Like every anime series, Naruto has its fair share of villains. The series has some incredible villains who have made a big impact in the anime community. It has every type of villain so, there is no need to compromise while choosing your favorites.
There were some villains in the series, who didn't stay evil till the very end. Instead, they changed for the better and some of them even helped Naruto. But, there were some who remained true to their own self. In this post, we will discuss five Naruto villains who stayed evil and five who became heroes.
Update July 2nd, 2021 by Louis Kemner: Naruto has no shortage of powerful antagonists for the heroes to face. What makes them more compelling is that some villains have a change of heart, and they realize the error of their ways and start using their powers for good. Of course, other villains are wicked to the very end, and they are a threat to everything Naruto Uzumaki holds dear. Now, who are some more villains who managed to find the good in them, and which did not?
20 BECAME A HERO: Gaara Of The Desert Related To Naruto On A Personal Level
Gaara of the Desert wasn't really a villain from the get-go. He was more of a misunderstood individual who was made into a weapon by his father, Baki, and Orochimaru. This was one of the earliest and more intense villains turned by Naruto's pleading and attempts at understanding
Since then, Gaara has gone on to save Rock Lee from Kimimaro, become the Kazekage, and was a pivotal part of the Allied Forces during the Fourth Great Shinobi War. Naruto helped Gaara turn his life around, and he has become one of Konohagakure's most valued allies.
19 STAYED BAD: Kaguya Otsutsuki Is A Space Tyrant
There wasn't really much chance to turn Kaguya Otsutsuki into an ally, as she was moments away from destroying everything shortly after her return. She was an ancient and immensely powerful being that Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura didn't fully understand from the outset.
Naruto and Sasuke used the Planetary Devastation technique to seal away Kaguya and re-divide her into the nine Tailed Beasts once again. Kaguya isn't even human; there's no real way for Naruto so sway her heart or appeal to her humanity (since there's none).
18 BECAME A HERO: Zabuza Momochi Turned On Gato & Died For Haku
Zabuza Momochi and Haku aren't really villains either. They were hired killers, yes, but they did have some interest in the well-being of Kirigakure, or the Village Hidden in the Mist. They adhered to their code and would have fought to the last against Kakashi and Team 7, but, more than anything, Haku and Zabuza were unfortunate souls. In the end, Zabuza died fighting against the crimelord, Gato.
When they were resurrected by the Edo Tensei, Zabuza and Haku had no interest in partaking in Obito's grand plan, and they begged Kakashi to finish him quickly and even expressed interest in how well Naruto and Team 7 were faring.
17 STAYED BAD: Kimimaro Kaguya Was Orochimaru's Man To The End
Kimimaro Kaguya is one of those rare characters where the audience learns how grave and tragic their backstory is, but Kimimaro stays a villain to the last. The Kaguya Clan was quite brutal, and Kimimaro himself had a degenerative disease, but he still fought to his last breath to try to kill Rock Lee and Gaara.
Kimimaro was resurrected by the Edo Tensei as well, but this didn't result in an opportunity for redemption for Kimimaro.
16 BECAME A HERO: Obito Uchiha Mended Ties With Kakashi At Last
Everyone believed that Obito Uchiha died during the Third Great Ninja War. His teammates, Kakashi and Rin saw an entire collapsing on top of him. However, Obito survived and he was taken in by Madara. Obito grew up to be the real leader of Akatsuki.
He started the Fourth Great Ninja War under the name of Madara Uchiha. However, after Naruto successfully used the Talk-no-Jutsu against him, Obito realized his mistakes. Later, he helped Naruto and the rest of Team 7 to beat down Kaguya Otsutsuki.
15 STAYED BAD: Danzo Shimura Was An Insidious Schemer
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Danzo is the most hated character in the entire series. He was the driving force behind the massacre of the Uchiha Clan. Danzo wanted to protect the Hidden Leaf at all costs and he was willing to go to any lengths to protect it. Danzo took advantage of the chaos after Pein's invasion of Konoha.
