Okay, let's settle this once and for all. If you've landed here, you're probably asking the same question thousands of Naruto fans type into Google daily: "how many episodes are there in naruto"? Man, I remember getting into this show years back and feeling totally overwhelmed trying to figure this out myself!
Straight up? Combining both the original series and Shippuden, there are 720 main TV episodes. But honestly, that number alone doesn't tell you much. I wasted weeks watching random filler arcs before realizing nearly half those episodes weren't even part of the real story!
Stick with me, and I'll break down exactly what you need to know about Naruto episode counts, why fillers exist (and which ones to skip), where to watch the movies, and the absolute best viewing order. This isn't just dry stats - it's the stuff I wish someone had told me before I spent 50 hours watching pointless beach episodes.
Naruto Episode Counts: The Raw Numbers
Let's start simple. The Naruto anime is split into two massive chunks:
| Series | Total Episodes | Canon Episodes | Filler Episodes | Percentage Filler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naruto (Original) | 220 | 96 | 124 | 56.4% |
| Naruto Shippuden | 500 | 280 | 220 | 44% |
| GRAND TOTAL | 720 | 376 | 344 | 47.8% |
Yep, you read that right. Out of 720 episodes, nearly half (344 to be precise) are filler. That blew my mind when I first calculated it. Who knew anime studios could stretch content so thin? If you're short on time, you could technically watch only the 376 canon episodes and still get the full main story.
Just to be crystal clear about "how many episodes are there in naruto": The full animated journey is 720 TV episodes covering both series. But man, those filler percentages... I still get flashbacks to that endless Mecha-Naruto arc.
Personal Take: Honestly? Some fillers are fun character moments (I kinda liked the Kakashi ANBU arc). But most? Total time sinks. If you're binge-watching, you'll thank yourself later for skipping at least 60% of them.
What Even Are Filler Episodes?
New to anime? Fillers are episodes created solely by the animation studio not based on the original manga. Why? Simple: The anime catches up to the manga, and studios need buffer time so the author can write more.
This leads to...
- Standalone episodes (like Naruto joining a band or everyone going to the hot springs... seriously)
- Long filler arcs (weeks or months of non-canon stories)
- Mixed episodes (5 minutes of canon story stretched with 15 minutes of original content)
When people ask "how many episodes are in naruto", they rarely realize almost half aren't essential. Back when I watched weekly, those filler breaks after major cliffhangers were torture!
The Big Filler Problem in Naruto
Look, Naruto isn't unique here. But its filler execution? Often terrible. Two big issues:
1. Placement: Remember when Shippuden interrupted the Pain Invasion - one of the manga's most intense arcs - with 20 straight filler episodes? Fans rioted online. It completely killed momentum.
2. Quality: For every decent filler (like Itachi's backstory), there are ten "Kakashi faces his fears in a haunted house" episodes. I once fell asleep during a filler about Konohamaru running errands. True story.
That said... some fillers do add value. The "Three-Tails' Appearance" arc in Shippuden (episodes 89-112) actually expands on side characters. Not essential, but enjoyable if you love the world.
Episode Guide: Naruto (Original Series)
First aired in 2002, this covers Naruto's journey from academy student to Chunin. Total episodes: 220. But here's the messy breakdown:
| Story Arc | Episodes | Filler Episodes | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction / Land of Waves | 1-19 | None | Team 7 forms, Zabuza fight |
| Chunin Exams | 20-67 | None | Forest of Death, Rock Lee vs Gaara |
| Konoha Crush | 68-80 | None | Orochimaru attacks, Third Hokage dies |
| Search for Tsunade (Major Filler Start) | 81-100 | 81-100 (20 episodes!) | Entire arc is filler except brief Tsunade intro |
| Sasuke Retrieval | 107-135 | 102-106, 136-220 | Canon ends at 135. Then 85(!) pure filler episodes |
Notice how after episode 135, it's non-stop filler until Shippuden begins? That's where many viewers lose patience. I certainly did. Why they dragged out Sasuke leaving for 85 episodes is beyond me.
Pro Tip: Stop after episode 135 if you want the true ending. Episodes 136-220 are entirely skippable unless you really love seeing Naruto deliver milk or help old ladies find lost cats.
Naruto Shippuden Episode Counts
Shippuden continues Naruto's story post-timeskip. Total episodes: 500. Filler is spread out differently:
| Major Arc | Episodes | Filler Percentage | Critical Plot Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kazekage Rescue | 1-32 | Low (only 2 fillers) | Gaara captured, Akatsuki debut |
| Sasuke & Sai | 33-53 | Moderate | Sasuke reunion, Team 7 reformed |
| Twelve Guardian Ninja (Filler Arc) | 54-71 | 100% Filler | New characters protecting fire daimyo |
| Akatsuki Suppression | 72-88 | None | Hidan/Kakuzu fights, Asuma dies |
| Three-Tails Appearance (Filler) | 89-112 | 100% Filler | Search for Isobu, Guren character intro |
| Itachi Pursuit | 113-143 | None | Jiraiya vs Pain, Itachi's death |
| Six-Tails Unleashed (Filler) | 144-151 | 100% Filler | Utakata storyline |
| Pain's Assault | 152-169 | Low (only 154 is filler) | Pain destroys Konoha, Naruto vs Pain |
| Five Kage Summit | 197-214 | Moderate (mix) | Sasuke vs Danzo, Kakashi backstory |
| Fourth Great Ninja War | 215-493 | Very High (long filler blocks) | Madara/Kaguya final battles |
| Epilogue | 494-500 | None | Series conclusion, weddings |
The worst offender? The Fourth Great Ninja War arc. Important canon moments get buried between filler chunks like:
- Dreamworld filler (episodes 432-450)
- Mecha-Naruto nonsense (episode 374)
- Chikara Arc (episodes 290-295)
Frankly, this is why "how many episodes in naruto shippuden" causes confusion. That 500 count includes 220 pure filler episodes interspersed throughout.
