With the beginning of Boruto:Naruto Next Generations, fans got to see what happened to the Naruto cast after they grew up. Many paired off, settled down and had families, leaving their time as shinobi behind. This led to the new generation of up and coming shinobi characters populating the Boruto manga series.
While romance may never have been the focus of the series, Naruto is home to many different couples. Each have their own stories. Some are tragic, and others endearing. The series didn't delve much into the subject beyond Sakura's obsessive love for Sasuke and Hinata's silent and nervous pining for Naruto, but seeing all of Naruto's couples together as they lead a new generation, it's not hard to see which ones are actually enjoying a healthy relationship, and which ones are struggling to find balance in love.
Updated on May 5, 2024 by Jenny Melzer: Despite relationships being a lesser focus in Naruto, it makes sense that as the characters grew and evolved, their personal relationships would, too. Most of the major characters were small children at the start of the story, and now that the franchise has moved on to the next generation with Boruto, many of Naruto's generation have gotten married and had children of their own. Some of the romances were easily predictable, while others were impossible to imagine. This list has been updated to expand the analysis for each relationship, as well as to bring it up to CBR's most current standards for formatting.
15 Most Fans Didn't Think Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno Would Make It
Surprising To Everyone, They Went On To Get Married
Teased since the beginning of the series, Sasuke and Sakura show fans a rather heart-breaking setup. While they do have a daughter, Sarada, Sasuke is not present for her upbringing. He spends nearly all of his time away from the Hidden Leaf Village, working to protect the people and gather intel for the Hokage, Naruto. Sasuke's absence leaves Sakura to raise their daughter entirely by herself, and their own daughter doesn't even know him at all.
As a couple, they never really seemed to mesh. Sasuke was consumed for years by his vengeance, and Sakura carried her childhood crush the entire way, despite never having any confirmation that Sasuke even cared about her at all. The series didn't really give viewers a glimpse into their dynamic until the Boruto flashback arc, "Sasuke's Story", which saw the couple in action together, and sharing some touching romantic moments. Despite this minor course correction to develop their relationship, Sakura and Sasuke come in at the bottom of the list because even as a married couple, they're still hard to believe in.
14 Naruto & Hinata Are An Adorable Couple, But Hinata Is Basically A Single Mom
Great Couple, Not Great Parents
Naruto and Hinata were definitely end game material. Watching Hinata pine over him from afar for nearly the entire series, it was a beautiful thing for her to finally find her voice and tell him how she felt. Unfortunately, Naruto's ambitions to become Hokage would mean putting important things like family on the back burner. Naruto was present for the birth of his children, and he does try his best, but his continuous focus on his duties as Hokage has left his son to resent him and the title.
While they are happy together and mesh well creating a peaceful home life, Naruto's negligence towards his children shows signs that he hasn't matured quite as much as we were led to believe. As Naruto's wife, Hinata seems to understand Naruto's work pressures and reassures their son, Boruto, that he has the village's best interest in mind. Still, in a child's mind, it can be incredibly difficult to understand the nuances of adult life and responsibility. Naruto even explained to Boruton at one point that the entire Hidden Leaf was his family, and he owed them everything, but it would be nice to see him spend more time with his children. Especially considering his own lonely childhood.
13 Emperor Tenji & Princess Kaguya Shared A Love They Had To Hide
Forbidden Love Stories Always Resonate, But This One Lacked Development
An important relationship in terms of the story, Kaguy and Tenji's relationship sets into motion many aspects of both Madara's and Kaguya's plan. The relationship between Princess Kaguya and Emperor Tenji is very quickly glossed over. The series briefly mentions her pregnancy before her death and never delves any deeper into her and Tenji's story.
However, due to Kaguya never officially becoming empress, their relationship is private from others. The series never shows its development or goes beyond the sparse details in the story, so fans can never accurately say how positive it was.
12 Kizashi & Mebuki Haruno Are One Of The Most Wholesome Couples In The Series
From Dad Jokes To Fussing Mother, The Haruno's Are Beautifully wholesome.
Fans never learn much about Kizashi and Mebuki Haruno because they didn't play a major role in events. Appearing in just one Naruto Shippuden episode, "Road to Sakura," and the the movie, Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie they were a quirky, talkative couple who seemed to enjoy each other's company and love their daughter very much. Sakura's father, Kizashi, was the series' king of dad jokes, making her groan inwardly with every word he said.
