Naruto is one of the most popular anime series of all time — but it is also one of the most confusing to watch because of its massive filler content.
If you are:
- a new fan starting Naruto for the first time
- a returning fan who dropped the series because of fillers
- or someone who wants the best story-only experience
This guide will show you exactly how to watch Naruto without fillers, in the correct order, while keeping the story smooth, emotional, and complete.
1. What Are Fillers and Why Should You Skip Them?
Fillers are episodes that:
- are not in the original manga
- do not move the main story forward
- were added so the anime wouldn’t catch up to the manga
Naruto is infamous for fillers:
- over 40% of the original Naruto series is filler
- Shippuden also contains many long filler arcs
Skipping fillers:
- saves hundreds of hours
- keeps the story intense
- avoids contradictions
- improves pacing
You will not miss important story information by skipping fillers.
2. Naruto Series Overview (So You Don’t Get Confused)
Naruto has two main anime series:
1️⃣ Naruto (2002–2007)
- Naruto as a kid
- Village life, ninja training, early wars
- Ends after Sasuke leaves the village
2️⃣ Naruto Shippuden (2007–2017)
- Naruto as a teenager
- Akatsuki, tailed beasts, world war
- Ends the main story
There is also:
- Boruto (next generation – optional)
This guide focuses only on Naruto + Naruto Shippuden, without fillers.
3. Naruto (Original Series) – Canon Watch Order
Naruto Episodes: 1–220
Out of these:
- 135 episodes are canon / mixed canon
- 85 episodes are pure filler
Below is the best watch order.
4. Naruto Episodes 1–19: Land of Waves Arc (WATCH ALL)
This arc introduces:
- Naruto Uzumaki
- Sasuke Uchiha
- Sakura Haruno
- Kakashi Hatake
Why this arc matters
- Establishes the ninja world
- Introduces chakra basics
- Shows real ninja danger
- Sets emotional tone
Key characters:
- Zabuza
- Haku
This arc proves Naruto is not just a kids’ show.
Watch: Episodes 1–19
Skip: None
5. Naruto Episodes 20–25: Chunin Exam – Written Test & Forest of Death (WATCH ALL)
This arc introduces:
- Other ninja villages
- Rival genin teams
- Orochimaru
Important developments:
- Sasuke gets the Curse Mark
- Naruto shows growth
- Team dynamics change
Watch: Episodes 20–25
Skip: None
6. Naruto Episodes 26–41: Chunin Exam Preliminaries (WATCH ALL)
This arc contains:
- Legendary one-on-one fights
- Iconic characters introduced
Key fights:
- Rock Lee vs Gaara
- Sasuke vs Yoroi
- Neji vs Hinata
This is one of Naruto’s best arcs.
Watch: Episodes 26–41
Skip: None
7. Naruto Episodes 42–51: Chunin Exam Training (WATCH ALL)
Focus:
- Training before final exams
- Kakashi trains Sasuke
- Jiraiya trains Naruto
Major moments:
- Rasengan introduction
- Naruto summons Gamabunta
Watch: Episodes 42–51
Skip: None
8. Naruto Episodes 52–80: Chunin Exam Finals & Konoha Crush (WATCH ALL)
This arc includes:
- Gaara vs Naruto
- Orochimaru’s invasion
- Death of the Third Hokage
Story importance:
- Village politics
- Tailed beasts
- Ninja war themes
Watch: Episodes 52–80
Skip: None
9. Naruto Episodes 81–101: Search for Tsunade Arc (WATCH MOST)
Main story episodes:
- Naruto meets Tsunade
- Introduction of medical ninjutsu
- Naruto vs Kabuto
- Legendary Sannin reunion
Watch: Episodes 81–100
Optional filler: Episode 101 (comedy)
Episode 101 is fun but not necessary.
10. Naruto Episodes 102–106: Land of Tea Escort Mission (SKIP)
This is a filler arc.
Skip: Episodes 102–106
11. Naruto Episodes 107–135: Sasuke Retrieval Arc (WATCH ALL)
This is the final and most important arc of original Naruto.
Key events:
- Sasuke leaves Konoha
- Naruto vs Sasuke (first fight)
- Sound Four battles
- Naruto’s emotional breakdown
This arc defines Naruto’s core theme:
Never giving up on a friend.
Watch: Episodes 107–135
Skip: None
12. Naruto Episodes 136–220: Pure Filler Section (SKIP ALL)
After Episode 135:
- The anime enters a long filler-only section
- No manga content is adapted
- Story does not progress
Skip: Episodes 136–220
👉 After Episode 135, jump directly to Naruto Shippuden Episode 1.
13. Quick Summary: Naruto (Original) Without Fillers
Watch these episodes only:
- 1–135
Optional:
- Episode 101 (comedy)
Skip entirely:
- 102–106
- 136–220
This gives you the best Naruto experience without wasting time.
14. Naruto Shippuden Overview (What Changes From Naruto)
Naruto Shippuden takes place 2.5 years after Naruto Episode 135.
Major changes:
- darker tone
- larger battles
- global stakes
- Akatsuki becomes central
- tailed beasts and war dominate the story
Shippuden has 500 episodes, but nearly 40% are fillers or mixed fillers.
