Naruto uses tragedy and sadness to evoke emotion from its viewers from beginning to end throughout the series. While the anime's very first arc is one of its saddest, the pain and suffering among shinobi only increases along with global conflict. As fans continue to process the tear-jerking scenes and shocking deaths, these infamous Naruto arcs prove that the shinobi world isn't for the faint of heart.
Land of Waves (Naruto / Episodes 1-19)
To kick off the hit series, Naruto immediately launches into the Land of Waves Arc that encompasses Team 7's very first mission together. During their time in the Land of Waves, the young shinobi come face-to-face with the dangers of the shinobi lifestyle for the first time. They run into Zabuza, the notorious Demon of the Hidden Mist, who reveals their land's brutal shinobi training methods where they are forced to kill their own classmates to advance in rank. They later run into Haku, who has loyal and unwavering devotion to Zabuza for taking him in as a young child. During their fight with Haku, Sasuke nearly sacrifices his life to save Naruto as they come to terms with the constant threat of death.
When Zabuza and Haku ultimately die in the conflict, Zabuza asks to be placed by Haku's side so they can die beside each other as they had lived. Zabuza expresses regret and a desire to be with Haku in the afterlife, but he doesn't believe he'll be able to because Haku is a better person. Despite initially being the enemy, Kakashi comforts Zabuza and claims they will be reunited in the afterlife before burying them side by side. Not only does this arc quickly prepare Team 7 and the audience for the brutal reality of shinobi life, but it also blurs the lines between good and evil as viewers feel bittersweet sympathy toward the enemy.
Akatsuki Suppression Mission (Naruto Shippuden / Episodes 72-88)
Akatsuki Suppression Mission is a difficult arc for Naruto fans to forget. Hidan and Kakazu are introduced as an immortal and brutal Akatsuki team that ultimately kills Asuma Sarutobi in front of a helpless Team 10, where he gives an emotional final speech to his teammates before passing away. These episodes tackle hard themes about mortality and the emotional toll shinobi have to bear by setting aside their emotions in order to successfully complete a mission.
As Shikamaru struggles with overwhelming grief from the death of his sensei, viewers see sentimental flashbacks of their past mentorship and playing shogi together. The death of Asuma forces Shikamaru to reevaluate his life and what kind of shinobi he wants to be, eventually finding the strength to carry out his revenge on Hidan and Kakazu. Akatsuki Suppression Mission is a game-changing arc because it shows viewers that the series isn't afraid to kill off beloved characters and that more painful deaths can be expected in the future.
Tale Of Jiraiya The Gallant (Naruto Shippuden / Episodes 127-133)
Tale Of Jiraiya The Gallant is one of the most talked-about Naruto arcs to this day. It stars the beloved Master Jiraiya, who embarks on a dangerous solo mission to the hostile Village Hidden in the Rain to gather vital intel about the Akatsuki. As Hokage, Tsunade is hesitant to approve the mission because she rightfully fears for his life. When directly engaging in combat with Pain, Jiraiya discovers how the Sixth Paths works before he's fatally wounded and forced to carve a cryptic message on Fukasaku's back. As if Jiraiya's painful and lonely death as he sinks into the water's depths isn't painful enough, his death being carried out by the very orphans he took in and trained is even more heartbreaking.
Fated Battle Between Brothers (Naruto Shippuden / Episodes 134-143)
Immediately following the devastating Tale Of Jiraiya The Gallant Arc, viewers aren't given any time to emotionally recover by the time the long-anticipated battle between Sasuke and Itachi occurs. After a lifetime of searching, Sasuke finally tracks down his older brother and confronts him directly about being a traitor who wiped out their entire clan. While Sasuke is focused on getting revenge and killing his brother, Itachi secretly lets him win their fight, lovingly poking Sasuke's forehead before dying.
Sasuke isn't able to enjoy his final victory because Obito soon tells him the truth about Itachi's past and the reasoning behind his actions. Sasuke is so emotionally distraught by the truth that his pain awakens his Mangekyō Sharingan. The Fated Battle Between Brothers Arc launches Itachi Uchiha into becoming an unexpected fan favorite as he's revealed to be a tragic martyr and unsung hero.
Kakashi's Anbu Arc: The Shinobi That Lives In The Darkness (Naruto Shippuden / Episodes 349-361)
Arguably the saddest arc of the entire Naruto franchise, Kakashi's Anbu Arc: The Shinobi That Lives In The Darkness reveals the tragic backstory of several key characters. While fans had already come to know of Kakashi's child soldier and orphan past, his trauma is emphasized throughout this arc after witnessing death over and over again. The young Kakashi suffered from PTSD and spent most of his days washing his hands and crying because he felt like Rin's blood was still on him. Minato soon asks him to join the ANBU to give him purpose, but Kakashi's ruthless tactics reveal how accustomed he's become to death. Afterward, he's assigned to watch over Kushina during her pregnancy, and he blames himself when she and Minato are killed by the Nine-Tails.
Later in the arc, Kakashi is paired up with the even younger Itachi as a new ANBU recruit and tries to guide him. However, Itachi soon gets dragged into the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha clan, and he chooses to massacre his own clan in order to save Sasuke and protect the Hidden Leaf. During these episodes, Shisui commits suicide after entrusting his eyes to Itachi, and his best friend's death causes him to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan. Itachi later goes on to massacre the rest of his clan with Obito, killing his parents himself before Sasuke walks in. Kakashi later blames himself for Itachi's actions and the Uchiha massacre, once again adding to his guilt and grief. Kakashi's Anbu Arc: The Shinobi That Lives In The Darkness reveals the scale of suffering and pain shinobi can endure by exposing the darkest sides of the Naruto world.
