Masashi Kishimoto’sNarutoseries is undoubtedly one of the best anime ever released, earning its place as one of the titles that revolutionized the anime industry.Naruto’s greatest strength lies in its profound cultural impact and its vivid portrayal of the ninja world, while its narrative remains equally captivating. With over seven hundred episodes, there is no doubt that the series has delivered many memorable moments.
However, the story isn’t without flaws, featuring several scenes that feel unnecessary and are bound to make anyone feel frustrated as they unfold. These imperfections aren’t limited to the narrative alone but extend to certain characters as well, highlighting the areas where even a major series likeNarutofalls short and leaves fans disappointed by how such bad moments could exist.
10No One Telling Naruto the Truth About His Parents
There Seems To Be No Compelling Reason Why the Truth About His Parents Was Kept From Naruto
One of thebiggest mysteries in theNarutoseries that continues to frustrate fans is why no one ever told Naruto about his parents. From the very beginning, it was evident that Naruto bore a striking resemblance to the Fourth Hokage, yet no one,not even Kakashi or Iruka, despite their close bond, ever revealed the truth to him.
While it’s understandable that this information was initially withheld to protect Naruto from Minato’s enemies, at a certain point, keeping it a secret no longer made sense. Kakashi could have told Naruto during the events ofNaruto: Shippuden, which might have given him an extra drive to grow even stronger. By then, Naruto had already become an exceptionally powerful ninja, more than capable of handling the truth and possibly using it as a motivating factor.
9The Third Hokage Not Caring Deeply For Naruto
The series portrays Naruto growing up alone, without support, and feared by the villagers because he was the host of Kurama. However, the main reason for his isolation was to prevent enemy nations from discovering the identity of the Nine-Tails’ jinchūriki. This directlycontradicts Hiruzen Sarutobi’s decision to leave Naruto on his own.
Sorry, Naruto Fans, It’s Time To Admit the Fourth Hokage Twist Undermined the Entire Franchise
Revealing that Naruto is the son of the Fourth Hokage undermines the themes established in the original series and, by proxy, Naruto’s own efforts.
In reality, as the Third Hokage, Sarutobi had the power to provide Naruto with a proper home while still keeping his identity a secret. This would have spared Naruto from an unnecessarily harsh childhood, making his suffering feel like an avoidable plot hole that continues to frustrate fans.
8Naruto Neglecting His Children
Naruto Forcing His Children to Endure What He Once Faced
It is clear that Naruto’s true dream has always been to be loved and to overcome his loneliness, a goal he ultimately achieves, with his position as Hokage solidified after the Pain arc. However,despite his deep desire for a family, theBoruto: Naruto Next Generationportrays him as neglecting his own.While his duties as Hokage are important, moments like missing his daughter’s birthday push this portrayal too far.
The scene doesn’t even attempt to justify his absence with an urgent crisis; instead, it simply shows him buried in paperwork. Naruto’s character could have been handled better by emphasizing a balance between work and family, rather than including an unnecessary canon that continues to frustrate fans.
7Sasuke And Naruto Losing Their Dominant Hands
The Series Could Have Symbolized Their Rivalry Coming To An End Differently
In theclimax of theNarutoseries, after defeating Kaguya, Sasuke declares his intention to seize control of the Tailed Beasts and dominate the world, directly opposing Naruto’s efforts to bring him back and create a better future. This leads to their final battle, which ultimately ends with Sasuke accepting Naruto’s ideals, symbolized by both of them losing their dominant hands, marking the conclusion of their long-standing rivalry.
While this resolution is understandable, especially the symbolism of their shared loss, the rivalry would have been more fittingly resolved with Naruto achieving a clear victory.Given all the struggles he endured to bring Sasuke back, the series should have ended with Sasuke respectfully accepting Naruto’s vision through his undeniable defeat, instead of giving its protagonist yet another pain.
6Black Zetsu Being Revealed To Be the Main Villain
Narutohas introduced some of the most memorable villainsin anime history, with Madara Uchiha standing out as the ultimate mastermind and arguably the series’ best antagonist. Fans fully embraced Madara as the main villain, but just as he achieved his goal, an unexpected twist revealed that he had been manipulated all along by Black Zetsu.
Initially perceived as a mere servant,Black Zetsu’s sudden reveal as the true mastermind frustrated fans, especially since his sole purpose was to resurrect Kaguya, the series’ actual final villain. Many believe that Kaguya’s introduction marked a decline in the story, with Black Zetsu’s revelation as the real manipulator standing out as one of the series’ most unnecessary moments.
