Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto has one of the most compelling cast of villains ever. Right from the beginning, the author made it clear that even villains would have depth to eventually earn their redemption.
While redemption is a great trope, Naruto often overuses it and even the worst villains are redeemed when they just don’t deserve it.
10 Turned Good: Orochimaru Was Redeemed During The Fourth Great Ninja War
Orochimaru was one of the biggest antagonists in Naruto, especially during the first half. Reduced to a minor character in Naruto Shippuden, Orochimaru was ultimately used to bring the Kage back and fight alongside them on the battlefield. He fought the likes of Tobi in the war and even helped Tsunade Senju survive, assisting the Five Kage in the process. Orochimaru also aided Sasuke Uchiha in the war multiple times.
9 Why He Should’ve Stayed Evil: Orochimaru Had No Redeeming Qualities
Orochimaru was a character evil to the core. Not only did he attempt to destroy a village full of innocents on several occasions and kill their Kage, he also conducted human experiments, leading to the death of thousands. If that wasn’t bad enough, Orochimaru even abducted kids and forced them to undergo genetic alterations, leading the majority of them to die.
8 Turned Good: Pain Was Moved By Naruto’s Words And Put His Faith In Him
Pain was arguably the greatest villain in Naruto. As the leader of the Akatsuki, he proved capable of killing Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin and his teacher, with ease. He also destroyed Konohagakure after finally engaging Naruto in combat, but eventually listened to his speech and turned good.
7 Why He Should’ve Stayed Evil: Pain Was At The Point Of No Return When He Destroyed Konoha
Pain’s decision to listen to Naruto was strange as he had already knew the conclusion that he had arrived at back then. He already killed thousands of innocents over the years, killed his own teacher, and destroyed Konoha only to be convinced to restore everything to the way it was.
Pain was a great villain, but he lacked conviction and should have stuck to his beliefs.
6 Turned Good: Obito Uchiha Convinced By Naruto To Switch Sides
Obito was one of the evilest villains in Naruto. Like many other characters, he started off with a good heart, but was driven towards evil side the death of Rin. Taking the identity of Madara Uchiha, Obito started the Fourth Great Ninja War, but was convinced by Naruto Uzumaki to join the shinobi alliance.
5 Why He Should’ve Stayed Evil: Obito’s Crimes Were Unforgivable
Obito Uchiha committed several abominable acts, from leading countries to destruction to attacking his own village. He nearly killed a newborn Naruto and resulted in the deaths of both Minato and Kushina. Obito manipulated the Amegakure orphans and started the Fourth Great Ninja War. He was solely responsible for the death of tens of thousands of shinobi and already crossed the point of no return, which is why his redemption didn’t make much sense at all.
4 Turned Good: Kabuto Yakushi Was Forced To See The Error Of His Ways
Kabuto Yakushi took over from Orochimaru after his death and accomplished what his master couldn’t. By attaining a tremendous amount of power, Kabuto became strong enough to rival Obito Uchiha in terms of power.
He joined forces with him to start the Fourth Great Ninja War and ended up destroying countless lives. He was eventually trapped in the Izanami by Itachi and forced to see the error of his ways.
3 Should’ve Stayed Evil: Kabuto Was The Perfect Man To Carry Orochimaru’s Will
Kabuto Yakushi was the perfect replacement for Orochimaru after his death and all the modifications in his body made him even stronger. He once declared himself the man closest to the Sage of Six Paths, but eventually lost to Itachi quite easily. Kabuto had no reason to turn face and trapping him into Izanami to make him one of the good guys robbed the series of an incredible antagonist who could’ve made a big impact moving forward.
2 Turned Good: Itachi Uchiha Did Everything For The Sake Of The Village
Itachi Uchiha’s character is a mixed bag for the most part. While it goes without saying that Itachi did everything for the sake of Sasuke and the village, his actions still led to the death of countless people, including children. It was later revealed that Itachi was actually a Konoha shinobi through and through, and his story is what pushed Sasuke Uchiha to seek vengeance against Konoha following his death.
1 Why He Should’ve Stayed Evil: He Was A Nigh Invincible Villain
Itachi’s powers knew no bounds when he fought Sasuke. Even after everything Sasuke had learned, he couldn’t defeat a blind Itachi, which just goes to show what a monstrous villain he could’ve been had he stayed alive and kept to his evil ways. Naruto had what was potentially the greatest villain ever in Itachi, and while he was handled in an achingly beautiful manner, it would’ve been great to see him remain a villain.
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