Naruto Shippuden’s 10 Most Emotional Episodes

WARNING: SPOILERS FOR NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

The Naruto Shippuden anime is famous for many reasons, including its epic large-scale battles, but ten of the most emotional episodes are more than capable of creating tears for viewers. From dramatic character deaths to revelation-filled flashbacks, several profound moments in Naruto‘s post-time skip era have stuck with fans years after being aired. Naruto and Sasuke went through low points but were not the only ones who experienced growth after a dramatic loss in the series that had nearly as many deep moments as epic ones.

Several post-time skip arcs followed the Akatsuki group, which was filled with powerful and murderous ninjas hunting individuals who hosted Tailed-Beast chakra. While many of its members were heartless killing machines, some of them, like Uchiha Itachi, played significant roles in creating the most emotional episodes Naruto Shippuden ever had.

Many of the Naruto franchise’s most impactful moments came from story elements introduced as far back as the manga’s first chapters and took years of build-up to deliver. Still, some episodes expanded on author Masashi Kishimoto’s manga to produce episodes more similar to moving anime short films than a weekly shōnen series.

Naruto Becomes The Most Respected Leaf Ninja

Episode 175 – Hero of the Hidden Leaf

Naruto’s journey began with him being looked down upon and scorned by Konoha’s residents, and instead of growing hatred towards them, he vowed to become the most respected ninja in the village. While episode #175 is not the end of the story, it does indeed end that quest. After Pain’s defeat, Kakashi helps Naruto back to Konoha’s location, where a very grateful crowd is there to welcome him. The crowd was told everything Naruto did to save the village and how he convinced Pain to change his ways, ultimately leading to Konoha’s residents being resurrected.

It begins with Kakashi talking to his father as he transitions into the afterlife. They have a touching conversation before Kakashi is brought back to life, as well as all of the other Konoha residents who lost their lives during Pain’s assault. While Nagato’s sacrifice to bring everyone back was looked down on by some fans for being too happy of an ending, it all became worth it when an exhausted Naruto made it back to the village to see everyone cheering for him. After so many years, Naruto and viewers finally saw him earn the respect he deserved.

The Brotherly Bond That Lasted Past Death

Episode 339 – I Will Love You Always

The Fourth Great Shinobi War was a tough battle on both the physical and emotional front. A United Shinobi Alliance had to take on many of history’s strongest shinobi who had been brought back to life with Kabuto’s Reanimation Jutsu and an infinite chakra supply. However, thanks to the team-up of Sasuke and his deceased brother, Kabuto’s spell was undone, but not before Itachi could part some final words with his younger brother.

As Itachi’s Reanimation begins to dispel, flashbacks from his past finally show a more profound perspective of the Uchiha Massacre from Itachi. His encounter and conversation with his parents, who were plotting a coup d’etat against Konoha before ending their lives, finally showed the difficulty and tears he had for the bloodshed he’d been forced to cause. In his final moments, Itachi approached his brother and reassured him that he’d still love him no matter what.

Naruto Needs A Father For His Wedding

Episode 500 – The Message

The final episode of Naruto Shippuden is entirely filler but an emotionally poignant goodbye to the series. It takes place several years after the end of the Fourth Great Shinobi War and Naruto and Sasuke’s epic battle. The Last: Naruto the Movie is a canon film that thoroughly explores Naruto and Hinata’s relationship and how it finally blossoms. Naruto Shippuden‘s final arc spends time with grown-up versions of Naruto’s friends in Konoha as they prepare for his and Hinata’s wedding until the final episode focuses on Iruka and an incredibly touching request from Naruto.

Iruka is a vital character in Naruto’s life that, unfortunately, did not get much screen time throughout the series. Still, that didn’t stop Naruto from asking Iruka to play his father’s role in his wedding in an incredibly satisfying and well-animated moment that feels so perfect that it’s a shame it was not in Masashi Kishimoto’s manga.

The rest of the episode shows how much the beloved cast has grown and the surprising relationships that have formed throughout the years. As the cast begins to gather for the wedding, it’s clear that Naruto has touched many lives in his journey, who appear to wish him (and, in a way, the show production team) congratulations. Episode #500 is a fitting and emotional end to one of the greatest anime of all time: Naruto Shippuden.

A Teacher’s Final Chapter, And A Student’s Push Towards Peace

Episode 133 – The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant

The Great Sannin and Toad Sage Jiraiya’s mission to infiltrate The Hidden Rain Village did not go as planned and led to one of the most tragic deaths in Naruto Shippuden. While the mission was not a total failure, with Jiraiya successfully deducing the secret to Pain’s defeat, it ended with the beloved ninja’s death. After suffering several horrendously fatal attacks, Jiraya took his inspiration from Naruto’s will to never give up to summon the strength to give his elder toad friend a message just before his body was sent to a watery grave.

