Top 29 Naruto Episodes

Key Takeaways

• Naruto
  is a fan-favorite due to the legendary rivalry, great character arcs, and compelling stories.
• The best
  Naruto
  episodes include training arcs, emotional battles, and character growth moments.
• Iconic showdowns, fierce battles, and powerful techniques in the series captivate fans.

Naruto is among the most popular shonen anime of all time. The legendary rivalry between Naruto and Sasuke, along with other character arcs and excellent stories, makes for a riveting watch. Most fans have no problem binge-watching to the end.

Naruto and Naruto Shippuden are full to the brim with some of the greatest episodes ever. Given that the focus right now is on the former, it’s time to take a trip down memory lane and look at some of the best Naruto episodes that fans still look back fondly on to this day.

Updated on November 28, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Naruto is one of the greatest shonen anime ever made that fans can’t get enough of. Kishimoto’s incredible writing, brilliant fight scenes, memorable characters, and sublime worldbuilding ensure that anyone who decides to check out Naruto will be infatuated by this series after watching it for a few hours. It helps that the pre-time skip run features some of the best Naruto episodes, which will help fans get invested in this amazing story in no time.

29 “Live Or Die: Risk It All To Win It All!”

IMDb Rating: 7.7/10

• Episode Number: 56
• Japanese Title: “Sei ka shi ka!? Menkyo kaiden wa inochi gake!”

The arc in which Naruto trains to learn the summoning jutsu is riveting, showing just how much the ninja needs to learn if he truly wishes to be Hokage. This training also introduces Jiraiya, one of the most beloved characters in Naruto despite being a pervert who crosses the lines.

After getting exasperated in his quest to teach Naruto, Jiraiya decides to take it one step further and throw Naruto down a cliff, hoping that he will finally be able to channel the Nine-Tails’ power and summon a powerful creature to do his bidding. This is precisely what happens, with Gamabunta’s introduction being one of the best parts of the entire show.

28 “Light Vs. Dark: The Two Faces Of Gaara”

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

• Episode Number: 77
• Japanese Title: “Hikari to yami Gaara to iu na”

Gaara is one of the most fascinating characters in the entire series. He starts as a rather sadistic ninja before the truth about his tragic backstory comes to light, showing just how much hatred surrounds this poor child before a betrayal breaks his heart and places him on a dark path.

This leads to Gaara being viewed as more sympathetic in the eyes of viewers, although that doesn’t change the fact that he was actively trying to harm Naruto and his friends. Thankfully, this fight was far from over, even if Naruto had botched up his summoning technique.

27 “A Cry On Deaf Ears”

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

• Episode Number: 128
• Japanese Title: “Todokanai sakebi”

The first fight between Naruto and Sasuke is one of the best moments in Naruto. It was a faceoff that audiences had been eager to see for the longest time, so it was satisfying to see both these characters finally communicate through their fists alone.

At the start of the fight, Naruto tries his hardest to convince his friend to see the light. However, Sasuke doesn’t change his mind. The escalation leads to a battle that was in the making from the very start of Naruto and makes for an incredible way to end the series’ original run before the time skip.

26 “White Past: Hidden Ambition”

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

• Episode Number: 17
• Japanese Title: “Shiroi kako: Himeta omoi”

For an arc that comes pretty early on, both Haku and Zabuza make for a fearsome duo. Viewers quickly understand that they can easily take out Kakashi and his trio of genin if they aren’t sharp enough to deal with this threat. However, while Kakashi is busy tending to one of the legendary Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Sasuke and Naruto are trapped by Haku, who pierces them with needles over and over again until Sasuke has to sacrifice his own body to save Naruto.

This causes Naruto to awaken his fury, unleashing the power of the Nine-Tails on Haku and breaking his mask in the process. It’s only after he does this that he recognizes the person he met in the forest during his training, finally causing him to calm down. Haku implores Naruto to kill him, with the revelation of his backstory making for a truly tragic tale.

25 “Battle Formation: Ino–Shika–Cho!”

