Naruto Shippūden: S12 • Nine-Tails Taming and Karmic Encounters
In the twelfth season of Naruto Shippūden, the Leaf Village initiates preparations for an impending war, forcing every shinobi and clan to determine their specific roles in the upcoming conflict. As the village mobilizes, Naruto Uzumaki’s peers actively seek out training from unexpected sources to bolster their combat capabilities. Naruto faces a critical turning point regarding his own development, as he must reconc
Season 12 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Naruto Uzumaki is an adolescent ninja striving to earn recognition and become the Hokage, the leader of his village.
- Naruto serves as a Jinchuriki, a host for the Nine-Tailed Fox, which acts as both his greatest source of power and a significant weakness.
- The Leaf Village is currently preparing for an approaching war, requiring all clans and shinobi to define their contributions.
- Killer Bee is established as the Jinchuriki of the Eight Tails and has already achieved mastery over his tailed beast.
Season overview
In the twelfth season of Naruto Shippūden, the Leaf Village initiates preparations for an impending war, forcing every shinobi and clan to determine their specific roles in the upcoming conflict. As the village mobilizes, Naruto Uzumaki’s peers actively seek out training from unexpected sources to bolster their combat capabilities. Naruto faces a critical turning point regarding his own development, as he must reconcile with his greatest strength and most significant weakness, the Nine-Tailed Fox. To achieve the power necessary for the battles ahead, Naruto recognizes that he must gain control over the beast residing within him. He seeks guidance from Killer Bee, the Jinchuriki of the Eight Tails, who has successfully mastered the ability to control his own tailed beast. However, the mission proves difficult, as Killer Bee initially shows no interest in assisting Naruto with his training. The season focuses on this pivotal dynamic as Naruto attempts to secure the mentorship required to harness his inner power while the broader shinobi world braces for the challenges of war.
Episode Guide
Season 12 Progress Shield
Land Ahoy! Is this the Paradise Island?
Jan 5, 2012 · 23 min
After a long voyage at sea, Naruto’s ship finally arrives at the island of its destination. Before everyone can rejoice, a giant squid attacks the ship. Fortunately, the crew is sa
Killer Bee and Motoi
Jan 12, 2012 · 23 min
Motoi confesses to Naruto and Yamato that he attempted to kill Bee during their childhood because of his father's death due to the sealing of the Eight Tails 30 years ago.
The Next Challenge! Naruto vs. The Nine Tails!
Jan 19, 2012 · 23 min
With Killer Bee as his new master, Naruto begins his training to control the power of a Tailed Beast. In order to do so, one must fight the Tailed Beast head on and absorb its chak
The Orange Spark
Jan 26, 2012 · 23 min
Inside his mind, Naruto continues his battle against Nine Tails to take control of its immense power.
Target: Nine Tails
Feb 2, 2012 · 23 min
Sixteen years ago, Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze and his wife Kushina are expecting their first child, much to the delight of the young couple.
The Fourth Hokage's Death Match!
Feb 9, 2012 · 23 min
Minato is forced to use his Flying Raijin jutsu and leave his wife Kushina behind to save their newborn son, Naruto, from a masked assailant.
Thank You
Feb 9, 2012 · 23 min
The Nine Tails, having been released from Madara's control, continues to wreck havoc in the city. The Third Hokage summons the Monkey King Enma and drives the Nine Tails away from
Battle in Paradise! Odd Beast vs. The Monster!
Feb 16, 2012 · 23 min
Guy arrives at the Waterfall of Truth to help Naruto with his training. Instead he encounters Kisame, who has infiltrated the island to locate Naruto and Killer Bee.
The Man Named Kisame
Feb 23, 2012 · 23 min
The after-effects of Guy's Daytime Tiger are felt throughout the island. Kisame is defeated, and Guy explains his technique. Yamato restrains him so Aoba can gather intel. When he'
The Angelic Herald of Death
Mar 1, 2012 · 23 min
Tobi heads to Hidden Rain Village to retrieve Nagato's Rinnegan. Konan, now a former member of Akatsuki, recollects her past until Tobi arrives. Tobi asks Konan where is Nagato's R
The Bridge to Peace
Mar 8, 2012 · 23 min
Konan encloses Tobi in an chasm with a large amount of explosive tags that detonates in a wide area. Tobi manages to survive with his Izanagi techique, sacrificing one eye, and pie
The Super Secret S-Rank Mission
Mar 15, 2012 · 23 min
Zetsu reports on new intel from Kisame and Madara learns about Naruto hideout. Tsunade, Gaara, Lord Raikage, and others must figure out how to get Naruto out of the secret island o
The Artist Returns
Mar 22, 2012 · 23 min
Kabuto and a reanimated Deidara attempt to grab hold of the jinchuriki, but are stopped by the Tsuchikage, who has come to protect Naruto.
