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The Best Episodes Directed By Masaaki Kumagai

Every TV Episode Directed by Masaaki Kumagai Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    undefined Season 6 Episode 133 - The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant
    9.4/10(5 votes)

    #1 - The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant

    S6:E133

    Jiraiya realizes that the six Pains are all ninja he's met before. Putting various pieces of information together, Jiraiya figures out Pain's true identity, but Pain doesn't intend to allow Jiraiya to leave with that information alive. Elsewhere, the fated meeting between Itachi and Sasuke arrives, and Sasuke foresees Itachi's death.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  2. undefined Season 17 Episode 372 - Something to Fill the Hole
    9.0/10(4 votes)

    #2 - Something to Fill the Hole

    S17:E372

    Ten Tails is on the brink of its final transformation and begins to form a massive Tailed Beast Bomb.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  3. undefined Season 20 Episode 470 - Connecting Thoughts
    9.0/10(3 votes)

    #3 - Connecting Thoughts

    S20:E470

    Before Naruto and Sasuke can attempt to seal Kaguya away, she transports Sasuke into a different Time-Space. Obito realizes that Kaguya’s ability to travel through Time-Space is similar to Kakashi’s and his own Visual Prowess. Obito and Sakura team up and begin the search for Sasuke.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  4. undefined Season 12 Episode 248 - The Fourth Hokage's Death Match!
    8.8/10(5 votes)

    #4 - The Fourth Hokage's Death Match!

    S12:E248

    Minato is forced to use his Flying Raijin jutsu and leave his wife Kushina behind to save their newborn son, Naruto, from a masked assailant.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  5. undefined Season 15 Episode 342 - The Secret of the Transportation Technique
    8.8/10(5 votes)

    #5 - The Secret of the Transportation Technique

    S15:E342

    Having absorbed the chakras of all nine Tailed Beasts, the Gedo Statue begins its transformation into Ten Tails. Naruto, Killer Bee, Kakashi, and Guy try to destroy the Gedo Statue but are stopped by the masked man.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  6. undefined Season 17 Episode 364 - The Ties That Bind
    8.8/10(4 votes)

    #6 - The Ties That Bind

    S17:E364

    The Allied Shinobi Forces begin their onslaught against Obito and Madara. But Ten Tails suddenly transforms and hurls powerful Tailed Beast Bombs toward distant towns.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  7. undefined Season 18 Episode 391 - Madara Uchiha Arises
    8.8/10(4 votes)

    #7 - Madara Uchiha Arises

    S18:E391

    Naruto and the Allied Shinobi Forces successfully extract the Tailed Beasts from Obito. Only Madara remains, and Naruto heads out to tackle this foe.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  8. undefined Season 18 Episode 383 - Pursuing Hope
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #8 - Pursuing Hope

    S18:E383

    Naruto's past, thoughts, and feelings flow into the consciousness of every shinobi, unifying their hearts.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  9. undefined Season 8 Episode 162 - Pain to the World
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #9 - Pain to the World

    S8:E162

    Pain confronts Tsunade and questions her about Naruto's whereabouts. Tsunade argues with Pain about his motives, but Pain soon gets the info he needs from another source. Before preparing to depart, Pain unleashes a devastating attack on the village! Meanwhile, Naruto prepares to return to the Leaf Village, but he may be too late.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  10. undefined Season 1 Episode 25 - Three Minutes Between Life and Death
    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #10 - Three Minutes Between Life and Death

    S1:E25

    Sakura destroys the Third Kazekage puppet thanks to a secret antidote she had taken.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  11. undefined Season 16 Episode 353 - Orochimaru's Test Subject
    8.3/10(4 votes)

    #11 - Orochimaru's Test Subject

    S16:E353

    While pursuing Orochimaru, Kakashi wanders into a village inhabited by the Iburi Clan, a group of people with the unique ability to turn into smoke. Kakashi is soon captured and learns that the villagers all serve under Orochimaru.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  12. undefined Season 12 Episode 262 - War Begins
    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #12 - War Begins

    S12:E262

    Kankuro’s commando unit enters enemy territory to set up a stronghold for the Allied Shinobi Forces. They are immediately ambushed by the Akatsuki’s own commando unit comprised of the reanimated Deidara and Sasori.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  13. undefined Season 1 Episode 17 - The Death of Gaara!
    8.1/10(8 votes)

    #13 - The Death of Gaara!

