Highlights

  • Naruto is a popular anime and manga series known for its action-packed story, well-written characters, and themes of friendship and determination.
  • Many characters in Naruto have sad and tragic pasts, with heartbreaking backstories that add depth to their characters.
  • The saddest backstories in Naruto include characters like Kisame, Karin, Anko, Motoi, Sasori, Hinata, Iruka, Madara, and Hashirama.

For more than a decade, Naruto has been one of the most popular anime and manga series in the world, and although the story concluded several years ago, it is still incredibly popular. Naruto is set in a world dominated by ninjas who can use a myriad of techniques and abilities. Fans love the series for its action-packed story about friendship and unwavering determination, and it helps that many of the characters are well-written.

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Like most stories, Naruto features characters from all walks of life. Many of them had relatively cheerful pasts, but not every character is that lucky. Whether they are heroes or villains, anyone can have a sad backstory. When it comes to Naruto, these characters have pasts that are quite heartbreaking.

Updated January 13, 2024 by George Voutiritsas: Naruto still holds a place in many hearts. In fact, the love for the series is the main reason why most people pay attention to the sequel series. The original story was great, and the action was entertaining, but the characters are what drove the story.

For most of its history, the ninja world has been plagued by a seemingly never-ending cycle of conflict and hatred, and it produced several characters with sad and tragic backstories. If asked, most Naruto fans can name a character who they believe has the saddest backstory, and many fans would give the same names. But as always, there are other characters whose pasts deserve to be mentioned as well.

24 Kisame's Entire Worldview Was Shattered By Those Closest To Him

Naruto: Shippuden Episode 251, "The Man Named Kisame"

Kisame Questioning His Life In Naruto
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 139/ Naruto Episode 80
  • Greatest Achievement: Sacrificing Himself To Save Luffy's Life

Before joining the Akatsuki, Kisame was loyal to the Mist Village. He became one of the village's famed Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and he wielded Samehada, the sentient greatsword. Kisame was incredibly loyal to his village, and he would kill his comrades to make sure other nations could not extract secrets from them.

This loyalty was engraved into him by Fuguki, his superior and mentor. Kisame ended up killing Fuguki when he discovered that he had been selling secrets to the enemy. This destroyed Kisame's worldview. He believed that he had no place in a world of lies, and this allowed Obito to trick him into joining the Akatsuki.

23 Karin Was Forced To Heal Others After Her Died Doing The Same Thing

Naruto: Shippuden Episode 431, "To See That Smile, Just One More Time"

Young Karin Saying A Tearful Goodbye to Her Mom In Naruto
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 347/ Naruto Shippuden Episode 115
  • Greatest Achievement: Saved Sasuke's Life During The Killer B Fight

Karin is a member of the Uzumaki Clan, which means that she possesses an especially strong life-force. Her life-force offers impressive healing capabilities, to the point that she can rapidly heal herself. She can also heal others if they bite her. She inherited this healing ability from her mother.

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Karin and her mother were allowed to take refuge in the Hidden Grass Village, but her mother needed to heal the village's injured ninja. One day, the village suffered many casualties, and her mother died because she healed too many at once. Karin was then forced to replace her mother, and she spent years as the Grass Village's healer.

22 Anko Was Turned Into A Test Subject & Had Her Memory Altered By Orochimaru

Naruto Episode 30, "The Sharingan Revived: Dragon-Flame Jutsu!"

A Young Anko Training With Orochimaru in Naruto
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 44/ Naruto Episode 21
  • Greatest Achievement: Tried To Stop Orochimaru In The Forest Of Death

Anko was the proctor of the second stage of the Chunin Exams. When she was a genin, she was part of a squad led by Orochimaru. The two were quite close, to the point that Orochimaru shared some of his signature techniques with her. He even discussed immortality with her.

That being said, he still used her as a test subject. Anko was one of the ten individuals who first received Orochimaru's curse mark, and she was the only subject who survived. She refused to continue following him, and instead of killing her, Orochimaru altered her memories to make her think that he abandoned her for being too weak.

21 Motoi Lost His Father Because Of The Eight-Tails

Naruto: Shippuden Episode 244, "Killer B and Motoi"

Motoi's Father being impaled by the Eight-Tails during a rampage in Naruto: Shippuden
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 492/ Naruto: Shippuden Episode 243
  • Greatest Achievement: Reconciling With Killer B

Motoi is a ninja from the Hidden Cloud Village, and he is stationed on Genbu - the gigantic and ancient Island Turtle. His father was named Furui, and he was one of the Cloud's most elite ninja. He was also part of the Eight-Tails Subduing Team. During one of its rampages, the Eight-Tails killed Furui by impaling him with one of his horns.

