Naruto
Complete Filler Guide
Introduction
If you’re planning to watch Naruto, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is, “Can I skip the filler episodes?” This comprehensive Naruto Filler List answers exactly that. Whether you’re a first-time viewer, a returning fan, or someone looking to finish the series as quickly as possible, this guide will help you decide which episodes are essential and which ones can be skipped.
Anime filler episodes are anime-original stories created when the television adaptation catches up to the manga. Instead of taking a long break, studios often create original content to give the manga time to progress. While some filler episodes offer fun character interactions, comedy, or side adventures, others have little impact on the main story.
The original Naruto anime contains a significant amount of filler, especially toward the end of the series. However, it also includes several mixed episodes that combine manga material with anime-original scenes. Knowing the difference between canon, mixed, and filler episodes can save dozens of hours while still allowing you to experience the complete story.
This guide provides a fully researched Naruto Filler List, including every episode’s classification, recommended watch order, filler arcs, skip recommendations, and much more. By the end, you’ll know exactly which episodes are essential and which are optional depending on how you want to experience Naruto’s journey.
Quick Filler Statistics
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Anime | Naruto |
| Total Episodes | 220 |
| Canon Episodes | 91 |
| Mixed Episodes | 29 |
| Filler Episodes | 100 |
| Skip Percentage | 45.5% |
| Canon Percentage | 41.4% |
| Mixed Percentage | 13.1% |
| Source Material | Manga |
| Manga Author | Masashi Kishimoto |
| Animation Studio | Studio Pierrot |
| Original Run | October 3, 2002 – February 8, 2007 |
| Status | Finished |
| Episode Duration | Approximately 23 Minutes |
Naruto Episode List (Episodes 1–75)
| Episode | Episode Title | Type | Watch | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enter: Naruto Uzumaki! | Canon | Must Watch | Series introduction |
| 2 | My Name is Konohamaru! | Canon | Must Watch | Introduces Konohamaru |
| 3 | Sasuke and Sakura: Friends or Foes? | Canon | Must Watch | Team 7 formation |
| 4 | Pass or Fail: Survival Test | Canon | Must Watch | Bell Test |
| 5 | You Failed! Kakashi’s Final Decision | Canon | Must Watch | Team officially formed |
| 6 | A Dangerous Mission! Journey to the Land of Waves | Canon | Must Watch | Land of Waves Arc begins |
| 7 | The Assassin of the Mist | Canon | Must Watch | Zabuza introduced |
| 8 | The Oath of Pain | Canon | Must Watch | Team growth |
| 9 | Kakashi: Sharingan Warrior | Canon | Must Watch | Kakashi vs Zabuza |
| 10 | The Forest of Chakra | Canon | Must Watch | Training begins |
| 11 | The Land Where a Hero Once Lived | Canon | Must Watch | Character development |
| 12 | Battle on the Bridge! Zabuza Returns! | Canon | Must Watch | Main story |
| 13 | Haku’s Secret Jutsu | Canon | Must Watch | Major battle |
| 14 | Number One Hyperactive Ninja Joins the Fight! | Canon | Must Watch | Naruto’s resolve |
| 15 | Zero Visibility: The Sharingan Shatters | Canon | Must Watch | Land of Waves |
| 16 | The Broken Seal | Canon | Must Watch | Nine-Tails chakra |
| 17 | White Past: Hidden Ambition | Canon | Must Watch | Haku’s past |
| 18 | The Weapons Known as Shinobi | Canon | Must Watch | Emotional development |
| 19 | The Demon in the Snow | Canon | Must Watch | Arc climax |
| 20 | A New Chapter Begins | Canon | Must Watch | Arc conclusion |
| 21 | Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals | Canon | Must Watch | Chunin Exams begin |
| 22 | Chunin Challenge | Canon | Must Watch | Exams |
| 23 | Genin Takedown! | Canon | Must Watch | Exams |
