- 2.8KShares
This post is by guest writer Sam Gubitz.
Naruto Shippuden began in 2007 as the anime sequel series to the original Naruto series. Given the fact that it’s even longer than the original series, there are many notable fights throughout, but especially those that involve Naruto. With the stakes, and power levels, even higher than ever before, the fights are flashier and more meaningful than those found in the first series, and detailed in the Part 1 timeline.
What follows is a timeline of Naruto’s fights in the Shippuden series, excluding any filler episodes and films. Additionally, since Shippuden isn’t over yet, this timeline is incomplete. Although entries could have been made using knowledge of the manga, ultimately, this is a timeline of the anime.
- 2.8KShares
- 2.8KShares
Episodes 13-15: Itachi
This probably shouldn’t count, given that “Itachi” here is just a stand-in with a third of Itachi’s real power. However, Naruto not only breaks a genjutsu — something he was incapable of before — but he also defeats this fake Itachi, something that a younger Naruto probably couldn’t even fathom doing.
May 10, 2007Episodes 20-30: Deidara
Most this fight consists of Naruto and Kakashi chasing after Deidara as he throws some bombs at them — that’s about it. Naruto does little during this fight aside from lose control of the Nine-Tails and attack Deidara with the attempt to kill him, a first for the character of Naruto.
July 19, 2007Episodes 39-43: Orochimaru
In a remarkable display of just how much Naruto has grown and just how destructive he is capable of being, this second round with Orochimaru is a real stunner. From Naruto’s massive displays of his incredible, raw power, to Orochimaru’s vast array of jutsu, this fight is simply fun to watch.
December 13, 2007Episodes 51-53: Sasuke
This is a very brief “fight”, if it can even be called one. Sasuke utterly destroys the new Team 7 and uses his new powers to completely quell the Nine-Tails’ chakra in seconds. The point of this fight is basically to show the audience and Naruto that this whole “save Sasuke” thing is going to be a lot harder than it seems.
March 20, 2008Episodes 86-89: Kakuzu
This is less of a fight and more of a test for Naruto’s new Rasenshuriken technique, which utterly destroys Kakuzu. Naruto didn’t exactly use the technique correctly (it turns out that you’re supposed to throw a shuriken-shaped jutsu), but practice makes perfect.
December 4, 2008Episodes 162-175: Pain
This battle is seriously epic in all respects, in terms of its animation, emotional catharsis, and display of powers. Big emotional scenes during this fight, from Hinata, to Naruto being reunited with his father, to the origin of Pain, are all incredibly moving. And nothing quite beats the ending where Naruto is finally receiving the admiration and respect he had sought for so long.
May 27, 2010Episodes 214-216: Sasuke
Round three of this epic rivalry is slightly longer than round two, but it’s just as anticlimactic, given that the entire fight is aborted due to Sasuke’s exhaustion and Naruto’s poisoning. It’s clear just how far these two have drifted from one another after all these years, but despite this, Naruto is still just as determined to “save” Sasuke.
June 2, 2011Episodes 298-299: Nagato and Itachi
With Kabuto spamming Edo Tensei to no end, it was inevitable that Naruto would come across some old foes. However, thanks to his newfound ability to control Kurama’s chakra, some help from Killer Bee, and Itachi’s pre-planning, Naruto is able to overcome Nagato a second time.
January 31, 2013Episode 301: Third Raikage
This is a neat little battle, not only because it’s now confirmed that Naruto can in fact beat a Kage (as a shadow clone, no less), but that he can beat one intelligently, which Naruto expertly displays when he counters the resurrected Raikage’s strongest attack to win.
February 21, 2013Episodes 324-330, 342-343: Tobi/Obito
From fighting the other seven Jinchuriki to dimension hopping, this battle is really on a grand scale. With some solid assists from Kakashi and Guy, Naruto is able to finally beat the crap out of Tobi, an antagonist who quite literally appeared untouchable before this fight.
August 8, 2013Episodes 378-387: Obito (Ten-Tails Jinchuriki)
Going into this battle we’re told that Obito is not someone that can be negotiated with, and that Naruto will have to kill Obito if he wants to end the war. But then Naruto essentially just uses “talk-no-jutsu” to talk Obito down from being an utter psychopath. So, while this is a cool fight in terms of powers and abilities (shout out to the Susanoo-clad, sword-wielding Kurama), it’s a letdown in terms of storytelling; sorry, but some people can’t, and shouldn’t, be saved.
September 18, 2014Episodes 421, 424: Madara
This short battle serves as a great display of both Naruto and Sasuke’s newfound powers, and little else. While it’s a neat little fight, it’s basically just an introduction to the new powers from the Sage of Six Paths and a transition to the Infinite Tsukuyomi and Kaguya.
July 30, 2015