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{{Looking for|the kind of exams|the story arc|Chūnin Exam Arc}}
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{{Looking for|the actual exams|disambig=Chūnin Exams (disambiguation)}}
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The {{translation|'''Chūnin Selection Exams'''|中忍選抜試験|Chūnin Senbatsu Shiken}}<ref>[[Byakugan vs. Shadow Clone Technique!|''Naruto'' episode 60]]</ref> are an opportunity for [[genin]] to be promoted to [[chūnin]]. The exam structure and evaluation processes differ from one exam to the next so that genin cannot come prepared. Villages originally held their own individual exams. Following the [[Third Shinobi World War]], exams that are open to all villages started being held bi-annually,<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 39, page 3</ref> with villages taking turns for hosting responsibilities. These shared exams improve relations between the villages, present up-and-coming ninja to clients, and create an opportunity for gambling.
[[File:Chūnin Examination Arena.jpg|thumb|The arena for Konoha preliminaries.]]
 
The {{translation|'''Chūnin Exams'''|中忍試験|Chūnin Shiken}} are a type of test to test the abilities of the [[genin]]. If the genin perform well, they will be considered for promotion to [[chūnin]].
 
   
  +
Although the exams, specifically the final round matches, are designed for there to be an ultimate "winner", success does not guarantee promotion nor does failure preclude it; if the observing ninja and [[daimyō]] feel a genin displays the necessary qualities for a chūnin, that genin will be promoted regardless of how they place in the exams. For this reason it is possible for as many as all of the finalists to pass, or even for none of them to. Being victorious simply expands the participant's chances of demonstrating their qualities in the next match.
== History ==
 
To become a chūnin, a genin participates in a wide-scale examination, known as the ''Chūnin Exams'', with their team. Despite [[Kakashi Hatake]] claiming earlier that all three members of a cell is required to participate together, it may be assumed that a genin does not necessarily have to undertake the exam along with their team-mates since [[Sakura Haruno]] succeeded in becoming a chūnin during the time-skip with Naruto and Sasuke both being absent during the period, and because [[Shikamaru Nara]] was already a chūnin when Chōji and Ino took the exam during the time-skip. The only exam seen in the series is a three-stage exam held in [[Konohagakure]]:
 
   
  +
Having too many participants to advance to the next stages seems to be an undesired result, as the examiners tend to run additional preliminaries to reduce the number of finalists.
== The Stages ==
 
At least in Konoha, the Chūnin Exams take part in three different stages, all means of testing genin in having the necessary skills and judgment required to become a chūnin and thinning out those who aren't skilled enough. The test can differ from year to year, so the specific details for each may differ.
 
   
  +
== Known Exams ==
* The first stage is a written test, which includes difficult questions related to different ninja subjects. It checks information gathering and decision-making abilities, because, to pass, the participants must find a reliable source of information, then discreetly cheat off them without getting caught by the watchful instructors. As such, the instructors place [[chūnin]]s within the mass to provide a reliable source to cheat off of. However, extremely intelligent ninjas can solve such questions without resorting to such, the prominent example being [[Sakura Haruno]]. All three members of a team must pass this section of the exam in order to advance.
 
  +
=== Konoha-Only ===
* The second stage tests the abilities of accomplishing a mission and real life survival skills without a sensei, as the participants are locked within a dangerous training area and asked to survive 5 days without outside help. They are also required to obtain 2 different scrolls: {{translation|Scroll of Heaven|天の書|Ten no Sho}} and {{translation|Scroll of Earth|地の書|Chi no Sho}} in order to move on to the 3rd stage, forcing them to fight one another and hold on to their own. All three members of a team must pass this section of the exam in order to advance.
 
  +
[[Konohagakure]] held one of its own Chūnin Exams around the time of the Third Shinobi World War. Genin had to enter as part of a three-man team. The three stages were not held consecutively, allowing participants to recuperate between stages.
* The third and final stage consists of tournament-like fights between those remainders who passed the previous two stages, observed by a council of [[daimyō]] and village ninja that decides who becomes a Chūnin and who does not.
 
   
  +
==== Second Stage ====
While the winners are able to proceed to fight the next opponent, aptitude, rather than winning, is evaluated to determine whether a candidate is promoted; for example, [[Shikamaru Nara]] forfeits his first match but is still promoted because of his strategic aptitude. This way, anyone who makes it to the third stage of the Exams has a chance to become chūnin. However, it is also possible for none of the candidates to become chūnin if the judges believe that they do not have appropriate qualifications.
 
  +
Held in the [[Forest of Death]], the second stage consisted of tournament battles between three-man teams. The [[Third Hokage]] and the team's leader monitored the fights remotely. Loss of a match did not necessarily prevent a genin from continuing to the finals.
   
  +
;Known fights
Preliminaries may also be held if too many ninja teams reach the end. In the [[Chūnin Exam Arc]], seven teams, an unusually high number, completed the second phase of the test. The losers in this extra round cannot participate in the final tournament and thus cannot be considered for promotion to chūnin. From this point on, team members no longer need to all pass their respective battles in order for their comrades to advance.
 
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*Team of [[Ibiki Morino]], [[Hayate Gekkō]], and [[Tokara]] defeated [[Team Orochimaru]].
  +
*[[Team Minato]] fought [[Team Chōza]].
   
  +
==== Finals ====
During the examinations, death may be involved. As such, participants are required to sign a release form to acknowledge and accept such risks. Examples are when [[Gaara]] massacred [[Team Shigure]].
 
  +
The finals consisted of one-on-one tournament battles.
   
  +
;Known fights
In the past, each village held their own chūnin exam. After the Third Ninja World War, allied ninja villages agreed to hold the exams together at the selected village that would host the exam. This was done to improve relations between the villages and prevent war between them. Another advantage is that ninja that took the exam might attract clients who are interested in hiring them. Because of the growing number of ninja in each village, the exams are hosted twice every year. The exams are also used as a gambling device and during the [[Invasion of Konoha]], [[Sunagakure]] and [[Otogakure]] used the exam to their advantage to declare war against [[Konohagakure]].
 
