How to watch Naruto in order: Complete watching guide

Naruto anime poster (Image via Studio Pierrot)
Naruto anime poster (Image via Studio Pierrot)

How to watch Naruto in order is a question that may arise in the minds of both newcomers and those who have already seen bits, if not the entire series.

It is a long-running franchise with numerous films and OVAs. It is one of the most popular and highly rated shonen series along with One Piece and Bleach. The series follows Naruto Uzumaki, a newbie ninja from Hidden Leaf Village who aspires to be a Hokage.

This list serves as a guide for watching movies based on the main plot. Movies and OVAs have also been included, though they are not always required viewing. They can be viewed at any point in time during the respective arcs as they are non-canonical.


How to watch Naruto in order with filler episodes?

Naruto Uzumaki as seen in the anime Naruto (Image via Studio Pierrot)
Naruto Uzumaki as seen in the anime Naruto (Image via Studio Pierrot)

1) Naruto (2002-2007)

Following the success of the manga, which debuted in 1999, the first entry in the Naruto franchise was released in 2002. The anime first aired from October 3, 2002, to February 8, 2007, and had a total of 220 episodes.

With three movies and over 200 episodes, it's easy to get lost. You may find yourself switching between episodes and movies, but here is how to watch the first series.

  • Episodes 1-5
  • OVA 1
  • Episodes 6-80
  • OVA 2
  • OVA 6
  • Episodes 81-101
  • OVA 3
  • OVA 4
  • OVA 7
  • Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (movie)
  • Episodes 102-160
  • Legend of the Stone of Gelel (movie)
  • Episodes 161-196
  • Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom (movie)
  • Episodes 197-220

2) Naruto: Shippuden (2007-2017)

Naruto: Shippuden is the sequel to the series and is primarily based on Part II of Masashi Kishimoto's original manga series.

It is set two and a half years after the protagonist left Konohagakure to train with Jiraiya. At the moment, Akatsuki, a mysterious group, is carrying out some plans that could doom everyone.

Naruto: Shippuden has 500 episodes in total, as well as many films. The show lasted nearly ten years. As a result, watching Shippuden is much more difficult. However, you can follow this list in order to watch the movies and the episodes.

  • Episodes 1-32
  • OVA 5
  • Naruto Shippuden (movie)
  • Episodes 33-71
  • Bonds (movie)
  • Episodes 72-120
  • Inheritors of Will of Fire (movie)
  • Episodes 121-154
  • The Lost Tower (movie)
  • Episodes 155-196
  • Blood Prison (movie)
  • Episodes 197-220
  • OVA 9
  • Episodes 221-251
  • Road to Ninja (movie)
  • OVA 10
  • Episodes 252-311
  • OVA 8
  • OVA 11
  • OVA 12
  • Episodes 312-493
  • The Last (movie)
  • Episodes 494-500
  • OVA 13

3) Boruto: Naruto Next Generation (2017-present)

Boruto: Naruto Next Generation, which aired in 2017 and is still ongoing, is the sequel to Naruto: Shippuden. It follows the story of the now Naruto’s son, Boruto. Naruto at this point in time has become a Hokage, and following the successful end of the Fourth Shinobi World War, Konohagakure has been at peace.

The story is about Boruto's journey towards becoming a great shinobi in his own right, and outside of his father's legacy.

Despite being based on the manga, the anime explores original storylines and adaptations of the spin-off manga. If you are wondering how to watch this latest installment, it is fairly simple as we have shown.

  • Boruto: The Naruto Movie
  • Episode 1-293
  • Boruto OVA 1

How to watch Naruto in order without filler episodes?

Naruto and Sasuke as seen in the anime Naruto: Shippuden (Image via Studio Pierrot)
Naruto and Sasuke as seen in the anime Naruto: Shippuden (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Naruto does feature a staggering number of filler episodes, which some viewers may find uninteresting. If you want to watch the series in order but without all the fillers, here is a list of episodes to avoid.

It's worth noting that, despite having no bearing on the plot, some of the filler episodes are enjoyable to watch.

The movies too are mostly filler stories, except The Last.

1) Naruto

  • Episode 26
  • Episode 97
  • Episodes 102-106
  • Episodes 136-219

2) Shippuden

  • Episodes 57-71
  • Episodes 89-112
  • Episodes 119-120
  • Episodes 144-151
  • Episodes 170-171
  • Episodes 176-196
  • Episodes 223-242
  • Episodes 257-260
  • Episode 272
  • Episodes 280-281
  • Episodes 284–289
  • Episodes 300–317
  • Episodes 319–320
  • Episodes 347–361
  • Episodes 376–377
  • Episodes 388–390
  • Episodes 394–413
  • Episode 416
  • Episodes 422–423
  • Episodes 427–457
  • Episode 469
  • Episodes 480–500

3) Boruto

  • Episodes 16-17
  • Episode 33
  • Episodes 42-50
  • Episodes 67-70
  • Episodes 96-97
  • Episode 104
  • Episodes 113-119
  • Episodes 138-140
  • Episodes 152-156
  • Episodes 256-258
  • Episode 260

This guide should be useful for anyone who is just getting into the series. The series is available for viewing on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Be sure to follow us for all anime and manga news.

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Edited by Madhur Dave
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