Naruto is one of the most popular anime series of all time. Created by Masashi Kishimoto, the story follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja with dreams of becoming the Hokage, the leader of his village. Since its debut in 2002, Naruto has gained millions of fans worldwide thanks to its emotional storytelling, intense battles, and unforgettable characters.
However, like many long-running anime series, Naruto includes a significant number of filler episodes. These episodes are not directly adapted from the manga and often tell side stories created by the anime studio.
For viewers who want to focus on the main story, knowing the Naruto filler list can save a lot of time. This guide explains what filler episodes are, provides a breakdown of Naruto and Naruto Shippuden fillers, and helps fans decide which episodes they can skip.
What Are Filler Episodes in Anime?
Before diving into the Naruto filler list, it’s important to understand what filler episodes are.
Filler episodes are anime-only stories that are not part of the original manga storyline. They are usually created when the anime catches up to the manga and needs additional content while waiting for new chapters.
Filler episodes can include:
- Side missions
- Character backstories
- Comedy episodes
- Alternate storylines
While some fillers are entertaining, many fans prefer to skip them so they can focus on the main plot.
Naruto (Original Series) Filler List
The original Naruto anime aired from 2002 to 2007 and contains 220 total episodes.
Out of these episodes, approximately 90 episodes are fillers.
Canon Episodes (Main Story)
Most of the important story arcs occur during the first half of the series. These episodes follow Naruto’s growth as a ninja and his journey with Team 7.
Important canon arcs include:
- Land of Waves Arc
- Chunin Exams Arc
- Konoha Crush Arc
- Search for Tsunade Arc
- Sasuke Retrieval Arc
These arcs introduce major characters like Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Kakashi Hatake, and Orochimaru.
Major Naruto Filler Episodes
The biggest block of filler episodes appears toward the end of the original Naruto series.
Naruto filler episodes:
- Episode 136 – 220
These episodes feature various missions and side adventures involving Naruto and his friends. Since the manga storyline had not progressed far enough at the time, the anime studio created original content.
Many fans choose to skip these episodes entirely and move directly to Naruto Shippuden.
Naruto Shippuden Filler List
Naruto Shippuden continues the story after Naruto returns to the Hidden Leaf Village following two years of training.
The series aired from 2007 to 2017 and includes 500 episodes.
Out of these, roughly 200 episodes are considered filler.
Although Shippuden contains more filler episodes, some of them provide interesting character development and backstories.
Major Canon Arcs in Naruto Shippuden
Before looking at the filler episodes, it’s useful to understand the major canon arcs that drive the main story.
Key arcs include:
- Kazekage Rescue Arc
- Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Arc
- Akatsuki Suppression Arc
- Pain’s Assault Arc
- Five Kage Summit Arc
- Fourth Great Ninja War Arc
These arcs feature major battles and emotional moments that shape the Naruto storyline.
Naruto Shippuden Filler Episodes
Here is a simplified Naruto Shippuden filler list.
Early Fillers
- Episodes 57–71
These episodes include side missions and additional training stories involving Naruto and his teammates.
Mid-Series Fillers
- Episodes 90–112
- Episodes 144–151
These arcs explore different missions and background stories but are not part of the main plot.
Large Filler Blocks
Later in the series, filler arcs become more frequent.
Major filler sections include:
- Episodes 176–196
- Episodes 223–242
- Episodes 257–260
- Episodes 271
- Episodes 279–281
These episodes often focus on side characters or flashback stories.
War Arc Fillers
Even during the major war arc, several filler episodes appear.
Examples include:
- Episodes 284–295
- Episodes 303–320
- Episodes 347–361
- Episodes 376–377
- Episodes 388–390
- Episodes 394–413
- Episodes 416–417
- Episodes 422–423
- Episodes 427–450
Although some fans skip them, a few of these episodes provide interesting character moments.
Should You Skip Naruto Fillers?
Many viewers wonder whether they should skip filler episodes.
The answer depends on how you want to experience the series.
Reasons to Skip Fillers
Skipping filler episodes can:
- Save time
- Keep the story focused on the main plot
- Maintain better pacing
Since Naruto is a very long anime, skipping fillers can reduce the total watch time significantly.
Reasons to Watch Some Fillers
Some filler episodes are actually enjoyable and add depth to characters.
Certain fillers explore:
- Side characters like Rock Lee, Tenten, and Hinata
- Ninja missions that expand the world
- Emotional flashbacks
For fans who love the Naruto universe, these episodes can still be entertaining.
Best Naruto Filler Episodes Worth Watching
Not all filler episodes are bad. Some are highly rated by fans.
A few notable fillers include:
Kakashi’s ANBU Arc
This arc explores Kakashi Hatake’s past and his time in the secret ANBU organization.
Many fans consider this filler arc one of the best in the series because it adds meaningful background to Kakashi’s character.
Power Arc
The Power Arc features impressive animation and intense battles. It was created to celebrate Naruto reaching 500 episodes.
Itachi Backstory Episodes
Some filler episodes provide deeper insight into Itachi Uchiha, one of the most complex characters in the Naruto story.
Total Filler Percentage in Naruto
Here is a quick overview of the filler statistics.
Naruto (2002–2007)
- Total episodes: 220
- Filler episodes: Approximately 90
- Filler percentage: Around 41%
Naruto Shippuden (2007–2017)
- Total episodes: 500
- Filler episodes: Around 200
- Filler percentage: About 40%
This means nearly 40% of the entire Naruto anime consists of filler content.
Naruto Without Fillers: Faster Watch Guide
For viewers who want to experience the story quickly, the best approach is to follow only the canon episodes.
A streamlined viewing order would include:
- Naruto Episodes 1–135
- Skip 136–220
- Start Naruto Shippuden
- Watch only canon arcs and skip listed filler blocks
Using this approach reduces the watch time significantly while still preserving the core storyline.
Why Naruto Has So Many Fillers
Naruto’s large number of filler episodes happened because the anime was produced weekly while the manga was still ongoing.
When the anime caught up to the manga, the studio had two options:
- Pause the anime
- Create original filler episodes
The producers chose the second option so the show could continue airing without interruption.
This approach was common for long-running anime during that era.
Conclusion
The Naruto filler list is an essential guide for fans who want to enjoy the series efficiently. With over 700 total episodes across Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, knowing which episodes are fillers can save viewers a lot of time.
While many filler episodes can be skipped without affecting the main story, some still offer entertaining side adventures and deeper character exploration.
Whether you decide to watch every episode or focus only on canon arcs, Naruto remains one of the most influential anime series ever created. Its powerful themes of friendship, perseverance, and personal growth continue to inspire fans around the world.
