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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!

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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!
    8.8/10(14 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 3 Episode 133 - A Plea from a Friend
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. Naruto Season 1 Episode 50 - The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja Is Born
    8.5/10(11 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. Naruto Season 1 Episode 8 - The Oath of Pain
    8.4/10(11 votes)

    #4 - The Oath of Pain

    S1:E8

    With Kakashi captured, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura must defend against Zabuza's attacks. Naruto realizes that working together with Sasuke may be the only way to save Kakashi. Will the combined effort of the two be enough to free Kakashi and defeat Zabuza?

    Director:Rion Kujo
    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya

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  5. Naruto Season 1 Episode 6 - A Dangerous Mission! Journey to the Land of Waves!
    8.3/10(12 votes)

    #5 - A Dangerous Mission! Journey to the Land of Waves!

    S1:E6

    Tired of doing lame missions, Naruto asks the Hokage to give them something challenging. The Hokage caves and gives them a C-rank mission. They will be bodyguards for a bridge builder. It appears to be a simple mission, until the group is attacked by something more than common thugs...other ninja!

    Director:Masahiko Murata
    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa

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  6. Naruto Season 1 Episode 19 - The Demon in the Snow
    8.3/10(19 votes)

    #6 - 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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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Naruto

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  7. Naruto Season 1 Episode 49 - Lee's Hidden Strength: Forbidden Secret Jutsu!
    8.3/10(10 votes)

    #7 - 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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  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 5 - You Failed! Kakashi's Final Decision
    8.2/10(17 votes)

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

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

    #11 - 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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  12. Naruto Season 1 Episode 4 - Pass or Fail: Survival Test
    8.1/10(17 votes)

    #12 - Pass or Fail: Survival Test

    S1:E4

    Now that Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are a team, they meet with their sensei, the enigmatic and aloof Kakashi.

    Director:Kyosuke Mikuriya
    Writer:Michiko Yokote

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    #20 - 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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  21. Naruto Season 3 Episode 134 - The End of Tears
    8.0/10(5 votes)

    #21 - The End of Tears

    S3:E134

    The battle between Naruto and Sasuke comes to a close, as One-Tailed Naruto takes on Cursed Seal Level 2 Sasuke in one final Rasengan vs. Chidori clash! And this time...only one person will emerge victorious. Will Kakashi and Pakkun make it in time? And who is this mysterious ninja watching everything?

    Director:Yasuyuki Honda
    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa

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  22. Naruto Season 3 Episode 156 - Raiga's Counterattack
    8.0/10(5 votes)

    #22 - Raiga's Counterattack

    S3:E156

    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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  23. Naruto Season 4 Episode 189 - A Limitless Supply of Ninja Tools
    8.0/10(5 votes)

    #23 - A Limitless Supply of Ninja Tools

    S4:E189

    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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  24. Naruto Season 4 Episode 207 - The Supposed Sealed Ability
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #24 - The Supposed Sealed Ability

    S4:E207

    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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  25. Naruto Season 1 Episode 7 - The Assassin of the Mist!
    7.9/10(14 votes)

    #25 - The Assassin of the Mist!

    S1:E7

    Naruto and his squad arrive in the Land of the Waves and learn that an evil businessman named Gato has taken over the land.

    Director:Masayuki Iimura
    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 8.8/10 based on 14 votes. Directed by Toshiyuki Tsuru and written by Satoru Nishizono, it aired on 9/3/2003. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "A Plea from a Friend".