He became the Hokage temporarily due to Tsunade's health. Danzo stuck to his principles until the very end where he was killed by Sasuke, and he even blew himself up in an attempt to take Sasuke down. If that weren't bad enough, Danzo also viewed his loyal Root followers as disposable tools, and treated them accordingly.
14 BECAME A HERO: Orochimaru Realized There's More To Life Than Jutsu
Orochimaru was once a member of the Legendary Sannin. They used to be Hiruzen's favorite pupil and they were the prime candidate for the position of Fourth Hokage. However, Orochimaru was deviant and they were chased out of the Hidden Leaf by Hiruzen. Orochimaru wanted to learn about each and every Jutsu and he managed to prolong his life with a special Jutsu.
When Orochimaru was revived again by Sasuke, they helped Sasuke to reanimate the previous Hokage.
13 STAYED BAD: Black Zetsu Is Just A Puppet & Monster
Black Zetsu was the manifestation of Kaguya's will. To think that he was a person who manipulated the likes of Indra Otsutsuki, Madara Uchiha, and Obito Uchiha is just shocking.
Black Zetsu changed the writing on the Uchiha stone tablet. Black Zetsu succeeded in reviving Kaguya Otsutsuki. He caused a lot of destruction and he was only stopped after Team 7 had beaten Kaguya Otsutsuki.
12 BECAME A HERO: Nagato Uzumaki Lived Up To Naruto & Jiraiya's Expections
Nagato Uzumaki was heralded as the "Child of Prophecy" by Jiraiya because he had Rinnegan. Jiraiya trained him and two more Amegakure orphans. He has high hopes for all of them, but things took a turn for the worse. Yahiko killed himself in order to prevent another war from breaking out.
This was a traumatic experience for Nagato and he decided that he achieve peace in some other way. Nagato almost destroyed the entire Hidden Leaf. But, after meeting and talking to Naruto, he realized his folly. He revived all those who had died with the help of his Rinnegan.
11 STAYED BAD: Madara Uchiha Never Had A Change Of Heart
Madara Uchiha was the leader of the Uchiha Clan during the Warring States Period. He was the reincarnation of Indra Otsutsuki. Madara was a rival of Hashirama Senju throughout his entire life and it was only due to his cells that Madara was able to awaken the Rinnegan.
Madara had planned everything including his resurrection and he managed to achieve his dream of "Infinite Tsukuyomi." However, the celebrations were cut short as Black Zetsu betrayed him. Madara remained true to his cause until the very end.
10 BECAME A HERO: Kabuto Yakushi Finally Turned A New Leaf
Kabuto used to be a student of Orochimaru. He didn't have the best of influences for sure. Kabuto was inspired by Orochimaru and his hard work to become immortal and learn every Jutsu. He managed to learn the Snake Sage Mode and with his newfound power, he could even fight against a team of Sasuke and Itachi. Kabuto also improved the Reanimation Jutsu. He aided Obito and led to the start of the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Kabuto would have remained evil if Itachi hadn't used the Izanami on him. Kabuto helped Sasuke and after the war, he started his own orphanage.
9 STAYED BAD: Deidara Had An Explosive Life
Deidara was a rogue ninja from Iwagakure, or the Stone Village. He joined Akatsuki when he was only a young boy. He was badly beaten by Itachi, which led to him joining the Akatsuki. Deidara was partnered with Sasori and both of them had different views on art.
Deidara killed countless people and he only cared about getting the job done. His explosive style fizzled out when he faced Sasuke in a fight. Deidara tried everything in his power to get the better of Sasuke, but his opponent was just too much. In the end, Deidara attempted to kill himself along with Sasuke, but once again he failed.
8 BECAME A HERO: Itachi Uchiha Was Fighting For The Leaf Village All Along
Itachi Uchiha had always been a hero, but no one really knew about him and his past. It was only after Itachi's death that his past was revealed by Obito. Itachi carried the burden of murdering his clan including his parents. He had to leave the village and then he joined Akatsuki.
Despite the Hidden Leaf's behavior, he still protected it from any harm. The reason why the Fourth Great Ninja War didn't start earlier was that Obito feared Itachi. He knew that his plans could very well be ruined by the Uchiha prodigy. Even after Itachi was brought back to life, he helped Sasuke to stop Kabuto and his minions.
