The Chunin Exam arc wasn’t a part of Masashi Kishimoto’s plan, but the choreography in this Naruto fight will make you question if it’s a lie.
SUMMARY
The Chunin Exam arc is fondly remembered by fans even after all these years, and it’s impressive how Masashi Kishimoto managed to pull it off even though it wasn’t a part of his plans.
As one of the first serious fights in the series, it paved the way for how intense the upcoming developments were going to be while showcasing Sasuke’s skills.
If someone mentions Naruto fights, a long list of adrenaline-inducing ones comes to mind. When there’s a competition to draw exciting fight sequences, Masashi Kishimoto is unrivaled. The fights in the series are never too long or unnecessarily drawn out, and it’s oddly satisfying to see the quick back-and-forth of powerful attacks.
While there are many wonderful fights throughout the series, the original Naruto stands out with its brutal ones. Seeing the young genin standing their ground against more experienced characters gives a boost to the already high levels of excitement.
Sasuke Uchiha in the Forest of Death episode in the original Naruto series | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.
Speaking of fights in the original series, there’s a painfully underrated Sasuke fight that doesn’t get enough recognition for how well-choreographed it is. Interestingly, the Naruto arc that featured the fight wasn’t even a part of Kishimoto’s plan. So, if you’re intrigued about which fight it is, then here’s everything you need to know about it!
The First Fight in the Forest of Death Showcased Sasuke’s Brilliance
Most Naruto fans are aware of the fact that many plotlines in the series were suggested by the editor, including the Chunin Exam arc. For an arc that wasn’t even his own idea, Masashi Kishimoto surely delivered some of the best scenes. From the written exam to the one-on-one matches, we witnessed many interesting twists and match-ups, and most of them are still fondly remembered by fans.
The Amegakure Shinobi sneaks up behind Sasuke | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.
However, when the characters had just entered the Forest of Death, the first opponent that Team 7 faced gave us a glimpse of their abilities. Before that, they always had Kakashi supervising them. An Amegakure Shinobi transformed himself into Naruto to deceive Sasuke and Sakura.
While Sakura couldn’t tell the difference, Sasuke caught on to little signs and immediately attacked him, forcing him to reveal his identity. As soon as he revealed his true identity, Sasuke started barraging him with attacks. The fight was primarily hand-to-hand combat paired with surprising attacks. From the clink of their kunai to Sasuke pouncing from one tree to the other, there wasn’t a single dull moment.
Sasuke takes on a Shinobi far stronger than himself | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.
For how quick it was, the fight showed us some of the best moments. As effortlessly as the characters moved, it’s surprising that the intensity was noticeable. As soon as Naruto was freed, Sasuke adjusted his fighting style according to his moves. As a genin with minimal experience, he outdid himself.
Visual Aspects Aside, This Fight Prepared Us For the Future
Sasuke has his Sharingan activated and stabs his opponent | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.
The music and the sound effects throughout the fight perfectly complemented every move the characters made. It was great to see the perfectly choreographed moments that kept us hooked to every frame. The fight was undoubtedly stunning, but it showed us how adept Sasuke was. He didn’t let his guard down even for a second and was also mindful of Sakura and Naruto’s position.
It was made clear fairly early on that Sasuke is a genius, but seeing him in action highlighted the difference between him and his peers. Most fights in the series are thoroughly enjoyable. Among them, this one deserves a special mention for introducing us to how ruthless Naruto could get at times.
Naruto is available to stream on Netflix.
