Naruto Has some ofthe most poignant interpersonal relationships between its characters in any anime or manga series, with a diverse cast of supporting characters who eventually befriend the protagonist. In the beginning, Naruto Uzumaki has difficulty getting along with his fellow Konoha villagers due to a terrible past associated with his existence, but his determination, tomfoolery and golden heart win over even the most hardened of ninjas. While much of Naruto is spent with the protagonist’s attempt to reconcile with a defected comrade and friend, many characters rank among Naruto’s best friends.
Friendship is very beneficial in NarutoEspecially as the shinobi of the five great countries and beyond traditionally work as units rather than alone. This is especially the case as the series wears on, with nefarious organizations like the Akatsuki being too big for one hero to handle alone and Jinchūriki like Naruto being isolated as targets. Naruto had a habit of making friends with almost everyone he met, But aside from Sasuke, many were much more loyal from the start Or shortly after the first arc of the series.
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Chōji Akimichi
Among Konoha’s most wholesome ninjas
Naruto spends less time with Chōji throughout the series, with more lingering memories of their direct interactions in the filler arcs. Although this is quite debated among fans, Naruto’s eventual alliance in the main events of the series is largely unproblematic, even if Naruto’s poor choice of words makes for an awkward reunion in episode #33 of Naruto Shippuden. true, Chōji is the best friend almost anyone in Konoha could ask forBeing closest to Shikamaru Nara since childhood.
What is fascinating about Chōji is that he is a loyal and healthy Konoha citizen, eager to lend a helping hand even to Mirai Sarutobi Naruto Spinoff miniseries. He is a loving father and A strong man who often goes to barbecues with friendsCheers on his allies, and is one of Konoha’s fiercest defenders. While Chōji ranks relatively low among Naruto’s friends, he is a dear ally to many others.
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killer b
Tailed animal buddies
Killer B’s introduction is much later than practically all the characters that Naruto befriends. Still, his most poignant impressions on the protagonist lie in his successful cooperation with Gyūki, the eight-tails. Killer B, in general, is a compassionate, energetic and collaborative shinobi and often ranks among the most memorable characters of Kumogakure, the Village Hidden by the Clouds. Through Killer B’s teaching, Naruto can eventually befriend and work alongside Kurama, his Tailed Beast.
Killer B is also one of the most expressive friends in Naruto. His body language and gestures, namely, the fist bump, is a particular habit Naruto picks upA sort of mutual recognition as fighters. Killer B’s connection is also fascinating in that there is never an enduring rivalry between the two, just a mutual understanding of their shared traits as Jinchūriki.
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Kiba Inuzuka
A rocky start smoothed over with respect
Kiba was one of Naruto’s harshest critics among his peers, with their rivalry being particularly heated in the Chunin Exam arc. However, in the third part of the exams, the two fight in the preliminaries, with Kiba’s persistent underestimation of Naruto’s growth being a common theme. After Naruto successfully wins still refusing to back down, Kiba changes his tune, being among Naruto’s earliest cheerleadersProudly recognizing his classmate after Naruto saved Konoha from Pain.
Kiba has shown signs of siding with Naruto in various filler episodes, spending time with him along with Chōji and Shikamaru, suggesting his only problem is Naruto’s embarrassing ineptitude and obnoxious behavior. But after a humbling defeat, he is one of the first friends Naruto wins over. He’s not a particularly close friend, but no other character has weathered as much of Naruto’s flatulence in the face, which has to count for something.
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Neji Hyuga
Fated friends
While Naruto initially gets a bad impression of Neji, witnessing his cruelty to Hinata in the Chunin Exams, Naruto is also responsible for Breaking down Neji’s deep-seated, deterministic outlook. When Neji revealed the truth behind his frustration, Naruto only wanted to change that perception, believing that Neji’s preconceived notions were the real issue. Despite Neji wildly outclassing Naruto in skill, the protagonist’s grit and determination to push back against the gentle fist of fate ultimately lowered Neji’s barriers.
It is still the moment Naruto Chapter #105 Neji suffers the greatest upheaval of his life as one of Konoha’s famous geniuses, choosing to abandon his previous beliefs and not be discouraged by his standing as a Hyuga branch family member. He becomes an elite Jonin, the first of Naruto’s generation to do so, and His final moments in the series show him grateful to be acknowledged by Naruto. Neji’s impression was strong enough for Naruto to pay homage when he named his son Boruto.
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Gaara
Suffering loves company
Gaara was among the biggest surprises in terms of Naruto’s friends. After all, he begins the series with a cruel strike, his brutality so sharp that the Naruto Anime had to censor his violent brand of jutsu. Despite the otherwise terrible first impression, Naruto begins to see the suffering and sadness beneath Gaara’s rageAs the two share similar tragic childhoods as Jinchūriki, shunned by their villages.
