Naruto Arcs With The Best Stories, Ranked

Summary

• The Fourth Shinobi World War: Countdown arc features an emotional backstory for Naruto.
• The Chunin Exams define Naruto’s unique world with intense fights and character development.
• Pain’s Assault arc showcases an epic fight and emotional storytelling, adding depth to the series.

The Naruto series is popular for a number of different reasons, like its legendary characters, fascinating power system, and amazing action scenes. But it wouldn’t be as recognizable and influential as it is if it wasn’t for its high-quality narrative. While it is not without its flaws, author Masashi Kishimoto has managed to write an ambitious and compelling story that has impacted fans all over the world.

Both parts of Naruto are made up of multiple arcs that feature interesting, emotional stories which evolve its characters while adding high stakes to the overall plot. There is a lot to choose from, but the following eight arcs feature some of the best stories in the series.

8

Fourth Shinobi World War: Countdown

It Features The Long-Awaited Emotional Backstory Of The Main Character

• Part 2, Naruto Shippuden
• Duration: Chapters 484 to 515 (Manga); Episodes 215 to 222 (Anime)

The Fourth Shinobi World War was not perfect in terms of writing, but it was still an incredible and ambitious plot thread that most fans enjoyed. Its first arc, fittingly titled Fourth Shinobi World War: Countdown, is the best display of this event’s biggest strengths, especially when it comes to its actual plot.

Witnessing every important character in the world of Naruto preparing for war (especially after the events of the Five Kage Summit Arc) is nothing short of amazing. But what makes Countdown noteworthy is that it includes a much-needed flashback of Naruto’s past, which explains why and how his parents, Minato and Kushina, sacrificed themselves for the sake of their village and their son. This flashback is not only incredibly touching, but it also does wonders for Naruto’s character growth.

7

Chunin Exams

The Arc That Defines Naruto As A Whole

• Part 1, Naruto
• Duration: Chapters 34 to 115 (Manga); Episodes 20 to 67 (Anime)

No Naruto arc is more iconic and influential than the legendary Chunin Exams. At that point, the story’s world had been established, but this arc elevated everything. It properly introduced the rest of Naruto’s classmates, along with their own unique powers and abilities.

The Chunin Exams are both entertaining and surprisingly intense. Every prominent figure gets fleshed out by their own individual fights and character development. Of course, this arc is filled to the brim with exciting action sequences, but those fights would be nowhere near as interesting if it wasn’t for the memorable characters.

6

Pain’s Assault

Stars An Incredible, Complex Villain

• Part 2, Naruto Shippuden
• Duration: Chapters 413 to 453 (Manga); Episodes 152 to 175 (Anime)

Most of Part 2 is spent building up Akatsuki and their mysterious leader, Pain. After many intense fights and tragic deaths, it concludes with the arc titled Pain’s Assault. The initial assault on Konohagakure is nothing short of unbelievable. Pain has many powerful abilities that he uses to take out numerous strong shinobi, including the legendary Kakashi.

But the biggest highlight of the arc is Naruto’s arrival in the village, which marks the beginning of one of the most epic fights in the story. This also feels like a reasonable conclusion for his character. He finally got to save the village that had mistreated him most of his childhood, proving that he’s a real hero. Another reason the arc is so memorable is because of Pain/Nagato’s flashback, which is expertly written and features heartbreaking storytelling.

5

Akatsuki Suppression Mission

An Emotional Story Arc Focused On One Of The Best Characters

• Part 2, Naruto Shippuden
• Duration: Chapters 311 to 342 (Manga); Episodes 72 to 88 (Anime)

Shikamaru Nara is one of the most popular characters in Naruto, yet he was constantly overshadowed by Naruto, Sasuke and Gaara. Fortunately, Kishimoto finally realized the character’s full potential and made him a major player in Akatsuki Suppression Mission, giving him a lot of growth and development.

Hidan and Kakuzu may not be the most powerful members of Akatsuki, but in just one arc they, proved how dangerous they are. Not to mention that killing off Asuma Sarutobi was a clever way to add a lot of emotional stakes. Lastly, seeing Shikamaru dealing with the abrupt death of his teacher and growing up to be a much more mature and intelligent ninja because of it was both emotional and satisfying.

