Naruto has had a huge influence on the anime, and, while most people talk more about Shippuden and the more recent Boruto, the original Naruto series was where it all started. Some of the most memorable fights in the entire sprawling series happened in Naruto's younger days before Sasuke became an enemy of all Shinobi and the fate of the world was at stake.
Instead, there were just children fighting until their last breaths against other children. No big deal. All jokes aside, some of the episodes changed the fate of the characters, as well as the series as a whole, and had a huge impact on the fans, as well. So, here are the 10 best Naruto episodes according to IMDB.
The Beast Within (8.7)
The Sasuke Recovery Mission was a highlight of the original Naruto series, and it comes as no surprise. There were some epic fights in there, showing off the highlights of some of the best young ninja in Konoha. One really impressive fight was Rock Lee battling Kimimaro while drunk so that the final Kaguya could not anticipate his attacks.
A fascinating mix of awesome and absurd, Rock Lee pink-cheeked and flailing around the battlefield was one of those fights that proved how powerful the Konoha 11 really were. And, in a fantastic twist, having Gaara save Rock Lee only made the episode better.
For A Friend... (8.7)
When Sasuke officially defected from Konoha, the way it affected his friends was powerful. Kakashi sent all the canine forces he could after the young Ochiha, but Naruto took it another step, opting to hunt Sasuke himself. When the two faced off, Sasuke planned to end his rival's life to get the upgraded Sharingan. However, Naruto Uzumaki doesn't go down easily.
After a short but hard fight, Sasuke seems to beat Naruto. When he approaches him, though, he remembers his joy at getting a rival and all their times together. Naruto's fox spirit is then activated, and the young ramen-head threatens to break every bone in Sasuke's body in order to bring him home.
Naruto's Ninja Handbook (8.8)
The first episode of the series, Naruto shows off his obnoxious nature and inner troublemaker. However, fans quickly see it's all to cover his loneliness and the constant bullying from the other villagers.
When Naruto has an opportunity to get stronger, to make people proud, to show them he's worth something, he takes it. And, though he illegally learns how to make perfect shadow clones, he does save his teacher and finds new support in Iruka. He also resolves to prove to everyone how great he can be by becoming Hokage.
Losing Is Not An Option! (8.8)
From his first moment on screen, Neji was a powerful fan-favorite with a troubled history and great abilities. Though he could be cruel with them, everyone was still rooting for him to get the acknowledgment he craved.
During the Sasuke Recovery Mission, Neji acts like a member of a team for the first time. With that, he is even more capable than ever before. In his fight with the Sound Four's Kidomaru, he shows off his growing adaptability, all he's learned from Naruto, and the great potential inside him. Who doesn't love a Neji episode?
The Demon in The Snow (8.8)
After the long, arduous battle of Zabuza against Kakashi and Haku against Sasuke and Naruto, Haku has lost his life, and Zabuza is gravely injured. However, when he sees his apprentice's corpse, he insists that he used the young ninja as a tool, that he didn't care about him. Naruto bullied the genuine feelings of heartbreak out of Zabuza, and, with that, he turns on his employers and strikes them all down.
Afterward, he bleeds out next to the orphaned protegee he cared so deeply for. Team 7 then buries the two peacefully, and it's one of the most tragic episodes in the entire series.
Beyond The Limit of Darkness And Light (8.9)
During Orochimaru's assault on Konoha, this episode is the end of two great battles. One between Naruto and Gaara and the other between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru. "Beyond The Limit of Darkness and Light" sees Naruto find his own inner strength to break Shukaku's hold over Gaara and stop the jinchuriki from rampaging just as his fox once destroyed Konoha all those years ago.
Meanwhile, the Third Hokage sacrifices himself to save his village from Orochimaru, sealing the ninja's ninjutsu. He may not be able to end his student's life, but he can take his power from him. This episode was a game-changer.
The End of Tears (8.9)
Naruto and Sasuke's fight for Sasuke's soul is one of the most tenuous events in Naruto, two rivals and friends nearly destroying each other for their principles. Sasuke also starts his true dark seal transformation, growing wings, and using them in battle.
Though both boys are immensely powerful for their age, after clashing with their fists and words, Sasuke ends up the victor. He started this fight planning to end Naruto's life, but he leaves the young Uzumaki's unconscious body. While it was the turning point of the show, showcasing Sasuke giving over to his darkness, it also showed the last glimmer of hope in Sasuke. After all, he couldn't destroy Naruto.
Episode 50 "The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja Is Born" (9.0)
Every ninja in Naruto is unique and powerful, but Rock Lee is particularly inspiring, as he's a ninja without ninjutsu. He may know how to use physical attacks and some willpower abilities, but he doesn't have a special gift like Sasuke's Sharingan or Hinata's Byakugan. He can't just conjure fire to help him out in a fight.
But, in this episode, Rock Lee showed off his own strength, opening up five gates inside him to fight back against Gaara's almost insurmountable power. He may have lost, but Rock Lee impressed everyone with his determination.
"Gaara Vs. Rock Lee: The Power Of Youth Explodes!" (9.0)
When Rock Lee was facing off against Gaara, many of the Konoha genin thought he didn't have a chance. Only his teacher believed in him. Well, with this fight, Rock Lee proved his worth, able to crack through some of his defenses and take the sand village heir by surprise. Everyone else was afraid of him, but Rock Lee faced him head-on and bravely threw his whole heart into winning. Also, the moment where Rock Lee drops his weights is just way too iconic.
Episode 133 "A Plea From A Friend" (9.1)
Where Sasuke assumed before that ridding himself of Naruto for a free Mangeyko Sharingan would be easy, Naruto's showing fox powers gave him pause in this episode. While Naruto wants to convince Sasuke to come back home, to stay and be like his brother, Sasuke still chooses power. So much so that, when he starts failing to Naruto's fox powers, he opens his second level of his cursed seal, transforming him into an ever more inhuman monster with gray skin and long nails.
An action-packed episode, it really was the burning height of Naruto and Sasuke's conflict and the one where Sasuke officially confirmed that, in that moment, he was choosing revenge over his friends.