In this guide you will discover how much filler is in the popular anime series Naruto. Let’s just say, there’s enough filler to feed the Konoha village…

Naruto follows the story of a young ninja named Naruto Uzumaki who struggles to gain acceptance among his fellow villagers because of the Nine-Tails fox that was sealed inside of him as a newborn by his father to protect the village. Along the way, he works to attain the greatest status possible in the village by becoming a Hokage – the village leader.

While Naruto enjoys massive popularity across the world, it is especially popular in North America thanks to its run on Cartoon Network’s Toonami starting in 2005.

How Much Filler is in Naruto?

The original Naruto anime series aired from 2002 to 2007 with a total of 220 episodes. With 96 anime-only episodes during the series run, Naruto is 44% filler.

Quick Filler & Canon Lists

Canon Episodes

1-25, 27-52, 54-56, 58-96, 98, 100, 107-135

Filler Episodes

26, 53, 57, 97, 99, 101-106, 136-220
 

Complete Filler List

Episodes 1-20

#Episode TitleTypeAired
1Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!Canon10/3/02
2My Name is Konohamaru!Canon10/10/02
3Sasuke and Sakura: Friends or Foes?Canon10/17/02
4Pass or Fail: Survival TestCanon10/24/02
5You Failed! Kakashi's Final DecisionCanon10/31/02
6A Dangerous Mission! Journey to the Land of Waves!Canon11/7/02
7The Assassin of the Mist!Mostly Canon11/14/02
8The Oath of PainCanon11/21/02
9Kakashi: Sharingan WarriorMostly Canon11/28/02
10The Forest of ChakraCanon12/5/02
11The Land Where a Hero Once LivedCanon12/12/02
12Battle on the Bridge! Zabuza Returns!!Canon12/19/02
13Haku's Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice MirrorsCanon12/21/02
14The Number One Hyperactive, Knucklehead Ninja Joins the Fight!!Mostly Canon12/22/02
15Zero Visibility: The Sharingan ShattersMostly Canon12/23/02
16The Broken SealMostly Canon12/24/02
17White Past: Hidden AmbitionCanon12/25/02
18The Weapons Known as ShinobiMostly Canon1/31/03
19The Demon in the SnowMostly Canon2/13/03
20A New Chapter Begins: The Chunin Exam!Mostly Canon2/20/03

Episodes 21-40

#Episode TitleTypeAired
21Identify Yourself: Powerful New RivalsMostly Canon2/27/03
22Chunin Challenge: Rock Lee vs. Sasuke!Canon3/6/03
23Genin Takedown! All Nine Rookies Face Off!Mostly Canon3/13/03
24Start Your Engines: The Chunin Exam Begins!Mostly Canon3/20/03
25The Tenth Question: All or Nothing!Canon3/27/03
26Special Report: Live from the Forest of Death!Filler4/2/03
27The Chunin Exam Stage 2: The Forest of DeathMostly Canon4/2/03
28Eat or be Eaten: Panic in the ForestMostly Canon4/9/03
29Naruto's Counterattack: Never Give In!Mostly Canon4/16/03
30The Sharingan Revived: Dragon-Flame Jutsu!Mostly Canon4/23/03
31Bushy Brow's Pledge: Undying Love and Protection!Canon7/2/03
32Sakura Blossoms!Canon5/7/03
33Battle Formation: Ino-Shika-Cho!Canon5/14/03
34Akamaru Trembles: Gaara's Cruel Strength!Canon5/21/03
35The Scroll's Secret: No Peeking AllowedCanon5/28/03
36Clone vs. Clone: Mine are Better than Yours!Canon6/4/03
37Surviving the Cut! The Rookie Nine Together Again!Mostly Canon6/11/03
38Narrowing the Field: Sudden Death Elimination!Mostly Canon6/18/03
39Bushy Brow's Jealousy: Lions Barrage Unleashed!Mostly Canon7/2/03
40Kakashi and Orochimaru: Face-to-Face!Mostly Canon7/9/03

