Naruto Episode 96: Deadlock! Sannin Showdown!

Manga chapter 172-176

Canon/HIGH

Oshimeter

9.8

69 Ratings

5★

4★

3★

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1★

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EPISODE REVIEWS

Good

tsunade protected naruto when she was still terrified and that was so brave and seeing her finally stand up to orochimaru was a massive moment for her character

kygerten

6 mo

I was totally stunned when Orochimaru managed that tri-directional summoning, talk about a desperate move. And Manda, ugh, he's such a pain, demanding sacrifices from his own summoner like that really cemented him as a top-tier jerk in my book.

Episode Context

This is the payoff episode. The legendary Sannin, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru, collide in a full-scale battle that ranks among Naruto's most iconic early confrontations. The tone is relentless and heavy, driven by decades of shared history between three warriors who once fought side by side. Expect massive summon battles, strategic clashes between shinobi operating at a level far beyond anything the genin have demonstrated, and a raw emotional undercurrent rooted in betrayal and broken bonds. The pacing is aggressive, cutting between physical combat and character-driven tension without letting up. Studio Pierrot delivers standout animation for the era, giving each Sannin distinct fighting identities. If you've been following the Search for Tsunade arc waiting for the explosion, this is it. Pure spectacle grounded in genuine stakes.

Runtime23 min

Filler StatusCanon

Plot ImportanceHIGH

Air DateAug 11, 2004

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