The Ultimate Guide to Enjoying Naruto: Shippuden - Must-Watch Episodes for True Fans

Summary

About 40% of Naruto: Shippuden consists of filler episodes, which don't contribute to the main plot and can be frustrating to fans.

The line between filler and canon content in Naruto: Shippuden becomes indistinct as the series often combines both types of episodes.

Despite the prevalence of filler, there are still notable episodes like the Kakashi: Shadow of the ANBU Black Ops mini-arc. This particular arc offers valuable revelations about Kakashi's personality.

Naruto: Shippuden contains approximately 40% filler episodes, leaving many potential fans curious about which episodes fall into this category. While some of the filler episodes contribute to the development of the series' world and minor characters, not all of them do. Despite the quality of certain filler episodes, it is understandable why many fans choose to skip them entirely. However, avoiding filler content in Naruto Shippuden proves to be a challenging task.

For most long-running anime series adaptations, distinguishing between filler and non-filler episodes is clear-cut. Filler episodes are those that do not adapt manga chapters and do not progress the main storyline. The issue with Naruto Shippuden is that the boundaries between filler and non-filler are more blurry. Many beloved episodes of the series blend filler content with canon material, making it even more frustrating for viewers trying to avoid fillers. Nevertheless, Naruto: Shippuden still includes a significant amount of pure filler episodes that fans should be aware of.

Every Filler Episode of Naruto: Shippuden

Episode #	Episode or Arc Title
28	Beasts! Alive Again!
57 – 71	Twelve Guardian Ninja
89 – 112	Three-Tails’ Appearance
144 – 151	Six-Tails Unleashed
170 – 171	Big Adventure! The Quest for the Fourth Hokage's Legacy
176 - 196	Past Arc: The Locus of Konoha
223 – 242	Paradise Life on a Boat
257 – 260	Naruto & Sasuke flashback mini arc
271	Road to Sakura
279 – 281	Fourth Shinobi World War side stories
284 – 295	Fourth Shinobi World War side stories
303 – 320	Fourth Shinobi World War side stories
347 – 361	Kakashi: Shadow of the ANBU Black Ops
376	The Directive to Take the Nine Tails
377	Naruto Vs. Mecha Naruto
388	My First Friend
389	The Adored Elder Sister
390	Hanabi's Decision
394 – 413	In Naruto's Footsteps: The Friends' Paths
416	The Formation of Team Minato
417	You'll Be My Backup
422 - 428	Birth of the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki side stories
429 – 430	Killer B Rappūden
431	To See That Smile, Just One More Time
432 – 450	Jiraiya Shinobi Handbook: The Tale of Naruto the Hero
464 - 468	Ashura and Indra Arc
480 - 483	Childhood

Are Any of Naruto: Shippuden's Filler Arcs Worth Watching?

In essence, filler episodes make up 206 out of the total 500 episodes of Naruto: Shippuden. While slightly less than half, this still constitutes a substantial 41% of the entire series. Upon closer examination of the comprehensive list, it becomes evident where the anime production team encountered difficulties in adapting the manga, as the series mostly steered clear of filler content until reaching the hundredth episode milestone, after which the situation became more problematic. It is worth noting that both Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden have gained notoriety for their inclusion of filler episodes, with the original series also having approximately 40% of its episodes categorized as filler.

While Shippuden has its fair share of dreadful filler, such as the Paradise Life on a Boat Arc and the infamous Naruto Vs. Mecha Naruto episode, not all of Shippuden's filler is bad. Amidst the mix, there are several standout episodes and moments worth mentioning. However, the most highly recommended one is undoubtedly the Kakashi: Shadow of the ANBU Black Ops mini-arc. Kakashi's significance as a character is undeniable, and this mini-arc provides crucial insights into his time in the Anbu. For those who are looking to consume only one piece of filler content from Naruto: Shippuden, the clear choice should be Kakashi's Anbu arc.

Although filler in Naruto: Shippuden receives criticism from many fans for being excessive and of poor quality, it still holds significance in the series and its legacy. Unlike modern Shonen anime adaptations like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen which completely omit filler arcs, they can prove to be effective if utilized properly. Even when they do not meet expectations, Naruto: Shippuden's filler episodes are harmless as they can be easily skipped and rarely affect the overall plot of the series. While most Naruto: Shippuden fans may choose to skip the majority of the filler content, there are still some gems among them worth watching.