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

• Episode Number: 33
• Japanese Title: “Muteki no Fomeshon! Ino–Shika–Cho!”

The Chunin Exams is an arc full to the brim with some of the most iconic moments in Naruto. This includes the entire sequence in the Forest of Death, where Team 7 is on the verge of losing after being targeted by a psychotic Sound ninja. While Asuma’s team decides to observe the fight for a while, the brutal manner in which their classmates are being beaten up doesn’t sit right with them.

As a result, the trio finally show themselves and assist their Leaf Village comrades, leading to a tantalizing team-up that became iconic in the series. The Ino-Shika-Cho formation is a staple of the Leaf Vilage, and this trio more than lives up to the legacy of its predecessors. As a result, this becomes one of the best Naruto episodes for giving viewers a glimpse of what this team can achieve.

24 “Late For The Show, But Ready To Go! The Ultimate Secret Technique Is Born!”

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

• Episode Number: 126
• Japanese Title: “Date ni Okureta Wake Janai! Kyukyoku Ogi – Chidori Tanjo!”

Sasuke loves to make a late entrance, and this can be seen when he appears at the last second to take out Gaara. Given how eager Gaara was for battle, it’s easy to see why this confrontation was going to be a deadly one. However, fans knew that Sasuke’s training with Kakashi was bound to bear some fruit, and this is evident when Sasuke lands the first blow in one of the best Naruto episodes.

He uses the Chidori for the first time, piercing Gaara’s ultimate defense and inflicting a wound that causes the Shukaku’s Jinchuriki to howl in pain. It would’ve been interesting to see how the fight would unfold from this point forward, but Orochimaru put a stop to these plans by starting the attack on Konoha, ending the Chunin Exams at that very moment.

23 “Deadlock! Sannin Showdown!”

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

• Episode Number: 126
• Japanese Title: “San Sukumi no Tatakai”

For the longest time, the Sannin had been built up as a trio of some of the most legendary ninjas in Naruto history. To see this trio flex their muscles and bring their A-game into battle makes for one of Naruto‘s best episodes. The trio use their summons to up the ante in battle, with Orochimaru holding his own against his ex-teammates before beating a hasty retreat.

Even after this battle is over, the episode ends on a satisfying note with Tsunade accepting the role of the Fifth Hokage. She has overcome her demons at this point, thanking Naruto for helping her see the light after the horrors of war had traumatized her. It marks the end of this engaging arc before Sasuke’s dark side overcomes him, setting the stage for a bombastic finale to Naruto‘s original run.

22 “Showdown: Gaara Vs. Kimimaro!”

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

• Episode Number: 126
• Japanese Title: “Saikyou taiketsu! Gaara vs Kimimaro!!”

It was easy to hate Gaara during the Chunin Exams, given his bloodthirst and the horrid injuries he inflicted on Lee. However, his backstory changed everyone’s opinion of him, and watching him come back to save the taijutsu master is an epic moment that establishes the Sand trio as stalwart allies of the Leaf. Despite Lee’s amazing drunken boxing shenanigans, Kimimaro would’ve made quick work of him had it not been for Gaara’s timely intervention.

What follows is an amazing battle where Gaara and Kimimaro engage in a battle of the ages, with everyone’s favorite characters putting their lives on the line to retrieve Sasuke. Not only are Gaara’s sand powers a joy to witness, but Kimimaro’s tragic backstory makes him a hard character to hate despite his villainous allegiances. It’s no wonder why many people consider this showdown to be one of Naruto‘s best episodes.

21 “The Broken Seal”

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

• Episode Number: 16
• Japanese Title: “Kaihosareta fuin”

For an opening arc, the Land of Waves mission does a great job of enhancing Naruto‘s world-building while also allowing for the characters to bond. Haku and Zabuza are riveting antagonists, with the former trapping Naruto and Sasuke in his Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals technique, slowly damaging the duo with his needles before Sasuke protects his friend and is heavily wounded.