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However, after rescuing Gaara from Sasori and convincing Chiyo to save him, Naruto demonstrates his concern for a fellow jinchuriki. Gaara’s return in chapter #279 is a touching moment. Naruto made an important step in searching for ninjas from other nationsSomething that Chiyo’s generation could not achieve. Gaara’s handshake with Naruto and subsequent friendship would properly seal a mutual, unbreakable bond.
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Iruka Umino
Naruto’s first supporter
Although more of a big brother figure to Naruto as the series continues, Iruka’s friendship is a beautiful and wholesome bond that, while less prominent later in the franchise, is vital in Naruto’s upbringing. Iruka was the first ninja to show that he cared about Naruto, despite him being the host of the nine-tailed fox that once ravaged Konoha, an incident that claimed his parents’ lives. Despite a reasonable case for resentment, Iruka never hates Naruto; Instead, he recognized him as a shinobi from KonohaGive him his ninja headband and be his first true mentor.
Iruka’s role will diminish later in the series, but there are incredible moments where Iruka offers sage wisdom and companionship when Naruto needs it the most. Sometimes, it would be shared over a bowl of ramen in Ichiraku; Other times, it would be splitting a popsicle while grieving one of Naruto’s grave personal losses. Iruka is the big brother Naruto deserves and his first friend introduced in the manga, as shown in chapter #1.
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Kurama
A hard-earned friendship for Naruto
Kurama’s bond with Naruto was non-existent at the beginning of the series, instead being a latent source of chakra Naruto would quickly use in early moments, such as against Haku in the Land of Waves Arc or Neji in the Chunin exams. But soon, as Naruto’s rage deepened, more of the seals keeping Kurama’s power in check would open, resulting in several close calls. After Naruto at one point tamed Kurama to use his power, he soon learned more about the plight of the tailed beasts, Wanted instead to help them and win over Kurama’s friendship.
Kurama would look past his resentment of being locked in Naruto’s body as he witnessed the boy’s altruism. He would soon change his attitude from being forcefully imprisoned by the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, to Be entrusted to the boy in Naruto Chapter #597. Their friendship would be unique in NarutoMutually dependent on each other in battle, and fierce allies for one another.
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Hinata Hyuga
Love at first sight
While Hinata’s bond with Naruto is naturally deeper than friendship, her admiration for the young shinobi, despite a constant and overly demure personality, leads her to strive for improvement. This includes small moments like offering Naruto salve for his wounds after fighting Kiba in chapter #77 and monumental Moments like protecting his life with her own against pain. According to flashbacks, Hinata has admired and grown to love Naruto since childhood, Easily the first of Naruto’s generation to look up to him.
But Hinata isn’t the only one who is positive. The two continue to empower each other as Hinata shows remarkable courage when fighting Neji in the next round of the Chunin Exams. Naruto is remarkably dense when it comes to her feelings for him but instantly recognizes her qualities as a friend. That it blossoms into a more beautiful bond as time passes is just icing on the cake for fans.
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Sakura Haruno
A beautiful and complex bond
Naruto spends much of the series having a crush on Sakura, however The two organically bond as teammates, friends and confidants throughout the series. Sakura used to look at Naruto with contempt, seeing him as their team’s weakest link. Still, as early as in the Forest of Death, she sees him as a brave and stalwart ally, while Naruto sees her for her sharp intelligence and increasingly amazing strength. Sakura worries enough for Naruto to falsely confess her feelings for him to deter him from pursuing Sasuke, believing that he would be at risk as a jinchuriki.
Sakura soon grows into one of Naruto’s greatest advocatesCheering for him in his fights, calling on him in her darkest hours like in the Pain’s Assault arc, and being happy to see him return to Konoha with Jiraiya after the time-skip. While Naruto would eventually move on from his feelings for Sakura, in their place, he would develop a strong sense of respect for her. Sakura was a much better friend to Naruto than Sasuke was throughout their upbringing, despite initially harboring an immature hatred towards him.
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Shikamaru Nara
Naruto’s right-hand man
Naruto is initially dismissive of Shikamaru, as seen in the Chunin Exams, even calling him “boring and plain” in the anime but begrudgingly accepting his brilliance. But as the series continues, with Shikamaru shining brighter than the dark horse of the arc, Naruto would soon meet the most brilliant mind and his generation’s first bona fide leader. This includes Shikamaru’s courage and tactics on the Sasuke retrieval mission arc, his palpable compassion when the mission leaves the team significantly injured, and more.
But perhaps the moment when Shikamaru proved himself as Naruto’s best friend of his age group, and overall, was when Naruto was in his pit of despair about Jiraiya, only for Shikamaru to remind him what they were fighting for. As the Fourth Great Ninja War Arc came to a close, Shikamaru even developed a sense of purpose for his future, wanting to see Naruto become Hokage and selflessly stand by his side as his trusted advisor. Shikamaru’s will of fire keeps him pushing himself between the best friends and characters in Naruto, Far beyond its slacker origins.