Naruto Ending Explained- Was It A Happy One?

Naruto, one of the Big Three, has left an indelible mark on every nook and corner of the world with its epic storytelling, bringing Ninjas to life.

It has woven itself into many fans’ childhoods, becoming an integral part of who they are. I’m sure we’ve all tried competing with our friends to see who can recreate the hand signs faster.

Now, let’s take a trip down memory lane to explore Naruto’s ending before Naruto Shippuden took off.

Does Naruto Have a Happy Ending?

Naruto (1999) doesn’t have a happy ending but it’s rather hopeful. Naruto and team fails to bring Sasuke back and our titular protagonist decides to embark on a training journey with Jiraiya. Luckily, Naruto Shippuden (sequel) has a happy ending with everyone being together at Konohagakure.

For anime fans, the show Naruto has a somewhat happy ending as he successfully suppresses Shukaku and defeats Seimei.

This was a part of the “Sunagakure Support Mission Arc,” which stretched from episode 216 to episode 220 of the anime.

Amusingly, this was a filler arc, yet it wrapped things up harmoniously.

Matsuri had been kidnapped by a group of ninjas called the Four Celestial Symbols Men from the Takumi Village; they planned to lure Gaara out and drain his Chakra.

They knew Gaara would show up as he was Matsuri’s mentor and cared deeply about her.

After this news reached Konoha, Shikamaru sent Naruto and the Konoha 11 (excluding Tenten) to aid Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro in battling Seimei.

Naruto and Rock Lee were paired up for offense and saved Gaara from Suiko.

Once Gaara was healed, thanks to Sakura, he was back in the battle.

However, he was still weak and ended up being trapped in a huge iron sphere by Hoki, the leader of the Four Celestial Symbols Men.

The sphere began absorbing Shukaku’s Chakra, which Hoki used to revive Seimei, the Takumi Village founder.

This also adversely affected Gaara, as he was beginning to transform into Shukaku, so much so that it couldn’t be contained in the sphere.

Seimei was ready to take on Shukaku, but surprisingly, Gaara was able to suppress it.

Gaara could have used Shukaku’s power if he wanted, but he didn’t, as he tried to use his own power. He was then able to finish Seimei using the last bit of Chakra.

In the end, Jiraiya arrived and took Naruto to train for two and a half years.

Naruto vowed to become strong enough to bring back Sasuke from Orochimaru.

The last episode of Naruto 220 aired in Japanese on February 8, 2007, and its English version came out on December 06, 2009.

The legendary story didn’t end there as Naruto: Shippuden picked up about two and a half years later after Naruto had finally completed his training.

About Naruto

Naruto is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. Its publication began on September 21, 1999, and continued till November 10, 2014, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump. The manga has collected 72 volumes in tankōbon format.

Naruto Shippuden is Part II of the anime series, which follows an older Naruto as he attempts to save his friend Sasuke while at the same time – addressing the looming threat of the criminal organization – Akatsuki – who are targeting him for their grander scheme.