Watching Naruto start off as a young kid looking for love and acknowledgement to becoming the Seventh Hokage of the Hidden Leaf and saving the ninja world, will always be a story we love to relive the journey of. Yet 720 episodes might be a bit time consuming. So here is a list of the top 20 best Naruto episodes that will forever have a place in our hearts. (warning spoilers)
20. Last Words (Shippuden S4 Ep 9)
After tasting Asuma’s blood, Hidan is able to use his death possession blood jutsu to make himself a human voodoo doll. Hidan then stabs himself in the heart, but due to the jutsu, he is actually stabbing Asuma. Reinforcements from the Hidden Leaf arrive, but Hidan and Kakuzu only flee because Pain informs them they are needed to seal the Two Tails Jinchuriki.
Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji surround Asuma as he informs them that he knows he is dying and wishes to leave them with his final words. He then expresses his deep pride in each of them. With his dying breath, he requests for one last cigarette, and we are shown all of Asuma Sensei and his students' memories. Asuma's cigarette falls to the floor, and we know he's gone.
Why this Episode was great?
- The First death from the Hidden Leaf that made us cry
- Flashbacks of Asuma Saratobi as the sensei of Team Ten
- Asuma’s last words
19. The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is Born (Shonen Jump S1 Ep 50)
Gaara and Rock Lee were partnered up to fight during the Chunin exams. Later in the fight, Rock Lee is having trouble keeping up with Gaara Sand, so he uses the eight gates technique (although at the time he could only open up to gate five). The fifth gate increased his strength and speed to the point that he could keep up with Gaara's speed, and Lee was finally able to land several amazing attacks on him.
Gaara, who is now completely out of control, uses his sand coffin jutsu to shatter Lee's left leg and arm, and just as he is about to kill him, Might Guy intervenes to stop the fight. Guy can no longer stand by and watch Lee get harmed, so just as Gaara is going to be pronounced the winner, Rock Lee stands up and takes a fighting position. Guy is heartbroken since we can see Lee is fully unconscious, but his ninja resolve is strong enough to keep him going.
The medics begin treating Lee; unfortunately, they notify Guy that he will never be able to be a ninja again.
Why this Episode was great?
- Lee opening the fifth gate
- Gaara loses control
- The determination and resolve of Rock Lee even though he was unconscious
- Might Guy stepping in to stop Gaara from killing Lee
18. Wind Style: RasenShuriken (Shippuden S4 Ep 17)
When Naruto arrived on the scene with his new jutsu, the Wind style: RasenShuriken, everyone thought Kakuzu was done for. Unfortunately, Naruto's new high-pitched wind-based Rasengan failed the first time he used it. Kakuzu then decides to add Naruto's heart to his collection, and Kakaski and Yamato act quickly to detach Naruto from Kakuzu's thread.
The group informs Naruto that he won't be able to hit Kakuzu at point-blank range, but Naruto is eager to show that he is not the same youngster who used to play pranks and cause problems. Naruto uses one of his shadow clones to deceive Kakuzu into thinking the actual Naruto was carrying the RasenShuriken, thus Kakuzu attacks Naruto first, unknowing that the real Naruto was approaching for an aerial attack. Thousands upon thousands of wind slashes ripped Kakuzu apart.
Why this Episode was great?
- Naruto’s new Wind Style: RasenShuriken jutsu
- Kakuzu get what he deserves
- Naruto’s determination to save his comrades
17. A Heart Filled with Comrades (Shippuden S18 Ep12)
Obito has transformed into the Ten-Tailed Jinchūriki and appears to be unstoppable at this point. He creates this gigantic shield and sword using the skills of the Sage of the Six Paths, while Naruto and Sasuke make a Nine Tails cloak with Susanoo armor. Obito tells them that fighting him is pointless and that they will soon be trapped in an unending dream.
During this time, Naruto forms nine Rasengan in each of the cloak's Nine Tails. Naruto instructs his comrades to use the Rasengan and strike Obito's shield with it. They succeed, allowing Naruto and Sasuke to use the sword to break through the shield and reach Obito; he is sliced, and the chakra of all the tailed beasts begins to stream out.
Naruto, with the support of his friends and the Allied Shinobi forces, are able to extract the Tailed beast chakra from Obito.
Why this Episode was great?
- Through Naruto and his friends we see the true bonds of friendship
- The tug of war for the chakra of the tailed beasts
- Obito Uchiha finally realizes he was wrong
16. Thank You (Shippuden S12 Ep 7)
Sixteen years ago, on the day Naruto was born, the Nine-Tailed Fox attacked the Village Hidden in the Leaves, using Obito's genjutsu. Minato the Fourth Hokage moved the fox far away in order to save the village, and he and Kushina built up a barrier and locked up the Nine Tails. Minato intended to use his reaper seal of death jutsu to seal away half of the Nine Tails, which would kill him.
