If you are looking for the specific episode numbers for the "Pain Arc" (formally known as the Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant and the Invasion of Pain ), here is the quick answer:
While many fans skip straight to the invasion, the arc technically begins here. These episodes cover Jiraiya’s infiltration of the Hidden Rain Village and his fateful battle against Pain. This sets the emotional stakes for everything that follows. which episode is pain arc
You may notice that the animation style changes drastically during the fight in Episode 166 (specifically the moment Naruto attacks Deva Path). The studio outsourced this episode to a guest director, Atsuya Koishi. Some fans love the unique, fluid style, while others dislike it because it looks "cartoonish" compared to the rest of the series. Regardless, it remains one of the most memorable episodes in anime history. If you are looking for the specific episode
Hinata vs. Pain. Hinata steps in to protect Naruto, leading to her famous confession and a massive shift in Naruto’s emotional state. You may notice that the animation style changes
The Pain arc is often cited as the peak of the series for several reasons: