Naruto, one of the most beloved shonen anime, aired from 2002 to 2007, with a total of 220 episodes. Fans of the series know that Naruto has a high filler percentage of 41%, with 90 filler episodes.
The story follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja ostracized for having the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed within him. Naruto dreams of becoming Hokage, the leader of his village, and gaining the respect of everyone around him.
If you want to watch Naruto efficiently and skip unnecessary filler content, this guide will help you distinguish between manga canon episodes, filler episodes, and mixed canon/filler episodes.
Manga Canon Episodes
These episodes strictly follow the manga and are essential for understanding the main story:
1-6, 8, 10-13, 17, 22, 25, 31-36, 42, 48, 50-51, 61-62, 64-65, 67-68, 73, 75-82, 84-96, 107-111, 115-125, 128-129, 132-135
Watching these ensures you follow Naruto’s journey from a mischievous academy student to a heroic ninja.
Mixed Canon/Filler Episodes
These episodes blend manga canon content with filler scenes. Watching them is optional but can enhance character development and context:
7, 9, 14-16, 18-21, 23-24, 27-30, 37-41, 43-47, 49, 52-60, 63, 66, 69-72, 74, 83, 98-100, 112-114, 126-127, 130-131, 141-142, 220
Filler Episodes
These episodes are exclusive to the anime and do not appear in the manga. You can safely skip them without missing the main storyline:
26, 97, 101-106, 136-140, 143-219
Filler arcs include Naruto’s Hot Springs Adventure, Land of Tea missions, The Fuma Clan arc, and Byakugan-centered adventures, which are fun but not essential for the main story.
Why Skip Fillers?
Skipping fillers allows you to:
- Save time
- Focus on the main plot
- Avoid slow or repetitive pacing
However, some fans enjoy filler arcs for extra world-building, side missions, and lighthearted moments.
Conclusion
To watch Naruto efficiently, stick to manga canon episodes and only watch mixed canon/filler episodes if you want extra context. Fillers are optional unless you enjoy additional world-building and side stories.
This guide will help you experience Naruto’s epic battles, emotional character arcs, and iconic ninja missions without unnecessary distractions.