He completes the jutsu and informs Kushina that he will seal the remaining half of the Nine Tails' chakra into their son before he dies. The Nine Tails attempts to kill Naruto as he sets up, and both Minato and Kushina rush to save him and are struck through the chest by the Nine Tails' nail. Minato seals the remaining Kushina's chakra and the other half of the Nine Tails chakra into Naruto as they die.
Back in the present, Naruto is spending his final moments with his mother, telling her that he realizes that they sacrificed themselves so that he might survive, and that he is grateful. Kushina sobs and hugs Naruto as her chakra fades away.
Why this Episode was great?
- We see the events that led to Naruto having the Nine Tails sealed within him
- Minato and Kushina save the Hidden Leaf
- Naruto meets his mom for the first time
15. The End (Shippuden S6 Ep 26)
Sasuke is standing on top of the old Uchiha hideout, telling Itachi that he will kill him off with the final attack, Kirin. Kirin is a tremendously powerful, unstoppable lighting jutsu that appears from the sky. Sasuke believed that the end result killed Itachi. Itachi reveals his trump card, the Susanoo.
Sasuke, frustrated, allows Orochimaru's curse mark to take over, and his eight-headed snake emerges from the back of Sasuke. As the battle proceeds, one of the snakes' jaws opens to reveal Orochimaru, who is still alive. Orochimaru is stabbed and sealed away by Itachi, but not before a small serpent part of him escapes.
Itachi's disease ultimately takes over in the final minutes, and while he is dying, he begins to walk toward Sasuke. As his body falls to the wall, he smiles and taps Sasuke on the forehead.
Why this Episode was great?
- First time we get to see Itachi’s Susanoo
- Seeing Sasuke use Kirin
- A fight to the death between two brothers
After Sasuke shows up to the five Kage summit meeting, and attempts to assassinate the Kages, Obtio emerges, introducing himself as Madara Uchiha and detailing the Infinite Tsukuyomi Jutsu and how he intends to use it. They are all surprised to hear his intentions, but they all tell him they will not support them. Obito then declares the Fourth Great Ninja War has begun and informs them that their next meeting will be on the battlefield.
The Kage determines it's time to establish the Allied Shinobi Forces to confront Madara and the Tailed Beasts.
Why this Episode was great?
- First time we see all five Kage together
- Formation of the Allied Shinobi Forces
- Beginning of the Fourth Great Ninja War
13. Moonlit Night (Shippuden S20 Ep 42)
Shisui commits suicide but, not before giving Itachi his Sharingan, awakening Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan. Itachi has been promoted to the rank of ANBU black ops leader, reporting to Danzo. He has Itachi spy on the Uchiha clan and discovers that they are plotting a coup against the village.
Danzo then tells Itachi that he has a choice: join the uprising and perish with his family, or kill the entire clan except for Sasuke in order to protect the village. Itachi understands that if he obeys Danzo's orders, he will be labeled a rogue ninja and an enemy of the Hidden Leaf. He slaughters the clan for the sake of the village, but saves his parents for last.
His father responds by telling him that, despite their differing ideologies, he is proud of him and to always keep an eye out for Sasuke. Itachi leaves the Village Hidden in the Leaves to join the international criminal organization known as the Akatsuki.
Why this Episode was great?
- The dark choices made by the Hidden Leaf
- The slaughter of the Uchiha clan (this may sound strange, but it is the reason we remember this episode)
- The evolution of Itachi Uchiha
12. Fourth Hokage (Shippuden S8 Ep 17)
During Pain's attack on the Hidden Leaf, Naruto had given up and was letting the Nine-Tails take over, but Minato, the Fourth Hokage, had placed a seal inside Naruto that would make him appear within his psyche if ever the Nine-tailed fox were to emerge. Minato then informs Naruto that he is his son, and Naruto begins to cry and describe how miserable and lonely his life has been because no one wanted him around because he possessed the Nine-Tailed Fox.
Naruto tells him about the Akatsuki and how he had to train and get stronger, but it wasn't enough because friends still died along the way. However, Naruto is overjoyed since he is seeing his father for the first time. Minato tells Naruto that he believes in him and that he will find the answers. Naruto now has the strength and will to battle Pain once more, and with a combination of his Shadow clones and the Rasengan is able to defeat Pain.
Why this Episode was great?
