Naruto Shippuden is one of the most loved anime series ever made. Running from 2007 to 2017, it tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki’s journey to become the Hokage and protect his friends and village.
The show is filled with unforgettable fights, emotional backstories, and character growth, but also a lot of filler episodes that don’t follow the original manga.
If you plan to binge-watch the series or rewatch your favorite arcs, this guide will help you skip unnecessary fillers and focus on the main story.
How Many Filler Episodes Are in Naruto Shippuden?
Out of a total of 500 episodes, Naruto Shippuden has 199 filler episodes, which means almost 40% of the anime is filler content.
That’s a lot, but don’t worry. Some fillers are genuinely entertaining or give more depth to side characters, while others can be safely skipped.
If you remove all filler episodes, the main storyline becomes much tighter, leaving around 301 canon episodes that follow the original manga.
What Are Filler Episodes in Naruto Shippuden?
Filler episodes are anime-only stories added by the studio to give the manga time to progress. These episodes usually don’t affect the main plot or character development.
Some fillers offer fun adventures or emotional moments, while others feel disconnected from the main story.
Here’s a breakdown of which Naruto Shippuden filler arcs you should watch and which ones you can skip.
Naruto Shippuden Filler List (Watch or Skip Guide)
| Filler Arc or Episode | Episode Numbers | Should You Watch It? |
|---|---|---|
| Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc | 57–71 | Watch |
| Three-Tails Appearance | 91–112 | Skip |
| Six-Tails Unleashed | 144–151 | Watch |
| The Quest for the Fourth Hokage’s Legacy | 170–171 | Skip |
| Past Arc: Locus of Konoha | 176–196 | Watch |
| Paradise Life on a Boat | 223–242 | Skip |
| Sasuke and Naruto Flashbacks | 257–260 | Skip |
| Road to Sakura | 271 | Skip |
| One-off Episodes (Kurenai, Deidara, Konohamaru) | 279–281 | Skip |
| The Helmet Splitter: Jinin Akebino! | 284 | Watch |
| Pakura of the Sand | 285 | Watch |
| Tsunade and Raikage Meeting | 286–287 | Skip |
| Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist | 288–289 | Watch |
| Power Arc | 290–295 | Skip |
| The Sound Four | 303–305 | Watch |
| The Heart’s Eye (Hinata Arc) | 306 | Watch |
| Hayate and Yugao Arc | 307–308 | Skip |
| A-Rank Mission: Food Fight | 309–310 | Skip |
| Prologue to Road to Ninja | 311 | Watch (before the movie) |
| Guy and Lee Episode | 312 | Watch (if you enjoy their dynamic) |
| Yota Arc | 313–315 | Skip |
| Torune | 316–317 | Watch |
| A Hole in the Heart: The Other Jinchuriki | 318 | Watch (Killer Bee fight) |
| The Soul Living Inside the Puppet | 319 | Skip |
| Run, Omoi | 320 | Skip |
| Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato Flashback | 347–348 | Watch |
| Kakashi’s Anbu Arc | 349–361 | Watch |
| Naruto vs Mecha Naruto | 376–377 | Skip |
| Hinata and Hanabi Childhood | 389–390 | Watch |
| The New Chunin Exams | 394–413 | Skip |
| The Formation of Team Minato | 416–417 | Watch |
| Naruto + Konohamaru | 422–423 | Skip |
| The Infinite Tsukuyomi Dreams | 427–450 | Skip |
| Shinobi History (Kaguya Flashbacks) | 464–468 | Watch |
| Kakashi’s Face Reveal (Special) | 469 | Watch |
| Childhood Days | 480–483 | Watch |
Total Naruto Shippuden Filler Episodes: 199
Best Naruto Shippuden Fillers You Shouldn’t Skip
If you only want to watch the fillers that fans genuinely love, here are the best picks:
| Filler Arc | Reason to Watch |
|---|---|
| Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc (57–71) | Great backstory for Asuma and solid emotional weight. |
| Six-Tails Unleashed (144–151) | Adds depth to Jinchuriki lore and gives strong emotional beats. |
| Past Arc: Locus of Konoha (176–196) | Revisits beloved characters’ pasts and offers character insight. |
| Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist (288–289) | Amazing action and backstory on legendary swordsmen. |
| The Sound Four (303–305) | Brings back nostalgic villains from the original Naruto. |
| The Heart’s Eye (306) | Heartfelt Hinata-centered story. |
| Kakashi’s Anbu Arc (349–361) | Deep dive into Kakashi’s past and his time under Danzo. |
| Hinata and Hanabi Childhood (389–390) | Emotional look into the Hyuga sisters’ relationship. |
| The Formation of Team Minato (416–417) | Beautiful prequel insight into Minato’s squad. |
| Shinobi History (464–468) | Backstory on Kaguya and ancient ninja history. |
| Kakashi’s Face Reveal (469) | A long-running mystery finally solved in a fun, lighthearted way. |
Filler Episodes You Can Safely Skip
While some filler arcs add interesting backstories, many are pure side content.
Here are the ones most fans skip without missing anything from the main story:
- Three-Tails Appearance (91–112)
- Paradise Life on a Boat (223–242)
- Road to Sakura (271)
- Power Arc (290–295)
- Yota Arc (313–315)
- Infinite Tsukuyomi Dreams (427–450)
- Naruto vs Mecha Naruto (376–377)
These arcs mostly break pacing or add comedy that doesn’t impact the main plot.
Naruto Shippuden Without Fillers: How Long Is It?
If you skip all filler episodes, you’ll be left with about 301 canon episodes, which equals roughly 150 hours of viewing time.Move to Trash
That’s still a huge series but much more focused and emotionally engaging without the interruptions.
SEE ALSO:
- Naruto Filler List : Every Filler Episode You Can Skip or Watch
- Black Clover Filler List : All the Episodes You Can Skip or Watch
- Boruto Filler List : Every Filler Episode You Can Skip or Watch
- Bleach Filler List – All Filler Episodes & Arcs You Can Skip or Watch
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I skip every filler episode in Naruto Shippuden?
Yes, you can skip all fillers without losing the main story. The canon content alone tells the full journey from the Akatsuki arc to the Fourth Great Ninja War.
2. Are any fillers actually worth watching?
Yes! Some fillers like Kakashi’s Anbu Arc, the Six-Tails story, and the Sound Four arc are very popular among fans.
3. What percentage of Naruto Shippuden is filler?
About 40% (199 episodes out of 500) are filler.
4. Do fillers affect the main storyline?
No, filler episodes are created by the anime studio to fill time and don’t affect the original manga story.
5. Should I watch the “Power” arc?
It’s optional. The animation is good, but it doesn’t add anything to the story.
Final Thoughts
Naruto Shippuden is long, emotional, and full of unforgettable moments. But with almost 200 filler episodes, knowing which ones to skip makes your viewing experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Watch the fillers that expand on characters like Kakashi, Hinata, or Minato and skip the rest if you just want to follow Naruto’s journey to becoming Hokage.
Whether you’re watching for the first time or revisiting the series, this Naruto Shippuden filler guide ensures you make the most of your time while still enjoying the best parts of the story.
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