As one of the most prominent manga-turned-television series in Shōnen Jump history, naruto has more than its fair share of iconic fights. Considering the incredible power at the main cast’s fingertips, no character is safe from a sudden and tragic death.
With 720 episodes between naruto and Naruto: Shippuuden Combined, these deaths hit even harder as the characters were built and won over audiences over the years. While the series does its share of fake deaths, it also kills off important characters, maintaining the high-stakes atmosphere of the brutal ninja world.
15
Rin Nohara
Chapter #305, Shippuden Episode #345
Finally, Kakashi and Obito’s full story was revealed, and how Kakashi killed Rin was shown. After Obito discovers that his two friends are in danger, he rushes out of bed and onto the battlefield, but what awaits him is shocking. He had some visions of Rin dying through Kakashi’s Sharingan, but dismissed them. Only when he arrived at the scene did he see Kakashi’s Chidori piercing Rin’s chest, killing her.
Rin’s death was heroic, to say the least, as she was harboring the Three-Tails, who would attack as soon as she entered Konoha.then she jumped in front of an enemy Kakashi was attacking and caused him to accidentally kill her. What made the death even sadder was Obito going crazy and killing every enemy in sight, and Kakashi getting PTSD and incredible guilt over killing her.
14
Utakata
Shippuuden episode 151
Although this arc was not canon and was not present in the manga, it still provided fans with one of the most touching moments and relationships in the series. The Six Tails Unleashed arc revolves around Utakata, the Six Tails Jinchuriki, and Hotaru, his disciple. Their bond was incredibly deep, and Utakata, despite his aloof attitude, was protecting Hotaru with all his power.
However, their time together was interrupted when Pain found and attacked Utakata, seeking to extract the tailed beast within him. Although he met valiantly, he was unable to overcome Pain’s power and was subsequently killed. The saddest thing about Utakata’s death wasn’t that he couldn’t be with Hotaru anymore. but that she was waiting and waiting for him to return, not knowing that her master was already dead.
13
Shikaku and Inoichi
Chapter #613, Shippuden Episode #363
With the Ten-Tails now under the control of Madara and Obito, the Allied Forces had one last battle ahead of them, and it was their most challenging. However, the ninjas were coordinating very well and morale was high. This is when Obito has the Ten-Tails fire Tailed Beast Bombs, and at first it seems random, but Ao notices one of them is heading straight for the headquarters. Realizing there is no escape, Shikaku and Inoichi decide to communicate with all the ninja. one last time and convey a strategy that will help them.
This death was particularly shocking and reminded viewers that this was truly a war where anyone could die at any time, no matter how far away they were. The fact that Shikamaru and Ino continued to fight despite the pain was another poignant moment that gave weight to their parents’ deaths, even though they didn’t have much screen time. Shikaku and Inoichi’s death is one of the best-executed deaths in the series and a major turning point in the arc.
12
Nagato
Chapter #449, Shippuden Episode #174
Despite being one of naruto Main villains and responsible for the death of dear Jiraiya, Nagato had a very emotional farewell. After Naruto defeated the 6 Paths of Pain, he located where Nagato and Konan were hiding, but instead of killing him and taking revenge on all his fallen comrades, Naruto asks how Nagato came to be and why he does what he does. That’s when Nagato shared his goals for peace and how the shinobi world, especially Konoha, took everything he loved from him.
After hearing Nagato’s words and story, Naruto decided that he would end the cycle of hatred despite wanting revenge, and stated that he would seek a solution to injustices. Nagato’s ideals were destroyed, as his belief depended on humans being unable to escape hatred, especially when they lose everything. He decides to trust Naruto and try to atone for his sins, Nagato revives the Konoha residents he just massacred in exchange for his life. It was truly a perfect conclusion for a troubled man, and
11
Konan
Chapter #511, Episode #253 of Shippuden
After the intense Pain Arc and the resolution of Nagato’s conflict and ideals, Konan transported her childhood friend’s corpse back to her home, but Tobi/Obito didn’t let that happen. He was interested in taking Nagato’s Rinnegan to fulfill his plans, and it was here that he revealed that they were originally Madara’s eyes and not Nagato’s. Konan would not let Nagato’s body be desecrated, as she faced the Uchiha and actually killed him. However, Obito had a trump card that brought him back to life, and he ambushed and killed Konan.
