The life of a shinobi poses many hardships, and daily, they sacrifice their safety for the betterment of their village. No character embraces this struggle more than Naruto Uzumaki, the young ninja who serves as the main character of Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden. Naruto goes up against numerous villains as a shinobi, turning many of his fiercest enemies into strong allies.
It's not always easy to rank these emotional moments, as many of them tug on very different heartstrings. Death and triumph provoke despair or joy, while betrayal and loss bring rage and staunch determination bubbling to the surface with the ferocity of the Nine-Tails' chakra before Naruto learned to control it. Each arc in the franchise pits the Hidden Leaf Village against new challenges, and many of its 720 episodes perfectly capture the emotional toll it takes on those who carry the Will of Fire.
Updated on May 11, 2024 by Jenny Melzer: From beautiful moments of victory to agonizing defeats, there are no shortage of emotional episodes across the expanse of Naruto's story. Even now, as the tale continues with Naruto's children, Boruto and Himawari, one thing remains the same: the level of emotion these characters and their stories provoke is undeniable. This list has been updated to include even more of the most emotional moments in the Naruto anime, as well as to meet with CBR's current standards for formatting.
15 Naruto's Bond With Sasuke Runs Deeper Than Even He Knows
Naruto, Episode 134, "The End of Tears"
The rivalry between Naruto and Sasuke will forever be noted as one of anime's best. Their clashes always result in iconic scenes, and at the end of the original Naruto series, their final battle sets the tone for the entire franchise moving forward. Naruto would spend years training, growing strong enough to be able to bring his friend back home, but he almost didn't get the chance.
Sasuke's selfish desire to gain power is a constant theme throughout Naruto. When Naruto shows up to stop him from defecting from the Hidden Leaf Village, the Uchiha Clan member commits to his flawed ideology, attacking and defeating Naruto in a brutal fight. However, despite his intent to join Orochimaru, Sasuke can't bring himself to kill Naruto, reminding viewers that their bond is even deeper than they realize. While this is certainly an emotional moment, it lands at the bottom of the rankings because there were plenty more between the two that followed over the years, including their final epic showdown in Shippuden.
14 Gaara Almost Became A Dangerous Villain, And His Reasons Were Valid
Naruto, Episode 76, "Assassin of the Moonlit Night"
Sasuke may be the most angst-ridden character in Naruto, but no shinobi is more of a tortured soul than Gaara of the Sand. The host of the One-Tailed Sand Spirit Shukaku emanates a murderous intent, and as seen in his flashbacks to childhood, his emotional trauma runs extremely deep. Gaara's mother passed during childbirth, leaving him with a father who feared the beast sealed inside him and resented him for killing his beloved wife.
As a result of this fear, Gaara's father ordered his assassination, and sent his son's sole companion, his uncle, to do the deed. Were it not for the intervention of Naruto Uzumaki, Gaara likely would have never recovered from taking the life of his family member. Over time, Gaara became a stronger person, and his emotional sensitivity empowered his every act after he became the Kazekage of The Village Hidden In the Sand.
13 After Zabuza's Brutality, No One Expected To Mourn Him, But Haku Made Him Softer
Naruto, Episode 19, "The Demon In The Snow"
For being the first arc in the Naruto series, the mission that Naruto and Team Kakashi go on to the Land of Waves is a surprisingly emotional journey. Along the way, they meet Zabuza and Haku, two rogue ninjas that formerly worked as assassins for the Village Hidden in the Mist. It was hard to like Zabuza at first. He seemed completely heartless, but as the arc progressed toward its end, fans' hearts broke.
Although Zabuza initially seems like a heartless monster, his bond with Haku and rivalry with Kakashi slowly transform him into a character who legitimately elicits sympathy. He cared deeply for Haku, in his own way, and seeing that was devastating. Watching him take his final breaths next to Haku, his only friend, as the snow melts on his face is enough to bring a tear to any shinobi's eye.
