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The Worst Episodes of Naruto

Every episode of Naruto ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst 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 Worst Episode
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    Naruto Season 1 Episode 26 - Special Report: Live from the Forest of Death!
    4.3/10(1672 votes)

    S1:E26

    Konohamaru, the grandson of Leaf Village's Third Hokage, shows up at the Chunin Exam site. He comes along with Moegi and Udon to cover the events for the Ninja Academy's school newspaper. Konohamaru looks up to Naruto like an older brother and through interviews with the characters, recaps their adventures thus far.

    Director:Hayato Date
    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa

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  2. Naruto Season 4 Episode 164 - Too Late for Help
    5.6/10(7 votes)

    S4:E164

    Naruto decides to do some investigating on his own over the matter of the ghost, while Neji and Tenten try a different approach. WIth the help of two frogs, Naruto begins to learn more and more about the truth of the matter....but will what he discovers, cost him his life?

    Director:Tsuyoshi Matsumoto
    Writer:Junki Takegami

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  3. Naruto Season 2 Episode 81 - Return of the Morning Mist
    6.2/10(15 votes)

    S2:E81

    Two mysterious ninja infiltrate Konoha, and one of them bares the Sharingan. Just what are these two after? Why has Itachi Uchiha returned to Konoha?

    Director:Harume Kosaka
    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa

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  4. Naruto Season 4 Episode 208 - The Weight of the Prized Artifact!
    6.2/10(5 votes)

    S4:E208

    Naruto and Kiba are ordered to escort a man named Shinemon who is transporting a rare and valuable artifact. However, when Bandits steal the artifact, can the pair retrieve it and keep Shinemon alive?

    Director:Kiyomu Fukuda
    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa

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  5. Naruto Season 4 Episode 202 - The Top 5 Ninja Battles!
    6.3/10(7 votes)

    S4:E202

    Naruto and Sakura host a special recap episode featuring the top five battles so far! There are also interviews with some of the team, and perhaps even some of the enemy....

    Director:Hayato Date
    Writer:Yuka Miyata

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  6. Naruto Season 4 Episode 167 - When Egrets Flap Their Wings
    6.4/10(5 votes)

    S4:E167

    Shima saves Naruto from Ooki's genjutsu trap and proceeds to try and protect him. When all seems lost for our hero, a mysterious white figure appears and asks him to grant one last wish. Will Naruto find the strength to grant this request and save the day?

    Director:Hayato Goda
    Writer:Junki Takegami

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  7. Naruto Season 4 Episode 186 - Laughing Shino
    6.4/10(5 votes)

    S4:E186

    Naruto and Shino go on a mission together to Motoyoshi Village, where a man named Fuuta has a strange request. To receive his inheritance money, he must not laugh at his fathers funeral. There is however one clause that may be enough to save him from losing everything when his relatives try every trick in the book, to cause laughter...

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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  8. Naruto Season 1 Episode 41 - Kunoichi Rumble: The Rivals Get Serious!
    6.5/10(1849 votes)

    S1:E41

    Kankuro takes on Kabuto's teammate, Misumi, in a quick battle, proving how tough the Sand ninja really are. However, the real match comes when Sakura and Ino are pitted against one another!

    Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani
    Writer:Michiko Yokote

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  9. Naruto Season 4 Episode 161 - The Appearance of Strange Visitors
    6.5/10(6 votes)

    S4:E161

    As Gai and Lee leave Konoha on a mission, two strangers disguise themselves as them and sneak into the village to learn its secrets. Tsunade, Sakura and Tenten have big plans in store for these imposters, plans that'll make their lives miserable.

    Director:Hayato Goda
    Writer:Yasuyuki Suzuki

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  10. Naruto Season 2 Episode 83 - Jiraiya: Naruto's Potential Disaster!
    6.6/10(9 votes)

    S2:E83

    Jiraiya and Naruto begin their search for Tsunade, but are constantly sidetracked by Jiraiya's peeping and hitting on pretty girls. Jiraiya tells Naruto some stories about the 3rd and 4th Hokages. Meanwhile, Sasuke learns that his brother, Itachi, is after Naruto and goes to warn him.

    Director:Mamoru Enomoto
    Writer:Michiko Yokote

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  11. Naruto Season 4 Episode 209 - The Enemy: Ninja Dropouts
    6.6/10(5 votes)

    S4:E209

    Naruto, Sakura and Lee are sent to escort a prisoner named Gantetsu to the Forest Country Capital. Their job is only to back up the escort group incase something goes wrong, which inevitably, it does....

    Director:Hayato Goda
    Writer:Yasuyuki Suzuki

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  12. Naruto Season 1 Episode 42 - The Ultimate Battle: Cha!
    6.7/10(1839 votes)

    S1:E42

    Sakura and Ino prepare to settle the score once and for all! However, when Sakura becomes the victim of Ino's Mind-Body Switch Justu, will she be forced to give up the match?

    Director:Masahiko Murata
    Writer:Michiko Yokote

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  13. Naruto Season 2 Episode 59 - The Final Rounds: Rush to the Battle Arena!
    6.7/10(7 votes)

    S2:E59

    Waking up late, Naruto hurries to the stadium where the Chuunin matches will be held, along the way he stops at his old training ground and meets up with Hinata. Naruto tells Hinata that he's afraid he'll lose, but with Hinata's encouragement and sort-of-confession of her feelings, Naruto is filled with renewed confidence and proceeds to the stadium leaving a shellshocked Hinata in his wake. Now Naruto must try to make it the stadium before it's too late, and Konohamaru has a plan to help him out.

    Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani
    Writer:Yuka Miyata

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  14. Naruto Season 4 Episode 162 - The Cursed Warrior
    6.7/10(6 votes)

    S4:E162

    Naruto, Tenten, and Neji travel to the Bird Country to exterminate a ghost named Noroimusha.

    Director:Kiyomu Fukuda
    Writer:Junki Takegami

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  15. Naruto Season 1 Episode 37 - Surviving the Cut! The Rookie Nine Together Again!
    6.8/10(1741 votes)

    S1:E37

    The exam is over, but did they truly pass? An old friend arrives to explain and show his concern. Meanwhile, Anko informs the ANBU about Orochimaru, the S-Class criminal who even they cannot stop. Later the Third Hokage explains to everyone what the third exam truly means....

    Director:Takeyuki Sadohara
    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya

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  16. Naruto Season 1 Episode 52 - Ebisu Returns: Naruto's Toughest Training Yet!
    6.8/10(1653 votes)

    S1:E52

    Naruto wants Kakashi to train him, but Kakashi has other plans. Ebisu arrives to an unhappy Naruto and makes a deal with him. If Naruto can get away from Ebisu, he'll make Kakashi train him. Naruto decides to accept Ebisu's challenge, but can he win?

    Director:Rion Kujo
    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya

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  17. Naruto Season 3 Episode 105 - A Fierce Battle of Rolling Thunder!
    6.8/10(8 votes)

    S3:E105

    With Naruto's help, Idate reaches the Modoroki Shrine... But just as he's about to cross the bridge, an old nemesis stands in his way.

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writers:Kouhei Urasawa, Katsuyuki Sumisawa, Akatsuki Yamatoya

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  18. Naruto Season 3 Episode 158 - Follow My Lead! The Great Survival Challenge
    6.8/10(6 votes)

    S3:E158

    Every Genin is assigned a squad of Cadets to lead on a mission that forces all of them to race to the top of a mountain to retrieve a scroll and, wouldn't you know it, guess who Naruto ends up leading? Its none other than the Konohamaru corps. However, when a storm causes the mission to be cancelled without his knowing, he will have to be a better leader than ever to keep his team alive!

    Director:Tsuyoshi Matsumoto
    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa

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  19. Naruto Season 4 Episode 159 - Bounty Hunter from the Wilderness
    6.8/10(6 votes)

    S4:E159

    Naruto, Hinata and Kiba are sent off on a mission to capture a thief named Gosunkugi. However, on the way they meet another bounty hunter, who is after the same target as them....

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:Yasuyuki Suzuki

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  20. Naruto Season 4 Episode 160 - Hunt or Be Hunted?! Showdown at the O.K. Temple!
    6.8/10(6 votes)

    S4:E160

    Turns out Sazanami is really a wanted criminal named Toukichi who is wanted for the murder of a family of three. Truth is however, he's innocent, and wants to capture the man responsible to prove it! Sazanami teams up with the Konoha group to stop Gosunki once and for all....

    Director:Harume Kosaka
    Writer:Yasuyuki Suzuki

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  21. Naruto Season 4 Episode 163 - The Tactician's Intent
    6.8/10(6 votes)

    S4:E163

    Naruto and the others attempt to prove that Kouhmei is the one responsible for the ghost. However, what Naruto and the gang discover leaves even more mysteries unsolved.

    Director:Yoshihiro Sugai
    Writer:Junki Takegami

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  22. Naruto Season 4 Episode 165 - The Death of Naruto
    6.8/10(6 votes)

    S4:E165

    Kakashi orders Neji and Tenten to return to the village with him, much to their protest. Meanwhile Koumei is about to be executed, at least until the Noroimusha shows up! Is the ghost an ally or an enemy and whatever became of Naruto? Questions are answered as Sagi reveals the truth!

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai
    Writer:Junki Takegami

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  23. Naruto Season 4 Episode 174 - Impossible! Celebrity Ninja Art - Money Style Jutsu!
    6.8/10(5 votes)

    S4:E174

    Naruto was assigned a special mission to protect the son of a VIP. The boy was a spoiled brat who thought money could buy him anything. Naruto was tasked with teaching the boy about ninja skills, but the boy was more interested in playing video games. One day, the boy was kidnapped by a group of criminals. Naruto tracked down the criminals and rescued the boy, but the criminals escaped. The boy was grateful to Naruto for saving him, but he still didn't understand the importance of hard work and determination. Naruto continued to train the boy, and eventually the boy began to understand the value of hard work. He also learned that money couldn't buy him everything. The boy eventually became a skilled ninja, and he was proud to have Naruto as his mentor.

    Director:Tsuyoshi Matsumoto
    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa

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  24. Naruto Season 4 Episode 211 - Memory of Flames
    6.8/10(5 votes)

    S4:E211

    Todoroki wants to avenge his family and kill Gantetsu. The only problem is that Naruto has other ideas. Elsewhere, Lee and Sakura are surrounded by children who are demanding they give them Gantetsu. Can Naruto and Todoroki get Gantetsu back? And what are the childrens reasons for wanting him?

    Director:Akira Shimizu
    Writer:Yasuyuki Suzuki

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  25. Naruto Season 4 Episode 212 - To Each His Own Path
    6.8/10(5 votes)

    S4:E212

    Naruto arrives to save Gantetsu and the kids but has trouble when Akio is kidnapped and Todoroki realizes his brother is alive. Will Naruto and Todoroki be able to save Akio?

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura
    Writer:Yasuyuki Suzuki

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Special Report: Live from the Forest of Death!" is the worst rated episode of "Naruto". It scored 4.3/10 based on 1672 votes. Directed by Hayato Date and written by Katsuyuki Sumisawa, it aired on 4/2/2003. This episode scored 1.3 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Too Late for Help".