4

Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant

Cemented Jiraiya As One Of The Most Heroic Ninja In The Series

• Part 2, Naruto Shippuden
• Duration: Chapters 368 to 383 (Manga); Episodes 127 to 133 (Anime)

Jiraiya may be a flawed character, but he’s incredibly honorable and heroic. The arc Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant showcased all his biggest strengths. This story is so well-written and so impactful that it ended up feeling like a legend about a mythical hero.

It starts with Jiraiya trying to gather information about Akatsuki in Amegakure. However, everything changes when he encounters two of his former apprentices, Konan and Yahiko, the latter of whom now controls the evil organization under the alias Pain. This leads to an epic fight in which both characters get to show off some of their most impressive abilities, and it sadly concludes with Jiraiya’s tragic death. Despite the sadness, it’s also inspiring because Jiraiya manages to leave an important message about Pain to his allies, proving that he was a rightful hero until the very end.

3

Fated Battle Between Brothers

Turned Itachi Into A Fan Favorite

• Part 2, Naruto Shippuden
• Duration: Chapters 384 to 412 (Manga); Episodes 134 to 143 (Anime)

Sasuke Uchiha spent most of the series with one big goal in mind: to take revenge on his brother, Itachi, who murdered most of the Uchiha clan when he was a kid. After years of intense buildup and fascinating character growth, they faced each other during a climactic arc known as the Fated Battle Between Brothers. This led to an incredible fight in which both of them got to show how strong they had gotten.

The heart and soul of this arc is the complicated relationship between the two brothers. After Sasuke gets the upper hand and defeats Itachi, they have a surprisingly touching send-off. This emotional moment led the younger Uchiha to find out the truth about his brother. and how he actually sacrificed himself and his reputation for the sake of Konohagakure. This shocking revelation turned the entire plot of Naruto on its own head, and forever changed Sasuke’s character.

2

Prologue / Land of Waves

A Legendary Introduction To This Fascinating But Somber World

• Part 1, Naruto
• Duration: Chapters 1 to 33 (Manga); Episodes 1 to 19 (Anime)

One of the reasons Naruto became so popular so quickly is because of its fantastic introductory arc. In just a few chapters/episodes, Prologue / Land of Waves perfectly establishes Naruto’s character, complete with his struggles and ambitions, and also showcases how violent and dark the world he inhabits can be.

Team 7’s mission in the Land of Waves is not only fascinating, but it’s also important because it’s one of the very few instances in which fans get to see Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi working together on a canonical mission. But, of course, the villain duo of Zabuza and Haku are the emotional core of this arc. They initially seem ruthless and one-dimensional, but end up becoming quite complex, and have an emotional send-off. Their deaths not only resulted in one of the most memorable moments in Naruto, but they also affected the way the titular character sees the world.

1

Sasuke Recovery Mission

The Conclusion To Part 1 Took Full Advantage Of Its Best Characters

• Part 1, Naruto
• Duration: Chapters 1 to 33 (Manga); Episodes 1 to 19 (Anime)

Naruto is often criticized for having too many characters that don’t do much. The most cited examples are the members of Konoha 11 that aren’t named Naruto, Sasuke, or Sakura. However, most of them got their time to shine during the arc titled Sasuke Recovery Mission, which also serves as the solid conclusion for Part 1 of the story.

Everyone involved in their mission gets incredible character development and exciting fights. Sasuke decides to join Orochimaru in order to get stronger and defeat Itachi. Naruto realizes how much he cares about Sasuke and tries to save him before it’s too late. Neji, Shikamaru, Shoji, Kiba, and Rock Lee get to show off their unique abilities, while also having crucial influence on the overall plot. This all concludes with the climactic encounter between Naruto and Sasuke at the Valley of the End, an emotional fight that became one of the most defining moments of the entire series and had a huge impact on both characters.

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  Naruto
  

  Release Date

  2002 – 2006

  Showrunner

  Masashi Kishimoto

  Directors

  Hayato Date

  
  

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  Naruto: Shippuden
  

  Release Date

  2007 – 2017

  Network

  Adult Swim

  Directors

  Hayato Date, Masaaki Kumagai, Yasuaki Kurotsu, Osamu Kobayashi, Chiaki Kon

  
  

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