Top 10 Iconic Naruto Moments

Naruto and Sasuke’s friendship/rivalry is among the most pivotal parts of the series, so it’s only fitting that we start with them. During their battle after Sasuke leaves the village, Sasuke leaves behind his scratched forehead protector; symbolizing the severing of his ties to Konoha. By the end of “Naruto Shippuden,” Sasuke has finally come around and reconciled with Naruto and the village, though he still decides to leave Konoha to protect it in other ways. As he’s leaving, Naruto returns Sasuke’s scratched headband, which he has kept for years. It’s a wonderfully full-circle moment, made even more epic by the return of that classic “Naruto” theme music.

Speaking of that damaged forehead protector, the way it gets scratched is pretty epic! Naruto and Sasuke’s epic first fight at the Valley of the End features the duo slowly escalating their power and abilities against each other. Finally, their battle reaches its conclusion in the only way it could – with a clash between their signature attacks, Rasengan and Chidori. The image of the two of them in their transformed states leaping at each other in front of that waterfall is forever burned into the memories of every “Naruto” fan.

Sasuke’s greatest ambition for most of the early part of the story is achieving revenge against his brother Itachi for killing their clan. The siblings’ battle is fraught with emotion, memories, and huge attacks. But its conclusion is what sticks in our minds the most. Itachi has proven himself the stronger brother, unleashing advanced Sharingan techniques that Sasuke is no match for. With his elder brother bearing down on him, apparently intent on stealing Sasuke’s eyes for his own, Sasuke can only back against a wall in terror. However, when the moment comes, Itachi only pokes Sasuke on the forehead – just like he did when they were younger. The full significance of this moment is explored later, but the image is immediately striking.

One of the earliest events in “Naruto” is also one of its most memorable. While the bell test has plenty of notable moments, such as the infamous “1000 years of death” technique, the conclusion of the challenge stands out the most. Despite initially failing the team, Kakashi states that he’ll give them another chance, but forbids them from giving Naruto any food. After catching them disobeying him, Kakashi seems angry at first, but when they stand up to him, the older ninja declares that they’ve passed. People who disobey the rules are bad, but those who abandon their comrades are worse! It’s a lesson that sticks with Naruto throughout the story.

Tsunade begins the story with a debilitating weakness – a fear of blood. Debilitated by a past trauma, she’s attacked by Orochimaru’s henchman, Kabuto. Despite getting wrecked by Kabuto earlier, Naruto steps in to save Tsunade. As he blocks Kabuto’s blow with his forehead protector, Jiraiya speaks elsewhere about the most important thing for a ninja – guts! Tsunade may become the Fifth Hokage, but Naruto is the one who shows her here what it takes to become one! The moment is perfectly punctuated soon after by Naruto using the Rasengan for the first time on Kabuto. It’s a great character moment and an awesome attack in the same scene!

There are plenty of impactful deaths in “Naruto,” but Jiraiya’s is one of the ones that hits hardest. Naruto’s longtime teacher faces off against Akatsuki’s leader, Pain. Worn down by the fight, Jiraiya is impaled. Nevertheless, he fights through the agony and manages to deliver a coded message about Pain’s real identity on the back of one of his frog friends. Seeing him follow Naruto’s philosophy of never giving up and watching him peacefully sink underwater with a smile on his face gets us choked up every time!

Even saving the world together doesn’t mean that Sasuke and Naruto can see eye to eye. After defeating their final foe, the two of them return to the Valley of the End for one last battle. While there are plenty of standout moments throughout, it’s the conclusion that resonates most strongly. After an explosive final attack, the two of them are left barely able to move. They discuss their lives, their friendship, and what to do if they survive. It’s a moving scene, made even more poignant by the fact that both have lost one of their arms. Their blood intermingling is a gruesome, but appropriate image – they truly are brothers.

Naruto and the Nine-Tailed Fox, Kurama, have a…complicated relationship…to say the least. The supposedly demonic chakra beast sealed inside Naruto has been the source of a lot of heartache to Naruto over the course of his life. But, when faced with Tobi, who has control over most of the other tailed beasts, Kurama decides to give his aid freely to Naruto. Their long percolating friendship finally solidifies in this moment, as they go into battle together. Even Kurama, who hated Naruto for being his prison, is won over by the knuckle-headed ninja. Plus, Naruto’s awesome new transformation is great to see in action.

Gaara vs. Rock Lee is one of the best fights in “Naruto,” but this moment stands out even among the rest of it. Lee is a skilled martial artist, but he initially looks overmatched by Gaara’s seemingly impenetrable sand defense. That is, until Lee’s teacher Gai gives him permission to remove his training weights. Everyone scoffs…at least until the weights make enormous craters in the ground! Then, Lee moves so fast he manages to not only get past Gaara’s sand, but also hit him multiple times! The exceptionally executed action and stellar soundtrack, featuring wailing guitar riffs and what sound like literal bombs dropping, help turn this moment into pure, unadulterated HYPE! If this doesn’t get you pumped, check your pulse – because you are dead!

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Night Gai
The Ultimate Technique Delivered by Gai at Full Power! Even Madara Is Impressed!

Team 7 Reunited During the War
Sasuke Finally Fights Alongside Naruto & Sakura Again!

Naruto Meets His Mom
Seeing Mother & Son Together Is so Dang Heartwarming!

Tobi’s Identity Revealed
Even if a Lot of Us Figured It Out, The Reveal Is Still Epic!

Sasuke & Kakashi Arrive At the Chunin Exams
These Two Certainly Know How to Make an Entrance!

When Naruto is away training to become strong enough to face Pain, the Akatsuki leader attacks Konoha, decimating the village and many of Naruto’s friends. But just when all hope seems lost, Naruto appears in a puff of smoke along with his toad allies. Sporting an awesome new Sage form and a spiffy new outfit, Naruto’s arrival alone is great enough. However, soon after appearing on the scene he manages to take down one of Pain’s Six Paths in a single blow, when they all gave other characters a lot of trouble earlier in the arc. Naruto is the hero of the story, sure, but in this moment, he starts to become the hero of his village – just as he’s always dreamed.