Naruto is one of the great anime journeys, and also one of the most intimidating, with 720 episodes across two series and a large share of filler. The good news is that you do not need to watch all of it. This guide gives you the complete Naruto watch order, explains what filler is and why there is so much of it, and tells you exactly what to skip and what is worth your time, so you can enjoy the story without the bloat.
The Order: Naruto, Then Shippuden
The watch order itself is simple. Start with Naruto, the original series that follows the young ninja from his days at the academy through the Chunin Exams and the Sasuke Retrieval arc, and then move on to Naruto Shippuden, which picks up two and a half years later with an older, stronger Naruto and a much darker war. Watch them in that order, and do not start with Shippuden, since it assumes you know the characters, rivalries and tragedies established in the first series. The original Naruto ran for 220 episodes and Shippuden for 500, and together they tell one continuous story, from Naruto’s childhood dream of becoming Hokage to the climactic Fourth Great Ninja War. Movies and spin-offs exist, but they are optional extras, best watched after you finish the main story.
What Filler Is and Why Naruto Has So Much
Filler is anime-original material that does not come from the manga. Naruto has so much of it because the anime ran weekly for years while the manga was still being written, and the animators had to slow down to avoid catching up with the source material. The result is long stretches of side stories, especially in the original series after the Sasuke Retrieval arc, where more than 80 consecutive episodes are filler, and throughout Shippuden, where filler arcs are scattered between canon storylines. Filler is not always bad: some of it gives side characters welcome screen time, and some of it is genuinely fun. But much of it repeats the same formula, resets character growth and stalls the main plot for months at a time, which is why most viewers prefer a guide.
What to Skip and What Is Worth Watching
For the original series, watch the canon episodes through the Sasuke Retrieval arc, then skip the long filler run that follows, jumping straight to Shippuden. You will miss nothing essential. In Shippuden, the main canon arcs, including the Kazekage Rescue, the Akatsuki hunts, Pain’s Assault and the Fourth Great Ninja War, are unmissable, while most of the standalone filler arcs can be skipped safely. A few filler stories are worth your time if you want more of the world: the Kakashi ANBU arc, which fills in Kakashi’s backstory, and the Power arc are fan favorites, and the episodes that expand on Itachi’s story add real depth to one of the series’ best characters. The rule of thumb is simple: if an arc does not advance Naruto, Sasuke or the Akatsuki storyline, you can skip it without losing the plot.
The Smart Way Through 720 Episodes
With a filler guide in hand, Naruto becomes a far more manageable watch. A canon-only run cuts the total dramatically, while still delivering the full emotional arc, from Naruto’s lonely childhood to the final battles with Sasuke and the fate of the ninja world. If you are a completist, watch everything, but be prepared for long detours. If you want the story at its best, follow the canon path and dip into the recommended filler only when you want more time with these characters. Either way, start with Naruto, continue into Shippuden, and let the filler guide do the heavy lifting. The journey is long, but it is one of the most rewarding in anime.
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