Episodes 41-60

#Episode TitleTypeAired
41Kunoichi Rumble: The Rivals Get Serious!Mostly Canon7/16/03
42The Ultimate Battle: Cha!<Canon7/23/03
43Killer Kunoichi and a Shaky ShikamaruMostly Canon7/30/03
44Akamaru Unleashed! Who's Top Dog Now?Mostly Canon8/6/03
45Surprise Attack! Naruto's Secret Weapon!Mostly Canon8/13/03
46Byakugan Battle: Hinata Grows Bold!Mostly Canon8/20/03
47A Failure Stands Tall!Mostly Canon8/27/03
48Gaara vs. Rock Lee: The Power of Youth Explodes!Canon9/3/03
49Lee's Hidden Strength: Forbidden Secret Jutsu!Mostly Canon9/10/03
50The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is BornCanon9/17/03
51A Shadow in Darkness: Danger Approaches SasukeCanon9/24/03
52Ebisu Returns: Naruto's Toughest Training Yet!Mostly Canon10/1/03
53Long Time No See: Jiraiya Returns!Mostly Filler10/8/03
54The Summoning Jutsu: Wisdom of the Toad Sage!Mostly Canon10/15/03
55A Feeling of Yearning, A Flower Full of HopeMostly Canon10/22/03
56Live or Die: Risk it All to Win it All!Mostly Canon10/29/03
57He Flies! He Jumps! He Lurks! Chief Toad Appears!Mostly Filler11/5/03
58Hospital Besieged: The Evil Hand Revealed!Mostly Canon11/12/03
59The Final Rounds: Rush to the Battle Arena!Mostly Canon11/19/03
60Byakugan vs. Shadow CloneMostly Canon11/26/03

Episodes 61-80

#Episode TitleTypeAired
61Ultimate Defense: Zero Blind Spot!Canon12/3/03
62A Failure's True PowerCanon12/10/03
63Hit it or Quit it: The Final Rounds Get Complicated!Mostly Canon12/17/03
64Zero Motivation: The Guy with Cloud Envy!Canon12/24/03
65Dancing Leaf, Squirming SandCanon12/31/03
66Bushy Brow's Jutsu: Sasuke Style!Mostly Canon1/14/04
67Late for the Show, But Ready to Go! The Ultimate Secret Technique is Born!Canon1/14/04
68Zero Hour! The Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village Begins!Canon1/28/04
69Village in Distress: A New A-Ranked Mission!Mostly Canon2/4/04
70A Shirker's Call to Action: A Layabout No More!Mostly Canon2/11/04
71An Unrivaled Match: Hokage Battle Royale!Mostly Canon2/18/04
72A Mistake from the Past: A Face Revealed!Mostly Canon2/25/04
73Forbidden Secret Technique: Reaper Death Seal!Canon3/3/04
74Astonishing Truth! Gaara's Identity Emerges!Mostly Canon3/10/04
75Sasuke's Decision: Pushed to the Edge!Canon3/17/04
76Assassin of the Moonlit NightCanon3/24/04
77Light vs. Dark: The Two Faces of GaaraCanon3/31/04
78Naruto's Ninja HandbookCanon4/7/04
79Beyond the Limit of Darkness and LightCanon4/14/04
80The Third Hokage, Forever...Canon4/21/04

Episodes 81-100

#Episode TitleTypeAired
81Return of the Morning MistCanon4/28/04
82Eye to Eye: Sharingan vs. Sharingan!Canon5/5/04
83Jiraiya: Naruto's Potential Disaster!Mostly Canon5/12/04
84Roar, Chidori! Brother vs. Brother!Canon5/19/04
85Hate Among the Uchihas: The Last of the Clan!Canon5/26/04
86A New Training Begins: I Will Be Strong!Canon6/2/04
87Keep on Training: Pop Goes the Water Balloon!Canon6/9/04
88Focal Point: The Mark of the LeafCanon6/16/04
89An Impossible Choice: The Pain Within Tsunade's HeartCanon6/23/04
90Unforgivable! A Total Lack of Respect!Canon7/7/04
91Inheritence! The Necklace of Death!Canon7/14/04
92A Dubious Offer! Tsunade's Choice!Canon7/21/04
93Breakdown! The Deal is Off!Canon7/28/04
94Attack! Fury of the Rasengan!Canon8/4/04
95The Fifth Hokage! A Life on the Line!Canon8/11/04
96Deadlock! Sannin Showdown!Canon8/11/04
97Kidnapped! Naruto's Hot Spring Adventure!Filler8/18/04
98Tsunade's Warning: Ninja No More!Mostly Canon8/25/04
99The Will of Fire Still Burns!Mostly Filler9/1/04
100Sensei and Student: The Bond of the ShinobiMostly Canon9/8/04

Episodes 101-120

#Episode TitleTypeAired
101Gotta See! Gotta Know! Kakashi-Sensei's True Face!Mostly Filler9/15/04
102Mission: Help an Old Friend in the Land of TeaFiller9/22/04
103The Race is on! Trouble on the High Seas!Filler9/29/04
104Run Idate Run! Nagi Island Awaits!Filler10/13/04
105A Fierce Battle of Rolling Thunder!Filler10/20/04
106The Last Leg: A Final Act of DesperationFiller10/27/04
107The Battle Begins: Naruto vs. SasukeCanon11/3/04
108Bitter Rivals and Broken BondsCanon11/10/04
109An Invitation from the SoundCanon11/17/04
110Formation! The Sasuke Retrieval SquadCanon11/24/04
111Sound vs. LeafCanon11/24/04
112Squad Mutiny: Everything Falls Apart!Mostly Canon12/1/04
113Full Throttle Power! Choji, Ablaze!Mostly Canon12/8/04
114Good-bye Old Friend...! I'll Always Believe in You!Mostly Canon12/15/04
115Your Opponent Is Me!Canon12/22/04
116360 Degrees of Vision: The Byakugan's Blind SpotCanon1/5/05
117Losing is Not an Option!Canon1/5/05
118The Vessel Arrives Too LateCanon1/12/05
119Miscalculation: A New Enemy Appears!Canon1/19/05
120Roar and Howl! The Ultimate Tag TeamCanon2/2/05

Episodes 121-140

#Episode TitleTypeAired
121To Each His Own BattleCanon2/9/05
122Fakeout: Shikamaru's Comeback!Canon2/16/05
123The Leaf's Handsome Devil!Canon2/23/05
124The Beast WithinCanon3/2/05
125The Sand Shinobi: Allies of the LeafCanon3/9/05
126Showdown: Gaara vs. Kimimaro!Mostly Canon3/16/05
127Vengeful Strike! The Bracken DanceMostly Canon3/30/05
128A Cry on Deaf EarsCanon3/30/05
129Brothers: Distance Among the UchihaCanon4/6/05
130Father and Son, the Broken CrestMostly Canon4/13/05
131The Secrets of the Mangekyo Sharingan!Mostly Canon4/20/05
132For a FriendCanon4/27/05
133A Plea From a FriendCanon5/4/05
134The End of TearsCanon5/11/05
135The Promise That Could Not Be KeptCanon5/18/05
136Deep Cover!? A Super S-Ranked Mission!Mostly Filler5/25/05
137A Town of Outlaws, the Shadow of the Fuma ClanFiller6/1/05
138Pure Betrayal, and a Fleeting Plea!Filler6/8/05
139Pure Terror! The House of OrochimaruFiller6/15/05
140Two Heartbeats: Kabuto's TrapFiller6/22/05

