Summary
Naruto’s best story balances action, drama, and character development unlike any other shounen before or since, earning it worldwide acclaim. The Fourth Shinobi War arc is highly anticipated and has great moments, but it needs to narrow its focus to ensure every battle is relevant. The Sasuke Tracking arc is considered the final Naruto story, with thrilling plot twists, intense action, and complex battles that don’t take away from the plot’s progression.
Naruto is a beloved series that has captured the hearts of millions of fans worldwide, and a big part of that success is some of the best storylines in any shounen series. With its sympathetic protagonist, thrilling battles, and intricate plot, there is no doubt that Naruto’s storyline has earned it worldwide acclaim.
Throughout the series, there are many memorable episodes that leave a lasting impression on viewers. Some are widely praised while others, understandably, receive a lot of criticism. While some Naruto arcs have notable flaws, the best Naruto arcs balance action, drama, and character development like no other shounen before or since.
10. The Fourth Great Shinobi War
Chapters 484 – 639 & Episodes 215 – 375 of Shippuden
The Fourth Great Shinobi War was certainly one of those wars The most anticipated arcs in Naruto history. Never before has the stage been staged so precisely, with moving pieces placed throughout the ninja world. The return of many once famous ninjas and the unification of the world’s great armies is a sight to behold as the arc unfolds. Highlights of this action-packed arc include Kakashi’s climactic fight against Obito in the Kamui kingdom, the return of major Naruto villains Madara and Itachi, and Might Guy’s Death Gate. Unfortunately, this arc is also bogged down with many battles that lack meaning, such as Kankuro’s Task Force team fighting Sasori and Deidara. While this arc is filled with great moments, it really needs to narrow its focus to ensure that every battle fits into the plot at hand.
Naruto’s Fourth Shinobi World War arc is essentially three arcs including Countdown, Confrontation, and Climax. However, since all the arcs revolve around one event, it is reasonable to consider them all separate from one larger arc.
9 Kazekage rescue mission
Chapters 248 – 281 & Episodes 1 – 32 of Shippuden
The Kazekage Rescue Mission arc sees Naruto and his friends travel to the hidden Sand Village to rescue Gaara, who has recently become the Kazekage. This arc begins with a great tactical battle between Gaara and Deidara. This arc serves as a great reintroduction to Naruto and Sakura after the timeskip and containment ring. Sakura’s most memorable battle in Naruto history. This was also the first time fans were introduced to Kakashi’s Mangekyo Sharingan during the hunt for Deidara. While this season develops empathy with new additions to the cast like Sasori and Granny Chiyo, other characters who should have featured prominently are pushed aside, like Kankuro and Temari.
8 Five Kage Summit
Chapters 453 – 483 & Episodes 197 – 214 of Shippuden
Can any Naruto fan say that they don’t hope Danzo gets exactly what he deserves in this arc? The Five Kage Summit is one of the most intense arcs in Naruto, raising the stakes to a global level. The Five Kage Summit also features some of Naruto’s most memorable scenes, with Sasuke standing on the ceiling, looking down at each Kage on top after cutting down their banners. The utter contempt Sasuke displays in this arc is so raw that one can’t help but be amazed at how far he’s willing to go after learning the truth about Itachi. Susanoo’s appearance during the battle with the Raikage and Gaara was also amazing. That being said, again, there are characters who feel as though they should matter in these situations but they don’t. Mei, the Mizukage, famously had little time to do anything relevant during her introduction, and the Konoha 11 rallying to stop Sasuke ultimately came to nothing.
7 Stories of the brave Jiraiya
Chapters 363 – 383 & Episodes 127 – 133 of Shippuden
The story of Jiraiya is one of Naruto’s most emotional arcs. The dilapidated setting of the war-torn Hidden Rain Village provides a backdrop that perfectly encapsulates the tone of this section. Jiraiya’s brave battle against Pain was heartbreaking; saw the war drag on longer and longer as the situation became increasingly dire, leaving fans anxiously awaiting each development. The reveal of Pain’s abilities in this arc is also handled well, even more so than in the Pain arc itself. He felt nearly unstoppable in his battle against Jiraiya, even when his incomplete Sage Mode was used. On that note, one of the few downsides to this lengthy battle is that Jiraiya easily lost to the Six Paths of Pain. While it certainly posed a danger to Pain, Jiraiya himself more or less whimpered, letting go of much of the weight that had once been attached to the title “Sannin”.
