Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, the sequel series to Naruto, is about to start its next major arc, and will surely hope to achieve the excitement and awe that some of the best Naruto arcs have brought viewers. One of the most beloved in all of Naruto is the Chunin Exams arc. Many fans' favorite part of the arc is understandably the one-on-one battles that take place among the Genin, with the epic battles and high drama making for compelling viewing. In Naruto, there is usually only one stage of the one-on-fights, the finals taking place in a crowded stadium of spectators.
This was not the case when the Konoha 11 were taking the exams, so many participants qualified that they had to stage a preliminary round of fights to whittle down the field. Some of the most iconic battles of the entire Naruto series took place in a small room filled with only the competing ninjas, their sensei, and the proctor.
Dosu Vs Choji
Occurring right after the best fight in the entire arc, it was always going to be difficult for Dosu and Choji to follow it up with a worthy fight of their own.
Still, as the very last fights of the preliminaries in the Naruto arc, it felt like somewhat of a letdown (though also somewhat hilarious) to watch Choji finally get fired up and prepare a gigantic attack, just to get stuck in the wall and easily defeated in minutes by Dosu's sound attack. The fight was the bit of levity the anime needed after the emotional battles proceeding it, but it still could have been a little more competitive.
Tenten Vs Temari
The fight between Temari and Tenten only lasted mere minutes, and yet still forged a place for itself as one of the most pathetically one-sided battles in the entire Naruto franchise.
Tenten, a weapons expert, faced her worst possible matchup in Temari, who just used her fan to repeatedly blow away any projectiles the young kunoichi threw at her. She even broke out her major move she was saving for the finals, the Twin Rising Dragons, only to still do no damage whatsoever to Temari and end up brutally strewn across the top of Temari's fan.
Sakura Vs Ino
While the two would grow to become two of Naruto's most powerful female characters, they were clearly not at that level yet during the Chunin Exams, engaging in a fight that featured some decent taijutsu, but was bogged down by periods of inactivity and arguing. The fight also ends on a cheap note, as well.
Sakura was saved by her inner Sakura, a plot point that would be all but forgotten not long after, and the two kunoichi knocked each other out, resulting in the only tie of the Chunin Exams preliminary rounds.
Kankurō Vs Misumi
Another quick battle, this one has several factors going for it that make it a very fascinating fight. It's a brutal sprint that showcases both competitors having some of the series' most unique abilities.
Misumi incredible flexibility was deeply impressive, especially in how quickly he wrapped himself around Kankurō's body, seemingly breaking the young ninja's neck. Of course, the body Misumi had wrapped around is only that of the puppet Kankurō was controlling, Karasu, allowing for Kankurō to reveal himself and claim victory by crushing Misumi with Karasu's extended arms.
Shino Vs Zaku
Shikamaru may (rightfully) get all the praise for the intelligence he showcases throughout the series, but Shino is right there with him when it comes to genius in the heat of battle, something seen in his impressive preliminary fight.
The rash and cocky Zaku believed he had outsmarted the bug-wielding ninja, revealing his dislocated arm to be functioning and ready to blast both Shino and the bugs he had been surrounded by. Shino predicted this however and had plugged both of Zaku's palm wind holes with bugs, making his blast go inward. With Zaku's arms destroyed, Shino coldly backhanded him to end the bout.
Shikamaru Vs Kin
There's a reason Shikamaru is considered one of the smartest anime characters of all time, and one of those reasons is how brilliantly he advances through the preliminary round of the Chunin Exams' third stage.
His opponent, Kin, was no slouch in the intelligence department herself, cleverly using string to enact her paralyzing and hallucinatory bells on Shikamaru. Shikamaru, however, marvelously countered, using the string's thin shadow to catch Kin in his Shadow Possession Jutsu and knock his vindictive opponent out with the wall behind her.
Sasuke Vs Yoroi
One of Sasuke's most unique fights in the entire anime, the Uchiha is put at a severe disadvantage by the fact that he will be disqualified if his cursed seal activates. This meant he could only use taijustsu, a problem only compounded by Yoroi's ability to drain from his opponent's body.
Sasuke prevailed, however, after copying the technique of Rock Lee (who he had just battled earlier in the week) and finishing Yoroi with the impressive Lion Combo. It was a drama-heavy fight, and very interesting to watch such a powerful ninja in Sasuke be on the defensive for much of it.
Naruto Vs Kiba
One of the first times Naruto would get to showcase how much he had grown as a ninja was his preliminary round fight with Kiba.
Kiba went on the offensive early, overwhelming and brutalizing Naruto with the clone of himself he made with Akamaru. Naruto, however, would show some battle intelligence of his own, tricking Kiba into knocking out his canine companion. While Naruto distracting Kiba by farting and severely affecting his increased sense of smell was somewhat ridiculous, it was effective enough to lead to the Naruto Uzumaki Combo for the victory.
Neji Vs Hinata
Neji has one of the best backstories in all of Naruto, and the Hyūga clan family drama began to flesh out when he battled his cousin Hinata in the preliminary round.
Neji, born to the branch family of the Hyūga clan resented his destiny from birth that would see him have to serve the main family and its such as Hinata. Neji coldly taunted Hinata during the fight, calling her weak and repeatedly battering her with devastating blows. Hinata, refused to give up, showcasing her toughness by remaining in the fight no matter how little chance she had of winning. In the end, Neji had to be stopped from killing his family member and Hinata collapsed from her injuries.
Rock Lee Vs Gaa
It truly couldn't have been anything else. Considered not only the best fight of the Chunin Exams arc but one of the best fights in the entire Naruto series, period, Rock Lee vs Gaara was an unforgettable matchup.
Gaara, an immensely powerful genin of the Hidden Sand Village, was nearly upset by the underdog Lee, only able to squeak out a win thanks to his gourd of sand cushioning the impact of Lee's Hidden Lotus. From Lee's taking off his ankle weights and opening the first five of the Eight Inner Gates, to the heartbreaking flashbacks, to Gaara's brutal victory. This fight was truly one of the anime's finest moments.