Naruto Episode 23: Genin Takedown! All Nine Rookies Face Off!

Canon/MED

OSHIMETER

9.2

61 Fans

5

4

3

2

1

PacingVisualWritingEmo ImpactSoundtrack

← Prev: EP 22 Next: EP 24 →

Naruto Episode 23: Genin Takedown! All Nine Rookies Face Off!

Canon/MED

← Prev: EP 22 Next: EP 24 →

OSHIMETER

9.2

61 Fans

5

4

3

2

1

PacingVisualWritingEmo ImpactSoundtrack

QUICK TAKES

uncultured_bovine

The world-building is popping off here! And Kabuto really brought out his own trading cards, that was funny lmao

The writers and art designers did really great to portray the intense atmosphere and the stakes of the chuunin exam. Naruto's reaction was hilariously on point tho 😆

More character introductions done in a way that isn't too much info overload. Solid episode to build hype!

nicholas9547481273

Team 7 got introduced to the other rookie genins. Everyone’s uniqueness is visible in the crisp animation. The story tenses up as they are before the whole pack of candidates from other Villages. Gaara and Lee’s previous encounters with Sasuke made him interested in them.

All the rookies in one place and power dynamics are already clear. Gaara's presence is doing HEAVY lifting this episode. Naruto's got no idea what he's in for. Chunin Exam atmosphere is building, feels like something big is close. Watch!

umizato_unicorn

That guy Ibiki looks terrifying and he just walked in with all that smoke to stop the fight

I was so worried about Sakura when she realized how many older ninja were in that exam hall

yuno_yukikaze_139

Naruto screaming his name at all those scary ninja is exactly why he is a menace

The pressure in that registration room felt heavy and those veteran ninja looked way scarier than the enemies in the Land of Waves

Hinata being too shy to even say hi to Naruto while he was busy arguing with Kiba was pretty funny and it really balanced out the scary vibes from Gaara

sailor_chibi_moon_396

How the sound ninja moved so fast and broke Kabutos glasses without even touching him was so creepy and it shows how different these foreign ninja fight

Meeting the whole Leaf squad at once felt like a huge moment especially when Kiba and Naruto started bickering right in front of the veterans

flower_flute_499

I felt so bad for Kabuto when his glasses just shattered and he started puking from that weird sound attack since he was just trying to help the rookies

gendo_ikari_182

The way those sound ninja attacked Kabuto without even touching him was so confusing and seeing his glasses break and him getting sick made that whole village seem really dangerous

Seeing all the rookies together in one spot was so cool, especially with Shikamaru already complaining about how the entire test is just a huge drag

diablo_demon_155

The way Gaara just stands there with those cold eyes is terrifying and knowing he has never been touched in a fight makes him look like a total monster

Naruto shouting his name at every scary ninja in that room was so gutsy and it totally changed the mood after all that Kabuto talk about Gaara never getting hurt

I love that Hinata is so shy around Naruto and he just has no idea what is happening

uraraka_uravity_124

Ibiki showing up at the end with all those scars on his face was such a mood shift and you could tell everyone was terrified when the written test started

ashiaraiyashiki

Seeing all nine rookies in one spot is cool but Choji eating chips while everyone is trying to act tough is the most relatable thing ever and he does not care at all

EPISODE CONTEXT

Episode 23 marks the true beginning of the Chunin Exam's first phase, transitioning from the buildup and team registration of the prior episodes into the exam hall itself where all the key players are assembled. It bridges the character-driven missions of early Naruto with the large-scale tournament arc that will dominate the next stretch of the series. This is foundational setup — the rivalries, alliances, and threats introduced here pay off across dozens of episodes to come.

AnimeOshi.com refers to anime titles, character names, logos, and other trademarked or copyrighted materials to identify and describe the works being reviewed, discussed, ranked or otherwise referenced on this site. This usage is believed to be nominative fair use or non-infringing and is not intended to imply any affiliation with the respective rights holders.

All trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their owners. If you are a rights holder and have concerns about any content on this site, please contact us at legal@animeoshi.com

EPISODE CONTEXT

Episode 23 marks the true beginning of the Chunin Exam's first phase, transitioning from the buildup and team registration of the prior episodes into the exam hall itself where all the key players are assembled. It bridges the character-driven missions of early Naruto with the large-scale tournament arc that will dominate the next stretch of the series. This is foundational setup — the rivalries, alliances, and threats introduced here pay off across dozens of episodes to come.

QUICK TAKES

uncultured_bovine

The world-building is popping off here! And Kabuto really brought out his own trading cards, that was funny lmao

The writers and art designers did really great to portray the intense atmosphere and the stakes of the chuunin exam. Naruto's reaction was hilariously on point tho 😆

More character introductions done in a way that isn't too much info overload. Solid episode to build hype!

nicholas9547481273

Team 7 got introduced to the other rookie genins. Everyone’s uniqueness is visible in the crisp animation. The story tenses up as they are before the whole pack of candidates from other Villages. Gaara and Lee’s previous encounters with Sasuke made him interested in them.

All the rookies in one place and power dynamics are already clear. Gaara's presence is doing HEAVY lifting this episode. Naruto's got no idea what he's in for. Chunin Exam atmosphere is building, feels like something big is close. Watch!

umizato_unicorn

That guy Ibiki looks terrifying and he just walked in with all that smoke to stop the fight

I was so worried about Sakura when she realized how many older ninja were in that exam hall

yuno_yukikaze_139

Naruto screaming his name at all those scary ninja is exactly why he is a menace

The pressure in that registration room felt heavy and those veteran ninja looked way scarier than the enemies in the Land of Waves

Hinata being too shy to even say hi to Naruto while he was busy arguing with Kiba was pretty funny and it really balanced out the scary vibes from Gaara

sailor_chibi_moon_396

How the sound ninja moved so fast and broke Kabutos glasses without even touching him was so creepy and it shows how different these foreign ninja fight

Meeting the whole Leaf squad at once felt like a huge moment especially when Kiba and Naruto started bickering right in front of the veterans

flower_flute_499

I felt so bad for Kabuto when his glasses just shattered and he started puking from that weird sound attack since he was just trying to help the rookies

gendo_ikari_182

The way those sound ninja attacked Kabuto without even touching him was so confusing and seeing his glasses break and him getting sick made that whole village seem really dangerous

Seeing all the rookies together in one spot was so cool, especially with Shikamaru already complaining about how the entire test is just a huge drag

diablo_demon_155

The way Gaara just stands there with those cold eyes is terrifying and knowing he has never been touched in a fight makes him look like a total monster

Naruto shouting his name at every scary ninja in that room was so gutsy and it totally changed the mood after all that Kabuto talk about Gaara never getting hurt

I love that Hinata is so shy around Naruto and he just has no idea what is happening

uraraka_uravity_124

Ibiki showing up at the end with all those scars on his face was such a mood shift and you could tell everyone was terrified when the written test started

ashiaraiyashiki

Seeing all nine rookies in one spot is cool but Choji eating chips while everyone is trying to act tough is the most relatable thing ever and he does not care at all

AnimeOshi.com refers to anime titles, character names, logos, and other trademarked or copyrighted materials to identify and describe the works being reviewed, discussed, ranked or otherwise referenced on this site. This usage is believed to be nominative fair use or non-infringing and is not intended to imply any affiliation with the respective rights holders.

All trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their owners. If you are a rights holder and have concerns about any content on this site, please contact us at legal@animeoshi.com

AnimeOshi.com refers to anime titles, character names, logos, and other trademarked or copyrighted materials to identify and describe the works being reviewed, discussed, ranked or otherwise referenced on this site. This usage is believed to be nominative fair use or non-infringing and is not intended to imply any affiliation with the respective rights holders.

All trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their owners. If you are a rights holder and have concerns about any content on this site, please contact us at legal@animeoshi.com