The Best Episodes of Naruto Shippūden Season 1

Sakura and Granny Chiyo are engaged in a fierce battle with Sasori, who is able turn himself into a human puppet. They somehow bring Sasori down within the time limit, but he ends up reviving.

Director: Atsushi Nigorikawa

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Relying on Naruto's power, Granny Chiyo performs the Transmigration Jutsu on Gaara.

Director: Shinji Satoh

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Although stung with poison herself, Granny Chiyo uses the last of the antidote on Sakura. Mocking the tender scene between Granny Chiyo and Sakura, Sasori attempts to end Granny Chiyo's life.

Director: Akitaro Daichi

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Guy prepares to use a forbidden secret jutsu. Meanwhile, Naruto falls under Itachi’s genjutsu, and all the anti-genjutsu training he underwent with Jiraiya races through Naruto’s mind.

Director: Mitsutaka Noshitani

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Granny Chiyo and Sakura rescue Naruto from Itachi’s genjutsu. Without a moment’s delay, Kakashi begins a counterattack.

Director: Hayato Date

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Naruto loses all reason to anger and is gradually taken over by the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit. Having been forewarned by Jiraiya, Kakashi narrowly manages to suppress the Nine-Tailed Fox.

Director: Shigeharu Takahashi

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

A figure passes through the gates. It's an older Naruto, who has returned from a long training journey with Jiraiya. Naruto Uzumaki is back!

Director: Masaaki Kumagai

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Gaara is quick to detect Deidara’s presence, and an aerial battle ensues with Deidara on his giant bird and Gaara atop sand.

Director: Kiyomu Fukuda

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Naruto and Sakura defeat Kakashi in the survival challenge. Tsunade assigns them to a three-man squad led by Kakashi, who tells them they are now his equals.

Director: Yuki Kinoshita

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

In order to protect his village from Deidara’s explosive clay, Gaara uses his chakra to create a giant sand shield.

Director: Mitsutaka Noshitani

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Guy prepares to use a forbidden secret jutsu. Meanwhile, Naruto falls under Itachi’s genjutsu, and all the anti-genjutsu training he underwent with Jiraiya races through Naruto’s mind.

Director: Neko Okuma

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Sakura hurries to get to Naruto with Granny Chiyo, who is suffering from the poison. The members of Team Guy rush to assist Team Kakashi. Meanwhile, with all preparations complete, Kakashi reveals his Mangekyo Sharingan.

Director: Yuki Kinoshita

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Naruto’s and Sakura’s combined skills force Kakashi to use his Sharingan right off the bat. Naruto masterfully unleashes his jutsu one after another.

Director: Yuki Sugihara

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

At last, the showdown between the old woman and her grandson begins. Sakura is confused by Sasori’s strange appearance, and Granny Chiyo explains that this is Hiruko…

Director: Kiyomu Fukuda

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Granny Chiyo and Sakura manage to expose Sasori, who amazingly looks no older than he did twenty years earlier.

Director: Neko Okuma

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Sakura counters the Iron Sand attack of the Third Kazekage puppet with superhuman strength.

Director: Hiroshi Kimura

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Naruto and Sakura team up and challenge Kakashi to a survival challenge to show off their progress.

Director: Atsushi Nigorikawa

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Pakkun finds the hideout of the Akatsuki. Team Kakashi and Temari prepare to set out to get Gaara back, but Temari is ordered to stay behind and help guard the village.

Director: Kiyomu Fukuda

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Sakura is caught by Sasori’s tactic and surrounded by a poison cloud.

Director: Mitsutaka Noshitani

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Chiyo and Sakura take cover, and Sasori wastes no time unleashing a ruthless attack.

Director: Seiki Takuno

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

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

Director: Masaaki Kumagai

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Gaara and his rescuers make a triumphant return to the Hidden Sand Village.

Director: Hiroshi Kimura

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Gaara, his strength completely exhausted, is whisked away by Deidara. Kankuro ignores Baki’s efforts to stop him and immediately sets out in pursuit with a platoon to rescue Gaara.

Director: Hayato Goda

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

An urgent message from the Sand Village detailing the Akatsuki’s kidnapping of the Kazekage reaches the Hidden Leaf Village. Tsunade wastes no time in ordering Team Kakashi to the Sand Village.

Director: Hiroshi Kimura

Writer: Satoru Nishizono

Sakura treats a critically ill Kankuro. After extensive training she’s now a full-fledged Medic Ninja, and Sakura amazes everyone with her sure, steady hands.

Director: Atsushi Nigorikawa

Writer: Satoru Nishizono