They worked together to instill a dedicated work ethic into their daughter, while also providing a loving and stable home environment for her. Because this isn't something often seen throughout the series, it's a refreshing glimpse at a normal family. After Sakura goes missing during the course of the sixth film, they worriedly search for her throughout the village. A couple that sits primarily in the background of the series, Kizashi and Mebuki's care and cooperation would rank them higher if they were more present in the story.
11 Fugaku & Mikoto Uchiha's Relationship Is Colored Only By Memory
Proud Parents Of The Uchiha Clan, All Fans Really See Is Sasuke's Memories Of Them
The parents of both Itachi and Sasuke, Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha showed a very happy relationship. Although only seen in brief flashbacks from Sasuke's perspective, it is possible he only sees them in a romanticized view.
Throughout the story, viewers never hear of any conflict or fights between them, but Fugaku was a strict father, so it's almost easy to imagine him controlling the entire Uchiha household rigidly. Proud members of the Uchiha clan, they passed their traditions down to their children. Even in their clan's plan to assassinate the rest of the village, they showed complete compassion for their eldest son in the moments before he murdered them.
10 Hashirama & Mito Were A Power Couple In Their Own Right
A Couple That Started A Legacy
Hashirama and Mito's relationship led to the first instance of an Uzumaki sealing a tailed beast within themselves. Not much is known about Mito, aside from being from a powerful clan herself. Her betrothal to the first Hokage already asserts her place as a powerful figure in the early ninja world.
Mito even battles alongside her husband during the warring states period against the Uchiha. More development in their relationship would probably introduce a new form of power couple into the series, since their strong bond led to the evolution of the ninja world, after all. Since there isn't a lot of focus on romantic relationships, it's not something that ever saw expansion.
9 Hayate & Yugao Shared a Tragic Love That Haunted Her Until They Met Again After His Death
Yugao Only Found Peace By Letting Go Of Her Dead Lover
In a tragic story for the Naruto world, Hayate and Yugao's relationship is cut short after Baki kills Hayate in the first part of the series. His partner, Yugao, vows to avenge his murder as a member of the Anbu Black Ops. Viewers see Yugao visit Hayate's grave many times throughout the series, showing that she did truly love him.
Though fans never see them on screen together beyond that initial story, Yugao's refusal to give in leads her to battle a Hayate resurrected by Kabato during the Fourth Great Ninja War. After much internal debate, Yugao finally avenges the death of her lover by putting him to final rest and letting go.
8 Kiba & Tamaki Are An Almost Impossible Couple Fans Still Want to See Together
This Beauty & The Beast Story Could Have Cats And Dogs Living Together In Harmony
Although not clearly stated as a couple, Kiba and Tamaki have been seen throughout the Boruto, series attending events together or passing through the village together with their pets. However, the Naruto exhibition booklet, Book of Thunder, contains the one-shot story "The Beast that was Shot by Love!!" which tells the story about how Kiba and Tamaki met.
The book Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding further discusses their relationship after Tamaki moves to Konoha. Kiba and Tamaki aren't seen together again until the New Era. It's clear that despite the way he feels for her, Kiba still hasn't matured enough to have a meaningful relationship. Especially with a cat lover like Tamaki.
7 Choji & Karui Were Willing To Put In The Miles To Make Their Relationship Work
A Love Worth A Thousand Miles
Throughout the book, Sakura Hiden: Thoughts of Love, Riding Upon a Spring Breeze, readers are told that Choji often makes excuses to travel all the way to Kumogakure to see Karui. In Sasuke Shinden: Book of Sunrise, fans learn that Kauri also makes an effort to keep in contact with Choji.
In Naruto's epilogue, viewers see that Choji and Karui have already gotten married and have a daughter named Cho-Cho. Their relationship throughout Boruto seems to be rather normal, with the regular ups and downs of marriage, but they struggle to teach their daughter her bloodline techniques. Karui often finds herself on the frustrated end, as both her husband and daughter seem driven almost solely by their appetites, but their marriage, for the most part remains healthy.
