10 Horrible Crimes in Naruto That Should Have Never Been Forgiven
Naruto has always stood out among shonen anime not just for its intense battles and strong characters but also for the powerful words spoken throughout the series. Many quotes have left a lasting impact on fans, as they stem from the deep emotional backstories of each character, including the villains. Unlike in darker and stricter anime where redemption is selective, Naruto embraces hope and forgiveness, offering even its most ruthless villains a chance at understanding. This unique approach has made the series beloved worldwide, as it portrays even its antagonists as more than just one-dimensional threats.
However, many fans overlook the gravity of the crimes these villains committed, justifying them through their tragic pasts and emotional struggles. In a different anime universe, figures like Nagato, Obito, or Itachi might not have been given the same sympathy. Naruto’s ability to humanize its villains has led many to see them as broken heroes rather than irredeemable enemies. While their actions may have been fueled by pain, the question remains if whether these characters deserve the chance given to them.
10 Sasuke Uchiha Seeking Revenge in Konoha
He Wanted to Hold Everyone Accountable for His Clan’s Annihilation
Sasuke shifted his vengeance toward Konoha, believing the village deserved to be destroyed for what it had done to his brother. To further his goal, he even organized a villainous group called Hebi, later known as Taka, to help him eliminate those he deemed responsible. He openly declared his intent to bring ruin to those in power and showed no hesitation in battling his former comrades. Despite his crimes, Sasuke was forgiven, largely because of Naruto and Sakura's belief in him.
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In Boruto: Naruto Next Generation, he works in the shadows as the "Shadow Hokage," protecting the village as a way to atone for his past. Though he no longer seeks vengeance, his actions in the past were extreme, and in another universe, he might not have been granted such forgiveness. Nonetheless, Sasuke’s redemption arc highlights the deep bond he shared with Naruto and how their rivalry shaped the course of the story. His journey from a rogue ninja to a silent protector proves that even those who stray far from the path can still find a way back.
9 Pain Killing Nearly All of the Konoha Villagers
Nagato Planned to Annihilate Konoha and Even Killed His Master
Pain is one of the most well-known villains in Naruto, with Nagato Uzumaki as the ninja who controls it. After the tragic loss of his childhood friend Yahiko, Nagato adopted his identity by using his corpse as a puppet, controlled through chakra rods, and took on the name "Pain." As the leader of the Akatsuki, he sought revenge against the shinobi world that had abandoned and oppressed him, Yahiko, and Konan—three war orphans who once dreamed of a better life. However, Danzo’s manipulation led to Konan being kidnapped, forcing Yahiko to sacrifice himself to save her and Nagato. This was the moment that shattered Nagato and Konan's faith in the world and set them both on a path of destruction.
In Naruto Shippuden episodes #172 to #175, blinded by pain and vengeance, Nagato unleashed devastation upon Konoha, killing countless shinobis and innocent villagers, while in episode #134, he killed his former mentor, Jiraiya, without mercy. In his final moments, Jiraiya hoped that Nagato could have harnessed his pain in pursuing peace more positively. Nagato's actions, along with Konan, were ruthless and unforgivable, yet his tragic past justified them in the eyes of many, overshadowing the sheer cruelty of his choices.
Though he ultimately redeemed himself by reviving those he had killed through Naruto's encouragement, this did not erase the destruction he had already caused. Unlike Naruto, who endured similar pain without resorting to violence, Nagato’s atrocities were excused because he was seen as a victim rather than just a villain.
8 Itachi Annihilating His Own Clan
He May Be a Hero, But the Sin of Killing His Own Clan Remains
Itachi Uchiha is rarely seen as a villain by fans; instead, he is often revered as a broken hero. Like Nagato and Konan, he was a victim of circumstances beyond his control, forced into an impossible choice by the very society he swore to protect. Despite his exceptional intelligence and unmatched skill, his dual allegiance to the Uchiha clan and the ANBU placed an unbearable burden on him. When the Uchiha, led by his father, planned a coup d'état, Itachi was ordered by the village elders, including Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo, to eliminate his entire clan. This unforgivable crime left only his younger brother, Sasuke, alive.
