When anime fans discuss the best shonen series of all time, it goes without saying that the Naruto franchise definitely sits near the top. The design of the Land of Fire, the development of the show's main characters, and the epic scale of its fights all contribute to the legendary reputation of this brilliant series.
Of course, one can't talk about Naruto or Naruto: Shippuden without discussing their excellent plot, which spans multiple generations and includes countless memorable moments that are still fondly remembered by fans of the franchise. Some of these plot points warrant a second look, be it due to their epic nature, shocking narrative impact, or heart-breaking deaths.
Updated on December 21st, 2022 by Kennedy King: Although the adventures of Naruto and his allies have finally taken a backseat to the next generation of Leaf Village shinobi, there is no denying that the loudmouthed, knucklehead ninja is one of the most beloved characters in anime history. Countless new fans are introduced to the iconic series every year, and for them, the franchise's most shocking moments still possess the same novelty that made them so impactful in the first place.
10 The Death Of The Third Hokage
Naruto, Episode 79: "Beyond the Limit of Darkness and Light"
The Third Hokage is the first character in Naruto who seems to possess insurmountable levels of strength. Fans witness the power of Hiruzen Sarutobi in all its glory at the end of the Chūnin Exams arc. Unfortunately, this display of power culminates in the first major tragedy to befall the events of Naruto.
In a heart-wrenching moment, the aging Hokage uses the Reaper Death Seal in a last-ditch effort to seal the First and Second Hokages. The fact that Sarutobi wasn't able to win the tug-of-war against Orochimaru, who escaped at the cost of temporarily losing the use of his arms, is a massive punch in the gut for any Naruto fans rooting for an absolute victory.
9 Sasuke Becomes A Rogue Ninja
Naruto, Episode 134: "The End of Tears"
Sasuke's heel turn is something that almost every fan expects at some point or another. Regardless, the fact that he actually gives in to his hatred is still a shocking thing to witness when it finally happens on screen. After chasing down and defeating, the entirety of the Sound Village Five, Naruto finally comes face-to-face with his Curse Mark-endowed rival.
The resulting fight between these two characters is one of the most memorable moments in anime history. Eventually, Sasuke comes out victorious and chooses the path of evil, joining up with Orochimaru in hopes of becoming strong enough to defeat Itachi.
8 Asuma's Tragic Death
Naruto: Shippuden, Episode 80: "Last Words"
The conflict between the Ninja World and the Akatsuki is central to the plot of Naruto: Shippuden, as pretty much every major fight in the series happens with members of this group. One such encounter with Hidan results in the tragic demise of Asuma, one of the Hidden Leaf Village's most beloved jonin.
This death comes very close to breaking Shikamaru, who grits his teeth and engages in a memorable fight with Hidan that puts his IQ to the test. While Shikamaru eventually comes out victorious, it doesn't come without the cost of his cigarette-smoking mentor.
7 Minato Being Naruto's Real Dad
Naruto: Shippuden, Episode 128: "Tales of a Gutsy Ninja ~ Jiraiya Ninja Scroll ~ Part 2"
Fans speculated about a relationship between Minato, the Fourth Hokage, and Naruto for years, but it wasn't until episode 128 of Naruto: Shippuden that the nature of their connection was finally revealed. As Jiraiya prepares to challenge Pain, he reflects on the time that he spent with his first protégé, Minato.
Here, a flashback reveals that the Fourth Hokage and his wife, Kushina, were close friends with the Toad Sage. They asked Jiraiya permission to name their unborn son after the protagonist of Jiraiya's first novel, who just so happened to be called Naruto (perhaps a reference to Nagato, whom Jiraiya encountered years prior). This doesn't just confirm the identity of Naruto's father, it also deepens their connection to the legendary member of the Sannin.
6 Jiraiya's Death & The Resulting Chain Of Events
Naruto: Shippuden, Episode 133: "The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant"
When it comes to the most tragic events in Naruto, the brutal death of Jiraiya the Toad Sage is easily one of the most devastating. In addition to his massive contributions to the safety of the Leaf Village, Jiraiya did a wonderful job of raising shinobi like Minato and Naruto, both of whom were crucial to the survival of Konoha and the Land of Fire.
Jiraiya truly gives it his all against Pain, but unfortunately, he falls just short. This death does ultimately lead Naruto to master Sage Mode and become the savior of Konoha, so at least there is a bit of a silver lining for fans to find comfort in.
5 The Reveal Of Itachi's True Intentions
Naruto: Shippuden, Episode 141: "Truth"
From the get-go, Itachi Uchiha is built up to be one of the most despicable characters in Naruto. He murdered the entire Uchiha Clan in front of his little brother, sending Sasuke into a spiraling quest for vengeance that dominates the majority of his narrative in Naruto: Shippuden.
However, after Sasuke's memorable fight with Itachi, it's revealed that Itachi was never the horrible person most fans thought him to be. Sasuke's older brother committed these atrocities to prevent an Uchiha rebellion against the Leaf Village — a reveal that would eventually lead Sasuke to develop an intense hatred for Konoha and its citizens.
4 Neji's Sacrifice
Naruto: Shippuden, Episode 364: "The Ties That Bind"
Neji Hyuga might've just been a side character, but his presence in the Chūnin Exams and subsequent arcs served as a major growth opportunity for both Naruto and the entire Hidden Leaf Village. After meeting Neji, Naruto declares that he will undo the wrongs done by the Hyuga Clan once he becomes Hokage.
Throughout much of Shippuden, Naruto does exactly that. He helps Neji and Hinata put aside their familial differences, making Neji's sacrifice for the pair even more of a gut punch than it already was.
3 Tobi's Real Identity Being That Of Obito
Naruto: Shippuden, Episode 343: "Who Are You?"
While Tobi's true identity may seem obvious in retrospect, he is one of the most mysterious characters in Naruto: Shippuden for the majority of its 500 episodes. The mask-wearing Akatsuki member is at the center of seemingly every conflict in the series, so when his identity is finally revealed, it has huge implications.
Almost every character in the series thought that Obito Uchiha died as a teenager, yet when Tobi's mask is shattered by Naruto, it is none other than him staring at the screen. This revelation absolutely rattled Kakashi, compelling him to make up for his past mistakes and try to reconcile with Obito and make him learn the error of his ways.
2 Kaguya Otsutsuki Coming Back To Life
Naruto: Shippuden, Episode 459: "She of the Beginning"
Few would have ever expected the first-ever wielder of chakra to make an appearance in the modern shinobi era. While the surprise reveal of Kaguya is definitely divisive among the fanbase, it doesn't take away from the sheer epicness on full display at the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War.
Kaguya is effectively a deity-level being, and if weren't for the massive power of Naruto and Sasuke, she would have almost certainly regained control of the entire world. Her surprise appearance after the betrayal of Black Zetsu completely changes the scope of the series, laying the groundwork for what would go on to become Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.
1 The Final Fight Between Naruto & Sasuke
Naruto: Shippuden, Episode 476: "The Final Battle"
Of course, one can't talk about Naruto without mentioning the titular character's iconic conflict with Sasuke. The entire series ultimately builds up to their final conflict, and to say that it pays off would be a gross understatement.
After the defeat of Kaguya, Naruto and Sasuke stand as the strongest shinobi in the history of the world. Naturally, this leads to one final fight between the two in the Valley of the End, a fun parallel to both their first fight and the conflict between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. The two each lose an arm, locking them into an eternal stalemate worthy of anime's best rivalry.