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The Best Episodes of Naruto

Every episode of Naruto ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Naruto!

Binge this in 3d 16h•Peaking at 9.3/10

Naruto Uzumaki, a mischievous adolescent ninja, struggles as he searches for recognition and dreams of becoming the Hokage, the village's leader and strongest ninja.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Naruto Season 1 Episode 48 - Gaara vs. Rock Lee: The Power of Youth Explodes!
    9.3/10(3749 votes)

    #1 - Gaara vs. Rock Lee: The Power of Youth Explodes!

    S1:E48

    The second-to-last match finally arrives! Rock Lee must face down the mysterious and dangerous Gaara, a ninja who is said to have never been truly injured in a fight before.

    Director:Toshiyuki Tsuru
    Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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  2. Naruto Season 1 Episode 50 - The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja Is Born
    9.3/10(3030 votes)

    #2 - The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja Is Born

    S1:E50

    The match between Gaara and Lee draws to an end as Lee unleashes his ultimate move. But will even this be enough to defeat Gaara? Even if Lee does make it out in one piece, even more shocking news awaits him.

    Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani
    Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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  3. Naruto Season 1 Episode 19 - The Demon in the Snow
    9.1/10(3130 votes)

    #3 - The Demon in the Snow

    S1:E19

    Thinking of Haku, Naruto angrily confronts Zabuza, but he learns that cruel reality is the fate of a ninja.

    Director:Toshiyuki Tsuru
    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya

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  4. Naruto Season 1 Episode 49 - Lee's Hidden Strength: Forbidden Secret Jutsu!
    9.0/10(2467 votes)

    #4 - Lee's Hidden Strength: Forbidden Secret Jutsu!

    S1:E49

    As the battle between Lee and Gaara continues, Gai remembers how hard Lee used to train and how Lee has pretty much no ninjutsu or genjutsu skills. Lee is also a dropout, like Naruto. In order to defeat Gaara, Lee will have to use the move Gai forbade him to use.

    Director:Hayato Date
    Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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  5. Naruto Season 3 Episode 133 - A Plea from a Friend
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    #5 - A Plea from a Friend

    S3:E133

    Naruto proves to be too much for Sasuke to handle as Naruto fights back with renewed vigour. Finally acknowledging Naruto's strength, Sasuke puts on his forehead protector, symbolizing both as equals. But when Sasuke's Sharingan is upgraded to level 3, the tables turn on Naruto. Just when all hope seems lost for Naruto, he undergoes a startling transformation, but will it be enough?

    Director:Atsushi Wakabayashi
    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa

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  6. Naruto Season 1 Episode 30 - The Sharingan Revived: Dragon-Flame Jutsu!
    8.5/10(1743 votes)

    #6 - The Sharingan Revived: Dragon-Flame Jutsu!

    S1:E30

    Sasuke is still stuck in his trance and even Sakura's pleas can't get him back to normal. Meanwhile, Anko searches for the grass ninja fake. When the team appear to get the upper hand the question begs to be asked. Are the ninja truly defeated, or is there more to them than meets the eye?

    Director:Atsushi Wakabayashi
    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Naruto

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  7. Naruto Season 1 Episode 16 - The Broken Seal
    8.3/10(1898 votes)

    #7 - The Broken Seal

    S1:E16

    Naruto and Sasuke continue their rigorous battle against Haku. When Haku targets a vulnerable Naruto, Sasuke risks everything to save him. Seeing his friend lie before him, a powerful force awakens inside Naruto. Has Kyubi been set free. If so, can anyone stop him?

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa

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  8. Naruto Season 2 Episode 84 - Roar, Chidori! Brother vs. Brother!
    8.3/10(6 votes)

    #8 - Roar, Chidori! Brother vs. Brother!

    S2:E84

    Sasuke remembers the day that Itachi single-handedly wiped out the entire Uchiha clan as he desperately searches for Naruto. However, Itachi and Kisame have already found him.

