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The Best Episodes of Naruto Season 1

Every episode of Naruto Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Naruto Season 1!

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.
Genres:AnimationAction & AdventureSci-Fi & Fantasy
Network:TV Tokyo

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!" is the best rated episode of "Naruto" season 1. It scored 7.9/10 based on 2455 votes. Directed by Hayato Date and written by Katsuyuki Sumisawa, it aired on 10/3/2002. This episode is rated 0.9 points higher than the second-best, "My Name Is Konohamaru!".

  • Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!
    7.9/102,455 votes

    #1 - Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/3/2002

    Welcome to the Village Hidden in the Leaves, where deadly serious Ninja roam the landscape and the seriously mischievous Naruto Uzumaki causes trouble everywhere he goes. But when he steals the ancient scroll of sealing, he unleashes a rare power rarely seen in a 12-year-old boy!

    Director: Hayato Date

    Writer: Katsuyuki Sumisawa

  • My Name Is Konohamaru!
    7.0/101,716 votes

    #2 - My Name Is Konohamaru!

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 10/10/2002

    Naruto finally graduates from the Ninja Academy and claims to know it all. Well, at least that what he tells Konohamaru, the Village elder's pint-size grandson. Much to the dismay of Ebisu, Konohamaru's teacher and mentor, Naruto teaches him the hormonally lethal "Sexy Jutsu!"

    Director: Rion Kujo

    Writer: Akatsuki Yamatoya

  • Sasuke and Sakura: Friends or Foes?
    7.2/101,609 votes

    #3 - Sasuke and Sakura: Friends or Foes?

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/17/2002

    On the way to becoming a ninja, Naruto must team up with his classmates, the pretty Sakura and the pretty serious Sasuke...

    Director: Harume Kosaka

    Writer: Satoru Nishizono

  • Pass or Fail: Survival Test
    7.8/101,545 votes

    #4 - Pass or Fail: Survival Test

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/24/2002

    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

  • You Failed! Kakashi's Final Decision
    8.0/101,586 votes

    #5 - You Failed! Kakashi's Final Decision

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/31/2002

    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

  • A Dangerous Mission! Journey to the Land of Waves!
    7.3/101,430 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/7/2002

    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

  • The Assassin of the Mist!
    7.7/101,424 votes

    #7 - The Assassin of the Mist!

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/14/2002

    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

  • The Oath of Pain
    7.9/101,441 votes

    #8 - The Oath of Pain

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/21/2002

    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

  • Kakashi: Sharingan Warrior
    7.9/101,432 votes

    #9 - Kakashi: Sharingan Warrior

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 11/28/2002

    With Kakashi free, the fight between him and Zabuza resumes. Kakashi decides to show Zabuza what the Sharingan is really capable of. Can Kakashi's Sharingan defeat Zabuza? And who is the mysterious person watching the fight?

    Director: Harume Kosaka

    Writer: Satoru Nishizono

  • The Forest of Chakra
    7.1/101,314 votes

    #10 - The Forest of Chakra

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/5/2002

    With Zabuza gone things are now settling and Tazuna can go and build the bridge without fear. Or so everyone thinks. Kakashi believes something is wrong with Zabuza's death and teaches Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke a way to train so they could better use their chakra. Is Zabuza really dead?

    Director: Kazuyoshi Yokota

    Writer: Katsuyuki Sumisawa

  • The Land Where a Hero Once Lived
    7.1/101,307 votes

    #11 - The Land Where a Hero Once Lived

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 12/12/2002

    While Naruto and Sasuke train, Sakura watches over Tazuna. During a nice dinner, Sakura notices a man's face torn from a picture. The man's name was Kaiza, and he was what the country called...a "hero". What happened to cause Inari so much pain?

    Director: Yasunori Urata

    Writer: Akatsuki Yamatoya

  • Battle on the Bridge! Zabuza Returns!
    7.3/101,287 votes

    #12 - Battle on the Bridge! Zabuza Returns!

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 12/19/2002

    Naruto has a dangerous encounter with Haku in the forest, but is Haku there to cause trouble? Naruto and Sasuke better complete their training, as Zabuza is alive and has returned for round 2. Will Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura be able to defeat the Demon of the Mist? And, can Naruto arrive in time to help out?

    Director: Masaaki Kumagai

    Writer: Michiko Yokote

  • Haku's Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors
    7.7/101,296 votes

    #13 - Haku's Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 12/26/2002

    Round two with Zabuza has started, but this time...Zabuza has Haku fighting along side him. Haku and Sasuke go at it with Sasuke falling behind until he manages to get a kick in. Meanwhile Naruto deals with some of Gato's henchmen. Back at the bridge Haku uses his secret jutsu, Demonic Ice Mirrors. What does this jutsu hold in store for Sasuke? Will Naruto make it to the bridge in time and save Tsunami and Inari as well?

