The essential episodes of Naruto

Watch these 15 in order and you've got Naruto — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S2002E01 · Pilot · October 3, 2002 · 30m

   Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!8.2

   Welcome to the Village Hidden in the Leaves, where deadly serious Ninja roam the landscape and the seriously mischievous Naruto Uzumaki causes trouble everywhere he goes. But when he steals the ancient scroll of sealing, he unleashes a rare power rarely seen in a 12-year-old boy!

2. 02

   S2002E04 · Season 2002 peak · October 24, 2002 · 30m

   Pass or Fail: Survival Test8.4

3. 03

   S2003E16 · Season 2003 peak · April 15, 2003 · 30m

   Naruto's Counterattack: Never Give In!8.8

4. 04

   S2004E20 · Season 2004 peak · May 19, 2004 · 30m

   Roar, Chidori! Brother vs. Brother!8.7

5. 05

   S2005E15 · Season 2005 peak · April 13, 2005 · 30m

   Father and Son, the Broken Crest9.6

6. 06

   S2005E16 · Top rated · April 20, 2005 · 30m

   The Secrets of the Mangekyo Sharingan!9.6

7. 07

   S2005E17 · Top rated · April 27, 2005 · 30m

   For a Friend9.6

8. 08

   S2005E18 · Top rated · May 4, 2005 · 30m

   A Plea from a Friend9.6

9. 09

   S2005E19 · Top rated · May 11, 2005 · 30m

   The End of Tears9.6

10. 10

    S2006E37 · Season 2006 peak · September 27, 2006 · 30m

    The Top 5 Ninja Battles9.6

11. 11

    S2007E01 · Season 2007 peak · January 11, 2007 · 30m

    The Targeted Shukaku9.8

12. 12

    S2007E02 · Top rated · January 18, 2007 · 30m

    Sand Alliance With The Leaf Shinobi9.8

13. 13

    S2007E03 · Top rated · January 25, 2007 · 30m

    The Counterattack!9.8

14. 14

    S2007E04 · Top rated · February 1, 2007 · 30m

    The Ultimate Weapon Reborn9.8

15. 15

    S2007E05 · Series finale · February 8, 2007 · 30m

    Departure9.4