"Naruto Shippuden" is one of the most beloved anime series of all time, following the journey of Naruto Uzumaki as he strives to become the strongest ninja and earn the respect of his village. The series, based on Masashi Kishimoto’s manga, is known for its compelling story arcs, deep character development, and intense action sequences. However, like many long-running anime series, "Naruto Shippuden" contains filler episodes — side stories not present in the original manga.
These filler episodes can sometimes be divisive among fans. While some enjoy them for their lighter moments or additional character development, others see them as distractions from the main plot. To help navigate through these filler episodes, we've compiled a comprehensive Naruto Shippuden filler list, so you can decide when to skip them and when to watch them.
What is Filler in Anime?
Filler episodes are those that are not part of the original source material — in this case, Masashi Kishimoto's manga. They are often created by the anime production team to allow the manga to advance further ahead in the story. Filler episodes typically don't contribute to the central plot and may focus on side stories, additional character development, or entirely new characters and events that aren't featured in the manga.
While some filler episodes may be entertaining, they can sometimes feel like interruptions to the main story for viewers invested in the original narrative.
Filler Episodes in Naruto Shippuden
"Naruto Shippuden" is made up of 500 episodes, with numerous filler episodes scattered throughout. The filler episodes begin after the main plotline progresses a bit, and there are several major filler arcs throughout the series. Here's a detailed list of the filler arcs and episodes in "Naruto Shippuden."
1. Filler Arc 1: Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc (Episodes 54–71)
- Episodes: 54-71
- Description: This filler arc centers around a new group of ninjas, the Twelve Guardian Ninjas, who serve as protectors for the Land of the Sky. The arc adds some background to the world of Naruto but does not affect the main story. While some of the characters introduced in this arc show up later in the series, the events themselves are not canon.
2. Filler Arc 2: Three-Tails' Appearance Arc (Episodes 90–112)
- Episodes: 90-112
- Description: The focus of this arc is the appearance of the Three-Tails, a creature sealed inside a hidden mist ninja. Naruto and his comrades go on a mission to hunt down the tailed beast. This filler arc introduces new characters and a storyline centered around the tailed beasts, but it is not part of the manga’s plotline and can be skipped without affecting the overall narrative.
3. Filler Arc 3: The Last Mission Arc (Episodes 136–141)
- Episodes: 136-141
- Description: This short filler arc features Naruto and his team as they undertake a mission to protect a princess. The events of this arc do not impact the main storyline, and the characters involved do not play significant roles in the overall plot. This arc is largely considered filler, and while it provides some fun side action, it can easily be skipped.
4. Filler Arc 4: Karui and Omoi Arc (Episodes 143–151)
- Episodes: 143-151
- Description: This is a brief filler arc that focuses on two members of the Allied Shinobi Forces: Karui and Omoi. They are sent on a mission to gather information and take part in battles with enemies. Although some minor character development occurs, it is not essential for understanding the main storyline.
5. Filler Arc 5: Konoha's Ninja Mission Arc (Episodes 170–171)
- Episodes: 170-171
- Description: This arc is a short filler story involving a mission in which Team 7 is tasked with helping Konoha citizens. It doesn’t add much to the overall plot, and the characters involved are not critical to the main events in Naruto Shippuden. This arc is often regarded as an unnecessary detour.
6. Filler Arc 6: The Fourth Great Ninja War Filler Arc (Episodes 176–196)
- Episodes: 176-196
- Description: This large filler arc occurs during the Fourth Great Ninja War and focuses on multiple side missions and battles. While the war itself is part of the main plot, the filler episodes included in this arc don’t directly impact the events of the war. Some of the episodes are entertaining and provide more backstory for certain characters, but they do not contribute significantly to the overall plot.
7. Filler Arc 7: The Six-Tails Unleashed Arc (Episodes 204–205)
- Episodes: 204-205
- Description: This filler arc focuses on the Six-Tails, one of the tailed beasts, and its connection to the character of Utakata. It provides a bit of backstory to the tailed beasts and explores Utakata’s story, but it does not affect the primary narrative of the series.
8. Filler Arc 8: Power Arc (Episodes 290–295)
- Episodes: 290-295
- Description: This filler arc introduces the character of Kabuto, who is seen seeking out forbidden jutsu to increase his power. While Kabuto does play a significant role in the original manga, the events during this filler arc don't align with the manga’s timeline and storyline. It’s essentially a side quest that doesn’t impact the war or the main narrative.
9. Filler Arc 9: Naruto Shippuden: The Movie Filler (Episodes 381–383)
- Episodes: 381-383
- Description: The events of these episodes are loosely connected to the Naruto Shippuden movies. Although they feature characters and events that are not found in the manga, these episodes can be considered as filler content related to the movie franchise.
10. Filler Arc 10: Jiraiya's Shinobi Handbook: The Tale of Naruto the Hero Arc (Episodes 376–377)
- Episodes: 376-377
- Description: These two filler episodes are part of an arc where Jiraiya’s story is told through a "storybook" format. The events are not canon and serve mostly as a recap of Jiraiya’s impact on Naruto’s life and the overall series. These episodes are often considered more of a tribute than part of the ongoing story.
11. Filler Arc 11: The Chikara Arc (Episodes 394–413)
- Episodes: 394-413
- Description: This filler arc, which takes place after the Fourth Great Ninja War, introduces a new concept called "Chikara" (Power). The arc follows Naruto and his team as they battle foes with strange abilities. It provides no significant insight into the overall plot and can easily be skipped.
Conclusion: Should You Skip the Filler Episodes?
Whether or not to skip filler episodes depends largely on what you want from the series. If you're only interested in the core storyline and don’t mind missing out on the occasional side story or character moment, skipping the filler episodes will allow you to move through "Naruto Shippuden" more quickly. However, some fans enjoy the filler arcs for the extra character development and unique battles that aren’t present in the manga.
Ultimately, "Naruto Shippuden" is a series that balances both essential story arcs and filler content. If you decide to watch every episode, you’ll experience a broader range of stories and side adventures. However, if you want to focus on the main narrative, the filler list will help you avoid unnecessary episodes, keeping your viewing experience streamlined and engaging.
