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Season guide

Naruto Shippūden: S1 • Kazekage Rescue

32 episodes Premiered Feb 15, 2007 Updated Jul 20, 2026

Naruto Shippūden season 1 is a Japanese anime television series that follows the story of Naruto Uzumaki after his two and a half years of training with Jiraiya. Upon his return to the Village Hidden in the Leaves, Naruto is eager to put his new skills into action. He and his teammate Sakura team up to face their old master Kakashi, who is impressed with their progress. The series takes place in a world where ninjas,

Season overview

Naruto Shippūden season 1 is a Japanese anime television series that follows the story of Naruto Uzumaki after his two and a half years of training with Jiraiya. Upon his return to the Village Hidden in the Leaves, Naruto is eager to put his new skills into action. He and his teammate Sakura team up to face their old master Kakashi, who is impressed with their progress. The series takes place in a world where ninjas, known as shinobi, possess unique abilities and fight against various enemies. The Akatsuki, a shinobi organization, emerges as a major threat to Naruto and his village. The season's storyline revolves around Naruto's return to his village and his determination to protect it from the Akatsuki.

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Season 1 Episodes

Episode Guide

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Binge Efficiency Engine

Season 1: Filler vs. Essential Canon

Filter episodes by narrative weight. Focus on essential mytharc and skip standalone side quests.

16%
84%
Mytharc (5): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (27): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (0): Standalone / filler
S1·E1 Mytharc

Homecoming

Feb 15, 2007 · 23 min

A figure passes through the gates. It's an older Naruto, who has returned from a long training journey with Jiraiya. Naruto Uzumaki is back!

S1·E2 Core

The Akatsuki Makes Its Move

Feb 15, 2007 · 23 min

Naruto and Sakura team up and challenge Kakashi to a survival challenge to show off their progress.

S1·E3 Core

The Results of Training

Feb 22, 2007 · 23 min

Naruto’s and Sakura’s combined skills force Kakashi to use his Sharingan right off the bat. Naruto masterfully unleashes his jutsu one after another.

S1·E4 Core

The Jinchuriki of the Sand

Mar 1, 2007 · 23 min

Gaara is quick to detect Deidara’s presence, and an aerial battle ensues with Deidara on his giant bird and Gaara atop sand.

S1·E5 Core

The Kazekage Stands Tall

Mar 15, 2007 · 23 min

Naruto and Sakura defeat Kakashi in the survival challenge. Tsunade assigns them to a three-man squad led by Kakashi, who tells them they are now his equals.

S1·E6 Core

Mission Cleared

Mar 29, 2007 · 23 min

In order to protect his village from Deidara’s explosive clay, Gaara uses his chakra to create a giant sand shield.

S1·E7 Core

Run, Kankuro

Mar 29, 2007 · 23 min

Gaara, his strength completely exhausted, is whisked away by Deidara. Kankuro ignores Baki’s efforts to stop him and immediately sets out in pursuit with a platoon to rescue Gaara.

S1·E8 Core

Team Kakashi, Deployed

Apr 12, 2007 · 23 min

An urgent message from the Sand Village detailing the Akatsuki’s kidnapping of the Kazekage reaches the Hidden Leaf Village. Tsunade wastes no time in ordering Team Kakashi to the

S1·E9 Core

The Jinchuriki's Tears

Apr 12, 2007 · 23 min

On her way to the Sand Village, Temari encounters Kakashi and his team. Kakashi admonishes Naruto when he tries to rush ahead…

S1·E10 Core

Sealing Jutsu: Nine Phantom Dragons

Apr 19, 2007 · 23 min

The Sand ninja fight against time to treat Kankuro. Even the Sand’s poison expert, Granny Chiyo, is baffled. The only hope lies with the reinforcements sent by Tsunade.

S1·E11 Core

The Medical Ninja's Student

Apr 26, 2007 · 23 min

Sakura treats a critically ill Kankuro. After extensive training she’s now a full-fledged Medic Ninja, and Sakura amazes everyone with her sure, steady hands.

S1·E12 Core

The Retired Granny's Determination

May 3, 2007 · 23 min

Pakkun finds the hideout of the Akatsuki. Team Kakashi and Temari prepare to set out to get Gaara back, but Temari is ordered to stay behind and help guard the village.