| 24 | Start Your Engines! | Canon | Must Watch | Forest of Death |
| 25 | The Tenth Question | Canon | Must Watch | Written Exam concludes |
| 26 | Special Report: Live from the Forest of Death! | Filler | Skip | Recap episode |
| 27 | The Chunin Exam Stage 2 | Canon | Must Watch | Forest begins |
| 28 | Eat or Be Eaten | Canon | Must Watch | Survival |
| 29 | Naruto’s Counterattack | Canon | Must Watch | Orochimaru appears |
| 30 | The Sharingan Revived | Canon | Must Watch | Sasuke development |
| 31 | Bushy Brow’s Pledge | Canon | Must Watch | Rock Lee introduced |
| 32 | Sakura Blossoms | Canon | Must Watch | Sakura growth |
| 33 | Battle Formation: Ino-Shika-Cho | Canon | Must Watch | Team battles |
| 34 | Akamaru Trembles | Canon | Must Watch | Kiba vs Gaara |
| 35 | The Scroll’s Secret | Canon | Must Watch | Exams |
| 36 | Clone vs Clone | Canon | Must Watch | Naruto battle |
| 37 | Surviving the Cut | Canon | Must Watch | Exams |
| 38 | Narrowing the Field | Canon | Must Watch | Exams |
| 39 | Bushy Brow’s Jealousy | Canon | Must Watch | Lee vs Sasuke |
| 40 | Kakashi and Orochimaru | Canon | Must Watch | Curse Mark |
| 41 | Kunoichi Rumble | Canon | Must Watch | Sakura vs Ino |
| 42 | The Ultimate Battle | Canon | Must Watch | Chunin Exams |
| 43 | Killer Kunoichi | Canon | Must Watch | Sakura vs Ino |
| 44 | Akamaru Unleashed | Canon | Must Watch | Kiba fight |
| 45 | Surprise Attack | Canon | Must Watch | Naruto battle |
| 46 | Byakugan Battle | Canon | Must Watch | Hinata vs Neji |
| 47 | Failure Stands Tall | Canon | Must Watch | Emotional |
| 48 | Gaara vs Rock Lee | Canon | Must Watch | Iconic fight |
| 49 | Lee’s Hidden Strength | Canon | Must Watch | Legendary battle |
| 50 | The Fifth Gate | Canon | Must Watch | Major fight |
| 51 | A Shadow in Darkness | Canon | Must Watch | Exams |
| 52 | Ebisu Returns | Mixed | Recommended | Contains anime-original scenes |
| 53 | Long Time No See: Jiraiya Returns! | Canon | Must Watch | Jiraiya introduced |
| 54 | Summoning Jutsu | Canon | Must Watch | Training |
| 55 | A Feeling of Yearning | Canon | Must Watch | Character development |
| 56 | Live or Die | Canon | Must Watch | Naruto training |
| 57 | He Flies! He Jumps! | Mixed | Recommended | Extended anime content |
| 58 | Hospital Besieged | Canon | Must Watch | Gaara attack |
| 59 | The Final Rounds | Canon | Must Watch | Tournament |
| 60 | Byakugan vs Shadow Clone | Canon | Must Watch | Naruto vs Neji |
| 61 | Ultimate Defense | Canon | Must Watch | Gaara fight |
| 62 | A Failure’s True Power | Canon | Must Watch | Naruto vs Neji |
| 63 | Losing is Not an Option | Canon | Must Watch | Finals |
| 64 | Zero Motivation | Canon | Must Watch | Shikamaru |
| 65 | Dancing Leaf, Squirming Sand | Canon | Must Watch | Gaara vs Sasuke |
| 66 | Bushy Brow’s Jutsu | Canon | Must Watch | Konoha Crush |
| 67 | Late for the Show | Canon | Must Watch | Naruto enters battle |
| 68 | Zero Hour | Canon | Must Watch | Orochimaru invasion |
| 69 | Village in Distress | Canon | Must Watch | Konoha under attack |
| 70 | A Shirker’s Call to Action | Canon | Must Watch | Shikamaru |
| 71 | An Unrivaled Match | Canon | Must Watch | Hokage battle |
| 72 | A Mistake from the Past | Canon | Must Watch | Third Hokage |
| 73 | Forbidden Secret Technique | Canon | Must Watch | Climax |
| 74 | Astonishing Truth | Canon | Must Watch | Battle continues |
| 75 | The Konoha’s Hero | Canon | Must Watch | Arc conclusion |
Episode Classification Summary (Episodes 1–75)
| Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Canon | 72 |
| Mixed | 2 |
| Filler | 1 |
Most of the first 75 episodes adapt the manga faithfully. Apart from the recap episode (Episode 26) and a few mixed episodes with extended anime-original scenes, nearly everything in this portion is essential viewing.