Personal Recommendation: For Shippuden, use a filler list religiously. The canon material is peak anime... but man, slogging through irrelevant dream sequences after Madara's epic entrance? Not worth it.
Movies, OVAs and Specials: Do They Count?
People often ask if movies add to "how many episodes are there in naruto". Technically no - they're separate. But they DO expand the universe. Here’s what’s worth watching:
| Title | Type | Canon? | Watch Between Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in Snow | Movie | No | After Naruto episode 101 |
| Shippuden Movie 1 | Movie | No | After Shippuden episode 32 |
| Shippuden Movie 2: Bonds | Movie | No | After Shippuden episode 53 |
| Shippuden Movie 3: Will of Fire | Movie | No (but excellent) | After Shippuden episode 89 |
| Shippuden Movie 6: Road to Ninja | Movie | No (Kishimoto wrote it!) | After Shippuden episode 251 |
| The Last: Naruto the Movie | Movie | YES (Crucial!) | After Shippuden episode 493 |
| Boruto: Naruto the Movie | Movie | YES (Part of Boruto canon) | After finishing Shippuden |
Key takeaway: Only The Last and Boruto movies are truly essential for story continuity. The others? Fun adventures, but skippable if pressed for time.
OVAs are trickier. Stuff like "Find the Crimson Four-Leaf Clover" (2002) or "Chunin Exam on Fire!" (2005) add nothing to the plot. Cute for die-hards only.
Where to Stream Everything
Finding legal sources matters! Availability changes, but currently:
- Crunchyroll: All 720 Naruto/Shippuden episodes + movies (subbed/dubbed). Free with ads or subscription ($7.99/month). Has filler markers!
- Hulu: Same content as Crunchyroll (dubs sometimes exclusive). Base plan $7.99/month.
- Netflix: Only has Shippuden (seasons 1-10) in select regions. No filler tags. Not recommended for completionists.
I prefer Crunchyroll since its episode guides clearly label filler. Saves tons of headaches.
Optimal Naruto Watch Order (Minimal Filler)
Based on my own trial-and-error binge (and many Reddit arguments), here’s the most efficient path through all 720 episodes:
| Series | Episodes to Watch | Reason | Time Saved* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naruto Classic | 1-135 | Complete canon storyline | Skips 85 filler eps (~28 hours) |
| Essential Filler | 101, 147, 220 | Kakashi face reveal; Konoha history | - |
| Shippuden | 1-56, 72-90, 113-143, 152-175, 197-214, 257-493, 499-500 | All major canon arcs | Skips ~200 filler eps (~70 hours) |
| Shippuden Filler Worth Watching | Kakashi ANBU Arc (349-361), Itachi Shinden (451-458) | Great character backstories | - |
| Movies | The Last (post-ep 493), Boruto Movie | Canon story progression | Skips 9 non-canon movies |
*Based on 20-minute episodes. Total time saved: ~100 hours!
This cuts the total watch time from ~240 hours (all 720 eps) to roughly 140 hours. Your sanity will thank you. I learned this the hard way after watching every single episode during lockdown. Never again.
Controversial Opinion: I actually recommend some filler after finishing the canon story. Kakashi's ANBU arc (episodes 349-361) adds depth the manga rushed. But only watch it after the main plot so pacing isn't ruined.
Frequently Asked Questions (Exact Search Queries)
How many episodes are there in naruto without filler?
376 episodes total. Specifically: 96 in original Naruto, 280 in Shippuden. That's the pure canon storyline directly from the manga.
How many episodes in naruto shippuden total?
500 episodes from 2007-2017. But remember: 220 of those are filler. The canon story wraps at episode 479, with 493-500 serving as epilogue.
Is Boruto part of the Naruto episode count?
Nope! Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is a separate series with 293+ episodes (as of 2024). It continues the story but isn't included in "how many episodes are there in naruto" counts.
Which filler arcs should I actually watch?
Based on fan polls and my own experience:
- Kakashi's Shadow (Shippuden 349-361) - His ANBU backstory (9/10)
- Itachi Shinden (Shippuden 451-458) - Itachi's early life (8/10)
- Three-Tails Appearance (Shippuden 89-112) - Decent world-building (6.5/10)
- Chunin Exam Re-Take (Original 197-201) - Fun side story (7/10)
Why does Naruto have so much filler?
Two reasons: 1) The anime caught up to the manga repeatedly (especially during Shippuden's run), 2) Studio Pierrot extended profitable series. At its peak, Naruto earned $1 billion annually - no incentive to stop.
How many episodes of Naruto until Shippuden?
Exactly 220 episodes of the original Naruto lead into Shippuden episode 1. But again, you can stop at 135 for the canon conclusion before timeskip.
Final Thoughts: Is 720 Episodes Worth It?
Honestly? Yes - if you skip fillers strategically. The core story spanning 376 episodes is one of anime's greatest adventures. I cried during the Pain arc, cheered when Naruto mastered Sage Mode, and threw popcorn during the final Kaguya battle.
Knowing exactly "how many episodes are there in naruto" (720 total) is just the start. Armed with this guide, you can:
- Save 100+ hours by skipping bad filler
- Watch key movies at the right times
- Use Crunchyroll/Hulu markers to automate skips
Still think 720 is too much? Try the manga! Kishimoto's original work is 700 chapters with zero filler. Read it in half the time. But nothing beats hearing "Dattebayo!" during an epic Rasengan clash.
Any other Naruto episode count questions? Drop ’em below. And if you force yourself through all 124 filler episodes of the original series... well, you’re a braver ninja than I am!
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