6 Tsunade & Dan Would Have Been A Beautiful Relationship If It Hadn't Been Cut Short
Tsunade's Story Of Love & Loss Deeply Defines Her Character
After being fatally wounded during the Second Great Ninja War, Dan died in the arms of his partner Tsunade Senju. Despite her skill in medical ninjutsu, Tsunade was unable to stop her lover from bleeding out, and that failure haunted her for years. She developed a debilitating hemophobia that made it impossible for her to operate because the sight of blood sent her into a tailspin.
The weight of Dan's death sent Tsunade down a path of alcoholism, gambling addiction, and isolation that was only resolved when she reunited with Jiraiya and he introduced her to Naruto. Dan's death caused Tsunade to leave Konoha and her duties as a shinobi, as well as her place as one of the former Legendary Sannin. Though fans only get to see them together in flashback scenes, and later during Tsunade's dream in the Infinite Tsukoyomi, it's clear they had a loving and healthy relationship that would have flourished if Dan had lived.
5 Sai & Ino Were Made For Each Other
Sai Would Never Replace Sasuke, But In Many Ways He Was Better
Unlike most of the secondary cast relationships, Sai and Ino's relationship had a distince beginning. The pair met in the hospital while Sai's team was there to meet Kakashi. Sai and Ino had a back-and-forth relationship with subtle nods until their love finally came to fruition during the Blank Period, when she rescued Sai from Gengo's genjutsu.
Sai and Ino's relationship progresses throughout the Naruto stories, which all take place after the main series, with Sai taking Ino's family name because he'd spent his whole life without a family to call his own. The pair eventually got married and in Boruto they have a son named Inojin, who shares his father's passion for art.
4 Asuma & Kurenai's Secret Relationship Never Got The Chance To Shine
Asuma's Death Left Kurenai Pregnant And Alone To Raise Their Daughter
Both Kurenai and Asuma were well-respected jonin and were in a semi-secret relationship. Both managing their own teams, they were often seen discussing their students together. While they were never married, following Asuma's death at the hands of the Akatsuki member Hidan, Kurenai gives their daughter his family name: Sarutobi.
To honor Asuma's memory, Kurenai herself also changed her name to Sarutobi at a later point in the series. Their daughter, Mirai, appears as a jonin who holds great respect for her father and often speaks to him through an old photo of him.
3 Shikamaru & Temari Are A Perfectly Balanced Couple
This Fan Favorite Couple Have A Deep Respect For Each Other, Which Strengthens Their Bond
A relationship that initially began as mutual respect between two shinobi, Shikamaru and Temari saw one another as equals during the Chunin Exams. As her escort at the beginning of Shippuden, the two spent a lot of time together, allowing them to develop a friendship as they got to know each other.
Temari was surprised when Shikamaru saw her off before she left, which heavily contrasted his normally lazy nature. Their relationship formally began after the defeat of Gengo during the Blank Period, when Shikamaru asked Temari on a date. This then progresses to the New Era, where they are married and have a son, Shikadai.
2 Fukasaku & Shima Are The Definition Of Growing Old Together
The Sage Toad Couple Are Like Everyone's Favorite Grandparents
The Sage Toads of Mount Myoboku are like one big, happy family, and at the head of it are Ma and Pa. Fukasaku and Shima are one of the most well-rounded couples in the series, which is saying something. They're like an adorable pair of toad grandparents, looking after everyone they take under their wing with loving kindness.
Not only do they have a deep amount of respect for each other, but they work side-by-side when it really matters. Their combined power provided Jiraiya and Naruto both with a much-needed boost. The couple knows that any moment could be their last, as is life for ninjas, so they make every one count while they're together. Shima watching Fukasaku die during the battle with Pain was one of the most heartwrenching scenes in Shippuden.
1 Minato & Kushina Were The Definitive Power Couple
Their Love Is The Foundation Of The Entire Series
A power couple of the Naruto universe, Minato and Kushina were two very successful shinobi in their own right. Minato is the Fourth Hokage, while Kushina sealed the Nine-Tailed Fox within herself. Their relationship began when they were genin, as Minato rescued Kushina from bandits who kidnapped her because of her Uzumaki heritage.
After the birth of their son, the Nine-Tailed Fox was released. Minato and Kushina fought tooth and nail to keep their son safe, giving their lives in the process and sealing a portion of the fox spirit within their son, Naruto, setting off the story of the series. Despite neither of them having an active role in the present due to their unfortunate deaths, the love they shared is truly the most powerful in the entire series.