As Naruto’s teacher began to descend into the partially submerged village’s depths, he couldn’t help but smile as he recounted his life and the legacy he’d been able to leave on the world. Memories of his past revealed that Jiraiya was close to Naruto’s parents. He’d been named the godfather of their first child and even inspired his name with the main character in his first book. Episode #133 showcased much of Jiraiya’s positive impact on the series, its characters, and the path of hope he was vital in establishing for Naruto to walk.

Jiraiya’s Death Changes Naruto For Better and Worse

Episode 153 – Following the Master’s Shadow

Naruto and Tsunade reflect on Jiraya’s passing while the Toad sage and the village try to figure out Jiraiya’s message about Akatsuki’s Leader, Pain. The Fifth Hokage attempts to keep herself together in order to do her job, but when she finally gets a moment to herself, she can’t help but shed some tears for her fallen comrade. However, if that scene did not get viewers’ tear ducts going, then Naruto’s powerful scenes in episode #153 likely did the trick.

The series usually portrays Naruto as an energized, loud, and determined character, which is one reason why watching Naruto break after losing his master is all the more heartbreaking. Jiraiya’s student did not know what to do with himself after his passing and felt like he was only a bothersome student to the man who’d been the closest thing to a father he’d had in the series. Thankfully, Naruto’s bonds had afforded him companions who were there to help him during the trying time.

One iconic scene involved Naruto shedding tears under a street light that shared a small puddle with his melting dual-popsicle treat. Iruka appeared and helped Naruto realize how much Jiraiya respected him. However, Shikamaru’s words seemed to make the most impact. The future right-hand man of the Seventh Hokage earned his place in Naruto Shippuden episode #153 by snapping Naruto out of his grief. He helped Naruto realize that they both needed to step up now that their masters were gone, and someday, they’d be the ones buying ramen for their students.

Naruto Discover’s The Parental Love He Was Always Missing

Episode 249 – Thank You

Although the Nine-Tails and Obitio’s attack on Konoha was rife with tragedy, viewers were not prepared for the reveal of Minato and Kushina’s final moments with their newborn son. The Nine-Tails had been restrained and was in the process of being sealed when its final claw attack went towards the baby Naruto, only to be blocked by the bodies of both of his parents. With a colossal claw impaling them and their consciousness beginning to fade, Naruto’s mother uses the last of her energy to support her son in the very emotional episode #249 of Naruto Shippuden.

Much that was not in Masashi Kishimoto’s manga was added to the anime episode. Several scenes depict the past generation of ninjas, like Iruka and Kurenai’s parents, holding their children back so that they could give their lives to protect the village from the Fox’s assault. The entire episode centers on the sacrifices parents make for their children, which all come to a head near the episode’s ending.

In their final moments, the Fourth Hokage knew that trouble was on the horizon for the shinobi world, so he sacrificed his life to defeat the Demon Fox and seal remnants of his and Kushina’s energy into Naruto so that they could help him later in life when he’d need them most. Making Naruto the Nine-Tails jinchuriki led to many hardships, but Minato was confident that his son would be able to handle it. The tactic would pay off significantly and prove vital in saving the world.

Kushina’s energy appeared as Naruto worked to control the Nine-Tail’s energy inside of him. After explaining the tragic events of the night of Naruto’s birth, she expressed her regrets about making her son’s life more difficult and how she was not able to help him more. The news instead fills Naruto with joy after learning of the parent’s love he never knew he had. Before the episode ends, that joy brings Kushina to tears as she thanks Naruto for allowing her to be his mother.

Naruto’s Inspiration and A Hyuga’s Love

Episode 166 – Confession

Naruto’s entrance to the devastated Konoha and his ensuing battle against Pain have many series highlights. However, when he was pinned down and running out of options, Hinata appeared to provide one of the most emotional episodes of Naruto Shippuden. She’d just seen Pain obliterate the Hidden Leaf Village, but that didn’t stop Hinata from approaching the Akatsuki leader in an attempt to help Naruto in any way she could.

The episode containing Hinata’s considerable attempt to free Naruto from Pain was extended drastically from the manga’s source material and was an example of how excellent filler material can be in the right hands. Anime-only scenes showed her making considerable progress in her mission to free Naruto by managing to destroy several of the chakra disruption rods holding Naruto down and even landing a substantial blow against Pain. Still, incredible direction from Toshiyuki Tsuru gave Hinata the focus her character deserved.

During Hinata’s struggle against Pain, episode #166 cuts to a flashback of a very young Hinata being saved from some bullies by Naruto. The dramatic scenes cut back and forth as Hinata demonstrates the courage that Naruto’s influence has helped her achieve. Finally, the battered Hyuga crawls towards the pinned Naruto and confesses that she loves him before being flung into the air and stabbed by Pain. The touching episode ends with Naruto snapping into a Nine-Tailed rampage the likes the series had not yet seen.

