The best episodes of the original Naruto anime were emotional and full of great fight scenes and demonstrate why it became a global phenomenon among hardcore and casual anime fans alike. The Naruto franchise, like a good deal of popular anime of the 90s and 2000s, was based on a manga. Masashi Kishimoto created a sprawling world where ninja harnessed their chakra to accomplish impossible feats. The franchise is still ongoing with the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations manga and anime.
Before Boruto became the center of the story, however, his father was just a kid trying to find his way in the shinobi world. Some of Naruto’s most popular story arcs include those of the "Chunin Exams" and "Sasuke Recovery Mission." Many of the most popular, and best-crafted, episodes land in those two story arcs. The best Naruto episodes continue to be the ones offering emotional character moments, while also contributing to the action and the most popular arcs of the series.
20 The Broken Seal, Episode 16
Though this episode was only 16 into the anime, it's one of the first hints at the real bond between Sasuke and Naruto. They spent a good chunk of time as rivals throughout the show, but Naruto was so determined to save him from himself later, even referencing him as his brother. This was the beginning of that as the two battle Haku together, both nearly sacrificing themselves for the other and refusing to give up the fight.
It's also the first big hint at just what Naruto was capable of. When he thought Sasuke was killed in battle, the seal holding the nine-tailed fox at bay was briefly broken, allowing him a surge of power. The episode as a whole was a lot of teasers for the storylines to come, but it's also got the great fight sequence to boot.
19 The Sand Shinobi: Allies Of The Leaf Episode 125
Set during the incredibly popular "Sasuke Recovery Arc," this episode gave the spotlight to the Sunagakure siblings Kankuro, Temari, and Gaara. It split its time among the three as they saved Kiba, Shikamaru, and Lee, respectively, from the conflicts they were embroiled in. It's a great episode to remind the audience just how strong the siblings were as ninjas, but also a nice chance to show them off as allies.
Though they were enemies of Konoha during the "Chunin Exams" arc, the trio grew to become incredibly important to Naruto and his friends throughout the franchise. Shikamaru eventually even married Temari. This particular episode planted the seeds for those ties between the Sunagakure royal family members and the Konohagakure village inhabitants.
18 The Sharingan Revived: Dragon-Flame Jutsu!, Episode 30
Not only were Sasuke's fights beloved by fans, but so was the arc centered on the Chunin Exams. It makes perfect sense then for this episode to be so highly regarded since it involved both of those subjects. Sasuke's battle against Shiore occurred in this episode — a duel that remains one of the most shocking in Naruto so far.
Just when Sasuke thought he had the upper hand, Shiore's face melted away to reveal Orochimaru's underneath. Orochimaru then did something unexpected: bit Sasuke and took off. Though Anko pursued him, she wasn't able to stop him. That action set up Sasuke's path for the rest of the series as Sasuke ended up with a curse mark and a tie to Orochimaru, seeking out the villain to teach him. This episode started it all for Sasuke.
17 Byakugan Battle: Hinata Grows Bold, Episode 46
Set during the incredibly popular "Chunin Exams" arc of the Naruto series, this episode focused on an unexpected match-up. The Chunin Exam match-ups, pitting students against one another for one-on-one fights, were random. The particular skill levels of the students involved didn’t matter since they all had the same amount of training despite them having different specialties. The match in this episode, however, paired up two members of the Hyuga clan: Hinata and her cousin Neji.
Hinata and Neji both had access to the same powers because of their inherited abilities, but Neji was much more proficient with them at the time. That made the fight very uneven, but the episode was a great one in spite of that. That’s because Hinata’s desire to persevere and prove her worth outweighed the knowledge that Neji had more skill than her. It was the first time the audience saw Hinata demonstrate the bravery that would become a part of her character throughout the series.
16 Roar, Chidori! Brother VS Brother Episode 84
This was a huge episode for Sasuke and Itachi fans. While in the present timeline Itachi and Kisame were on the hunt for Naruto, with Sasuke intent on stopping them, much of the episode was actually told in flashback. Those flashbacks provided the audience with Sasuke's point of view from the day that Itachi destroyed the Uchiha clan.
Eventually, the series revealed the entire truth behind that day, and not just Sasuke's perception of it. The day was what made Sasuke the shinobi he was when he and Naruto were placed on the same team. Sasuke was consumed with a desire for vengeance at the time. This episode gave fans a much-needed insight into Sasuke's character and just why he and Naruto, despite so many similar circumstances in their childhoods, were so different.
15 Zero Motivation: The Guy With Cloud Envy, Episode 64
One of the hallmarks of Shikamaru Nara’s character in the early episodes of Naruto was that he was the self-professed laziest ninja in his class. As a result, despite his understanding of how to accomplish different difficult ninja moves, he chose not to use them. He even didn’t want to have to participate in the one-on-one match-ups of the Chunin Exams. He had to battle Temari of Sunagakure.
