Overview

Naruto spans two main series: Naruto (2002โ€“2007) and Naruto Shippuden (2007โ€“2017) โ€” over 700 episodes total. A huge chunk is filler unrelated to the main story. This guide tells you exactly what to watch and what to skip.

๐Ÿ’ก Quick Tip

Skipping filler leaves approximately 400 essential episodes. Still a massive โ€” but worthwhile โ€” commitment.

Quick Answer: How to Watch Naruto

1
Naruto (2002) ESSENTIAL
Episodes 1โ€“135 (use filler list below). Young Naruto's origin and Chunin Exam arc.
2
Naruto Movies (2004โ€“2008) OPTIONAL
Non-canon side adventures. Fun but skippable.
3
Naruto Shippuden (2007) ESSENTIAL
Episodes 1โ€“500 with filler skipped. Naruto returns after 2.5 years of training.
4
The Last: Naruto the Movie (2014) CANON
Watch after Shippuden episode 493. Fully canon direct sequel.
5
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations OPTIONAL
Sequel series โ€” many fans stop after Shippuden.

Full Watch Order Table

#TitleEpisodesStatusNotes
1Naruto1โ€“135WATCHCore story. Skip fillers below.
2Naruto Filler Arc136โ€“220SKIP ALLEntirely filler. Jump to Shippuden.
3Shippuden โ€” Kazekage Rescue1โ€“32WATCHStrong opening arc.
4Shippuden Filler57โ€“71SKIPFirst big filler block.
5Shippuden โ€” Itachi Arc72โ€“126WATCHDO NOT SKIP this arc.
6Shippuden Filler127โ€“143SKIP
7Shippuden โ€” Pain's Assault152โ€“175WATCHPeak Naruto. All-time great arc.
8Shippuden Filler223โ€“242SKIP
9Shippuden โ€” Fourth Shinobi War261โ€“361WATCHIncredible war arc.
10Shippuden Filler376โ€“395SKIPLong filler block.
11Shippuden Finale460โ€“500WATCHSeries conclusion.
12The Last: Naruto the MovieFilmWATCHAfter ep 493. Canon.

Naruto Shippuden โ€” Filler Episodes to Skip

EpisodesArc NameAction
57โ€“71Twelve Guardian NinjaSKIP
91โ€“112Three-Tails ArcSKIP
127โ€“143Six-Tails UnleashedSKIP
176โ€“196Past ArcOPTIONAL
223โ€“242Konoha HistorySKIP
376โ€“395Filler BlockSKIP
427โ€“450Infinite Tsukuyomi FillerSKIP

Naruto Movies โ€” Which Are Canon?

  • The Last: Naruto the Movie (2014) โ€” The ONLY fully canon film. Watch after Shippuden ep 493.
  • Boruto: Naruto the Movie (2015) โ€” Canon if following Boruto.
  • All other 9 Naruto films are non-canon side stories.

Tips for First-Time Naruto Viewers

Don't Give Up Early

First 50 episodes are slow. Push to the Chunin Exams arc and you will be completely hooked.

Pain Arc = Peak Anime

Shippuden episodes 157โ€“175 are some of the most emotional scenes in anime history.

Shippuden Improves Everything

Shippuden is where Naruto becomes truly legendary. Don't stop after the original series.

Avoid Wiki Spoilers

The Itachi reveal and Pain Arc have massive twists. Stay off fan wikis until after episode 300.