The Ultimate Guide to Watching 'Naruto' Arcs in Chronological Order, Minus the Filler Episodes

Naruto Uzumaki's story is one of the most extensive and significant in the history of anime, comprising well beyond a thousand episodes. However, the three primary Naruto shows often fall into the trap of incorporating filler episodes when caught up to the manga source material. While these episodes and story arcs aren't necessarily bad, they fail to advance the core narrative that fans eagerly anticipate seeing adapted.

In honor of the Naruto franchise's 20th Anniversary, which includes a special event featuring four new episodes set within the original series, certain fans may be inclined to revisit the essential storylines from the series. Whether you're a devoted fan or a newcomer, navigating this sprawling saga can prove challenging. To help identify the episodes essential to the main storyline, here is a chronological list of every crucial Naruto arc (excluding filler episodes).

Naruto: Shippuden

Release Date: October 28, 2009

Main Cast: Alexandre Crepet, Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Kate Higgins, Chie Nakamura, Dave Wittenberg

Main Genres: Anime, Animation, Action, Adventure

Rating: TV-PG

Number of Seasons: 21

'Naruto'

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Humble Beginnings and the Land of Waves (Episodes 1-19)

The narrative commences with the Naruto series, which consists of three distinct shows within the franchise. Naruto introduces our protagonist and intricately showcases his evolution from an inept ninja to someone deserving of the Hokage's confidence.

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Naruto Uzumaki (Junko Takeuchi) embarks on his ninja journey in the Land of Waves Arc, where he encounters the original Team 7 for the first time. Initially known as a troublemaker in the prestigious ninja academy, Naruto carries a hidden secret within him. Deep in his essence lies the Nine-Tailed Fox demon, a power he must learn to control. Despite objections from some mentors, Naruto is chosen to join the Team 7 ninja squad after achieving the rank of genin, the lowest ninja rank.

Naruto, Sakura Haruno (Chie Nakamura), and Sasuke Uchiha (Noriaki Sugiyama), along with their mentor Kakashi Hatake (Kazuhiko Inoue), are assigned to safeguard a bridge builder from dangerous assassins, Zabuza and Haku.

The Chūnin Exams (Episodes 20-67)

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Following their initial mission in the Land of Waves Arc, Naruto and Team 7 make their way back to their school to resume his ninja training and further develop his skills. It is at this point that the highly anticipated Chūnin Exams are about to commence, providing a crucial opportunity for numerous aspiring ninjas to advance in their careers.

Here, we encounter a wider circle of Naruto's comrades, namely Shikamaru, Rock Lee, Gaara, Neji, and Hinata. In this clash between ninjas, Naruto and his team strive to exert their utmost efforts to emerge victorious.

Konoha Crush (Episodes 68-80)

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During the Konohoa Crush Arc, Konoha, the home of Naruto, faces its greatest threat. The Hidden Leaf Village is endangered by Orochimaru (Kujira), a legendary and immensely powerful ninjutsu master. This formidable adversary poses a tremendous challenge not only for Team 7, but also for every Shinobi residing in Konoha.

The Search for Tsunade (Episodes 81-107)

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In the Search for Tsunade arc, Naruto and Jiraiya embark on a mission to find the future Fifth Hokage, Lady Tsunade. Tsunade's exceptional skills in medical ninjutsu, tactics, and strength make her a strong contender for the position. However, their quest takes an intense turn when Naruto's best friend, Sasuke, gets severely wounded. The arc reaches its climax when Tsunade and Jiraiya confront the villainous Lord Orochimaru in a gripping battle.

Sasuke Recovery (Episodes 107-135)

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The Sasuke Recovery Arc is arguably the most crucial storyline in the original Naruto series. It depicts the fall of Sasuke, one of the franchise's beloved characters, as he succumbs to Orochimaru's dark influence. Sasuke becomes determined to defeat his evil brother, Itachi, and is willing to align himself with Orochimaru to gain more power. This arc marks a significant shift in the relationship between Naruto and Sasuke, as they transform from rivals to close allies to bitter enemies within a few episodes, concluding the Naruto series in a heartbreaking manner.

Surprisingly, these episodes encompass the essential narrative of the original Naruto series. Despite the series having a total of around 200 episodes, approximately 100 of them are deemed filler and can be skipped without affecting one's understanding of the main Naruto storyline.

'Naruto: Shippuden'

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The Kakashi Chronicles (Episodes 119-120)

The next installment in the franchise is the renowned Naruto: Shippuden. This captivating series chronicles the journey of a teenage Naruto as he relentlessly pursues his dream of becoming Hokage and simultaneously battles against the forces of darkness to rescue his ally Sasuke.

