The Best Episodes of Naruto

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
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   9.3/10(3646 votes)

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

   S1:E489/3/2003

   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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   Director:Toshiyuki Tsuru

   Writer:Satoru Nishizono
2. 

   9.3/10(2944 votes)

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

   S1:E509/17/2003

   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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   Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani

   Writer:Satoru Nishizono
3. 

   9.1/10(3032 votes)

   #3 - The Demon in the Snow

   S1:E192/13/2003

   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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   Director:Toshiyuki Tsuru

   Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya
4. 

   9.0/10(2388 votes)

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

   S1:E499/10/2003

   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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   Director:Hayato Date

   Writer:Satoru Nishizono
5. 

   8.8/10(5 votes)

   #5 - A Plea from a Friend

   S3:E1335/4/2005

   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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   Director:Atsushi Wakabayashi

   Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
6. 

   8.5/10(1691 votes)

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

   S1:E304/23/2003

   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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   Director:Atsushi Wakabayashi

   Writer:Kouhei Urasawa
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7. 

   8.5/10(4 votes)

   #7 - Infiltration: The Set-Up!

   S4:E1712/8/2006

   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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   Director:Yuki Kinoshita

   Writer:Yuka Miyata
8. 

   8.5/10(2 votes)

   #8 - The Supposed Sealed Ability

   S4:E20710/26/2006

   Naruto and the members of Team 8 head into Yakumo's house to find her with Kurenai. It is revealed that a mysterious entity might be behind all this. Can the group discover the truth in time?

   Director:Yuki Kinoshita

   Writer:Junki Takegami

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   Director:Yuki Kinoshita

   Writer:Junki Takegami
9. 

   8.3/10(1839 votes)

   #9 - The Broken Seal

   S1:E161/23/2003

   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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   Director:Masaaki Kumagai

   Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
10. 

    8.2/10(1849 votes)

    #10 - White Past: Hidden Ambition

    S1:E171/30/2003

    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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    Director:Toshiyuki Tsuru

    Writer:Michiko Yokote
11. 

    8.2/10(1570 votes)

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

    S1:E294/16/2003

    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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    Director:Takeyuki Sadohara

    Writer:Michiko Yokote
12. 

    8.2/10(1561 votes)

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

    S1:E335/14/2003

    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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    Director:Rion Kujo

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
13. 

    8.2/10(6 votes)

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

    S2:E753/17/2004

    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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    Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani

    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya
14. 

    8.2/10(4 votes)

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

    S2:E927/21/2004

    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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    Director:Masahiko Murata

    Writer:Michiko Yokote
15. 

    8.2/10(5 votes)

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

    S2:E1009/8/2004

    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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    Director:Rion Kujo

    Writer:Michiko Yokote
16. 

    8.2/10(4 votes)

    #16 - Raiga's Counterattack

    S3:E15610/19/2005

    Ranmaru is determined to bring Raiga back from the dead and appears to suceed! An enraged raiga now goes on the offensive, starting with Tenten. Karashi runs back to the Curry House to tell the others what has happened, but who's side is he really on?

    Director:Hayato Goda

    Writer:Yasuyuki Suzuki

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    Director:Hayato Goda

    Writer:Yasuyuki Suzuki
17. 

    8.1/10(1511 votes)

    #17 - A Failure Stands Tall!

    S1:E478/27/2003

    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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    Director:Hiroshi Kimura

    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya
18. 

    8.0/10(2092 votes)

    #18 - You Failed! Kakashi's Final Decision

    S1:E510/31/2002

    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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    Director:Yasunori Urata

    Writer:Michiko Yokote
19. 

    8.0/10(1715 votes)

    #19 - The Weapons Known as Shinobi

    S1:E182/6/2003

    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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    Director:Yasunori Urata

    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya
20. 

    8.0/10(1523 votes)

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

    S1:E284/9/2003

    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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    Director:Masahiko Murata

    Writer:Satoru Nishizono
21. 

    8.0/10(5 votes)

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

    S2:E845/19/2004

    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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    Director:Tsuyoshi Matsumoto

    Writer:Satoru Nishizono
22. 

    8.0/10(5 votes)

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

    S2:E855/26/2004

    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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    Director:Masahiko Murata

    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya
23. 

    8.0/10(10 votes)

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

    S2:E958/11/2004

    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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    Director:Yoshinori Odaka

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
24. 

    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #24 - The Closed Door

    S4:E1702/1/2006

    Naruto is recovering thanks to the mysterious girl, Isaribi. While Naruto is recovering, Anko, Shino, and Ino search for him and also meet the man in charge of the payroll shipment. The group eventually meets back up, but not before finding the sea monster's lair.

    Director:Atsushi Takeyama

    Writer:Yuka Miyata

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    Director:Atsushi Takeyama

    Writer:Yuka Miyata
25. 

    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #25 - A Limitless Supply of Ninja Tools

    S4:E1896/14/2006

    Naruto, Chouji, and Yurinojou take on Ruiga, who uses water as a weapon. Ruiga has the power to draw out water from the Earth, giving him an unlimited supply of ninja weapons. How can they defeat an opponent who has a limitless supply of water? Even if they can win, can they defeat the second ninja, Jiga? Also, what is the Princess' true motive for running away?

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura

    Writer:Shin Yoshida

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    Director:Hiroshi Kimura

    Writer:Shin Yoshida