10 Best Naruto Episodes That Will Make Any Viewer an Instant Fan

April 30, 2024, 10 p.m.

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10 Best Naruto Episodes That Will Make Any Viewer an Instant Fan

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Summary The best Naruto episodes are emotionally charged and focus on character development.

Early episodes showcase powerful ninja and define main characters.

Most of the best episodes highlight iconic battles, emotional moments, and character growth.

The best episodes of Naruto are often emotionally charged, yet many are also centered upon a single character's development in the story. As the series goes on, the world becomes more fleshed out as the stakes are clear, focusing on big-scale events and epic action.

Naruto has become a multimedia sensation in the decades since its first pages in Shonen Jump. Still, many fans were hooked within a few episodes of the hit anime. The series, adapted by Pierrot Co., Ltd. is responsible for being among the most influential examples of anime achieving mainstream success. Before the time skip into Naruto Shippuden, some episodes of the initial show boast thrilling action and emotional plot beats sure to live on in fans' hearts for years to come.

It's essentially where viewers get their first glimpse at the most critical characters in Naruto, what motivates them, and what their defining moments say about them. The best episodes are cited as all-time fan favorites, making it clear why Naruto is among the world's most popular kids' shows.

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10 "Deadlock! Sannin Showdown!" Serves as a Showcase of the Mightiest Shinobi of Their Generation

Episode #96

Many of the first story arcs in Naruto offer glimpses at the most potent shinobi, but they're often lopsided affairs with more focus given to the genin in the series. However, in the Search for Tsunade arc, fans get to see the awesome might of the Sannin, each of whom is vastly influential to their respective pupils, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke. It also showcases all three of the Sannin's summons, who previously worked together in the Second Great Ninja War.

"Deadlock! Sannin Showdown!" features Naruto fan-favorite Orochimaru who, still critically injured by Hiruzen Sarutobi, tries to subdue Jiraiya and Tsunade so he can recruit the latter to heal his arms. Orochimaru's summoned ally, the giant snake Manda, fights Jiraiya's giant toad Gamabunta and Tsunade's Katsuyu in this climactic end to the Search for Tsunade arc. It ends with Tsunade ascending to the Hokage position and shows the earliest days of her bonding with Naruto. The icing on the cake is the bonus of seeing all three summoned beasts from the manga covers.

9 "The Demon in the Snow" Is Often Cited as the First Naruto Episode to Win Many Fans Ove

Episode #19

The earliest Naruto episode fans see as a typical example of the show's excellence is from the Land of Waves arc. The episode is an unexpectedly tragic ending for the series' first significant adversary, Zabuza Momochi, and his pupil, Haku. However, it also functions as a swan song for Zabuza, who turns against his callous employer in a display of ferocity that shows why he is given the moniker Demon of the Hidden Mist.

At the beginning of the episode, Zabuza is thoroughly defeated, thanks to a deadly fight with Kakashi and Team 7. Zabuza's beloved student is gone, and in his place stands an angry hired ninja mob along with Gato, Zabuza's employer, who sees the ninja as a loose end to be trimmed. Lacking any anchors or a sense of purpose, Zabuza is triggered by Gato's disrespect of Haku, prompting the assassin to carry out one final attack before succumbing to his injuries. It's a brutal and sympathetic display and a glimpse at similarly sympathetic Naruto villains in the future.

8 "A Failure Stands Tall!" Lets the Timid Hyuga Scion Show True Courage

Episode #46

The Hyuga Clan is a complicated family in Naruto due to its dual structure, and it is also the strongest clan of Konoha. Their closely-guarded genetic secret, the iconic Byakugan eye, allows its user to see virtually 360 degrees around themselves, with their vision penetrating surfaces including human skin. This empowers the excellent shinobi of Naruto's generation but with one caveat: the Hyuga clan has two families, a Main, and a Branch family, the latter of which is doomed to serve the former under fear of death. "A Failure Stands Tall" concludes the show's first clash between these families.