The Kakashi Chronicles (Episodes 119-120)

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In this concise arc, the narrative delves into Kakashi's background, tracing his journey from a young shinobi to his present-day self. The audience witnesses his training sessions with his mentor, Minato, alongside his comrades Rin and Obito. Their battles unfold amidst the tumultuous second ninja war, providing Kakashi with invaluable lessons about the essence of camaraderie and the significance of teamwork.

The Kazekage Rescue (Episodes 1-32)

These two episodes cover the initial storyline after the time skip in the Naruto manga, but they are not shown until episode 119 of the anime series. To fully immerse yourself in the manga's intended narrative, it is recommended to begin watching from this point and then backtrack to episode one.

The Kazekage Rescue (Episodes 1-32)

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Moving on to the sequel series, Naruto Shippuden, we find ourselves two years after the events of the original series. Naruto, now more mature and seasoned, returns to his hometown of Konoha in an effort to come to grips with Sasuke's betrayal. Reconnecting with his comrades and allies, Naruto is bestowed with the critical mission of rescuing his former companion, Gaara.

Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance (Episodes 33-53)

Now, Gaara, the current leader of the Sand Village, finds himself in peril as he becomes the prime target due to the powerful one-tail spirit that resides within him. To save Gaara from the clutches of the sinister shinobi organization known as The Akatsuki, Teams Kakashi and Guy join forces with the Sand village, embarking on a crucial rescue mission.

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During the Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Arc, a routine recon mission takes an unexpected turn as Naruto and his team find themselves encountering Sasuke once again. The battle at Tenchi Bridge serves as a fateful reunion, as Orochimaru and his new apprentice resurface to wreak havoc. Despite Naruto's belief that the Sasuke he once knew still exists within him, the actions of the fallen ninja suggest otherwise.

This is the pivotal point Naruto has been tirelessly preparing for since the conclusion of the initial series. Will their attempt to rescue their fallen companion end in disappointment yet again? That is the brutal reality that both Naruto and Sakura must confront.

The Akatsuki Suppression (Episodes 72-88)

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Once again, the Akatsuki poses a direct threat to Konoha, this time led by the formidable pair of Hidan (Masaki Terasoma) and Kakuzu (Takaya Hashi). Asuma and Shikamaru must step up to the task of defeating these seemingly invincible adversaries before they breach the village's defenses.

This arc also features Kakashi's training of Naruto in a new ninja technique, which will undoubtedly prove invaluable in his future battle against Sasuke, as well as potentially useful in encounters with the Akatsuki.

Itachi Pursuit (Episodes 113-118 and 121-126)

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Naruto and Sasuke once again cross paths in pursuit of a highly intricate individual. This individual happens to be none other than Itachi Uchiha (Hideo Ishikawa) - Sasuke's very own brother. In the past, Itachi ruthlessly decimated the entire Uchiha clan, including their parents, leaving Sasuke as the sole survivor. As both Naruto, the valiant hero, and Sasuke, the renegade, harbor their own motives, they embark on a relentless quest to track down this notorious fugitive.

Once again, Team 7 endeavors to halt Sasuke's relentless pursuit of revenge, yet he remains determined to accomplish his mission. The Uchiha's final survivor is resolute in his belief that Itachi must face the ultimate consequence for the anguish he inflicted upon their clan - the loss of his own life.

Jiraiya the Gallant (Episodes 127-133)

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In Naruto: Shippuden, a closer look is taken at Jiraiya the Gallant (Hōchū Ōtsuka) - an esteemed ninja master who also happens to be Naruto's Godfather. Jiraiya is determined to uncover the true identity of Pain (Ken'yū Horiuchi) - the enigmatic leader of the Akatsuki clan. Even someone as seasoned as Jiraiya could never have foreseen the true nature of this villain.

This small arc not only showcases Jiraiya's exceptional mastery, but also highlights the immense power of Pain. The intelligence gathered by Jiraiya will play a crucial role in Konoha's preparations for war.

The Battle Between Brothers (Episodes 134-143)

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After finally catching up to Itachi, Sasuke discovers a hidden depth to his brother's actions. Their epic battle quickly becomes the stuff of anime legend. Now, Sasuke is forced to reflect on his life and contemplate if there is more to it than just his pursuit of justice coming to a close.

Pain's Assault (152-169 and 172-175)

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Naruto, known as the host of a powerful nine-tailed creature, finds himself facing an invasion of Konoha led by Pain and the Akatsuki. However, Naruto's training as a sage grants him the necessary strength to support his allies in the battle. The Hidden Leaf Ninja bravely fight back, ultimately achieving a hopeful victory. Nevertheless, the victory comes at a high cost for Konoha. The Pain arc is widely acclaimed as the finest narrative in the Naruto series, showcasing the rapid pace of the war and illustrating why the series remains beloved to this day.

