Naruto Uzumaki is canonically born on October 10, so it’s the perfect date to remember his best moments in the franchise. Both Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden have some epic moments that ensure he’s one of the greatest protagonists in anime history.
Watching Naruto grow over the years from a lonely outcast to a real hero and the Seventh Hokage was incredibly emotional. He overcame his obstacles and became stronger because of them, culminating in the Top 10 moments that will never leave our minds. So, here are our best Naruto scenes to celebrate his birthday:
10. Naruto Protects Tsunade & Uses Rasengan
While still in the early days of Naruto, it remains one of the most iconic moments for the protagonist. Tsunade resumes her battle against Kabuto, but he gains the upper hand by using her fear of blood against her, effectively paralyzing her. So, who comes to save her but the protagonist?
Kabuto initially defeats Naruto with ease, but he’s determined to protect Tsunade and doesn’t back down. He blocks an incoming attack, traps Kabuto’s hand, and blasts him with Rasengan to the stomach. It was a perfect and precise blow, surprising Tsunade since it had only been a few weeks of training. It proved that his hard work was paying off.
9. Naruto Revealing the Rasen Shuriken
Another incredible display of strength and growth is when Naruto unleashed Wind Release: Rasen Shuriken against Kakuzu in Naruto: Shippuden. The missing-nin Akatsuki member believed he had defeated the protagonist, but he had other plans.
Naruto uses his new jutsu, Wind Release: Rasen Shuriken, and uses shadow clones to distract Kakuzu, while the real Naruto deals the final blow. It’s an epic moment because combining chakra with Rasengan was something even the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, w asn’t able to do. With one act, he surpassed his father’s legacy.
8. Naruto Uzumaki Defeats Neji Hyuga
Naruto vs. Neji Hyuga brings back another exciting scene from the early days. The protagonist faces his next opponent in the Chunin Exams, Neji Hyuga. Despite his hard work and training under Jiraiya, he fails to land a blow, and his chakra gets blocked at one point, too.
As usual, Naruto never gives up. He taps into Kurama’s chakra and tricks Neji into lowering his guard. Just as he thought the fight was over, Naruto emerged from the ground and punched him. The people who insulted him now cheered him on. It’s proof that he doesn’t just go in punching, but also uses his intellect.
7. Naruto Befriends Gaara After Defeating Him
One of the most vital themes in Naruto is overcoming hatred and finding empathy. While many might not agree with that philosophy, Naruto Uzumaki empathizes with his enemies. We see this especially after his fight against Gaara.
With the two of them exhausted and lying on the forest’s ground, Naruto speaks to Gaara, but this time, with understanding that he’s more like him than he realized. It’s a wonderful speech that deepens our own perspective of the protagonist and how kind-hearted he can be.
6. Naruto Kicks Madara’s Orbs and Heals Might Guy
Madara Uchiha’s Truth-Seeking Balls are incredibly dangerous to touch. They are orbs of black chakra that can destroy anything in their path. So, imagine the villain’s surprise when Naruto appears and nonchalantly kicks it away.
The Truth-Seeking Ball was meant to finish off Might Guy, who was slowly disintegrating. Fans must have been anxious and waiting to say goodbye, but Naruto had another trick up his sleeve. He touches Might Guy to stop his life force from fading with Yin Yang Release, saving him from certain death. Another incredible moment that demonstrates that he’s the greatest.
5. Naruto Meets His Parents’ Spirits
Technically, these are two moments in the Naruto series, but we couldn’t pick between them as they both left such an impact. Naruto grew up as an orphan, not knowing any of his parents. Although he found his own family, it still left a void.
As the Nine-Tailed Fox threatens to consume Naruto, Kushina’s chakra activates to save him, allowing him to meet her. He doesn’t recognize her, so they bicker, but it quickly turns emotional when he realizes who she is. He cries and embraces her, saying that he’s wanted to meet for so long, while she simply says he really is her child. She also reveals how she met Minato.
Meeting Minato, on the other hand, goes a little differently. Naruto is younger and not quite as wise, still damaged by the tough life it brought him. He cries when realizing the Fourth Hokage in front of him is his father, but then attacks him, heartbreakingly asking why they put the Nine-Tailed Fox in their son. He learns the truth and promises he will never give up.
4. Naruto Removing the Restraint Seal After Befriending Kurama
Perhaps one of the biggest proofs that Naruto has grown is when he forges a partnership with Kurama. He removes the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style and gains full power of the Nine-Tailed Fox’s chakra, melding it with his own. They become an unlikely but immensely powerful duo.
The reason why Kurama agreed is that he saw the protagonist’s unwavering kindness, determination, and willingness to protect others. He knew he wouldn’t go back on his word on saving the other Tailed Beasts. This friendship also meant breaking the cycle of hatred, which is yet another act of empathy from Naruto.
3. Naruto Uzumaki Returns To Fight Pain & Uses Sage Mode
If you believed Pain had an iconic intro, Naruto upstages him there, too. The protagonist returns to a destroyed Konohagakure in time to face the villain, but with a significant power upgrade. Sage Mode enhances his strength, speed, senses, and stamina, and merges his chakra with natural energy.
Naruto’s heightened awareness made his showdown against Pain one of the greatest battles in Naruto. We will never forget it, even if decades pass and Boruto has finally ended. A legendary hero needs a legendary villain to shine.
2. Konohagakure Hails Naruto as a Hero
After years of isolation and discrimination, Naruto achieves his goal of being perceived as the hero he is. Seeing him get what he deserves had us shed tears.
Naruto’s years of hard work and determination culminated in Konohagakure welcoming him back as a hero after he defeated Pain. When Kakashi carried him back, it was an acknowledgment of how proud he was of his student. It’s the perfect moment to revisit for his birthday.
1. Naruto And Sasuke’s Final Valley Fight
Naturally, we had to save the best for last. Naruto and Sasuke’s final fight at the Valley of the End is poetic and emotionally charged. It shows us various moments of the decades-long rivalry between the underdog everyone hated and the tragic genius. It was the perfect conclusion to their story.
The visual of Naruto standing on Hashirama Senju’s statue and Sasuke on Madara Uchiha’s is ingrained into our minds. The fight choreography delivered on the emotional storytelling and was a great payoff for the fans. Overall, it’s hard to beat this episode.
Here’s a summary of the moments we’ve ranked, detailing where to watch and read them in Naruto’s anime and manga.
What are your favorite Naruto moments? Let us know in the comments below!
Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden can currently be watched on Crunchyroll.