This makes for one of the best Naruto episodes when the protagonist regains consciousness and sees that his friend is on the brink of death. The unfiltered rage triggers the strength of the Nine-Tails harbored deep inside his soul, unleashing it in an impressive display that spells doom for Haku’s plans. While the beatdown occurs in the later episode, this moment is one of many that cements the Land of Waves arc as one of the greatest introductory arcs in shonen history.

20 “An Unrivaled Match: Hokage Battle Royale!”

IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

• Episode Number: 71
• Japanese Title: “Kokon muso! “Hokage” toiu reberu no tatakai”

The Konoha Crush arc lets fans witness the might of a Hokage firsthand, with Sarutobi being called to the forefront of the action after his pupil attempts to destroy Konoha. To achieve this, he revives the first two Hokage in a bid to take out his former sensei. What follows is a battle on a scale that shows just how powerful the strongest ninja in the Leaf Village are, with the three Hokage showing their immense power in a battle for the ages.

Sarutobi is pushed to the limits in one of the best Naruto episodes that fans feasted on. He reached a point of utter desperation and had to whip out the Reaper Death Seal technique to seal away the souls of the revived Hokage for good. While he was too weak when he attempted to seal away Orochimaru, the Third Hokage took away his pupil’s arms, removing his ability to perform ninjutsu. This was his last act as the Hokage before he passed away.

19 “The Fifth Hokage! A Life On The Line”

IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

• Episode Number: 95
• Japanese Title: “Godaime Hokage, Inochi o Kaketa Tatakai!”

This is the episode where Tsunade finally becomes the Fifth Hokage, overcoming her fear of blood and saving Naruto from death. It takes a ton of willpower on her part, making her a powerful character indeed.

Witnessing Tsunade’s struggles and how she manages to overcome them is a blast. It’s a great character-focused that ends on a high note, with all three members of the Sannin unleashing their summons.

18 “Eye To Eye: Sharingan Vs. Sharingan!”

IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

• Episode Number: 82
• Japanese Title: “Sharingan tai Sharingan!!”

This is the first time viewers properly see Itachi in action, and who better to have this duel with other than Kakashi? Both Sharingan users flex their skills, but Itachi shows why his natural right over this eye technique made him such a greater threat.

This leads to Kakashi being caught in a powerful genjutsu that sounded nightmarish. It was clear that Itachi’s powers were in a league of their own.

17 “The Sand Shinobi: Allies Of The Leaf”

IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

• Episode Number: 125
• Japanese Title: “Konoha doumeikoku Suna no shinobi”

There was a time when the Sand Shinobi was one of the major antagonists of the Chunin Exams arc, with Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro proving to be tough opponents that required a fair bit of effort to be taken out. The conclusion of this story arc sees Gaara finally understanding Naruto’s side of things, and this episode sees them coming back as reinforcements for the Leaf Shinobi when they’re on a mission to retrieve Sasuke from the clutches of Orochimaru’s goons.

Witnessing this face turn be cemented once and for all makes for a great time, with all three characters showing off their prowess and taking out the members of the Sound Four and Kimimaro. It’s a strong episode that shows just how deep and engaging Naruto‘s storytelling is, with players falling in love with the trio, especially when Gaara comes out of nowhere to save the shinobi he almost crippled back when hate was the only thing driving his motivations.

16 “The Sharingan Revived: Dragon-Flame Jutsu!”

IMDb Rating: 8.5/10

• Episode Number: 30
• Japanese Title: “Yomigaere Sharingan! Hissatsu: Katon – Ryûka no jutsu!”

Regardless of how stupid it may seem to expose young children to the dangers of the Forest of Death during the Chunin Exams, this section of the arc introduces Orochimaru as a major threat to the Leaf and how obsessed he is with Sasuke. This episode focuses on a fight between Sasuke and Orochimari, who is disguised as Shiore at the time.

After showcasing a wealth of abilities, Sasuke is incapacitated with the Curse Mark that takes him out for a major chunk of the arc. Anko’s backstory with Orochimaru is also explored, with the character further serving as a way to highlight the depravity of Orochimaru’s experiments and why it was the right decision to exile him from Konoha after all.