What Makes These Episodes Important?
The first 75 episodes cover some of the most iconic story arcs in the entire Naruto franchise, including:
- Land of Waves Arc
- Chunin Exams Arc
- Konoha Crush Arc (beginning)
These episodes introduce Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Kakashi Hatake, Rock Lee, Gaara, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and many other important characters. They also establish the world of shinobi, chakra, ninja villages, and the emotional themes that define the series.
Because nearly every episode directly adapts the manga, first-time viewers should not skip this portion except for the recap episode if desired.
Naruto Episode List (Episodes 76–150)
| Episode | Episode Title | Type | Watch | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Assassin of the Moonlit Night | Canon | Must Watch | Search for Tsunade Arc |
| 77 | Light vs. Dark: The Two Faces of Gaara | Mixed | Recommended | Contains anime-original scenes |
| 78 | Naruto’s Ninja Handbook | Canon | Must Watch | Tsunade Arc |
| 79 | Beyond the Limit of Darkness and Light | Canon | Must Watch | Story progression |
| 80 | The Third Hokage, Forever… | Mixed | Recommended | Anime-original additions |
| 81 | Return of the Morning Mist | Canon | Must Watch | Tsunade storyline |
| 82 | Eye to Eye: Sharingan vs. Sharingan! | Canon | Must Watch | Itachi appears |
| 83 | Jiraiya: Naruto’s Potential Disaster! | Canon | Must Watch | Naruto training |
| 84 | Roar, Chidori! Brother vs. Brother! | Canon | Must Watch | Sasuke vs Itachi |
| 85 | Hate Among the Uchihas | Canon | Must Watch | Uchiha history |
| 86 | A New Training Begins | Canon | Must Watch | Rasengan training |
| 87 | Keep on Training: Pop Goes the Water Balloon! | Canon | Must Watch | Rasengan |
| 88 | Focal Point: The Mark of a Leaf | Canon | Must Watch | Character growth |
| 89 | An Impossible Choice | Canon | Must Watch | Tsunade Arc |
| 90 | Unforgivable! A Total Lack of Respect! | Canon | Must Watch | Story progression |
| 91 | Inheritance! The Necklace of Death! | Canon | Must Watch | Tsunade |
| 92 | A Dubious Offer! Tsunade’s Choice! | Canon | Must Watch | Story progression |
| 93 | Breakdown! The Deal is Off! | Canon | Must Watch | Tsunade Arc |
| 94 | Attack! Fury of the Rasengan! | Canon | Must Watch | Major battle |
| 95 | The Fifth Hokage! A Life on the Line! | Canon | Must Watch | Arc conclusion |
| 96 | Deadlock! Sannin Showdown! | Canon | Must Watch | Legendary Sannin |
| 97 | Kidnapped! Naruto’s Hot Spring Adventure! | Filler | Skip | Standalone story |
| 98 | Tsunade’s Warning | Canon | Must Watch | New Hokage |
| 99 | The Will of Fire Still Burns! | Canon | Must Watch | Konoha |
| 100 | Sensei and Student | Canon | Must Watch | Character development |
| 101 | Gotta See! Gotta Know! Kakashi’s True Face! | Filler | Optional | Fan-favorite comedy |
| 102 | Mission: Help an Old Friend | Filler | Skip | Standalone mission |
| 103 | The Race is On! | Filler | Skip | Anime-original |
| 104 | Run Idate, Run! | Filler | Skip | Mission arc |
| 105 | Almost There! | Filler | Skip | Mission arc |
| 106 | The Last Leg | Filler | Skip | Mission conclusion |
| 107 | The Battle Begins | Canon | Must Watch | Sasuke Retrieval Arc |
| 108 | Bitter Rivals and Broken Bonds | Canon | Must Watch | Story progression |
