Your Ultimate Naruto Filler List: What To Watch And What To Skip

Starting a long-running anime series like Naruto can feel, you know, like a really big undertaking. It's a huge commitment, with hundreds of episodes stretching across years of storytelling. For many fans, the idea of watching every single moment, including the parts that don't directly move the main plot forward, can seem a bit much. That's where the idea of a naruto filler list comes into play, helping folks decide what's essential viewing and what they might be able to pass on.

When you're trying to catch up on a beloved series, especially one as iconic as Naruto, you might hear whispers about "filler episodes." These are basically parts of the show that aren't in the original manga, created to give the manga artist more time to produce new material or just to add extra stories. The big question for many watchers, and it's a very fair one, is whether these episodes are worth their time, or if they're just, well, extra.

This guide is here to help you figure out just that. We'll go through the Naruto filler list, looking at both the original series and Naruto Shippuden, to give you a clearer picture. We'll talk about which episodes genuinely add something cool to the world and characters, and which ones you can probably skip without missing a beat in the main story. So, you know, let's get into it and make your Naruto watching experience as enjoyable as possible.

Table of Contents

What Exactly Are Anime Fillers, Anyway?

When an anime series gets made from a manga, the production team sometimes runs into a little issue: they catch up to the original story. Manga chapters come out at a certain pace, and anime episodes, you know, can be produced a lot quicker. To avoid having the anime overtake the manga, which would mean no new story to adapt, studios often create original story arcs or one-off episodes. These are what we call "filler." They fill the gaps, basically, giving the manga artist more time to create new content.

So, these filler episodes are not based on Masashi Kishimoto's original manga. They are, in a way, like bonus stories that explore different aspects of the world or characters without changing the main plot. They can show us more about a character's daily life, or maybe a side adventure that doesn't really affect the big battles or revelations. It's a way to keep the show running consistently, so fans always have something new to watch, which is pretty nice.

The Good, the Bad, and the Extra

Now, when it comes to filler, it's not all one thing. Some of these extra episodes, you know, are genuinely very fun and give good background to the Naruto lore. They might show us a character's past, or maybe a different side of their personality that we don't get to see in the main story. For example, some of these can add a lot of depth to the world of ninjas and their villages, which is really cool.

On the other hand, there are quite a few fillers that are, well, just pointless. They might involve a monster of the week, or a silly misunderstanding, and they don't really add anything to the characters or the overall story. These are the ones that, honestly, many people choose to skip because they don't want to spend time on something that doesn't move the plot along. It's a balance, you know, between wanting more of the world and wanting to get to the core of the story.

Your Essential Naruto Part 1 Filler List

The original Naruto series, often called Part 1, has a good chunk of filler, especially towards its later half. For reference, if you're watching Naruto Part 1, a lot of folks recommend watching up to episode 135. After that, the story pretty much goes into a long stretch of filler episodes. Then, you know, you can jump to episode 220, but only the last half of that one, as the first part is actually half filler itself. It's a bit of a trick to watch it this way, but it saves you a lot of time.

Ideally, you might want to watch some episodes in between, as some of them do offer a little bit of fun or character development, even if they're not essential to the main plot. It's really up to what you feel like doing. If you're just trying to get through the main story, then sticking to the manga-adapted parts is definitely the way to go. But if you're enjoying the characters and just want more of their adventures, then some of these extra episodes are worth a look, too.

Key Episodes to Consider Watching

While a lot of the fillers are pointless, as I was talking to one of my buddies who watched, a lot of them are very fun and give good background to the Naruto lore. One of the most famous Naruto filler arcs, and as the title suggests, is Kakashi's Anbu Days. This arc, which also gives us a look into Yamato and Itachi's pasts, is often recommended by fans. It provides a lot of insight into Kakashi's character and some of the darker parts of Konoha's history. It's a really interesting watch, actually.

Even though it's technically filler, this arc feels like it could have been part of the main story because it adds so much to the characters we already know and love. It's a prime example of filler done right, where it expands the world without contradicting anything important. So, if you're looking for filler that genuinely adds something, this is definitely one to put on your list. I recommend all the episodes I watched from this one, they're quite good.

Naruto Shippuden, the sequel series, also has its fair share of filler episodes. However, the way it handles them is a bit different. In Naruto Shippuden, some filler episodes also contain some canon material. This means you don't really have to know the exact minutes you should avoid in the episodes, since in most of the sites that provide guides, they often just tell you which episodes are completely filler and which are mixed. It makes it a little easier to decide what to watch.

There are many detailed Naruto Shippuden filler watching guides with descriptions out there, which can tell you which filler you should watch and which ones you should skip. These guides are really helpful because they break down each episode, so you don't have to guess. They can help you get through the story more efficiently, especially if you're trying to binge-watch the whole thing. It's pretty convenient, you know, to have that kind of resource.

Shippuden Fillers That Add to the Story

Just like in Part 1, some of Shippuden's filler episodes really do add a nice touch to the overall experience. They might show us more about a specific character's journey or provide a fun, lighthearted break from the main plot's intensity. For instance, some of these episodes give us a deeper look into the relationships between the characters, which is something fans often appreciate. It's not always about the big battles, you know, sometimes it's the smaller moments that count.

These episodes can also explore parts of the world that the manga didn't have time to cover, like different villages or unique ninja techniques. They can be a good way to just spend more time with the characters you enjoy. So, while they might not be crucial for understanding the main story, they can definitely make your watching experience richer and more enjoyable, especially if you're a big fan of the world and its inhabitants.

Shippuden Fillers You Can Comfortably Skip

On the flip side, there are plenty of Shippuden filler episodes that you can skip without any real consequence to the main storyline. These are often standalone adventures that don't introduce new important characters, develop existing ones in any meaningful way, or contribute to the overall plot. They might feel like a distraction if you're eager to see what happens next in Naruto's quest to become the greatest ninja.