    Director: Masayuki Iimura

    Writer: Satoru Nishizono

  • The Number One Hyperactive, Knucklehead Ninja Joins the Fight!
    7.1/101,272 votes

    #14 - The Number One Hyperactive, Knucklehead Ninja Joins the Fight!

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 1/9/2003

    Naruto finally joins the battle on the bridge. But when Naruto stupidly gets caught in the middle of Haku's jutsu as well, he and Sasuke must work together to escape. Kakashi is unable to help them, as he must deal with Zabuza to protect Sakura and Tazuna. How will the two escape from the ice mirrors without any help?

    Director: Rion Kujo

    Writer: Satoru Nishizono

  • Zero Visibility: The Sharingan Shatters
    7.6/101,253 votes

    #15 - Zero Visibility: The Sharingan Shatters

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 1/16/2003

    Naruto and Sasuke continue to fight Haku and are getting beaten bad. After having Naruto try and escape a few times, Sasuke begins to see a pattern. Meanwhile, outside Kakashi and Zabuza begin their fight. Can Naruto and Sasuke escape from Haku's jutsu? What plan does Zabuza have to defeat the Sharingan?

    Director: Harume Kosaka

    Writer: Satoru Nishizono

  • The Broken Seal
    8.3/101,406 votes

    #16 - The Broken Seal

    Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 1/23/2003

    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

  • White Past: Hidden Ambition
    8.1/101,410 votes

    #17 - White Past: Hidden Ambition

    Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 1/30/2003

    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

  • The Weapons Known as Shinobi
    8.0/101,303 votes

    #18 - The Weapons Known as Shinobi

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 2/6/2003

    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

  • The Demon in the Snow
    9.0/102,278 votes

    #19 - The Demon in the Snow

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 2/13/2003

    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

  • A New Chapter Begins: The Chunin Exam!
    7.0/101,167 votes

    #20 - A New Chapter Begins: The Chunin Exam!

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 2/20/2003

    Naruto and his team return to the Village Hidden in the Leaves after their battle in Land of Waves.

    Director: Mitsutaka Noshitani

    Writer: Kouhei Urasawa

  • Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals
    7.2/101,144 votes

    #21 - Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals

    Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 2/27/2003

    After the three ninjas take their leave, Sasuke realizes he has a powerful rival out there. The next day, Kakashi announces that he has recommended all of them for the Chuunin Exams. While Naruto and Sasuke are pleased, Sakura is afraid of letting everyone down. Also, someone decides they aren't ready and decides to test their abilities.

    Director: Matsuo Asami

    Writer: Katsuyuki Sumisawa

  • Chunin Challenge: Rock Lee vs. Sasuke!
    7.5/101,147 votes

    #22 - Chunin Challenge: Rock Lee vs. Sasuke!

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 3/6/2003

    Rock Lee challenges Sasuke to a one-on-one fight. Naruto grows angry and attacks him, only to be beaten in one attack. Sasuke realizes the challenge and eagerly accepts. But will Sasuke be defeated just as easily by this mysterious ninja? Sasuke's only advantage seems to be his Sharingan, but what happens when not even that will work?

    Director: Rion Kujo

    Writer: Akatsuki Yamatoya

  • Genin Takedown! All Nine Rookies Face Off!
    7.2/101,105 votes

    #23 - Genin Takedown! All Nine Rookies Face Off!

    Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 3/13/2003

    A reunion of all the rookies isn't a very happy one, as all of them prepare to take the Chuunin Exam. With so many rivals around, Naruto's team will need help from a fellow ninja named Kabuto to know what they're up against. Will the group be able to last through the exam?

    Director: Harume Kosaka

    Writer: Michiko Yokote

  • Start Your Engines: The Chunin Exam Begins!
    7.9/101,168 votes

    #24 - Start Your Engines: The Chunin Exam Begins!

    Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 3/20/2003

    The first test of the Chuunin Exam is just that, a written test. When Ibiki issues a strict set of rules, Naruto fails to realize the true objective of the test. Can Naruto realize the truth before time runs out? And what about the tenth question?

    Director: Mashu Itō

    Writer: Satoru Nishizono

  • The Tenth Question: All or Nothing!
    7.9/101,166 votes

    #25 - The Tenth Question: All or Nothing!

    Season 1 Episode 25 - Aired 3/27/2003

    Ibiki declares what seems like a harsh and unreasonable rule for the hardest part of the first exam.

    Director: Masaaki Kumagai

    Writer: Kouhei Urasawa