10 Best Naruto Quotes That Prove Just How Deep the Series is

May 20, 2024, 6 p.m.

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10 Best Naruto Quotes That Prove Just How Deep the Series is

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Summary Naruto's quotes shape generations of ninjas, focusing on leadership, friendship, and strength.

Key characters like Itachi, Minato, and Shikamaru impart valuable life lessons to the cast.

The series explores themes of resilience, forgiveness, and legacy through various pivotal moments.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for the Naruto anime and manga

The world of Naruto is a dangerous place full of upheaval, but it's also a proving ground for its many brilliant and surprisingly wise shinobi fighting on all fronts. While Naruto's titular character has his fair share of memorable lines, it'd be a disservice not to appreciate the many other characters whose best quotes help shape generations of ninjas to follow. Whether bestowing sage advice to uplift others in the darkest times or humbling those who have yet to gain perspective, there's plenty to learn from the cast of Naruto.

Naruto began its original manga run in 1999 before concluding its series in 2014, before passing the baton to its sequel series, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, and recently with Boruto: Two Blue Vortex.

It's a beloved series selling hundreds of millions to a worldwide fan base. Suffice it to say, the masses flock to what Masashi Kishimoto and his created characters have to tell the readers.

Related Naruto: Shippuden Filler List - Which Episodes To Skip Like any long-running anime Naruto: Shippuden has many filler episodes. Here’s which episodes can be skipped without missing anything vital.

10 "Becoming The Hokage Doesn't Mean People Will Acknowledge You."

Itachi Uchiha in Naruto Shippuden Episode #299

Itachi has been instrumental in several characters' journeys throughout Naruto's story, but this quote speaks to the ambitions of Naruto and Sasuke. At this point in the story, the Fourth Great Ninja War rages on when Itachi rescues Naruto and Killer Bee. At this moment, Itachi reminds Naruto not to shoulder his burdens alone with his newfound power, as others, like Madara, have tried; Naruto's father, Minato, took his position as Hokage thanks to the support of his comrades, for example.

Becoming the Hokage doesn't mean people will acknowledge you. But when the people acknowledge you, you can become the Hokage. Never forget your friends! -Itachi Uchiha

Itachi reminds Naruto at this moment that his ambitions to become Hokage should not be driven by potential rewards but instead by the result of being a good leader and role model for Konoha. It speaks to how Sasuke's ambitions to be Hokage, albeit for his motivations, will not succeed because they're primarily self-serving. For Naruto, it's a reminder of how his friends have been on his journey, and it quickly indicates that Naruto is not far off from deserving the role of Hokage since he is already the village's hero.

9 “To Be a Parent Is to Have Undying Faith in One’s Child.”

Minato Namikaze in Naruto Shippuden Episode #168

Lord Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze is a tragic figure in Naruto, not because he couldn't meet his potential, but because Minato exceeded it so much that his absence was felt throughout much of the series. The beloved Fourth Hokage reveals himself to Naruto when the seal containing the Nine-Tailed Fox threatens to break completely, bringing him back from the brink. In real time, Minato sees Naruto's resolve unraveling and tells him what every father should tell his son.

I have faith in you. To be a parent is to have undying faith in one’s child. -Minato Namikaze

Naruto's childhood and early life were devoid of parental love, as Minato and Kushina, his parents, were already long dead. Even in confronting Pain and the specter of hatred in the series, hearing this gives Naruto some much-deserved solace. This quote in Naruto Shippuden episode #168 is sure not to have a dry eye in the house as Naruto learns for the first time that the heroic Fourth Hokage believes in him.

8 "I Just Don't Like Your Style."

Sasuke Uchiha in Naruto Shippuden Episode #113

This is an interesting case because it's from the English dub specifically, with Yuri Lowenthal's Sasuke Uchiha performance hurling an Oscar Wilde-level insult at Orochimaru. It's a brilliant moment where Sasuke is ready to cast off Orochimaru's hold on him, and he showcases his battle prowess against Orochimaru alongside a devastating verbal barrage. The result is Sasuke entering a new phase in his character arc in Naruto:

The way you fill yourself up with medicines and go leaping from body to body, it's disgusting. As an Uchiha, all I see when I look at you is a miserable wretch. And on top of that, I don't like your style. -Sasuke Uchiha

Orochimaru is already weakened at this point of the story, with Sasuke's strength growing too great to withstand. Thanks to his encounter with the Third Hokage, Orochimaru spends much of Naruto Shippuden trying to recover the use of his arms. Still, Orochimaru's lasting legacy continues to ripple through the present in Boruto. While this isn't the end for Orochimaru, as he is supposedly consumed by Sasuke, it's certainly a big blow to his pride.

