many new characters, the first half of the series detailing Naruto's younger years is not to be overlooked. Some of the most creative and personally intense battles take place during Naruto's younger days and they deserve acknowledgment.
Update March 21st, 2023 by Louis Kemner: we've revised this Naruto list a bit more to specify in which anime episodes these battles began, in case fans would like to revisit these fantastic Naruto fights directly. Notably, some Naruto fights were contained in just one episode, while other fights began in a particular episode and ended several episodes later.
20 Choji Akimichi Vs Jirobo
Episode 113
Choji wasn't given any respect for the first part of Naruto. He was just an excuse to slide in a few random fat jokes. But when the Sasuke Retrieval arc began, he was selected to return Sasuke to Konoha Village along with a select few other genin.
During the battle, Choji found himself overwhelmed by Jirobo's Curse power and forced to turn to his family's special weapon in the Three Colored Pills. The only downside of the battle was how fans initially believed using the pills would be fatal, but that's less important than showing Choji was willing to be more than just the butt of the joke.
19 Ino Yamanaka Vs Sakura Haruno
Episode 41
Ino vs. Sakura isn't the best fight in the series at all, but it is still quite good. It's one of the rare occasions where two kunoichi are allowed to fight without interruption. Even better, they're closely matched enough that the fight lasts more than a few seconds.
With both girls not having special techniques to rely on, they're forced to use nothing but martial arts and ninja tools. Not only is it a close battle, but it's the best character development either character gets during the original Naruto series. Best of all, for once Sakura gets to feel like a proper female lead.
18 Shino Aburame Vs Zaku Abumi
Episode 39
Shino was introduced as one of the coolest characters in the original Naruto series. His powers were creepy but effective. Nowhere is that more clear than during Shino's battle against the sound ninja, Zaku. Zaku's ability to send sound waves everywhere was terrifying, but Shino spent the entire battle unfazed.
In the end, Shino took advantage of a blatant weakness in Zaku's weaponry to make it dangerous to even use his powers. When Zaku ignored Shino's advice, it cost him both the match and his arms. This fight was a reminder of just how cruel and harsh the ninja world could be, as no one bothered to help Zaku until the match was over.
17 Team 7 Vs Kakashi Hatake
Episode 4
The original Team 7 vs. Kakashi fight is underrated as Naruto fights go. Kakashi decides that despite passing as ninja, he still intends to fail Team 7 if they can't successfully take a pair of bells from him. It's the early days of Naruto, but the fight perfectly illustrates the vastly different personalities in Team 7.
Even this early on, Sasuke's stubborn refusal to trust anyone other than himself, Naruto's desire to prove himself, and Sakura's desire to please Sasuke above anything are all present. Kakashi very clearly displays the difference in the level between these not-quite Genin and a full-fledged Jonin, before finally agreeing to become their teacher.
16 Naruto Uzumaki & Iruka Umino Vs Mizuki
Episode 1
The first-ever battle in Naruto lacks much of the flair and fancy jutsu of later fight scenes, but it's symbolically important. In desperation, Naruto had "borrowed" a forbidden jutsu scroll, and Mizuki was out to kill him.
Iruka backed Naruto up and even took a few hits for him, and just when Mizuki had him cornered, Naruto unlocked his first powerhouse technique: shadow clone jutsu. A thousand times over, Naruto pummeled Mizuki flat and earned his first major victory. That night, Iruka proclaimed Naruto an official Leaf Village ninja.
15 Shikamaru Nara Vs Kin Tsuchi
Episode 43
Shikamaru might be a support-type ninja who isn't well-suited for dueling, but he sure gave it a shot against Kin Tsuchi of the Sound Village. Most impressively, he won with minimal bloodshed, too.
Kin used her needles, wires, and bells to confuse and disorient Shikamaru with sound, but Shikamaru's sneaky shadow made its way to her and took control. Shikamaru bent over backward and Kin was forced to do the same, so she hit her head on the wall, knocking her out cold.