- Finding out the Fourth Hokage is Naruto’s father
- Minato and Naruto’s moment together
- Naruto and Pain’s fight scene
11. The Sharingan Revived (Shippuden S20 Ep 60)
Naruto catches Kaguya off guard and severs the arm where Black Zetsu was hiding. He then imprisons Zetsu and unleashes nine Shadow clones, each carrying a Super Tailed Beast Rasenshuriken, at Kaguya. As Kaguya's chakra becomes unstable, she transforms into a massive monster and resumes her attacks.
Kakashi saves Sakura in his fully armored Susannoo just before she is going to be absorbed by one of the hands. Kaguya is able to level out the chakra and return to her regular form, but she produces a Kekkei Moura Truthseeker Orb that grows fast in size. Kakashi gathers everyone and devises a plan to eliminate her before the orb swallows them.
Kakashi strikes first with his Kamui lightning blade, followed by Naruto and one of his Shadow clones. She kills the clone, but as he dies, Sasuke uses his transportation jutsu to trade places. Black Zetsu attempts to strike Naruto, but Kakashi counters with Kamui. Naruto and Sasuke fly at Kaguya, who tries to flee, but Sakura hits Kaguya from above, allowing them to seal her.
Why this Episode was great?
- Seeing Team seven together one last time and how much they have grown
- Obito lends Kakashi his eyes for the last time
- Sealing of Kaguya
10. Confessions (Shippuden S8 Ep15)
Pain has Naruto pinned down and tells him that there is no point in fighting him because his way is the only true path to achieving peace. Hinata stands in the distance, watching as Pain prepares to kill Naruto. Hinata has always admired Naruto but has never had the courage to tell him.
Just as Pain raises his hand, Hinata comes to Naruto's aid. Pain is baffled as to why she would put her life in danger for Naruto. That's when Hinata admits she loves Naruto.
Pain attacks Hinata as she tries to free Naruto, but she refuses to give up. Hinata engages Pain, but he tosses her into the air, slams her into the ground, and stabs her. Naruto now believes Hinata is dead, and he loses consciousness, allowing the Nine-Tails to take over his body.
Why this Episode is great?
- Hinata's declaration of love for Naruto
- Hinata's commitment to save Naruto
- Naruto surrenders control to the Nine-Tails
9. The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant ( Shippuden S6 Ep21)
Jiraiya is coughing up blood, and Pain is looking down on him. Jiraiya recognizes one of the Pain's faces as his former student Yahiko. Pain informs him that Yahiko died many years ago and that all that remains is Pain.
The Six Paths of Pain begin to jump Jiraiya, but he manages to pull one of them into his toad dimension. There, he kills one of the Pains and begins to unravel the actual mystery of the Six Paths of Pain. Jiraiya returns to face Pain, and just as he realizes who the actual Pain is, one of them emerges from the sea and crushes his throat.
They stab Jiraiya in the back and pin him down. Jiraiya thinks over his life as he dies, and he doesn't want his story to finish without him doing something significant. Jiraiya writes a message in code on the back of the toad Pa with the last of his strength in order to return the information to the Hidden Leaf.
Pain delivers one last blow, and as Pa gets away, Jiraiya sinks to the bottom of the ocean.
Why this Episode was great?
- Jiraiya taking down one of the Pain’s
- Seeing the full extent of Jiraiya's Sage powers
- Jiraiya’s last message to the Hidden Leaf
8. Tale of Naruto Uzumaki (Shippuden S8 Ep23)
Nagato tells Naruto that Jirayia's vision of peace is nothing more than wishful thinking, but Naruto reminds him that he promised Jirayia a long time ago that he would break the curse and find the way to true world peace one day. Naruto goes on to describe how he has experienced pain throughout his life and, deep down, still does. Despite this, he still believes in what Jirayia taught him and will never give up.
Nagato is moved by Naurto's words and chooses to use the Gedo art of Rinne Rebirth to bring back everyone who died in the Pain's attack on the Village Hidden in the Leaves.
Why this Episode was great?
- We see flashbacks of Jiraiya as Nagato’s sensei
- Naruto reminds Nagato of who he used to be before Yahiko died
- With his last act Nagato uses the Rinne Rebirth revive the lives lost during the attack
7. Pain to the World (Shippuden S8 Ep11)
In search of Naruto, Pain has started an attack on the Village Hidden in the Leaves. One of the Pain's learns from Lady Shizune that Naruto is on Mount Myoboku; he murders her shortly after, and all but one of the Pain's flee the village. He tells the Hidden Leaf, "This world shall feel PAIN," and then uses the Almighty Push jutsu to destroy the Hidden Leaf.
Right after Naruto appears in Sage mode with some of Mount Myoboku's toad warriors.
Why this Episode was great?
