Naruto (Original Series/"Part 1" :cer_blankstare:): EP001 (Enter! Naruto Uzumaki!) - EP019
Mainly, Naruto's graduation from the Ninja Academy up to the conclusion of the Land of Waves arc. The last time I watched a Naruto episode was probably 2-4 years ago, right when Sasuke was about to leave Konoha...so I decided to start rewatching from the beginning since it's been so long since I've actually watched a Naruto ep. It sort of feels like a chore, considering all of the other anime I'm behind in, but I'll manage...
Anyway, such a tearjerker in the later eps of the Land of Waves arc. :'( Even non-Naruto fans should feel something when watching those eps that begin to explore what it means to be recognized as a human being...
(and this is very minor, but I hate how pre-Shippuden is referred to as Part 1 and Shippuden/Hurricane Chronicles is referred to as Part 2...seems inconsistent {as in, Part 1 is only known as Part 1, while Part 2 is known as Part 2 and Shippuden}. IMO, Shippuden should be Shippuden and pre-Shippuden should be...some other cool name...?)
EDIT: And even though I haven't properly watched the Shippuden eps, I know what happens to Sasuke down the road...I can't believe he used to be so cool when the series was starting out, especially when it was him and Naruto vs. Haku! :cer_disbelief: I mean, I knew he was better personality-wise than his current Shippuden self, but when you rewatch the eps, you're like "How the heck did Sasuke change from that to his current jerkself?!"
Ugh...I can't explain it properly. Just watch Land of Waves Sasuke, Chunin Exams Sasuke, and Shippuden Sasuke, and hopefully you'll see the dynamic change in presence and personality and get a feel for what I'm trying to convey... The first two personalities are much better than you think they were.