The Ultimate Collection of Epic Naruto Battles, Ranked!

The Naruto franchise boasts several battles that are considered the best fights of all time by anime fans. However, there are ten fights from the first part of the series that stand out above all others. While some of the most memorable moments in the series are not necessarily tied to the best fights, such as Naruto's first Rasengan against Kabuto or Chōji's victory against the Sound Ninja Jirōbō, these moments often come after one-sided beatdowns that may not hold up upon repeated viewing. Nevertheless, the best fights of the Naruto series continue to captivate and thrill audiences even after decades since their initial release.

In 2014, Masashi Kishimoto's epic ninja story, which spanned 700 chapters, came to a close, with the anime adaptation concluding in 2017. Although the ongoing sequel series focusing on Naruto's son, Boruto, exists, the journey of how Naruto became the Seventh Hokage remains dear to the hearts of many fans. As the anime recently commemorated its 20th anniversary, now is an opportune time to reflect on the story of the young orphan who saved the Shinobi world through empathy and a plethora of epic ninja battles.

10 Shikamaru vs Temari (Episode #64)

Some fans prefer the more subdued and strategy-heavy fights of Naruto Part 1 compared to Naruto Shippuden's large-scale battles. One of the standout clashes in terms of cleverness is the match between Shikamaru and Temari. Temari, Gaara's sister, initially attempted to overpower the lazy Konoha genin with her sizable club-like fan and sharp wind attacks. However, Shikamaru proved to be a challenging target by effectively hiding in the shadows. While the fight technically ends in a draw, it becomes evident that Shikamaru's strategic mind surpasses Temari's overwhelming strength. He skillfully utilizes his limited resources and the surrounding environment to stealthily connect his Shadow Possession technique to the vigilant Sand Ninja. This display of sneakiness and brilliance exemplifies the qualities of a great ninja that Shikamaru embodies.

9 Naruto Vs Neji (Episode #60 - #62)

During the epic Chunin Exam arc of Part 1, Neji emerged as a highly skilled and dangerous ninja. His exceptional abilities caught the attention of prominent figures like Gaara and Sasuke. Despite this, Naruto was selected to face off against the talented Hyuga prodigy in a widely observed battle as part of the exam. Witnessing Neji's ruthless victory over Hinata and discovering the oppressive hierarchy within the Hyuga clan, Naruto was motivated to rise to the challenge. Not only did he fulfill his promise to defeat Neji for the sake of his future wife, but Naruto also vowed to transform Neji's clan when he eventually became Hokage. This pledge marked one of the significant strides Naruto took on his path to becoming the remarkable man he would grow into.

8 Third Hokage vs Orochimaru (Episodes #69 - #73)

Orochimaru's terrifying prowess as a ninja was undeniably showcased during the Chunin exams, but it was during the conclusion of this event that he orchestrated the largest-scale ninja battle the Naruto series had witnessed so far. Eventually, his ruthless plot to assassinate the esteemed Third Hokage came to fruition, although not without numerous surprising turns of events and some rather excessively lengthy scenes. One of the standout moments from this epic clash was Orochimaru's introduction of the Reanimation technique, where he summoned the First, Second, and nearly the Fourth Hokage back to life to aid him in combat. In a final desperate act, the Third Hokage deployed the Reaper Death Seal to severely weaken the rogue ninja for the remainder of the series. It would be quite some time before Naruto fans would once again witness such intense skirmishes featuring consistently high-level jutsu.

7 Sasuke Vs Orochimaru (Episode #30)

In Naruto episode #30, Orochimaru's first major test for the young Uchiha Sasuke took place. This surprising encounter occurred during the Chunin Exams in the Forest of Death, where the rogue Konoha ninja disguised himself as a Sound Ninja. With Naruto incapacitated and Sasuke seemingly running out of options, the fledgling Uchiha utilized his early Sharingan and all the skills he had acquired thus far in the series. The climax of the battle witnessed Sasuke employing numerous flammable wires to restrain Orochimaru, followed by an astonishing display of power through his Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu. This attack left a lasting impression on fans' minds, showcasing Sasuke's remarkable capabilities.

6 Neji Vs Sound Ninja Kidōmaru (Episodes #115 - #117)

Neji, a powerful and intelligent ninja, was introduced in Part 1 of Naruto. However, during his battle with Sound Ninja Kidōmaru, Neji's strength and abilities were gradually taken away. Despite his initial arrogance, Neji was no match for Kidōmaru's long-range attacks and eerie spider summons, which exposed his weaknesses.

Kidōmaru exploited the flaws in Neji's overpowering skills and discovered a vulnerable spot on his body. By launching a barrage of attacks, Kidōmaru managed to inflict severe wounds on Neji, causing him to face one of the worst situations in his career as a genin of Konoha. Determined to assist Naruto, who had greatly influenced him, Neji had no choice but to think outside the box. In a desperate move, he sacrificed his own well-being by enduring a powerful attack to create an opportunity to incapacitate his sniping opponent. Neji narrowly emerged as the victor, displaying his true courage and strength to his admirers.

