A great story has many aspects, but one of the most prominent elements is growth and character development. Whether a story is character-focused or not, development and growth are still vital.Narutois a prime example of growth, with the entire series saying hard work pays off. With many characters in this franchise, more than a few have undergone massive growth, showcasing a striking difference compared to the beginning of the series.
This list will rank the bestNarutocharacters based on their growth, including character development, and will consider strength growth case by case. It will base the ranking on flashbacks and the regular timeline, meaning any development matters,comparing the characters from the beginning to the end of the anime. This list will only include growth inNarutoandNaruto Shippuden,not including moments fromBoruto.
10Sakura Haruno
First Episode: Naruto #1
Sakura is one of the most polarizing characters inNaruto, with many fans hating her for her lack of presence and some loving her for the potential she has. She is probably the most mistreated character on this list, but that doesn’t mean she has no growth. Sakura is a member of Team 7, fighting over Sasuke like all the girls in the village, but she slowly grows more and more.
Sakura sticks to her ideals and base character for most of the show. However, she still has subtle growth stemming from her conflicting feelings with Naruto and Sasuke. Having to go through what Sasuke put her through was tough, especially when she couldn’t go through killing him. But in the end, she developed as a person, realizingshe needed to make up the difference in her strength with healing, which she learned from one of thebest teachers inNaruto.
9Obito Uchiha
First Episode: Naruto Shippuden #32
Introduced as one of Kakasi’s friends during a flashback, Obito would become one of the main villains in the series, providing some of themost epic moments inNaruto. After the show revealed that he was Tobi and that Madara used him in his grand scheme, Obito would face off against Naruto and Kakshi in the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Naruto villains perhaps have the most development as evil characters in all of anime, as other series either kill them off or forget about them. Obito is an interesting case becausebefore becoming a better person, he first had to develop into a villain. After experiencing near death and horrific events, his once innocent attitude became one of vengeance, which slowly reverted because of Naruto.
8Neji Hyuga
First Episode: Naruto #21
Neji is one of the main side characters of the show and, unfortunately, the only member to have perished from the group. However, he still had his shine early inNarutoduring the Chunin Exams. As a talented member of the Hyuga clan, Neji believed fate is preordained, and those who are a failure will always be a failure. Later, he would aid and sacrifice himself in the Fourth Great Ninja War.
The philosophy Neji carried was a prominent storyline of the Chunin Exams, one ofthe best arcs in anime, and a significant factor in motivating Naruto. He always considered Naruto a failure, and when he was defeated, Neji had to reflect on his words andgrow as a person to understand he and his beliefs were wrong. This was significant growth, but he never got any more development, which is why he is near the bottom of the list.
7Sai Yamanaka
After Sasuke officially left the village to get stronger with Orochimaru, Team 7 had a void with one less member. Sai was Sasuke’s replacement and a member of the Anbu Blackops, serving as a spy for Danzo. With no emotions, Sai was a troublesome member who constantly annoyed Naruto and Sakura with his blunt remarks and lack of understanding.
At first, everyone hated Sai for the same reason Naruto and Sakura hated him: he was an annoyance and could never replace Sasuke. However, after learning life lessons from his team, Saiquickly became a belovedNarutocharacter. Researching how to be a better friend and person, Sai would grow with the help of his new friends,even betraying Danzo, highlighting his shocking growth.
First Episode: Naruto Shippuden #128
Many fans probably didn’t expect Nagato to make this list, but the villain went through a hell of a journey. Initially the founder of the Akatsuki andone of the best anime villains, he, alongside Konan and Yahiko, would struggle to live in the harsh ninja world. After Yahiko’s death, Nagato would embody and symbolize pain, vowing to force the major nations to experience what they put him through.
Nagato has a surprising amount of development, but he lands near the bottom of the list because they don’t show all his growth. The series of dark events morphed him into a depressed child, but his friends and Jiraiya quickly corrected this path until more darkness made him become evil. It wasn’t until Naruto reminded Nagato of a younger version of him and Yahiko that he became good again,completing his growth cycle.
5Shikamaru Nara
Shikamaru is one of the most memorable and renowned side characters of the franchise, bringing in countless fans with his lazy genius. He would constantly explain how everything is a drag and refuse to work hard for anything. However, after the death of his teacher, Asuma, Shikamaru would turn a new leaf, becoming a dependable leader and fighter.
One of themost underrated episodes inNarutois the Akatsuki Suppression Mission, during which the series momentarily becomes Shikamaru Shippuden. The arc Shikamaru experiences in those episodes isfull of pain, grief, depression, acceptance, and passion, completely changing the character. This is perhaps the best example of quick growth, considering Shikamaru never developed after, but this was more than enough.
4Hinata Hyuga
Of thestrongest Dojutsu inNaruto, the Byakugan is an iconic power that represents a few noticeable characters. Hinata is Naruto’s main love interest, and while it is unfortunate that her whole character revolves around him, she still has her moments of growth. Always being the one to care about Naruto, Hinata was a shy and timid child, but over the course of the series, she would become strong and confident.
Fans were probably getting tired of her character in the original series and the beginning ofShippuden, as her shy nature overpowered anything else about her. However,watching Naruto grow inspired her to gain confidence and take action, becoming the best version of herself. This was a wonderful and impactful change for the character, making her a standout in the series.
3Naruto Uzumaki
It would be weird not to include the protagonist of the series on this list because, even if he didn’t have much growth, fans have witnessed his journey for over 700 episodes. Starting out as a punk brat, Naruto would join the academy to gain attention and recognition. His rivalry with Sasuke would motivate him, allowing Naruto to grow and develop both mentally and physically.
Almost every example of character development runs through Naruto, as he helps people be their best selves. However, he himself is also the subject of profound and subtle growth.His need for attention and rambunctiousness would fade awayas he understood what he actually needed to do for the village to like him. Despite his growth, Naruto’s core ideals would still remain, highlighting whyNarutois one of the best anime ever.
First Episode: Naruto #20
The Chunin Exams is one of thebest arcs inNaruto, but it also introduced many iconic characters, such as Gaara. This sand wielder was an instant threat and terrifying villain, killing off powerful characters and defeating side characters in a gruesome fashion. Gaara was also the first Jinchuriki introduced, besides Naruto, who created a character foil for the protagonist.
After his first appearance, no one thought Gaara would be a redeemable character, but they were wrong. With one of the most tragic backstories, Gaara became a sympathetic character, with his issues more apparent than ever. Luckily, Naruto would help him overcome his demons, and Gaara would eventually realize those who loved him. He continued to work and became the Kazekage, earning respect and love from his village, proving his development froman irritating villain to a loveable side character.
1Sasuke Uchiha
No other character other than Sasuke would feel right at the top spot of this list. As the sole survivor of the Uchiha clan, Sasuke made it his mission to get stronger and kill his older brother, Itachi. Serving as a rival to Naruto, Sasuke eventually leaves the village with Orochimaru in order to become powerful, letting his hate fester until his fateful battle with his older brother.
Sasuke easily has the best character development of the series, going from an angry child to an even angrier teenager, only focused on using others to get what he wants. After the big reveal with Itachi, Sasuke undergoes a massive change. His new ideals were still flawed, and he would continue to grow until the end of the series. Sasuke’s character arc was a roller coaster, but alsothe most believable and well-thought-out developmentinNaruto.Sasuke’s redemption wasNaruto’sbiggest strength.
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