You’re Not a True Naruto Fan Until You’ve Seen These 10/10 Episodes

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Choosing the best episodes from a long anime series like Naruto is tough. As one of the most popular shonen anime, Naruto has so many great episodes and iconic scenes that it’s hard to pick just a few as truly perfect. Dedicated fans might even consider every episode in the main story to be excellent! That’s why Naruto fans should have high standards to really highlight the very best episodes.

Despite its length, the Naruto and Naruto Shippuden anime series have many outstanding episodes that fans consider to be truly exceptional. To pick the very best, viewers often focus on episodes that showcase everything that makes Naruto special – incredibly creative fight scenes, unforgettable moments, and deeply emotional character development. These episodes highlight what makes Naruto a brilliant and heartfelt action anime.

“You Failed! Kakashi’s Final Decision” Has a Heartfelt Ninja Trick

Season 1, Episode 5

Image via studio Pierrot.

Many popular action anime, like Naruto, start strong with exceptional episodes early in the series. These stories usually begin with a simple premise and a small cast of characters, which makes it even more satisfying when they’re handled well. A prime example is the famous ‘bell test’ from Naruto, where Kakashi challenged the newly formed Team 7 to demonstrate more than just their fighting skills – he wanted to see their character and teamwork.

By the fifth episode, it became clear that Kakashi wasn’t just evaluating his students’ skills, but also their character, and this resonated with viewers. This approach connected to his later advice about looking beyond the surface, but the test’s core purpose was to honor the memory of his friend, Obito Uchiha. As the story unfolded, it was revealed that Obito taught Kakashi that abandoning a friend is a worse failing than failing a mission. This lesson deeply impacted Team 7, especially Naruto, who was fiercely dedicated to saving Sasuke, even from himself.

“The Demon in the Snow” Shows How Love is Stronger Than Violence

Season 1, Episode 19

Image via studio Pierrot.

The anime community has differing opinions on Naruto’s ability to connect with others through conversation, often called his “talk jutsu.” Some feel it’s become repetitive or was always a bit corny, while others believe it’s central to what makes Naruto Uzumaki special. However, most fans agree that the first instances of this skill were truly impressive, especially his conversation with Zabuza Momochi. Initially presented as a ruthless ninja and foil to Kakashi, Zabuza was surprisingly shown to have a hidden, compassionate side, which Naruto was able to reveal.

Team 7 successfully defended the bridge, but the most important battle was internal – Naruto refused to let Zabuza succumb to his darker impulses. Naruto helped Zabuza recognize Haku as a true friend and regret his past actions, leading to a surprising turn when Zabuza rebelled against Gato, becoming a sympathetic character. Though Zabuza ultimately died, he found peace and emotional resolution alongside Haku, creating a powerfully moving and unforgettable scene.

“The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is Born” Made Rock Lee a Better Underdog Than Naruto

Season 2, Episode 15

The Chunin Exam Arc is celebrated for introducing exciting new techniques, memorable characters, and incredible battles. The fight between Rock Lee and Gaara stands out as particularly amazing. What makes it so great isn’t whether Rock Lee won – he actually lost – but his incredible display of self-belief. He proved his worth as a ninja and made his teacher, Might Guy, incredibly proud. It wasn’t really about winning or losing; it was about Rock Lee finding confidence and showing that anyone, even someone who feels like an underdog, can achieve something special.

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While the episode is incredibly inspiring, it doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of pushing oneself to the limit. It’s more than just a story about Rock Lee’s determination; it shows the lasting physical toll his efforts take, reminding us that even with unwavering willpower, the body has boundaries. The episode beautifully explores the fragile balance between mind and body, and how far someone should go when motivated by everything they stand to gain. It makes you question what ‘too much’ really means.

“The Promise That Could Not Be Kept” is the Most Bittersweet Episode of Naruto

Season 4, Episode 4

Image via studio Pierrot.

Anime fans often rate action-packed episodes, like those in Naruto and similar shows, as perfect 10/10 installments. While these fights showcase amazing combat, a great story needs more than just impressive moves. Techniques like Naruto’s Rasengan and Sasuke’s Chidori aren’t the focus themselves; they’re ways to move the story forward. For example, the famous fight at the Valley of the End wasn’t the point of the story, but rather the beginning of a touching tale about friendship.

Watching Sasuke and Naruto’s duel, what really struck me was how much Naruto valued their friendship, even with Sasuke’s power and his clear desire to leave Team 7. He just couldn’t let go of those feelings, and he was willing to risk a lot – even looking foolish – to hold onto that belief. It really made you think about how far you’d go for a friend, and if it’s worth the danger. It was a powerful moment for any Naruto fan, especially since the arc didn’t end with a typical shonen victory, but with a temporary setback. It felt daring, and left us all wondering what would happen next in Naruto Shippuden.

“The End” Brought the Tragedy of the Uchiha Brothers to a Close

Season 6, Episode 25

Image via studio Pierrot.

Even aside from the less important episodes, Naruto Shippuden has a lot of fantastic moments that are easily an 8 out of 10 or better. If fans were asked to choose just a few highlights, the episode “The End” would be a top pick. It marks the conclusion of the long-running rivalry between Sasuke and his brother Itachi. While Sasuke had always been determined to defeat Itachi, the actual confrontation felt unsatisfying. Luckily, the Naruto Shippuden anime cleverly added another layer of stakes to give Sasuke more to fight for than just revenge.

Sasuke ultimately realized that revenge wasn’t what mattered. Itachi’s death, at the end of their battle, wasn’t a simple defeat, but a turning point in understanding his brother’s true character. Itachi was revealed as a complex figure who acted out of love for both Sasuke and their village. This unexpected twist left fans wanting to learn the complete story behind Itachi’s actions. Rather than ending his story, his death actually revealed a deeper, untold part of it.

“Two Students” Was the End of Pain and the Beginning of Hope

Season 8, Episode 18

Image via studio Pierrot.

Pain, the primary antagonist in Naruto Shippuden, is widely considered the series’ best villain. He wasn’t just a powerful enemy; he forced the characters – and the audience – to question whether lasting peace was even possible, given the endless cycle of hatred and violence. The episode “Two Students” is exceptional because Naruto couldn’t simply defeat Pain with strength; he had to confront the tragic ideology behind his actions and his own anger. The true conflict wasn’t the fight itself, but what happened afterward, as Naruto struggled to understand Nagato’s perspective and control his own rage.

In a critical moment, Naruto nearly repeated Pain’s cycle of hatred when he almost attacked Nagato in anger, potentially becoming the very thing he was fighting against. He almost succumbed to the desire for revenge, but managed to stop himself and start a conversation instead. This allowed Naruto to connect with Nagato as a fellow student of Jiraiya, without falling into the same despair that had led Nagato to create the Six Paths of Pain. Viewers of Naruto Shippuden were then captivated and eager to see how their conversation would unfold, as two individuals with similar backgrounds but different paths.

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2026-02-16 23:07