    Director:Tsuyoshi Matsumoto
    Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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  9. Naruto Season 1 Episode 17 - White Past: Hidden Ambition
    8.2/10(1911 votes)

    #9 - White Past: Hidden Ambition

    S1:E17

    Naruto takes out his rage on Haku, who doesn't stand a chance. However, Naruto realises that Haku is the boy he met back at the forest. Haku tells Naruto the story of his past and asks for Naruto to do him one favour..... Will Naruto do the one thing he could never do just as Haku wishes?

    Director:Toshiyuki Tsuru
    Writer:Michiko Yokote

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  10. Naruto Season 1 Episode 29 - Naruto's Counterattack: Never Give In!
    8.2/10(1615 votes)

    #10 - Naruto's Counterattack: Never Give In!

    S1:E29

    Sasuke is about to give up and give their scroll to the enemy, when Naruto stops him and accuses him of being a fake. Naruto then turns his attention to the Grass Ninja.... The battle is intense and when the Grass Ninja appears to get the upper hand, can Sasuke muster up the courage to fight?

    Director:Takeyuki Sadohara
    Writer:Michiko Yokote

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  11. Naruto Season 1 Episode 33 - Battle Formation: Ino-Shika-Cho!
    8.2/10(1605 votes)

    #11 - Battle Formation: Ino-Shika-Cho!

    S1:E33

    With Sakura defeated and facing certain death, more reinforcements step into the fray. However, they sense an even bigger level of power, and its not coming from the sound trio! Meanwhile Sasuke wakes up with an ominous dark aura surrounding him and the mysterious seal spreading over his body. He has but one goal....make his enemies pay!

    Director:Rion Kujo
    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa

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  12. Naruto Season 2 Episode 92 - A Dubious Offer! Tsunade's Choice!
    8.2/10(6 votes)

    #12 - A Dubious Offer! Tsunade's Choice!

    S2:E92

    While Naruto continues to try and master the third step, Tsunade continues to think about Orochimaru's offer. Jiraiya tries to convince her by taking her out for a drink, only she slipped a paralyzing potion into his drink while he wasn't looking. Will Tsunade agree to Orochimaru's offer? And will Naruto master the Rasengan before the week is up?

    Director:Masahiko Murata
    Writer:Michiko Yokote

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  13. Naruto Season 4 Episode 171 - Infiltration: The Set-Up!
    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #13 - Infiltration: The Set-Up!

    S4:E171

    After Isaribi escapes, Naruto and his team decide to go to the forbidden island and confront Orochimaru and his subordinates. They soon discover that Orochimaru is not the man behind the curtain, but a man known as Amachi. Amachi is the one responsible for turning Isaribi into a monster, so why is she helping him?

    Director:Yuki Kinoshita
    Writer:Yuka Miyata

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  14. Naruto Season 1 Episode 47 - A Failure Stands Tall!
    8.1/10(1554 votes)

    #14 - A Failure Stands Tall!

    S1:E47

    Hinata will not give up so easily, especially with Naruto watching her. Will Hinata be willing to give up her own life in order to prove herself, or will the match be stopped before Neji can connect a killing move?

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura
    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya

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  15. Naruto Season 2 Episode 75 - Sasuke's Decision: Pushed to the Edge!
    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #15 - Sasuke's Decision: Pushed to the Edge!

    S2:E75

    Sasuke struggles to keep up with Gaara's monstrous capacity. Only able to use Chidori twice in normal circumstances, Sasuke remembers that tragic day when his family died and realises he must risk the use of Chidori beyond his limit if he is to defeat Gaara. That is, if he can...

    Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani
    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya

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  16. Naruto Season 1 Episode 5 - You Failed! Kakashi's Final Decision
    8.0/10(2173 votes)

    #16 - You Failed! Kakashi's Final Decision

    S1:E5

    With the threat of failure hanging over their heads, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura try everything they know to pass the grueling survival test.

    Director:Yasunori Urata
    Writer:Michiko Yokote

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  17. Naruto Season 1 Episode 18 - The Weapons Known as Shinobi
    8.0/10(1773 votes)

    #17 - The Weapons Known as Shinobi

    S1:E18

    Kakashi prepares to stop Zabuza once and for all, but Haku has other plans. Zabuza's employer shows up and he's decided to take matters into his own hands...

