Was Naruto’s ending a masterpiece or a missed opportunity?

Few anime have shaped a generation like Naruto. With its themes of perseverance, friendship, legacy, and inner conflict, it rose from a humble ninja story to a global shonen empire. Over the course of 700 manga chapters and hundreds of anime episodes, fans followed Naruto Uzumaki from outcast to Hokage. And when the final arc of Naruto Shippuden aired, expectations were sky-high.

The finale offered long-awaited resolutions—Naruto vs. Sasuke, the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War, and Naruto’s rise as the Seventh Hokage. But not everyone walked away satisfied.

While many fans applauded the emotional payoff, others were critical of the war arc’s pacing, overpowered villains, and underwhelming character conclusions. The sudden shifts in tone, the treatment of certain female characters, and even the final battle itself were hotly debated.

So, was Naruto’s ending truly the send-off it deserved, or did it collapse under its own ambition?

This piece explores:

• The strengths and triumphs of Naruto’s ending

• The unresolved threads and rushed pacing

• Key character arcs and their payoffs

• The impact of Boruto on fans’ perception of the finale

• Whether Naruto’s journey felt earned—or diluted

What the Ending Got Right

1. Naruto and Sasuke’s Final Battle Delivered Emotion

The final clash between Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha at the Valley of the End was long overdue—and emotionally loaded. After years of buildup, their final fight was more than just fists and jutsu; it was the culmination of their ideologies, pain, and brotherly bond.

Despite criticisms of how late it occurred, the battle closed a circle that began in childhood. Naruto’s unwavering loyalty and Sasuke’s quest for revolution finally met in a raw, intimate conclusion. The shared loss of limbs and their symbolic hand-holding made for a poetic end.

2. Naruto Becomes What He Always Dreamed Of

Seeing Naruto finally recognized and appointed as Hokage was a satisfying full-circle moment. For a boy once scorned by his village, the image of him donning the Hokage cloak carried emotional weight.

The theme of acknowledgment—a thread sewn throughout the entire series—found its payoff. It wasn’t just about power. It was about Naruto earning the love and respect he’d always longed for.

3. Kakashi as Hokage Felt Right

In the aftermath of war, Kakashi Hatake stepping in as the Sixth Hokage was both logical and rewarding. It allowed for healing, provided a transitional leader, and gave Kakashi—often a fan favorite—his moment to shine without disrupting Naruto’s eventual path.

4. Some Relationships Were Well-Concluded

While the romance in Naruto was often underdeveloped, fans found satisfaction in some character pairings. Shikamaru and Temari, Sai and Ino, and Naruto and Hinata provided closure—even if their journeys weren’t always fleshed out.

Where It Fell Short

1. The Fourth Great Ninja War Arc Was Bloated

The final war arc began with promise but quickly devolved into overlong battles, confusing power escalations, and too many sudden revelations. The reappearance of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki as the final villain felt unearned, sidelining more grounded antagonists like Madara Uchiha.

This deus ex machina twist undercut the carefully layered themes of the cycle of hatred, making the climax feel detached from the series’ emotional core.

2. Female Characters Were Underserved

While Naruto had strong female characters—Tsunade, Temari, Konan, Hinata, Sakura—many were sidelined or reduced to love interests in the end. Perhaps most notably, Sakura Haruno’s arc left many fans conflicted.

Her final role revolved largely around Sasuke, whose redemption was brief and emotionally incomplete. Fans wanted more agency, depth, and development for a character central to Team 7.

3. Power Scaling Got Out of Control

As the war escalated, so did the power levels—often without proper buildup. Resurrection techniques, infinite chakra reserves, and god-like transformations became common, undermining earlier narrative logic.

The original appeal of Naruto—strategy, creativity, and clever ninjutsu—gave way to bombastic energy battles. This shift alienated some fans who preferred the grounded style of the Chūnin Exams and Sasuke Retrieval Arc.

4. Sasuke’s Redemption Felt Rushed

After years of betrayal and villainy, Sasuke’s sudden shift to ally—while powerful in principle—felt underdeveloped. Many fans questioned whether his crimes (including attempted murder) were properly addressed or too quickly forgiven.

The emotional core was there, but the pacing undercut its depth. A few more episodes or chapters diving into Sasuke’s inner turmoil could have made his redemption arc more satisfying.

The Role of Boruto in Shaping Retrospective Opinions

For many fans, the sequel series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations has reframed how they view Naruto‘s ending. Some elements appreciated in hindsight include:

• Naruto’s struggles as Hokage and father

• Sasuke’s ongoing journey of redemption

• The exploration of legacy and generational trauma

Others feel Boruto dilutes the finality of Naruto’s original story. The peaceful world Naruto fought for becomes disrupted once again, which can make his victory feel incomplete.

What Could Have Made the Ending Better?

1. More Time for Reflection

A few more chapters or episodes showing the immediate aftermath of the war—funerals, rebuilding, emotional fallout—could have grounded the finale. Fans were hungry for closure that felt earned, not rushed.

2. Deeper Exploration of Sasuke’s Journey

Rather than banish Sasuke off-screen post-finale, deeper moments with Team 7, Kakashi, and even Orochimaru could have enriched his redemption.

3. More Satisfying Romance Development

Rather than pairings revealed in epilogues, slow-burning romantic arcs during the war could have added emotional payoff—especially for Naruto and Hinata’s bond, which felt sudden to some.

Conclusion: Satisfying, But Imperfect

So, is Naruto‘s ending satisfying? Yes—but with caveats. It delivered on the emotional arcs that mattered most: Naruto’s recognition, his friendship with Sasuke, and the dream of peace. These moments resonated deeply with fans who grew up alongside the characters.

But the ending also buckled under the weight of its own scale. Rushed resolutions, sidelined characters, and confusing power escalation held it back from reaching its full narrative potential.

Yet, for all its imperfections, the heart of Naruto remains intact. Its ending may not be flawless, but it’s honest—and fitting—for a story that always celebrated perseverance through pain.