Jiraiya is one of Naruto‘s most beloved characters. As a Toad Sage and one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya holds an impressive reputation known throughout the Hidden Villages. While doing “research” for his latest novel he catches Naruto‘s attention. Naruto recognizes his incredible abilities and harasses Jiraiya until he agrees to train him. Jiraiya reluctantly agrees, and the show’s best student-teacher relationship is born.
Fans learn a lot about Jiraiya through his relationship with Naruto and his startling connection with the Akatsuki. It’s through these interactions that fans became emotionally attached to his character. He not only trains Naruto‘s father Minato, but inadvertently names Naruto and declares himself his godfather. Jiraiya is a kindhearted and powerful shinobi that helps Naruto become the unstoppable force he is today and his influence on the shinobi world remains.
Updated on June 7, 2023 by Xandalee Joseph: Jiraiya is one of the most popular characters in Naruto. His incredible strength and the meaningful relationships he develops with his students made fans fall in love with his character. The best Jiraiya quotes are born through these heartwarming and inspiring interactions.
10 “A Sage Doesn’t Go Back On His Word.”
Naruto: Episode 53 “Long Time No See: Jiraiya Returns!”
“A sage doesn’t go back on his word.”
Naruto‘s first impression of Jiraiya sets the tone for their relationship. Despite Jiraiya’s questionable private activities, Naruto is impressed by his strength and demands that Jiraiya train him. Jiraiya eventually gives in and agrees. Naruto is overjoyed and wants to confirm his concession. Jiraiya puts his mind at ease and gives Naruto his first lesson at that moment and helps him control his chakra enough to be able to walk on water.
9 “My Duty Is To Be A Model For The Next Generation.”
Naruto Shippuden: Episode 126 “Twilight”
“My duty is to be a model for the next generation and set a good example for them. And for that, I’ll gladly lay down my life, and I’ll be smiling the whole time.”
Tsunade knows tracking the Akatsuki alone is dangerous, but Jiraiya is a master of espionage and works better alone. Still, they both know this mission is different and it could claim his life. As they discuss the risk Jiraiya is prepared to take, they reflect on their lives. Tsunade apologizes to Jiraiya for always getting “the short end of the stick.” Jiraiya expresses that he doesn’t regret tracking Orochimaru for years, passing up becoming the Hokage to recruit Tsunade, or preparing to find the Akatsuki’s leader alone. He believes in leading by example and is proud to put his life on the line for the sake of his loved ones and his village.
8 “There Is Only One Thing That Matters If You Are A Shinobi.”
Naruto: Episode 96 “Deadlock! Sannin Showdown”
“There is only one thing that matters if you are a shinobi, and it isn’t the number of jutsu you possess. All you need is the guts to never give up.”
The Legendary Sannin Battle brings former friends and teammates, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya together after spending several years apart following different pursuits. The three former Team Hiruzen members display their incredible skills and show fans how they received their titles. Jiraiya and Tsunade fight to stop Orochimaru from continuing on the sinister path that claimed innumerable lives and caused endless suffering. As they fight, they exchange words and detail their conflicting philosophies. Orochimaru measures a shinobi’s worth by the jutsu or genjutsu they possess, he believed a shinobi should endeavor to “use and master all the jutsu of the world.” Jiraiya responds by informing his former comrade that he is still misguided. Jiraiya understands that a shinobi’s ability has nothing to do with becoming a ninja – a ninja is simply “one who endures.”
7 “A Ninja’s Life Is Not Measured By How He Lived.”
Naruto Shippuden: Episode 133 “The Tale Of Jiraiya The Gallant”
“A ninja’s life is not measured by how he lived, but rather what they managed to accomplish before their death.
As a writer, Jiraiya values an epic tale. He is constantly trying to augment his storyline. As he dies, he thinks about his failures: his rejection from Tsunade and his inability to save Orochimaru. Jiraiya always tried to better the situations he came across. As a sensei, Yahiko, Nagato, Konan, Minato, and Naruto are pupils he holds dear. He helps them reach their greatest potential and wants to see them improve the world. As a shinobi, he takes it upon himself to embark on dangerous journeys to try to save his friend Orochimaru and track formidable enemies to ensure Konohagakure’s safety. He states he wants to obliterate his failures and die like a Hokage. In the life he leads, and in his last moments, he does just that.
6 “A Place Where Someone Still Thinks Of You Is A Place You Can Call Home.”