6 Arc Crushing the Leaf Village
Chapters 116 – 138 & Episodes 68 – 80 of Naruto
The Konoha Crush arc deals with the aftermath of the Chunin Exams and Orochimaru’s plan to destroy Konoha. An alliance between Otogakure and Sunagakure had been mentioned since the beginning of the Chunin Exams and seeing it come to fruition was truly an amazing sight. Orochimaru’s relentless plotting to seek revenge on the Third Hokage is also a highlight, and the temporary resurrection of the First and Second Hokage takes the threat level of this arc to a new level. Furthermore, this installment also treats fans to a huge kaiju battle between Gamabunta and Shukaku. However, this arc still falls flat in some areas, as it has to compete with some of the much more interesting battles that took place earlier in the Chunin Exams arc.
5 Chunin Exams
Chapter 34 -115 & Episode 20 – 67 of Naruto
Unsurprisingly, the Chunin Exams are often included in lists of Naruto’s best storylines- and for good reason. One of the biggest draws of Naruto early on was the fact that each ninja had different abilities and talents, creating a diverse range of abilities. The Chunin Exams take advantage of this by shifting the focus to the supporting characters. The most memorable battle in this Naruto arc is definitely Rock Lee vs Gaara, a battle without any main characters. This story arc is set up similarly to a tournament arc, only with more complex rules and dangers, showing a clear progression from the genre’s rudimentary foundations laid by the industry giants. out like Dragon Ball.
4 Fateful battle between brothers
Chapters 384 – 412 & Episodes 134 – 143 of Shippuden
The Fateful Battle Between Brothers arc is a standout moment in Naruto, showcasing the intense chaos and complex emotions between Sasuke and Itachi. This season is a fascinating examination of the relationship between siblings and the lengths they will go to protect each other. The battle scenes are visually stunning and the emotional weight of the story is palpable. This is the moment in Naruto where most fans fell in love with the character of Itachi – the truth of his tragic fate as a tool of war is the most disturbing. This season also introduces fans to some of the flashiest abilities in the series – such as Susanoo and Sasuke’s signature unicorn seals. The consequences of this arc will ultimately determine the rest of the series going forward.
3 Onslaught of pain
Chapters 413 – 453 & Episodes 152 – 175 of Shippuden
This episode is notable for its high stakes and the sense of danger that pervades every moment. Prominent characters seemed to drop like flies as Pain massacred Konoha with no one to stop his path of carnage. Naruto’s appearance in this arc is one of the most memorable in the entire series, destroying one of Pain’s bodies in an instant just as Konoha had given up hope. The character development in this arc is also notable, with Naruto coming to terms with his ideals and grappling with the harsh realities of the world presented to him by Nagato. However, looking back, even though the Pain arc was the pinnacle of Naruto for many, it still underestimated many characters like Hinata, who were reduced to a plot device. Additionally, Naruto’s promise to bring peace to Amegakure was never fulfilled, making his final speech ring hollow.
2 Land of waves
Chapters 1 – 33 & Episodes 1 – 19 of Naruto
The Wave Wave arc is Naruto’s first real foray into serious storytelling, and it sets the tone for the rest of the series. This section introduces readers to the harsh realities of the ninja world and the complex relationships that exist between ninjas, their teammates, and their clients. The story comes to life through the tragic relationship between Zabuza and Haku, which is heartbreaking. It’s easy to forget that Naruto is essentially a story about child soldiers and the ravages of war, but this one pulls no punches when it comes to bringing out the disgusting reality of the ninja world.
1 Arc searching for Sasuke
Chapters 172 – 238 & Episodes 107 – 135 of Naruto
For many fans, The Search for Sasuke is the definitive Naruto story, encapsulating everything that makes the series great. This arc sees Naruto and his friends go on a dangerous mission to rescue Sasuke from the clutches of the Sound Four. The stakes are high, the action is intense, and the emotional rewards are huge. The Search for Sasuke arc also manages to balance drawing attention to multiple characters outside of the main character in tense and complex battles without taking away from the plot’s progression. This arc is the culmination of all that has come before, and it sets the stage for the rest of the series. It’s a testament to Naruto’s ability to tell complex, emotionally resonant stories, and it remains one of the best arcs in shounen history.
See more: Boruto confirms Kawaki is not only the new Sasuke, he is also more tragic
From the emotional depth of the Land of Waves arc to the intense action of Sasuke’s Search, Naruto has consistently proven its ability to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact. No wonder then Naruto remains one of the most beloved anime franchises of all time, and these installments are certainly testament to its enduring popularity.
Watch now on Crunchyroll