Naruto Shippuden Filler List – Watch or Skip?

Naruto Shippuden is one of the most beloved anime series of all time, but it could definitely use a good filler list. With 500 episodes, and about 41% of them being filler, it can be difficult to know which episodes are must-watch and which ones you can skip without regret. Filler episodes can range from completely irrelevant plot points to compelling character development and emotional depth.

In this article, you will get a complete guide with explanations per arc, a comparison with other popular anime series, and recommendations to optimize your viewing experience.

What are Fillers and Why Do They Exist?

Fillers are episodes that are not based on the original manga by Masashi Kishimoto. They are often used to balance the anime and manga, or to provide temporary content while the manga is still in development. Fillers are usually seen as less important to the main storyline, but can also provide additional insights into the lives of secondary characters or touch on forgotten plotlines.

The impact of fillers is twofold: on the one hand, they can slow down the progression of the story and reduce tension, on the other hand, they provide space for character development and creative storylines that would otherwise go unexplored.

Especially in long-running series like Naruto, fillers can either increase or decrease viewer engagement, depending on their quality and timing. It would be a shame to waste hours of your time on a filler arc that ultimately doesn’t interest you. Luckily, we’ll help you out later in this article with a clear overview of which fillers you can safely skip and which ones are surprising.

Comparison: Naruto Shippuden vs. Other Anime

Compared to other popular anime series, you can see that the number of filler episodes in Naruto Shippuden is considerable, but certainly not unique. Many long-running shonen series use filler episodes to bridge the gap between manga and anime, especially when the anime threatens to overtake the manga's progress. This phenomenon is also strongly present in series such as Bleach and Dragon Ball Z .

• Naruto Shippuden: 500 episodes, of which about 203 are fillers (~41%)

• Bleach: 366 episodes, of which about 163 are fillers (~45%)

• Dragon Ball Z: 291 episodes, of which about 39 are fillers (~13%)

While Naruto doesn't have the most filler content, its high percentage is notable given the sheer size of the series. Unlike Dragon Ball Z , where filler content is often humorous or trivial, Naruto's filler content sometimes attempts to actually expand the world or introduce new enemies. In the section below you can see the entire Naruto Shippuden Filler List.

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Naruto Shippuden Filler List - All filler episodes listed

To make it a bit easier for you, we have compiled a clear list of all the filler episodes in Naruto Shippuden . This way you can see at a glance which ones you can skip, or which ones you want to watch for extra story depth.

Below is a list of episodes that are considered filler:

• Episodes 57–71: Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc

• Episodes 91–112: Three-Tails' Appearance Arc

• Episodes 144–151: Six-Tails Unleashed Arc

• Episodes 170–171: (Training & Humor)

• Episodes 176–196: Past Arc: The Locus of Konoha

• Episodes 223–242: Paradise Life on a Boat Arc

• Episodes 257–260: Flashbacks

• Episode 271: Special episode dedicated to InoShikaCho

• Episodes 279–281: Battles against reanimated enemies

• Episodes 284–295: Power Arc

• Episodes 303–320: Various dream-based fillers

• Episodes 347–361: Kakashi's Anbu Arc

• Episodes 376–377: Chibi-style animated spin-off

• Episodes 388–390: Focus on Hinata and Hanabi

• Episodes 394–413: In Naruto's Footsteps: The Friends' Paths Arc

• Episodes 416–417: Flashbacks during major battles

• Episodes 422–423: Konohamaru filler adventure

• Episodes 427–450: Jiraiya Shinobi Handbook: The Tale of Naruto the Hero Arc

• Episodes 464–468: Tale of Kaguya and the Old Times

• Episodes 480–483: Childhood Arc

Are there any Naruto Shippuden Fillers in the list that are worth watching?

Absolutely! Not all filler arcs are unnecessary. Some offer surprisingly strong storylines, background information, or fan-favorite moments. Below, you'll find a list of the most notable filler arcs in Naruto Shippuden .

1. Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc (Episodes 57–71)

• Description: Naruto meets Sora, a young monk with anger issues. Together they unravel a plot against Konoha.

• Recommendation: ✅ Watch – Contains action, a fresh storyline and depth.

2. Three-Tails' Appearance Arc (Episodes 91–112)

• Description: Mission to capture the Tailed Beast Sanbi, focusing on Yuukimaru and his mysterious powers.

• Recommendation: ❌ Skip – Long-winded and little impact on the main story.

3. Six-Tails Unleashed Arc (Episodes 144–151)

• Description: Story about the tragic bond between Utakata and his student Hotaru.

• Recommendation: ✅ Watch – Emotional and a glimpse into the life of a Jinchūriki.

4. Past Arc: The Locus of Konoha (Episodes 176–196)

• Description: Flashbacks to the childhood and background of major characters such as Iruka, Kakashi, etc.

• Recommendation: ✅ Watch – Rich in background stories.

5. Paradise Life on a Boat Arc (Episodes 223–242)

• Description: A long drawn out journey with many humorous side plots.

• Recommendation: ❌ Skip – Mostly filler and little content.

6. Power Arc (Episodes 290–295)

• Description: Naruto and co. investigate a series of mysterious attacks in a village. Beautiful animation.

• Recommendation: ✅ Watch – Good action and stylish animation.

7. Kakashi's Anbu Arc (Episodes 349–361)

• Description: Kakashi's past and his time in the Anbu are explored.

• Recommendation: ✅ Watch – A must for Kakashi fans.

8. Infinite Tsukuyomi Dreams (Episodes 427–450)

• Description: What would characters dream under the influence of an illusion?

• Recommendation: ❌ Skip – Interesting concept, but often irrelevant.

9. Childhood Days (Episodes 480–483)

• Description: Heartwarming stories about the childhoods of Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru and others.

• Recommendation: ✅ Watch – Perfect as a closing reflection of the series.

Conclusion: Not every Naruto Shippuden Filler is bad

Navigating the world of Naruto Shippuden can be quite a challenge with so many episodes and fillers, but this guide will give you the perfect balance between enjoying the main story and avoiding unnecessary content. By choosing wisely which arcs to watch and which to skip, you can save a lot of time and enjoy the series more.

Instead of spending 167 hours watching the entire anime, skipping the fillers can reduce your viewing time to just 103 hours. That’s 64 hours you can spend watching other top series or reliving your favorite fights!