7.9/102,407 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
7.0/101,693 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
7.2/101,588 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
7.8/101,527 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
8.0/101,565 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
7.3/101,415 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
7.7/101,410 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
7.9/101,428 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
7.9/101,419 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
7.1/101,303 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
7.1/101,295 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
7.3/101,274 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
7.7/101,281 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
7.1/101,259 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
7.6/101,241 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
8.3/101,390 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
8.1/101,392 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
8.0/101,285 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
9.0/102,235 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
7.0/101,155 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
7.2/101,132 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
7.5/101,135 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
7.2/101,094 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
7.9/101,155 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
7.9/101,153 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
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 2407 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!".