14 Sasuke Uchiha Vs Rock Lee
Episode 22
Though it might be downplayed today, Sasuke vs. Rock Lee is a more important fight than casual fans might understand. To begin with, it's one of the few times Rock Lee doesn't just look cool, but outright wins his fight. Sasuke's usual plot armor isn't available, so despite him having recently attained the Sharingan, he gets humbled by Rock Lee in a short but sweet fight.
Though Sasuke can copy the movements of anyone with his Sharingan, he learns that power doesn't matter if he's not fast enough to react. It's a lesson Madara Uchiha also learns later during his battle against Might Guy when the Eight Gates are unlocked.
13 Neji Hyuga Vs Hinata Hyuga
Episode 46
Until this fight, Hinata Hyuga of Squad 8 was a meek and shy girl, unwilling to show her true potential on the battlefield. Then she went up against her talented but bitter cousin, Neji. While fighting Neji, she suffered both verbal and physical abuse, and almost gave up on herself.
Then Naruto snapped Hinata out of it, and she fought her cousin with newfound strength and courage. She didn't win, but this set her on the path to becoming a great ninja, and Kurenai (her mentor) was deeply impressed. Hinata changed that day.
12 Team 7 Vs Zabuza Momochi & Haku
Episode 7
This was one of the more straightforward fights in the early days, but it was a thrilling battle all the same. On that bridge to the Land of Waves, Haku demonstrated his crystal mirror and needle jutsu, putting Sasuke and Naruto on the defensive.
Once Sasuke seemingly succumbed, Naruto turned the tables in grief with his Nine Tails cloak. Meanwhile, Kakashi defeated Zabuza with his first on-screen use of the Lightning Blade. Finally, Zabuza touchingly gave his life to defend Haku once he turned on his thuggish employer.
11 Sasuke Uchiha Vs Gaara
Episode 66
This match never had a winner, but it was thrilling to watch, and the arena audience was dearly looking forward to it. Sasuke stepped into the arena with a new outfit and new taijutsu skills, and Gaara soon got a taste of it. Gaara's sand defenses were baffled when Sasuke streaked across the battlefield in a blur, bolstered by his all-seeing Sharingan and his advanced jutsu.
Gaara was on the defensive the entire time, and he was soon forced to resort to devastating new powers. Unfortunately, viewers looking for a conclusive end to the fight were left disappointed, as the attack on Konoha Village was launched mid-battle.
10 Naruto Uzumaki, Tsunade, & Jiraiya Vs Orochimaru & Kabuto Yakushi
Episode 93
This is one of the more chaotic battles to take place in pre-Shippuden storylines, and it involves the three famed Sannin, or the legendary three ninja Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade. It's an earth-shaking battle with no holds barred.
Orochimaru approached Tsunade to have his arms healed but negotiations broke down, and a 3-vs-2 battle soon erupts. The Rasengan, healing jutsu, summoning jutsu, chakra scalpels, and more are all showcased in this fight. Still, Orochimaru is forced to retreat after things go too far against him.
9 Rock Lee Vs Gaara
Episode 48
This is one of ten duels to take place during the tower phase of the Chunin exams, and it reflects one of the recurring themes of Naruto: raw, inborn talent vs hard work and diligence. Some ninjas are born gifted, while others have to earn it.
In this fight, Gaara wields the awesome power of Shukaku The One-Tail, while Rock Lee trained like crazy to master Taijutsu abilities. Rock Lee puts up a brave fight against Gaara, even causing the Sand ninja to reach deeper into his bag of techniques than he ever thought possible. In the end, though, Rock Lee fell short of being able to defeat Gaara.
8 Shikamaru Nara Vs Temari
Episode 64
This was a truly extraordinary (and bizarre) fight scene during the final stages of the Chunin exams. Although Shikamaru Nara has a support-type combat style, with his intelligence, he made it to the final tournament and was pitted against Temari. Much of the battle sees Temari largely on the defensive, trying to avoid Shikamaru's shadow jutsu while creating a counter-attack plan.
Being the boy genius he is, Shikamaru outmaneuvered her and seemed to have won — only to surrender due to exhaustion and no longer having an interest in fighting anymore. Though Shikamaru loses this duel, he shows he understands military tactics better than any other ninja, which is what makes him the first true Chunin.