What really makes Konan’s death even sadder is that she planned to live in peace in her village.and bury Nagato. She finally saw her friend find peace and hope, but her moment of joy was short-lived. As his body floated in the ocean, a flashback to his days with Nagato, Yahiko, and Jiraiya made the scene even more poignant and reminded fans of the tragedy of the Hidden Rain trio.
10
Neji
Neji has been one of the most interesting characters since his introduction in the Chunin Exams, receiving a prominent character development arc and a moving story. The crux of his character was free will and defying fate, and although he overcame his toxic ideals in the same arc, it was the Fourth Great Ninja War that showed how much his character had developed.
During the Fourth Great Shinobi War, Neji sacrificed himself defending Naruto and Hinata from the Ten-Tailed Beast. Although some fans were disappointed to see him die in a somewhat anticlimactic way, the victory over Madara and Obito would never have been possible without Neji’s sacrifice. His death was symbolized by a bird breaking free from a cage, a good choice considering how Neji always considered himself a slave to fate and servitude to the main family. Although Neji ended up dying by a member of the main family, this time was differentfor it was his choice to give his life.
9
Grandma Chiyo
Chapter #280, Episode #31 of Shippuden
Chiyo won over fans by giving them one of the best fight scenes in Shippuudenas she teams up with Sakura to fight Akatsuki’s puppet master, Sasori. Not only did Sakura finally get to take part in a high-quality fight, but the fan-favorite figures also got the chance to be tested to their fullest in a back-and-forth exchange. Additionally, his development from someone wary of Konoha due to hatred for opening his heart to Sakura, Gaara, and the next generation of shinobi made his death even more difficult.
Her character arc concluded when she gave up her own life to bring Gaara back from the dead.a movement that supported the restoration of his hope for the world.
8
Hiruzen was one of the first important deaths
Chapter #139, Naruto Episode #80
Although Hiruzen is one of the characters that causes the most controversy due to his incompetence as Hokage, he was still loved at the beginning of the series and, as the strongest at the time, he was very important. One of the reasons the Chunin Exams were memorable was the exciting fight at the end where the village was attacked and Hiruzen tied up. It’s unusual for the strongest character to fight and die so early, but the unpredictability was well received.
Hiruzen’s death was especially difficult to swallow due to the fact that it occurred at the hands of his former apprentice, Orochimaru.. The villain was not destined to become a future Hokage, as Hiruzen wanted, but his final moments would be spent ensuring that Orochimaru could not hurt anyone in the village again, sealing his hands and causing him immense pain. He was later brought back into the war arc and proved to be an important asset in victory.
7
Death
Chapter #687, Episode #472 of Shippuden
As the mastermind behind the formation of Akatsuki and the main antagonist for much of the series, Obito was one of those villains it’s hard not to root for. His relationship with Kakashi directly parallels that of Naruto and Sasuke, so it’s hard not to become emotionally invested in his story. His backstory, identity crisis, and flaws made him likable, and his charm soared when he saw the error of his ways and decided to try and rewrite the mistakes he made.
Obito’s path to redemption is a slow one, and only at the end is Naruto able to persuade him to follow a different path. After discovering that Madara orchestrated Rin’s death all those years ago, making a last stand alongside his former teammate before joining Rin in the afterlife was a beautiful moment to end the series. His conclusion was one of his best, conveying his dreams of becoming Hokage and trusting this to Naruto.
6
Asuma
Chapter #328, Episode #80 of Shippuden
Son of Hiruzen, Asuma is the second member of the Sarutobi bloodline who we have witnessed suffer a tragic death. Best known as the leader of Team 10, Asuma guided Shikamaru, Ino and Choji into one of the most beloved trios in the entire series.
