Like many of the anime based on long-running shonen manga series, Naruto has a lot of filler arcs. This is because the anime usually begins before the manga is complete, meaning the series often has to fill time until there’s more of the major plot written to move the story forward.
While some filler arcs can be fun additions to the mythos of the world, most fans are in agreement that they’re mostly a huge waste of time, especially in a series like Naruto. There are more than 200 episodes to wade through if one watches all the filler arcs as well. Luckily, it is easy to skip the unimportant filler sections and stay on track with the main plot.
Updated on June 15, 2023, by Kennedy King: Over the past decade, shonen anime has clearly shifted away from weekly-syndicated programs, instead releasing content on a much more seasonal basis. As a result, there is less filler than ever in the genre, which makes series like Naruto stand out even more for their excessive amount of non-canon material. In order to combat this trend, it's important to be aware of which filler arcs deserve the viewers' time.
17 The Land Of Tea Escort Mission
Episodes 102–106
While there are single filler episodes sprinkled here and there in the first 100 episodes of Naruto, the Land of Tea Escort Mission is the first full filler arc. It is the only mission that Team 7 goes on between the end of the Chunin Exams and Sasuke’s eventual defection to the Village Hidden in the Sound.
The Land of Tea Escort Mission isn’t a necessary arc to the story, mostly existing to fill space and to flesh out Sasuke’s burgeoning sense of inadequacy next to Naruto. That said, those looking for canon episodes can feel free to skip this first arc guilt-free. However, for fans who'd like to see Team 7 go on one last mission together, the Land of Tea Escort Mission is well worth the watch.
Verdict: Watch
16 The Land Of Rice Fields Investigation Mission
Episodes 136–141
The Land of Rice Fields Investigation Mission takes place immediately after the Konoha Five returns, having failed to bring Sasuke with them. It marks the end of the Sasuke Retrieval arc, shifting focus from the main plot to filler from there on out.
While Episode 141 does wrap up the Land of Rice Fields Investigation Mission, it also features Sakura making a major decision about her future as a ninja and Naruto being offered the chance to train with Jiraiya. These events are actually a part of the manga canon, so the arc is somewhat tied to the main plot and therefore can be worth checking out.
Verdict: Watch
15 The Mizuki Tracking Mission
Episodes 142–147
The Mizuki Tracking Mission mostly explains why Jiraiya, who immediately before this offered to take Naruto with him to train for three years, actually goes away for a while on a reconnaissance mission. His absence then gives Naruto a chance to participate in any number of filler missions in the meantime.
In the Mizuki Tracking Mission, Naruto and Iruka have to combat Mizuki, who hasn’t been seen since Episode 1, and the Legendary Stupid Brothers, who have escaped from prison. While the arc brings back the Naruto series' very first foe, Mizuki's return is far from enjoyable. Aside from the bonding time between Naruto and Iruka, there's little in this arc to really watch for.
Verdict: Skip
14 The Bikochu Search Mission
Episodes 148–151
At the start of the Bikochu Search Mission, Team 8 comes up with an idea about how to track down Sasuke. Using Shino's knowledge of various bugs that are sometimes used by ninjas, they set out to try to find the bikochu beetle, a bug that can track anyone as long as the first scent it smells upon being born is that of the person they're looking for.
While the Bikochu Search Mission is a humorous arc that ends with a fantastic gag, it also features many great moments for Team 8, including a new jutsu from Hinata that is never seen again in the series. It isn't a necessary arc to watch, but it's definitely enjoyable seeing Hinata and the rest of her team get some screen time.
13 The Kurosuki Family Removal Mission
Episodes 152-157
In the Kurosuki Family Removal Mission, Naruto joins Team Guy on a mission to help get rid of a gang that has been terrorizing a nearby village. It's played as a part of Naruto's attempts to find Sasuke, as the leader of the gang was once a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, a group that Kisame of the Akatsuki was also once a part of.
However, as in all filler arcs, the Kurosuki Family Removal Mission ends up being a dead end. Despite this, it's filled with great curry-related humor and gags, and many fans consider it to be the best of all Naruto's filler arcs overall. Therefore, it may be worth checking out simply for a laugh.
Verdict: Watch
12 The Gosunkugi Capture Mission
Episodes 159–160
The Gosunkugi Capture Mission is one of the shortest filler arcs in the series, as it is only two episodes long. It features Naruto, Kiba, and Hinata as they try to capture a thief named Gosunkugi, who has stopped in Konoha.
The trio of Hidden Leaf shinobi meets a bounty hunter named Sazanami who is working under an assumed name in an attempt to catch Gosunkugi himself. By doing so, he hopes to clear himself of a crime that Gosunkugi committed. Overall, the Gosunkugi Capture Mission is short and sweet, so it's easy to get through. However, that also makes it very easy for fans to skip.
Verdict: Skip
11 The Cursed Warrior Extermination Mission
Episodes 162–167
During the Cursed Warrior Extermination Mission, Naruto once again teams up with Neji and Tenten (this time without Guy and Lee) in order to investigate rumors of a warrior ghost in the nearby Land of Birds. The story ends up being a vast conspiracy, with several twists and reveals regarding the ghost's identity.
The Cursed Warrior Extermination Mission gives the spotlight over to the two often-overlooked members of Team Guy, allowing them some much-needed character growth. However, it's far from necessary to the plot, so fans can easily skip over it if they want.
Verdict: Skip
10 The Kaima Capture Mission
Episodes 169–173
As a result of the deaths caused by the Konoha Crush, the Hidden Leaf Village is lacking shinobi during the second half of the original Naruto series. This provides the perfect excuse to send a lot of genin and lower-level ninja on missions that might otherwise have been reserved for more experienced shinobi.