One of the reasons this is one of the best Naruto episodes is because it acted as such a great showcase for what Shikamaru could actually do. While his early Chunin Exam match wasn’t that hard for him, Temari understood his abilities and had her own strategy to use against him. The two fighters traded insults and blows, and they developed respect for one another. Shikamaru ultimately forfeiting the match might have left some fans confused, but it perfectly fit his character at the time, and set up his intriguing relationship with Temari after that.
14 The Third Hokage, Forever, Episode 80
Set during the aftermath of Orochimaru's attack on Konoha during the Chunin Exams, this episode of Naruto explored the emotional fallout from the attack, though it only had time to do that in bits and pieces. Naruto learned a lot about sacrifice and legacy as a result of the Third Hokage's death, but he's not the only one.
Gaara learned what it meant to truly care about other people instead of simply fearing them or blaming them. He saw how much strength Naruto drew from his desire to protect his friends, and how much his friends banded together. It was the turning point for Gaara to grow into a better person, and when fans became more interested in his character. He took that first step when he apologized to his siblings for what he put them through.
13 A Failure's True Power Episode 62
Another episode set during the events of the Chunin Exams, this one centered on Neji Hyuga and Naruto. In the final rounds of battles, Naruto had to battle Neji. It was a match-up that the audience was intrigued to see since Naruto had previously encouraged Hinata to hang on in her battle against her cousin.
While Neji saw Naruto as a failure of a shinobi, he was in for quite a surprise. Even after sealing off all of Naruto's chakra, Naruto was still able to battle him thanks to the chakra of the Nine-tails inside of him. Naruto even managed to pull off an upset, successfully fooling Neji with a shadow clone and winning the match.
12 Good-Bye Old Friend... I'll Always Believe In You!, Episode 114
When Shikamaru was instructed to lead a search for Sasuke Uchiha, he took most of his male classmates along with him. He knew that each of them had skills that would help along the way, but one of the first he had to leave behind was Choji, his best friend.
Choji insisted the others go on without him and used the Akimichi Clan's food pills to take on a member of the Sound Four. This episode included the bulk of the fight, as well as plenty of emotional backstory for Choji and Shikamaru's friendship. It endeared a lot of fans to Choji if they didn't already like his character. This episode was an important step in getting fans to like Choji since he hadn't seen a lot of attention at that point.
11 Attack! Fury Of The Rasengan, Episode 94
When Naruto left the village with Jiraiya to search for Tsunade, he spent a lot of time learning to create a Rasengan. During the events of this episode, and a battle against Kabuto, he got to use it. Jiraiya, Shizune, and Naruto tried to help Tsunade when she's paralyzed by her phobia of blood in the battle against Orochimaru. Jiraiya took on Orochimaru, leaving Naruto and Shizune to deal with Kabuto, while Tsunade looked on in fear.
Though the episode was largely made up of a difficult fight, Naruto surprised them all, unwilling to let anyone harm Tsunade, with his desire to fight on her behalf strengthening his skills. It's one of the many episodes in the original series that showcased Naruto's determination before he gained so many other skills in the sequel series.
10 Losing Is Not An Option, Episode 117
The reason the "Sasuke Recovery Mission" arc is one of the fan-favorite arcs of the anime is because each episode was able to highlight another character in the large group. There was something so satisfying about seeing so many of the young characters take on such a brutal mission - and live to tell the tale. This particular chapter spotlighted Neji’s part in the battle.
In “Losing Is Not An Option,” Neji faced off against one of the Sound Four on his own. Though nearly outmatched, Neji found a way to use an injury to his advantage. When his enemy launched an arrow at him, Neji allowed it to pierce him, then sent his chakra traveling back along the arrow and its string to paralyze his opponent. Neji’s injuries were so severe that fans thought he might not make it through the mission, but they didn’t have to worry about losing him just yet. This episode went a long way toward making fans like him rather than hating him for hurting Hinata so badly.
9 Naruto’s Ninja Handbook, Episode 78
One of the aspects fans love about the Naruto franchise is the title character’s battles with other tailed beasts. This episode gave fans their first real taste of that — and helped Gaara become a fan favorite. Gaara and the tailed beasts are a big reason this episode is one of the best Naruto episodes. While battling Gaara, this is the episode where Naruto realized that the two weren’t so different.
When he couldn’t make headway with the other shinobi, he called for help, summoning one of the giant toads. Gamabunta named Gaara’s tailed beast form as Shukaku. It was the first glimpse the audience got of what it meant for someone to have a tailed beast locked inside and take control in Naruto. It led to a massive fight sequence that, of course, couldn’t be contained in a single episode.
8 Beyond The Limit Of Darkness And Light, Episode 79
Part of the "Konoha Crush" arc, this episode expanded to allow for the audience to see what was going on in the village beyond the battle between the teens. As serious as Naruto’s face-off with Gaara was, the rest of the village was also in big trouble. The Third Hokage battled Orochimaru for as long as he could.
When his power wasn’t enough to hold out anymore, he sacrificed himself, but not before making sure to paralyze Orochimaru’s arms. Without the use of his arms, Orochimaru couldn’t properly form hand signs to engage in battle, giving the village a minor win against him. That win came at a heartbreaking cost though as they needed a new leader. One of the best parts of the episode was the battle between Orochimaru and the Third Hokage though as the two new one another's styles so well.
