In this episode, we are introduced to most of the characters that will form the basis of the Naruto anime and manga series. We are also briefly introduced to the relationships they share. For example, it becomes obvious early on that Sakura and Ino are rivals. It also becomes obvious that Naruto has a crush on Sakura, Sakura has a crush on Sasuke, and Hinata has a crush on Naruto.
At the beginning of this episode, we see Naruto enjoying a seemingly innocent breakfast before his first meeting as a true ninja. Although he may not seem like it at the time, this scene is important in relation to the rest of the episode. Naruto arrives at the academy to be paired into a three-man squad. Shortly after entering, Sakura and Ino enter the classroom and start arguing over who will sit next to Sasuke. Seeing Sasuke as a threat, not just romantically but in many other areas, Naruto decides to get up in his face, leading to Sasuke and Naruto’s classic kiss, one of the most memorable scenes in the anime from the very beginning.
Being paired with Sasuke is the last thing Naruto wanted, while being paired with Sakura was exactly what he wanted. This begins the triangle of love and hate that we will see in the next episodes. Sakura desperately tries to get Sasuke’s attention as she despises Naruto all the time even though he competes for her attention. Sasuke, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with any of them.
Naruto bursts into Sasuke’s room and ties him up, transforming into Sasuke in an attempt to get closer to Sakura. He plays softly approaching her and asks what Sakura thinks of Naruto. Sakura replies that she thinks Naruto is annoying, which hurts her feelings but doesn’t stop her from continuing to play Sasuke and trying to kiss him. Just before the moment of magic happens, Naruto has a bad case of diarrhea and has to run to the bathroom. At this point, Sasuke has freed himself and searches for Naruto. Sasuke walks past Sakura and she leers at him, hoping the scene will pick up where he left off and result in a romantic kiss. However, the real Sasuke is not interested and tells Sakura that he thinks she is annoying. There is also a short snippet in this conversation that reveals that Sasuke, like Naruto, is an orphan.
Sasuke bumps into Naruto as Naruto comes out of the bathroom, and while for a moment we have the excited thought that they might have their first rival battle, they won’t. Naruto’s stomach kicks in again and leaves Sasuke standing there speechless. Seconds later, Sasuke decides that it’s not worth his time and walks away from him. The cause of Naruto’s tummy ache? Sour milk from his morning breakfast.