  +
*[[Might Guy]] defeated [[Obito Uchiha]].
  +
*[[Kakashi Hatake]] defeated Might Guy. Kakashi was successfully promoted to chūnin.
  +
  +
=== Konoha-Held ===
  +
At the start of Part I, [[Konohagakure]] hosts the first of the year's two Chūnin Exams. Genin must enter as part of a three-man team. Prior to the first stage, [[Izumo Kamizuki]] and [[Kotetsu Hagane]] (disguised as genin) try to discourage others from participating.
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  +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
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|-
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! Village !! Participants (manga)<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 39, page 10</ref> !! Participants (anime)<ref>''Naruto'' episode 23</ref>
  +
|-
  +
| [[Konohagakure]] || 87 || 72
  +
|-
  +
| [[Sunagakure]] || 30 || 30
  +
|-
  +
| [[Amegakure]] || 21 || 21
  +
|-
  +
| [[Kusagakure]] || 6 || 15
  +
|-
  +
| [[Takigakure]] || 6 || 12
  +
|-
  +
| [[Otogakure]] || 3 || 3
  +
|-
  +
| '''Total''' || 153 || 153
  +
|-
  +
|}
  +
*[[Tsukigakure]] ninja are seen briefly during the first stage.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 39, page 18</ref><ref>''Naruto'' chapter 43, page 19</ref>
  +
*[[Kirigakure]] ninja are seen briefly during the first stage.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 24</ref>
  +
  +
==== First Stage ====
  +
Proctored by [[Ibiki Morino]], the first stage is, at a glance, an hour-long written test of ten questions. However, the first nine questions are too difficult for an average genin to be able to answer. The real objective, therefore, is to cheat: either copy from one of the few genin that can answer the questions or from one of the chūnin embedded with the examinees. If a genin is caught cheating five times, they and the rest of their team are disqualified. The goal is also to force the genin to apply critical thinking. In most cases, being caught cheating means instant failure, but the two-point reduction is meant to give them a chance instead of trying again without being caught and make them realise they have to cheat. Getting the correct answer to these nine questions is not ultimately important, as it is possible to pass without answering any of them at all.
  +
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Forty-five minutes in to the first stage, genin are given the opportunity to answer the tenth question. They are first warned that, if they answer the question incorrectly, they will not be allowed to take the exams ever again; if they forfeit - which also disqualifies the rest of their team - before hearing the question, they will be allowed to retake the exams another time. This option is, itself, the tenth question; if a genin is willing to face the unknown of the tenth question, they are ready to be a chūnin. Ibiki tried everything imaginable to get as many genin to drop out as much as possible. [[Naruto Uzumaki]]'s open determination to face this unknown inspires all of the remaining genin, causing 26 teams, a higher number than average, to pass to the second stage.
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
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|-
  +
! Participating Team !! Village !! Outcome
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Kakashi|Team 7]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team 8]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team 10]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Guy]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Baki]] || [[Sunagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Dosu]] || [[Otogakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Kabuto]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
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| [[Team Oboro]] || [[Amegakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
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| [[Team Shigure]] || [[Amegakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Hōki (Takigakure)|Hōki]] || [[Takigakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
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| [[Manabu Akado]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Sukima]]'s team || [[Konohagakure]] || Disqualified
  +
|-
  +
| [[Komaza]]'s team || [[Sunagakure]] || Disqualified
  +
|-
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| [[Suiu]]'s team || [[Amegakure]] || Disqualified
  +
|-
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| [[Samidare]]'s team || [[Amegakure]] || Disqualified
  +
|-
  +
| [[Jimei]]'s team || [[Konohagakure]] || Disqualified
  +
|-
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| [[Team Komugi]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Forfeited
  +
|-
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| [[Hōsei]]'s team || [[Konohagakure]] || Forfeited
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|-
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| [[Nejiri]] || [[Sunagakure]] || ''unknown''
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|-
  +
|}
  +
  +
==== Second Stage ====
  +
Proctored by [[Anko Mitarashi]], the second stage takes place in the [[Forest of Death]]. Three-man teams are given either a {{translation|Heaven Scroll|天の書|Ten no Sho}} or an {{translation|Earth Scroll|地の書|Chi no Sho}} before entering the forest. They then have five days for the entire team to reach the building in the centre of the forest with one of each scroll in their possession; how they acquire the other scroll is up to them, by force or by trade being the most common options. Because of the natural hazards of the forest, the absence of services or outside assistance, and the likely conflict with other teams, genin must sign liability waivers before entering to release Konoha from responsibility for any injuries or deaths.
  +
  +
If a team loses their starting scroll they are not automatically disqualified, as they may use the remaining time to acquire another copy of the scroll they've lost. By the same extension, acquiring both scrolls does not guarantee completion of the second stage, as they still must reach the centre building in time. As the second stage goes on, teams that have lost their scroll will tend to gather around the building, hoping to prey on on those with both. Alternately, teams that already have both scrolls can linger outside the building, taking scrolls from others to reduce the competition of later stages.
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  +
Genin are forbidden from opening either scroll until they have reached the central building. If they follow this instruction, the scroll will [[Summoning Technique|summon]] a higher-ranked ninja to grant them advancement to the next stage. If they do not follow this instruction, the ninja will render them and everyone else in the area unconscious for the duration of the second stage.
  +
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The [[Three Sand Siblings]], in particular, have broken the previous record by making it to the tower with both scrolls in 97 minutes.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 57, page 19</ref>
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  +
Anko herself was surprised that 21 genin made it, even though less than half would make it anyway due to the nature of the test, believing that no more than 3 teams would pass.
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
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|-
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! Gate<ref>''[[Naruto Anime Profiles, Vol. 1]]'', page 159</ref> !! Participating Team !! Village !! Starting Scroll !! Outcome
  +
|-
  +
| 3 || Toitsu's Team || [[Konohagakure]] || Heaven || Failed
  +
|-
  +
| 4 || Kawaki's Team || [[Sunagakure]] || Heaven || Failed
  +
|-
  +
| 6 || [[Team Baki]] || [[Sunagakure]] || Earth || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| 8 || [[Team Shigure]] || [[Amegakure]] || Heaven || Killed by [[Gaara]]
  +
|-
  +
| 10 || Kyube's Team || [[Konohagakure]] || Heaven || Failed
  +
|-
  +
| 12 || [[Team Kakashi|Team 7]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Heaven || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| 15 || [[Team Shiore]] || [[Kusagakure]] || Earth || Killed by [[Orochimaru]]
  +
|-
  +
| 16 || [[Team 8]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Heaven || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| 17 || Masao's Team || [[Konohagakure]] || Earth || Failed
  +
|-
  +
| 19 || Jyari's Team || [[Sunagakure]] || Earth || Failed
  +
|-
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| 20 || [[Team Dosu]] || [[Otogakure]] || Earth || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| 21 || Mekabu's Team || [[Konohagakure]] || Heaven || Failed
  +
|-
  +
| 23 || Kegon's Team || [[Takigakure]] || Earth || Failed
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|-
  +
| 24 || Tonbi's Team || [[Konohagakure]] || Earth || Failed
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|-
  +
| 25 || [[Team Shigeri]] || [[Kusagakure]] || Earth || Failed
  +
|-
  +
| 26 || Mebachi's Team || [[Konohagakure]] || Heaven || Failed
  +
|-
  +
| 27 || [[Team 10]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Heaven || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| 29 || [[Team Oboro]] || [[Amegakure]] || Heaven || Failed; defeated by [[Team Kakashi|Team 7]]
  +
|-
  +
| 30 || Kawazu's Team || [[Amegakure]] || Heaven || Failed
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|-
  +
| 32 || Genta's Team || [[Otogakure]] || Earth || Failed
  +
|-
  +
| 34 || Kugiri's Team || [[Konohagakure]] || Earth || Failed
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|-
  +
| 35 || Masago's Team || [[Sunagakure]] || Heaven || Failed
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|-
  +
| 37 || Yudachi's Team || [[Amegakure]] || Earth || Failed
  +
|-
  +
