We're taking a break from putting up the latest Naruto Shippuden episode this week (fear not, we have a two-part doozy coming your way next week), but in the meantime, we have a video special over at naruto.com for you to enjoy -- the top 10 episodes from the past year in Naruto Shippuden, as voted on by Naruto fans. It may come as a surprise to some who earns the top spot, but if you're a Sasuke fan as some of us in the office are, you'll be pleasantly surprised by which episode takes the #1 spot... 

Today sees the launch of four new dubbed, uncut, ready-to-download Naruto Shippuden episodes on iTunes -- the "rescue Gaara" story arc comes to a stirring conclusion, and then it's all warm and fuzzy feelings as Naruto is reunited with a few of his Leaf Village comrades (including a blushing Hinata, natch). Check out episodes 31-34 and all currently released dubbed Naruto Shippuden episodes in iTunes' Naruto section.

New episodes featured:

Episode 31: The Legacy
Relying on Naruto's power, Granny Chiyo performs the Transmigration Jutsu on Gaara. Sakura is saddened when she realizes the cost of this jutsu.

Episode 32: Return of the Kazekage
Gaara and his rescuers make a triumphant return to the Hidden Sand Village. After paying their respects at Granny Chiyo's grave, Naruto and the Leaf ninja reluctantly take their leave.

Episode 33: The New Target
Everyone has returned to the Hidden Leaf Village. Kakashi is hospitalized for a week due to the strain caused by his Mangekyo Sharingan.

Episode 34: Formation! New Team Kakashi
After attacking Naruto, Sai predicts that they will meet again soon, then vanishes. Tsunade meets with the village elders, Homura and Koharu…

Happy birthday Kisame! Well... kind of. We aren't feeling like we want to go to this guy's birthday party. We're envisioning a lot of bluster, biting and screaming about how "samehada's gonna cut you!" Even though this sharklike Akatsuki member, who first came to our attention as Itachi's toothy teammate, would have a hard time filling out his party guest list, we do need to give him props -- right now nobody's as creepy in Ninja World. So Happy Birthday, Kisame. But you'll forgive us if we just drop a card in the mail, right?

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Check out the Kisame character data wallpaper we've created just for this occasion, and send in your birthday wishes in the naruto.com forum!

-- Joel Enos (Editor, SHONEN JUMP)

You know that bad stuff can happen when you start playing around with forbidden jutsu... like a chakra overload that threatens to take out half the countryside! We conclude the "forbidden jutsu" story arc in our latest Naruto Shippuden episode this week, so here's your last chance to bid a fond farewell to Hotaru and Shiranami -- if they don't get vaporized first... We'll be taking a few weeks off until the next new episode, but you won't want to miss it, as it's a two-part doozy! Stay tuned to all the latest Naruto Shippuden episodes and news on the Naruto Shippuden page.

Episode 151: Master and Student
Hotaru, under the control of Shiranami’s jutsu, uses the Forbidden Jutsu against Naruto and Utakata. Shiranami trembles with joy, having witnessed the power of the Forbidden Jutsu, while Hotaru is consumed by deep despair.

Things get explosive -- literally! -- in the latest episode of Naruto Shippuden, as the Forbidden Jutsu is released at last! We get treated to some nifty pyrotechnics this week, although Naruto probably wouldn't appreciate it that much, considering he gets caught in the middle! At least we get to enjoy the fireworks from the comfortable safety of our computer screens... Check out episode 150 and the latest Naruto Shippuden episodes in the Naruto Shippuden section.

Episode 150: Separation
Believing Shiranami’s story, Hotaru writes a parting letter addressed to Utakata and leaves Mount Katsuragi. Meanwhile Naruto, still searching for Shiranami, falls into the Magaki Troops’ trap but manages to escape thanks to help from Utakata.