The Byakugan Eyes are among the most famous kekkei genkai, or genetic gifts, in the Naruto fandom, considered a powerful ninja asset with enormous tactical uses. It ranks along with the Sharingan and the Rinnegan as the most iconic and powerful of their category.

As part of the Chunin Exams arc, Naruto and his fellow Konoha genin are pitted against each other in a tournament where all fighters are encouraged to use their unique skills to their advantage. Tragically, this episode is a lopsided match between the meek Hinata of the Main Hyuga branch and Neji Hyuga, a branch family member with a chip on his shoulder about Hinata's position. Neji uses this fight to carry out his rage, and even though he thoroughly outclasses Hinata, he has to be subdued by four proctors before something drastic happens in a genuinely striking shot.

7 "Naruto's Ninja Handbook" Shows Naruto Stepping Up to a Lethal Threat Against Konoha

Episode #78

The Konoha Crush arc is the first of several in which Naruto's home village is in mortal danger, but it's also where he hits his stride as a fighter. After learning from Jiraiya and netting some impressive wins at the Chunin exams, he's pitted against the most dangerous and unhinged fellow ninja from Sunagakure, Gaara of the Sand. Unlike virtually any of Naruto's peers, Gaara is the only one who wouldn't hesitate to kill Naruto at that point in the series.

In this episode, fans see plenty of moments as proof that Naruto was coming into his own. Although previously seen in the Chunin exams, Naruto shows up his rival, Sasuke, to take on Gaara who is being overtaken by his Tailed Beast, Shukaku. Plenty of moments in the episode will appeal to fans, namely a deadly interpretation of the hilarious Thousand Years of Death move taught by Kakashi. Naruto rises to the occasion in this episode, summoning the massive Gamabunta to fight Gaara's monstrous form, spicing things up with a transformation sure to entice fans.

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6 "Eye to Eye: Sharingan vs. Sharingan!" Features an Early Clash With the Akatsuki

Episode #82

Itachi Uchiha is an all-time fan favorite, and so is Kakashi Hatake, his opponent in this episode of Naruto. This clash results in a memorable visual smorgasbord of the power of genjutsu users. It's also a fantastic showcase of the potential of the Sharingan eye, a genetic gift of the Uchiha clan.

Kakashi gets a taste of Itachi's developed Sharingan-empowered techniques, namely Tsukuyomi, which subjects the Team 7 leader to unbearable torture. Time dilation further enhances this agony, making mere seconds feel like seventy-two hours. The visuals used to render this include eerily colorless shots aside from an ominous red sky, tying the colors of Akatsuki directly to Itachi's violent identity and an authentic taste of the Mangekyo Sharingan.

5 "For a Friend..." Features a Heartbreaking Betrayal

Episode #132

It features a potent showcase of their respective techniques, some truly memorable shots, and a ripple effect on the rest of the franchise.

Tensions run high for Naruto and one of his closest allies in this episode. It features a potent showcase of their respective techniques, some truly memorable shots, and a ripple effect on the rest of the franchise. Fans look back on the most pivotal scene of the episode, where the two rivals go all-out, showing their respective talents and techniques in an almost lethal confrontation.

Releasing more details would spoil a central plot point, and, especially for viewers who are not yet fans, it's best to keep things vague. However, the episode is one of the most critical developments in the series before the time skip. The look on Naruto's face when he realizes his opponent is entirely on board with the potential to kill him is heartbreaking, but it makes this one of the most memorable episodes among fans. It's also infamously among the last episodes before the longest streak of filler episodes in the anime. Don't worry, though; Naruto Shippuden has even more filler.

4 "Beyond the Limit of Darkness and Light" Continues Naruto's Climactic Fight With a Nine-Tailed Twist

Episode #79

This episode is iconic in early Naruto because it features a clash of two characters with surprisingly similar backstories and is uniquely cathartic for Konoha's citizens. Naruto makes a deliberate choice with his transformation jutsu in this episode, transforming his summoned ally, Gamabunta, into Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Beast, to use his fangs and claws. Moreover, it's a symbolic gesture, using the image of the beast who once devastated Konoha to protect it instead.