Episodes 141-160

#Episode TitleTypeAired
141Sakura's DeterminationMostly Filler6/29/05
142The Three Villains from the Maximum Security PrisonMostly Filler7/6/05
143Tonton! I'm Counting on You!Filler7/13/05
144A New Squad! Two People and a Dog?!Filler7/20/05
145A New Formation: Ino-Shika-Cho!Filler7/27/05
146Orochimaru's ShadowFiller8/10/05
147A Clash of Fate: You Can't Bring Me DownFiller8/17/05
148Search for the Rare Bikochu BeetleFiller8/17/05
149What's the Difference? Don't All Insects Look Alike?Filler8/24/05
150A Battle of Bugs: The Deceivers and the DeceivedFiller8/31/05
151Blaze Away Byakugan: This Is My Ninja WayFiller9/14/05
152Funeral March for the LivingFiller11/21/05
153A Lesson Learned: The Iron Fist of LoveFiller9/28/05
154The Enemy of the ByakuganFiller10/5/05
155The Dark Creeping CloudsFiller10/12/05
156Raiga's CounterattackFiller10/19/05
157Run! The Curry of LifeFiller10/26/05
158Follow My Lead! The Great Survival ChallengeFiller11/2/05
159Bounty Hunter from the WildernessFiller11/9/05
160Hunt or Be Hunted?! Showdown at the O.K. Temple!Filler11/16/05

Episodes 161-180

#Episode TitleTypeAired
161The Appearance of Strange VisitorsFiller11/23/05
162The Cursed WarriorFiller11/30/05
163The Tactician's IntentFiller12/7/05
164Too Late for HelpFiller12/14/05
165The Death of NarutoFiller12/21/05
166When Time Stands StillFiller1/4/06
167When Egrets Flap Their WingsFiller1/4/06
168Mix It, Stretch It, Boil It Up! Burn, Copper Pot, Burn!Filler1/18/06
169Remembrance: The Lost PageFiller1/25/06
170The Closed DoorFiller2/1/06
171Infiltration: The Set-Up!Filler2/8/06
172Despair: A Fractured HeartFiller2/15/06
173The Battle at Sea: The Power Unleashed!Filler2/22/06
174Impossible! Celebrity Ninja Art - Money Style Jutsu!Filler3/1/06
175The Treasure Hunt is On!Filler3/8/06
176Run, Dodge, Zigzag! Chase or Be Chased!Filler3/15/06
177Please, Mr. Postman!Filler3/22/06
178Encounter! The Boy with a Star's NameFiller3/29/06
179The Remembered LullabyFiller4/5/06
180Hidden Jutsu: The Price of The Ninja Art: KujakuFiller4/12/06

Episodes 181-200

#Episode TitleTypeAired
181Hoshikage, The Buried TruthFiller4/19/06
182Reunion, The Remaining timeFiller4/26/06
183The Star's RadianceFiller5/3/06
184Kiba's Long Day!Filler5/10/06
185A Legend from the Hidden Leaf: The Onbaa!Filler5/17/06
186Laughing ShinoFiller5/24/06
187Open for Business! The Leaf Moving ServiceFiller5/31/06
188Mystery of the Targeted MerchantsFiller6/7/06
189A Limitless Supply of Ninja ToolsFiller6/14/06
190The Byakugan Sees the Blind SpotFiller6/21/06
191Forecast: Death! Cloudy with Chance of SunFiller6/28/06
192Ino Screams! Chubby Paradise!Filler7/5/06
193Viva Dojo Challenge! Youth Is All About Passion!Filler7/12/06
194The Mysterious Curse of the Haunted CastleFiller7/19/06
195The Third Super-Beast!Filler7/26/06
196Hot-Blooded Confrontation: Student vs. SenseiFiller8/9/06
197Crisis! The Hidden Leaf 11 Gather!Filler8/16/06
198The ANBU Gives Up? Naruto's RecollectionFiller8/23/06
199The Missed TargetFiller8/30/06
200The Powerful HelperFiller9/13/06