| 109 | An Invitation from the Sound | Canon | Must Watch | Sasuke |
| 110 | Formation! The Sasuke Retrieval Squad! | Canon | Must Watch | Major arc |
| 111 | Sound vs Leaf | Canon | Must Watch | Retrieval begins |
| 112 | Squad Mutiny | Canon | Must Watch | Main story |
| 113 | Full Throttle Power | Canon | Must Watch | Battles |
| 114 | Goodbye Old Friend | Canon | Must Watch | Emotional |
| 115 | Your Opponent is Me | Canon | Must Watch | Choji fight |
| 116 | 360 Degrees of Vision | Canon | Must Watch | Neji battle |
| 117 | Losing is Not an Option | Canon | Must Watch | Story |
| 118 | The Vessel Arrives Too Late | Canon | Must Watch | Kimimaro |
| 119 | Miscalculation | Canon | Must Watch | Battle |
| 120 | Roar and Howl | Canon | Must Watch | Kiba fight |
| 121 | Everyone’s Fight | Canon | Must Watch | Squad battles |
| 122 | Fakeout: Shikamaru Returns! | Canon | Must Watch | Strategy |
| 123 | The Leaf’s Handsome Devil! | Canon | Must Watch | Lee returns |
| 124 | The Beast Within | Canon | Must Watch | Gaara |
| 125 | The Sand Shinobi | Canon | Must Watch | Reinforcements |
| 126 | Showdown: Gaara vs Kimimaro! | Canon | Must Watch | Major fight |
| 127 | Vengeful Strike! | Canon | Must Watch | Story progression |
| 128 | A Cry on Deaf Ears | Canon | Must Watch | Naruto vs Sasuke |
| 129 | Brothers: Distance Among the Uchiha | Mixed | Recommended | Flashbacks expanded |
| 130 | Father and Son | Mixed | Recommended | Anime additions |
| 131 | The Secrets of the Mangekyo Sharingan | Mixed | Recommended | Background scenes |
| 132 | For a Friend | Canon | Must Watch | Valley of the End |
| 133 | A Plea From a Friend | Canon | Must Watch | Emotional |
| 134 | The End of Tears | Canon | Must Watch | Climax |
| 135 | The Promise That Could Not Be Kept | Canon | Must Watch | End of manga adaptation |
| 136 | Deep Cover!? A Super S-Rank Mission! | Filler | Skip | Filler begins |
| 137 | A Town of Outlaws | Filler | Skip | Anime-original |
| 138 | Pure Betrayal | Filler | Skip | Standalone |
| 139 | Pure Terror | Filler | Skip | Standalone |
| 140 | Two Heartbeats: Kabuto’s Trap | Filler | Skip | Anime-original |
| 141 | Sakura’s Determination | Filler | Skip | Side mission |
| 142 | The Three Villains | Filler | Skip | Original story |
| 143 | Tonton Runs Away | Filler | Optional | Comedy |
| 144 | A New Squad | Filler | Skip | Anime-original |
| 145 | Explosion! The New Formation | Filler | Skip | Mission |
| 146 | Left Behind | Filler | Skip | Standalone |
| 147 | A Clash of Fate | Filler | Skip | Original story |
| 148 | Search for the Bikochu Beetle | Filler | Optional | Popular comedy arc |
| 149 | What’s the Difference? Don’t All Insects Look the Same? | Filler | Optional | Comedy |
| 150 | A Battle of Bugs | Filler | Optional | Arc conclusion |
Episode Classification Summary (Episodes 76–150)
| Type | Episodes |
|---|---|
| Canon | 46 |
| Mixed | 5 |
| Filler | 24 |
Highlights from Episodes 76–150
This section contains some of the highest-rated moments in the original Naruto series. It covers three major storylines:
Search for Tsunade Arc
Naruto begins learning the Rasengan under Jiraiya while searching for Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin. This arc also introduces deeper political conflicts within the Hidden Leaf Village.
