The Last: Naruto the Movie
Two years after the events of the Fourth Great Ninja War, the moon that Hagoromo Otsutsuki created long ago to seal away the Gedo Statue begins to descend towards the world, threatening to become a meteor that would destroy everything on impact. Amidst this crisis, a direct descendant of Kaguya Otsutsuki named Toneri Otsutsuki attempts to kidnap Hinata Hyuga but ends up abducting her younger sister Hanabi. Naruto and his allies now mount a rescue mission before finding themselves embroiled in a final battle to decide the fate of everything.
Despite its extremely modest budget of $750K, The Last: Naruto the Movie became a runaway success, earning $19.8M worldwide—a remarkable 2545% return. The film's bold vision resonated with audiences, demonstrating that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Last: Naruto the Movie (2014) reveals carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Tsuneo Kobayashi's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 54 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Naruto is celebrated as a hero of the Hidden Leaf Village, yet remains emotionally isolated and oblivious to Hinata's long-standing feelings for him. The village is at peace but Naruto's internal need for connection remains unfulfilled.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The moon begins falling toward Earth, threatening global destruction. Toneri's puppets attack the village and kidnap Hanabi, stealing her Byakugan eyes. This celestial catastrophe disrupts the peace and forces immediate response.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Naruto actively chooses to lead the mission into the unknown. The team enters the dimensional portal that connects Earth to the moon's interior, crossing from the familiar ninja world into Toneri's alien lunar realm., moving from reaction to action.
At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False defeat: Toneri successfully captures Hinata through a genjutsu manipulation. Naruto witnesses Hinata seemingly choosing Toneri over him, not understanding she's being controlled to protect Naruto and her sister. The stakes escalate from rescue mission to preventing planetary destruction., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 85 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Naruto's chakra is completely drained by Toneri's attack. He lies dying while Hinata is forced into a wedding ceremony with Toneri. Naruto's scarf - Hinata's gift symbolizing her love - is destroyed. This represents the death of hope and connection., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 91 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Armed with the knowledge of Hinata's true feelings and his own love for her, Naruto gains new resolve. His chakra is restored by his friends. He synthesizes his power as a hero with his newfound emotional awareness, ready for the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Last: Naruto the Movie's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Last: Naruto the Movie against these established plot points, we can identify how Tsuneo Kobayashi utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Last: Naruto the Movie within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Naruto is celebrated as a hero of the Hidden Leaf Village, yet remains emotionally isolated and oblivious to Hinata's long-standing feelings for him. The village is at peace but Naruto's internal need for connection remains unfulfilled.
Theme
Sakura tells Naruto that understanding someone's true feelings requires looking beneath the surface. This statement of theme foreshadows Naruto's journey to recognize Hinata's love and his own capacity for romantic connection.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of post-war village life, Naruto's hero status, Hinata's knitting project for Naruto, and the introduction of mysterious meteor showers. The world is peaceful but signs of cosmic disruption begin to appear.
Disruption
The moon begins falling toward Earth, threatening global destruction. Toneri's puppets attack the village and kidnap Hanabi, stealing her Byakugan eyes. This celestial catastrophe disrupts the peace and forces immediate response.
Resistance
Kakashi briefs Team 7 on the mission to rescue Hanabi and investigate the moon's descent. Hinata joins the team as the Hyuga clan expert. Naruto debates his readiness while receiving Hinata's scarf - a symbol he doesn't yet understand represents her love.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Naruto actively chooses to lead the mission into the unknown. The team enters the dimensional portal that connects Earth to the moon's interior, crossing from the familiar ninja world into Toneri's alien lunar realm.
Mirror World
Inside the moon's beautiful but artificial environment, Hinata becomes the emotional focal point. Her subplot as Naruto's potential love interest - representing the theme of recognizing what's been in front of you all along - becomes central to the narrative.
Premise
The promise of the premise: Naruto and Hinata's relationship develops through trials in the moon's mystical landscape. Toneri's true plan is revealed - to destroy humanity and restart civilization with Hinata as his bride. Action sequences blend with romantic revelations.
Midpoint
False defeat: Toneri successfully captures Hinata through a genjutsu manipulation. Naruto witnesses Hinata seemingly choosing Toneri over him, not understanding she's being controlled to protect Naruto and her sister. The stakes escalate from rescue mission to preventing planetary destruction.
Opposition
Toneri's power grows as he absorbs Hanabi's Byakugan into the Tenseigan. Naruto falls into despair, believing Hinata rejected him. The team struggles against increasingly powerful enemies while the moon accelerates toward Earth. Naruto's emotional wound prevents him from fighting effectively.
Collapse
Naruto's chakra is completely drained by Toneri's attack. He lies dying while Hinata is forced into a wedding ceremony with Toneri. Naruto's scarf - Hinata's gift symbolizing her love - is destroyed. This represents the death of hope and connection.
Crisis
In his darkest moment, Naruto processes Sakura's revelation about the scarf's true meaning. He realizes Hinata has loved him since childhood and that he loves her in return. This dark night transforms into understanding as he finally sees what was always there.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Armed with the knowledge of Hinata's true feelings and his own love for her, Naruto gains new resolve. His chakra is restored by his friends. He synthesizes his power as a hero with his newfound emotional awareness, ready for the final confrontation.
Synthesis
Naruto and Hinata fight Toneri together, their combined power fueled by mutual love. They destroy the Tenseigan, stop the moon's descent, and rescue Hanabi. The finale synthesizes ninja action with emotional resolution as Naruto confesses his feelings to Hinata.
Transformation
Naruto and Hinata float together on the moon's surface, sharing their first kiss. The emotionally isolated hero has transformed into someone capable of recognizing and reciprocating love. The scarf is rewoven - connection restored and acknowledged.