Related 10 Best Naruto Episodes That Will Make Any Viewer an Instant Fan Naruto is one of the most popular entertainment media products of all time, with adoring fans worldwide, boosted by many fantastic episodes.

7 "Those Who Would Abandon Even One of Their Friends Are Even Worse Than Scum."

Obito Uchiha in Naruto Shippuden Episode #119

This is an interesting case as, technically, Kakashi said it in the series once before, first paraphrased in chapter #8. However, from the Kakashi Chronicles flashback, it turns out it was a quote from a friend he once believed he had lost, which Kakashi carries as a legacy while teaching. It's simple yet fascinating to see how Kakashi interprets it when first guiding Team 7, with his intent being to put the lives of comrades above even rules and regulations.

In the ninja world, those who break the rules and laws are regarded as scum, but those who would abandon even one of their friends are even worse than scum. I'm gonna be trash anyway, so I choose to break the rules. And if that doesn't make me a true ninja...then I'll crush this so-called "ninja"!! -Obito Uchiha

Obito was the black sheep of the Uchiha clan, a family whose famous pedigree meant high expectations for the young ninja, so being on the same team as Kakashi, an elite genius, is especially challenging. Here, his conviction and loyalty trumps aspirations to be a big heroic exemplar for future ninjas, which rubs off on Kakashi. It's likely the longest-standing quote Kakashi imparts to Naruto, as shown by his unwavering commitment to bringing back Sasuke.

6 “People Call Me a Failure…I’ll Prove Them Wrong!”

Naruto Uzumaki in Naruto Episode #62

Naruto spends much of his character arc consistently ranked as the underdog. In the Chunin Exams Arc, he is naturally matched against Neji Hyuga, one of the strongest young genin of his generation. However, this match is more than just a lopsided fight, as Naruto sees this as an especially personal confrontation following Neji's violent bout against Hinata in the previous round. Finally, the fact that he faces Neji, a deterministic cynic whose family's destiny colors his entire worldview, while Naruto has had to fight against destiny at every turn.

In the original Japanese translation of the anime, Neji first says, "Why do you try to go against your destiny that much?" to which Naruto says, "Because I was called...a failure!" This subtle difference in the English dub may be redundant regarding its communicated intent, but it speaks a bit more to Naruto's brash tendencies.

Crucially, this is said just after Naruto is seemingly defeated in every way by Neji's Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms attack, supposedly cutting off his chakra. Here, Naruto wills his latent, overflowing chakra into the fight by tapping into the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox more directly than any other time before. It's a victory that vindicates Hinata's courage, pushing the public to acknowledge Naruto and, crucially, gives reason for Neji not to feel resigned to his fate as a Hyuga branch family member.

5 "If You Ask Me...You're a Proud Failure!"

Hinata Hyuga in Naruto Episode #59

Technically taken from the translation of the Naruto manga chapter #98, this is one of the first instances where Hinata lets herself say how she feels about Naruto. It's one of those "let her finish" quotes where she reminds Naruto just what his example means to her, and at the end of the day, it's a profound message about allowing oneself to realize failure doesn't define the individual. It lifts Naruto's spirits with perfect timing as he prepares to face Neji in the Chunin Exams.

Because you make mistakes...but you still have the guts to get back up and keep fighting...that's what I consider true strength...I...I believe you're an incredibly strong person, Naruto... -Hinata Hyuga

Hinata is a demure young lady early in the series, and remains so largely for the manga and anime's run until Boruto, but she is always among the first to praise and support Naruto. This stems from a childhood admiration for his moxie, but blossoms into love over time. That she has this level of spirit, despite being savagely beaten in the Chunin Exams, is something that resonates with Naruto then and onwards.

4 "Rejection Makes a Man Stronger."

Jiraiya in Naruto Shippuden Episode #126

Jiraiya gets an instant moniker from Naruto, "Pervy Sage", which never truly goes away, but he has lived up to the sage name by leaving behind some incredibly poignant turns of phrase. This one, however, is an instance where he not only implicitly professes his love for Tsunade (or at least attraction) while reading the room. Jiraiya knows the answer, slyly shoots his shot, and moves on. It's a tasteful way to teach anyone in the audience that rejection, be it romance, job applications, or work-related pitches, is a part of life and should be gracefully accepted.