| 38 || [[Team Kabuto]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Earth || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| 41 || [[Team Guy]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Earth || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| 44 || Nezumi's Team || [[Amegakure]] || Heaven || Failed
  +
|-
  +
| ?? || [[Team Shibire]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Earth || Failed; opened scroll early
  +
|-
  +
|}
  +
  +
==== Preliminaries ====
  +
[[File:Chunin Examination Arena.png|thumb|The arena for the preliminaries.]]
  +
Because too many genin end up passing the second stage, a single round of randomly selected one-on-one matches is held where only the victor will get to continue on. Participants' advancement to the finals is no longer contingent upon the success of their teammates; it is for this excuse that [[Kabuto Yakushi]] forfeits before the preliminaries start. Matches are refereed by [[Hayate Gekkō]] while others are free to observe. Genin are encouraged to watch each others' fights carefully to help them prepare for fighting each other in the finals; indeed, after the preliminaries are finished the finalists are told who they will fight in the first round so they can plan accordingly.
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  +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
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|-
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! Match !! Combatants !! Outcome
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|-
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| 1 || [[Sasuke Uchiha]] vs. [[Yoroi Akadō]] || Sasuke wins
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|-
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| 2 || [[Zaku Abumi]] vs. [[Shino Aburame]] || Shino wins
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|-
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| 3 || [[Misumi Tsurugi]] vs. [[Kankurō]] || Kankurō wins
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|-
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| 4 || [[Sakura Haruno]] vs. [[Ino Yamanaka]] || double knockout
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|-
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| 5 || [[Tenten]] vs. [[Temari]] || Temari wins
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|-
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| 6 || [[Shikamaru Nara]] vs. [[Kin Tsuchi]] || Shikamaru wins
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|-
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| 7 || [[Naruto Uzumaki]] vs. [[Kiba Inuzuka]] || Naruto wins
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|-
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| 8 || [[Hinata Hyūga]] vs. [[Neji Hyūga]] || Neji wins
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|-
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| 9 || [[Gaara]] vs. [[Rock Lee]] || Gaara wins
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|-
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| 10 || [[Dosu Kinuta]] vs. [[Chōji Akimichi]] || Dosu wins
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|-
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|}
  +
  +
==== Finals ====
  +
[[File:Chūnin Exams Stadium.png|thumb|left|The arena for the finals.]]
  +
The finals are held a month after the completion of the preliminaries so that finalists have a chance to recuperate and prepare. This also allows news of the matchups to get around and attract greater publicity for the event. The finals consist of one-on-one tournament battles refereed by [[Genma Shiranui]] (originally planned to be reffed by [[Hayate Gekkō]] before his death).
  +
  +
[[Shikamaru Nara]] was originally scheduled to fight [[Dosu Kinuta]] in the first round of the finals, and the victor of that match would then fight [[Temari]]. However, Dosu is killed before the finals take place, so Shikamaru and Temari are matched from the beginning. [[Kankurō]] surrendered before his match with [[Shino Aburame]] began in order to preserve [[Karasu|his weapon]]'s secrets for the planned coup. The finals themselves are interrupted by and cancelled because of the [[Konoha Crush]]. Shikamaru, though he forfeits his match, is ultimately the only participant to be promoted to chūnin by default.
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  +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
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! First Round !! Second Round !! Final Round
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|-
  +
| [[Naruto Uzumaki]] vs. [[Neji Hyūga]]
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| rowspan="2" | Naruto vs. ''interrupted''
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| rowspan="4" | ''interrupted''
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|-
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| [[Gaara]] vs. [[Sasuke Uchiha]]
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|-
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| [[Kankurō]] vs. [[Shino Aburame]]
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| rowspan="2" | Shino vs. Temari
  +
|-
  +
| [[Temari]] vs. [[Shikamaru Nara]]
  +
|-
  +
|}
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  +
=== Konoha–Suna Joint ===
  +
In the anime, [[Konohagakure]] and [[Sunagakure]] hold a joint Chūnin Exam during the gap in time between Part I and Part II. Although they invite all the other respective villages to participate, only [[Takigakure]], [[Kusagakure]] and [[Amegakure]] accept. The participating genin must enter as part of a three-man team. Although publicly meant to symbolise the growing alliance between Konoha and Suna, the exams are actually held to help restore Konohagakure's reputation after the events of the last exams being interrupted. A second hidden goal for these exams was to draw out [[Akatsuki]], with the [[Fifth Kazekage]] (a [[jinchūriki]]) being the bait.
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
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|-
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! Village !! Participants<ref>''Naruto Shippūden'' episode 395</ref>
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|-
  +
| [[Konohagakure]] || 72
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|-
  +
| [[Sunagakure]] || 27
  +
|-
  +
| [[Amegakure]] || 15
  +
|-
  +
| [[Kusagakure]] || 6
  +
|-
  +
| [[Takigakure]] || 3
  +
|-
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| '''Total''' || 123
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|-
  +
|}
  +
*An [[Otogakure]] genin is briefly seen during the first stage.<ref name="NS397">''Naruto Shippūden'' episode 397</ref>
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  +
==== First Stage ====
  +
Proctored by [[Shikamaru Nara]], the first stage is a written test that takes place in Konoha. Members from each team are split into in one of three rooms while taking the test. The goal for this test is to see how well the team-mates know each other, as each member of a team must answer one of three questions and depending on the question picked will decide whether the team passes or fails. Ultimately, the team members have to achieve a combined score of 100 points.<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 396</ref>
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  +
Along with the three question choice test, there is a bonus question that must be answered unanimously by each team which asks what member of their respective team would be chosen to be a decoy and the one picked will be disqualified. This happens to be a trick question as all members of a team must be present in order to be qualified for the second round.<ref name="NS397" /> Communication between team-mates is allowed.
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  +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
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|-
  +
! Participating Team !! Room 1 !! Room 2 !! Room 3 !! Village !! Outcome
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Ajisai]] || [[Suiren]] || [[Fuyō]] || [[Ajisai]] || [[Amegakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Ameno]] || [[Shishio]] || [[Kōji (Suna)|Kōji]] || [[Ameno]] || [[Sunagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Asuma]] || [[Chōji Akimichi]] || [[Ino Yamanaka]] || [[Sakura Haruno]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Fū]] || [[Kegon]] || [[Fū]] || [[Yōrō]] || [[Takigakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Guy]] || [[Neji Hyūga]] || [[Rock Lee]] || [[Tenten]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Kazami]] || [[Muyami]] || [[Burami]] || [[Kazami]] || [[Kusagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Komugi]] || [[Komugi]] || [[Gennai]] || [[Inaho]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Kurenai]] || [[Hinata Hyūga]] || [[Shino Aburame]] || [[Kiba Inuzuka]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Matsuri]] || [[Mikoshi]] || [[Matsuri]] || [[Yukata]] || [[Sunagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Sajin]] || [[Sajin (Genin)|Sajin]] || [[Mujin]] || [[Mijin]] || [[Sunagakure]] || Failed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Saya]] || ?? || ?? || ?? || [[Sunagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Shibire]] || [[Shibire]] || [[Minoji]] || [[Tanzō]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Shira]] || [[Shira]] || [[Sen]] || [[Yome]] || [[Sunagakure]] || Passed
  +
|}
  +
  +
==== Preliminaries ====
  +
Because too many genin passed the first phase, a preliminary round was held, where the first 30 teams to reach the [[Demon Desert]] within three days were allowed to participate in the second phase.
  +
  +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
  +
|-
  +
! Participating Team !! Village !! Outcome