Many viewers, especially those trying to catch up quickly, choose to bypass these. They're not bad, necessarily, but they just don't offer much in terms of narrative progression. So, if you're on a mission to see how Naruto Uzumaki's story unfolds, and you want to avoid anything that slows that down, then these are the episodes you'll probably want to fast-forward through or simply skip entirely. It's all about what you're looking for in your watching experience, really.

Understanding "Mixed Canon/Filler"

When you look at a complete list of all Naruto, Shippuden, and Boruto arcs with ratings and filler information, you might come across the term "mixed canon/filler." This can be a little confusing at first, you know, but it's pretty simple once you get it. "Mixed canon/filler" means that an episode isn't entirely filler, nor is it entirely based on the manga. Instead, it contains elements of both.

For example, an episode might start with a scene directly from the manga, advancing the main plot, but then transition into a filler storyline for the rest of its runtime. Or, it could weave in small, important canon details throughout an otherwise filler-heavy episode. This is why, as mentioned, you don't have to know the exact minutes to avoid in these episodes; usually, the important canon parts are short and easy to spot, or they are integrated in a way that you won't miss them if you watch the whole episode. It's a way for the anime to keep moving forward while also giving the manga more time, which is pretty clever.

Why Even Bother with Fillers?

Now, you might be thinking, if so many fillers are pointless, why would anyone even bother watching them? Here's the thing, yes, a lot of the fillers are pointless, but a lot of them are very fun and give good background to the Naruto lore. They can offer a different pace from the main story, which is often full of intense battles and dramatic moments. Sometimes, you just want to see the characters, you know, doing something a little lighter or just hanging out.

These episodes can also provide a deeper look into the daily lives of the ninjas, their training, or even just some funny interactions that don't fit into the main plot. They can expand on the world-building, showing us more about Konohagakure and other villages, or introduce interesting side characters that we wouldn't otherwise meet. So, if you're someone who really enjoys the world of Naruto and wants to soak up every bit of it, then fillers can actually be a very enjoyable part of the experience.

Beyond the Main Plot: Character Insights and World-Building

Some filler episodes really shine when they offer unique character insights. We get to see different sides of Naruto Uzumaki, the mischievous adolescent ninja who struggles as he searches for recognition. We might see him in situations that highlight his wild sense of humor, or his determination in a way that the main story doesn't always have time for. These moments can make you feel even more connected to the characters, you know, seeing them in less formal settings.

They also contribute to the overall world-building. For example, some fillers might introduce unique ninja tools, explain village customs, or show us more about the history of the shinobi world. This can make the entire universe feel more real and lived-in, adding layers that you wouldn't get just from the main plot. So, while they might not be canon, they certainly can enrich your appreciation for the series as a whole, which is a pretty cool bonus.

How to Watch Naruto: Tips for a Smooth Experience

Naruto is a popular anime show that was aired on TV Tokyo for a period of five years, from 2002 to 2007, with its sequel, Shippuden, running for much longer. The series follows the journey of a young boy named Naruto Uzumaki, a shinobi of Konohagakure's Uzumaki clan and a reincarnation of Asura Ōtsutsuki, who seeks recognition from his peers and dreams of becoming the Hokage. With Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Kate Higgins, and Chie Nakamura bringing the characters to life, it's a series that really pulls you in.

Here's how to watch the 'Naruto' franchise in order, including the various movies and spinoff series, for a smooth experience. You can stream Naruto on Crunchyroll and experience the latest and greatest anime, browsing to watch series, episodes, movies, and music videos of your favorite anime in subbed or dubbed formats. The official Naruto and Boruto site also offers the latest news and special content on all things Naruto and Boruto, which is pretty neat. You can learn more about Naruto's journey on our site, and find more details about the different ninja clans as well.

True, recently started watching Naruto since I have a lot of free time and all my friends have been suggesting me to watch. It's a great way to spend some hours, honestly. Naruto is a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He's got a wild sense of humor, but Naruto is completely serious about his mission to be the world's greatest ninja! Here are all the platforms where Naruto is available for fans looking to watch it today. It's really accessible, which is nice for new viewers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Naruto Fillers

Are Naruto fillers worth watching?

Whether Naruto fillers are worth watching really depends on what you're looking for. Some are, in a way, very fun and give good background to the Naruto lore, offering character insights or expanding on the world. Others, honestly, are just pointless and don't add much to the main story. If you're short on time, you can definitely skip most of them, but if you enjoy the characters and world, some are pretty good for extra viewing.

Which Naruto fillers can I skip?

You can pretty much skip any filler episode that doesn't contribute to the main plot or character development. For Naruto Part 1, after episode 135, most of the episodes until the very end are filler, so you can generally skip those and jump to the latter half of episode 220. In Naruto Shippuden, there are also many standalone filler arcs that you can easily bypass without missing important story beats. Guides often provide detailed lists for this, which is helpful.

What does mixed canon/filler mean?

When an episode is labeled "mixed canon/filler," it means that it contains parts that are faithful to the original manga (canon) and parts that are original to the anime (filler). This often happens when the anime needs to slow down its pace to avoid catching up with the manga. So, you know, you'll get some plot progression alongside some extra, non-manga story elements within the same episode.

Download Naruto Uzumaki 4k Fire Phone Wallpaper | Wallpapers.com

Download Naruto Uzumaki 4k Fire Phone Wallpaper | Wallpapers.com

Uzumaki Naruto/#186221 - Zerochan

Uzumaki Naruto/#186221 - Zerochan

Naruto Shippuden Wallpaper Naruto

Naruto Shippuden Wallpaper Naruto

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