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Time of India
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Naruto Shippuden: 10 saddest moments that left fans in tears
Even the toughest ninjas shed a tear —and so did we. Naruto Shippuden , the critically acclaimed sequel to one of the most popular anime series in history, is full of intense action, amazing camaraderie, and tear-jerking transformation. Aside from all the action and adventure, the series brought fans some truly heartbreaking moments that still reduce fans to tears. Naruto Shippuden is the sequel series to Naruto. Created in the throes of Japan's postwar malaise, Naruto takes place in a world undergoing a technological revolution, filled with war and conflict, on the verge of complete collapse, and follows our hero, teenage ninja Naruto Uzumaki, as he fights to save his friends, defeat deadly foes, and gain recognition within this strife-torn world. The show touches on loneliness, sacrifice, regret, and the relationship between parents and children. All themes intended to resonate with adults. That personal, intimate quality makes it have an emotional impact even outside the anime fandom. Here are 10 of the saddest moments in Naruto Shippuden that left our hearts shattered. 1. Naruto meets his father for the first time Naruto's childhood was defined by a deep-rooted loneliness, having lost both parents without ever meeting them. When he finally learned that the mysterious Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, was his father all along, it became a 'crying ninja' moment for anime fans everywhere. Minato's introduction comes at one of Naruto's lowest points, as he tries to prevent the Nine-Tails from completely overwhelming his body. Their brief, yet intense exchange, was filled with disbelief, affection and love—the type Naruto had never felt before. It was an amazing, beautiful but bittersweet moment. 2. Jiraiya's death during the fight against pain Jiraiya wasn't merely Naruto's teacher—he was, in many ways, a surrogate grandfather. He filled our hearts with laughter through his childish friendly jokes, he still challenged and taught Naruto about strength. When Jiraiya finally met his end in battle against his former student, Pain, he didn't make it an easy death to swallow. His final breath around him, he still found a way to send a secret message Course Required to Save the Hidden Leaf. To see him go beneath the surface, the acceptance that he died alone but full of hope was the hardest moment to watch in one of the series' hardest moments. 3. Shikamaru loses his mentor, Asuma There's a reason why Shikamaru was always so calm, so clever, so cool – he was almost always a step ahead. Yet when his team confronted the murderous Akatsuki pair, Hidan and Kakuzu, it was at a terrible price. Asuma, their sensei, was killed defending them. Asuma's last words to Shikamaru were profoundly touching, and his death served as a big turning point in Shikamaru's life. This painful loss would impart to fans the lesson that even our most beloved, badass characters were not impervious to unimaginable heartache. 4. Itachi's true story finally exposed For years, Itachi Uchiha was vilified for the slaughter of his entire clan. When that truth came out, it changed everything. As it turned out Itachi did it to save his younger brother, Sasuke , from becoming a civil war leader in an inevitable conflict between their clan and the rest of the Hidden Leaf. He absorbed all the criticism, suffered in solitude, and passed away without anyone ever discovering what truly transpired. His last message to Sasuke, 'I'll love you forever,' was a gut punch then and it remains one today. 5. Naruto's parents sacrifice themselves to save him Naruto had long thought that his parents were killed in a fox raid on their village. When he does finally discover the horrible truth, the tale becomes almost impossibly sad. In that timeline, his mother Kushina and father Minato sacrificed themselves to save baby Naruto from the Nine-Tailed Fox. They sacrificed all so he could survive. To see their last moments like this and hear their words of encouragement and support for Naruto was pretty damn brutal. 6. Neji Hyuga's sacrifice in the fourth great ninja war While I can't speak for the writers behind Neji's development, one thing is for certain. Neji began as a very reserved, hostile character. Through the series, he underwent character development and became a man who would lay everything down on the line for his fellow companions. As a member of Team 10, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, Neji jumped in front of an enemy attack to save Naruto and Hinata. His character's unexpected death broke fans' hearts and served as a painful reminder of how cruel war can be—even in an anime. 7. Shikamaru and Ino hear their fathers' final words During a key battle in the war, Shikamaru's father Shikaku and Ino's father Inoichi knew they wouldn't make it. They used their abilities to send one last message to their children before dying in an explosion. Hearing those final words in real time, while still fighting, made this scene especially heartbreaking. It was a reminder of how much these characters gave for peace. 8. Hinata tries to save Naruto from pain Hinata had always admired Naruto. During Pain's attack on the village, she stepped in to protect him—despite knowing she didn't stand a chance. She was beaten badly, and Naruto thought she had died. The moment triggered Naruto's rage and awakened the Nine-Tails. It was a powerful moment of love, bravery, and loss. 9. Shikamaru breaks down over Asuma's death After losing Asuma, Shikamaru holds in his emotions—until one quiet game of shogi with his father. Overwhelmed by grief, he suddenly flips the board and breaks down. This emotional release from such a calm and logical character showed fans a very real side of pain and mourning. It wasn't just sad—it was human. 10. Naruto and Minato say goodbye for the last time In the final battles, Naruto fights alongside a reanimated version of his father Minato. They work together briefly, sharing a bond they never got to have in life. But when the reanimation ends, Minato vanishes. Before he goes, he wishes Naruto a happy birthday—a birthday he had never been there to celebrate. Naruto sends a message back for his mother in the afterlife, closing this short but emotional father-son reunion. Final thoughts: Naruto Shippuden balanced action with heartbreak Naruto Shippuden gave fans epic battles and unforgettable moments, but it was the emotional depth that made it truly special. These tragic scenes didn't just make us cry—they helped us understand the pain, growth, and strength of the characters we loved. Whether you're new to anime or a longtime fan, these moments prove that Naruto Shippuden isn't just about ninjas—it's about heart. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Boruto Manga introduces ruthless new hokage as Shikamaru makes shocking decision