7 STAYED BAD: Kisame Hoshikage Was A Shark-Tastic Monster
Another powerful villain worth mentioning is the fearsome Kisame Hoshikage, a missing ninja from Kirigakure. He was a vicious, thuggish person who would carry out every mission without fail and do whatever it took to win. He would even attack his own teammates.
Kisame's abilities made him a troublesome foe as he could simply absorb chakra-based attacks with his Samehada sword, a living blade. In the end, though, Kisame killed himself in order to fulfill the mission, putting an end to his rampage.
6 BECAME A HERO: Rasa Made Up With His Son
For a long time, Gaara's father (once the Kazekage) was remembered for being a villain, a cruel man who put the one-tailed Shukaku in his own son and treated him as a monster and a freak. Gaara felt that he owed very little to Rasa, but during the Fourth Great Shinobi War, they came face to face thanks to the revival jutsu.
Rasa always knew that Gaara's mother's love gave Gaara true strength, and he sincerely regretted all the pain and isolation he put Gaara through. He took this chance to entrust the entire Sand Village to Gaara, and recognized him as a great hero.
5 STAYED BAD: Hidan Had No Route To Redemption
Many members of the Akatsuki organization were bad to the bone, and that certainly includes the crude and vicious Hidan, a ninja from the hidden San village. For years on end, Hidan's life was defined by the presence of death and hell itself, and he joined the cult of Jashin, too.
This is no ordinary cult, and it granted Hidan true immortality. During his time with the Akatsuki, Hidan was a bloodthirsty, foul-mouthed and immature thug, and he took great pleasure in tormenting his Leaf Village opponents. In fact, it was he who killed Asumi Sarutobi.
4 BECAME A HERO: Konan Quit The Akatsuki, Losing Faith In The Organization
Konan was a part of Yahiko and Nagato's team during their Rain Village days, and she learned much from Jiraiya in her girlhood. She later became a part of the modern Akatsuki organization, often acting as Nagato's personal bodyguard. Her fighting style is largely based on paper and origami.
All this made Konan a villain, but in practice, she wasn't so evil after all. She was inspired when Naruto swayed Nagato's heart, and Konan later became a major figure in Rain Village affairs. She no longer wants anything to do with Madara Uchiha's grand plans.
3 STAYED BAD: Zaku Abumi Was A Petty Bully To The End
This particular Sound Village genin appeared during the chunin exam arc, along with his teammates Dosu Kinuta and Kin Tsuchi, to test Sasuke Uchiha's powers. Zaku took great pleasure in his mission, bullying and mocking anyone who got in his way. He was delighted when Sasuke stepped forth to fight him.
Zaku was arrogant and boastful with his enhanced sonic jutsu, but he met his match against curse mark Sasuke, and he swiftly lost to Shino Aburame in the prelims. Zaku was furious and humiliated, and then he was sacrificed to Orochimaru. He didn't get a chance to redeem himself, but did he even deserve one? Maybe not.
2 BECAME A HERO: Temari Soon Abandoned Her Cruel Streak
For a time, the fan-toting Sand ninja Temari was a villain, fighting alongside her brothers Gaara and Kankuro in the chunin exam arc and beating up anyone who got in her way. Temari wasn't evil, but in Naruto's eyes, she was an antagonist, and he didn't like her attitude.
At the time, Temari was a bully, taking great pleasure in pummeling Tenten and mocking all her enemies (and the Leaf Village as a whole). She had a change of heart at the same time as Gaara, though, and soon became a vital part of the Sand-Leaf alliance.
1 STAYED BAD: Kakuzu Cared Only For Money
Kakuzu was the Akatsuki partner to Hidan, and they were constantly at each other's throats. Both of them were vile people, and there was no chance of redemption for either one of them. But they did have one thing in common: the quest for immorality. Hidan became immortal through the cult of Jashin, while Kakuzu was more like a sewn-together monstrosity.
Kakuzu collected other people's hearts and added them to his body, allowing him to use many different elemental releases, and he was much older than he looked, too. In addition, he cared only for money, and was a stone-cold mercenary to the end.