The Best Episodes of Naruto

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
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   REVEAL THE WINNER
   

   8.9/10(16 votes)

   #1 - Gaara vs. Rock Lee: The Power of Youth Explodes!

   S1:E489/3/2003

   The second-to-last match finally arrives! Rock Lee must face down the mysterious and dangerous Gaara, a ninja who is said to have never been truly injured in a fight before.

   Director:Toshiyuki Tsuru

   Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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   Director:Toshiyuki Tsuru

   Writer:Satoru Nishizono
2. 

   8.8/10(13 votes)

   #2 - The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja Is Born

   S1:E509/17/2003

   The match between Gaara and Lee draws to an end as Lee unleashes his ultimate move. But will even this be enough to defeat Gaara? Even if Lee does make it out in one piece, even more shocking news awaits him.

   Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani

   Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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   Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani

   Writer:Satoru Nishizono
3. 

   8.6/10(12 votes)

   #3 - Lee's Hidden Strength: Forbidden Secret Jutsu!

   S1:E499/10/2003

   As the battle between Lee and Gaara continues, Gai remembers how hard Lee used to train and how Lee has pretty much no ninjutsu or genjutsu skills. Lee is also a dropout, like Naruto. In order to defeat Gaara, Lee will have to use the move Gai forbade him to use.

   Director:Hayato Date

   Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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   Director:Hayato Date

   Writer:Satoru Nishizono
4. 

   8.6/10(7 votes)

   #4 - A Plea from a Friend

   S3:E1335/4/2005

   Naruto proves to be too much for Sasuke to handle as Naruto fights back with renewed vigour. Finally acknowledging Naruto's strength, Sasuke puts on his forehead protector, symbolizing both as equals. But when Sasuke's Sharingan is upgraded to level 3, the tables turn on Naruto. Just when all hope seems lost for Naruto, he undergoes a startling transformation, but will it be enough?

   Director:Atsushi Wakabayashi

   Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa

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   Director:Atsushi Wakabayashi

   Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
5. 

   8.5/10(12 votes)

   #5 - The Oath of Pain

   S1:E811/21/2002

   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

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   Director:Rion Kujo

   Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya
6. 

   8.5/10(21 votes)

   #6 - The Demon in the Snow

   S1:E192/13/2003

   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

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   Director:Toshiyuki Tsuru

   Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya
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7. 

   8.4/10(13 votes)

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

   S1:E611/7/2002

   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

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   Director:Masahiko Murata

   Writer:Kouhei Urasawa
8. 

   8.3/10(18 votes)

   #8 - You Failed! Kakashi's Final Decision

   S1:E510/31/2002

   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

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   Director:Yasunori Urata

   Writer:Michiko Yokote
9. 

   8.3/10(7 votes)

   #9 - A Failure's True Power

   S2:E6212/10/2003

   When it looks as if Naruto can't win, Neji continues to tell him that he cannot change his fate and that he has no idea what it feels like to carry a seal that cannot be removed. Naruto thinks back about his childhood and how he was treated because of the Nine-Tails sealed inside him. However, that same curse may prove to be his only chance at winning...

   Director:Toshiya Niidome

   Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya

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   Director:Toshiya Niidome

   Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya
10. 

    8.3/10(6 votes)

    #10 - Roar, Chidori! Brother vs. Brother!

    S2:E845/19/2004

    Sasuke remembers the day that Itachi single-handedly wiped out the entire Uchiha clan as he desperately searches for Naruto. However, Itachi and Kisame have already found him.

    Director:Tsuyoshi Matsumoto

    Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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    Director:Tsuyoshi Matsumoto

    Writer:Satoru Nishizono
11. 

    8.2/10(19 votes)

    #11 - Pass or Fail: Survival Test

    S1:E410/24/2002

    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

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    Director:Kyosuke Mikuriya

    Writer:Michiko Yokote
12. 

    8.2/10(6 votes)

    #12 - A Dubious Offer! Tsunade's Choice!

    S2:E927/21/2004

    While Naruto continues to try and master the third step, Tsunade continues to think about Orochimaru's offer. Jiraiya tries to convince her by taking her out for a drink, only she slipped a paralyzing potion into his drink while he wasn't looking. Will Tsunade agree to Orochimaru's offer? And will Naruto master the Rasengan before the week is up?

    Director:Masahiko Murata

    Writer:Michiko Yokote

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    Director:Masahiko Murata

    Writer:Michiko Yokote
13. 

    8.1/10(16 votes)

    #13 - Kakashi: Sharingan Warrior

    S1:E911/28/2002

    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

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    Director:Harume Kosaka

    Writer:Satoru Nishizono
14. 

    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #14 - Ultimate Defense: Zero Blind Spot!

    S2:E6112/3/2003

    Naruto begins his assault with his Shadow Clones but Neji analyses Naruto's actions and determines what he believes to be the real one. Unable to figure out why Naruto won't admit defeat, he takes off his headband and reveals a mysterious mark on his forehead. What is the truth about his hatred towards the main family of the Hyuuga Clan?

    Director:Shuji Miyahara

    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya

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    Director:Shuji Miyahara

    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya
15. 

    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #15 - Sasuke's Decision: Pushed to the Edge!

    S2:E753/17/2004

    Sasuke struggles to keep up with Gaara's monstrous capacity. Only able to use Chidori twice in normal circumstances, Sasuke remembers that tragic day when his family died and realises he must risk the use of Chidori beyond his limit if he is to defeat Gaara. That is, if he can...

    Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani

    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya

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    Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani

    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya
16. 

    8.1/10(8 votes)

    #16 - For a Friend

    S3:E1324/27/2005

    Kakashi learns the truth about the chase after Sasuke, and orders his dogs, including Pakkun, to go find Naruto and Sasuke. However, things are looking grim as the clash between the Chidori and the Rasengan ensues. The attacks are even, causing Naruto and Sasuke to both fly back. Naruto finally realizes how serious Sasuke is, and gets the snot beat out of him while he remembers how he always wanted to be friends with Sasuke.

    Director:Shinji Satoh

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa

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    Director:Shinji Satoh

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
17. 

    8.0/10(15 votes)

    #17 - The Assassin of the Mist!

    S1:E711/14/2002

    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

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    Director:Masayuki Iimura

    Writer:Michiko Yokote
18. 

    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #18 - Late for the Show, But Ready to Go! The Ultimate Secret Technique is Born!

    S2:E671/14/2004

    With Gaara's ultimate defense in place, Sasuke's only hope of winning lies within the move Kakashi taught him...Chidori. But, how will Gaara react when Sasuke causes him to bleed?

    Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani

    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya

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    Director:Mitsutaka Noshitani

    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya
19. 

    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #19 - Zero Hour! The Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village Begins!

    S2:E681/28/2004

    Sasuke's match is interrupted when Orochimaru puts his plan into action. Temari and Kankuro are ordered to get Gaara to safety until he recovers, leaving Sasuke to chase after them. War has begun!

    Director:Masaaki Kumagai

    Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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    Director:Masaaki Kumagai

    Writer:Satoru Nishizono
20. 

    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #20 - Village in Distress: A New A-Ranked Mission!

    S2:E692/4/2004

    Knowing that Sasuke is in over his head, Kakashi sends Naruto, Sakura, and Shikamaru, being guided by a dog named Pakkun, to stop Sasuke from pursuing Gaara.

    Director:Shuji Miyahara

    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa

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    Director:Shuji Miyahara

    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa
21. 

    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #21 - A Mistake from the Past: A Face Revealed!

    S2:E722/25/2004

    While Naruto and Sakura continue to catch up to Sasuke, Temari trys to stall Sasuke long enough for Kankuro to get Gaara to safety, but Sasuke doesn't have time to waste on her! Meanwhile, The Third Hokage continues his battle with Orochimaru and is ready to use a move that not even he knows...

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura

    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa

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    Director:Hiroshi Kimura

    Writer:Kouhei Urasawa
22. 

    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #22 - Eye to Eye: Sharingan vs. Sharingan!

    S2:E825/5/2004

    Kakashi takes on Itachi, with both of them using the Sharingan. However, Kakashi soon realizes that he stands no chance against the legendary ninja. Itachi reveals that he has not come for his little brother, but instead he's come to do something else...abduct Naruto, and Kyubi as well!

    Director:Rion Kujo

    Writer:Yuka Miyata

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    Director:Rion Kujo

    Writer:Yuka Miyata
23. 

    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #23 - Hate Among the Uchihas: The Last of the Clan

    S2:E855/26/2004

    Jiraiya and Naruto look on as Sasuke takes on Itachi alone. However, when the young ninja is severely outclassed, Jiraiya is forced to step in. Itachi and Kisame try to flee, but Jiraiya isn't about to let them get away so easily.

    Director:Masahiko Murata

    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya

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    Director:Masahiko Murata

    Writer:Akatsuki Yamatoya
24. 

    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #24 - Breakdown! The Deal is Off!

    S2:E937/28/2004

    Because Orochimaru lied to her about not attacking Konoha, Tsunade begins her onslaught against him and Kabuto. Kabuto eats a food pill and begins to attack Tsunade with his medical techniques but are they enough to defeat her? Will Jiraiya, Shizune and Naruto show up in time?

    Director:Toshiya Niidome

    Writer:Satoru Nishizono

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    Director:Toshiya Niidome

    Writer:Satoru Nishizono
25. 

    8.0/10(10 votes)

    #25 - The Fifth Hokage! A Life on the Line!

    S2:E958/11/2004

    Naruto finally lands a Rasengan into Kabuto's stomach, but not before Kabuto assures Naruto's certain death. Can Tsunade save him and protect him from Orochimaru?

    Director:Yoshinori Odaka

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa

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    Director:Yoshinori Odaka

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa