TV - Movies
The Villains In
Naruto Won More
Times Than You
Might Remember
By CALVIN CARTER
Like many other anime in the Shonen genre, “Naruto” often has the heroes overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds to defeat their villains. Although “Naruto” ultimately ends with good triumphing over evil, there were plenty of battles where the villains gained the upper hand — more times than most viewers might think.
“Naruto” established some serious threats early on, but none were more dangerous than Orochimaru, the series’ first major antagonist. In a very short amount of time, Orochimaru is able to kill the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and leave Sasuke with the curse mark, which ultimately sets him down a dark path that continues all the way into “Naruto: Shippuden.”
“Shippuden” increased the scope of “Naruto” in many ways, with the introduction of the Akatsuki being one of the biggest, as they nearly killed Gaara in the show’s first major arc. Throughout “Shippuden,” the Akatsuki are able to destroy Konoha and start the Fourth Shinobi World War, taking away any chance of “Naruto” having a completely happy ending.