- Pain attacks several places at once, causing chaos in the Hidden Leaf
- The unfortunate death of Lady Shizune
- Sage mode Naruto shows up with the toad warriors to save the Leaf
6. Kakashi vs. Obito (Shippuden S18 Ep3)
Obtio and Kakashi are fighting in the Kamui timespace. We glimpse flashbacks to when they were young ninjas at school, training with one another. The duel ends with Kakashi running his chidori into Obito's heart as Obito stabs Kakashi.
Obito tells him that he has won the fight but will not concede the war, and then returns to the battlefield. Obito is attacked by Minato but saved by Black Zetsu, who eventually transforms him into the Ten-Tailed Jinchuriki.
Why this Episode was great?
- Flashbacks of young Kakashi and Obito
- One of the best fight scenes in the show
- Seeing Obito become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki
5. The All-Knowing (Shippuden S17 Ep5)
At Sasuke's request, Orochimaru undoes the Reaper Death Seal jutsu and uses the Reanimation jutsu to resurrect the First through Fourth Hokage. Sasuke then started to ask each of them questions about the village's history. Sasuke was trying to decide whether to help in the war or destroy the Leaf.
So the first Hokage tells how he and Madara became friends and worked to build the Village Hidden in the Leaves.
Why this Episode was great?
- We see the First through Fourth Hokage for the first time together
- Seeing the power of the First and Second Hokage
- We learn the history of the Uchiha Clan and the Hidden Leaf
4. The Sage of the Six Paths (Shippuden S20 Ep8)
Naruto and Sauske both meet the Sage of the Six Paths. The Sage informs them that they are the reincarnation of his sons Indra and Ashura. In order to stop his mother Kaguya, he gives both of them the power of the Six Paths.
Meanwhile, Guy has opened the Gate of Death in order to fight Madara. Guy launches his final and most powerful attack, "Night Guy," on Madara; the end result nearly kills Madara but burns Guy to ash. Just as Madara is ready to kill Guy with a Truth Seeker orb, Naruto kicks it away and uses the power of the Six Paths to resurrect him.
Why this Episode was great?
- The best Taijutsu fight of the show
- Naruto and Sasuke both receive the Sage of the Six Paths power
- Naruto saves Guy from turning into ashes
3. The Union Sign ( Shippuden S20 Ep65)
Naruto and Sasuke use the last of their chakra in a final attack on each other. When both attacks collide, they get engulfed in a blinding light. Both Sasuke and Naruto feel they are dead because they see their childhood memories.
Naruto vanishes as they witness how they both grew up alone and neglected. When Sasuke awakens, he sees both himself and Naruto laying on the ground, both missing their dominant arm and slowly bleeding out. They both fall asleep again, and Sasuke begins to see all of Naruto's memories, recognizing how far he has gone and eventually accepting Naruto as his friend.
Naruto and Sasuke both wake up the next morning to find that they have not died, but that they are still too weak to move.
Why this Episode was great?
- We see Naruto and Sasuke's feelings of isolation
- Sasuke finally sees everything Naruto had to overcome
- Sasuke finally acknowledges Naruto as his friend
2. Madara Uchiha (Shippuden S15 Ep 2)
A completely reanimated Madara Uchiha appears before the fourth division of the Allied Shinobi forces. Madara instantly engages them in battle and wipes out hundreds of shinobi in a couple of minutes. The fourth division tries to take him down with coordinated attacks, but they fail.
Then Madara decides to demonstrate his full power by bringing a meteor from orbit directly into the Fourth Division. Gaara and Onoki manage to intercept the meteor before it lands on them. Madara, on the other hand, being pure evil, summons another meteor on top of the first, with disastrous results.
Thousands of Allied Shinobi are killed in a matter of seconds, but Madara is unharmed thanks to the reanimation jutsu. Madara, on the other hand, isn't finished trying to kill the survivors; he uses Hashirama's Wood style deep forest emergence jutsu to finish them off.
Why this Episode was great?
- Madara Uchiha reveals himself
- The power of Gaara and Onoki to stop the first meteor
- The full strength of Madara is on display
1. Congratulations (Shippuden S20 Ep 61)
Naruto and Sasuke successfully seal Kaguya using the Six Path Planetary Devastation jutsu. The Sage of the Six Paths returns them to the battlefield with the assistance of all of the previous Kage. Hagoromo thanks them all for saving the world and tells them that he will release the jutsu to free the Kages and those under the reanimation jutsu.
Naruto knows his father has to leave and rushes over to him. Mianto wishes Naruto a happy 17th birthday as the sun rises and says his final goodbye to his son as his spirit begins to float away.
Why this Episode was great?
- Kaguya and Black Zetsu were sealed away
- Seeing the final ending for Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha
- Minato telling Naruto Happy Birthday (I cry every time)
