After 15 years of watching a knucklehead ninja chase his dreams, it all came down to a wedding. If you're wondering what is the last episode of Naruto Shippuden, the answer is technically Episode 500, titled "The Message." But honestly? It’s not the punch-fest you might expect from a series defined by giant foxes and world-ending ocular jutsu. It’s quiet. It’s sentimental. It’s kind of a weird way to end a show about war, yet it works perfectly.
Most people expect the finale to be the big showdown at the Final Valley. You know the one—Sasuke and Naruto blowing each other's arms off while the statues of the founders crumble around them. That actually happens much earlier, around Episode 476. The actual end of the series is much more about the village itself and the people who survived the carnage of the Fourth Shinobi World War.
What Actually Happens in Naruto Shippuden Episode 500?
The plot of the finale is surprisingly low-stakes. It focuses on the preparations for Naruto and Hinata’s wedding. By this point, the "Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding" arc has been running for a few episodes, following various characters as they scramble to find the perfect gift for the couple. In Episode 500, the focus shifts to Iruka Umino.
Iruka is struggling. He’s the guy who first recognized Naruto’s humanity back in episode one of the original series, and now he’s being asked to attend the wedding as Naruto’s father. It’s a heavy moment. Naruto visits him and asks him directly, "I want you to attend as my father."
It’s the emotional payoff of a lifetime.
While Iruka deals with his nerves, we see glimpses of the rest of the cast. Gaara, the Kazekage, is there. Killer Bee is being his usual chaotic self. Even Orochimaru—the man who literally tried to destroy the village multiple times—is just casually hanging out in the background like a reformed eccentric uncle. It’s a bit jarring if you think about it too hard, but the vibe is pure celebration.
The episode ends with Naruto and Hinata walking toward the ceremony. We see Naruto looking up at the Hokage Rock, specifically at his father Minato’s face. He adjusts his scarf, takes Hinata’s hand, and they walk out. That’s it. No post-credits scene of them kissing at the altar, no flash-forward to them having kids (that’s saved for the Boruto movie and subsequent series). Just a boy who wanted to be loved finally getting his moment.
Why the Final Episode Doesn't Cover the Marriage Ceremony
A lot of fans felt cheated. They wanted to see the "I do's." They wanted to see the party. Instead, Studio Pierrot decided to end it right as the ceremony was beginning. Why?
If you look at the light novels—specifically the Hiden series—the anime was following a specific narrative path that deviated from the original manga's ending. Masashi Kishimoto’s manga actually ended with Chapter 700, which jumped years into the future to show Naruto as the Seventh Hokage. The anime, however, chose to linger on the transition period.
By ending on the walk to the wedding, the showrunners emphasized the journey over the destination. The "Naruto Shippuden last episode" is a bridge. It bridges the gap between the lonely orphan of Episode 1 and the respected leader we see in the Boruto era. Seeing the wedding itself wasn't the point; seeing Naruto accepted by everyone was the point.
The Problem With the Pacing
Let’s be real for a second. The final stretch of Shippuden was a mess. We had the war, then the final fight, then a massive chunk of filler, then the "Hiden" novel adaptations. Some fans argue that Episode 479, "Naruto Uzumaki," should have been the end. That’s the episode where the Infinite Tsukuyomi is released and the war truly ends.
Instead, we got 20 more episodes of slice-of-life content. If you were watching weekly back in 2017, it felt like the show was dragging its feet. But looking back? Having those quiet moments with Kakashi, Shikamaru, and Gaara makes the world feel lived-in. It reminds us that these characters have lives outside of just throwing kunai at each other.
Breaking Down the "Message" in Episode 500
The title "The Message" refers to the video messages the villagers are recording for Naruto and Hinata. It’s a framing device that lets us see how much everyone has grown.
- Konohamaru is acting as the cameraman, showing he’s moved from a bratty kid to a responsible (ish) shinobi.
- Hinata looks genuinely happy, a far cry from the girl who used to faint every time Naruto looked at her.
- Sasuke isn't even there. He sends a one-word message via hawk: "Congratulations." Classic Sasuke. He’s off on his redemption journey, wandering the world to atone for his crimes, which is a key plot point for his character development in later media.
The absence of Sasuke at the wedding is a point of contention for many. He’s Naruto’s "best friend," right? But his absence underscores the reality of their relationship. They are bonded, but they lead different lives. Sasuke’s presence would have drawn too much attention away from the joy of the village. He’s the shadow supporting the light from afar.
Animation Quality and Direction
The director for the final arc, Chiaki Kon, took a different approach than the high-octane battle directors like Hiroyuki Yamashita. The lines are softer. The colors are warmer. It feels like a shoujo anime at times. For a series that started with gritty, blood-soaked battles against Zabuza, it’s a radical shift. Some hated it. Most loved it.
It’s also worth noting the music. They brought back various themes from the original 2002 series, hitting those nostalgia buttons hard. When the original "Naruto Main Theme" kicks in during the final scenes, you’d have to be made of stone not to feel something.
The Legacy of the Finale
The last episode of Naruto Shippuden aired on March 23, 2017. It marked the end of an era for the "Big Three" of Shonen Jump (One Piece, Naruto, Bleach). While One Piece is still going and Bleach eventually returned for the Thousand-Year Blood War, Naruto’s ending felt very final.
It wasn't just the end of a show; it was the end of childhood for millions of viewers who grew up alongside Naruto. We saw him fail his graduation exam, and we saw him get married.
Common Misconceptions About the Ending
People often get confused because there are multiple "endings" to the Naruto story:
- The Manga Ending: Chapter 700 shows Naruto as Hokage with his son Boruto.
- The Movie Ending: The Last: Naruto the Movie shows how Naruto and Hinata actually fell in love (it happens between episodes 493 and 494).
- The Anime Ending: Episode 500, which is the wedding day.
If you skip The Last movie and go straight to Episode 500, the romance might feel a bit sudden. Naruto goes from being oblivious to Hinata’s feelings for 490 episodes to suddenly getting married. The movie provides the "why" and "how," while the final episode provides the "finally."
Actionable Steps for Completing the Story
If you’ve just finished Episode 500 and feel a void in your soul, you aren't actually done. Most people miss the connective tissue that makes the ending more satisfying.
First, watch The Last: Naruto the Movie if you haven't. It is the only movie that is 100% canon to the storyline and explains why Naruto finally realized Hinata was "the one." Without it, the finale feels like it's missing its heart.
Second, read Naruto Chapter 700. The anime never actually animated this specific chapter in the Shippuden run. It serves as a much better epilogue than the start of the Boruto anime does. It’s a single chapter that perfectly encapsulates the peace Naruto fought for.
Third, check out the "Day Naruto Became Hokage" OVA. It’s a short, funny, and slightly heartbreaking look at the actual inauguration day. It shows that even as the strongest ninja in the world, Naruto is still a bit of a goofball who can get knocked out by his own daughter.
Finally, if you decide to jump into Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, keep your expectations in check. It’s a very different show with a different tone. Many fans prefer to let the story end at Episode 500, treating Naruto’s walk into the sunset—or the wedding—as the true conclusion to the legend.
The journey from a lonely boy on a swing to a man surrounded by friends is complete. Episode 500 isn't about the fight you wanted; it's about the peace he earned.