The Kaima Capture Mission is a perfect example of that, with Naruto, Ino, and Shino teaming up with Anko as their mission leader. It's an interesting arc that features an unlikely group of characters, making for a nice change of pace. For that reason alone, it might be worth checking out for some fans.
Verdict: Watch
9 The Buried Gold Excavation Mission
Episodes 175–176
The Buried Gold Excavation Mission brings Naruto, Hinata, and Kiba back together since they apparently have the lowest success rates in their missions, despite the fact that many of their missions seem to be successful overall. The three of them are assigned a mission they must complete together in order to prove their worth as shinobi or risk being sent back to the Ninja Academy.
Since the Buried Gold Excavation Mission is a filler arc, Naruto and his companions obviously do not return to the Ninja Academy. The collection of episodes solely exists for filler's sake, and much of the premise of the arc makes no sense, so it's safe to say they can be skipped without hesitation.
Verdict: Skip
8 The Star Guard Mission
Episodes 178–183
In the Star Guard Mission filler arc, the Naruto franchise attempts to tie in the non-canon story with the series' main plotline. A meteorite that emits a great deal of chakra is the target of several attempted thefts, and Team Guy is on a mission to Hoshigakure in order to help protect it.
Naruto thinks that Orochimaru might be involved in the attempts to steal it and therefore insists on going with them. Of course, like all filler, this lead takes them nowhere, and Naruto and the gang find themselves back at square one. Though the Star Guard Mission loosely ties in with the show's canon material, there's no harm in skipping over it.
Verdict: Skip
7 The Peddlers Escort Mission
Episodes 187–191
The Peddlers Escort Mission is a rare opportunity to see a lot of different combinations of teams. It features the Konoha 11, as well as several other ninjas who might not otherwise get much screen time. It also includes many unlikely characters interacting, some of which are a first for the Naruto franchise.
In the Peddlers Escort Mission, Naruto teams up with Hinata and Choji to travel to the Land of Vegetables to act as an escort for a group of merchants. With such an unlikely group joined together, the arc is full of many interesting dynamics that are refreshing to see. It gives a lot of character development to the supporting cast, which may make it worth checking out.
Verdict: Skip
6 The Third Great Beast Arc
Episodes 195–196
In the Third Great Beast Arc, Rock Lee is pitted against another student in order to see if Lee is doing better as a fighter or if he needs more time to recuperate. This leads to him almost getting reinjured at the hands of Yagura, a prodigy who is actually an imposter looking for revenge against Guy for the death of his father.
The Third Great Beast Arc gives more insight into Guy's past, providing him more depth as a character all while showing the true strength of his bond with Lee. For that alone, it's well worth a watch, especially for fans of Rock Lee or Guy.
Verdict: Watch
5 The Konoha Plans Recapture Mission
Episodes 197–201
During the Konoha Plans Recapture Mission, the Hidden Leaf Village is still in the process of being rebuilt after the devastation of the Konoha Crush. As a result, a number of construction workers are brought to the village in order to help with the project, including an old man named Genno who is a former shinobi with a brilliant reputation.
However, it turns out that Genno could also be a terrorist who has come to the Hidden Leaf Village with the goal of destroying it. These episodes explore Konoha's attempts to rebuild and the danger that comes with it, and since it features many underappreciated characters, this arc may be worth watching for some.
Verdict: Skip
4 The Yakumo Kurama Rescue Mission
Episodes 203–207
Like several of Naruto's filler arcs, the Yakumo Kurama Rescue Mission arc allows fans to spend more time with supporting characters who otherwise don’t get much time on-screen. In this arc's case, Kurenai takes center stage.
A former student of Kurenai, wielding a dangerously powerful kekkei genkai, has returned and is using her family's power to cause harm to Konoha. She thinks that it is responsible for the deaths of her parents. It's up to Kurenai, Guy, and Naruto to put a stop to her revenge before it's too late.
Verdict: Watch
3 The Gantetsu Escort Mission
Episodes 209–212
The Gantetsu Escort Mission arc is a great example of one of the major themes of Naruto, which is that nobody is beyond redemption. Naruto, Lee, and Sakura go on a mission to act as escorts for a wanted criminal named Gantetsu, along with Todoroki and a group of other guards.
For plot reasons, Naruto ends up separated from his teammates and traveling with Todoroki, who feels a lot of rage against Gantetsu. However, in true Naruto fashion, he manages to help Todoroki let go of this anger as they begin to discover Gantetsu's true nature. The Gantetsu Escort Mission is an early example of one of Naruto's most important lessons, and it isn't a bad storyline.
Verdict: Watch
2 The Menma Memory Search Mission
Episodes 213–215
The Menma Memory Search Mission is the second to last arc in the original Naruto anime before the time jump puts the story in Shippuden territory. In this arc, Naruto, Neji, and Tenten try to help a young man named Menma who has seemingly lost his memory and doesn't know anything about who he is or where he’s from.
The story is surprisingly emotional, especially near the end, making it one of the more serious filler arcs of the series. Most Naruto filler episodes are humorous and lighthearted, so it's a nice change of pace as the end of the first series nears.
Verdict: Skip
1 The Sunagakure Support Mission
Episodes 216–220
The Sunagakure Support Mission is the last arc before the time jump, where almost every member of the Konoha 11—except for Team Guy's Tenten—goes to Sunagakure to aid Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro in a battle against a dangerous shinobi named Seimei. The team heads out under Shikamaru's command, ready to help in any way possible.
Considering Konoha's close ties with Sunagakure in Shippuden, this arc actually makes a lot of sense and helps solidify an early relationship between the two villages. It's an opportunity to see almost all the main characters together one more time before the time jump, and Episode 220 is actually the final episode of the original series, making it at least partially worth watching.
Verdict: Watch