Back

The Chūnin Exam Stage 2: The Forest of Death

EpisodeEp. 27

Anko lays out the brutal second phase of the Chūnin Exams inside the Forest of Death, a survival trial built to cut the field in half as teams hunt one another for the scrolls they need to advance.

Kanji: 第二試験スタート!周りはみんな敵だらけ!
Ending Song: Harmonia
Opening Song: Far Away
Manga Chapters: 45, 46
English Airdate: April 15, 2006
Japanese Airdate: April 2, 2003
Text Size

Summary

Anko walks the candidates through the rules of the exam's second stage, a contest designed so that no fewer than half the teams will wash out. Each squad receives one of two scrolls, a heaven or an earth, before entering the forest, and to move on they must seize the opposite scroll from a rival team. Only those who reach the tower at the forest's heart carrying both scrolls will qualify for the next round. Anko distributes the scrolls and throws open the gates.

Text Size

Key Events

Once the trial begins, Team 8 puts the Byakugan to work searching out a target and springs a trap to lift a scroll from an Amegakure squad. Elsewhere in the woods, Team 7 comes under attack from a disguised Ame shinobi, an early sign of the dangers waiting among the trees.

Mr. Popo Took Your Girl

Featured song

Mr. Popo Took Your Girl

Daddy Jim Headquarters makes R&B, mostly Dragon Ball so far. You should check it out.

Text Size

Notes

The episode marks the start of the Forest of Death, one of the exam's most iconic settings, and establishes the scroll-hunting format that pits the genin teams directly against one another. It adapts material from the manga's forty-fifth and forty-sixth chapters.

Share this resource

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Chunin Exam Stage 2?

The Chunin Exam Stage 2 is a survival trial held in the Forest of Death where each team holds a heaven or an earth scroll and must steal the opposite scroll from a rival team to reach the tower and advance, a test built to eliminate at least half the competitors.

What happens in The Chunin Exam Stage 2: The Forest of Death?

In this episode, Anko explains the rules of the exam's second stage inside the Forest of Death, then Team 8 uses the Byakugan to trap an Amegakure squad and steal their scroll while Team 7 comes under attack from a disguised Ame shinobi.

How do teams advance during the Forest of Death exam?

Each team starts with either a heaven or an earth scroll and must capture the opposite scroll from another team, then reach the tower at the forest's center with both scrolls to qualify for the next round.

What does Team 8 accomplish early in the Forest of Death?

Team 8 uses the Byakugan to search out a target and springs a trap that lets them steal a scroll from an Amegakure squad soon after the exam begins.

What manga chapters does The Chunin Exam Stage 2: The Forest of Death adapt?

The episode adapts chapters 45 and 46 of the manga and marks the start of the Forest of Death setting within the Chunin Exams arc.

Sources & Information

Looking for more on The Chūnin Exam Stage 2: The Forest of Death? The Naruto Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.

View on Fandom

This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Naruto anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.

Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:

  • Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Studio Pierrot and Toho.
  • Game pages: official box art for the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm games, credited to Bandai Namco.
  • Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto.

Help Us Keep This Wiki Accurate

Daddy Jim Headquarters maintains this encyclopedia. If you spot an error, a translation issue, or something that doesn't look right, let us know.