The Worst Episodes of Naruto

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Worst Episode
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   4.3/10(1355 votes)

   #1 - Special Report: Live from the Forest of Death!

   S1:E264/2/2003

   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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   Director:Hayato Date

   Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
2. 

   5.7/10(6 votes)

   #2 - Too Late for Help

   S4:E16412/14/2005

   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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   Director:Tsuyoshi Matsumoto

   Writer:Junki Takegami
3. 

   5.9/10(14 votes)

   #3 - Return of the Morning Mist

   S2:E814/28/2004

   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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   Director:Harume Kosaka

   Writer:Kouhei Urasawa
4. 

   6.0/10(9 votes)

   #4 - Ebisu Returns: Naruto's Toughest Training Yet!

   S1:E5210/1/2003

   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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   Director:Rion Kujo

   Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya
5. 

   6.1/10(8 votes)

   #5 - Jiraiya: Naruto's Potential Disaster!

   S2:E835/12/2004

   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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   Director:Mamoru Enomoto

   Writer:Michiko Yokote
6. 

   6.3/10(7 votes)

   #6 - A Fierce Battle of Rolling Thunder!

   S3:E10510/20/2004

   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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   Director:Masaaki Kumagai

   Writers:Kouhei Urasawa, Katsuyuki Sumisawa, Akatsuki Yamatoya
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7. 

   6.3/10(6 votes)

   #7 - What's the Difference? Don't All Insects Look Alike?

   S3:E1498/24/2005

   The group struggles to find a Bikouchuu, but seem to fail at every turn. When it starts to rain they realise they only have one more chance to find it, will Hinata's Byakugan be enough?

   Director:Shigenori Kageyama

   Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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   Director:Shigenori Kageyama

   Writer:Satoru Nishizono
8. 

   6.3/10(4 votes)

   #8 - The Top 5 Ninja Battles!

   S4:E2029/27/2006

   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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   Director:Hayato Date

   Writer:Yuka Miyata
9. 

   6.4/10(5 votes)

   #9 - Pure Terror! The House of Orochimaru

   S3:E1396/15/2005

   Sasame leads Naruto, Jiraiya, and Sakura to Orochimaru's hideout. They send Sasame back to the village because of the danger level. Jiraiya summons Gamakichi to go in first and investigate. The four come to three tunnels. Jiraiya goes off to the right, Naruto and Sakura down the middle and Gamakichi down the left. Will the four of them make it past the traps?

   Director:Masahiko Murata

   Writer:Junki Takegami

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   Director:Masahiko Murata

   Writer:Junki Takegami
10. 

    6.5/10(10 votes)

    #10 - Long Time No See: Jiraiya Returns!

    S2:E5310/8/2003

    While Ebisu trains Naruto at a hotspring, he spots someone trying to peep on the women bathing! Ebisu attacks, but it doesn't go quite as planned. Naruto then demands that the stranger become his teacher instead, but he's going to need some convincing. Does Naruto have any special Jutsu for this situation?

    Director:Shuji Miyahara

    Writer:Michiko Yokote

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    Director:Shuji Miyahara

    Writer:Michiko Yokote
11. 

    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #11 - Departure

    S4:E2202/8/2007

    The exciting conclusion to Naruto. What will become of Gaara, and now that Jiraiya has returned, will Naruto finally leave Konoha to begin his training?

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura

    Writer:Junki Takegami

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    Director:Hiroshi Kimura

    Writer:Junki Takegami
12. 

    6.6/10(1489 votes)

    #12 - Kunoichi Rumble: The Rivals Get Serious!

    S1:E417/16/2003

    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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    Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani

    Writer:Michiko Yokote
13. 

    6.6/10(9 votes)

    #13 - A Shadow in the Darkness: Danger Approaches Sasuke

    S1:E519/24/2003

    As Chouji faces off against Dosu, Orochimaru gives an order for Kabuto to abduct Sasuke. He also tells Kabuto that if he wants to stop him, he'll have to kill Sasuke. As Kabuto approaches Sasuke, he hesitates on what to do. His spy cover is soon blown though, as Kakashi appears on the scene. Will Kakashi save Sasuke from Kabuto's grasp?

    Director:Harume Kosaka

    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa

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    Director:Harume Kosaka

    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa
14. 

    6.6/10(5 votes)

    #14 - The Three Villains from the Maximum Security Prison

    S3:E1427/6/2005

    With the events of the Rice Field Country behind them, everyone prepares for their training. But a new threat soon arises. Remember Mizuki? He's back and he's planning to break out of Konoha's Correctional

    Director:Shigenori Kageyama

    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa

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    Director:Shigenori Kageyama

    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa
15. 

    6.7/10(1479 votes)

    #15 - The Ultimate Battle: Cha!