Assemble! Allied Shinobi Forces!
Mar 29, 2012 · 23 min
Fourth Great Ninja War is about to begin, ninjas are going through their formations, medical supplies are being checked and restocked. The title of this Naruto Episode is "Assemble
Meeting
Apr 5, 2012 · 23 min
Part One of the Four Week Long Special Project for the Broadcast's Tenth Anniversary - A look back into the early years when Naruto and Sasuke first met.
Rivals
Apr 12, 2012 · 23 min
Part Two of the Four Week Long Special Project for the Broadcast's Tenth Anniversary - During the Chunin Exam, Sasuke witnesses Naruto’s growth as a shinobi.
Rift
Apr 19, 2012 · 23 min
Part Three of the Four Week Long Special Project for the Broadcast's Tenth Anniversary - Sasuke’s defeat to Gaara, and later Itachi, forces him to realize that he is not strong eno
Parting
Apr 26, 2012 · 23 min
Part Four of the Four Week Long Special Project for the Broadcast's Tenth Anniversary - Naruto is determined to save Sasuke, who has deserted the Hidden Leaf.
For My Friend
May 3, 2012 · 23 min
The Allied Shinobi Forces are on standby, ready to confront Madara’s army of reanimated shinobi and 100,000 White Zetsu. But distrust still exists among the Allied Shinobi Forces,
War Begins
May 10, 2012 · 23 min
Kankuro’s commando unit enters enemy territory to set up a stronghold for the Allied Shinobi Forces. They are immediately ambushed by the Akatsuki’s own commando unit comprised of
Sai and Shin
May 17, 2012 · 23 min
The Allied Shinobi Forces’ commando unit engages with the Akatsuki in the first wave of battle.
Secrets of the Reanimation Jutsu
May 24, 2012 · 23 min
Under the guidance of Killer Bee, Naruto enters the final stage of training to master the Tailed Beast Bomb, a Jinchuriki’s most powerful technique.
An Old Nemesis Returns
May 31, 2012 · 23 min
The commando unit is in hot water as they engage the reanimated Kekkei Genkai shinobi, which include Zabuza Momochi and Haku. Luckily, Kakashi and his unit arrive in time to assist
The First and Last Opponent
Jun 7, 2012 · 23 min
Kakashi and his unit devise a strategy to take on the Kekkei Genkai shinobi, but it’s foiled by Kabuto, who uses the Reanimation Jutsu to summon the most powerful members of the Se
The Brilliant Military Advisor of the Hidden Leaf
Jun 21, 2012 · 23 min
The Akatsuki dispatch an army of powerful reanimated shinobi and White Zetsu across the war zone, causing chaos within the Allied Shinobi Forces’ chain of command.
Battleground!
Jun 28, 2012 · 23 min
As Darui and his First Company engage an army of White Zetsu, the remaining forces must deal with reanimated shinobi.
Forbidden Words
Jul 5, 2012 · 23 min
Atsui, Samui, and Darui face off against Kinkaku and Ginkaku, the legendary brothers from the Hidden Cloud, feared even by the Raikage.
Golden Bonds
Jul 19, 2012 · 23 min
Darui manages to seal away Ginkaku. Fueled by the rage of losing his brother, Kinkaku transforms into a monster that resembles a jinchuriki’s Tailed Beast State.
Road to Sakura
Jul 26, 2012 · 23 min
Ino sees Sakura falling from the sky. Although she manages to save her, the shock of the fall has left Sakura with amnesia.
Mifune vs. Hanzou
Aug 2, 2012 · 23 min
Kankuro’s Commando Unit is cornered by Hanzo’s poison attack. Fortunately, Mifune and his Fifth Company arrive in time to provide assistance.
True Kindness
Aug 9, 2012 · 23 min
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio is ordered by Shikaku to take down the reanimated Asuma. Remembering Asuma’s final words, Shikamaru and Ino are determined to stop their former teacher.
The Complete Ino-Shika-Cho Formation!
Aug 9, 2012 · 23 min
Choji is unable to attack Asuma and loses his will to fight. Ino and Shikamaru try to snap Choji out of his paralysis.
A Message from the Heart
Aug 16, 2012 · 23 min
While training in Chakra Mode, Naruto senses the presence of the Nine Tails’ chakra seeping from Kinkaku outside. Curious to find out what’s happening, Naruto tries to leave the tr