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Naruto Watch Order (Series & Filler Guide)
Watch Naruto first, then Naruto: Shippuden, then Boruto. The real challenge is the filler: roughly 40% of the run is skippable side stories that pause the main plot.
Naruto Watch Order (Series & Filler Guide) โ complete list
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Why this order?
Naruto is one of anime's "big three" alongside One Piece and Bleach, and its watch order is refreshingly simple: it runs in a straight line. Start with the original Naruto (2002), continue into Naruto: Shippuden (2007) which picks up after a two-and-a-half-year time skip, and finish with Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (2017), a sequel that follows Naruto's son, Boruto Uzumaki. There is no machete or chronological reshuffle to worry about because the story is already told in the right order.
The actual decision every viewer faces is filler. Because the anime aired weekly while the manga was still being written, the studio padded the run with non-canon "filler" arcs that don't advance Masashi Kishimoto's main story. The original Naruto has 220 episodes, but the canon plot runs roughly through episode 135, after which there is a very long filler stretch (about 136-220) before Shippuden begins. Shippuden has 500 episodes and is more faithful, but it still contains several large filler arcs you can comfortably skip without losing the thread.
For most newcomers, the best path is the "watch order" below: the three series in sequence, treating the filler notes as a guide. Purists who want every frame can watch all 220 plus 500 plus the 293 Boruto episodes, but the canon-only route saves dozens of hours and keeps the pacing tight. Either way you reach the same emotional payoffs.
Worth knowing: the franchise also includes around a dozen theatrical films (such as The Last: Naruto the Movie and Boruto: Naruto the Movie) that sit alongside the series. They're optional and mostly side stories, so save them for after you finish โ fans of Bleach or One Piece will recognize this same anime-film pattern. The Boruto anime is also worth a note: its first part ran 293 episodes and ended in March 2023, and it has been on hiatus since, pending the "Two Blue Vortex" continuation.
Timeline 2002โ2017
Every entry plotted by release year โ see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
What order should I watch Naruto in?
Watch them in this order: Naruto (2002), then Naruto: Shippuden (2007), then Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (2017). The story is linear, so no special viewing order is needed.
How many episodes and seasons are there?
The original Naruto has 220 episodes and Naruto: Shippuden has 500, for 720 across the two main series. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations added 293 more in its first part before going on hiatus in March 2023.
Which episodes are filler and can I skip them?
In the original Naruto, the canon story runs roughly through episode 135, with a long filler block (about 136-220) you can skip before Shippuden. Shippuden is mostly canon but has several large filler arcs that are safe to skip too.
Is Naruto: Shippuden a sequel or a continuation?
It's a direct continuation. Shippuden picks up after a two-and-a-half-year time skip, with the same characters now older. You should watch the original Naruto first.
Do I need to watch the Naruto movies?
No. The roughly dozen films (like The Last: Naruto the Movie) are optional side stories. Save them for after the series if you want more; they aren't required to follow the main plot.
What is Boruto and do I have to watch it?
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is a sequel following Naruto's son, Boruto. Its first part ran 293 episodes and ended in March 2023, and the anime is currently on hiatus pending the 'Two Blue Vortex' continuation. It's optional for fans who want to keep going, but the core Naruto story concludes within Shippuden.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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