12 Obito Became One Of Shippuden's Most Dangerous Villains, But He Had It Rough
Naruto Shippuden, Episode 345, "I'm In Hell"
Few characters in the Naruto universe have lived a harder life than Obito Uchiha. He grows up in the shadow of Kakashi Hatake and Minato Namikaze, almost perishes in a battle against the Hidden Stone Village, and is forced to live in isolation with Madara to survive.
By the time Obito finally emerges, one thing is on his mind — reuniting with Rin and Kakashi. This wholesome wish quickly becomes a nightmare when he arrives at the battlefield and sees Rin impaled on Kakashi's arm, awakening his Mangekyo Sharingan and slaughtering the Hidden Mist ninja surrounding them.
11 Naruto Finally Earns The Respect He Craved His Entire Life
Naruto Shippuden, Episode 175, "Hero of The Hidden Leaf"
From the very first episode of Naruto, it's made clear that the titular character is shunned by the people of his village. Feared for the beast within his body, parents don't let their children play with him, and the ostracization leads him to get the attention he craves through pranks and acts of rebellion. He vowed early on that he would one day earn the respect of the people in the Hidden Leaf, and after that he would become Hokage one day.
It was an uphill battle, especially as Pain and the Akatsuki arrived in the village in search of the Nine-Tails jinchuriki. With Naruto away training in Mount Myuboko, the Six Paths of Pain laid waste to the entire HIdden Leaf Village. It was Naruto who eventually stopped Nagato, the force behind Pain, and restored peace to the devastated village. As Kakashi carried an exhausted Naruto back to the village on his back, people began to cheer in celebration and admiration for the hero who saved the Hidden Leaf. It was an emotional moment, not just for Naruto, but for the fans watching. Not only did he finally get the respect he craved, but it set him on a direct path to achieving his overall goal to become Hokage someday.
10 Would It Have Been Better For Sasuke To Never Learn The Truth?
Naruto Shippuden, Episode 141, "Truth"
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Besides Naruto's friendship with Sasuke, no relationship in the Naruto franchise is more thoroughly explored than between the aforementioned Uchiha and his brother, Itachi. Sasuke's obsession with Itachi stems from his belief that Itachi murdered the Uchiha Clan in cold blood, but there was so much more to the story than young Sasuke could have ever imagined.
In Naruto: Shippuden, Sasuke, and Itachi clash for the final time, and the former seemingly emerges victorious. However, Obito later reveals that Sasuke's conception of Itachi's actions was completely off. He obscures the fact that everything Itachi did was for the good of his brother and the Hidden Leaf Village, of course, because he wants to pour fuel onto the raging inferno that has been burning in Sasuke for years. Discovering that his brother was little more than a pawn was a devastating realization, and it set Sasuke on an even darker path than the one he'd been traveling in pursuit of Itachi all those years. That being said, it falls in the lower half of the rankings, simply because by this time, fans were emotionally exhausted after Sasuke's battle with Itachi.
9 The Akatsuki Capturing Utakata Was Heartwrenching
Naruto Shippuden, Episode 151, "Master and Student"
Naruto and Shippuden are both packed with unnecessary filler episodes and arcs, but some of them actually lend well to the overall story. The "Six-Tails Unleashed" arc put Team Yamato on a mission to protect Hotaru, a kunoichi from Tsuchigumo Village. Though she calls Utakata her master, he scolds her every time. He has no desire to be anyone's master, and as the story of the Six-Tails jinchuriki unfolds, it becomes clear why. Though he discovers it was a misunderstanding, what he believed his former master was trying to do to him, he's still hesitant to take on that role.
At the end of the story, he finally gives in, promising Hotaru that he will train her. As a missing-nin, however, he wants to meet up with those who have been hunting him for defecting first. Leaving Hotaru to wait for him, he slips off intot he woods only to be confronted (and killed off-screen,) by the Akatsuki. The fact that Hotaru sat in the field waiting for him to return is enough to make a person weep. He'd finally accepted his past, only to have his future cut short.
