Naruto fans still heartbroken over Jiraiya's death — Here's why it still hurts

Time of India

08-05-2025

Naruto fans still heartbroken over Jiraiya's death — here's why it still hurts
Credit- Fandom
Even years after the conclusion of Naruto, fans around the globe still aren't over the heartbreaking death of one particular fan-favorite character — the legendary ninja, Jiraiya.
Naruto may seem like old news to cater kids these days, but let me tell you, in the early 2000s Naruto arguably rivaled One Piece and Bleach as one of the most iconic series ever created as it was one of the definitive series in the 'Big Three' of shonen anime.
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It's about the adventures of Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who seeks recognition from his peers and dreams of becoming the Hokage, the village chief, the strongest of all. In the process, he confronts war, betrayal, and endless violence. It's the emotional battles, particularly against the death of beloved characters, that hurt the most.
No death in the long-running series has lingered with fans more than the aching fate of Naruto's teacher:
Jiraiya the Toad Sage
.
Who was Jiraiya in Naruto
Tragedy struck when Jiraiya—inspired by his own former pupil—invaded the Hidden Rain village to bello against the evil Akatsuki organization, only to end up killed and pinned by their leader, Pain. Jiraiya was one of the most powerful and respected ninjas in the Naruto universe. Considered one of the Three Legendary Sannin (with Tsunade and Orochimaru), Jiraiya wasn't only a great fighter he was a deeply philosophical mentor and an Akatsuki-slaying, undercover spy-in-training with an ear to the ground, working to keep his village safe.
He found out from that same prophecy that he'd be training the child who could either save the world or destroy it. That child came to be Naruto Uzumaki. Jiraiya became a father figure to Naruto, teaching him important jutsu like the Rasengan but helps form his ideals, values, and future aspirations. Eventually, their relationship evolved from that of student and teacher to more of a father and son dynamic.
A hero's last stand against the Akatsuki
11 Heroic Death Though Jiraiya's death was one of the saddest in Naruto, it was incredibly heroic. He undertook a treasonous secret solo mission to find out the Akatsuki's secret, a criminal group collecting all the dangerous tailed beasts. His pursuit of answers brought him into a life or death battle with Pain, the enigmatic head of the Akatsuki, who wielded the godlike Rinnegan eye and could control six corpses simultaneously.
Even after using his strongest tactics, such as Sage Mode, Jiraiya was still overpowered by Pain's arsenal. With this game-changing intel, Naruto would ultimately defeat Pain's army in return for the great sage's sacrificial heroics on the battlefield. He was outbirded and outbeaten, but even in his last dying moments, Jiraiya was able to communicate a critical piece of information back to the Hidden Leaf Village—one that would eventually propel Naruto to overcome Pain in kind.
He died a long way from home, alone but at peace, with a promise kept and a message of hope and love instilled in his student.
A character's death that altered Naruto indefinitely
So many characters die throughout Naruto—from Naruto's own parents, to one of his original teammates Neji—but Jiraiya's death is more impactful than any of them, largely because of the powerful emotional connection he had with Naruto.
Jiraiya wasn't only a mentor. He was the first grown-up to have faith in Naruto. He taught him how to be a man, how to carry his burdens, how to knock the dust off his soul and how to trust himself when no one else would. His death plunged Naruto into deep sorrow, it motivated him to change—to hone himself and become the kind of individual who could protect those he loved and eliminate the cycle of hatred permeating the ninja world.
Naruto didn't simply lose a teacher — he lost a father figure. That's what made the loss hit fans so hard then and makes it resonate just as much today.
Jiraiya's legacy continues in Naruto and Boruto
Jiraiya's life came to a tragic end, he was far from an irredeemable failure. Naruto goes on to bring many of the techniques Jiraiya taught him into widespread use, such as the Rasengan and Sage Mode. His teachings and beliefs live on in the next generation—including Naruto's son, Boruto.
The Boruto series has actively responded to Jiraiya in the form of Koji Kashin, an absolutely epic ninja with a DNA linkage to Jiraiya who functions as a literal clone of Jiraiya. It served as a means for the series to respect Jiraiya's legacy and demonstrate that his impact never really disappeared.
Fans still mourn Jiraiya's death
Years later, fans across the world are still discussing the meaning of Jiraiya's final battle, Jiraiya's wisdom, and the immense tragedy of his death. At the same time, seek out forums, YouTube comments, or social media accounts where people discuss the show and you'll see someone talking about how they cried during that episode and cry whenever they go back and rewatch it.
Jiraiya was more than a made-up character. He embodied the spirit of hope, strength and unconditional love. His death reminded us that even the mightiest heroes are vulnerable. Their legacy can be eternal.
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