S1·E13 Core

A Meeting With Destiny

May 10, 2007 · 23 min

Guy prepares to use a forbidden secret jutsu. Meanwhile, Naruto falls under Itachi’s genjutsu, and all the anti-genjutsu training he underwent with Jiraiya races through Naruto’s m

S1·E14 Core

Naruto's Growth

May 17, 2007 · 23 min

Guy prepares to use a forbidden secret jutsu. Meanwhile, Naruto falls under Itachi’s genjutsu, and all the anti-genjutsu training he underwent with Jiraiya races through Naruto’s m

S1·E15 Core

The Secret Weapon is Called...

May 24, 2007 · 23 min

Granny Chiyo and Sakura rescue Naruto from Itachi’s genjutsu. Without a moment’s delay, Kakashi begins a counterattack.

S1·E16 Core

The Secret of Jinchuriki

May 31, 2007 · 23 min

Chiyo and Kakashi realize that the attack was just a diversion, and that the Akatsuki have already begun the process of extracting the Tailed Beast from Gaara.

S1·E17 Core

The Death of Gaara!

Jun 7, 2007 · 23 min

Teams Kakashi and Guy take a short rest. Granny Chiyo watches Naruto dozing off and is reminded of Sasori as a child. The pursuit resumes, and when Chiyo wonders why Naruto puts su

S1·E18 Core

Charge Tactic! Button Hook Entry!!

Jun 21, 2007 · 23 min

Teams Kakashi and Guy reach the Akatsuki hideout. They hurry to infiltrate but are thwarted by a five-seal barrier. The only way to break the barrier is to remove all five seals at

S1·E19 Core

Traps Activate! Team Guy's Enemy

Jul 5, 2007 · 23 min

Breaking the five-seal barrier set off a trap, which now has Team Guy battling amazingly accurate copies of themselves. Back at the Akatsuki hideout, Deidara and Sasori struggle to

S1·E20 Mytharc

Hiruko Vs. Two Kunoichi!

Jul 19, 2007 · 23 min

At last, the showdown between the old woman and her grandson begins. Sakura is confused by Sasori’s strange appearance, and Granny Chiyo explains that this is Hiruko…

S1·E21 Core

Sasori's Real Face

Jul 26, 2007 · 23 min

Granny Chiyo and Sakura manage to expose Sasori, who amazingly looks no older than he did twenty years earlier.

S1·E22 Core

Chiyo's Secret Skills

Aug 2, 2007 · 23 min

Sakura is caught by Sasori’s tactic and surrounded by a poison cloud.

S1·E23 Core

Father and Mother

Aug 2, 2007 · 23 min

Chiyo and Sakura take cover, and Sasori wastes no time unleashing a ruthless attack.

S1·E24 Core

The Third Kazekage

Aug 9, 2007 · 23 min

Sakura counters the Iron Sand attack of the Third Kazekage puppet with superhuman strength.

S1·E26 Core

Puppet Fight: 10 vs. 100!

Aug 23, 2007 · 23 min

Sakura and Granny Chiyo are engaged in a fierce battle with Sasori, who is able turn himself into a human puppet. They somehow bring Sasori down within the time limit, but he ends

S1·E27 Core

Impossible Dream

Aug 30, 2007 · 23 min

Although stung with poison herself, Granny Chiyo uses the last of the antidote on Sakura. Mocking the tender scene between Granny Chiyo and Sakura, Sasori attempts to end Granny Ch

S1·E28 Core

Revival of the Beasts

Sep 13, 2007 · 23 min

Team Guy senses the result of the Sakura and Granny Chiyo’s desperate struggle while still in battle with his deadly copy. Although Guy’s team members are showing fatigue, their co

S1·E29 Mytharc

Kakashi's Enlightened!

Sep 27, 2007 · 23 min

Sakura hurries to get to Naruto with Granny Chiyo, who is suffering from the poison. The members of Team Guy rush to assist Team Kakashi. Meanwhile, with all preparations complete,

S1·E30 Core

Aesthetics of an Instant

Sep 27, 2007 · 23 min

Naruto loses all reason to anger and is gradually taken over by the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit. Having been forewarned by Jiraiya, Kakashi narrowly manages to suppress the Nine-Tailed

S1·E31 Mytharc

The Legacy

Oct 18, 2007 · 23 min

Relying on Naruto's power, Granny Chiyo performs the Transmigration Jutsu on Gaara.

S1·E32 Mytharc

Return of the Kazekage

Oct 25, 2007 · 23 min

Gaara and his rescuers make a triumphant return to the Hidden Sand Village.