Rejection makes a man stronger. In other words, you can't call yourself a real man unless you can laugh off stuff like that. Better yet, make a joke of it. -Jiraiya

However, the especially heartbreaking aspect of this is that he says it moments before he leaves on his infiltration mission to the Village Hidden in the Rain, Amegakure. This sets off the opening salvo leading to the Pain Arc, and it's a grim farewell between the two. But Jiraiya, ever the writer, leaves the next steps for Naruto's development as a ninja as his legacy, along with the truth about his first book, "Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi."

3 "I’ll Pick Up Your Pieces."

Shikaku Nara in Naruto Shippuden Episode #82

Shikamaru Nara is one of the most beloved characters in the Naruto franchise. Still, his father, Shikaku, steals the show briefly in an extended interaction only seen in the anime with this quote, following the death of Shikamaru's mentor, Asuma. While Naruto chapter #330 shows Shikamaru briefly looking over a shogi board with Shikaku seeing it and smiling, the anime fleshes this out as a tense match between father and son. Shikaku, knowing Shikamaru has yet to properly grieve, goads Shikamaru repeatedly to prompt his son to give into his sadness, and it works.

Just Let it all out. All of the sadness, fears, and anger, and everything else! You’ve got to let it go. It all starts from there. I’ll pick up your pieces. -Shikaku Nara

It's an utterly underrated moment where Shikaku reminds his son it's okay to cry, to feel powerless, and to let it go so that real progress can be made. Really, it's a lesson any fan can appreciate, and it desperately needs to be taught by any parents to children. Through this exchange, Shikaku gives Shikamaru space to devise a plan to defeat Hidan and, in the process, do what Asuma couldn't, while effectively leading both Team 10 and Naruto's team as well.

The double meaning of Shikaku's "I'll pick up your pieces" refers to Shikamaru's grief and the shogi board is especially excellent here. It's not subtle, but none of the interaction is or needs to be. It's a father simply supporting his son, giving him space to grieve, and promising to support him when he is ready.

2 "Wherever There Is Light, There Are Always Shadows."

Madara Uchiha in Naruto Shippuden Episode #344

One of the series' main antagonists, Madara Uchiha is a terrifying ninja with a menacing hold over the world's events. Being around since the days of Konoha's founding, Madara has plenty of memorable quotes and moments in Naruto. Still, one wields a particular gravitas that lingers with Obito and fans worldwide. Grizzled and living away in secret, he teaches Obito the following:

The longer you live, the more you realize that only pain, suffering, and futility exist in this reality. Listen to me...in this world, wherever there is light, there are always shadows. As long as there is a concept of victors, the vanquished will also exist. The selfish desire for peace gives rise to war. And hatred is born in order to protect love. -Madara Uchiha

Madara demonstrates the nature of cause and effect in this speech, discussing how everything is attained at a price, even peace. It's seemingly antithetical to many beliefs held by many of the anime's most optimistic characters, but it's not an uncommon philosophy. After all, this holds in other franchises, even first being uttered in the finale of Digimon Adventure 02.

1 "Time for Us to Become the Ones to Entrust."

Shikamaru Nara in Naruto Shippuden Episode #153

Shikamaru is possibly Naruto's most valuable peer outside Team 7, and it's in the events following the news of Jiraiya's passing, that his maturity and leadership shine brighter than ever. With Naruto having just had a heart-to-heart with Iruka in the same episode, serving as one of the best demonstrations of Iruka's value in the series, Shikamaru steels his friend's resolve with a key visit. After having lost his mentor Asuma, Shikamaru visits Lady Kurenai who is pregnant with Asuma's child, to remind Naruto that they'll soon be the leaders of the next generation.

Time for us to become the ones to entrust. It's a pain, but we can't keep complaining. You will eventually be the one treating to ramen, and you'll be called Naruto Sensei, or something. We can't stay brats forever...if we wanna become super cool ninja like Asuma and Lord Jiraiya, that is. -Shikamaru Nara

At this moment, Shikamaru not only reminds Naruto that there's still a mission at hand with the message left behind by Jiraiya, but he also levels with Naruto in the most 'Shikamaru' way possible. Ever the slacker, Shikamaru even throws in an "it's a pain" while reminding Naruto that new residents of Konoha are being born soon. As mentors, it'll be their responsibility, not Jiraiya or Asuma's, to lead them, play shogi with them, and treat them to ramen. It wins Naruto's confidence, foreshadowing the relationship Shikamaru will soon have with Naruto, both as an advisor and future Hokage.

Naruto (2002) Release Date October 3, 2002 Seasons 4 Streaming Service(s) Netflix Franchise(s) Naruto Creator(s) Masashi Kishimoto