Sasuke Retrieval Arc
Widely regarded as one of the best arcs in Naruto, this storyline follows Naruto, Shikamaru, Neji, Choji, Kiba, Lee, and Gaara as they attempt to stop Sasuke from leaving Konoha. It features several fan-favorite battles and emotional character moments.
Beginning of the Long Filler Era
After Episode 135, the anime temporarily catches up to the manga. From Episode 136 onward, Studio Pierrot begins producing anime-original episodes. While most of these stories are optional, a few—such as Episode 101 (“Gotta See! Gotta Know! Kakashi’s True Face!”) and the Bikochu Beetle mini-arc (Episodes 148–150)—remain fan favorites for their humor and character interactions.
Naruto Episode List (Episodes 151–220)
Note: From this point onward, the original Naruto anime consists almost entirely of anime-original (filler) content. These episodes do not adapt the manga’s main storyline and can generally be skipped if you want to move directly to Naruto: Shippuden.
| Episode | Episode Title | Type | Watch | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 151 | Byakugan’s Blind Spot | Filler | Optional | Short Hyuga-focused mission |
| 152 | Funeral March for the Living | Filler | Skip | Anime-original |
| 153 | A Lesson Learned: The Iron Fist of Love | Filler | Skip | Standalone |
| 154 | The Enemy of the Byakugan | Filler | Optional | Hyuga-focused story |
| 155 | The Dark Creeping Clouds | Filler | Skip | Original mission |
| 156 | Raiga’s Counterattack | Filler | Skip | Filler continuation |
| 157 | Run! The Curry of Life! | Filler | Optional | Popular comedy arc |
| 158 | Follow My Lead! The Great Survival Challenge | Filler | Skip | Anime-original |
| 159 | Bounty Hunter from the Wilderness | Filler | Skip | Standalone |
| 160 | Hunt or Be Hunted?! Showdown at the O.K. Temple! | Filler | Skip | Original mission |
| 161 | The Appearance of Strange Visitors | Filler | Skip | Comedy |
| 162 | The Cursed Warrior | Filler | Skip | Anime-original |
| 163 | The Tactician’s Intent | Filler | Skip | Side mission |
| 164 | Too Late for Help | Filler | Skip | Original story |
| 165 | The Death of Naruto | Filler | Optional | Interesting premise |
| 166 | When Time Stands Still | Filler | Skip | Anime-original |
| 167 | When Egrets Flap Their Wings | Filler | Skip | Standalone |
| 168 | Mix It, Stretch It, Boil It Up! Burn Copper Pot! | Filler | Skip | Comedy |
| 169 | Memory of the Lost Page | Filler | Skip | Original story |
| 170 | The Closed Door | Filler | Skip | Mission |
| 171 | Infiltration: The Set-Up! | Filler | Skip | Anime-original |
| 172 | Despair: A Fractured Heart | Filler | Skip | Original mission |
| 173 | Battle at Sea: The Power Unleashed! | Filler | Skip | Side story |
| 174 | Impossible! Celebrity Ninja Art: Money Style Jutsu! | Filler | Optional | Comedy |
| 175 | The Treasure Hunt is On! | Filler | Skip | Original |
| 176 | Run, Dodge, Zigzag! Chase or Be Chased! | Filler | Skip | Anime-original |
| 177 | Please, Mr. Postman! | Filler | Optional | Light-hearted |
| 178 | Encounter! The Boy with a Star’s Name | Filler | Optional | Star Village Arc |
| 179 | The Remembered Lullaby | Filler | Optional | Star Village Arc |
| 180 | Hidden Jutsu! The Price of the Ninja Art | Filler | Optional | Star Village Arc |
| 181 | Hoshikage: The Buried Truth | Filler | Optional | Star Village Arc |
| 182 | Reunion: The Remaining Time | Filler | Optional | Arc conclusion |