    S1:E427/23/2003

    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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    Director:Masahiko Murata

    Writer:Michiko Yokote
16. 

    6.8/10(1393 votes)

    #16 - Surviving the Cut! The Rookie Nine Together Again!

    S1:E376/11/2003

    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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    Director:Takeyuki Sadohara

    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya
17. 

    6.8/10(9 votes)

    #17 - The Summoning Jutsu: Wisdom of the Toad Sage!

    S2:E5410/15/2003

    While Jiraiya attempts to teach Naruto the Summoning Jutsu, while doing research as well, Dosu learns the hard way why Gaara is so dangerous. Meanwhile, Baki and Kabuto secretly meet and reveal a sinister plot against Konoha. When Hayate discovers this dark secret, he attempts to warn the Hokage. However, he'll have to get through Baki first!

    Director:Keiichiro Kawaguchi

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa

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    Director:Keiichiro Kawaguchi

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
18. 

    6.8/10(9 votes)

    #18 - A Feeling of Yearning, a Flower Full of Hope

    S2:E5510/22/2003

    Sakura goes to visit Sasuke and Lee in the hospital, along the way, she meets up with Ino and the two make the trip together. Lee tries to resume his training with limited success, making Sakura worry more about him and Sasuke.

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura

    Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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    Director:Hiroshi Kimura

    Writer:Satoru Nishizono
19. 

    6.8/10(6 votes)

    #19 - The Final Rounds: Rush to the Battle Arena!

    S2:E5911/19/2003

    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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    Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani

    Writer:Yuka Miyata
20. 

    6.8/10(6 votes)

    #20 - A New Training Begins: I Will Be Strong

    S2:E866/2/2004

    Now that Sasuke is in safe hands, Naruto and Jiraiya can continue their search for Tsunade. When they arrive at a city with a festival on the way, Jiraiya and Naruto have some fun, at least until Naruto puts a stain on a man's shirt. Jiraiya uses a new technique that easily defeats the man and offers to teach it to Naruto. What is this new technique and can Naruto master it?

    Director:Toshiya Niidome

    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa

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    Director:Toshiya Niidome

    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa
21. 

    6.8/10(6 votes)

    #21 - Keep on Training: Pop Goes the Water Balloon!

    S2:E876/9/2004

    Jiraiya gives Naruto the task of rotating the water in a balloon until it pops. Naruto is confident that he will accomplish this stage of the training by night, but soon learns it's not as easy as expected.

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura

    Writer:Michiko Yokote

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    Director:Hiroshi Kimura

    Writer:Michiko Yokote
22. 

    6.8/10(6 votes)

    #22 - Focal Point: The Mark of the Leaf

    S2:E886/16/2004

    After passing stage one of the training, Naruto moves into stage two: power training. Jiraiya realizes that, like him, Naruto has a hard time concentrating, so he paints a spiral in the palm of Naruto's hand to help him to focus. With the aid of the spiral and a quick flashback to Iruka-sensei, Naruto completes stage two. Meanwhile, Tsunade's luck has become uncommonly good, which worries her. After being talked into sightseeing by her assistant, Tsunade meets Orochimaru...and she doesn't look at all pleased.

    Director:Rion Kujo

    Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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    Director:Rion Kujo

    Writer:Satoru Nishizono
23. 

    6.8/10(6 votes)

    #23 - Tsunade's Warning: Ninja No More!

    S2:E988/25/2004

    Naruto, Tsunade, and Shizune finally return to Konoha so Tsunade can take over and become Hokage. Konohamaru finds out that Tsunade is the Fifth but refuses to believe it. Naruto then takes Tsunade to the hospital so she can heal Sasuke, Kakashi, and Lee. She heals Sasuke and Kakashi just fine...However, her diagnosis of Rock Lee has heartbreaking consequences for him and his future.

    Director:Shinji Satoh

    Writer:Michiko Yokote

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    Director:Shinji Satoh

    Writer:Michiko Yokote
24. 

    6.8/10(6 votes)

    #24 - The Will of Fire Still Burns!

    S2:E999/1/2004

    Konohamaru locks himself in the office used by the 3rd to stop them from replacing his grandfather, the previous Hokage. Tsunade spends the day locked out of her office and researches a way to heal Rock Lee so he has a better chance of surviving the operation,

    Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani

    Writer:Michiko Yokote

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    Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani

    Writer:Michiko Yokote
25. 

    6.8/10(4 votes)

    #25 - Fakeout: Shikamaru's Comeback!

    S3:E1222/16/2005

    Shikamaru's got his hands full with Tayuya and her melodic attacks. Can he stop her and put an end to her malevolent flute playing?

    Director:Akira Shimizu

    Writer:Michiko Yokote

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    Director:Akira Shimizu

    Writer:Michiko Yokote