'Naruto Shippuden' Filler List: Every Episode You Can Skip

We won't say "Naruto Shippuden" is mostly filler, but there sure are a lot of episodes you can skip without missing anything. Nicole Antonio / DALL-E

With 500 episodes, "Naruto Shippuden" packs in a lot of story — and a hefty amount of filler. This "Naruto Shippuden" filler list highlights the arcs and episodes that stray from the manga, helping fans focus on the main plot or enjoy some bonus content.

Like "Naruto" (which ended with over 90 filler episodes, around 40 percent of its episodes, "Shippuden" features entire arcs and extended stretches of filler content.

Some are worth watching; others are better skipped if you're focused on canon episodes.

Contents

Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc (Episodes 54–71)
Three-Tails Appearance Arc (Episodes 89–112)
Six-Tails Unleashed Arc (Episodes 144–151)
Past Arc: The Locus of Konoha (Episodes 176–196)
Side Missions During the War (Episodes 284–289)
Paradise Life on a Boat Arc (Episodes 223–242)
Power Arc (Episodes 290–295)
Pre-War Chunin Exam Flashbacks (Episode 394)
In Naruto’s Footsteps: The Friends’ Paths (Episodes 394–413)
Filler Scenes Amid Major Battles (Episode 416)
Jiraiya Shinobi Handbook: The Tale of Naruto the Hero (Episodes 432–449)
Itachi Shinden Book: Light and Darkness (Episodes 451–458)
Childhood Flashback Arc (Episodes 480–483)
Arcs with Mixed Canon and Filler Content
Should You Watch the Filler?

1. Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc (Episodes 54–71)

Naruto trains with Asuma's former comrades. A slower-paced arc that doesn’t advance the main story but explores different sides of the Shinobi world.

2. Three-Tails Appearance Arc (Episodes 89–112)

The story of the Three-Tails and a boy named Yukimaru. While it features tailed beasts, it’s anime-original and doesn’t tie into the manga.

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

Naruto meets Utakata, the jinchuriki of the Six-Tails. The arc adds some depth to tailed beast lore but isn’t critical to the main plot.

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

An arc of filler-heavy flashbacks features various Hidden Leaf Village characters during Naruto’s early days. Entirely skippable.

5. Side Missions During the War (Episodes 284–289)

These episodes follow minor characters through side missions, slowing down the pace of the Fourth Shinobi World War.

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

Also known as the "boat arc," this long filler sequence leads up to the Fourth Shinobi World War. Many fans skip it entirely.

7. Power Arc (Episodes 290–295)

A visually impressive mini-arc with its own animation style. While non-canon, it's one of the most popular filler arcs.

8. Pre-War Chunin Exam Flashbacks (Episode 394)

Part of a flashback arc, this episode revisits the Chunin Exams before the Fourth Shinobi World War. It adds detail but not canon.

9. In Naruto’s Footsteps: The Friends’ Paths (Episodes 394–413)

Set during the Chunin Exams, this arc happens before Naruto's return to the village. It adds background but doesn’t change the story.

10. Filler Scenes Amid Major Battles (Episode 416)

While occurring during a canon battle, this episode adds filler content that can be skipped without losing essential story beats.

11. Jiraiya Shinobi Handbook: The Tale of Naruto the Hero (Episodes 432–449)

Tsunade's Infinite Tsukuyomi dream sequence, with characters reenacting Naruto’s life in an alternate storyline. Fun but completely filler.

12. Itachi Shinden Book: Light and Darkness (Episodes 451–458)

Technically considered filler, many fans treat this as essential viewing. It dives deep into Itachi's past and motivations.

13. Childhood Flashback Arc (Episodes 480–483)

Short episodes showing key characters as kids serve as a heartwarming but non-essential send-off for the anime.

Arcs with Mixed Canon and Filler Content

Some arcs include both manga and filler scenes. These require caution if you're trying to stick to canon:

Fourth Shinobi World War (Episodes 261–500): Core manga content, but heavily padded with flashbacks and side stories
Post-Pain Arc (Episodes 176–196): Heavy on flashbacks

Should You Watch the Filler?

If you're watching for character development and side stories, arcs like the Power arc or Itachi's story are worth watching. Others, like the boat arc or Locus of Konoha, are better for completionists.

For fans short on time, this "Naruto Shippuden" filler list helps streamline the viewing experience while skipping the high filler percentage that often disrupts the pacing.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.