The Best Episodes Directed By Naoki Horiuchi

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   9.0/10(2 votes)

   #1 - The New Chunin Exams

   S19:E3941/8/2015

   The story travels back to the time after Sasuke's defection from the Leaf and before Naruto's return from his two-year training journey with Jiraiya.

   Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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   Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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2. 

   9.0/10(2 votes)

   #2 - The Targeted Sharingan

   S16:E3553/13/2014

   Danzo orders Tenzo to kill Kakashi and take his Sharingan. Reluctant at first, Tenzo decides to carry out his orders after learning that the Leaf Shinobi has come to be known as “Kakashi the Friend Killer.”

   Director:Naoki Horiuchi

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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3. 

   8.8/10(4 votes)

   #3 - Those Who Dance in the Shadows

   S17:E3656/12/2014

   Naruto is overcome with grief over Neji’s death, but Hinata's words restore his fighting spirit.

   Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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   Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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4. 

   8.8/10(4 votes)

   #4 - A Heart Filled With Comrades

   S18:E38410/30/2014

   Naruto and Sasuke size up Obito as the final battle looms.

   Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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5. 

   8.7/10(3 votes)

   #5 - The Two of Them...Always

   S20:E4718/11/2016

   Fearing that he will once again break a promise, Obito uses the last of his power to bring Sasuke and Sakura back, but the thought of his inability to protect Rin nags at him as he loses consciousness.

   Director:Naoki Horiuchi

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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6. 

   8.7/10(3 votes)

   #6 - The New Three-Way Deadlock

   S18:E3748/28/2014

   Bearing a close resemblance to the Legendary Sannin, Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke make a stunning arrival on the battlefield with each of their summonings.

   Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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7. 

   8.5/10(4 votes)

   #7 - Hidden Leaf Story, The Perfect Day for a Wedding, Part 5: The Last Mission

   S20:E4983/9/2017

   Shino and Kiba still don't have a wedding gift for Hinata's wedding. Kiba's made it his goal to become the next Hokage, but unlike his teammates, who are steadfastly chasing their dreams, Shino is unsure about his. With this uncertainty, he sets out with Kiba and Akamaru on their final mission as Team 8!

   Director:Naoki Horiuchi

   Writer:N/A

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8. 

   8.4/10(5 votes)

   #8 - For My Friend

   S12:E2615/3/2012

   The Allied Shinobi Forces are on standby, ready to confront Madara’s army of reanimated shinobi and 100,000 White Zetsu. But distrust still exists among the Allied Shinobi Forces, who were once sworn enemies until recently.

   Director:Naoki Horiuchi

   Writer:N/A

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9. 

   8.3/10(3 votes)

   #9 - Hagoromo and Hamura

   S20:E4615/19/2016

   Near the Divine Tree is an area known as the Peak of Demise. No one is allowed to go near it, except those chosen by Kaguya to undergo a ritual she has established. Gamamaru, a Sage Toad, says the truth lies beyond the peak—those words stir Hagoromo’s curiosity, and he decides to head out to investigate.

   Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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10. 

    8.3/10(3 votes)

    #10 - A Mask that Hides the Heart

    S16:E3492/6/2014

    After the end of the Third Great Ninja War, the Leaf Village is divided over who should become the next Hokage.

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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11. 

    8.2/10(4 votes)

    #11 - Orochimaru's Return

    S15:E34112/5/2013

    Suigetsu and Jugo finally catch up to Sasuke. In order to learn the truth behind the Leaf’s actions, Sasuke decides to resurrect the one man who can help him find the answer—Orochimaru.

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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12. 

    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #12 - The Tailed Beast vs. The Tailless Tailed Beast

    S10:E2074/14/2011

    As Killer Bee's battle with Kisame rages on, the latter reveals a hidden trump card ability connected with Samehada. Meanwhile, Ao chases down Danzo, Fuu, and Torune, but they anticipate this and set a trap for him. Can Killer Bee and Ao make it through their individual clashes in one piece?

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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13. 

    8.0/10(4 votes)

    #13 - Mystery of Pain

    S8:E1605/13/2010

    When Kakashi falls against Pain, the situation only grows worse for Konoha. Shizune and Inoichi are close to unraveling the mystery of Pain, but when the Animal and Human paths of Pain appear before them, can they escape with the truth about Pain?