Motoi hated the Eight-Tails, so he tried to assassinate its next Jinchuriki - who turned out to be Killer B. He and B were friends, but this did not stop Motoi from attacking him. Luckily, B was able to disarm him, and he seemed to not mind the attack because he offered to fist bump him. Motoi spent the next three decades regretting his actions - especially when he saw how poorly the other villagers treated B.

20 Sasori Grew Up Alone Because His Parents Were Killed When He Was A Child

Naruto: Shippuden Episode 23, "Father and Mother"

A Young Sasori Seeking Affection from His Mother and Father Puppets in Naruto
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 247/ Naruto: Shippuden Episode 2
  • Greatest Achievement: Defeated The 3rd Kazekage

Sasori was the first member of the Akatsuki to be defeated. His death was poetic because it involved the first puppets he ever created. When Sasori was a child, his parents died while fighting Kakashi's father, and he ended up in his grandmother's care.

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The loneliness got to Sasori, so his grandmother taught him puppetry in hopes that it would cheer him up. It worked at first, and he used his natural talent to create a pair of puppets that resembled his parents. He eventually discarded them because they could not give him proper affection. As a result, Sasori became obsessed with human puppets.

19 Hinata Was Kidnapped By The Cloud Village When She Was A Child

Naruto Episode 61, "Ultimate Defence: Zero Blind Spot!"

Young Hinata Running & Crying In Naruto: The Last
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 34/ Naruto Episode 1
  • Greatest Achievement: Saved The World By Destroying The Tenseigan With Naruto

Hinata is one of Naruto's more prominent side characters because of her relationship with Naruto. When she was born, she was the de facto heiress of the Hyuga Clan, but she lost that title because her father deemed her to be too weak. He even forced her to fight her younger sister for it.

When she was 3, Hinata was kidnapped by the Cloud Village's Head Ninja during a fake peace treaty negotiation. The plan was to take her Byakugan, an act that would have killed her. Her father saved her, and her uncle sacrificed himself to appease the Cloud Village, which wanted her father dead.

18 Iruka Lost His Parents During The Nine-Tails Attack

Naruto: Shippuden Episode 177, "Iruka's Ordeal"

Young Iruka seeing his mother for the last time in Naruto Shippuden
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 1/ Naruto Episode 1
  • Greatest Achievement: Saving Naruto From Mizuki's Shuriken

Iruka is one of Naruto's closest friends - in fact, he even risked his life to save Naruto in the very first episode. He managed to develop a caring and somewhat fatherly relationship with Naruto even though he was the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. The Nine-Tails attacked the Leaf Village on the night Naruto was born, and Iruka's parents both died during the battle.

Iruka tried to stay on the battlefield so he could protect his injured mother, but his father was against the idea, and an unknown ninja forcibly removed Iruka from the area. With his parents gone, Iruka dealt with the same type of loneliness that Naruto endured, and he spent a lot of time visiting the monument that had their names written on it.

17 Madara Was Forced To Bury All Of His Siblings During The Warring States Period

Naruto: Shippuden Episode 368, "Warring States Period"

Madara Uchiha Concerned about his critically injured little brother in Naruto Shippuden
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 370/ Naruto: Shippuden Episode 130
  • Greatest Achievement: Succeeded In Casting The Infinite Tsukuyomi

The great Madara Uchiha was born during the Warring States Period, and he was also forced to fight as a child. Madara had four siblings who fought as well, and he was forced to bury three of them. As a result, his younger brother Izuna became the most important person in his life.

During a battle with the Senju, Izuna was critically wounded by Tobirama, and Madara rushed to his side. They ended the battle so Izuna could be treated, but the wound proved to be fatal. Madara was forced to bury his last brother - who gave him his eyes.

16 Hashirama Lost Most Of His Siblings As A Boy During The Warring States Period

Naruto: Shippuden Episode 367, "Hashirama and Madara"

Young Hashirana Senju holding his dead brother in Naruto Shippuden
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 118/ Naruto Episode 69
  • Greatest Achievement: Defeated Madara Uchiha At Final Valley

Hashirama Senju was the Leaf Village's First Hokage, and he is arguably the strongest Kage in history. He grew up during the Warring States Period - which was filled with near-endless conflict. Ninja did not live long during this era, and many children were forced to fight on the battlefield.

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Hashirama and his three younger brothers had to fight. Kawarama was killed first, and Itama died shortly after their brother's funeral. Itama was surrounded by a group of Uchiha - who killed him even though he was no threat. Hashirama found Itama's body and cried as he held him in his arms.

