Masashi Kishimoto‘s Naruto is one of the most recognizable and beloved anime of all time, with countless engaging story arcs that still resonate in viewers’ minds years after they had first watched them. Even if you skip all the filler, there is plenty of competition in determining the best arc in the series. Many claim it’s the Sasuke Retrieval Arc, which saw Naruto in pursuit of his best friend in a series of intense and memorable fights. Others claim it’s the Pain Arc from Naruto: Shippuden, which raised the stakes higher than ever before, forcing Naruto to reach new heights of strength and power. However, despite the many merits of these other arcs, it’s actually one of the earliest arcs in the series that stands a cut above the rest: the Chūnin Exams Arc. Though it’s only the second full arc in the series, the Chūnin Exams Arc is Naruto in its purest form. These episodes capture the heart of the series, highlighting the best traits of its characters with iconic fights and exciting worldbuilding that immersed viewers in a way that no other arc has ever replicated.
What Are the Chūnin Exams in ‘Naruto’?
In the Hidden Villages of Naruto, ninja are organized into different ranks depending on their experience and skill level. Shinobi begin as academy students before becoming genin after their graduation, as seen in the start of the series when Naruto first earns his ninja headband and joins Team 7. The three most prevalent ranks are genin, followed by chūnin, then jōnin. In order to become a chūnin, one must pass the Chūnin Exams held by the Hidden Villages. The specific tests used for each exam differ per village and the exam proctors that year. This arc sees Team 7 take on three stages in the Chūnin Exams.
The first stage is a written exam with deliberately impossible questions for most genin, in order to test the young ninja’s espionage skills by forcing them to cheat. The second stage, set in the Forest of Death, sees each team in a race to acquire a scroll from an opposing squad before the time runs out, forcing the genin to fight or steal from their rivals. The third stage is a tournament of one-on-one matches to pit each genin against others in a showcase of their power and skills. However, because too many teams had passed the second stage, a preliminary round of battles took place before the third stage in order to lower the numbers. In the final stage, winning is not the sole factor in determining whether a ninja gets promoted, as shinobi that demonstrate enough tactical awareness and competence are still eligible to be promoted.
Naruto, Sasuke, & Sakura Get a Chance to Develop Individually
Though the series may be named after Naruto, his teammates Sunkern and Sakura are still some of the most important characters in the show. The Chūnin Exams Arc stands out as one of the few times that each member of Team 7 truly gets several opportunities to showcase their strengths and experience important character development. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are at the zenith of their teamwork, while still highlighting what makes them unique and equally important. As the titular protagonist, Naruto gets a smorgasbord of opportunities for character improvement in this arc.
In the first stage, the academically incompetent Naruto is able to pass the test through his sheer determination, as he maintained his resolve despite the many intimidation tactics used to pressure him into quitting. In the Forest of Death, there is a pivotal moment where he is able to surpass Sasuke for the first time when the two face a powerful enemy, but the latter is frozen with fear while Naruto uncovers new levels of strength against insurmountable odds. When the third stage comes around, Naruto demonstrates just how much his hard work and arduous tutelage under his masters have improved his skills as he faces off against some of the most talented fighters in the exams, but still manages to win. The immense growth of Naruto was already expected, but it’s the firm declaration that it’s his resilience and determination that truly make him someone to believe in.
Sasuke Uchiha, not to be completely outdone by his rival, also undergoes important narrative moments that later define the direction of his journey in the rest of the series. After their encounter with Orochimaru, a deadly rogue ninja from the Hidden Leaf, Sasuke is imbued with the power of a Cursed Seal, enabling him to dramatically increase his own strength. Throughout the arc, he is shown to rapidly learn from his opponents, developing into an even more capable fighter than he already was. The culmination of his growth comes in the third stage when he showcases the Chidori, a powerful lightning attack he learned from Kakashi, in one of the most exhilarating moments of the arc.
Though Sakura may not match the sheer power of her teammates, this arc illustrates her importance and defining personality traits that make her integral to Team 7. While she is often presented as a boy-crazy young girl, this arc allows her to show the multitudes of characteristics that define her. When Naruto and Sasuke are both injured in the second stage, Sakura staunchly protects them, despite being far weaker than her opponents. She even cuts off her own hair in order to escape an enemy’s grasp, a moment made more important because she initially grew her hair long to impress Sasuke. When put in a match against Ino, her childhood friend-turned-rival, Sakura stands up to her former bully and is able to fight to a brutal tie. Sakura’s stubborn dedication to improving and her deep protectiveness for her friends are allowed to shine, even amidst everything else going on.
This Arc Introduced Important Friends and Foes
The Chūnin exams weren’t a solo endeavor for just Team 7, as this arc also introduced countless new characters, many of whom would become series staples and fan-favorites. There are three other teams of Hidden Leaf genin that make their mark: Team 10, Team 8, and Team Guy. Team 10, comprised of Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino, provide plenty of comedic relief, but are nonetheless introduced as close friends, allies, and rivals for the main characters. Team 8 includes Hinata, Kiba, and Shino. The former two are integral to Naruto’s growth, as Hinata inspires him to reach new heights while Kiba acts as one of his most challenging opponents yet. Team Guy (Rock Lee, Ten-Ten, and Neji) provide Team 7 with some of their most intense rivalries in the series. Rock Lee serves as a foil to Sasuke, as he exemplifies the merits of hard work even with a severe lack of talent. Neji’s battle with Naruto is also one of the most notable, as the latter stands up against a far more experienced ninja, but comes out victorious in both the physical and ideological bout.
This arc also introduced Jiraiya and Orochimaru, two of the strongest ninja in the Hidden Leaf’s history. Orochimaru serves as a cunning antagonist, a deadly threat that even Kakashi genuinely fears, as the rogue ninja places a curse on Sasuke and looms in the shadows. Jiraiya becomes Naruto’s teacher, propelling the younger ninja to incredible heights. From the Hidden Sand, Gaara is also introduced as a sadistic force that exemplifies the challenges to come for Team 7. All of these characters go on to become integral to the series, featuring heavily in future arcs as they become some of Naruto’s closest friends and most important opponents.
The Chūnin Exams Showcased What Makes ‘Naruto’ Great
The narrative growth for the protagonists and the array of new characters are only part of how this arc exemplifies the best of Naruto. Before the series eventually succumbed to power creep, where it’s clear that Naruto is significantly more powerful than all those around him, this arc shows the vital importance of tactics, ingenuity, and teamwork in order to survive in the ninja world. Team 7 feel like complete underdogs and the threat of death feels more palpable than ever before. This arc also expands the world further, showing rival ninja from other villages in competition with Team 7. The overwhelming force of the tailed beasts are also featured in the arc, as the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed in Naruto becomes far more useful, but also far more ominuous. The combination of all these factors makes the Chūnin Exams Arc the purest concentration of Naruto that the series ever had, exemplifying some of the best and most creative ideas that Kishimoto has ever produced.