Naruto Shippuden: Episode 91 “Orochimaru’s Hideout Discovered”
“They say ‘a place where someone thinks still thinks of you; that’s a place you can call home.’ “
Naruto and Jiraiya have similar plights. They want to save their friend – Sasuke and Orochimaru, respectively. While recovering at a local hot spring, Jiraiya watches Naruto with admiration. While Jiraiya “gained a sense of helplessness and regret,” for not being able to save Orochimaru, Naruto lives with regret for 3 years, but doesn’t give up on Sasuke. Naruto asserta that he needs to continue to train in order to become strong enough to bring Sasuke home. Jiraiya responds by illustrating that Sasuke will always have a home with him because he’s never forgotten him.
5 “Rather Than Rule The World Through Pain… I Wish You Moved Past The Pain.”
Naruto Shippuden: Episode 132 “In Attendance, The Six Paths Of Pain”
“Rather than rule the world through pain… I wish you moved past the pain and harnessed your power to bring about peace in a positive way.”
Jiraiya is shocked when he learns that his former student Nagato was the Akatsuki leader he’d been tracking. He is sad to see that the young, sensitive child that cried about wanting to protect his friends, became a ruthless villain. When Jiraiya finally obtains the upper hand in his intense battle with Pain, he expresses the disappointment he feels for the path his former pupil decides to take. Jiraiya thinks about the night he consoled Nagato as a child, he told him that understanding pain creates kindness and it “makes [them] human.” He trusted that Nagato would understand this better when he grew up. Unfortunately, it takes more time, several deaths, and Konoha’s destruction for Nagato to learn this lesson.
4 “You Bet That I Will Die. After All, You Always Lose.”
Naruto Shippuden: Episode 126 “Twilight”
“You bet that I will die. After all, you always lose. But if I make it back alive… I’m just joking! You know, I’m grateful to you.”
Jiraiya’s ominous joke to Tsunade foreshadows his death. Before he leaves for his fatal mission, he spends time with Tsunade discussing their lives and reminiscing about the past. Tsunade’s sadness and worry are obvious as she knows her friend might die. Tsunade is a habitual gambler with bad luck. For her, winning is a bad omen. In an attempt to ease her mind and make her smile, Jiraiya tells her to bet against him to ensure his safe return. Tsunade is surprised to hear him talk about his death so casually and his laughter makes her feel uneasy. In a rare and beautifully sad moment, Tsunade finally displays the love and affection Jiraiya always wanted from her.
3 “To Me It Feels As Though I’m Looking At My Grandson.”
Naruto Shippuden: Episode 126 “Twilight”
“I can see Naruto‘s father in him. To me, it’s like I’m looking at my grandson.”
Tsunade and Jiraiya discuss several things before he leaves, Naruto is one of them. Tsunade expresses her belief that Naruto will become Hokage and Jiraiya mocks her because Naruto obviously won her over. Tsunade responds by reminding him that he set high standards for him as well by teaching him the Rasengan. Jiraiya chocked up teaching Naruto Minato’s signature move to nostalgia. He then tells Tsunade that if Minato were his son he’d be proud of him. As such, Naruto‘s success and growth make Jiraiya feel as though he’s watching his grandson excel. In teaching Naruto, “the will of the Leaf from the past to the future,” is passed on.
2 “Everyone Knows A Student Inherits His Ninja Way From His Teacher.”
Naruto Shippuden: Episode 133 “The Tale Of Jiraiya The Gallant”
Though Jiraiya could’ve escaped with his life, remembering the Great Sage Toad’s words encourages him to stay and continue to fight Pain. The Great Sage Toad told Jiraiya that he would have to make a choice that would decide the ninja world’s fate. He wants to confirm Pain’s identity to give his comrades the chance to defeat him. When he confirms his theory he is already dying. He is impaled, and his throat is crushed. Pain is sure Jiraiya’s heart has stopped, but miraculously Jiraiya begins to rise. It is a heartbreaking and inspiring scene as Jiraiya uses his last bit of strength to etch a coded message into Pa Toad’s back. As he struggles to write, he thinks about Naruto and his inability to give up. While he writes, he reiterates that he can’t give up and thinks about Naruto‘s ninja way.
1 “Now… It’s About Time I Put Down My Pen.”
Naruto Shippuden: Episode 133 “The Tale Of Jiraiya The Gallant”
Knowing that he delivers the message that will help Naruto defeat Pain, Jiraiya sinks into the ocean with a smile on his face. He revisits his former negative thoughts about his life and his failures. He now feels at peace and believes his life’s story has an ending he can be proud of. He doesn’t believe his sequel will be his own accomplishments, but the accomplishments of his successor. As he sinks further into the ocean, he thinks about what his sequel’s title should be. He decides on “The Tale of Naruto Uzumaki.” Naruto is the sequel to his incredible life’s journey.
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