Naruto: The Last (2014)

Last updated:
November 15, 2025

The Last: Naruto the Movie (2014) is a romantic, action-driven anime film set two years after the Fourth Great Ninja War. It serves as the canonical bridge between the end of Naruto Shippuden and the beginning of Boruto, focusing heavily on Naruto and Hinata’s relationship while still delivering large-scale action and lore expansion.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Moon Crisis Begins

The movie opens with a dire situation: the moon is falling toward Earth, threatening to destroy the entire world. This is triggered by Toneri Ōtsutsuki, a descendant of Hamura Ōtsutsuki, who believes humanity has strayed from the path intended by his ancestors.

Hinata’s Scarf and Naruto’s Awakening

Hinata knits a red scarf for Naruto, symbolizing her lifelong feelings for him. Naruto, still dense about romance, doesn’t fully understand her emotions. Their connection begins to evolve when Naruto starts noticing Hinata’s vulnerability and kindness, especially after he receives visions from a genjutsu-induced dream world.

Hanabi’s Kidnapping

Toneri kidnaps Hinata’s younger sister Hanabi to use her Byakugan for his own plan. This shifts the tone from romantic confusion to urgent rescue, pushing Naruto, Hinata, Sakura, Sai, and Shikamaru into a journey toward the moon.

Journey to the Moon

During the journey, Naruto gradually realizes how deeply Hinata has always cared for him, and that his own feelings have been buried beneath immaturity and obliviousness. Their emotional closeness grows, especially when Hinata chooses to confront Toneri alone, believing her Byakugan lineage gives her the responsibility to stop him.

Hinata’s Heartbreak

Toneri manipulates Hinata into joining him, making Naruto think she abandoned him. This moment is emotionally heavy, showing Naruto heartbroken in a way we never saw during his pursuit of Sakura. The misunderstanding fuels his determination.

Toneri’s Castle and Final Battle

Naruto and the others reach Toneri’s palace inside the moon. Naruto and Toneri clash in a visually striking battle involving chakra orbs and destructive power. This is the moment Naruto realizes his bond with Hinata is not only emotional but also spiritually powerful.
Hinata helps destroy Toneri’s Tenseigan, ending his plan to crash the moon into Earth.

Movie Ending

After Toneri is defeated, he repents and chooses to live alone on the moon. Naruto finds Hinata among the falling debris and confesses his love to her clearly and sincerely—something fans had waited years to see. They embrace and return to Earth.

The ending sequence shows Naruto and Hinata back in the Hidden Leaf Village, surrounded by friends, where they eventually get married in a scene celebrated by the entire ninja world.
This ending directly leads into the events of Naruto Shippuden episodes 494–500 and the beginning of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.

The film closes with scenes of Naruto and Hinata running through fields and holding hands, symbolizing the start of their future family. Their relationship becomes official and canon.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

There is no traditional post-credits scene, but the credits include illustrated sequences that show hints of Naruto and Hinata’s life together, culminating in their wedding announcement.

Type of Movie

A romantic-action fantasy anime film that blends emotional character focus with large-scale ninja battles and lore centered around the Ōtsutsuki clan.

Cast

Junko Takeuchi – Naruto Uzumaki
Nana Mizuki – Hinata Hyuga
Jun Fukuyama – Toneri Ōtsutsuki
Chie Nakamura – Sakura Haruno
Showtaro Morikubo – Shikamaru Nara
Satoshi Hino – Sai

Film Music and Composer

Composer: Yasuharu Takanashi
Music style blends dramatic orchestral arrangements with sentimental piano and vocal themes, fitting both the romance and battle sequences.

Filming Locations

While animated, key visual settings include:

The Hidden Leaf Village redesigned with more modern aesthetics
A beautifully imagined moon environment
Ruined Ōtsutsuki temples representing forgotten lunar history

These locations highlight themes of heritage, destiny, and emotional connection.

Awards and Nominations

Won Top Anime Film at the 2015 Yahoo! Japan Search Awards
Received positive recognition for animation quality and romantic storytelling, though not a major awards contender internationally.

Behind the Scenes Insights

The movie was created specifically to canonize Naruto and Hinata’s relationship, which Kishimoto personally supervised.
Kishimoto designed Hinata’s final dress and Naruto’s moon-battle cloak himself.
It was the first Naruto film where romance, not action, drove the plot.
Kishimoto stated that this movie represents the “true finale” of Naruto’s coming-of-age.
Animators used softer lighting and warmer palettes during Naruto–Hinata scenes to emphasize emotional warmth.

Inspirations and References

Inspired by Kishimoto’s desire to resolve Naruto’s emotional journey in a way the manga didn’t have time for.
Toneri and the moon clan draw from unused concepts related to the Ōtsutsuki bloodline.
Hinata’s red scarf is inspired by classic Japanese romance symbolism.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

A longer confession scene was storyboarded but shortened for pacing.
Some versions included extra comedic scenes involving Shikamaru’s mission logs.
Early drafts considered Toneri surviving and returning in a larger role, but Kishimoto opted for a quiet, solitary ending for him instead.

Book Adaptations and Differences

There is a light novel adaptation, which provides:

More internal monologue from Hinata
More detail on Naruto realizing his feelings
A deeper explanation of Toneri’s motivations
The movie focuses more on visuals and emotional cues, while the book expands the lore and introspection.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Naruto seeing Hinata’s memories through the genjutsu dream sequence
Hinata knitting the red scarf
Hanabi’s kidnapping by Toneri
Naruto’s emotional breakdown when he believes Hinata chose Toneri
The moon-battle where Naruto uses a massive Rasengan infused with Hinata’s chakra

Iconic Quotes

Naruto: “I finally understand… I love you, Hinata.”
Hinata: “Naruto… I’ve always been watching you.”
Toneri: “Humanity has strayed from the path of Hamura.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Naruto’s scarf mirrors the one his mother made for Minato as a teen.
Hinata’s hair ribbon resembles Kid Hinata’s design, symbolizing innocence and continuity.
Toneri’s palace contains symbols referencing the Sage of Six Paths’ family tree.
Sakura’s healing technique shown here foreshadows techniques she uses as an adult in Boruto.

Trivia

This is the first Naruto movie to be fully canon.
Kishimoto said he cried while drawing the final storyboard of Naruto’s confession.
The animation team spent more time on Hinata’s eyes than any other character feature.
It was released as part of the “Naruto New Era Opening Project.”

Why Watch?

Because it’s the official, emotional conclusion to Naruto’s personal story and the beginning of the Uzumaki family. Also, it’s one of the few anime films that balances romance, lore, action, and closure without losing the spirit of the original series.

Naruto: The Last (2014)