Kakashi Hatake is one of the greatest anime characters of all time. This Jonin may seem disinterested in everything he does, only for this demeanor to become ultra-serious whenever he faces off against a serious threat.
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This leads to Kakashi playing a major role in some of the most important fights in Naruto. His skills with a borrowed Sharingan, coupled with his mastery over high-level jutsu, ensure that he can pull his weight against the toughest enemies without breaking a sweat.
8 With Team 7 VS Kaguya Otsutsuki
The Old Team Reunites To Take Out The Final Threat Of The War Arc
- Arc: Kaguya Otsutsuki Strikes
- Victor: Kakashi Hatake (& Team 7)
Kaguya’s inclusion as a villain may feel completely random, but it does allow Team 7 and its leader to band together for a mission after ages. Kakashi mostly watches from the sidelines, only for Obito to enhance his power by giving him the Sharingan set.
This allows Kakashi to summon a Susanoo and use powerful techniques like the Kamui Shuriken to keep Kaguya on her toes. His role may not be all that major in this battle, but the way he looks on proudly as Team 7 manages to seal Kaguya is an epic moment regardless.
7 VS Team 7
The Bell Test Shows The Lack Of Teamwork Between This Group Of Rookie Genin
- Arc: Prologue — Land of Waves
- Victor: Kakashi Hatake
As the jonin in charge of Team 7, Kakashi decided to test the mettle of a new group of genin by making them endure a challenging bell test. It was a test to see whether the trio could team up to defeat the son of the White Fang, only to fail spectacularly.
Everyone tried to fight Kakashi on their own, making it easy for Kakashi to pick them off one by one. After instructing them to not feed Naruto, he’s happy to see the team going against his orders for their comrade, eventually accepting them as a part of the team.
6 With Team 10 & 7 VS Kakuzu
Holds His Own Against One Of The Most Powerful Akatsuki Around
- Arc: Akatsuki Suppression Mission
- Victor: Kakashi Hatake (& Team 10 and 7)
Fighting Hidan and Kakuzu was important for the Leaf Village, with Asuma’s death making it clear that these Akatsuki members were no joke. While most people remember Kakuzu for being the villain who’d show off the power of the Rasenshuriken, Kakashi’s efforts should also be noticed.
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The jonin more than held his own against Kakuzu and his hearts, staying on his toes throughout the battle. Even if Naruto hadn’t joined the battle, it’s possible that Kakashi could’ve still defeated Kakuzu with the tactical use of Kamui to secure a dominant victory.
5 VS Pain
Fought Till His Last Breath And Was Fortunately Brought Back To Life After Nagato Saw The Light
- Arc: Pain’s Assault
- Victor: Pain
Pain’s assault on Konoha is brutal, decimating the entire village and turning it into a wasteland with his patented Almighty Push. This is why Kakashi found it so daunting to face off against this foe, who wasted no time in showing the jonin what true power is.
While Kakashi put up a valiant fight, he received too many injuries in battle and passed away as Pain moved on to other targets. Thankfully, after Naruto’s Talk-no-Jutsu causes a major change of heart in Nagato, he uses the Gedo Art of Rinne Rebirth to revive anyone who lost their lives in this battle, including Kakashi himself.
4 VS Naruto Uzumaki & Sakura Haruno
Testing Out The Duo’s Skills In A Nostalgic Bell Test That’s A Joy To Witness
- Arc: Kazekage Rescue Mission
- Victors: Naruto Uzumaki & Sakura Haruno
After the time skip, Naruto comes back to see how the village has changed in his absence. He meets Kakashi and Sakura, with the former offering to test the skills of an incomplete Team 7 with a bell test everyone was familiar with.
From the get-go, witnessing Naruto and Sakura bring out a host of impressive powers to challenge Kakashi is something that fans love. While Kakashi is pushed against the ropes, he manages to hold his own until a point where Naruto and Sakura trick Kakashi by threatening to spoil a series he loves. He closes his eyes and ears, making it easy for the duo to take the bells and pass his test.
3 With Kurenai Yuhi & Asuma Sarutobi VS Itachi Uchiha
A Showcase Of Itachi’s Impressive Skills
- Arc: Search for Tsunade
- Victor: Itachi Uchiha
The first time viewers get to see Itachi’s powers is a memorable moment, especially since Kakashi ends up being the target of his mind-breaking genjutsu. The jonin believed that he could counter Itachi’s illusion, only to realize that he was completely out of his element.
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He was trapped in Itachi’s genjutsu in no time and forced to endure cruel torture as he was stabbed over and over again in a fraction of a second. It was a powerful display of Itachi’s powers and made it clear why everyone feared this rogue ninja.
2 With Team 7 VS Zabuza Momochi
An Amazing Fight That Serves As A Perfect Introduction To Naruto’s High Stakes
- Arc: Prologue — Land of Waves
- Victor: Kakashi Hatake (& Team 7)
The Land of Waves mission is an excellent introduction to Naruto, fleshing out the world while introducing a captivating antagonist who’d give Kakashi a tough time. When Kakashi fights this legendary swordsman, he finds himself in a tough spot when he’s trapped in a Water Prison.
Thankfully, Naruto and Sasuke team up to take Zabuza by surprise and free Itachi from this jutsu. After this, Itachi gets the upper hand and could’ve defeated Zabuza had it not been for Haku’s timely interception.
1 VS Obito Uchiha
An Emotional Duel Where Both Fighters Duke It Out In A Beautiful Melee
- Arc: Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax
- Victor: Kakashi Hatake (debatable, since Obito used the wound from his friend’s Raikiri to recreate a traumatic moment)
One of the greatest anime battles of all time, the history surrounding Obito and Kakashi’s melee in the Kamui Dimension is one of the most satisfying battles in the entire series. The battle switches between their young and current personas, enhancing the emotions of this conflict.
While Kakashi could’ve arguably come out victorious, he had a change of heart at the last second and avoided a fatal blow to Obito’s heart with this Raikiri. However, it turns out that Obito intentionally lets himself be harmed to draw parallels to Rin’s murder, further hammering in the tragedy that sent him down a dark path.
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- Release Date
- October 3, 2002
- Studio
- Pierrot
- Creator
- Masashi Kishimoto
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- Release Date
- February 15, 2007
- Studio
- Pierrot
- Creator
- Masashi Kishimoto