Episode #79 is the epic finale of the Konoha Crush arc for Naruto, which shows his home's Will of Fire while fighting off an assault coordinated by Orochimaru and Sunagakure. It's an astounding achievement for Naruto, continuing to impress Sasuke, while elsewhere, a tragedy unfolds that will affect the village's future. It's a pyrrhic victory by all accounts, but one to foreshadow many more for the protagonist.

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3 "The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is Born" Shows the Awesome Power of Taijutsu

Episode #50

Rock Lee's character is a curious design choice in Naruto, sporting a Bruce Lee-style tracksuit, bowl haircut, and legwarmers concealing massive training weights. The moment he laid his dinner plate eyes and caterpillar eyebrows on Sakura, he vowed to protect her, and when he saw rivals like Sasuke, he promised to defeat them. In Naruto Episode #50, he wins the hearts of fans by championing the fruits of his efforts while paying the price when pitted against a ruthless, bloodthirsty prodigy.

Rock Lee faces Gaara in this famous episode of Naruto, where he realizes he must unleash the ideal offense to overcome Gaara's signature perfect defense. At this point in their fight, he's in the middle of unleashing his ultimate technique, the Eight Gates, which puts enormous pressure on his body but exerts lethal, raw strength. The mounting pressure of the fight, along with a deadly counterattack by Gaara, changes Rock Lee's foreseeable future for the worse. Yet, it is also a spectacular half-hour of animated martial arts television.

2 "Zero Motivation: The Guy with Cloud Envy!" Introduces Naruto's Dark Horse, Reminding Fans This is a Ninja Anime

Episode #64

Sometimes, it's unclear how significant the ninja theme is to Naruto, as it often mixes seemingly magic, monster-taming, summoning, and, oddly, cyborgs in Boruto. This isn't a coincidence, either, as creator Masashi Kishimoto clarified in Volume #1 that the original draft of Naruto was about magic and sorcery. However, this episode gives viewers a glimpse at the most unlikely candidate, whose secret, unbridled tactical genius and talents as a ninja are only undercut by his laziness. Viewers are introduced to Shikamaru Nara and his true relatable appeal as a character in Naruto.

[Naruto] often mixes seemingly magic, monster-taming, summoning, and, oddly, cyborgs in Boruto. This isn't a coincidence, either, as creator Masashi Kishimoto clarified in Volume #1 that the original draft of Naruto was about magic and sorcery.

It's the Chunin Exams arc, and Shikamaru is pitted against Temari of Sunagakure, one of three favored candidates for the exam. Shikamaru is considered unremarkable, but as revealed by his mentor, Asuma, it's purely a lack of motivation, as his IQ is an unfathomable 200. The episode turns into a brilliant tactical showcase where he dictates the entire battle and ends it on his terms. While he doesn't score a KO by any count, his proctors and spectators are shocked that he is the only member of his graduating class to be promoted to Chunin.

1 "The End of Tears" Features Naruto's Greatest Failure

Episode #134

It's heartbreaking to see two classmates unable to get along, and Episode #134 of Naruto shows the extreme of such cases for fans. It's one of the most memorable episodes in the Naruto franchise, with several key scenes and allusions to previous conflicts between Konoha's leaders. It also shapes the course of Naruto Uzumaki's saga as he sets out to restore this friendship at the cost of life and limb.

Both survive, but Naruto is left defeated in a haunting scene that will live on in fans' memories long after the ending theme song plays.

The episode features both characters giving into their deadly transformations, unlocking vast power that could quickly kill either. Both survive, but Naruto is left defeated in a haunting scene that will live on in fans' memories long after the ending theme song plays. The iconic moment where Naruto is left lying down, defeated, as his opponent discards his defaced Leaf headband is a betrayal of Konoha. Naruto's stalwart dedication to this ally, vowing to bring them back, perfectly encapsulates his character, making this the most crucial episode in the Naruto franchise.