Years Of Tension, Training, and Emotions Finally Come Undone

Episode 477 – Naruto and Sasuke

The conclusion of Naruto and Sasuke’s final battle in Naruto Shippuden represents a lot of the best the series has to offer, including being one of the most emotional. Fans had been following the characters for years and finally seeing the two unleash everything they had at each other was as sentimental as it was epic.

While the episode begins with the two of the world’s strongest ninjas in their most powerful forms, the episode mirrors the previous episode by seeing the two grow more exhausted and desperate rather than increasing the scale of their tactics. Incredibly effective direction helps drive home the weight that each character was carrying. As they both begin to run out of energy, Naruto’s and Sasuke’s final duel begins to get more brutal until Sasuke’s determination finally breaks.

Sasuke’s desire to kill Naruto spawns from his false belief that he needs to separate himself from his past to move on and create a peaceful world. Naruto had been fighting for days during the Fourth Great Shinobi War and had no desire to kill his Uchiha brother-in-arms. Years of tension and buildup finally build and break in Naruto Shippuden episode #477 when Sasuke’s incredibly talented voice actors scream, “Over and over, over and over again! Just let me cut you down!” as he smashes a frustrated fist against the rocks. The calm Naruto smiles and says, “I can’t do that…because I am your one and only friend.”

The two battered shinobi put the last of their strength into a final chidori and rasengan clash at the end of the episode. As Naruto forms his rasengan, the hands of each person who helped him get that far appear to assist with his attack, Itachi’s hand is also briefly shown behind Sasuke’s attack. The frustrated Uchiha dives towards Naruto, who leaps to meet him. Both scream each other’s names as shades of their former selves flash until only their current battered bodies are shown colliding and disappearing into the overwhelming blast of their creation as the episode ends.

The Ten-Tails Strikes The Alliance’s Brain And Viewer’s Hearts

Episode 364 – The Ties That Bind

The Ties That Bind represents one of the Fourth Shinobi War’s lowest points. Obito and Madara’s control of the Ten-Tails beast gave them the strength and ability to regain control of the battlefield. Using the creature’s astronomical depths of chakra, they began launching Tailed-Beast Bombs the size of nuclear blasts until one hit a vital target, the location of the United Shinobi Alliance HQ, containing the hero’s base of intelligence, communication, and many loved ones of Konoha shinobi.

Silence engulfs the episode as the attack heads toward its target. Viewers see Shikamaru and Ino’s expression shift in real-time as they have their last conversation with their fathers. And the episode does not let up from there. Given almost no time to reprieve from their losses, Naruto and his allies are engulfed in a shower of deadly wooden spikes from the Ten-Tails. While Hinata, Neji, and the Hyuga clan leader repel many of the attacks directed at Naruto, two of the huge spikes heading toward Hinata and Naruto are intercepted by Neji’s body.

Neji’s death is more poetic than some Naruto fans remember. His father also died protecting his loved ones in a sacrifice that’d save countless lives in the future. After Neji’s death and tear-jerking final words, Obito goads Naruto for failing to protect everyone like he’d boasted that he would do earlier in the battle. It was one of Naruto’s lowest points in his entire life, but in the end, Hinata and Kurama helped him and the war see a drastic turnaround.

Shikamaru’s Emotional Story Of Grief That Stands On Its Own

Episode 82 – Team 10

Episode #82 of Naruto Shippuden showcased how loss can affect the cast of the series and how filler material can be used to expand on the source material to create something extraordinary. Even though it doesn’t have any fighting in it, Team 10 is regarded as one of Naruto Shippuden‘s best episodes for how well-written and animated its Shikamaru-focused story was. Director Toshiyuki Tsuru has a knack for producing emotional content, and their work in episode #82 pushes beyond the expectations many would have for a weekly shōnen anime series with a compelling short film about grief.

After Asuma was killed by members of the Naruto franchise’s deadly Akatsuki group, his number one student and the Village of the Hidden Leaf suffered a significant loss. The most emotional episode of Naruto Shippuden begins with Shikamaru telling the newly widowed and pregnant Kurenai about the passing of her husband in a scene devoid of dialogue and lively colors, setting the stage for an episode that stands out among the series’ 500 episodes.

Throughout the episode, Shikamaru is shown struggling with the loss of his closest friend and teacher, Sarutobi Asuma. Anime-original scenes take the time to expand the world of Naruto by showing the effects of Asuma’s death on Konoha’s villagers, with an additional focus on children in the village continuing to live their lives, lives that can be lived thanks to the sacrifices of shinobi like Asuma.

Shikamaru finally loses his composure during a tense and cleverly directed scene between him and his father playing shogi. After his father’s intelligent prodding, the distraught young man flips the game board onto the floor. “Let it out” are the words from his father that finally broke through, leading to moments of heart-wrenching character animation that see Shikamaru’s sorrow melt his usually confident expressions. After a much-needed cry, a plan begins to come together to avenge Asuma with Shikamaru and the other members of Team 10, who are each shown grieving in their own ways.

Source: Crunchyroll (1, 2)

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