Naruto is one of the best, and at the same time most depressing, anime of all time. Naruto's journey is filled with sacrifices and emotional moments. The deaths of main characters and their tragic pasts have left viewers in a sorrowful and teary state.
Masashi Kishimoto has delivered a depressing show in the disguise of an inspirational one. Time and time again characters were forced to make a decision involving a sacrifice. Those who took the weight on their shoulders and sacrificed their life, status, and family are remembered even today dearly in fans' hearts and have made some remarkable moments in the series.
10 Hinata Jumping Into Battle Against Pain
Hinata has always been the shy one. Her liking for Naruto started when he saved her from a bunch of bullies and got beaten up in the process. She had been rooting for him from day one.
So when the moment arrives, she jumps into battle against Pain- the guy who leveled Konoha completely. For her, it was the moment of her life because she confesses her love for Naruto. Naruto, being a knucklehead, forgets all about it. And it takes a guy from the moon to abduct her to make him realize it.
9 Minato and Kushina's Sacrifice
Naruto is among the top runners like Sasuke, Kakashi, and Obito with a sad backstory. He was considered an outcast and a monster. Among the most awful aspects of his life was the death of his parents.
Kushina and Minato gave the biggest sacrifice i.e of their life for their son. They also sealed the Nine-Tails in Naruto knowing it'll make his life hell. Minato confirmed his death by using the Death Reaper Seal and dividing the Nine-Tails. " Please take care of our child" were Kushina's last words. It was heartbreaking to watch.
8 Neji Jumping To Save Naruto
Every character in Naruto had some motivation behind their actions. Some were doing it for acknowledgment, some for fame and some only wanted equal rights. Neji was born in the branch family of the Hyuga Clan, meaning he was a kind of slave for the main family( the family of Hinata).
In the war, Neji decided to save Naruto of his own free will. He was not forced to do it. For Neji, it was a sacrifice because he believed in Naruto.
7 Sakura Going Back To Sasuke
Sakura is regarded as useless to many fans. Her character was not developed enough and many fans do not find her to be a good character. Still, Sakura is the woman who loves Sasuke and it seems she would go to any length to get him.
This can be seen when she offers Sasuke to take her to Orochimaru as well. She made the biggest gamble when Sasuke was declared an international criminal. He had killed and had intentions of destroying Konoha. Sakura decides to go back to him leaving behind her life as a ninja. Sasuke was dumb back then to not accept her love.
6 Asuma Dying To Reveal Hidan's Powers
Hidan and Kakuzu were a dangerous threat to Konoha. Their powers were unknown, they were members of Akatsuki, and Asuma's team were tasked to deal with them. Their main battle took place in front of the bounty center, where Hidan and Kakuzu were collecting a bounty.
Asuma put his life on the line by facing them head-on and Shikamaru aiding from the back. But two Akatsuki members were too much for the team to handle. Asuma died in that battle, but his death was not in vain. Since Shikamaru figured out Hidan's ability. He gained redemption the next time he faced him.
5 Rin Dying By Kakashi's Hands
The shinobi of Konoha are ready to sacrifice their lives without giving it a second thought, this applies even to the young ones. Rin was made the jinchuuriki of Isobu after being kidnapped by Madara. Kirigakure was blamed for it. Madara also planted a seal to make the tailed beast go wild when Rin reaches the Konoha. However, Kakashi rescued Rin before that.
They were intercepted by some Kirigakure's ANBU, who claimed that they would control Rin to gain intel on Konoha. Rin's death was the only way out. So she impaled herself by Kakashi's Chidori. Her brave decision saved the village.
4 Naruto Publically Shaming Boruto
Naruto has always been a hard worker. When Konohamaru says that he knows a shortcut to become Hokage, Naruto replies by saying that is no easy route for the seat of Hokage. He has to prove his worth for it. Naruto has the same expectations for his son, Boruto.
But Boruto despises his father for not being present enough. In the Chunin exam, Boruto uses the Scientific Ninja Tool to get ahead. Naruto banned the tool, beforehand, from being used in the exam. When he notices Boruto using it. He acts as a Hokage and not as a father and disqualifies Boruto.
3 Sasuke Leaving The Village
At the beginning of the anime, not much was revealed about Sasuke's past. But it was later found that his whole clan was slaughtered by his brother. He went through the trauma of seeing his parent's dead bodies. Sasuke was blinded by his will to gain revenge on his big brother, Itachi. In one confrontation, Itachi brutally beats up Sasuke.
Sasuke buried under the weight of his powerlessness goes rogue. He leaves his life behind and decides to league with Orochimaru. For a 12-year-old boy, it was a huge step.
2 Itachi Killing His Clan
Itachi was manipulated and turned into a criminal by Danzo for acting upon his morals. Tensions had been high between the Uchiha and Konoha, since the era of 2nd Hokage. Uchiha were further discriminated after the Nine-Tails incident because a tailed-beast can only be controlled by a Sharingan.
Uchiha planned a coup against the village. That could've caused the 4th Great Ninja War since other villages would not have missed the chance to attack Konoha in a time of turmoil. Danzo, knowing Itachi, tasked him to kill the Uchiha clan, otherwise, he would kill Sasuke. Itachi for the love of his little brother did the deed, that scared his image in front of everyone.
1 Shisui Committing Suicide
Not much is known about Shisui, except he was Itachi's best friend and one of the strongest Uchihas of his time. Shisui was a Mangekyō Sharingan user. He was also anti-war. He had a plan to prevent the coup by using his Kotomatsukami on the Uchiha. Danzo got its whiff and attacked Shisui. He was able to steal his one eye.
Shisui escaped but committed suicide later and wrote a suicide note to make it look real. It served two purposes: if the Uchiha knew that the Village killed Shisui, they would not have hesitated to start a civil war, and to awaken Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan- a power only gained after witnessing the death of a dear one.