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Ajisai]] || [[Amegakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Ameno]] || [[Sunagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Asuma]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Fū]] || [[Takigakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Goji]] || [[Sunagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Guy]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Kazami]] || [[Kusagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Komugi]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Kurenai]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Matsuri]] || [[Sunagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Saya]] || [[Sunagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Shibire]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Failed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Shira]] || [[Sunagakure]] || Passed
  +
|}
  +
  +
==== Second Stage ====
  +
[[File:Demon Desert.png|thumb|right|The Demon Desert.]]
  +
Proctored by [[Temari]], the second stage takes place in Suna's Demon Desert. Teams are given either a Heaven Scroll or an Earth Scroll before entering the desert. They then have three days for the entire team to reach the building in the centre of the desert with one of each scroll in their possession. Because of the risks involved with this second stage, genin must sign liability waivers before entering.<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 398</ref>
  +
  +
Because of attacks on the Kazekage and one of the exam's [[Fū|participants]], the exams are cancelled at the end of the second stage. Performance reports on all participants, including those who did not acquire the necessary scrolls, are instead sent back to their respective village, with the choice to promote them left up to their village's leader.<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 413</ref> Known promotions are:
  +
*[[Team Ajisai]]
  +
*[[Team Asuma]]
  +
*[[Team Guy]]
  +
*[[Team Kurenai]]
  +
  +
=== Five Village Co-Sponsorship ===
  +
Fifteen years after the end of the [[Fourth Shinobi World War]], the villages of the [[Five Great Shinobi Countries]] for the first time co-sponsor the year's Chūnin Exams, which is held in [[Konohagakure]]. In addition to genin of the five sponsoring villages, genin from [[Amegakure]] and [[Kusagakure]] are also seen. The participating genin must enter as part of a three-man team. 48 shinobi, divided into 16 teams participated in the Exams.
  +
  +
Although most ninja tools are permitted, the [[Seventh Hokage]] forbids the usage of the [[Kote]], a recent invention that enables anyone to use any [[ninjutsu]] without training or [[chakra]]. As the Hokage explains, the Kote defeats the exams' purpose of nurturing the shinobi arts.
  +
  +
==== First Stage ====
  +
[[File:ChuninExams.png|thumb|left|Exam Venue B.]]
  +
Proctored by [[Sai Yamanaka]] and designed by [[Shikamaru Nara]], the first stage is held at {{translation|'''Exam Venue B'''||}} and is initially presented as a simple true or false question. All teams are given the same question regarding the fifth volume of a book on shinobi strategies and, as a team, are instructed to stand next to a flag representing what they believe the correct answer to be. Once all teams gather at their selected answer, they are dropped into a pit because, in truth, there is no fifth volume of that book and therefore no correct answer. Shortly before being dropped, the genin are warned that anyone who "turns black" will fail.
  +
  +
The actual objective of the exam is for genin, once dropped into the pit, to not get any of the ink that pools at the bottom of each pit on themselves. By not falling in the ink, genin demonstrate quick thinking and a willingness to persevere despite apparent failure, thus allowing them to continue to the second stage.
  +
  +
In the [[Boruto: Naruto Next Generations]] anime, Exam Venue B is preceded by {{translation|'''Exam Venue A'''||}}. Exam Venue A serves as a place where all participating genin are told by Sai that the first exam will start in another venue which involves a true or false question and to enter the next exam venue, each team would have to go through a series of traps and make it to the next venue within the allotted time limit or else they fail and are not allowed to take the exam. The participants are expected to leave while Sai is still explaining the rules, having already started the timer, and Tenten oversees the activation of traps along the way, increasing their difficulty as deemed necessary.
  +
  +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
  +
|-
  +
! Participating Team !! Village !! Outcome
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Konohamaru]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Moegi|Team 10]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
|[[Team 5]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Shinki]] || [[Sunagakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Yurui]] || [[Kumogakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Three Senka Brothers]]<ref group=Notes>In the novel, this is a [[Suna]] team</ref> || [[Kirigakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
|Ame team<ref group=Notes>In the anime, this is [[Team 15]]</ref> || [[Amegakure]] || Passed
  +
|-
  +
|Kusa team<ref group=Notes>In the anime, this is a [[Kiri]] team</ref> || [[Kusagakure]] ||Passed
  +
|-
  +
|[[Team 40]] || [[Konohagakure]] || Failed
  +
|-
  +
| [[Genbu Shinobi Trio]] || [[Iwagakure]] || Failed
  +
|-
  +
  +
|}
  +
  +
==== Second Stage ====
  +
[[File:Abandon City.png|thumb|right|The setting for the second stage.]]
  +
Eight teams made it to this round. Proctored by [[Tenten]] with assistance from [[Shino Aburame]], the second stage is held three days after the first. Teams are paired against each other in a game of [[wikipedia:capture the flag|capture the flag]]. Teams must simultaneously defend their own flag and capture the opposing team's flag in order to pass to the final rounds. The movie's novelisation adds that teams are not allowed to kill opponents, partly for humane reasons, but also in order to test genin's ability to keep and benefit from prisoners.
  +
  +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
  +
|-
  +
! Combatants !! Winner
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Moegi|Team 10]] vs. a [[Kusa]] team<ref group=Notes>In the anime, this is a [[Kiri]] team</ref> || Team 10
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Yurui]] vs. an [[Ame]] team<ref group=Notes>In the anime, this is [[Team 15]]</ref> || Team Yurui
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Shinki]] vs. [[Team 5]] || Team Shinki
  +
|-
  +
| [[Team Konohamaru]] vs. [[Three Senka Brothers]]<ref group=Notes>In the novel, this is a [[Suna]] team</ref> || Team Konohamaru
  +
|-
  +
|}
  +
  +
==== Finals ====
  +
[[File:Konoha Stadium.png|thumb|left|The stadium for the finals.]]
  +
Four teams passed the previous round and made it into the finals. The finals are tournament matches held in a stadium, observed by the five [[Kage]] and any other interested parties. Refereed by [[Rock Lee]], the first two rounds are one-on-one matches and the third round is a three-way match between the remaining finalists.
  +
  +
[[Boruto Uzumaki]] is caught using the Kote during his second match (the finals in the anime) and for that reason he is disqualified by the Hokage. The Hokage is immediately afterwards attacked by [[Kinshiki]] and [[Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki]] and the stadium is destroyed in the ensuing battle, thus forcing the tournament's cancellation. In the novelisation, the exams continued after Momoshiki's death.
  +
  +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
  +
! First Round !! Second Round !! Final Round
  +
|-
  +
| [[Yurui]] vs. [[Boruto Uzumaki]]
  +
| rowspan="2" | Boruto vs. Shikadai
  +
| rowspan="6" | Shikadai vs. ''interrupted''
  +
|-
  +
| [[Shikadai Nara]] vs. [[Yodo]]
  +
|-
  +
| [[Sarada Uchiha]] vs. [[Tarui]]
  +
| rowspan="2" | Sarada vs. Mitsuki
  +
|-
  +
| [[Toroi (Genin)|Toroi]] vs. [[Mitsuki]]
  +
|-
  +
| [[Inojin Yamanaka]] vs. [[Araya]]
  +
| rowspan="2" | Araya vs. Shinki
  +
|-
  +
| [[Chōchō Akimichi]] vs. [[Shinki]]
  +
|-
  +
|}
  +
  +
  +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
  +
! Anime Elimination Matches !! Anime Semi-Finals !! Anime Finals
  +
|-
  +
| [[Yurui]] vs. [[Boruto Uzumaki]]
  +
| rowspan="2" | Boruto vs. Shikadai
  +
| rowspan="6" | Boruto vs. Sarada vs. Shinki
  +
|-
  +
| [[Shikadai Nara]] vs. [[Yodo]]
  +
|-
  +
| [[Sarada Uchiha]] vs. [[Tarui]]
  +
| rowspan="2" | Sarada vs. Araya
  +
|-
  +
| [[Inojin Yamanaka]] vs. [[Araya]]
  +
|-
  +
| [[Toroi (Genin)|Toroi]] vs. [[Mitsuki]]
  +
| rowspan="2" | Mitsuki vs. Shinki
  +
|-
  +
| [[Chōchō Akimichi]] vs. [[Shinki]]
  +
|-
  +
|}
  +
  +
== Referenced Exams ==
  +
Although only four Chūnin Exams have been depicted in the series, many others have been referenced:
  +
*[[Manabu Akado]] has taken and failed the exams on seventeen prior occasions.
  +
*The [[Third Hokage]] remembers [[Kabuto Yakushi]] dropping out before the finals during a previous exam. Kabuto's records state he has failed five other times as well.
  +
*In the anime, [[Ibiki Morino]] proctored the first stage of the exams before. Each time he changed the tenth question, such as giving the choice of either quitting and having the whole squad fail or continuing and having the lowest scoring member of the squad be forced to remain a genin forever (solution is to quit, rather than sacrifice squad members for personal gain).
  +
*In the anime, [[Idate Morino]] was failed during the first exam by Ibiki, and was asked by him in private to stop attempting to be a ninja.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 105</ref>
  +
*[[Shikamaru Nara]] is in the planning stages for another Chūnin Exam at the start of Part II, the obligations of which prevent him from participating in the [[Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission]].
   