7 Team 7 Vs Zabuza Momochi
Episode 12
This is one of the first serious fights to ever take place in the series. After completing a bunch of low-ranked assignments, Naruto was thrilled to accept a C-ranked mission, and Squad 7 was asked to escort a bridge-builder back to his homeland, the Land of Waves.
But water ninja attacked them, first two Chunin, then the rogue Jonin Zabuza. Despite the odds, Naruto and Sasuke worked as a seamless team to outmaneuver their foe, and Kakashi took over with his Sharingan eye and some quick water jutsu.
6 Naruto Uzumaki Vs Neji Hyuga
Episode 63
This is another battle that took place in the final stages of the Chunin exam, and unlike Shikamaru and Temari's duel, it was an intense slugfest. Neji's Byakugan eyes and devastating Eight Trigrams jutsu were powerful weapons against Naruto.
But this time, guts and training finally triumphed over talent. Naruto's stubborn will and creative use of the battlefield allowed him to land some surprising blows on his opponent and claim a stunning victory. This was one of many instances where Naruto's optimism and grit inspired a former enemy.
5 Naruto Uzumaki Vs Gaara
Episode 77
Naruto vs Gaara is perhaps one of the most emotional and intense battles in part one, tied with Naruto's duel with Sasuke. In fact, Naruto fought Gaara on the same day as he fought Neji.
It was one jinchuriki vs another, and both boys had long since suffered the pain of housing horrible monsters that made them pariahs. By the end, both of them were exhausted, and Naruto opened up his heart and shared his experiences with tearful words. From that moment on, Gaara was a villain no more.
4 Hiruzen Sarutobi Vs Orochimaru
Episode 71
Orochimaru was hell-bent on crushing the Leaf Village once and for all, and only the aging Third Hokage stood a chance against their might. While the Sound, Sand, and Leaf ninjas fought across the town, this boss battle was taking place on a rooftop.
Powerful forbidden jutsu were used on both sides, from resurrection to death seals, and the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, gave his very life to seal Orochimaru's arms and render them powerless. While the Third may have died, Orochimaru was forced to retreat and the "will of Fire" lived on.
3 Kakashi, Asuma, & Kurenai Vs Itachi Uchiha & Kisame Hoshigaki
Episode 81
This battle wasn't terribly conclusive, but it was a fine first impression of what Kisame and Itachi are capable of. Both Akatsuki members arrived in the Leaf Village to capture Naruto, but these three Jonin intercepted them.
Kisame's brute strength and water jutsu proved pretty scary, but Itachi's brilliant tactics and vicious Mangekyo Sharingan were even more fearsome. Kakashi endured mind-shattering torture at Itachi's hands before Might Guy arrived and the Akatsuki finally retreated.
2 Naruto, Rock Lee, & Gaara Vs Kimimaro Kaguya
Episode 119
Kimimaro was a teenager who relied on a bone-based kekkei genkai and proved so powerful even three amazing ninja weren't good enough to beat him. Naruto challenged him first, but not even a battalion of shadow clones could put a stop to Kimimaro's rampage.
Rock Lee arrived next and demonstrated the power of drunken kung-fu, but Kimimaro wasn't yet defeated. Finally, Gaara arrived and challenged this bony monster, demonstrating some new powers along the way. But even Gaara was on the ropes by the time Kimimaro's deadly illness caught up with him and he died.
1 Naruto Uzumaki Vs Sasuke Uchiha
Episode 128
This fight is the defining battle of the pre-Shippuden arc of this anime. Sasuke fled the Leaf Village to pursue power, and his curse mark was making him stronger than ever. Out of loyalty, Naruto pursued him despite the danger.
Both rivals faced off at the waterfall, and they dueled right there under the towering statues of Madara Uchiha and the First Hokage. Sasuke's curse and Chidori faced off against Naruto's demon fox cloak and Rasengan, and the results are climactic, to say the least — not to mention the intense emotional stakes.