

7.923 minSeason 20 • Episode 500
LatestNaruto had once lived a lonely existence, ostracized by everyone. But Iruka's words and his very presence have supported Naruto to this day. As Naruto's wedding nears, Iruka begins to lose sight of what he was to Naruto, and is unsure of what to say for his message.
After 2 and a half years Naruto finally returns to his village of Konoha, and sets about putting his ambitions to work. It will not be easy though as he has amassed a few more dangerous enemies, in the likes of the shinobi organization; Akatsuki.
Direction
Fights that actually feel like chess matches with knives.
Score
That one sad flute will haunt your dreams forever.
Writing
Villains with backstories that break you. Then Naruto talks them into therapy.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The anime caught up to the manga so fast they invented 200+ filler episodes. Fans made entire websites tracking which episodes to skip.
Shippūden basically invented the 'shounen protagonist trauma dump' template that Demon Slayer and JJK still use today. Naruto crying about his loneliness in the rain? Iconic, stolen endlessly.