 
== Trivia ==
 
== Trivia ==
  +
* As the exams are an opportunity for gambling, observers who placed a wager may tend to sabotage the opposing genin participant for their own benefit, as two chūnin ([[Midori]] and [[Shiba (Kusagakure)|Shiba]]) were sent to stop [[Gaara]] from competing at all against [[Sasuke Uchiha]], though the two were brutally killed instead.
* According to [[Kabuto]], during the first chūnin exams seen in the anime and manga, the number of participants from different village were as follows:
 
  +
* In ''[[Find the Four-Leaf Red Clover!]]'', [[Kakashi]] says that genin who went to and returned from [[Akagahara]] were accepted as [[chūnin]].
** [[Konohagakure]] - 87 participants
 
  +
* In ''[[Chūnin Exam on Fire! Naruto vs. Konohamaru!]]'', use of [[senjutsu]] is against the rules as it would give [[Naruto Uzumaki]] an unfair advantage. Indeed, Naruto, who was not listening when this was explained, was immediately disqualified when he used senjutsu.
** [[Sunagakure]] - 30 participants
 
  +
** [[Amegakure]] - 21 participants
 
  +
== References and Notes ==
** [[Kusagakure]] - 6 participants
 
  +
<references group="Notes" />
** [[Takigakure]] - 6 participants
 
  +
<references />
** [[Otogakure]] - 3 participants
 
  +
** Total - 153
 
  +
[[Category:Ninja Ranks|Chunin Exams]]
* Interestingly enough, though there are [[Getsugakure]] and [[Kumogakure]] ninja shown in the first stage, they are not mentioned.
 
  +
[[Category:Ninja Ranks| ]]
 
  +
[[de:Die Chunin-Auswahlprüfung]]
  +
[[ru:Экзамен на звание Чуунина]]

Revision as of 03:28, 11 May 2020

This article is about the actual exams. For other uses, see Chūnin Exams (disambiguation).