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In Naruto Shippuden episode #455, Itachi carried out the massacre, slaughtering his people, including innocent children, without hesitation—until he reached his parents, whose final words shook him to his core. Though his hands trembled as he killed them, he showed no visible emotion while executing the others, proving his resolve to fulfill his mission. While he did not act alone, as Tobi (Obito Uchiha) assisted him, the blood of his clan was still in his hands. Fans may admire him for preventing a civil war, but the reality remains—he committed genocide. Yet, his tragic backstory allows many to see him as a hero rather than a criminal.
7 Obito's Acts That Led to the Fourth Great Ninja War
He Was Determined to Make His Former Comrades Suffer
Itachi Uchiha was not the only one responsible for the annihilation of the Uchiha clan. While he was given the mission to carry it out, he unknowingly recruited another Uchiha to assist him—Obito, who was then known as Tobi. Though Itachi was unaware that Tobi and Obito were the same person, Obito still played a major role in the massacre and should be held accountable. Though the anime did not show many scenes of his direct involvement, his actions were just as ruthless.
In Naruto Shippuden episode #455, Obito is seen emerging from the Konoha Military Police Force building after slaughtering everyone inside, later taking Izumi Uchiha’s life as well. He wiped out his own clan as if he had never been a part of it, and his crimes extended far beyond that—he orchestrated events alongside Black Zetsu and Madara Uchiha, ultimately causing the Fourth Great Ninja War. Not only did he deceive innocent people, but he also manipulated the entire Akatsuki. Though he was forgiven in the latter part of the war, his love for Rin blinded him to the weight of his actions, and while many sympathized with him, the destruction he caused was undeniably extreme.
6 Orochimaru Using Kids as His Experiments, Killing Hiruzen, and Destroying Konoha
The Epitome of a Mad Scientist
Orochimaru was once favored by the Third Hokage, who saw him as a potential successor, but his obsession with forbidden jutsu led him down a dark path. Conducting brutal experiments, he caused countless deaths and was ultimately banished from Konoha. His misdeeds continued as he exploited orphans like Kabuto, Anko, and Sasuke for his own gain. During the Chunin Exams, he attacked Konoha, forcing Hiruzen to use the Reaper Death Seal, ultimately leading to his former master’s death.
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By the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War, Orochimaru was held accountable, though not too severely for his crimes. In Boruto: Naruto Next Generation, he remains under surveillance by Yamato but still has access to the equipment he needs. While he no longer conducts unethical experiments, in another universe, such a second chance would be rare. Despite his past, he continues to exist in a morally gray area, leaving fans questioning if true redemption is possible.
5 Sasuke Uchiha Attempting to Kill Naruto
Naruto Wanted to Simply Defeat Him, But Sasuke Wanted to End Him
Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha are among the most iconic rivals in and outside the Naruto universe. From the moment Sasuke chose revenge against his older brother, Itachi, and became a rogue ninja, he and Naruto were bound to endless battles. While Naruto and Sakura Haruno pursued Sasuke with the intent of bringing him back to Konoha, Sasuke had no desire to return. Blinded by his own path, he constantly mocked them and, in every encounter, expressed his willingness to fight—even if it meant killing Naruto.
Although Naruto and Sasuke fought multiple times, Sasuke was always determined to win, even if it meant severely hurting Naruto. Their final battle in Naruto Shippuden was the most iconic, proving Sasuke’s readiness to go to extreme lengths, including killing Naruto. Even after working together to defeat Kaguya Otsutsuki, their feud wasn’t easily resolved, leading to their ultimate showdown in Naruto Shippuden episodes #476 to #478. While Sasuke eventually redeemed himself by choosing not to regenerate his arm and accepting imprisonment, many of his villainous actions were excused simply because he was Naruto’s best friend and another victim of cruel circumstances.
4 Madara Uchiha Being Forgiven by Hashirama
They Might Have Been Best Friends, But the Betrayal Was Inexcusable
Black Zetsu may have been the mastermind behind Madara Uchiha, Obito Uchiha, and the entire Akatsuki’s plan, but that does not erase Madara’s responsibility for his own actions. His return was one of the biggest plot twists in Naruto, as many—including his former best friend, Hashirama Senju—believed he had long been dead. Madara manipulated a young and broken Obito, setting him on the path to becoming a villain, and he orchestrated countless atrocities, including initiating the Fourth Great Ninja War. Despite his intelligence and strategic mind, Madara was relentless in pursuing his twisted version of peace, no matter the cost.