    Director:Yasunori Urata
    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya

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  18. Naruto Season 1 Episode 28 - Eat or Be Eaten: Panic in the Forest
    8.0/10(1569 votes)

    #18 - Eat or Be Eaten: Panic in the Forest

    S1:E28

    To prevent further problems, Sasuke thinks up a password to determine friend from foe, but will it be that simple? Meanwhile Naruto has his hands full with a giant snake. Can he handle this on his own and what about Sasuke and Sakura, can they survive the ordeal?

    Director:Masahiko Murata
    Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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  19. Naruto Season 2 Episode 62 - A Failure's True Power
    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #19 - A Failure's True Power

    S2:E62

    When it looks as if Naruto can't win, Neji continues to tell him that he cannot change his fate and that he has no idea what it feels like to carry a seal that cannot be removed. Naruto thinks back about his childhood and how he was treated because of the Nine-Tails sealed inside him. However, that same curse may prove to be his only chance at winning...

    Director:Toshiya Niidome
    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya

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  20. Naruto Season 2 Episode 72 - A Mistake from the Past: A Face Revealed!
    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #20 - A Mistake from the Past: A Face Revealed!

    S2:E72

    While Naruto and Sakura continue to catch up to Sasuke, Temari trys to stall Sasuke long enough for Kankuro to get Gaara to safety, but Sasuke doesn't have time to waste on her! Meanwhile, The Third Hokage continues his battle with Orochimaru and is ready to use a move that not even he knows...

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura
    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa

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  21. Naruto Season 2 Episode 82 - Eye to Eye: Sharingan vs. Sharingan!
    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #21 - Eye to Eye: Sharingan vs. Sharingan!

    S2:E82

    Kakashi takes on Itachi, with both of them using the Sharingan. However, Kakashi soon realizes that he stands no chance against the legendary ninja. Itachi reveals that he has not come for his little brother, but instead he's come to do something else...abduct Naruto, and Kyubi as well!

    Director:Rion Kujo
    Writer:Yuka Miyata

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  22. Naruto Season 2 Episode 85 - Hate Among the Uchihas: The Last of the Clan
    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #22 - Hate Among the Uchihas: The Last of the Clan

    S2:E85

    Jiraiya and Naruto look on as Sasuke takes on Itachi alone. However, when the young ninja is severely outclassed, Jiraiya is forced to step in. Itachi and Kisame try to flee, but Jiraiya isn't about to let them get away so easily.

    Director:Masahiko Murata
    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya

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  23. Naruto Season 2 Episode 93 - Breakdown! The Deal is Off!
    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #23 - Breakdown! The Deal is Off!

    S2:E93

    Because Orochimaru lied to her about not attacking Konoha, Tsunade begins her onslaught against him and Kabuto. Kabuto eats a food pill and begins to attack Tsunade with his medical techniques but are they enough to defeat her? Will Jiraiya, Shizune and Naruto show up in time?

    Director:Toshiya Niidome
    Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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  24. Naruto Season 2 Episode 95 - The Fifth Hokage! A Life on the Line!
    8.0/10(10 votes)

    #24 - The Fifth Hokage! A Life on the Line!

    S2:E95

    Naruto finally lands a Rasengan into Kabuto's stomach, but not before Kabuto assures Naruto's certain death. Can Tsunade save him and protect him from Orochimaru?

    Director:Yoshinori Odaka
    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa

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  25. Naruto Season 2 Episode 100 - Sensei and Student: The Bond of a Shinobi!
    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #25 - Sensei and Student: The Bond of a Shinobi!

    S2:E100

    As Lee decides whether or not to go through with the operation, Gai decides to give him some motivation. Meanwhile, Tsunade frantically struggles to increase the operation's success rate.

    Director:Rion Kujo
    Writer:Michiko Yokote

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Best Episodes Summary

"Gaara vs. Rock Lee: The Power of Youth Explodes!" is the best rated episode of "Naruto". It scored 9.3/10 based on 3749 votes. Directed by Toshiyuki Tsuru and written by Satoru Nishizono, it aired on 9/3/2003. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja Is Born".