The Chūnin Selection Exams (中忍選抜試験, Chūnin Senbatsu Shiken)[1] are an opportunity for genin to be promoted to chūnin. The exam structure and evaluation processes differ from one exam to the next so that genin cannot come prepared. Villages originally held their own individual exams. Following the Third Shinobi World War, exams that are open to all villages started being held bi-annually,[2] with villages taking turns for hosting responsibilities. These shared exams improve relations between the villages, present up-and-coming ninja to clients, and create an opportunity for gambling.

Although the exams, specifically the final round matches, are designed for there to be an ultimate "winner", success does not guarantee promotion nor does failure preclude it; if the observing ninja and daimyō feel a genin displays the necessary qualities for a chūnin, that genin will be promoted regardless of how they place in the exams. For this reason it is possible for as many as all of the finalists to pass, or even for none of them to. Being victorious simply expands the participant's chances of demonstrating their qualities in the next match.

Having too many participants to advance to the next stages seems to be an undesired result, as the examiners tend to run additional preliminaries to reduce the number of finalists.

Known Exams

Konoha-Only

Konohagakure held one of its own Chūnin Exams around the time of the Third Shinobi World War. Genin had to enter as part of a three-man team. The three stages were not held consecutively, allowing participants to recuperate between stages.

Second Stage

Held in the Forest of Death, the second stage consisted of tournament battles between three-man teams. The Third Hokage and the team's leader monitored the fights remotely. Loss of a match did not necessarily prevent a genin from continuing to the finals.

Known fights

Finals

The finals consisted of one-on-one tournament battles.

Known fights

Konoha-Held

At the start of Part I, Konohagakure hosts the first of the year's two Chūnin Exams. Genin must enter as part of a three-man team. Prior to the first stage, Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane (disguised as genin) try to discourage others from participating.

Village Participants (manga)[3] Participants (anime)[4]
Konohagakure 87 72
Sunagakure 30 30
Amegakure 21 21
Kusagakure 6 15
Takigakure 6 12
Otogakure 3 3
Total 153 153

First Stage

Proctored by Ibiki Morino, the first stage is, at a glance, an hour-long written test of ten questions. However, the first nine questions are too difficult for an average genin to be able to answer. The real objective, therefore, is to cheat: either copy from one of the few genin that can answer the questions or from one of the chūnin embedded with the examinees. If a genin is caught cheating five times, they and the rest of their team are disqualified. The goal is also to force the genin to apply critical thinking. In most cases, being caught cheating means instant failure, but the two-point reduction is meant to give them a chance instead of trying again without being caught and make them realise they have to cheat. Getting the correct answer to these nine questions is not ultimately important, as it is possible to pass without answering any of them at all.

Forty-five minutes in to the first stage, genin are given the opportunity to answer the tenth question. They are first warned that, if they answer the question incorrectly, they will not be allowed to take the exams ever again; if they forfeit - which also disqualifies the rest of their team - before hearing the question, they will be allowed to retake the exams another time. This option is, itself, the tenth question; if a genin is willing to face the unknown of the tenth question, they are ready to be a chūnin. Ibiki tried everything imaginable to get as many genin to drop out as much as possible. Naruto Uzumaki's open determination to face this unknown inspires all of the remaining genin, causing 26 teams, a higher number than average, to pass to the second stage.

Participating Team Village Outcome
Team 7 Konohagakure Passed
Team 8 Konohagakure Passed
Team 10 Konohagakure Passed
Team Guy Konohagakure Passed
Team Baki Sunagakure Passed
Team Dosu Otogakure Passed
Team Kabuto Konohagakure Passed
Team Oboro Amegakure Passed
Team Shigure Amegakure Passed
Hōki Takigakure Passed
Manabu Akado Konohagakure Passed
Sukima's team Konohagakure Disqualified
Komaza's team Sunagakure Disqualified
Suiu's team Amegakure Disqualified
Samidare's team Amegakure Disqualified
Jimei's team Konohagakure Disqualified
Team Komugi Konohagakure Forfeited
Hōsei's team Konohagakure Forfeited
Nejiri Sunagakure unknown

Second Stage

Proctored by Anko Mitarashi, the second stage takes place in the Forest of Death. Three-man teams are given either a Heaven Scroll (天の書, Ten no Sho) or an Earth Scroll (地の書, Chi no Sho) before entering the forest. They then have five days for the entire team to reach the building in the centre of the forest with one of each scroll in their possession; how they acquire the other scroll is up to them, by force or by trade being the most common options. Because of the natural hazards of the forest, the absence of services or outside assistance, and the likely conflict with other teams, genin must sign liability waivers before entering to release Konoha from responsibility for any injuries or deaths.

If a team loses their starting scroll they are not automatically disqualified, as they may use the remaining time to acquire another copy of the scroll they've lost. By the same extension, acquiring both scrolls does not guarantee completion of the second stage, as they still must reach the centre building in time. As the second stage goes on, teams that have lost their scroll will tend to gather around the building, hoping to prey on on those with both. Alternately, teams that already have both scrolls can linger outside the building, taking scrolls from others to reduce the competition of later stages.

Genin are forbidden from opening either scroll until they have reached the central building. If they follow this instruction, the scroll will summon a higher-ranked ninja to grant them advancement to the next stage. If they do not follow this instruction, the ninja will render them and everyone else in the area unconscious for the duration of the second stage.

The Three Sand Siblings, in particular, have broken the previous record by making it to the tower with both scrolls in 97 minutes.[8]

Anko herself was surprised that 21 genin made it, even though less than half would make it anyway due to the nature of the test, believing that no more than 3 teams would pass.

Gate[9] Participating Team Village Starting Scroll Outcome
3 Toitsu's Team Konohagakure Heaven Failed
4 Kawaki's Team Sunagakure Heaven Failed
6 Team Baki Sunagakure Earth Passed
8 Team Shigure Amegakure Heaven Killed by Gaara
10 Kyube's Team Konohagakure Heaven Failed
12 Team 7 Konohagakure Heaven Passed
15 Team Shiore Kusagakure Earth Killed by Orochimaru
16 Team 8 Konohagakure Heaven Passed
17 Masao's Team Konohagakure Earth Failed
19 Jyari's Team Sunagakure Earth Failed
20 Team Dosu Otogakure Earth Passed
21 Mekabu's Team Konohagakure Heaven Failed
23 Kegon's Team Takigakure Earth Failed
24 Tonbi's Team Konohagakure Earth Failed
25 Team Shigeri Kusagakure Earth Failed
26 Mebachi's Team Konohagakure Heaven Failed
27 Team 10 Konohagakure Heaven Passed
29 Team Oboro Amegakure Heaven Failed; defeated by Team 7
30 Kawazu's Team Amegakure Heaven Failed
32 Genta's Team Otogakure Earth Failed
34 Kugiri's Team Konohagakure Earth Failed
35 Masago's Team Sunagakure Heaven Failed
37 Yudachi's Team Amegakure Earth Failed
38 Team Kabuto Konohagakure Earth Passed
41 Team Guy Konohagakure Earth Passed
44 Nezumi's Team Amegakure Heaven Failed
?? Team Shibire Konohagakure Earth Failed; opened scroll early

Preliminaries

Chunin Examination Arena

The arena for the preliminaries.

