As one of the most prominent Shōnen Jump manga-turned-television series in history, Naruto has more than its fair share of iconic fights. Considering the incredible power at most of the main cast’s fingertips, no character is ever safe from a sudden and tragic death.

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With 720 episodes between Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden combined, these deaths hit even harder when the characters have been built up and endeared themselves to audiences over the years. When a main character is killed off, it’s difficult to ignore the emotional impact that accompanies the loss and the major effects it can have on the storyline as a whole.

Neji

Neji dies in Naruto's shoulders

As the most prominent member of the Hyuga clan, Neji was the first to introduce audiences to the mysterious power of the Byakugan. Neji was considered one of the most promising young shinobi of the Leaf Village and established a rivalry of sorts with Naruto after their battle in the Chunin Exams.

During the Fourth Great Shinobi War, Neji sacrificed his life defending Naruto and Hinata from the Ten-Tailed Beast’s barrages. While many fans were disappointed to see such a vital character die in a somewhat anti-climactic fashion, victory over Madara and Obito would have never been possible without Neji’s sacrifice.

Granny Chiyo

Lady Chiyo In Naruto Shippuden

Chiyo endeared herself to fans by giving them one of the best fight scenes in Shippuden, as she teams up with Sakura to fight the Akatsuki puppet master, Sasori. Not only did Sakura finally get to feature in a high-quality fight, but the fan-favorite puppets also got a chance to be tested to their fullest extent in a back-and-forth exchange.

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That wouldn’t be only the time Granny Chiyo was vital to the shinobi’s war efforts, however, as she would go on to transfer her life energy into the dying body of Gaara. This selfless action managed to save his life, even after Shukaku had been ripped from his body. It’s hard not to get emotional watching Chiyo’s death, even knowing it would save Gaara’s life in the end.

The Third Hokage

Hiruzen smiles and dies in Naruto

As the first Hokage viewers get to meet in the series, Hiruzen Sarutobi—otherwise known as the Third Hokage—provides stability to Konoha with his regal presence. Mentor to entire generations of shinobi, the Third Hokage’s death sent shockwaves through the Leaf Village and told the audience that no character was safe.

Hiruzen’s death was especially hard to swallow due to the fact it came at the hands of his one-time apprentice, Orochimaru. The villain was not destined to go on to become a future Hokage, as Hiruzen wanted, but his final moments would be spent ensuring Orochimaru could not hurt anyone in the village ever again.

Obito

The villain Obito from the Naruto anime.

As the mastermind behind the formation of the Akatsuki and the primary antagonist through much of the series, Obito was one of those villains who are hard not to root for. His relationship with Kakashi directly parallels that of Naruto and Sasuke, so his story is difficult not to get emotionally invested in.

Obito’s road to redemption is a slow one, and it won’t be until the very end that Naruto is able to coax him down a different path. After finding out Madara orchestrated Rin’s death all those years ago, making one last stand alongside his former teammate before joining Rin in the afterlife made for a beautiful moment to wrap the series up.

Asuma

Asuma Sarutobi dies in Naruto Shippuuden

Son of Hiruzen, Asuma is the second member of the Sarutobi bloodline we witness suffer a tragic death. Best known as the leader of Team 10, Asuma mentored Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji into one of the most beloved trios in the entire series. 

In the war against the Akatsuki, Asuma was slain by the immortal Hidan. While Shikamaru was forced to look on, his former team leader was bested in battle. During his final words with the former members of Team 10, he imparted goodbye messages that would forever stick in the minds of his former team and viewers alike.

Itachi

Sasuke and Itachi hug each other in Naruto.

After committing horrible crimes and decimating his family’s bloodline, Itachi was content with distancing himself from his little brother Sasuke and dying with the world still believing him the villain. Many years later, Itachi would eventually be slain by this same brother, finally granting him release from the regrets of the past.

That relief wouldn’t last long, however, as Kabuto would reanimate Itachi to use as a pawn in his plans to destroy Konoha. Once reunited with his little brother, Itachi and Sasuke would team up to take down Kabuto for good. As his reincarnated body dissipated, Itachi is finally given the chance to display the love he feels for his brother as the two get the send-off they always deserved.

Kakashi

Kakashi Hatake dies in Naruto

During Pain’s invasion of Konoha, Kakashi was one of the Leaf Village’s primary defenders. Kakashi depleted his chakra in a duel against Pain and expends the very last of it to save Choji’s life, dying shortly after. While fans were treated to a scene of Kakashi in the afterlife conversating with his father, it wouldn't be long before he was ripped back into reality.

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Had Kakashi’s death been final, it undoubtedly would have made the biggest impact and ranked even higher on this list. Fortunately, Kakashi was revived and this fan-favorite would go on to have a pivotal role in the series’ final confrontation against the remaining Akatsuki and its founder, Obito.

Zabuza and Haku

Zabusa and Haku die in Naruto

As the first primary antagonists of the series, Zabuza and Haku introduced Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to the biggest threat they had faced yet. Zabuza was one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and was prolific with both weapons and Jutsu. Meanwhile, Haku possessed one of the series’ most interesting kekkei genkai and would push the Leaf genin to their limit. 

While Zabuza was portrayed as a cruel man with a cold exterior, that comes shattering down after Haku gives his life to protect his master. Zabuza is also the first villain that Naruto is able to get through to by talking, instead of fighting, making the heroic moment where Zabuza takes Gato down with him all the more emotional. This death scene expressed the duality of characters perfectly, and the idea that no one is purely evil would drive many of Naruto's decisions in the future.

Jiraiya

Jiraiya dies in Naruto Shippuden

Over the course of the series, Jiraiya’s weird and oftentimes perverted personality made him a strange yet loveable figure. Despite his reputed immense power, Jiraiya never took himself too seriously and ultimately made a perfect mentor for Naruto to come into his own. As the first person to suffer the wrath of the entire Six Paths of Pain, Jiraiya held his own in one of the longest one on one duels in the series.

Despite managing to incapacitate three of the Paths, his ignorance of the remaining three Paths and their abilities would ultimately result in Jiraiya’s death by Nagato in one of Naruto's greatest betrayals. As he dies, he ponders what Naruto would have done, and manages to send a message that would help prepare Konoha for the arrival of Pain. While Jiraiya spent much of his life believing himself to be a failure, he succeeds in this one final task and provides a heart-wrenching farewell to this beloved character.

Minato and Kushina

Minato and Kushina Die in Naruto Shippuuden

Without the ultimate sacrifice of Minato and Kushina, Naruto couldn’t even exist. Although Naruto Uzimake’s origin and reasoning behind his parents’ deaths aren’t discovered until later, Minato and Kushina’s struggle against Obito and the rampaging Nine-Tails is one of the highlights of the series. In Naruto, the main characters often face their death by way of a grand sacrificial gesture, and the fate of these two lovers is no different.

This case is particularly bittersweet, however, as the great Fourth Hokage himself is forced to not only sacrifice himself in order to stop the beast known as Kurama but also must seal its power away in his newborn son. Had Minato not sacrificed himself for the greater good, Naruto and the Leaf Village as a whole would have been defenseless against Obito's plotting.

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