Naruto: The 16 Most Heartbreaking Moments

Masashi Kishimoto's legendary Naruto franchise contained a huge number of highly emotional scenes, but these left the biggest impression.

In seven hundred chapters of the manga and a fair greater number of anime episodes, Naruto established itself in a concert of Japan’s biggest exports within the genre, with the enthusiastic ninja’s tale gathering immense popularity both in its homeland and across the world. Naruto’s story has now concluded and a follow-up anime and manga series specializing in his son Boruto is currently in production, as could be a live-action Hollywood adaptation. With Naruto’s own chapter now closed, it’s perhaps time to look at the moments within the series that had the foremost emotional impact on viewers and made fans fall taken with Masashi Kishimoto’s fictional world and characters within the first place.

These are the scenes that cursed with the audience long after the credits rolled and although there are, predictably, many deaths on this list (spoilers ahoy if you’re not caught up!) also included are scenes that are inspiring and uplifting. Indeed, moments of both joy and sorrow are going to be covered within the list, with entries drawn from the first Naruto series, additionally as its successor Naruto Shippuuden. Sequences from movies and also the Boruto series are excluded as those could warrant whole new lists entirely.

Get your forehead protectors on and a pack of tissues at the ready as we chronicle the 16 Most Emotional Moments in Naruto!

16/16

Zabuza And Haku Depart Side-By-Side

Former swordsman of the Mist Village Zabuza and his androgynous apprentice Haku were Naruto’s first proper villains, but the duo wasn’t especially evil. Rather, they were simply mercenaries hired on the other side of Naruto’s Team 7 and despite being an odd couple, they'd a highly endearing relationship.

Their bond was placed on full display when Kakashi sought to deliver a fatal blow to Zabuza, just for Haku to act as an individual's shield. Initially, the swordsman didn’t seem fazed by his partner’s death but after Naruto employed his legendary Talk No Jutsu, Zabuza began to reveal his true feelings towards the young ninja before occurring one last desperate vengeance spree against his former employer.

With death imminent, Zabuza requests to be laid next to Haku and in an emotional show of respect; the Konoha ninja complies, proving this duo to be two of the more relatable villains within the franchise.

15/16

Obito Witnesses Rin's Death

Something terrible must have happened to Obito to show him from an optimistic boy who helped old ladies cross the road to at least one of the world’s foremost war criminals with gallons of blood on his hands. As usual, a love interest is accountable.

Obito had an ongoing attraction to his teammate Rin, often becoming jealous of their cooler teammate Kakashi within the process. Sadly, tragedy befell the trio when Obito was crushed under a rock when a mission turned awry. Presumed dead by the remainder of the globe, Obito spends a big amount of your time recovering within the custody of Madara Uchiha but after discovering his old friends Rin and Kakashi are in trouble, Obito rushes to assist, only to get Kakashi’s bloody hand piercing Rin’s chest.

The scene is emotional in itself but when it’s later revealed that Rin intentionally impaled herself on Kakashi’s arm after being changed into a Jinchuriki, the instant becomes even more heart-breaking.

14/16

Iruka's Opening Episode Speech

The first moment of emotional significance within the Naruto franchise arrived within the opening episode and helped draw viewers in by promising depth added to the exciting ninja action and flashy moves.

Having learned that the Nine-Tailed Fox trapped inside Naruto killed Iruka’s parents, the audience perhaps wouldn’t expect the academy teacher to be particularly keen on the young ninja. However, when faced against his rogue colleague Mizuki, Iruka reveals the respect and admiration he truly feels for Naruto, with the youngster secretly listening in from the shadows, crying at his teacher’s heartfelt words.

The duo would persist to develop a fair stronger relationship and within the final episode of Shippuuden, Naruto asks Iruka to attend his forthcoming wedding to Hinata as his father.

13/16

Naruto Is Celebrated After Defeating Pain

The fight between Naruto and Pain within the wake of Konoha’s destruction is an epic by any standards and therefore the conclusion was suitably emotional.

In the original Naruto series, the young protagonist was still considered an outsider, shunned by most of his village because of either his troublesome attitude or status as a Jinchuriki. In Naruto Shippuuden, this coldness began to thaw somewhat as Naruto continued to figure hard at becoming a ninja and building bonds with others.

The story thread came to an uplifting and joyful conclusion when Naruto saved the villagers from the evil villain Pain and also the amassed population gathered around to cheer his name and hoist him upon their shoulders. The scene was a long-awaited vindication of the suffering Naruto experienced during his childhood and proved to be an enormous milestone on the character’s journey.