7 For A Friend…, Episode 132
Following Sasuke’s defection from Konohagakure, Naruto was determined to bring his rival home. Unfortunately for him, Sasuke had other plans. This episode kicked off said plans. In it, Sasuke decided Naruto was the closest person to him. He considered the other boy a friend, and as a result, he found it necessary to destroy Naruto so that he could grow stronger.
Throughout the episode, Sasuke attacked Naruto, while Naruto did little more than take it. It might have infuriated some fans, but Naruto wasn’t initially willing to hurt Sasuke. The Nine-Tails inside Naruto healed his wounds while Naruto reminded Sasuke of their rivalry and friendship. The reminder only added to Sasuke’s resolve, while it made Naruto more determined to bring him home. They were at an impasse, but it highlighted the crux of their conflict.
6 The End Of Tears, Episode 134
“The End Of Tears” saw Sasuke and Naruto’s battle that began in "For A Friend..." come to an end. Throughout the battle, the two used their most powerful weapons against one another. Sasuke activated his full cursed seal while Naruto gave in to the power of the fox. Interestingly, the battle reads more like two friends showing off as neither can bring himself to outright destroy the other.
Sasuke, technically, won the fight as he’s still standing in the end. It’s a prelude to the battles the two would fight in the sequel series Naruto Shippuden. The skills the two would develop would become leagues better than showcased here, but it's one of the best Naruto episodes because it teases the epic fight to come.
5 Gaara Vs Rock Lee: The Power Of Youth Explodes, Episode 48
This episode began the match between Lee and Gaara at the Chunin Exams which finds so many of its pieces in the top episodes of the series. The match-up between these two characters is just so fantastic because of how very different they are. Their abilities are out completely opposite ends of the shinobi spectrum, but they're both masters of their particular skills.
Despite their very different abilities, the two managed to appear relatively evenly matched. Unfortunately, for Lee, appearances could be deceiving. The audience got a great fight sequence between the two in the episode, but the end revealed the Gaara Lee had been fighting the whole time was the result of a body replacement jutsu. It was a great twist, and Lee had his work cut out for him.
4 Lee's Hidden Strength: Forbidden Secret Jutsu, Episode 49
Like a lot of the episodes set during the "Chunin Exams" arc, this one didn't just showcase a big fight — though it did that too. This episode occurred right in the middle of Rock Lee's fight against Gaara. In addition to the intense combat, it was also a pivotal episode for Rock Lee, and arguably the Naruto episode in which many viewers decided they were now firmly on-board the Rock Lee bandwagon.
While Lee gathered his force of will to battle Gaara, he also remembered how far he'd come as a shinobi. So did his teammates. Much of the episode treated the audience to flashbacks, demonstrating how strong of a shinobi Lee was without him being able to perform complicated jutsu. Flashback episodes could be hit or miss in the Naruto franchise, but this one was a hit. It allowed fans to see the journey Lee had been on and make him a fan favorite.
3 The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja Is Born, Episode 50
Also set during the arc of the "Chunin Exams", this episode showcased how great of a ninja Rock Lee could be. Unlike his classmates, Lee relied solely on his hand-to-hand skills. This episode saw the culmination of his match against Gaara. Lee’s hand-to-hand skills were no match for an opponent who used sand as a weapon, so Lee began to use the Eight-Gates technique.
As far as he got was opening the Fifth Gate, a move which granted him more physical power, but made Gaara take more extreme measures. After Gaara crushed one of Lee’s legs and arms, it was revealed that Lee would never be able to fight like a ninja again. It was an emotional ending to the match for fans and demonstrated the very real stakes of being a shinobi.
2 The Demon In The Snow, Episode 19
One of the earliest Naruto episodes to also be one of the best Naruto episodes, this one took place while Team 7 was on a mission in the Land of Waves. It marked the end of their confrontation with the ninja Zabuza. Though Zabuza spent the previous episodes as their enemy, after Naruto mourned the loss of Zabuza’s protégé Haku, the ninja had a change of heart.
Zabuza targeted the organized crime boss who took the life of Haku instead. Naruto learned in the episode that many of the people in power only thought of shinobi as tools to be used in battle, something Naruto disagreed with. It was the first time in the series that the idea of being more than just a fighting machine was brought up, though it wouldn’t be the last.
1 A Plea From A Friend, Episode 133
Though other episodes in this particular arc rank among the top episodes, this one is the best Naruto episode. It’s because the bulk of the fight occurs in this one as Sasuke and Naruto battle over the former defecting from Konohagakure. “A Plea From A Friend” saw Sasuke pummel Naruto as he taunted his former teammate that he “won’t even be able to scratch [his] forehead.”
That taunt came back to haunt Sasuke in “The End Of Tears,” but here, it only served to set the mood. The very fluid fight sequence occurred only after Naruto admitted that he thought of Sasuke like a brother for the first time. Naruto’s bond with Sasuke, and Sasuke’s desire to break it, formed the foundation of their conflict for the entire rest of the series.