List of Naruto: Shippuden episodes (season 21)

Naruto: Shippuden (Season 21)
No. of episodes	5

The episodes from the twenty-first season of the anime series Naruto: Shippuden are based on Part II of the setting of Naruto manga series by Masashi Kishimoto. While the first four episodes deal with the childhood of some main characters, the rest of season covers the events of Sasuke's Story: Sunrise (サスケ真伝 来光篇 Sasuke Shinden Raikō-hen). The episodes are directed by Hayato Date and produced by Studio Pierrot and TV Tokyo.^[1]

The twenty-first season began on October 20, 2016 and is still ongoing.

This season contains two musical themes: one opening and ending. The first opening theme, "Empty Heart" by Anly, is used from episode 480 onwards. The first ending theme, "Departure Song" (旅立ちの唄 Tabidachi no Uta) by Ayumikurikamaki, is used from episode 480 onwards.

Episode listing

No.	Title	Original airdate	English airdate
480	"Naruto and Hinata" (NARUTO.HINATA)	October 20, 2016	TBA
As a child, Naruto is sitting on the Hokage Rock and becomes curious of the world. As he walks through the village, he becomes saddened from the villagers ostracizing him and he doesn't have enough money to eat ramen, and goes to train in the woods. He eats fish when he meets with Hiruzen, who eats with him and tells Naruto that, compared to the rest of the world, one person is small, which gives Naruto a better perspective of the world. Neji is training with his father when he is told he will meet Hinata at her third birthday celebration and his duty is to protect her. Hinata confides in Neji her displeasure in taijutsu, much to his confusion. Shortly after, the Hyuga Affair occurs, and Hinata attends the memorial for Neji's father, who sacrificed himself. She flees after seeing a saddened Neji and meets Naruto, who takes her home.
481	"Sasuke and Sakura" (SASUKE.SAKURA)	October 27, 2016	TBA
A young Sasuke asks Itachi to train him but Itachi declines because he is busy. Their parents tell Sasuke they will be leaving the next day and Sasuke decides to stay home with Itachi. Throughout the day, they train together, Itachi cooks dinner, and they sleep outside. By morning, Sasuke wakes up to find that Itachi already left for a mission. Sakura spends her time in her hideout to style her bangs. Ino finds her and puts her bangs in a red ribbon because Sakura covering her forehead is what causes her to be bullied. Sakura later tells her parents that she made a friend. Sakura tells Ino that she has a crush on Sasuke, much to Ino's jealously. Sakura tries to confess to Sasuke but he says he doesn't know her. Sakura begins training.
482	"Gaara and Shikamaru" (GAARA.SHIKAMARU)	November 3, 2016	TBA
A young Gaara struggles with the death of his mother, bonding with his siblings, his father's contempt for him, and the fear the villagers harbor towards him. Gaara plays with his siblings in the sandbox until their father sends them away. Gaara is attacked by some villagers but his sand easily deflects their attacks. Gaara asks his uncle several questions, such as why is the sky blue and is told so that everyone can see it, and Gaara says the sky eases his pain. Shikamaru starts a fight with Choji during class and Iruka sends them to the hallway. Naruto diffuses the fight and they eat snacks together. They later argue over Naruto defending Hinata from bullies and are amused to see Sasuke rejecting Ino's flower. They observe Naruto using the Sexy Jutsu after Iruka flirts with some women. The three boys later bid farewell for the day.
483	"Jiraiya and Kakashi" (JIRAIYA.KAKASHI)	November 10, 2016	TBA
A young Jiraiya calls a young Orochimaru to spy on bathing women. Uninterested, Orochimaru leaves. Jiraiya is caught by an elderly woman, who douses him in hot water. As teenagers, Jiraiya tries convincing Orochimaru into a plan for him to hit on Tsunade, having Orochimaru pretend to attack her, so Jiraiya can rescue her, which fails. During the Second Shinobi World War, the three discuss their dreams by a fire. Tsunade wants to travel the world and gamble everywhere, Jiraiya wants to travel beside her, to her annoyance, and Orochimaru initially claims to have no dream, but admits he wants to master ninjutsu and get stronger. The three are attacked by Kirigakure shinobi, and retaliate. A young Kakashi prepares fish and performs house chores. At the Academy, Kakashi spars with Hiruzen, while Rin and Obito discuss him. When he is done, they ask if he practises frequently, but he denies it, saying he just reads a few books. After classes, Obito follows Kakashi, and watches him practising fishing. As he prepares fish at home, Kakashi tells Obito and Rin to come out and join him to eat. They enjoy the food, and Kakashi downplays himself again. The next day, Kakashi does chores again, and is thanked by Obito for the food when they meet on the street. At the Academy, Guy tries fighting him, and is impressed by Kakashi. The next day, Kakashi visits his father's grave at the cemetery, tells him about his friends. At the Academy, Guy challenges Kakashi again, and lasts longer. Obito and Rin cheer on Kakashi.
484	"The Exploding Human" "Kibaku Ningen" (起爆人間)	December 1, 2016	TBA
A Konoha villager, Taidachi, is attacked by two people, one of them uses red eyes to put him under genjustu. Kakashi, Sakura and Naruto discuss about Konoha villagers disappearing when the village is attacked by the missing villagers. Since they are "exploding humans" upon being injured, Naruto and Shikamaru restrain them and Hinata knocks them unconscious. Kakashi has Sai notify Sasuke of the events and for him to return to the village because his visual prowless is needed. Sasuke encounters exploding humans attacking a bamboo village and is mistaken as an enemy by Iou, Chino, and Nowaki. Sasuke is able to release the humans from genjustu but Iou's daughter explodes. Sasuke realizes via Sharingan Genjutsu that someone with a dojutsu is responsible.
485	"Coliseum" "Koroshiamu" (闘技場)	December 8, 2016	TBA

This incomplete list is frequently updated to include new information.

References

General

• "Episodes 698-" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved October 7, 2016.

Specific

1. スタッフ・キャスト [Staff.Cast] (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved October 28, 2011.