12/16

Gaara Mauls Rock Lee

The Chuunin Exam battle between a master of Taijutsu Rock Lee and therefore the Sand Village’s genius beast Gaara perfectly demonstrated Naruto’s ongoing theme of exertions versus natural talent. Determined to prove himself after a history of hardship, Lee went all-out against the Jinchuriki but came up short regardless.

Lee’s loss was certainly sad but the important emotion came when Gaara decided to push the boundaries of brutality, viciously mauling his opponent’s arm and leg. The assault would’ve gone even further had it not been for Lee’s mentor/best friend/surrogate father Guy, who makes a heartfelt speech about his precious student while heroically saving his life.

If that wasn’t emotive enough, Lee is later informed that his injuries will prevent him from ever being a ninja again, and for an individual who trained harder than anyone else within the show, that’s a devastating blow. Happily, he makes a full recovery because of the medical skills of Tsunade.

11/16

Asuma's Death

Asuma Sarutobi may have only been a supporting character within the Naruto franchise but his death had ramifications that rippled throughout the complete series. The relaxed Jonin team leader was battling Akatsuki member Hidan and fell victim to the villain’s strange ritual-based techniques. Luckily, he manages to squeeze in one last cigarette and an emotional speech before departing.

Asuma’s death had an enormous effect on Konoha Eleven member Shikarmaru who had previously been one among the foremost laid-back and unaffected characters within the series. Suddenly, Shikamaru feels a way of responsibility and for the rest of the story will be seen taking care of Asuma’s widow and young child.

Shikamaru would get his revenge against Hidan soon and managed to meet Asuma’s will of protecting the following generation.

10/16

Itachi Slaughters His Parents

When viewers first witnessed the scene within which Itachi murders every member of the Uchiha clan not named Sasuke, ‘emotional’ perhaps wasn’t the primary thing they felt. it had been dramatic, brutal, and perhaps even scary, but not overly emotive within the usual sense.

It was only if the total context of those events was finally revealed that the impact of this scene truly hit the fandom. It transpired that Itachi had been forced to slaughter his own clan so as to avoid full-scale warfare and to shield the life of his beloved brother.

Performing the crime took a large toll on Itachi and also the image of him standing over his parents with a blade, crying his eyes out while his mother and father patiently await their demise is as haunting as anything within the series.

9/16

Naruto Finally Meets His Parents

This entry melds two moments into one entry as both are substantially ought to have inclusion except for precisely the same reasons. As an orphan from the very first day of his life, Naruto wouldn’t have expected to ever see his parents. However, due to the facility of anime logic, he was actually ready to encounter both in two highly emotional scenes.

Upon meeting his father for the primary time, Naruto initially unleashes over a decade of pent-up rage towards his old man but this quickly fades into father and son's love. The scene where Naruto meets his mother is arguably even more emotional, with the protagonist quickly breaking into tears.

Fittingly, both parents managed to assist Naruto cope with the Nine-Tailed Fox that they were to blame for sealing within him and although the meetings were brief, they packed a significant emotional punch.

8/16

Gaara's Sad Back Story

Gaara originally appeared as a villain within the time period of Naruto; the titular hero managed to coax Gaara over to the great guys’ side after an enormous showdown. Subsequently, Gaara needed a powerful backstory to elucidate to viewers why he was originally so dastardly and to assist them to understand why he'd now aligned himself with Naruto.

 

The resulting flashbacks did just that and far more with a deeply upsetting story that both explained Gaara’s hate and anger and endeared him to fans for the rest of the series.

After Gaara was born prematurely, his mother tragically kicked the bucket. Since his Kazekage father was only inquisitive about using the kid as a Jinchuriki weapon, it absolutely was left to Gaara’s kind-hearted uncle, Yashamaru, to point out the youngster and try to impart his mother’s kindness and love onto him.

Sadly, Gaara’s father coerced Yashamaru into attempting an assassination on the boy in an endeavor to strip him of all love. Although he survived, Gaara was mentally scarred by the events and started his descent into evil.

7/16

Sealing The Nine Tails

It was an extended time before fans ought to witness what truly happened the day Naruto was born and because of the flashback’s intensity and somber tone, many probably wished it had remained a mystery.

This set of episodes covered the events that led to the death of Naruto’s parents and also the sealing of the Nine-Tailed Fox within him and although there are many great fist-in-the-air moments like the fight between Minato and Tobi, the couple’s final scene is nothing in need of tragic.

With both Kushina and Minato acting as human shields for his or her son, they regretfully seal the rampaging beast into the newborn child, knowing full well that they won’t be around to assist him to deal with such a burden. However, it’s Kushina’s speech that triggers the deepest emotions, as she attempts to suit a lifetime of motherly parenting into just some short moments.

