Key Takeaways
- Naruto: Shippuden wows viewers with epic battles and major narrative payoffs, raising the series’ quality.
- Flashbacks showcase Minato’s strength, highlighting his epic Rasengan attack against Obito in Shippuden.
- Emotional moments like Itachi and Sasuke’s reunion, Naruto meeting his mother, and Guy’s sacrifice are Shippuden’s highlights.
The original run of Naruto made for a riveting watch as long as viewers ignored the egregious amount of filler before the time skip. Thankfully, fans were glad to find out that Naruto: Shippuden would finally usher in the second half of the story, detailing Naruto’s struggles as he continues to hunt Sasuke down.
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People felt like Shippuden had a slow start, only to wow viewers with a host of incredible battles and episodes that show Naruto at its very best. Some of the episodes in Shippuden serve as major narrative payoffs for everything that was set up earlier in Naruto, which is why fans can’t stop raving about the quality of these moments. These are the highest rated episodes according to IMDb.
WARNING! Spoilers ahead.
8 The Fourth Hokage’s Death Match
IMDb Rating: 9.5/10
- Japanese Title: Yondaime no shito!!
- Original Air Date: February 9, 2012
Minato is one of the best characters in Naruto despite not being alive when the series starts. A series of flashbacks in Shippuden give players a glimpse of his strength, including a fight against Obito where he got the upper hand with what is probably the best Rasengan attack in the entire series.
After charging up this move and throwing a kunai at Obito, the villain thought he had the Hokage beat. However, his Flying Thunder God Technique kicked in at the last second and allowed him to teleport above Obito, unleashing a Rasengan so epic that it single-handedly elevated the quality of this episode.
7 I Will Love You Always
IMDb Rating: 9.5/10
- Japanese Title: Imao o zutto aishiteru
- Original Air Date: November 21, 2013
Itachi and Sasuke never got a chance to communicate after the younger brother uncovered the sacrifice Itachi made to save him. So, when the duo reunite to fight Kabuto, fans can’t wait to see what they talk about.
The conversation doesn’t disappoint, with Itachi speaking at length about his failed plan and how he unintentionally pushed Sasuke on his path of hatred. Despite all that happened, Itachi ends his speech with a beautiful statement about how he’d love Sasuke no matter what happens before fading away, with the Edo Tensei being reversed after Kabuto is incapacitated.
6 Thank You
IMDb Rating: 9.5/10
- Japanese Title: Arigato
- Original Air Date: February 9, 2012
The reveal of Minato as Naruto’s father was a great moment that elevated the Pain arc, but fans were still left in the dark about his mother. This question was finally answered when Naruto tried to tame the Nine-Tails, prompting his red-haired mother to make a surprise appearance.
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It’s a joy to hear about the sacrifice these parents make to ensure that Naruto survives, with the protagonist shedding tears of joy and sadness once he realizes that his mother has to leave. They both embrace one final time, with Naruto getting the closure he needs to strengthen his resolve and save the day.
5 The Tale Of Jiraiya The Gallant
IMDb Rating: 9.5/10
- Japanese Title: Jiraiya Goketsu Monogatari
- Original Air Date: October 29, 2009
Jiraiya is one of the best characters in Naruto: Shippuden, which is why his fight with Pain hurts so much. He had to find out why his former student went down such a dark path, uncovering a secret that sowed the seeds for Pain’s defeat.
However, there was a moment when Jiraiya was going to give up, only to remember Naruto’s resolve and how it would be shameful for the protagonist’s mentor to admit defeat. He played the part of the hero one final time before breathing his last, setting the stage for an epic conflict between Naruto and Pain.
4 Congratulations
IMDb Rating: 9.6/10
- Japanese Title: Omedeto
- Original Air Date: September 1, 2016
Kaguya’s inclusion in the final battle was random and didn’t do justice to Naruto’s sublime worldbuilding, but it did make for a cool moment when Team Seven reunited once again to save the day. Kakashi was overflowing with joy as his squad executed perfect teamwork to incapacitate Kaguya long enough for the Mother of Chakra to be defeated.
The visual of the trio stopping Kaguya in her tracks is a strong sight that leads to the end of the war. However, before everything can be brought back to normal, Sasuke reveals his evil intentions and must have some sense knocked into him by his closest friend and rival before he can see the light.
3 The Sage Of Six Paths
IMDb Rating: 9.6/10
- Japanese Title: Rikudo Sen’nin
- Original Air Date: July 30, 2015
Guy took on the role of the taijutsu master in Shippuden, and nowhere is this more prominent than the battle against a super-powered Madara. It was the perfect moment to show the power of taijutsu when all eight gates were opened.
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Might Guy put his life on the life, his blood evaporating to give him a red aura as he almost kills Madara in a stunning display of power. He might’ve fallen just short of the mark and lost the use of his legs, but Naruto was able to get to him in the nick of time and ensure that he’d survive after putting his life on the line to stop Madara.
2 Chibaku Tensei
IMDb Rating: 9.6/10
- Japanese Title: Chibaku Tensei
- Original Air Date: July 1, 2010
The battle between Pain and Naruto becomes crazy when the latter assumes that Hinata is dead. His rage overflows and leads to him transforming into his Tailed Beast form, almost overcoming Pain as a berserk Naruto destroys anything and everything in his path.
The Nine-Tails was on the verge of being unsealed, only for Minato to step in and finally reveal himself as Naruto’s father. This episode is jam-packed with everything from amazing fight scenes to important revelations, making it clear why it’s one of Naruto: Shippuden‘s best episodes.
1 The End
IMDb Rating: 9.6/10
- Japanese Title: Shuen
- Original Air Date: December 3, 2009
The fight between Sasuke and Itachi was something that fans had waited for with bated breath. After unleashing Kirin to land a mortal blow on his brother, Sasuke was terrified to see this powerful ninja still standing, manifesting the Susanoo as he menacingly walked towards Sasuke.
After using the last of his chakra to remove Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal, Itachi utters some mysterious last words before poking Sasuke’s head for the last time and passing away. It’s an epic way to end this fight, with the significance of Itachi’s actions being elaborated on later by Obito when he finally tells Sasuke the meaning behind his brother’s brutal actions.
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Naruto: Shippuden
- Release Date
- February 15, 2007
- Studio
- Pierrot
- Creator
- Masashi Kishimoto