| 183 | The Star’s Radiance | Filler | Optional | Emotional ending |
| 184 | Kiba’s Long Day | Filler | Optional | Character-focused |
| 185 | A Legend from the Hidden Leaf | Filler | Skip | Standalone |
| 186 | Laughing Shino | Filler | Optional | Fan-favorite comedy |
| 187 | Open for Business! The Leaf Moving Service | Filler | Skip | Original |
| 188 | The Mystery of the Targeted Merchants | Filler | Skip | Mission |
| 189 | The Unlimited Supply of Ninja Tools | Filler | Skip | Original |
| 190 | The Byakugan Sees the Blind Spot! | Filler | Optional | Hyuga story |
| 191 | Forecast: Death! Cloudy with Chance of Sun! | Filler | Skip | Anime-original |
| 192 | Ino Screams! Chubby Paradise! | Filler | Optional | Comedy |
| 193 | Viva Dojo Challenge! Youth is All About Passion! | Filler | Optional | Lee & Guy focus |
| 194 | The Mysterious Curse of the Haunted Castle | Filler | Skip | Standalone |
| 195 | The Third Super-Beast! | Filler | Skip | Original mission |
| 196 | Hot-Blooded Confrontation: Student vs. Sensei | Filler | Optional | Guy vs Lee |
| 197 | Crisis: The Hidden Leaf 11 Gather! | Filler | Optional | Ensemble cast |
| 198 | The ANBU Gives Up? Naruto’s Recollection | Filler | Skip | Anime-original |
| 199 | The Targeted Men | Filler | Skip | Original |
| 200 | Naruto’s Top 5 Battle Report | Filler | Skip | Recap |
| 201 | Multiple Traps! Countdown to Destruction | Filler | Skip | Original |
| 202 | The Top 5 Ninja Battles! | Filler | Skip | Recap |
| 203 | Kurenai’s Decision | Filler | Optional | Character story |
| 204 | Yakumo’s Sealed Power | Filler | Optional | Genjutsu Arc |
| 205 | Kurenai’s Top-Secret Mission | Filler | Optional | Arc continuation |
| 206 | Genjutsu or Reality? | Filler | Optional | Character development |
| 207 | The Supposed Sealed Ability | Filler | Optional | Arc conclusion |
| 208 | The Weight of the Prized Artifact | Filler | Skip | Original |
| 209 | The Enemy: Ninja Dropouts | Filler | Skip | Anime-original |
| 210 | The Bewildering Forest | Filler | Skip | Original |
| 211 | Memory of Flames | Filler | Skip | Original |
| 212 | The Vanished Story | Filler | Skip | Standalone |
| 213 | Lost Memories | Filler | Skip | Anime-original |
| 214 | Bringing Reality Back | Filler | Skip | Original |
| 215 | A Past to Be Erased | Filler | Skip | Original |
| 216 | The Missing Craftsman | Filler | Skip | Original |
| 217 | The Target is Shukaku | Filler | Optional | Gaara-focused |
| 218 | The Counterattack of the Sand | Filler | Optional | Sand Village |
| 219 | The Ultimate Weapon Reborn | Filler | Optional | Arc climax |
| 220 | Departure | Canon | Must Watch | Directly sets up Naruto: Shippuden |
Episode Classification Summary (Episodes 151–220)
| Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Canon | 1 |
| Mixed | 0 |
| Filler | 69 |
Filler Era Overview
Episodes 151–219 make up the longest uninterrupted filler period in the original Naruto anime. These stories were produced while the manga continued serialization, allowing Studio Pierrot to avoid catching up to Masashi Kishimoto’s source material.
Although these episodes don’t advance the manga’s main plot, several mini-arcs are enjoyable because they focus on side characters, comedy, or world-building. Fans who enjoy spending more time with Team 7 and the Konoha 11 may appreciate them, while viewers primarily interested in the core story can safely skip most of this section.
