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[NARUTO 20th Anniversary Column] Retracing the NARUTO Anime’s Ninja Way No.1
In this new column, we’ll be looking back at the NARUTO anime to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its first broadcast on TV! Join this writer, a fellow fan from the NARUTO generation, as we retrace the series from its humble beginnings to its climactic conclusion! This article kicks things off with a discussion of the Survival Test, Land of Waves, and Chunin Exams arcs!
The Legend Begins: Survival Test Arc!
Episodes 1 through 5 start the series off, covering Naruto’s graduation from the Ninja Academy and the formation of Team 7, composed of Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and their leader, Kakashi.
In these episodes, Naruto learns important lessons from the adults in his life, taking his first steps toward becoming a ninja.
“THAT BOY IS NO LONGER YOUR DEMON FOX!
HE IS A CITIZEN OF KONOHAGAKURE VILLAGE…
…UZUMAKI NARUTO!”
Naruto has always been treated as a pariah by the rest of the village due to the Nine Tails sealed within him, and the first person to accept him in spite of that is his teacher, Iruka. I believe that Iruka’s recognition of Naruto is also what enables him to begin pursuing his dream of surpassing all the previous Hokage.
“ARE YOU READY TO MAKE A COMMITMENT?
EVERYBODY, AND I DO MEAN EVERY BODY, HAS THE HIGHEST RESPECT
FOR THE HONORED HOKAGE NAME!
DO YOU GET IT?
THERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS!!”
Naruto finally has someone that believes in him. I think all the hardships he went through before receiving that affirmation from Iruka are precisely why he is painfully aware of the fact that there are no “short cuts” in life.
“IN A NINJA’S WORLD, THOSE WHO VIOLATE THE RULES AND FAIL TO FOLLOW ORDERS…ARE LOWER THAN GARBAGE.
HOWEVER…THOSE WHO DO NOT CARE FOR AND SUPPORT THEIR FELLOWS…ARE EVEN LOWER THAN THAT!
When these episodes first aired, I thought Kakashi was simply trying to teach his students about how vital teamwork is to a mission’s success… However, once more of Kakashi’s past was revealed, I realized his words hold a lot more weight. He doesn’t just want them to work together because it’s the more logical approach, he is trying to teach them something deeper, something he learned firsthand through his own past failures.
Naruto’s Encounters Shape His Ninja Way: Land of Waves Arc!
Episodes 6 through 19 tell the story of Team 7’s first mission outside the Hidden Leaf Village. What was supposed to be a simple escort job quickly becomes complicated when they encounter enemy ninja while trying to see their client, a bridge-builder named Tazuna, safely to his destination in the Land of Waves. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura experience a life-or-death fight between shinobi for the first time.
Naruto and his teammates grow tremendously over the course of this arc, as they begin to understand what it really means to be a shinobi.
Their First Battle
On their way to the Land of Waves, Team 7 is attacked by ninja from the Hidden Mist Village. Naruto freezes in fear, in direct contrast with Sasuke, who flies into action and makes good use of his skills.
Overcoming his feelings of inferiority towards Sasuke and frustration at his own cowardice, Naruto declares that he will continue the mission. His vow to never run away again shows how Naruto has matured through the harrowing experience.
Team 7 VS Zabuza
The next enemy they encounter is Zabuza, a former Hidden Mist ninja with formidable combat abilities. Kakashi faces off against him, holding nothing back, but a single error in judgment allows Zabuza to spring a trap that leaves Kakashi unable to move.
The situation having turned dire, Kakashi orders them to flee, but Naruto refuses to run away and proposes a strategy to Sasuke. The two boys coordinate flawlessly, using a creative combination of the Transformation Justu and Shadow Clone Justu to break Zabuza’s concentration. Looking back on it now, I think it is during this fight that Naruto really begins to develop his tactical prowess.
Tree-Climbing Training and the Rematch Against Zabuza and Haku!!
After Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura climb trees to increase their chakra control while Kakashi recovers, Zabuza and Haku appear before Team 7 once again.
Sasuke collapses while protecting Naruto from Haku. Seeing Sasuke so badly wounded, Naruto’s rage consumes him and the Nine Tails’ chakra inside him leaks out!!
Its power allows Naruto to overwhelm his opponent, but he can only watch in horror as Haku then sacrifices his life to shield Zabuza.
Its power allows Naruto to overwhelm his opponent, but he can only watch in horror as Haku then sacrifices his life to shield Zabuza.
To be a shinobi means to live and die as a tool, without seeking any further meaning to one’s existence…
Naruto questions this principle, hurling his anger and doubts at Zabuza in an impassioned speech that never fails to bring me to tears.
Zabuza’s final battle against Gato’s henchmen in episode 19 is a chilling scene, with masterful cinematography that makes it hard to believe it was made 20 years ago. I recommend rewatching it to see for yourself!
After witnessing what living as ninja meant to Zabuza and Haku, Naruto decides on his own path—his own ninja way.
“THAT’S IT. I’VE MADE UP MY MIND!
I AM GOING TO CREATE MY OWN NINDO–MY OWN NINJA PATH, MY OWN DESTINY!”
Believing in Yourself Can Change Destiny: Chunin Exams Arc!!