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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14. 

    8.0/10(4 votes)

    #14 - Naruto's Vow

    S11:E24212/28/2011

    During his final stop for supplies on an island in the Land of Water, Naruto runs into Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi of the Hidden Stone, who are on an assignment to deliver a letter from the Tsuchikage addressed to the Mizukage.

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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15. 

    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #15 - Iruka's Ordeal

    S9:E1779/9/2010

    Iruka struggles to deal with his hate for the Nine-Tailed Fox inside Naruto as he tries to connect with Naruto after seeing him shunned by his peers.

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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16. 

    7.8/10(4 votes)

    #16 - Naruto's Imposter

    S11:E23310/20/2011

    Naruto finds an imposter that has been building his reputation by attempting to steal from other people while his friend is also attempting to gain a reputation by "beating" the imposter up so he builds his reputation even further and become a ninja.

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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17. 

    7.8/10(4 votes)

    #17 - Record of the Ninja Gutsy Master and Student

    S9:E18811/25/2010

    After having discovered that the village was under the control of rebels from the Hidden Rain Village, led by Hanzo, Naruto and Jiraiya decided to take action to help save the women and children taken hostage and free the village from the Rain's tyrannical control.

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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18. 

    7.7/10(3 votes)

    #18 - Big Adventure! The Quest for the Fourth Hokage's Legacy ~ Part 1

    S8:E1707/29/2010

    The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, left behind his legacy before he passed away. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke attempt to find Minato's legacy before the other shinobi teams can get to it.

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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19. 

    7.6/10(5 votes)

    #19 - Reinforcements Arrive

    S15:E3217/18/2013

    White Zetsu’s ability to mimic people’s appearances has wrought confusion and distrust within the Allied Shinobi Forces. Naruto arrives to assist, and using his sensory powers, he identifies all the disguised White Zetsu clones, changing the tide of the battle.

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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20. 

    7.6/10(5 votes)

    #20 - Enter the Five Kage!

    S10:E1992/17/2011

    The time has come for each Kage to leave for the Kage Summit in the Land of Iron. On his way to the meeting, Danzo gets attacked by shinobi from the Wood Country who want to take his head. Meanwhile, Naruto, with Kakashi and Yamato by his side, heads off to find the Raikage to convince him to spare Sasuke.

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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21. 

    7.5/10(4 votes)

    #21 - Eyes That See in the Dark

    S15:E3319/19/2013

    Suigetsu and Jugo’s search for Sasuke leads them to one of Orochimaru’s old hideouts where they come across his research data, which could tip the outcome of the Fourth Great War. Meanwhile, Sasuke finally sets out to settle his score with Naruto.

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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22. 

    7.4/10(5 votes)

    #22 - Storage

    S10:E2217/28/2011

    At Mount Myoboku, Naruto prepares to store Gerotora within himself, but hesitates as it also holds the potential risk of unleashing the Nine Tails on the world.

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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23. 

    7.3/10(4 votes)

    #23 - The Old Master and the Dragon's Eye

    S14:E3125/9/2013

    Might Guy arrives on the battlefield to stop a Reanimated Shinobi who he recognizes as Master Chen, the legendary Taijutsu User from the Third Great Ninja War.

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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24. 

    6.8/10(4 votes)

    #24 - Charmy’s Century of Hunger, Gordon’s Millennium of Loneliness

    S1:E1378/4/2020

    Asta and the other Black Bulls continue their training in order to face off with the devil. Charmy is trying to use her cotton magic and her Sheep Cooks to create food to enhance her friends’ mana, but she realizes she lacks training. She then decides to seek out someone who can help her. Meanwhile, Gordon is also unhappy with his inability to help his friends, so he decides to go off to train on his own.

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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25. 

    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #25 - The Genin Documentary

    S1:E483/7/2018

    Udon Ise the jonin captain of Team 5, issues a direct order from the Hokage to Iwabe, Denki and Metal, which states: "In order to attract more students to the Ninjutsu Department of the Academy, you will appear in a PR video documentary." During the Byakuya Gang incident, the three were under suspension, and could only watch as their genin classmates leapt into action. The trio decide to do their best in the documentary in order to prove their prowess, but Udon seems skeptical...

    Director:Naoki Horiuchi

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