Filler Episodes Worth Watching
If you don’t want to watch every filler episode but still want to experience the best anime-original content, consider these:
- Episode 157 – Run! The Curry of Life! (Fun and memorable mission)
- Episodes 178–183 – Star Village Arc (One of the better filler arcs with emotional moments)
- Episode 186 – Laughing Shino (Popular comedy episode)
- Episode 193 – Viva Dojo Challenge! (Great Rock Lee and Might Guy humor)
- Episodes 203–207 – Yakumo/Kurenai Arc (Interesting Genjutsu-focused storyline)
- Episodes 217–219 – Sunagakure Support Mission (Features Gaara and the Sand Village)
- Episode 220 – Departure (Essential; watch before starting Naruto: Shippuden)
Canon Episodes Explained
Canon episodes are the backbone of the original Naruto anime. These episodes faithfully adapt Masashi Kishimoto’s manga and contain all of the essential story developments, major character introductions, emotional moments, and unforgettable battles that define the series. If you only have time to watch the main story, these are the episodes you should prioritize.
The original Naruto anime contains 91 canon episodes, making up about 41% of the series. These episodes cover every major event leading up to Naruto’s departure from the Hidden Leaf Village and set the stage for Naruto: Shippuden.
Why Canon Episodes Matter
Main Story Progression
Every significant plot point happens during the canon episodes. They introduce Naruto Uzumaki’s dream of becoming Hokage, Sasuke Uchiha’s quest for revenge, Sakura Haruno’s growth, and the many challenges Team 7 faces.
Character Development
The canon storyline develops almost every important character, including Kakashi Hatake, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Rock Lee, Gaara, Neji Hyuga, Shikamaru Nara, and many others. Their personalities, motivations, and relationships evolve naturally throughout these episodes.
Major Battles
Some of anime’s most iconic fights occur exclusively in the canon episodes, including:
- Kakashi vs. Zabuza
- Naruto vs. Haku
- Rock Lee vs. Gaara
- Naruto vs. Neji
- Third Hokage vs. Orochimaru
- Legendary Sannin Showdown
- Naruto vs. Sasuke (Valley of the End)
These battles are essential to understanding the story and should never be skipped.
World Building
Canon episodes introduce the Five Great Nations, chakra, ninja ranks, tailed beasts, kekkei genkai, the Sharingan, Byakugan, summoning techniques, and the political structure of the ninja world.
Major Canon Arcs
The canon episodes cover the following story arcs:
| Arc | Episodes |
|---|---|
| Land of Waves Arc | 1–19 |
| Chunin Exams Arc | 20–67 |
| Konoha Crush Arc | 68–80 |
| Search for Tsunade Arc | 81–100 |
| Sasuke Retrieval Arc | 107–135 |
| Departure Episode | 220 |
These arcs are considered the heart of the original Naruto series.
Mixed Episodes Explained
Mixed episodes combine manga material with anime-original scenes. While the main story follows the source material, Studio Pierrot occasionally added extra dialogue, character interactions, flashbacks, or short anime-original sequences to improve pacing or expand emotional moments.
The original Naruto anime contains 29 mixed episodes.
Should You Watch Mixed Episodes?
Yes.
For first-time viewers, mixed episodes are highly recommended because they still adapt important manga chapters while adding extra context. Skipping them may result in missing small but meaningful character interactions.
Mixed episodes generally include:
- Extended training scenes
- Additional conversations
- Expanded flashbacks
- Anime-original transitions
- More detailed emotional moments
Although not every scene comes from the manga, these episodes still contribute to the overall experience.
Filler Episodes Explained
Filler episodes are anime-original stories created specifically for television. They were produced because the Naruto anime was catching up to the manga’s publication schedule.
The original Naruto anime contains 100 filler episodes, accounting for approximately 45.5% of the series.
Unlike canon episodes, filler stories do not significantly impact the main plot. Most of them focus on side missions, comedy, supporting characters, or standalone adventures.
Why Were Fillers Created?
During Naruto’s original broadcast, the manga was still being serialized weekly. Rather than pausing the anime, Studio Pierrot created original stories to give the manga time to progress.
This allowed the anime to continue airing without overtaking the source material.
Types of Naruto Filler Episodes
Comedy Episodes
Several filler episodes focus on humor and lighthearted adventures, showcasing the cast in fun and unusual situations.