8 Sasuke & Itachi Got To Say Their Final, Painful Goodbye
Naruto Shippuden, Episode 339, "I Will Always Love You"
There was so much left unsaid between the Uchiha brothers when Sasuke won the ongoing battle between them. After discovering the partial truth from Obito about the Hidden Leaf's role in the murder of the Uchiha Clan, Sasuke headed down an even darker path, this time as the righteous avenger of those who used and exploited his older brother. During the Fourth Ninja World War, however, Kabuto Yakushi's mastery of the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu brought an army of dead nin back to their bodies to fight like puppets under his control.
Itachi was among the many reincarnated ninja, but in a strange twist of events, he had planted a crow within Naruto that allowed him to break Kabuto's hold over him so he could act freely. During this time, he managed to track Kabuto down, and for the final time Sasuke and Itachi came face to face. It was a heartbreaking scene, as Sasuke still wanted so deserpately to avenge his brother, and though Itachi knew he couldn't guide Sasuke one way or the other, he assured him that no matter what path he chose, he would always love his little brother.
7 In The Absence of Naruto's Father, One Man Always Stood Up To The Task
Naruto Shippuden, Episode 500, "The Message"
From 2002 to 2017, Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden captivated anime audiences around the world, earning the franchise a spot in animation history with its massive impact. Countless memories are made throughout these series, culminating in one final episode that puts a bow on arguably the most popular anime of all time.
For many reasons, "The Message" is one of the most affecting episodes in the Naruto franchise. Naruto's acknowledgment of Iruka as his true father figure leaves both Iruka and viewers in tears, and his matrimony with Hinata finalizes a romance over a decade in the making. This, along with multiple other touching moments, is why Naruto: Shippuden's final episode stands as one of its greatest achievements.
6 Losing The Third Hokage Was One Of The Earliest Blows In Naruto
Naruto, Episode 80, "The Third Hokage, Forever..."
Although character deaths become slightly more common in Naruto Shippuden, the passing of the Third Hokage evidences that the original Naruto series isn't lacking in emotional debt either. His sacrifice against Orochimaru may be noble, but it ushers in a turbulent period for the Hidden Leaf Village. Not only are they now without a Hokage, but the devastation of Orochimaru's attack on the Leaf has brought an end to the peace Hiruzen Sarutobi worked hard to maintain.
Naruto's parents died long before the show's events, and while no one could fill their shoes, the Third Hokage ensured that the young boy was always taken care of. His attachment to Naruto and the other Hidden Leaf shinobi is a huge part of what makes his funeral such a gut-wrenching experience. It was the first of many dark moments to come.
5 Fans Waited A Long Time To Meet Naruto's Parents
Naruto Shippuden, Episode 249, "Thank You"
Naruto's parents were bound to appear in the franchise at some point, and when they finally did, they exceeded all expectations. Minato and Kushina are fantastic parents that do everything in their power to stop the Nine-Tailed Fox's attack on their village, ultimately giving their own lives to ensure the safety of Naruto and the Hidden Leaf Village.
The Fourth Hokage and Kushina's last seconds were spent right next to one another; each impaled on the same of the Nine-Tailed Fox's claws. Together, they each rush to speak their final words to their newborn son, giving him as many kind words of advice as they can before passing to the other side. Finally seeing the sacrifice Minato and Kushina made was emotional enough to earn this episode the number five spot in the rankings.
4 Jiraiya & Tsunade's Farewell Is Unforgettably Tragic
Naruto Shippuden, Episode 126, "Twilight"
It was established during his first introduction in Naruto that Jiraiya was known for some questionable practices, like peeping on women in the bathhouse. In fact, that was how he earned the nickname, "Pervy Sage," which Naruto called him even long after his death. Beneath his pervy exterior, however, was a man who devoted himself to a life of solitary wandering, and part of the reason can easily be surmised as it being too painful for him to be near the one love that would never be his: Tsunade.
