The Birth Of The Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki Arc
[ranking: 10]
The Birth of the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki arc is a messy, chaotic fight scene where the Fourth Shinobi World War is at its most dramatic. Obito is defeated, Naruto and Sasuke combine their incredible powers to launch a massive attack, and Gai goes toe-to-toe with Madara in one of the most unexpectedly epic fights in the series.
It seems like all hope of the protagonists escaping the war alive is lost when Madara activates the Infinite Tsukuyomi, creating some of the most intense action Naruto has ever seen.
The Kaguya Otsutsuki Strikes Arc
[ranking: 11]
The final arc in Naruto Shippuden is undeniably epic, if only for depicting the end of the series. While the alien princess Kaguya was a less compellingly threatening ultimate villain than Madara, this mild disappointment is more than made up for with the final battle between Naruto and Sasuke.
The two rivals push themselves to their absolute limits as they try to impress their personal ideals onto one other, draining themselves of the ability to perform any jutsu and eventually resorting to a bar-fight-style brawl.
Though the fight damages both opponents physically, it leads to a level of mutual understanding and respect never previously seen. The rest of the arc wraps up loose ends with memorial services, medical treatment, and political decisions.
The Tale Of Jiraiya The Gallant
[ranking: 3]
Aside from having an amazing name, the Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant is also one of the more touching arcs in the series. Prior to this arc, Jiraiya wasn't a very well-developed character. His primary attribute was being a pervert - a controversial trait that appeals to some viewers, but not others.
This arc turns him into a finely developed, memorable character by further developing his mentor relationship with Naruto and taking a deep dive into his past. It depicts the time he raised three orphans for months on end, training them to defend themselves in a war zone before returning home to Konoha.
The arc shows both his kindness and the consequences of not doing enough. Jiraiya eventually has to leave those orphans, and their subsequent suffering turns them into enemies of Konoha in a later arc. Furthermore, this arc includes Jiraiya's death; not a happy moment, but one of the most emotionally wrenching ones.
The Pain Invasion Arc
[ranking: 1]
The Pain Invasion arc is considered one of the greatest parts of Naruto Shippuden. There are a few moments where the animation gets a little funky, but it contains some of the most important moments in series history.
This arc sees Pain and his lackeys invading Konoha, reveals the devastating tale of Kakashi's father's suicide, and shows Hinata confessing her love for Naruto and fighting on his behalf.
What's more, the titular protagonist really shines in this arc. Naruto is able to understand Pain's motivations and sympathize with him, even after all the damage he's done, but the hero still holds him accountable for his actions.
For the first time, the former outcast is hailed as a champion, making this one of the most emotionally satisfying arcs of all time.
The Search For Tsunade Arc
[ranking: 13]
The Search for Tsunade arc is exactly what it says on the tin - a new Hokage is required, so Naruto and Jiraiya are tasked with tracking down Tsunade, the best candidate for the job. This arc sees Naruto's first experiences training under Jiraiya, as well as a spectacular face-off between the Legendary Sannin.
It also introduces the Akatsuki, an organization that has connections to nearly all the serious threats that appear in the anime. Seeing Itachi interact with Sasuke for the first time is painful and makes it easier to sympathize with Sasuke's desire to destroy his brother. Upon a rewatch, it's heartbreaking to see Itachi put on an act of cruelty when all he wants is to protect his brother.
Sarada Gaiden Arc
[ranking: 14]
Boruto hasn't done as well as its predecessors, but it's still worth watching. The sequel boasts some pretty incredible arcs, and one of the best arcs so far is the Sarada Gaiden arc.
There are two really great things about this arc. First, viewers get to see Team 7 working together for the first time since Shippuden. One problem with Boruto is its focus is on new characters, rather than the heroes fans already know and love, so this is a breath of fresh air. The second great thing is getting to see how Sasuke behaves around his daughter.
It's wonderful to watch Naruto try to be a parent even though he's often too busy to give his children his full attention and never really had parents himself. Watching Sasuke - whose family was brutally murdered when he was 8 - utterly fail at showing affection to his child is depressing, but it's also startlingly realistic.
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