Character-Focused Stories
Some fillers expand on supporting characters such as Hinata, Kiba, Shino, Tenten, Rock Lee, and the Sand Siblings, giving them more screen time than they receive in the manga.
Original Missions
Many filler arcs revolve around escort missions, treasure hunts, village investigations, or protecting civilians. These adventures rarely affect the main storyline.
World Building
A few anime-original stories explore lesser-known villages, clans, and ninja traditions, adding extra flavor to the Naruto universe.
Best Naruto Filler Episodes Worth Watching
Although many viewers skip filler, several episodes and arcs are widely appreciated by fans.
Episode 101 – Gotta See! Gotta Know! Kakashi’s True Face!
Perhaps the most famous filler episode in Naruto. Team 7 hilariously attempts to discover what Kakashi looks like beneath his mask.
Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Bikochu Beetle Arc (Episodes 148–150)
Naruto and his friends search for a rare insect that may help locate Sasuke. The arc mixes comedy, teamwork, and entertaining moments.
Recommendation: Recommended
Curry of Life Arc (Episodes 152–157)
A mission involving the Kurosuki family introduces emotional storytelling and memorable character interactions.
Recommendation: Optional but enjoyable
Star Village Arc (Episodes 178–183)
One of the better filler arcs featuring a mysterious meteorite and the Hidden Star Village.
Recommendation: Recommended
Laughing Shino (Episode 186)
A hilarious episode that highlights Shino’s rarely seen comedic side.
Recommendation: Worth Watching
Yakumo Kurama Arc (Episodes 203–207)
This arc explores genjutsu and Kurenai Yuhi’s past while introducing a compelling anime-original character.
Recommendation: Recommended
Naruto Filler Arc Guide
| Filler Arc | Episodes | Type | Watch? | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land of Tea Escort Mission | 102–106 | Filler | Optional | Escort mission with racing competition |
| Mizuki Tracking Mission | 136–141 | Filler | Skip | Original Mizuki storyline |
| Bikochu Search Mission | 148–150 | Filler | Recommended | Search for a rare tracking beetle |
| Kurosuki Family Removal Mission | 152–157 | Filler | Optional | Emotional mission involving the Kurosuki Clan |
| Gosunkugi Capture Mission | 159–160 | Filler | Skip | Standalone mission |
| Cursed Warrior Extermination Mission | 162–167 | Filler | Skip | Haunted village storyline |
| Kaima Capture Mission | 169–173 | Filler | Skip | Sea-based adventure |
| Buried Gold Excavation Mission | 175–176 | Filler | Skip | Treasure hunt |
| Star Village Mission | 178–183 | Filler | Recommended | One of Naruto’s best filler arcs |
| Peddlers Escort Mission | 187–191 | Filler | Skip | Merchant protection mission |
| Menma Memory Search Mission | 213–215 | Filler | Skip | Original memory-loss storyline |
| Sunagakure Support Mission | 216–219 | Filler | Recommended | Features Gaara and the Sand Village |
Should You Skip the Fillers?
First-Time Viewers
Watch all canon and mixed episodes. Most filler can be skipped except for a few highly recommended episodes like Episode 101 and the Star Village Arc.
Manga Readers
You can safely skip nearly every filler episode since they do not affect the manga storyline.
Anime-Only Viewers
Watching a few selected filler arcs can provide additional character moments and fun adventures without changing the main plot.
Completionists
If you enjoy spending more time with Naruto and the supporting cast, watching every episode can be rewarding despite the slower pacing.
Binge-Watchers
The fastest experience is to watch all canon and mixed episodes while skipping the majority of fillers.
Recommended Watch Order
Option 1 – Release Order (Recommended)
Watch all episodes in numerical order. Skip filler episodes if desired.
Best for:
- First-time viewers
- Anime-only fans
- Viewers seeking the original broadcast experience
Option 2 – Canon Only
Watch only canon and mixed episodes before moving directly to Naruto: Shippuden.
Best for:
- Manga readers
- Fast binge-watchers
Option 3 – Complete Experience
Watch every episode, including fillers, to experience all anime-original content and side adventures.
Best for:
- Completionists
- Long-time Naruto fans