From the moment Jiraiya first met Tsunade, he was enamored by her, though she never returned his feelings. Much like Sakura's relentless and undying love for Sasuke, Jiraiya held onto hope that one day, Tsunade would recognize that he was being genuine. Unfortunately, that moment didn't come until it was too late. As former teammates and two of the three Legendary Sannin, watching Jiraiya and Tsunade say goodbye before he walks off toward what will obviously be his last mission, is devastating. One can almost imagine how different things might have been for both of them, if they'd only found solace in each other years earlier.
3 Hinata's Love Confession Inspired Naruto, But It was Brutal
Naruto Shippuden, Episode 166, "Confession"
It was a long road, watching as Hinata Hyuga secretly pined for Naruto from afar. As she watched Pain torment the boy she loved, she put herself in front of him in an effort to spare him. Pain brutally attacked HInata again and again, and each time she rose to the challenge, dragging herself to her feet and refusing to back down from protecting him. Though Naruto repeatedly begged her to stop, she explained that she couldn't, she wouldn't, because she was in love with him.
Naruto creator Misashi Kishimoto has never exactly been praised for how he handled the romantic relationships, and even after this confession, Naruto goes on about his life as if he forgot Hinata's declaration of love. It wouldn't be until later, in the spin-off movie, Naruto: The Last, that the pair finally come together. Even then Hinata has all but given up hope that Naruto will ever recognize her feelings, or rememb that time she stood in front of Pain and told him exactly how she felt in one of the most emotional and memorable scenes in the story.
2 The Death of Team 10's Sensei Moved Even The Most Stoic Character To Tears
Naruto Shippuden, Episode 82, "Team 10"
Shikamaru Nara isn't technically a main character in Naruto, but he's consistently ranked as a fan favorite for a reason. His too-cool-for-school gimmick complements his genius-level intellect, and his relationship with his mentor, Asuma Sarutobi, quickly becomes one of the most interesting among the Konoha 11. The war against the Akatsuki resulted in several deaths, including that of Shikamaru's beloved mentor. The young chunin bottles up many of his emotions until the day of Asuma's funeral, at which point he finally breaks down and tearfully acknowledges his grief in the arms of his father.
Coupled with the replaying of events during which Shikamaru and Asuma played Shogi together while sharing philosophical conversations about what it means to protect "The King," it's such an emotional sequence fans can't help but cry themselves. Only through Asuma's death did Shikamaru finally come to understand who, or rather what, "The King" he was supposed to protect was. The children, the next generation, are the most valuable and precious resource in any village. As Asuma asked Shikamaru to protect his king, it became clear that he was leaving behind more than just a lover and a devoted team of studens, but his own unborn child.
1 The Death of Naruto's Mentor Still Haunts Fans To This Day
Naruto Shippuden, Episode 133 "The Tale of Jiraiya The Gallant"
When it comes to beloved mentors, the Naruto franchise is second to none. Kakashi, the Third Hokage, Asuma, and Jiraiya are but a few of the Hidden Leaf Village's best teachers — unfortunately, the latter of these four is also the victim of the saddest death scene in the entire series. In his fight with the Six Paths of Pain, Jiraiya proves why he is one of the legendary Sannin. However, Pain learned from the best, as one of Jiraiya's former students, and he put to use everything his master taught him, and then some, to defeat him.
Leader of the Akatsuki, Pain defeating Jiraiya wasn't exactly unexpected, but the thought of it coming filled viewers with dread. After all, he was a constant, positive force in Naruto's life, someone who gave him the much needed attention and training he'd been missing out on in his life. Not even taking into consideration how this devastating blow would affect Naruto, watching Jiraiya's final moments, and then hearing his internal dialogue as he passes the torch of the future to his student, lingers long after the closing credits of the episode. Both the manner of Jiraiya's death, and the knowledge of how it would affect Naruto are more than enough to land it at the top of the rankings as the most emotional moment in both Naruto and Shippuden combined.