Watching only canon makes the story far more powerful.
15. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 1–32: Kazekage Rescue Arc (WATCH ALL)
This arc focuses on:
- Gaara as Kazekage
- Akatsuki’s first major move
- Naruto and Sakura’s growth
Key moments:
- Gaara’s death and revival
- Introduction of Deidara and Sasori
- Team Kakashi reunited
Watch: Episodes 1–32
Skip: None
16. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 33–53: Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance (WATCH MOST)
Story focus:
- Search for Sasuke
- Orochimaru’s experiments
- Introduction of Yamato
Important moments:
- Naruto’s Four-Tails transformation
- Sasuke vs Naruto reunion
Watch: Episodes 33–53
(Some minor mixed filler scenes exist but should not be skipped.)
17. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 54–71: Akatsuki Suppression Arc (WATCH ALL)
This arc includes:
- Hidan and Kakuzu
- Asuma’s death
- Shikamaru’s revenge
This arc is critical for:
- character growth
- showing real ninja mortality
- Akatsuki’s threat
Watch: Episodes 54–71
18. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 72–88: Three-Tails Arc (SKIP)
This is a filler arc.
Skip: Episodes 72–88
19. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 89–112: Itachi Pursuit Arc (WATCH ALL)
Major developments:
- Sasuke vs Itachi
- Uchiha massacre truth
- Tobi’s introduction
This arc changes everything about Sasuke.
Watch: Episodes 89–112
20. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 113–118: Filler (SKIP)
Skip: Episodes 113–118
21. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 119–120: Kakashi Chronicles (WATCH)
These episodes:
- explain Kakashi’s past
- introduce Obito
They are canon and important.
Watch: Episodes 119–120
22. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 121–126: Filler (SKIP)
Skip: Episodes 121–126
23. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 127–141: Pain’s Assault Arc (WATCH ALL)
This is one of Naruto’s greatest arcs.
Key moments:
- Pain vs Konoha
- Jiraiya’s death
- Naruto’s Sage Mode
- Naruto vs Pain
Watch: Episodes 127–141
24. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 142–151: Filler (SKIP)
Skip: Episodes 142–151
25. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 152–175: Five Kage Summit Arc (WATCH ALL)
This arc shows:
- Sasuke’s descent
- World politics
- Akatsuki’s endgame
Very important for the war setup.
Watch: Episodes 152–175
26. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 176–196: Filler (SKIP)
Skip: Episodes 176–196
27. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 197–222: Fourth Great Ninja War Begins (WATCH MOST)
These episodes introduce:
- Ninja Alliance
- Tailed beasts
- War structure
Some episodes contain mixed filler, but skipping breaks flow.
Watch: Episodes 197–222
28. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 223–242: Filler (SKIP)
Skip: Episodes 223–242
29. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 243–256: War Continues (WATCH)
Important developments:
- Tailed Beast battles
- Naruto’s growth
Watch: Episodes 243–256
30. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 257–260: Filler (SKIP)
Skip: Episodes 257–260
31. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 261–270: Naruto vs Tobi (WATCH)
Critical lore revealed:
- Masked man’s identity hints
- War escalates
Watch: Episodes 261–270
32. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 271–295: Filler / Flashbacks (SKIP)
Skip: Episodes 271–295
33. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 296–320: Ten-Tails & Obito (WATCH ALL)
Major turning points:
- Ten-Tails
- Obito’s past
- Kakashi vs Obito
Watch: Episodes 296–320
34. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 321–348: Flashback Fillers (SKIP)
Skip: Episodes 321–348
35. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 349–361: Madara & Final War Phase (WATCH)
Watch: Episodes 349–361
36. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 362–375: Filler (SKIP)
Skip: Episodes 362–375
37. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 376–479: War Conclusion (WATCH MOST)
Includes:
- Kaguya
- Hagoromo
- Naruto vs Sasuke final battle
Some flashbacks exist, but skipping disrupts pacing.
Watch: Episodes 376–479
38. Naruto Shippuden Episodes 480–500: Epilogue (WATCH)
These episodes conclude:
- Naruto’s journey
- Character futures
- Wedding arc
Watch: Episodes 480–500
39. Naruto Movies – Watch Order (Canon-Friendly)
Optional but Recommended Movies:
- Naruto the Last – Watch after Episode 479
- Boruto: Naruto the Movie – After Shippuden ends
Other Naruto movies are non-canon and optional.
40. Simplified Watch Order (Bookmark This)
Naruto
- Episodes 1–135
Naruto Shippuden
- Watch only listed canon ranges above
- Skip filler ranges
This reduces Naruto from 720 episodes → ~430 episodes.
41. Final Tips for New Naruto Viewers
- Skip fillers guilt-free
- Avoid spoilers at all cost
- Don’t rush Pain arc
- Watch Naruto The Last
- Take breaks during war arc
Final Conclusion
Watching Naruto without fillers:
- respects the manga
- improves pacing
- increases emotional impact
- saves hundreds of hours
This guide gives you the best possible Naruto experience, whether you’re new or returning.
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