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Once a legendary Uchiha leader and co-founder of Konoha alongside Hashirama, Madara’s ideals ultimately clashed with his friend’s, leading to their rivalry. After faking his death, he remained in hiding, waiting for the right moment to execute his plans. Though he acknowledged strong opponents with respect, it does not change the fact that he committed countless crimes, including sealing the Ten-Tails within himself during the war. However, Hashirama seemed to have easily forgiven Madara upon his death, while other villains, especially those from other animes, whose actions were just as extreme were never granted the same understanding.
3 Kabuto’s Human Experimentation and Manipulation of the Dead
He Was Granted the Privilege to Run an Orphanage
Kabuto Yakushi was another victim of Orochimaru’s desire to unravel all the secrets of the shinobi world. He was one of the orphaned children Orochimaru experimented on and was once considered his next vessel. Though Kabuto was an innocent victim at first, he eventually embraced Orochimaru’s ideology and became his loyal spy. In Naruto episode #23, he was introduced during the Chunin Exams, but it was later revealed that he had been working under Orochimaru all along, helping him manipulate others for his sinister plans.
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Under Orochimaru’s mentorship, Kabuto honed his medical and information-gathering skills in a twisted way, but strayed away from him after Sasuke was chosen as Orochimaru’s next vessel. Instead of seeking redemption, Kabuto pursued greater power and played a major role in the Fourth Great Ninja War. His reign of terror ended when he fought Itachi Uchiha, who used the Izanami to trap him and forced him to undo the Edo Tensei, a jutsu that revived countless fallen warriors and prolonged the war. Despite his past crimes, Kabuto was later given a chance to redeem himself and was even allowed to run an orphanage, a level of forgiveness that many other villains never received or do not deserve.
2 Sasuke's Attempt to Kill Sakura, and Her Decision to End Him
He Married Her But Was Also Not Hesitant in Killing Her
Sasuke and Sakura’s relationship has been a topic of debate among fans since the start of the series. While some have supported their connection, others argue that it was toxic, pointing out that at one point, Sasuke did not hesitate to kill Sakura. Their relationship was complex, with Sakura's unrequited love often portrayed as the central dynamic. However, it could also be seen that Sasuke, consumed by his revenge-driven path, didn’t have the capacity for romantic feelings, nor did he see her in the same way she did him.
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In Naruto Shippuden episodes #214 and #215, Sasuke’s intentions were clear when he nearly killed Sakura. Her pretense of joining his group did not fool him, and if not for Kakashi’s timely intervention, Sasuke would have used his Chidori against her. What makes this even more unsettling is that Sasuke not only attempted to kill her with Chidori, but he also nearly strangled her to death in episode #215, only for Naruto to intervene and save her.
Also, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, he even stabbed Sakura through Genjutsu. Though their daughter, Sarada, now enjoys the love of both parents, she remains unaware that her parents once considered taking each other’s lives in pursuit of their individual goals—highlighting their happy ending is rare. However, it can be easily understood why some fans still throw criticism.
1 Minato and Kushina Sealing the Nine-Tails Inside Naruto
They Sacrificed Their Son, Choosing to Make Him an Orphan
Naruto Uzumaki’s upbringing stands out as one of the saddest in the world of anime. Before becoming the Seventh Hokage and the hero of the ninja world, Naruto endured a lonely and difficult childhood. While he eventually learned about his parents, Minato and Kushina, and even fought alongside his father during the Fourth Great Ninja War, he never had the chance to know them from when they were alive. In Naruto Shippuden episodes #248 and #249, Minato and Kushina made the heart-wrenching decision to seal half of the Nine-Tails into their infant son to prevent the creature from wreaking havoc again.
Though their actions were brave and demonstrated incredible strength as ninjas, they knew the hardships Naruto would face. While not a crime, sealing the Nine-Tails inside him effectively condemned Naruto to a life of loneliness and hatred, as the village viewed him with fear and disdain. He was denied the chance to know his parents, forced to grow up isolated and survive on instant ramen and expired milk. Despite this, Naruto’s perseverance eventually led to a happy ending, but the sacrifices made by his parents, while not criminal, were undoubtedly too much for a child to bear.
- Latest Film
- Boruto: Naruto the Movie
- First TV Show
- Naruto
- Latest TV Show
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
- First Episode Air Date
- October 3, 2002
- Cast
- Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei
