What episode is "The Targeted Shukaku" in Naruto?
"The Targeted Shukaku" is episode 216 of Naruto.
Rogue ninjas kidnap a student from the Sand Village seeking power tied to Gaara, prompting Gaara and his siblings to pursue them alone. Meanwhile, Konoha's forces split into teams to provide strategic support, leading to coordinated efforts amid rising tensions.
A group of rogue ninjas from the Takumi Village - called Shitenshonin (Four Celestials in the English dub) - invade the Sand Village and kidnap Matsuri, a Ninja Academy student under Gaara. They seek Gaara's powers to revive their village's ultimate weapon. Gaara, Kankuro & Temari pursue them with no other help from the Sand Village. Meanwhile, Shikamaru assembles the Konoha 11 (minus Tenten), and splits up into two-man teams - Shikamaru and Ino, Naruto and Lee, and Kiba and Choji. Each 2-man cell will assist one of Sand shinobi. Neji and Hinata will avoid combat and scout ahead, while Sakura & Shino act as medical support and command & control (using Shino's bugs to pass along information).
"The Targeted Shukaku" is episode 216 of Naruto.
"The Targeted Shukaku" is listed as filler in the current AnimeAnchor guide.
"The Targeted Shukaku" is part of the Tenchi Bridge Arc.
Yes. Start with the spoiler-safe summary, then reveal the full plot only when you want the complete episode breakdown.
Browse the main cast connected to this episode guide.
Kakashi Hatake main
Naruto Uzumaki main
Sakura Haruno main
Sasuke Uchiha main
Asuma Sarutobi supporting
Hinata Hyuga supporting
Ino Yamanaka supporting
Iruka Umino supporting
Jiraiya supporting
Kankuro supporting
Kiba Inuzuka supporting
Neji Hyuga supporting
Rock Lee supporting
Shikamaru Nara supporting Franchise movie releases are kept separate from the TV episode spine.