6/16

Minato's Final Farewell

The battle against the final villain Kaguya was emotional enough but Naruto Shippuuden had a tear-jerking ace up its sleeve to essentially build up the drama within the final stages. due to the Edo Tensei reanimation technique, Naruto had been given an opportunity to fight alongside his father, Minato. Inevitably, the time arrived for that Jutsu to finish and for Minato to return to the afterlife, and also the exchange between father and son in these final moments is nothing in need of heart-breaking.

From Naruto mirroring his mother’s famous speech to Minato wishing his son a cheerful birthday, the scene is dripping with emotion and, fittingly, is that the series’ final absolutely soul-crushing moment. the very fact that viewers were fully aware this scene was coming doesn't soften the blow one bit.

5/16

Hinata Confesses Her Love

When it decreased to who Naruto should be paired with at the tip of the series, fans were firmly divided between Sakura – Naruto’s crush since the beginning – or Hinata, the shy girl who had always secretly admired him from a distance. Being as timid as she was, Hinata never mustered the courage to inform Naruto her feelings but this all changed during his fight against Pain.

With Naruto being soundly and brutally beaten, a hopelessly outmatched Hinata made a brave stand, declaring her love for Naruto as she attempted to guard him. The revelation clearly shocks Naruto and frustratingly, the entire situation is basically ignored within the battle’s aftermath.

Happily, the couple would eventually get together within the Naruto: The Last movie and went on to possess two children. Although her husband is consistently busy together with his duties as Hokage, Hinata remains as faithful and supportive of Naruto as she was that day against Pain.

4/16

Neji's Death

Out of all the supporting Konoha Eleven characters, Neji arguably developed most importantly over the source of the Naruto series, transforming from an angry and arrogant child to a noble young man who respected the ability of his cousin Hinata after almost killing the girl during the Chuunin Exam arc.

Facing the might of both Obito and Madara – still because the Ten-Tails they were controlling – Naruto briefly collapses from exhaustion even as the Juubi unleashes a wave of sharp projectiles. Naturally, Hinata steps in to guard him against harm together with her own body but both she and Naruto are saved by Neji, who makes the last word sacrifice to guard the budding couple.

Taking two heavy blows to the chest, Neji fails to survive the attack, and also the symmetry of him protecting the people he formerly looked down upon is completely clear.

3/16

Naruto Vs. Sasuke Part 2

The final, climactic battle between eternal rivals Naruto and Sasuke was never visiting be wanting drama or anticipation and fans will have their own opinions on whether the clash lived up to expectations.

It’s difficult to deny, however, that the fight packed an enormous emotional impact. Showcasing everything from classic Taijutsu and basic ninja tool skills to grandiose chakra-munching techniques, the episodes were a fitting send-off for the long-running series. The ending was also predictably intense, with the 2 fighters ripping each other’s arms off in one huge final attack and Sasuke ultimately accepting defeat because only Naruto had the desire left to continue the fight.

Perhaps the 000 tear-jerker here though is that the gradual realization that this was it. the ultimate fight. After years spent alongside these characters and this fictional world, Masashi Kishimoto’s ninja tale was finally coming to an in-depth.

2/16

Itachi's Death(S)

Not many characters could go away with dying once in an exceedingly highly emotional scene so returning to try and do it everywhere again with an excellent more intense send-off. Then again, Itachi Uchiha isn't most characters.

After an epic fight along with his brother Sasuke, Itachi succumbs to the results of a terminal illness, and at last, his intimidating facade drops. In his last living moments, Itachi apologizes to his brother, gives him one last smile and a playful poke before dropping to the bottom, leaving his younger sibling reeling in shock.

Later within the series, Itachi is one in each of the numerous characters revived by the Edo Tensei, although he manages to sever the technique’s ties and remain independent. He teams up with Sasuke to require out Kabuto and immediately after the battle, begins his return to the afterlife. Somehow, his final speech here is even more affecting and touching than it had been during his actual death with Itachi reminding his brother what quantity he'll always love him.

1/16

Jiraiya's Death

Naruto didn’t often kill main characters but when it did, the impact was keenly felt. Despite being an enormous pervert, Naruto’s Godfather and mentor Jiraiya was a preferred figure with fans and was central to the narrative due to his ongoing look for a baby of prophecy that may bring peace to the ninja world.

Unfortunately, one in every of Jiraiya’s former students would herald the Toad Sage’s own downfall when Nagato – under the evil influence of Tobi – morphed into the villainous Pain. Determined to wash up his own mess, Jiraiya confronted his former pupil but was overpowered by the ability of the Rinnegan and in an intensely emotional scene, died alone within the rain.

The physical beating is brutal enough but the mix of Jiraiya’s final words and a series of poignant flashback scenes that see Jiriaya identify Naruto as his true legacy really detached fans’ tear ducts.