Episodes 201-220

#Episode TitleTypeAired
201Multiple Traps! Countdown to DestructionFiller9/20/06
202The Top 5 Ninja BattlesFiller9/27/06
203Kurenai's Decision, Squad 8 Left BehindFiller10/5/06
204Yakumo's Sealed AbilityFiller10/5/06
205Kurenai's Top-Secret Mission: The Promise With the Third HokageFiller10/5/06
206Genjutsu or Reality?Filler10/19/06
207The Supposed Sealed AbilityFiller10/26/06
208The Weight of the Prized Artifact!Filler11/2/06
209The Enemy: Ninja DropoutsFiller11/9/06
210The Bewildering ForestFiller11/16/06
211Memory of FlamesFiller11/30/06
212To Each His Own PathFiller12/7/06
213Vanished MemoriesFiller12/14/06
214Bringing Back RealityFiller12/21/06
215A Past to Be ErasedFiller12/21/06
216The Targeted ShukakuFiller1/11/07
217Sand Alliance with the Leaf ShinobiFiller1/18/07
218The Counterattack!Filler1/25/07
219The Ultimate Weapon RebornFiller2/1/07
220DepartureMostly Filler2/8/07

 

Our Guide to Naruto Story Arcs

Naruto Uzumaki

Being 44% filler, Naruto has an abundance of filler story arcs to consume. The series is almost split in half chronologically between canon arcs and filler arcs, with the majority of the filler episodes and arcs appearing in the last half of the series (after episode 135), though there are a handful of filler episodes sprinkled in before that.

Canon Story Arc List

The anime version of Naruto follows along closely with its manga counterpart for the majority of its early run. It can be broken out into 5 distinct canon story arcs, including:

  • Prologue – Land of Waves Escort Mission (Episodes 1 to 19): In the opening arc, Naruto joins Team 7 to complete a mission to the Land of Waves.
  • Chūnin Exams (Episodes 20 to 67): Team 7 enter the Chūnin Exams where they meet new characters, including Orochimaru, Team Guy, the Rookie Nine and the Three Sand Siblings
  • Konoha Crush (Episodes 68 to 80): In this arc, Konohagakure – the hidden leaf village – is attacked and nearly destroyed by Orochimaru and Otogakure and Sunagakure ninja.
  • Search for Tsunade (Episodes 81 to 100): The Akatsuki are introduced as Jiraiya and Orochimaru attempt to recruit Tsunade – one of the world’s best medical-nin.
  • Valley of the End (Episodes 107 to 135): Known as the “Sasuke Recovery Mission” in the manga, this story arc follows the attempts to stop Sasuke Uchiha from joining Orochimaru.

Filler Story Arc List

Due to production delays in the Naruto manga series, it required the anime show runners to create a multitude of short story arcs to fill time. These usually contained Naruto teaming up with others for short missions that didn’t really further the overall narrative, but were entertaining in their own right.