15 Yamato Was Forced To Be A Test Subject

Naruto: Shippuden Episode 352, "The Rogue Ninja: Orochimaru"

A Young Yamato As One of Orochimaru's Test Subjects In Naruto
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 284/ Naruto: Shippuden Episode 34
  • Greatest Achievement: Sacrificing Himself To Save Luffy's Life

Wood Release was the signature technique of the 1st Hokage, and a lot of people tried to replicate it. Orochimaru kidnapped several children and injected them with some of the 1st Hokage's DNA. Yamato was one of those children. He was held in a massive test tube, and he was fully aware of his surroundings. Yamato watched as all the other children died from the experiments.

When Orochimaru left the Leaf Village, he left Yamato behind because he thought all the children had died. Yamato was left in a room in complete darkness until he broke free. Danzo found him soon after and turned him into a Root operative.

14 Kimimaro Spent His Childhood Locked In A Cell

Naruto Episode 126, "Showdown: Gaara vs. Kimimaro"

Young Kimimaro Imprisoned By His own Clan In Naruto
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 199/ Naruto Episode 118
  • Greatest Achievement: Surviving The Attack On The Mist Village

The Kaguya Clan was renowned for their savagery in battle and a very small number of them inherited the Shikotsumyaku-an extremely powerful and rare kekkei genkai. When he was a child, Kimimaro was the only member of the clan who possessed this bone-manipulating ability.

The head of the clan feared Kimimaro's strength and locked him in a cell. He would only be released whenever the clan wanted him to fight. Kimimaro witnessed his entire clan get wiped out when they attacked the Mist Village. Shortly after, he met Orochimaru, who took him in as a potential future vessel.

13 Sai Was Forced To Become An Emotionless Assassin

Naruto's Sai Angry That His Brother's Body Is Being Used By Deidara
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 281/ Naruto: Shippuden Episode 32
  • Greatest Achievement: Defeating Shin During The Fourth Great Ninja War

Sai joined Team 7 during the Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission arc. At the time, he was a member of Root-a special Anbu subdivision under Danzo's control. Sai's parents died when he was very young, which is why Danzo recruited him. While training, he was conditioned to have no personality or friends. He wasn't even allowed to have a name.

That being said, he made one connection, a fellow Root member named Shin, who became an older brother to him. Danzo forced them to fight to the death to eliminate their remaining emotions. Shin spared Sai from killing him, and he was forced to suppress his feelings to keep living.

12 Kabuto Was An Orphan Who His Adopted Mother After He Was Turned Into A Spy

Naruto: Shippuden Episode 336, "Kabuto Yakushi"

Young Kabuto With His Adoptive Mother in Naruto
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 39/ Naruto Episode 23
  • Greatest Achievement: Saved Sasuke's Life During The Fourth Great Ninja War

Kabuto was a talented medical ninja. He was more skilled than most Anbu, making him one of the strongest ninjas outside of the Leaf Village. When he was a child, his city was destroyed by a battle, and he was left with amnesia. He was found by Nono Yakushi, a Jonin and former Root member who ran the Leaf's orphanage.

When Danzo threatened to pull the orphanage's funding, Kabuto volunteered his services. He then spent many years as a spy. While on a mission in the Stone Village, Kabuto was forced to attack and kill his adoptive mother while she was on an undercover mission of her own. She did not recognize him, despite raising him for three years and giving Kabuto his name.

11 Konan Became An Orphan & Lost The Man That She Loved Because Of War

Naruto Shippuden Episode 172, "Meeting" & Episode 173, "Origin of Pain"

Konan Confronting Jiraiya In The Rain in Naruto
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 363/ Naruto: Shippuden Episode 125
  • Greatest Achievement: Forcing Obito To Use Izanagi

Konan was Pain's partner and Jiraiya's former student, making her one of the Akatsuki's strongest members. Like Yahiko and Nagato, she was born in the Hidden Rain Village, and like them, she was left an orphan after her family was killed during the Second Great Ninja War.

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She was forced to fend for herself until she met her friends, and the trio became inseparable. They went through a lot together, and she ended up falling in love with Yahiko. When the original Akatsuki became too powerful, Hanzo kidnapped her to set a trap. As a captive, she was forced to watch Yahiko sacrifice himself to save her.

10 Haku's Father Tried To Kill Him Because He Had A Kekkei Genkai

Naruto Episode 17, "White Past: Hidden Ambition"

Naruto's Haku Before & After Meeting Zabuza
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 15/ Naruto Episode 9
  • Greatest Achievement: Sacrificing Himself To Save Zabuza's Life

Haku was a kind-hearted ninja who was trained by Zabuza, which explains why he possessed ANBU-level skill when he was just 15 years old. He came from a small village in the Land of Water, and the people there hated individuals who could use Kekkei Genkai.