Because too many genin end up passing the second stage, a single round of randomly selected one-on-one matches is held where only the victor will get to continue on. Participants' advancement to the finals is no longer contingent upon the success of their teammates; it is for this excuse that Kabuto Yakushi forfeits before the preliminaries start. Matches are refereed by Hayate Gekkō while others are free to observe. Genin are encouraged to watch each others' fights carefully to help them prepare for fighting each other in the finals; indeed, after the preliminaries are finished the finalists are told who they will fight in the first round so they can plan accordingly.

Match Combatants Outcome
1 Sasuke Uchiha vs. Yoroi Akadō Sasuke wins
2 Zaku Abumi vs. Shino Aburame Shino wins
3 Misumi Tsurugi vs. Kankurō Kankurō wins
4 Sakura Haruno vs. Ino Yamanaka double knockout
5 Tenten vs. Temari Temari wins
6 Shikamaru Nara vs. Kin Tsuchi Shikamaru wins
7 Naruto Uzumaki vs. Kiba Inuzuka Naruto wins
8 Hinata Hyūga vs. Neji Hyūga Neji wins
9 Gaara vs. Rock Lee Gaara wins
10 Dosu Kinuta vs. Chōji Akimichi Dosu wins

Finals

Chūnin Exams Stadium

The arena for the finals.

The finals are held a month after the completion of the preliminaries so that finalists have a chance to recuperate and prepare. This also allows news of the matchups to get around and attract greater publicity for the event. The finals consist of one-on-one tournament battles refereed by Genma Shiranui (originally planned to be reffed by Hayate Gekkō before his death).

Shikamaru Nara was originally scheduled to fight Dosu Kinuta in the first round of the finals, and the victor of that match would then fight Temari. However, Dosu is killed before the finals take place, so Shikamaru and Temari are matched from the beginning. Kankurō surrendered before his match with Shino Aburame began in order to preserve his weapon's secrets for the planned coup. The finals themselves are interrupted by and cancelled because of the Konoha Crush. Shikamaru, though he forfeits his match, is ultimately the only participant to be promoted to chūnin by default.

First Round Second Round Final Round
Naruto Uzumaki vs. Neji Hyūga Naruto vs. interrupted interrupted
Gaara vs. Sasuke Uchiha
Kankurō vs. Shino Aburame Shino vs. Temari
Temari vs. Shikamaru Nara

Konoha–Suna Joint

In the anime, Konohagakure and Sunagakure hold a joint Chūnin Exam during the gap in time between Part I and Part II. Although they invite all the other respective villages to participate, only Takigakure, Kusagakure and Amegakure accept. The participating genin must enter as part of a three-man team. Although publicly meant to symbolise the growing alliance between Konoha and Suna, the exams are actually held to help restore Konohagakure's reputation after the events of the last exams being interrupted. A second hidden goal for these exams was to draw out Akatsuki, with the Fifth Kazekage (a jinchūriki) being the bait.

Village Participants[10]
Konohagakure 72
Sunagakure 27
Amegakure 15
Kusagakure 6
Takigakure 3
Total 123

First Stage

Proctored by Shikamaru Nara, the first stage is a written test that takes place in Konoha. Members from each team are split into in one of three rooms while taking the test. The goal for this test is to see how well the team-mates know each other, as each member of a team must answer one of three questions and depending on the question picked will decide whether the team passes or fails. Ultimately, the team members have to achieve a combined score of 100 points.[12]

Along with the three question choice test, there is a bonus question that must be answered unanimously by each team which asks what member of their respective team would be chosen to be a decoy and the one picked will be disqualified. This happens to be a trick question as all members of a team must be present in order to be qualified for the second round.[11] Communication between team-mates is allowed.

Participating Team Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Village Outcome
Team Ajisai Suiren Fuyō Ajisai Amegakure Passed
Team Ameno Shishio Kōji Ameno Sunagakure Passed
Team Asuma Chōji Akimichi Ino Yamanaka Sakura Haruno Konohagakure Passed
Team Fū Kegon Yōrō Takigakure Passed
Team Guy Neji Hyūga Rock Lee Tenten Konohagakure Passed
Team Kazami Muyami Burami Kazami Kusagakure Passed
Team Komugi Komugi Gennai Inaho Konohagakure Passed
Team Kurenai Hinata Hyūga Shino Aburame Kiba Inuzuka Konohagakure Passed
Team Matsuri Mikoshi Matsuri Yukata Sunagakure Passed
Team Sajin Sajin Mujin Mijin Sunagakure Failed
Team Saya ?? ?? ?? Sunagakure Passed
Team Shibire Shibire Minoji Tanzō Konohagakure Passed
Team Shira Shira Sen Yome Sunagakure Passed

Preliminaries

Because too many genin passed the first phase, a preliminary round was held, where the first 30 teams to reach the Demon Desert within three days were allowed to participate in the second phase.

Participating Team Village Outcome
Team Ajisai Amegakure Passed
Team Ameno Sunagakure Passed
Team Asuma Konohagakure Passed
Team Fū Takigakure Passed
Team Goji Sunagakure Passed
Team Guy Konohagakure Passed
Team Kazami Kusagakure Passed
Team Komugi Konohagakure Passed
Team Kurenai Konohagakure Passed
Team Matsuri Sunagakure Passed
Team Saya Sunagakure Passed
Team Shibire Konohagakure Failed
Team Shira Sunagakure Passed

Second Stage

Demon Desert

The Demon Desert.