15 “The Third Hokage, Forever…”

IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

• Episode Number: 80
• Japanese Title: “Sandaime yo, towa ni……!!”

The Chunin Exams ended on an epic note, with the series gradually showing the legacy surrounding the Leaf Village near the climax of the battle between Gaara and Naruto. However, the ending of this arc is pretty sad. The Third Hokage passes away after using the Reaper Death Seal to stop Orochimaru’s plans.

His death had a resounding effect on the events of Naruto, leading to the introduction of Jiraiya and Tsunade, members of the Legendary Sannin along with Orochimaru himself. It was an emotional moment that showed just how much the Leaf Village lost in this assault, despite coming out victorious.

14 “Roar, Chidori! Brother Vs. Brother!”

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

• Episode Number: 84
• Japanese Title: “Unare Chidori Hoero Sasuke”

Sasuke’s introduction in Naruto is as edgy as they come, with the character proclaiming his hatred for his brother and how the only goal he has in life is to get as strong as possible and take out Itachi. So, when Naruto comes face to face with Itachi as Sasuke runs back to save his friend and face off against his brother, fans finally get to see the reason why Naruto’s rival harbors such an intense hatred for his brother.

Itachi is painted as a heinous villain who killed everyone in the village, including Sasuke’s parents. When they eventually face off, Itachi wastes no time in schooling Sasuke, showing just how weak he is compared to his brother. While Jiraiya’s intervention may seem like the moment when Sasuke is saved, viewers who know the truth can rest easy knowing the fact that Sasuke wouldn’t have perished at the hands of his brother even without the Toad Sage coming to save the day.

13 “Goodbye Old Friend…! I’ll Always Believe in You!”

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

• Episode Number: 114
• Japanese Title: “Saraba Tomo yo…! Soredemo Ore wa Shinjiteru”

One of the many reasons most people aren’t huge fans of post-time skip Naruto is how shamelessly the side cast is pushed aside in favor of spectacle, new personalities, and the two main heroes. There was a time when Naruto’s friends were just as useful as he was, and this could be seen during the Sasuke Retrieval arc.

Choji has always seemed like a good-for-nothing glutton, a fact that even he’s aware of. So, watching him down a bunch of pills to put Jirobo in his place makes for a great moment. Thankfully, his life was saved before he could pass away from exerting his body so much.

12 “A Failure’s True Power”

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

• Episode Number: 62
• Japanese Title: “Ochikobore no sokojikara!”

The fight between Naruto and Neji during the Chunin Exams is one of the best in the series, allowing the protagonist to show just how much he’s grown as a ninja. The sheer volume of emotions in this battle makes it one of the best that viewers get to witness.

Most people assumed Neji would easily overpower the Number One Hyperactive Knucklehead Ninja in this contest. However, Naruto’s unrelenting resolve and strong force of will allowed him to overpower his opposition near the end of the fight.

11 “Attack! Fury Of The Rasengan”

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

• Episode Number: 94
• Japanese Title: “Kurae! Ikari no Rasengan”

The Rasengan is one of Naruto’s most iconic moves, and in this episode, he pulls off this attack for the first time. Considering this, it goes without saying that this episode ranks among the most legendary in the series.

Watching Naruto land this ultra-powerful attack on Kabuto is an incredibly satisfying moment, with the music reaching a satisfying crescendo as he does so. It’s one of the best moments in Naruto and serves as a turning point for the protagonist.

10 “The Beast Within”

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

• Episode Number: 124
• Japanese Title: “Yajuu sakuretsu! Hajikero futtobe tsukinukero!”

Rock Lee is one of the best characters in Naruto. His powerful mastery of taijutsu and infectious personality made him a major highlight of the Chunin arc.

“The Beast Within” explores a goofier side of his character when he unwittingly drinks some alcohol and shows a surprising mastery of the Drunken Fist. His attacks look incredible, making his fight with Kimimaru entertaining indeed.