Naruto is an anime that follows the journey of Naruto Uzumaki on his way to becoming Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village. Along the way, he discovers the most important thing to him that he didn't know he had, friends and family. Naruto has over seven hundred episodes and has risen to the ranks of one of the most spectacular anime series in history. Rarely does a story come to life from a manga page in such a stupendous way that it leaves a permanent impression of itself on all fans who experienced the show. Naruto fans followed the young outcast from the very start as a lackluster class clown to a sprouting ninja, all the way to a proud protector of Konoha.
The growth and writing of all the characters in the series was a delightful adventure that gave endless depth to the show. On many occasions, the history of Naruto came full circle, old burned bridges were rebuilt, and past foes became future allies. The emotions that the Naruto anime could instill left fans inspired when after a tireless journey, the characters found closure, acceptance, and purpose. Naruto is filled with cathartic moments that succeed in relating viewers to the characters and creating memorable moments that last a lifetime. Here are some of the most cathartic Moments in Naruto.
7 Sasuke Lashes Out At Kakashi
The bitter rivalry between Naruto and Sasuke is one that defined the show. Two best friends on opposite sides fighting toward the same end lead to both nearly losing their lives. At the start, Sasuke's rebellion was fueled by the anger in his heart for the loss of his clan and his own inadequacy. In season five, episode two of Naruto, the tension between Naruto and Sasuke reaches its peak, and the two engage in a battle where the Chidori and the Rasengan meet for the first time.
The fight ends with Kakakshi interfering and Sasuke running away to wallow in just how stronger Naruto has become. Kakashi tracks Sasuke down and gives him a stern lecture. Filled with overwhelming emotions he is incapable of dealing with, Sasuke shouts and claims Kakashi doesn't know the weight of what he's carrying and that if he had lost the people closest to him, he would start to understand. Kakashi remains calm toward Sasuke's outburst and retorts that everyone he's ever loved has already been killed. This realization humbles Sasuke, perhaps for the first time in the show, he looks further than his own pain.
6 Hinata Expresses Her Feelings For Naruto
Hinata's feelings for Naruto were made apparent to fans from the very beginning of the series. It was the worst-kept secret in Konoha, and the only character not to realize it was Naruto himself. While Naruto was chasing after Sakura, Hinata remained a watchful eye from afar.
It wasn't until Naruto Shippuden, episode one-hundred and sixty-six that Hinata expressed her feelings openly to Naruto. Unfortunately, the circumstances were dire as Pain had nearly wiped out the village and pinned Naruto to the ground with spears. Unable to fight the urge to save the man she loved, Hinata stepped on the battlefield to face Pain alongside Naruto and confessed her feelings. The moment was cut short as Pain ripped Hinata away from Naruto right in front of his eyes.
5 Naruto Bonds With Gara
One of the most defining moments in Naruto that forever changed the course of their history was when Gara lost control and began rampaging in Konoha as Shikaku, the one-tailed Jinchuriki. With the entire village in disarray, Naruto rose to the occasion and took on Gara one-on-one. The fight was the toughest challenge Naruto had faced up until that point, and he was not going to let Gara put the friends and family he had found in danger.
When the dust settled, and Naruto and Gara were both exhausted, Naruto shared his deepest emotions with Gara, who opened his mind to the possibility of finding purpose in protecting others. This sets Gara on a new journey where he becomes a softer, kinder person, eternally grateful to Naruto for saving his life and preventing him from becoming a monster.
4 Sakura Confesses To Sasuke
Sakura's love for Sasuke is made prevalent throughout the entire series, much like Hinata's love for Naruto. Unfortunately, while Naruto is oblivious to Hinata's feelings, Sasuke is openly against and oppositional to Sakura's feelings. Sasuke goes out of his way to disregard Sakura as a person and even degrades her with harsh words and cold actions.
Nevertheless, Sakura does not falter and continues to follow Sasuke even after he leaves Konoha, chasing after him, hoping she can change him and bring him back to Konoha. In Naruto Shippuden, episode four-hundred and Seventy-five, Sasuke challenges Naruto yet again to another fight. Sakura, who can no longer take the pain in her heart, cries out to Sasuke, letting her feelings ring freely.
3 Naruto Appears To Fight Madara
During the final battle between the united shinobi villages and Madara Uchiha, things have grown dire as not even the strongest of the hidden leaf village can leave a mark on the maniacal egomaniac. Might Guy places his entire body on the line after the reanimated Kage and even Kakashi fail to combat Madara and his newfound power. Guy unleashes the final gate of the eight gates, hitting Madara with Night Guy, his strongest attack.
While Madara is almost mortally wounded, he still has enough strength to regenerate and stand back up. Guy is at death's door, and Kakashi and the rest are out of ideas. Madara attempts to strike the final blow to Guy, and right before impact, Naruto appears and kicks the black sphere out of the way. Hope makes it back onto the battlefield after a truly bleak turn of events, and every shinobi present feels an overwhelming sense of relief.
2 Naruto's Speech To Zabuza
In the first season of Naruto, as fans get to know team seven, the first major mission places Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura against a legendary swordsman of the hidden mist village. Joined by Haku, Zabuza terrorizes team seven and pushes them to their limit in an attempt to wipe them out completely.
Fortunately enough, team seven survives and triumphs over the sinister duo, which causes Haku to lose his life. Naruto calls out Zabuza for his unsympathetic persona after witnessing Haku's body being disrespected. Naruto's words cut deep and reignite the emotion trapped under the shell that Zabuza created and move him to take action.
1 Kakashi Vs. Obito
One of the greatest subplots in the Naruto anime series is the hidden history of Obito Uchiha and his ties with Kakashi Hatake. Being a former Hidden Leaf shinobi, Obito was left for dead after a failed mission during the third shinobi ninja war. Obito lived thanks to Madara and was trained to indoctrinate Madara's plan to create a perfect world. Obito carried the pain, regret, and sorrow of losing his teammate Rin by Kakashi's hand and sought to take revenge.
In the final encounter, Obito and Kakashi met inside the Kamui dimension and had one last fight. It is highly argued that this is the greatest animated moment in the entire Naruto series, as the fight explores the history between the once best friends turned enemies. The raw emotion exchanged in the ninja's strikes, and jutsu lay everything on the line for what they believe in.