Proctored by Temari, the second stage takes place in Suna's Demon Desert. Teams are given either a Heaven Scroll or an Earth Scroll before entering the desert. They then have three days for the entire team to reach the building in the centre of the desert with one of each scroll in their possession. Because of the risks involved with this second stage, genin must sign liability waivers before entering.[13]

Because of attacks on the Kazekage and one of the exam's participants, the exams are cancelled at the end of the second stage. Performance reports on all participants, including those who did not acquire the necessary scrolls, are instead sent back to their respective village, with the choice to promote them left up to their village's leader.[14] Known promotions are:

Five Village Co-Sponsorship

Fifteen years after the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War, the villages of the Five Great Shinobi Countries for the first time co-sponsor the year's Chūnin Exams, which is held in Konohagakure. In addition to genin of the five sponsoring villages, genin from Amegakure and Kusagakure are also seen. The participating genin must enter as part of a three-man team. 48 shinobi, divided into 16 teams participated in the Exams.

Although most ninja tools are permitted, the Seventh Hokage forbids the usage of the Kote, a recent invention that enables anyone to use any ninjutsu without training or chakra. As the Hokage explains, the Kote defeats the exams' purpose of nurturing the shinobi arts.

First Stage

ChuninExams

Exam Venue B.

Proctored by Sai Yamanaka and designed by Shikamaru Nara, the first stage is held at Exam Venue B and is initially presented as a simple true or false question. All teams are given the same question regarding the fifth volume of a book on shinobi strategies and, as a team, are instructed to stand next to a flag representing what they believe the correct answer to be. Once all teams gather at their selected answer, they are dropped into a pit because, in truth, there is no fifth volume of that book and therefore no correct answer. Shortly before being dropped, the genin are warned that anyone who "turns black" will fail.

The actual objective of the exam is for genin, once dropped into the pit, to not get any of the ink that pools at the bottom of each pit on themselves. By not falling in the ink, genin demonstrate quick thinking and a willingness to persevere despite apparent failure, thus allowing them to continue to the second stage.

In the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations anime, Exam Venue B is preceded by Exam Venue A. Exam Venue A serves as a place where all participating genin are told by Sai that the first exam will start in another venue which involves a true or false question and to enter the next exam venue, each team would have to go through a series of traps and make it to the next venue within the allotted time limit or else they fail and are not allowed to take the exam. The participants are expected to leave while Sai is still explaining the rules, having already started the timer, and Tenten oversees the activation of traps along the way, increasing their difficulty as deemed necessary.

Participating Team Village Outcome
Team Konohamaru Konohagakure Passed
Team 10 Konohagakure Passed
Team 5 Konohagakure Passed
Team Shinki Sunagakure Passed
Team Yurui Kumogakure Passed
Three Senka Brothers[Notes 1] Kirigakure Passed
Ame team[Notes 2] Amegakure Passed
Kusa team[Notes 3] Kusagakure Passed
Team 40 Konohagakure Failed
Genbu Shinobi Trio Iwagakure Failed

Second Stage

Abandon City

The setting for the second stage.

Eight teams made it to this round. Proctored by Tenten with assistance from Shino Aburame, the second stage is held three days after the first. Teams are paired against each other in a game of capture the flag. Teams must simultaneously defend their own flag and capture the opposing team's flag in order to pass to the final rounds. The movie's novelisation adds that teams are not allowed to kill opponents, partly for humane reasons, but also in order to test genin's ability to keep and benefit from prisoners.

Combatants Winner
Team 10 vs. a Kusa team[Notes 4] Team 10
Team Yurui vs. an Ame team[Notes 5] Team Yurui
Team Shinki vs. Team 5 Team Shinki
Team Konohamaru vs. Three Senka Brothers[Notes 6] Team Konohamaru

Finals

Konoha Stadium

The stadium for the finals.

Four teams passed the previous round and made it into the finals. The finals are tournament matches held in a stadium, observed by the five Kage and any other interested parties. Refereed by Rock Lee, the first two rounds are one-on-one matches and the third round is a three-way match between the remaining finalists.

Boruto Uzumaki is caught using the Kote during his second match (the finals in the anime) and for that reason he is disqualified by the Hokage. The Hokage is immediately afterwards attacked by Kinshiki and Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki and the stadium is destroyed in the ensuing battle, thus forcing the tournament's cancellation. In the novelisation, the exams continued after Momoshiki's death.

First Round Second Round Final Round
Yurui vs. Boruto Uzumaki Boruto vs. Shikadai Shikadai vs. interrupted
Shikadai Nara vs. Yodo
Sarada Uchiha vs. Tarui Sarada vs. Mitsuki
Toroi vs. Mitsuki
Inojin Yamanaka vs. Araya Araya vs. Shinki
Chōchō Akimichi vs. Shinki


Anime Elimination Matches Anime Semi-Finals Anime Finals
Yurui vs. Boruto Uzumaki Boruto vs. Shikadai Boruto vs. Sarada vs. Shinki
Shikadai Nara vs. Yodo
Sarada Uchiha vs. Tarui Sarada vs. Araya
Inojin Yamanaka vs. Araya
Toroi vs. Mitsuki Mitsuki vs. Shinki
Chōchō Akimichi vs. Shinki

Referenced Exams

Although only four Chūnin Exams have been depicted in the series, many others have been referenced:

  • Manabu Akado has taken and failed the exams on seventeen prior occasions.
  • The Third Hokage remembers Kabuto Yakushi dropping out before the finals during a previous exam. Kabuto's records state he has failed five other times as well.
  • In the anime, Ibiki Morino proctored the first stage of the exams before. Each time he changed the tenth question, such as giving the choice of either quitting and having the whole squad fail or continuing and having the lowest scoring member of the squad be forced to remain a genin forever (solution is to quit, rather than sacrifice squad members for personal gain).
  • In the anime, Idate Morino was failed during the first exam by Ibiki, and was asked by him in private to stop attempting to be a ninja.[15]
  • Shikamaru Nara is in the planning stages for another Chūnin Exam at the start of Part II, the obligations of which prevent him from participating in the Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission.

Trivia

References and Notes

  1. In the novel, this is a Suna team
  2. In the anime, this is Team 15
  3. In the anime, this is a Kiri team
  4. In the anime, this is a Kiri team
  5. In the anime, this is Team 15
  6. In the novel, this is a Suna team
  1. Naruto episode 60
  2. Naruto chapter 39, page 3
  3. Naruto chapter 39, page 10
  4. Naruto episode 23
  5. Naruto chapter 39, page 18
  6. Naruto chapter 43, page 19
  7. Naruto episode 24
  8. Naruto chapter 57, page 19
  9. Naruto Anime Profiles, Vol. 1, page 159
  10. Naruto Shippūden episode 395
  11. 11.0 11.1 Naruto Shippūden episode 397
  12. Naruto: Shippūden episode 396
  13. Naruto: Shippūden episode 398
  14. Naruto: Shippūden episode 413
  15. Naruto episode 105