The Five Kage Summit (197-214)

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The leaders of the world are now well-aware that the Akatsuki pose a significant and undeniable threat. In response, the Five Kage held the historic Five Kage Summit, marking only the second time they had ever convened such a meeting. This momentous gathering resulted in the declaration of an equally historic war.

Regrettably, Sasuke and his team (Taka) have different intentions when it comes to the Kage. The Uchiha's last surviving member firmly believes that the Kage are to blame for past conflicts, the demise of his clan, and have contributed to the rise of the Akatsuki. Determined to take matters into his own hands, the young ninja charts his own course of action.

The Fourth Shinobi World War: Countdown (Episodes 215-222 and 243-256)

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The Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation and Conclusion (Episodes 261-289, 296-348, and 362-375)

The world of Naruto is now engulfed in an official declaration of war. With unanimous agreement from the Five Kage, the Akatsuki clan must be completely eradicated to ensure peace. As a result, both heroes and villains from both sides are now gearing up for the momentous and inevitably lethal clash between the Allied Shinobi Forces and the Akatsuki clan in what is known as the Fourth Shinobi World War.

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Within the Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation Arc lies the central point of the Fourth Shinobi World War trilogy. The war has commenced, pitting the forces of righteousness against the forces of darkness in a perilous clash. This specific phase of the conflict witnesses Naruto and his comrades battling against countless waves of revived shinobi and warriors.

The Fourth Shinobi World War eventually came to an end, leaving both sides heavily impacted by the toll of the conflict. The Allied Shinobi Forces emerged as the victorious party, successfully defeating the Akatsuki clan. Although signs of the nefarious organization crumbling can be observed, Naruto and his companions still face significant remaining threats.

The Birth of the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki (378-393 and 414-431)

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With the newly acquired ability to unleash the Infinite Tsukuyomi, Madara and Obito have now become formidable adversaries. Harnessing the immense power of the nine-tailed beasts they have amassed, these villains seek to create a fearsome creature that will aid them in their quest for world domination. The loss of numerous comrades has heightened the urgency for Naruto to be prepared, as this upcoming battle is bound to be the most significant one he has ever faced.

Thankfully, Naruto is not alone. He is joined by Team 7, which includes their old ally Sasuke, as they unite to protect the world from everlasting darkness. Regrettably for them, the situation deteriorates even further when a new threat emerges from the shadows, solidifying the fates of Naruto and Sasuke.

Kaguya Ōtsutsuki Strikes (Episodes 459-474)

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In the battle against Kaguya Ōtsutsuki (Mami Koyama) - a powerful celestial being with destructive intentions towards Naruto's homeland, Naruto and his loyal comrades are confronted with their ultimate adversary. As their allies fall, it falls upon Team 7 to fulfill their final mission. Naruto and Sasuke, destined for this pivotal moment, join forces with Sakura and Kakashi to seize control of their destiny and usher in a new era of harmony.

The Final Valley (475-479)

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Despite Kaguya's defeat, the war is far from over. Sasuke, driven by the corruption he has witnessed throughout his journey, is aware that unless someone takes action against it, wars will persist and innocent lives will continue to be lost. Recognizing the world's willingness to unite against a common threat, Sasuke is prepared to become that threat in order to uphold peace.

The final battle between Naruto and Sasuke transcends a mere rivalry. It is a clash of philosophies. Naruto believes in the inherent goodness of people and their ability to make choices, while Sasuke believes in manipulating others to fight for the same cause. Once again, they face each other in combat. Will Naruto emerge as the victor this time?

The Perfect Day for a Wedding (494-500)

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Set years after the Fourth Great Ninja War, this delightful epilogue centers around Naruto's friends making preparations for the wedding of Naruto and Hinata. It is recommended to watch this arc after viewing the film Naruto: The Last. This arc offers a pleasant glimpse into the slice-of-life aspect of the Naruto franchise, now that a period of peace has been achieved.

With that being said, Naruto's story comes to an end with Naruto: Shippuden. However, this does not mark the conclusion of the franchise, as the journey of the Uzumaki family is far from finished.

'Boruto: Naruto Next Generations'

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The essential Naruto storyline has been covered, and now the legacy of the legendary ninja hero continues in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. In this new saga, we follow Boruto Uzumaki, the son of Naruto Uzumaki, as he trains in the ways of the ninja to face both familiar and new challenges. Serving as an epilogue to Naruto's story, this sequel series offers a glimpse into the aftermath of his epic tale. However, it's worth noting that the Boruto anime contains a significant amount of filler content, so reading the book may be a more preferable option.