  • Land of Tea Escort Mission (Episodes 102 to 106): Naruto and Team 7 help Idate Morino win a race in the Land of Tea.
  • Land of Rice Fields Investigation Mission (Episodes 136 to 141): Naruto, Sakura, and Jiraiya encounters the Fūma clan while searching for Orochimaru.
  • Mizuki Tracking Mission (Episodes 142 to 147): Naruto helps capture an escaped criminal Mizuki.
  • Bikōchū Search Mission (Episodes 148 to 151): In hopes of finding the Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto and Team 8 look for the bikōchū beetle.
  • Kurosuki Family Removal Mission (Episodes 152 to 157): Naruto and Team Guy encounter and engage with the Kurosuki family.
  • Gosunkugi Capture Mission (Episodes 159 to 160): Naruto, Kiba, and Hinata help Sazanami proclaim his innocence and clear his name.
  • Cursed Warrior Extermination Mission (Episodes 162 to 167): Naruto, Neji, and Tenten travel to the Land of Birds to investigate and deal with a mysterious ghost.
  • Kaima Capture Mission (Episodes 169 to 173): Anko Mitarashi takes Naruto, Ino, and Shino to the Land of the Sea to find information on Orochimaru.
  • Buried Gold Excavation Mission (Episodes 175 to 176): Naruto is teams up with Kiba and Hinata to retrieve a hidden treasure in order to improve their low success rate in ninja missions.
  • Star Guard Mission (Episodes 178 to 183): Naruto and Team Guy go to Hoshigakure to help the villagers guard their sacred star.
  • Peddlers Escort Mission (Episodes 187 to 191): Naruto, Hinata, and Chōji protect some peddlers from the Janin in the Land of Vegetables.
  • Third Great Beast Arc (Episodes 195 to 196): Guy deals with a vengeful Yagura.
  • Konoha Plans Recapture Mission (Episodes 197 to 201): The Konoha 11 defends Konoha from Gennō the Trap Master.
  • Yakumo Kurama Rescue Mission (Episodes 203 to 207): Kurenai temporarily leaves Team 8 to take care of some old business with Yakumo Kurama.
  • Gantetsu Escort Mission (Episodes 209 to 212): Naruto, Lee, and Sakura help transfer a Shinobazu member to prison.
  • Menma Memory Search Mission (Episodes 213 to 215): Naruto helps Menma reclaim his memory.
  • Sunagakure Support Mission (Episodes 216 to 220): The Konoha 11 go to Sunagakure to help rescue Matsuri from the Four Celestial Symbols Men.

Filler Episodes Worth Watching

Just because an episode is filler, that doesn’t mean you should skip it. Several anime-only episodes provide some additional background to flesh out the overall story arc, while others introduce interesting new characters that make the episodes worth-while.

Here are some of the best Naruto filler episodes that we think you’ll enjoy. WARNING: Spoilers to follow!

Episodes 152 through 157

Raiga Kurosuki in Filler Episodes

Known as the Kurosuki Family Removal Mission Arc, these fillers introduce a villain that eventually becomes canon thanks to an un-named nod in the manga series. It’s not often that a filler character makes the leap to canon, which is what makes this filler arc worth your time.

Best Characters from Naruto Filler Arcs

Naruto has no shortage of interesting and exotic characters. Filler episodes are no exception for delivering great characters. Below are some of our favorites to come out of anime-only story arcs in Naruto.

Menma Uzumaki

Ever wonder what Naruto would be like if his parents weren’t killed and instead had a stable and loving childhood? Menma gives you a peak into that possibility, but its suprising to discover that the alternate reality version of Naruto is a dark and brooding and has become corrupted by his power.

Raiga Kurosuki

Raige Kurosuki

Raiga’s evolution from cruel and tormented killer to supportive and loving guardian might have been shocking, but not as shocking as his lighting-powered swords called Kiba. Raiga’s tragic story arc is a memorable one. Raiga made such an impression that he became the only filler character to ever appear in the manga canon.

Sumaru

Sumaru

Sumaru is a genin that was prominently featured during the Star Guard Mission story arc. Sumaru’s tragic family history leads to some of the most tearjerking moments in the anime series. Plus, who doesn’t like the Mysterious Peacock Method?


How to Watch Naruto Online

If you are looking to gorge on Naruto anime from your computer, you are in luck because there are a several great options to choose from.

First and foremost, Viz Media, the owners of the Naruto anime series, allow users to stream both the subtitled AND dubbed versions of the anime from their site.

Other online options for viewing Naruto online include Crunchyroll and Hulu.

Refer to our Naruto filler list above to craft your own filler-free Naruto viewing experience… or better yet, add in some of the best anime-only story arcs mentioned above to get an enhanced experience without the fluff.


Do you believe there are some filler story arcs worth watching? What are some of your favorite characters and moments to come out of filler episodes in Naruto?

Let us know in the comments below!

Related Filler Guides

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