A Kekkei Genkai is a unique DNA trait that allows certain clans and individuals to use special abilities. Haku and his mother could use one such ability called Ice Release. His mother kept her ability from her husband, but when he found out, he gathered a mob to kill them both. Haku's mother perished, but he was able to kill his father and the mob. He was left an orphan, and it was Zabuza who rescued him from the streets.

9 Neji Hyuga Was Branded With A Curse & Lost His Father As A Child

Naruto Episode 61, "Ultimate Defence: Zero Blind Spot!"

Neji Being Harmed By The Hyuga Seal in Naruto
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 36/ Naruto Episode 21
  • Greatest Achievement: Sacrificing Himself To Save Naruto's Life

Neji sacrificed himself to save Naruto during the 4th Great Ninja War, an act that places him among the bravest characters in the series. He was born into the Hyūga clan's branch family, which meant that he was meant to serve the main house, no matter how strong he became.

Like other members of the branch house, he was branded with a cursed seal when he was a child. This was meant to seal his Byakugan when he died, to ensure enemies could not learn its secrets. It was also used to discipline branch members who stepped out of line or who posed a threat. Until he met Naruto, Neji believed that he was destined to live a life of servitude.

8 Naruto Uzumaki Was An Orphan Who Was Ostracized By His Village

Naruto: Shippuden Episode 480, "Naruto and Hinata"

Naruto All Alone At The Academy
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 1/ Anime Episode 1
  • Greatest Achievement: Saved The Entire World From Kaguya Otsutsuki

The argument can be made that Naruto has a number of clear weaknesses, but no one can deny that he had a sad upbringing. His parents died on the night he was born during the Nine-Tails' rampage, making him an orphan from the beginning of his life.

Naruto's father managed to seal the fox within him before he died, which made Naruto's life even harder. As the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, he was essentially ostracized by the rest of the Leaf Village, to the point that parents would not let their children near him. He grew up alone, believing that no one cared or even acknowledged him.

7 Tsunade Lost Her Little Brother & The Man She Loved Because Of War

Naruto Episode 91, "Inheritance! The Necklace of Death!"

Tsunade Dealing With Dan's Death On The Battlefield in Naruto
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 139/ Naruto Episode 83
  • Greatest Achievement: Becoming The 5th Hokage

She may have become the 5th Hokage, but Tsunade's backstory proves that she is one of Naruto's unluckiest characters. Her younger brother told her that he wished to become Hokage like their grandfather — a dream she approved of. Tragically, he died the next day while fighting in the 2nd Great Ninja War.

Tsunade was devastated by Nawaki's death, and she pleaded with the 3rd Hokage to include a medical ninja in every squad. Dan Katō agreed with her, and the two eventually fell in love. Dan admitted that he wanted to be Hokage, and shortly after, he was fatally wounded in battle. Tsunade managed to heal his wounds, but he succumbed to severe blood loss, dying in her arms.

6 Kakashi Hatake Lost His Father & Technically Killed His Friend

Naruto: Shippuden Episode 119, "Kakashi Chronicles ~ Boys' Life on the Battlefield ~ Part 1" & Episode 345, "I'm in Hell"

Young Kakashi Standing Over His Father's Body in Naruto
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 3/ Naruto Episode 3
  • Greatest Achievement: Becoming The 6th Hokage

The argument can be made that Kakashi became one of the weakest Kage in the series, especially since he no longer possessed a Sharingan. That Sharingan was given to him by Obito, who had been crushed by a boulder while saving him. This occurred during the 3rd Ninja War when the enemy captured Rin, their squad member.

Kakashi vowed to protect Rin, but he could not keep that promise. The Mist Village kidnapped Rin and turned her into a weapon, so Rin impaled herself on Kakashi's Chidori to protect the Leaf Village. Before this, Kakashi had dealt with his own Father's death. His father was vilified for valuing his friends' lives ahead of the mission, and he took his own life because he could not live with the shame.

5 Itachi Uchiha Wiped Out His Clan & Became A Criminal To Protect The Leaf Village

Naruto: Shippuden Episode 455, "Moonlit Night"

Itachi Crying Over The Uchiha Massacre in Naruto
  • Debut: Manga Chapter 139/ Naruto Episode 80
  • Greatest Achievement: Saved Sasuke Grom Orochimaru's Curse Mark

The Uchiha Clan is one of the strongest clans in Naruto, and Itachi is one of the most powerful ninjas that the clan has ever produced. His skill with the Sharingan made him a true prodigy, but the Leaf Village labeled him a criminal because he massacred his entire clan.

However, Itachi only did this because he wanted to stop the Leaf Village from being destroyed through civil war, and the 3rd Hokage and the other elders were the only other people who knew. Itachi killed his clansmen, the woman he loved, and his parents, but he could not bring himself to kill his little brother, who hated him for years.