In the war against Akatsuki, Asuma was killed by the immortal Hidan. While Shikamaru was forced to watch, his former team leader was defeated in battle. During his final words with the former members of Team 10, he delivered parting messages that would forever remain in the minds of his former team and viewers.
5
Itachi
Chapter #393, Shippuden Episode #138
After committing horrific crimes and decimating his family’s bloodline, Itachi was content to distance himself from his younger brother, Sasuke, and die with the world still believing he was the villain. Many years later, Itachi would eventually be killed by this same brother, finally granting him freedom from past regrets..
This relief would not last long, as Kabuto would revive Itachi to use him as a pawn in his plans to destroy Konoha. Once reunited with their younger brother, Itachi and Sasuke would team up to defeat Kabuto for good. As his reincarnated body dissipates, Itachi finally has the chance to show the love he feels for his brother as the two receive the farewell they always deserved.
4
Kakashi
Chapter #424, Shippuden Episode #159
During Pain’s invasion of Konoha, Kakashi was one of the main defenders of Vila da Folha. Kakashi exhausted his chakra in a duel against Pain and spent what was left of it to save Choji’s life, dying soon after. As fans watched a scene of Kakashi talking to his father in the afterlife, it wouldn’t be long before he was brought back to reality.
If Kakashi’s death had been final, it would have undoubtedly made the biggest impact and would have ranked even higher on this list. Fortunately, Kakashi was revived and this fan favorite would play a key role in the series’ final showdown against the rest of Akatsuki and its founder, Obito.
3
Zabuza and Haku
Chapter #32, Episode #18 of Naruto
As the series’ first primary antagonists, Zabuza and Haku presented Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura with the greatest threat they had ever faced. Zabuza was one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and was prolific with both weapons and Jutsu. Meanwhile, Haku possessed one of the most interesting kekkei genkai in the series and would push the Leaf genin to his limits.
Although Zabuza has been portrayed as a cruel man with a cold exterior, this falls apart after Haku gives his life to protect his master. Zabuza is also the first villain that Naruto can face by talking rather than fighting, making the heroic moment in which Zabuza takes Gato down with him even more exciting. This death scene perfectly expressed the duality of the characters, and the idea that no one is purely evil would guide many of Naruto’s decisions in the future.
2
Jiraiya
Chapter #382, Episode #133 of Shippuden
Throughout the series, Jiraiya’s strange and often perverted personality has made him a strange but lovable figure. Despite his immense power, Jiraiya never took himself too seriously and ended up becoming a perfect mentor for Naruto to excel. As the first person to suffer the wrath of all of the Six Paths of Pain, Jiraiya stood his ground in one of the longest one-on-one duels in the series.
Although he managed to incapacitate three of the Paths, his ignorance of the remaining three Paths and their abilities would result in Jiraiya being killed by Nagato in one of the Paths. narutothe greatest betrayals. As he dies, he ponders what Naruto would have done and manages to send a message that would help prepare Konoha for Pain’s arrival. Although Jiraiya spent much of his life believing himself to be a failure, he succeeded in this final task and gave this beloved character a touching farewell.
1
Minato and Kushina
Chapter #607, Episode #350 of Shippuden
Without Minato and Kushina’s final sacrifice, naruto nor could it exist. Although Naruto Uzimake’s origin and reasoning behind his parents’ death are not discovered until later, Minato and Kushina’s fight against Obito and the furious Nine-Tails is one of the series’ highlights. In narutoMain characters often face death through a grand gesture of sacrifice, and the fate of these two lovers is no different.
This case is particularly bittersweet, however, as the great Fourth Hokage himself is forced to not only sacrifice himself to stop the beast known as Kurama, but also to seal its power in his newborn son. If Minato had not sacrificed himself for the greater good, Naruto and the Leaf Village as a whole would have been defenseless against Obito’s plot.