Naruto Shippuden filler episodes list: what to skip and what to watch

Published On: October 10, 2023

Naruto Shippuden stands as one of the most beloved Japanese anime series, encompassing almost 500 episodes. If you’ve just embarked on your journey into this show, this article aims to be your guide. Within, we’ve curated a list of Naruto Shippuden filler episodes that are truly worth your time, as well as those you can safely skip. This will help you not only complete the series more efficiently but also save valuable time. So, don’t miss out and dive right in!

Table of Contents

List of Naruto Shippuden filler episodes

Name of filler episodes or arc	Episode number
Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc	57-71
Three-Tails Appearance	91-112
Six-Tails Unleashed	144-151
The Quest for the Fourth Hokage’s Legacy	170-171
Past Arc: Locus of Konoha	176-196
Paradise Life on a Boat	223-242
Sasuke and Naruto Flashbacks	257-260
Road to Sakura	271
One-off episodes featuring Team Kurenai – Deidara and Konohomaru	279-281
The Helmet Splitter: Jinin Akebino!	284
The user of the Scorch Style: Pakura of the Sand!	285
Tsunade and Raikage	286-287
Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist	288-289
Power	290-295
The Sound 4	303-305
The Heart’s Eye	306
Hayate and Yūgao	307-308
The A-Rank Mission: Food Fight	309-310
Prologue to Road to Ninja	311
Guy and Lee	312
Yota	313-315
Torune	316-317
A Hole in the Heart: The Other Jinchuriki	318
The Soul Living Inside the Puppet	319
Run, Omoi	320
Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato Flashback	347-348
Kakashi’s Anbu Arc	349-361
Naruto vs. Mecha Naruto	376-377
Hinata and Hanabi Childhood	389-390
The New Chunin Exams	394-413
The Formation of Team Minato	416-417
Naruto + Konohamaru	422-423
The Infinite Tsukuyomi	432-450
Shinobi History	464-468
Childhood Days	480-483

Naruto Shippuden fillers worth watching

Episodes 57-71: Mostly filler

Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc takes place after The Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission Arc. The new Team-7 is going to bring in Sasuke. Then this filler arc starts.

In it, Naruto fights Sora, a monk who has the nine-tail fox’s power in him. You can watch this arc for this backstory and the fight. The new character is decently written. You may like the Land of Fire screenplay and how parallels are drawn between Naruto and Sora’s stories.

Episode 91-112: Mostly Filler

You can watch it, especially the last two episodes for their connection with the canon. You may like the character Guren who with the Akatsuki tries to capture the Three-Tails. We get a backstory of Three-Tails and its host Yagura Karatachi.

Episode 144-151: Filler

The Naruto series (including Shippuden) is known for its tragic and bittersweet moments. This arc also tells the poignant tale of Utakata, the Jinchuriki of Six Tails. It has some fun fight sequences too.

Episode 176-196: Filler

Watch it to see the first time Iruka and Naruto met and the flashback to the time when Kakashi became the trainer of Team 7.

Episode 284-295: Mostly Filler

We suggest you don’t skip episodes 284, 285, 288 and 289 for they bring unique character moments and interesting fights.

Episode 303-320: Mostly Filler

Episodes 303, 304, 305, 307, 308 and 317 are worth watching for their connection to the main storyline.

Episode 347-361: Mostly Filler

Watchable to know about Kakashi’s time as a Black OPs member of the Anbu team. You also learn more about Itachi’s motivations for what he did.

Episode 388-390: Filler

Oh boy! You get to see Madara and Obito becoming the Jinchuriki of the Ten Tail. What more could you ask for? Well, there are emotional moments to sober you down.

Episode 464-468: Mostly Filler

These episodes will build up your knowledge about the Ōtsutsuki clan. Yes, the clan of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, and Hamura Ōtsutsuki. Folks who play a key role in everything that’s happening in Naruto and how the story ends.

Episode 480-483: Filler

These episodes give you backstory and perspective on the relationship between characters like Naruto and Hinata, Sasuke and Sakura, and Jiraya and Kakashi. Worth watching, I would say.

Naruto Shippuden fillers to skip

170-171
223-242
257-260
271
279-281
290-295
376-377
394-413
416
422-423
427-450

FAQs

Can I skip Naruto fillers?

Yes, some fillers mentioned above can be skipped as they don’t add to the story or the progression of the arc.

Why are there so many filler episodes in Naruto?

It takes a lot of time to create a story, draw it in the manga, and animate it for the anime. Fillers are primarily used to give time for the Naruto creator(s) to work on their craft. Meanwhile, fans will get something to watch on a weekly basis. Sometimes these fillers add context and enhance the experience. Other times, not so.

What is the difference between filler episodes and canon episodes?

Canon is the main story developed by the creator of the anime/manga. It is part of the story he/she has crafted or confirmed to be true. Filler is an extra episode that is not part of the canon and is created by the studio.