Boruto Manga introduces ruthless new hokage as Shikamaru makes shocking decision credit- Fandom The new Hokage in the Naruto universe is cracking down but fans can't agree on whether he's a force for good or evil which brings us to the Boruto manga 's most shocking plot twist Naruto fans have ever seen. In Boruto: Seasick Terror, Two Blue Vortex Chapter 21 , longtime fan-favorite Shikamaru Nara now the Eighth Hokage takes a series of actions so sudden and dark that they have fans worldwide divided. Shikamaru, formerly the voice of calculated logic and level-headed loyalty to friends in need, is now discussed in the same breath as the series' worst villains. His choice to sacrifice two innocent ninjas so that he can save the rest is reverberating through the fandom. Who is the eighth hokage in Boruto Shikamaru Nara was one of Naruto's best friends and most trusted advisors during his time as the Seventh Hokage. Renowned for his tactical brilliance and fierce loyalty, Shikamaru was the obvious candidate to succeed when Naruto went missing. Ever since he took on the Hokage title, Shikamaru has made several decisions that display a bitter, more ruthless side, a willingness to prioritize cold logic over emotion. Shikamaru faces a test where he must decide on the fate of Konohamaru and Yodo In Chapter 21 of Boruto, In the last arc, Two Blue Vortex, the manga explains that during the time skip Shikamaru had been secretly collaborating with Kashin Koji in order to halt the Divine Trees' monstrous new adversaries that endanger the ninja world. As a part of their plan they send Konohamaru and Yodo on a deadly mission, fully aware that they will not survive. Koji implies that their deaths were for the best, and the knowledge that he had the ending all planned out means Shikamaru had to have known too. These aren't just random characters. Konohamaru is Naruto's first cousin, once removed, and a respected Jonin. Yodo is a young kunoichi from the Hidden Sand Village. Sending them off to die with zero warning was enough to even shock die-hard fans of the series. Fans are comparing Shikamaru to Danzo after that brutal decision Danzo Shimura , a former village elder in Naruto Shippuden, made illegal and cold-blooded choices from the shadows. This is why fans are starting to make comparisons between him and Shikamaru. By not caring if allies die, Shikamaru has turned his back on a lot of what Naruto was able to achieve, protecting comrades, spreading peace, and establishing trust between nations. His actions more or less contradict his initial promise to his mentor Asuma to raise and protect the next generation. Why would Shikamaru order that Though his actions may feel emotionally distant, Shikamaru may be justified in thinking that he's taking the actions that will ultimately save the world. The Divine Trees are formidable foes, even more so than any former villain's forces, able to instantly heal and wipe out enormous swaths of landscape. With Naruto and Sasuke out of the picture, and Boruto now a traitor, Shikamaru might find himself with no option but to take desperate actions himself. Yet time is short and he's facing a shrinking list of allies and a growing threat that could destroy the Hidden Leaf Village if not stopped. Nevertheless, his approach is prompting important questions about whether he's truly protecting the village or merely taking it down a perilous path. Boruto fans are divided about Shikamaru's hokage position The Boruto fandom is more divided than ever. Some viewers may find Shikamaru's brutal decisions to be exactly what the newly resurrected village needs to survive this bold new age. The audience is angry, everyone from the casual viewer who came to appreciate a hero they thought they knew, to critics, many of whom expected a deeper exploration of his rich character arc. As Two Blue Vortex plays out, it builds suspense and excitement in how Naruto will deal with everything once he gets out of his dimensional prison. If it were to happen, the confrontation between Naruto and Shikamaru would be one of the most emotional showdowns in the franchise. Where to read Boruto: Two blue vortex New chapters of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex installments have been distributed each month via Shueisha's V-Jump magazine, and are published in English on digital platforms including MANGA Plus and VIZ Media. Whether you've been watching Naruto for years or just starting out with the series, there's never been a more exciting and important time to get on board. The future of the Hidden Leaf Village and the legacy of the Hokage is at stake.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How impactful was Asuma Sensei's character in Naruto? Explained
Asuma Sensei in Naruto Naruto Shippuden was definitely focused on the protagonist. But the way other characters got their fair share of screen time and more is more than amazing. Whether we talk about the students, Senseis, Clans, or Hokages, the show tried to leave no stone unturned. Talking about characters, Asuma Sarutobi was the kind of man who left a strong impact on the story, the audience, and whatnot. If you haven't been a fan of him then you deserve to know more about the legend and know why he has a cult following. Moving forward, we will discuss Asuma sensei and his impact on other characters. Asuma Sarutobi - One of the greatest sensei in Naruto universe To start with, Asuma Sarutobi was the son of the third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi (too big of a responsibility for sure). He was the leader of Team 10 consisting of Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino. All those who admire him as a leader already know that Asuma sensei was the Twelve Guardian Ninja who protected the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. If you spot Asuma without a cigarette in the show then that's already an achievement. However, things went south for him in the battle against Akatsuki members Kazaku and Hidan. And it ended very badly for him as he lost his life by getting trapped in the ritual circle. His death could be considered a life-changing event for Team 10, especially Shikamaru. After these events, Shikamaru slips into depression as he really respects and loves Asuma. The same thing works to motivate Shikamaru and he takes revenge for his sensei's death. Talking about Asuma's impact, his students become some of the strongest Ninjas in Konoha along with contributing to the fourth Shinobi war as well. Here we would like to end this by saying Asuma somewhere got shadowed by his father. And considering the show's tonality, a little more was expected from the son of a hokage. Two Akatsuki members were enough to eradicate someone like Asuma - this is something that will always be a hard pill to digest for the fans. Also Read: Why did Itachi kill his clan? Story behind the infamous Uchiha Massacre
