It’s been over a decade since Masashi Kishimoto handed the keys of the franchise over to the next generation. People often ask if it's actually necessary to go back and watch Naruto The Last movie when the Boruto series already shows us the outcome of everyone’s lives. Honestly? It's the only time we see Naruto Uzumaki actually act like a human being in love.
Usually, Naruto is all about shouting, eating ramen, or trying to save Sasuke from his own bad decisions. This movie is different. Set two years after the Fourth Shinobi World War, it serves as the "Chapter 699.5" that the manga desperately needed.
The plot kicks off with Toneri Otsutsuki, a guy living on the moon who decides humanity is a failure and tries to crash the moon into Earth. He kidnaps Hanabi Hyuga, Hinata’s younger sister, which forces a rescue team of Naruto, Hinata, Sakura, Sai, and Shikamaru into action. But the moon falling is almost secondary. The real meat of the story is Naruto finally realizing that Hinata has been staring at the back of his head for fifteen years.
The Problem With the "The Last" Timeline
If you're trying to figure out where this fits, it's weirdly specific. It happens during the "blank period." The war is over. Kakashi is the Sixth Hokage. Everyone has grown-up hair (some better than others). If you skip it, the jump from the end of Shippuden to the wedding feels jarring.
One of the biggest gripes fans had for years was how Naruto seemed oblivious to Hinata’s confession during the Pain Arc. This movie addresses that head-on. It uses a "Genjutsu trap" early in the film to force Naruto to walk through Hinata's memories. He sees himself through her eyes. He realizes the difference between "I love ramen" and "I love you." It's a bit on the nose, sure, but for a character who grew up without a family, it makes sense that he’d be emotionally stunted.
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Toneri Otsutsuki and the Tenseigan
We need to talk about the villain. Toneri isn't the best antagonist in the franchise—he’s no Madara—but he introduces the Tenseigan. This is a Dojutsu that basically puts the Byakugan on the level of the Rinnegan. It’s a massive power creep, but visually, the fight on the moon is stunning. Studio Pierrot clearly saved their budget for these sequences.
The Tenseigan is formed when an Otsutsuki descendant implants the "pure" Byakugan of a Hyuga. That’s why Hanabi was snatched. It’s a bit gruesome when you think about it. The movie doesn't shy away from the high stakes, even if we know the world doesn't end.
Why the Animation Matters in 2026
Even by today's standards, the fluid animation in this film holds up better than many weekly Boruto episodes. Director Tsuneo Kobayashi brought a cinematic weight to the movements. When you watch Naruto The Last movie, pay attention to the scarf.
The red scarf Hinata knits throughout the movie is a recurring motif. It’s a symbol of her feelings and the red thread of fate. It gets destroyed, rebuilt, and tangled. It's rare to see this kind of visual storytelling in a series that usually relies on characters screaming their motivations at each other.
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The Sasuke Cameo (Or Lack Thereof)
Don't go into this expecting a lot of Sasuke Uchiha. He’s on his redemption journey. He appears for maybe sixty seconds of screen time. He shows up, destroys a meteor, tells everyone he’ll protect the village while the "idiot" is away, and leaves. It’s the ultimate "cool guy" moment, but if you’re a Sasuke stan, you might feel a bit cheated. This is Naruto and Hinata’s show. Period.
Addressing the "Missing" Romance
Critics often say the romance feels rushed. Is it? Maybe. But you have to consider the context of Shonen anime. These shows aren't shojo. They don't do slow-burn romance well. The Last is the franchise’s attempt to fix the fact that Kishimoto admitted he was too embarrassed to write romance in the original manga.
The chemistry works because of the shared history. We’ve seen Hinata jump in front of Pain. We’ve seen her hold Naruto’s hand when Neji died. The movie just provides the closure for Naruto's side of that equation. It's about him growing up. He’s not a kid anymore. He’s a young man realizing that being the hero of the world is lonely if you don't have someone to go home to.
Essential Viewing Tips
- Don't skip the credits: There is a post-credits scene that is arguably the most important part of the movie for fans of the overall lore.
- Watch the Sub over the Dub: While the English cast is great, the Japanese voice acting for Hinata (Nana Mizuki) captures the vulnerability of the character much better in the climax.
- Look at the background art: The abandoned cities on the moon are hauntingly beautiful and hint at a lot of Otsutsuki history that gets expanded on later in the Boruto manga.
Making Sense of the Moon Mission
The physics of the moon mission are absolute nonsense. They breathe on the moon. There’s a sun inside the moon. There are floating islands. If you try to apply real-world logic, you’ll hate it. Just accept that "Chakra" explains everything.
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What's actually interesting is the expansion of Hamura Otsutsuki’s lineage. We knew about Hagoromo (the Sage of Six Paths), but his brother Hamura was always a bit of a mystery. This movie establishes that the Hyuga are his descendants on Earth, while another branch stayed on the moon. It adds a layer of cosmic horror to the Naruto world that felt fresh at the time.
How to Watch Naruto The Last Movie Today
Finding it can be a bit of a hunt depending on your region. It’s frequently on Crunchyroll or Netflix, but licensing changes constantly.
- Check Crunchyroll first as they usually keep the theatrical films in their library for premium members.
- Hulu sometimes carries the dubbed version if you're in the US.
- If all else fails, the Blu-ray is worth owning just for the "Kishimoto-style" art book that comes with some editions.
The move from the "Blank Period" to the era of the Seventh Hokage is a massive shift in the franchise's tone. This movie is the bridge. It’s the moment Naruto stops being the "No. 1 Hyperactive Knucklehead Ninja" and starts becoming the man who can lead a village. It’s a necessary transition.
Without this film, Naruto’s marriage to Hinata feels like a footnote. With it, it feels like an earned victory. He spent his whole life chasing Sasuke and the title of Hokage. It’s nice to see him finally chase something for himself.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're planning to marathon the end of the series, watch episodes 1 through 479 of Shippuden, then watch this movie, then finish the final episodes of the series. This maintains the emotional flow perfectly. Once you finish the movie, go back and re-read chapter 700 of the manga; the small details in the background of Naruto’s office will suddenly make a lot more sense, especially the family photos. For the best experience, ignore the filler episodes that aired around the same time as the movie's release, as they often contradict the timeline established in the film.