You can’t talk about great anime without the mention of Naruto. For many people who don’t even watch anime, they know of Naruto. It is very popular among anime fans for many reasons. One of the reasons many others and I enjoy the show is the awesome fights we get to see. So today let’s talk about the Top 5 Naruto fights in part one of the show. **Contains Spoilers**
5. Naruto/Rock Lee/Gaara vs Kimimaro
Number 5 on this list is Naruto, Rock Lee, and Gaara’s fight with Kimimaro. This fight takes place during the Sasuke retrieval arc. Sasuke is on his way to Orochimaru in his hunt for more power. He wants to get revenge against his brother Itachi for murdering his entire clan. Orochimaru’s pupils, the Sound 4 had been transporting Sasuke until they ran into a Shikamaru-led team. Each member of the Sound 4 would be felled as Naruto’s allies fought them, so he could keep going forward. Because the goal is to bring Sasuke back home to Konoha. This would lead to Naruto running into Kimimaro, (Orochimaru’s failed next body vessel).
He didn’t want to stop and fight Kimimaro, but he was in Naruto’s way. So the fight would begin, until another friend showed up which was Rock Lee. Lee was in the process of fully recovering from the grievous injuries caused by Gaara during the Chunin Exams. During this fight, Lee would take what he thought was special medicine for his recovery but turned out to be alcohol. This would allow Rock Lee to use the “Drunken Fist-style” which according to Might Guy he’s a prodigy in. Then eventually Gaara would show up to help Lee and the fight would intensify. Gaara and Lee would be victorious.
4. Team 7 vs Zabuza/Haku
Team 7 vs Zabuza and Haku is number 4 on the list. This fight is big for many reasons. It’s the first major battle that invoked emotion in the viewers. Many people would fall in love with the Naruto universe thanks to this fight. We had great bad guys with cool abilities that made this a difficult fight. It was the first time Naruto kind of tapped into Kurama’s chakra. Not only that, but we get to see Sasuke use his Sharingan really for the first time. We kind of got two fights here really. Captain of Team 7 Kakashi Hatake with Naruto/Sasuke fighting Zabuza. Then a fight where Naruto and Sasuke fought Haku. Sakura didn’t do anything besides stand by the bridge builder and guard him.
Team 7 would be victorious against the rogue ninja Zabuza and Haku. Naruto would learn a lot in this fight, especially how dangerous being a ninja can be. He would also discover how important teamwork is in the ninja world. Another lesson is that the world isn’t always black and white. Individuals like Zabuza can change or have way deeper motives. These being the strongest Ninja that Naruto had encountered so far, made him also realize how much stronger he wanted to be. He wants nothing more than to be able to protect people and become the Hokage of course.
3. Hiruzen vs Orochimaru
Next up is one of my favorite fights in the series. We have the 3rd Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi fighting against his former pupil, rogue ninja Orochimaru. At the ripe old age of 69, Hiruzen fought valiantly to defend the village. Nicknamed the “God of Shinobi” Hiruzen had multiple handicaps in this fight and only barely lost. He still managed to take away the use of Orochimaru’s arms for some time. Orochimaru even used the reanimation jutsu to bring back the 1st and 2nd Hokage. So Hiruzen fought a 3 on 1 disadvantage. He was also cut off from the outside thanks to the Sound 4 trapping him and Orochimaru inside a barrier.
Orochimaru had all the time he put into planning the attack on the village and this fight. He also knew most of how his sensei fought. Even while dying Hiruzen was able to use the Reaper Death Sealing jutsu to take away the use of Orochimaru’s arms. This would prevent him from using hand signs for jutsu. This led to the first major death in the series with Hiruzen sacrificing himself. Some people don’t care for him because he was the Hokage during the Uchiha massacre. But he always preached about the “Will of Fire” and protecting the ones you love. He died sacrificing himself for his family, which is the entire village.
2. Naruto vs Sasuke (Valley of the End First Fight)
There are a plethora of reasons this fight is great and important. First off the Valley of the End serves as a symbolic location representing the clash between Naruto and Sasuke, two characters whose destinies are deeply intertwined. The statues of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, the founders of the Hidden Leaf Village and their greatest rivals, stand on opposite sides of the valley, mirroring the conflict between Naruto and Sasuke. Not only that, but this battle marks a crucial point in the development of both Naruto and Sasuke’s characters. It shows their growth as a ninja and the evolution of their respective powers and abilities. Also, this shows the emotional struggles and inner conflicts they face, particularly Sasuke’s descent into darkness and Naruto’s determination to bring him back to the light.
Naruto and Sasuke’s relationship is a big focus of the series, swaying between friendship and rivalry. The battle at the Valley of the End represents the pinnacle of their rivalry as they fight with all their strength, but it also underscores the depth of their bond as they refuse to give up on each other. The outcome of the battle marks a turning point in the story, as Sasuke chooses to leave the village and pursue his path of vengeance, setting the stage for future conflicts and shaping the trajectory of the series. The events of the battle foreshadow later developments in the series, particularly the ongoing struggle between Naruto and Sasuke and their eventual reconciliation.
Overall, the first battle between Naruto and Sasuke at the Valley of the End is important not only for its dramatic impact and intense action but also for its significance in advancing the characters’ arcs and shaping the overarching narrative of the Naruto series. I can see why many people would have this at the number one spot on the list.
1. Rock Lee Vs Gaara
The number one fight in Naruto Part 1 takes place during the Chunin Exams. We get to see Rock Lee fighting against Gaara (one-tailed Jinchūriki). This fight is important for many reasons. We get to see Rock Lee’s perseverance since he doesn’t have any Ninjutsu or Genjutsu. He was able to surprise many people as he did manage to leave some damage on Gaara. It truly shows off the quote-on-quote underdog story, even though Rock Lee would lose the fight. The character development is great as we get to see some insight into Gaara’s past and why he is how he is. It shows what it’s like when unwavering effort meets talent.
The fight is not just about raw power; it also involves strategy and tactics. Lee employs clever strategies to counter Gaara’s sand-based defenses and exploit his weaknesses, demonstrating his intelligence and resourcefulness in combat. The outcome of the battle has a profound impact on both Lee and Gaara. Lee’s determination inspires others and earns him respect, while Gaara undergoes a significant transformation as he begins to question his own identity and purpose. The battle is memorable for its intense action sequences and emotional depth. It has become one of the most iconic fights in the Naruto series, celebrated by fans for its thrilling choreography and character-driven storytelling. In my opinion undoubtedly the great fight in Part One of the series.
Final Thoughts
I will say there are many amazing fights throughout Naruto Part One. Many lists I don’t think would change too many fights, but there are other great ones. Some honorable mentions are Neji vs. Kidomaru, Itachi and Kisame VS Leaf Jonin, and Naruto vs Gaara. It was hard to narrow the list down, but I truly believe these are the top 5. Make sure to catch the anime on available platforms such as Crunchyroll. Stay tuned as I’ll be doing the Top 5 fights for part 2 of Naruto in the future.
