What would you guys list of the most meaningful deaths in the series be? As in, which deaths truly stirred up emotions for you? Which do you consider shocking, and did they really help to further develop some of the characters?
As for me
1. Zabuza - this death was great at the time, and was what really got me into the series as a kid. I remember reading the manga, and seeing someone who had been portrayed as a total monster up unto that point, turning out to be someone who although flawed, was still a human being. Not to mention the impact it had on Naruto, this is what made him strive to be the ninja he turned out to be.
2. Itachi - I loved this, he played the villain from his teenage years on, all so his little brother could take revenge upon him for destroying his clan. His life was the definition of ultimate sacrifice, and even when dying he did it so that his brother could become even stronger. While he did leave Sasuke extremely confused, through edo tensei it seems he was able to at least begin to bring his brother back into the light.
3. Jiraiya - went out like a complete boss. He managed to take out three of Pain, which is an extremely impressive feat. Survived many different life threatening wounds (for all we know it's possible he could have still lived, even though that seems unlikely, if not for being kicked into the ocean) and went out with a smile on his face. Also, he was able to still get some very important intel on Pain that really ended up helping Konoha. This death was actually the hardest one to take, as it was completely shocking at the time. In the end, his death strengthened Naruto, and helped him "to know Pain," which made him into a better, more understanding person.
As for me
1. Zabuza - this death was great at the time, and was what really got me into the series as a kid. I remember reading the manga, and seeing someone who had been portrayed as a total monster up unto that point, turning out to be someone who although flawed, was still a human being. Not to mention the impact it had on Naruto, this is what made him strive to be the ninja he turned out to be.
2. Itachi - I loved this, he played the villain from his teenage years on, all so his little brother could take revenge upon him for destroying his clan. His life was the definition of ultimate sacrifice, and even when dying he did it so that his brother could become even stronger. While he did leave Sasuke extremely confused, through edo tensei it seems he was able to at least begin to bring his brother back into the light.
3. Jiraiya - went out like a complete boss. He managed to take out three of Pain, which is an extremely impressive feat. Survived many different life threatening wounds (for all we know it's possible he could have still lived, even though that seems unlikely, if not for being kicked into the ocean) and went out with a smile on his face. Also, he was able to still get some very important intel on Pain that really ended up helping Konoha. This death was actually the hardest one to take, as it was completely shocking at the time. In the end, his death strengthened Naruto, and helped him "to know Pain," which made him into a better, more understanding person.
So in a way you're right.