    S1:E17

    Teams Kakashi and Guy take a short rest. Granny Chiyo watches Naruto dozing off and is reminded of Sasori as a child. The pursuit resumes, and when Chiyo wonders why Naruto puts such effort into...

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  14. undefined Season 8 Episode 173 - Origin of Pain
    8.0/10(4 votes)

    #14 - Origin of Pain

    S8:E173

    Nagato reveals the truth about what happened to Yahiko and what made him disregard Jiraiya's ideals. With his story done, he demands to hear Naruto's answers. Will Naruto's answer be enough to convince Nagato to stop his evil plans, or will Naruto be forced to kill Nagato?

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  15. undefined Season 10 Episode 197 - The Sixth Hokage Danzo
    8.0/10(5 votes)

    #15 - The Sixth Hokage Danzo

    S10:E197

    Naruto and Sakura learn that Danzo has been made Hokage and that his first order is to eliminate Sasuke. The two go to Sai and inquire about Danzo, but Sai reveals that a curse mark given to all members of the Foundation prevent him from revealing anything about the new Hokage. Soon afterward, Karui and Darui attack them, demanding information about Sasuke.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  16. undefined Season 15 Episode 324 - The Unbreakable Mask and the Shattered Bubble
    8.0/10(4 votes)

    #16 - The Unbreakable Mask and the Shattered Bubble

    S15:E324

    Naruto and Killer Bee face off against the masked man originally thought to be Madara Uchiha, in addition to the reanimated Jinchuriki. Naruto is shocked when he recognizes one of the Jinchuriki.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  17. undefined Season 5 Episode 101 - Everyone's Feelings
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #17 - Everyone's Feelings

    S5:E101

    Naruto runs into Guren while trying to find Yūkimaru. Yamato and Kakashi find Naruto and bring him back to the group. Kabuto tells Guren that Yūkimaru is only a tool to control the Three-Tails, which upsets Guren. Meanwhile, Shizune, Ino, Tenten and Lee meet up with the team and tell them that their new mission is to rescue Yūkimaru and capture the Three-Tails before Orochimaru's group can capture it.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  18. undefined Season 5 Episode 93 - Connecting Hearts
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #18 - Connecting Hearts

    S5:E93

    Naruto runs into unexpected difficulties as he trains with Gamakichi and Gamatatsu. While Kakashi's group searches for Guren and her gang, Yukimaru seems to develop interest in Naruto.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  19. undefined Season 7 Episode 144 - The Wanderer
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #19 - The Wanderer

    S7:E144

    After failing to bring back Sasuke, the Leaf ninja start heading back to the Hidden Leaf Village. Tsunade, however, sends Katsuyu to inform them that the barrier of Mount Katsunagi of the Tsuchigumo Clan, which holds a powerful forbidden jutsu, is broken. While Kakashi and Team 8 head back to the Leaf Village, Team 7, lead by Yamato, must check out what events are taking place.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  20. undefined Season 1 Episode 39 - Things that Go Bang in the Night
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #20 - Things that Go Bang in the Night

    S1:E39

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  21. undefined Season 1 Episode 45 - Moomin Builds a House
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #21 - Moomin Builds a House

    S1:E45

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  22. undefined Season 1 Episode 52 - The Treasure Hunt
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #22 - The Treasure Hunt

    S1:E52

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  23. undefined Season 1 Episode 56 - The Secret Dish
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #23 - The Secret Dish

    S1:E56

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  24. undefined Season 1 Episode 62 - Witch-Walking
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #24 - Witch-Walking

    S1:E62

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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  25. undefined Season 1 Episode 68 - Adventures of Moominpappa: Part 3
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #25 - Adventures of Moominpappa: Part 3

    S1:E68

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:N/A

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Masaaki Kumagai Ratings Summary

"The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant" is the best rated episode directed by Masaaki Kumagai. It scored 9.4/10 based on 5 votes. It was written by N/A. It aired on 10/29/2009 and is rated 0.4 points higher than their second-best episode, "Something to Fill the Hole".