5 Naruto Vs Gaara (Episodes #76 - #79)

Not long after astonishing onlookers with his victory over Neji, Naruto successfully rescued a worn-out Sasuke just in time to prevent Gaara from dealing a fatal blow. As the malevolent Tailed Beast chakra trapped inside Gaara drove him increasingly insane, Naruto challenged him both mentally and physically, despite Gaara being considered untouchable. With an overwhelming Shadow Clone assault, Naruto astonishingly landed numerous punches and even executed a comically explosive Thousand Years of Pain attack on Gaara's partially transformed body using a kunai. The magnificent battle reached its peak with an unexpected clash of colossal proportions in the forest, accompanied by a skull-shattering headbutt, and concluded with a moving reconciliation that forever transformed Gaara.

4 Orochimaru vs Tsunade And Jiraiya (Episodes #95 - #96)

Naruto and Gaara's monumental Kaiju clash in the forest paled in comparison to the ensuing arc, where the illustrious Legendary Three Sannin of the Leaf were reunited. Although Naruto's initial Rasengan against Kabuto stood as a series highlight, it was Orochimaru's epic skirmish against Jiraiya and Tsunade that truly showcased the magnitude of ninja battles, with each Sannin summoning their own colossal creatures. The summonings flawlessly complemented the Sannin's awe-inspiring abilities and unleashed some of the most colossal assaults witnessed in the series. Looking back, Jiraiya and Tsunade's legendary alliance against Orochimaru foreshadowed the countless battles that would unfold in Naruto Part 2.

3 Kimimaro vs Rock Lee (Episodes #123 - #124)

Fresh from recovering from a life-threatening surgery to heal from a career-ending injury, Rock Lee had plenty of reasons not to participate in the Sasuke Retrieval arc. However, despite his challenges, he showed up. Kimimaro, one of Orochimaru's followers, stood as the final obstacle to reaching Sasuke. With his exceptional taijutsu and bone-manipulating abilities known as Shikotsumyaku, Naruto had little chance against him. Despite Lee's inability to use chakra, his impressive fight against Gaara made him a beloved character among fans. But when he arrived to confront one of the deadliest ninjas after being told he might never be a ninja again, it solidified Rock Lee as one of the greatest characters in anime. To add a humorous twist, he even accidentally drank sake instead of his medicine.

In the battle against Kimimaro, Lee's natural talent in drunken boxing overwhelmed both his opponent and the viewers' sense of humor. His determination, martial arts skills, and endearing bond with Guy Sensei elevated the Kimimaro battle to one of the best in Part 1. This fight expertly combines well-written characters, breathtaking fight choreography, impressive animation, and well-timed humor amidst intense hand-to-hand combat. Rock Lee's final canon fight in Naruto Part 1 set a high standard for taijutsu battles in the franchise, one that would rarely be surpassed.

2 Rock Lee vs Gaara (Episodes #48 - #50)

The Chunin Exam's Preliminaries saw Gaara of the Sand, a previously unbeatable character, experience his first defeat at the hands of Rock Lee. This epic battle has become one of the most satisfying fights in the anime medium, making it a must-watch for anyone new to anime. The fight between Rock Lee and Gaara is so impactful that it has introduced many people to the world of anime.

What makes the battle between Rock Lee and Gaara so compelling is its multi-layered appeal. Even without knowing the context of the story, viewers can still enjoy watching the fight due to its impressive 3D animation. The dynamic movement of Gaara's sand and Lee's fast attacks, made possible by revolutionary animation techniques, creates a visually stunning experience. Furthermore, the battle serves as a showcase of the Eight Gates Technique, shedding light on Lee's tragic backstory and the intense training he underwent to become strong enough to challenge chakra users. Despite his loss against Gaara, Rock Lee's character resonated with countless viewers, as he symbolizes overcoming limitations and achieving greatness through hard work, rather than innate talent.

1 Naruto Vs Sasuke (Episode #128 - #134)

The climax of Part 1 is Naruto's ultimate fight, which encompasses the necessary elements of action, storyline, and emotional impact, making it a remarkable battle that beautifully concludes the various plotlines of the series. Although filled with phenomenal action, Naruto and Sasuke's initial confrontation at the Valley of the End is not only epic but also deeply emotional. Throughout Part 1, these two young ninjas formed a profound brotherly bond, and this battle serves as a test of the immense significance that bond holds for both Naruto and Sasuke, unveiling their true characters.

In this extraordinary battle, each character is driven by different motivations. Sasuke is determined to gain strength under Orochimaru's guidance to avenge his entire clan. On the other hand, Naruto is willing to risk everything to protect his cherished friend and the first genuine connection he has ever had. Every attack launched carries a sense of emotional weight that evokes tears as much as it induces adrenaline. Although Sasuke emerges as the victor, he refuses to sacrifice his best friend for the sake of power. Ultimately, Naruto vs. Sasuke stands as the pinnacle of anime battles in Part 1, owing to its ability to effectively convey the immense emotional highs through the fight's spectacular action, animation, and choreography.

Even long after its last episode aired, the Naruto anime continues to captivate both old and new fans online as they eagerly share and appreciate its best fight sequences. The emotional narratives woven throughout the series greatly enhance the sense of gratification derived from watching these intense battles. While the franchise has since evolved with the advent of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, the original Naruto anime still triumphs, particularly with its mesmerizing combat scenes.

Stream Part 1 of the Naruto anime on Viz Media and various streaming platforms, including TheRamenGuy, Naruto Uzumaki, Kasikamic Vids, Jason Perez, Hidden leaf otaku, Nohara Family, Flashback A, and vizmedia (1,2) on YouTube.