Episodes 20 through 67 cover the Chunin Exams, where ninja from many countries gather to test their skills against each other. Many colorful characters debut in this arc, which at almost 50 episodes is the longest of the pre-Shippuden series, and includes tons of powerful scenes!
Chunin Exams Part 1: The Written Exam
The examinees (especially Naruto) are dismayed after being handed a test sheet full of insanely difficult questions. However, the true goal of the exam is not to assess their academic level, but to determine whether or not they have the grit and resourcefulness to handle an impossible situation and to test each ninja’s faith in their teammates. It is during this predicament that we first hear the famous line Naruto will repeat countless times throughout the series.
“I NEVER GO BACK ON MY WORD.
THAT’S…MY SHINOBI WAY!”
His words, full of determination, dispel the anxiety of the other examiness, reaching straight through the screen to grant courage to us viewers as well.
Chunin Exams Part 2: Survival in the Forest of Death
A ruthless battle for survival unfolds in the training field known as the “Forest of Death”. Each team struggles to collect the necessary Heaven Scroll and Earth Scroll while fighting for their lives.
The highlight of the second stage of the exams is undoubtedly the fight against Orochimaru, who goes on to become a long-running villain in the series.
Even Sasuke is nearly consumed by terror in the face of Orochimaru’s bloodlust and overwhelming power. Episode 30 in particular is a must-see, featuring stunningly realistic depictions of Orochimaru’s snake-like movements.
Finally, Sakura’s turn in the spotlight comes as she stands alone against a group of Sound ninja to protect Naruto and Sasuke, who are unconscious from the fight against Orochimaru. The resolve she shows as she severs her own hair—and with it her lingering doubts—is truly inspiring.
Chunin Exams Part 3: 1-on-1 Matches
Immediately after escaping death in the second test, the examinees are told they must participate in preliminary matches to determine who moves on to the final stage of the exams. From this point on they will no longer compete in teams, but as individual ninja.
The 10 preliminary matches include many well-known battle scenes. I’ve selected a few of the most prominent ones to look back on for this article.
Kiba VS Naruto
Kiba, a Ninja Hound user respected for his skills since his academy days, faces Naruto, who bears an equally long history of being mocked for his failures. However, a combination of outlandish strategies that turn the man-dog combo’s strengths against them and unwavering determination results in Naruto emerging victorious against Kiba and Akamaru!
Neji VS Hinata
Two members of the Hidden Leaf Village’s famous Hyuga Clan face off: Hinata, who despite being born into the clan’s Main Branch suffers from a crippling lack of confidence, and Neji, a prodigy whose incredible talents are overshadowed by his status as a Side Branch member. While the match ends in Neji’s overwhelming victory, Hinata’s courage as she stands up again and again, striving to change herself and emulate Naruto’s resolve, speaks straight to the hearts of many viewers.
Gaara VS Lee
The battle that became the biggest event of the preliminaries: Gaara, the Hidden Sand ninja with unfathomable powers, versus the taijutsu specialist, Rock Lee! The battle opens with an exhilarating clash of Lee’s taijustu attacks and Gaara’s sand defense, but things heat up when Lee takes off his exceedingly heavy training weights. As his true speed outstrips even the sand that automatically moves to protect Gaara, Lee shows off the full extent of his taijustu abilities!
“…NOW, WHEN I FINALLY ATTAIN…MY SHINOBI PATH!!!”
While Lee’s match ends in a bitter defeat at Gaara’s hands, no one can deny that he has achieved his long-held goal: proving that one can be a splendid ninja even without ninjustu and genjutsu.
The Final Matches Begin!!
After a month of preparations, the day has come for the final rounds of the Chunin Exams! Sasuke spent his time training under Kakashi, while Naruto received guidance from the legendary Jiraiya after a strange encounter brought the two together.
Neji VS Naruto
The first and fiercest battle of the finals is between the village’s famous “genius” and its infamous “failure”, between a boy who believes destiny cannot be escaped and a boy who never stops striving to defy it. Both burdened by their pasts, the two clash in a battle of fists and convictions.
“WHY DO YOU KEEP TRYING SO HARD TO DEFY YOUR DESTINY?!”
“BECAUSE SOMEBODY TOLD ME…I WAS A FAILURE!”
The power to believe in yourself is the power to change destiny.
As if seeking to prove this fact, Naruto puts his all into a final blow that wins him the match.
As if seeking to prove this fact, Naruto puts his all into a final blow that wins him the match.
Gaara VS Sasuke
After Temari and Shikamaru’s match ends with the latter admitting defeat, the long-awaited battle between Gaara and Sasuke begins.
Sasuke attacks relentlessly using taijutsu modeled after Lee’s, while the eerie atmosphere surrounding Gaara continues to increase until he completely seals himself in a sphere of hardened sand.
This is where the ninjutsu that Sasuke is best known for bursts onto the scene, a secret technique he inherited from Kakashi!
“CHIDORI: 1000 BIRDS!!!”
Gaara’s ultimate defense crumbles!! Sasuke has finally managed to wound his opponent, but before their battle can escalate, the Chunin Exams are suddenly called off!
The Hidden Sand and Orochimaru’s attack begins, and with it the Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village arc
The next article will be published on October 20th (JST) and cover the Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village and Search for Tsunade arcs!
The next article will be published on October 20th (JST) and cover the Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village and Search for Tsunade arcs!