5Sasuke’s Decision To Destroy the Konoha Village
A Decision Contradicting What His Brother Sacrificed For
The Uchiha Clan massacre is one of the mostshocking moments inNaruto, but the reason behind Itachi’s actions is even more devastating. He sacrificed his clan to protect the greater good of the village, a truth that Sasuke later learns from Tobi. However, upon discovering this, Sasuke immediately resolves to destroy the village,contradicting Itachi’s original sacrifice.
Before learning the truth, Sasuke’s sole focus was avenging his clan by killing his brother. This highlights how his character has always been driven by revenge, which continues to frustrate fans, as it makes his development feel stagnant and lacking true growth.
4Naruto Missing His Hokage Inaugration
Naruto’s Dream of Becoming The Hokage Is Reduced Into a Joke
From the outset, it is clear what the series' protagonist’s main goal was: to become the Hokage. It is constantly reinforced by Naruto himself, as he mentions his dream every chance he gets, much like Luffy from One Piece. Yet, on the day Naruto is finally set to become Hokage, the anime turns it into a joke by having him miss the inauguration entirely after being knocked out by his seven-year-old daughter.
Naruto’s Final Villain Surprised Us All, But They Were Foreshadowed Earlier Than We Realized
The shocking twist of Naruto’s final villain wasn’t sudden but has been in the works for many years, as proven by several hints throughout the series.
While this setup could have led to amore dramatic entrance for Naruto at the ceremony, the joke is stretched by having him never make it to this important event at all.Instead, Konohamaru has to take his place by transforming into him and receiving the honor in his stead. The worst part is that in the original manga, this special day is never even depicted, it simply reveals that Naruto has already become Hokage, depriving fans of the chance to witness Naruto finally being honored with the title he worked so hard for.
3Sakura’s Confession To Naruto
Sakura Believes Naruto Is Acting Because of Her
Besides the main narrative ofNarutostriving to become Hokage, a large part of the series also focuses on his determination to bring back Sasuke Uchiha, who has become an internationally wanted criminal. Naruto’s relentless drive to save Sasuke impacts many other characters, especially Sakura, who is closest to them both. This affects Sakura so deeply thatshe comes to believe Naruto is only pursuing Sasuke because of the promise he made to her.
In an attempt to stop Naruto from chasing Sasuke, Sakura makes a false confession, hoping it will convince him to give up. However, this moment didn’t resonate well with fans, as it reinforced the idea that Sakura still believes Naruto’s actions are motivated solely by his feelings for her. Sakura is not among the majority of fans’favorite characters inNaruto, and this scene only solidified her reputation as one of the most frustrating, making the moment all the more disliked.
2Neji’s Death
Narutois a series that has depicted its fair share of deaths for great reasons, such as the deaths of Naruto’s parents, Jiraiya, and Itachi. With these powerful portrayals, it seemed like Naruto’s depiction of character deaths was one of its strengths. Yet, during the final moments of the series, one death occurred that felt unnecessary.Neji’s death inNarutofeels like a waste, as it has almost no impact.
Even more frustrating is how the death was depicted: Neji being pierced by wooden spikes. A character as strong as Neji, who could easily be ranked among the strongest inNaruto, was killed like a side character. It’s frustrating becauseNeji had so much potential and could have represented a societal change in the Hyuga clan, perhaps in a spin-off series that fans would have loved more than anything to see.
1Naruto’s Consistent Attempt to Bring Back Sasuke
After a Point, It Just Becomes Frustrating To Watch Naruto Try To Bring Back Sasuke
Naruto: Shippudenbegins with Naruto and Sakura trying to bring their friend back to the village. However, Sasuke made it very clear that his ambitions lie elsewhere, but Naruto doesn’t give up. While seeing Naruto work hard to bring his friend back highlights that he still sees the good in him, after a point, it just becomes frustrating to watch Naruto try to bring back Sasuke because of everything he has done over the course of the series.
Naruto’s Sasuke Wasn’t A True Villain Until One Crucial Arc Changed His Character Forever
Naruto: Shippuden’s Five Kage Arc is full of many firsts for favorites like Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke, but fans don’t give it enough appreciation.
Sasuke’s actions made him an internationally wanted criminal, including his attempts to kill not one, but two girls who showed deep affection for him. Naruto goes as far as to reason with the Raikage and even gets beaten in the process, all to bring Sasuke back. This makesSakura’s attempt to stop Naruto with a false confession seem less frustrating, because at least she tried to give up on Sasuke, something even fans had done long ago. Thus, Naruto’s consistent attempts to bring back Sasuke became one of theNarutomoments bound to make any fan angry.
