Naruto is one of the most iconic anime series of all time. With its gripping storyline, emotional character arcs, and epic battles, it has gained millions of fans worldwide. However, if you’ve watched the series, you might have noticed something frustrating—a LOT of filler episodes.
Many anime fans, especially those new to Naruto, wonder: Why does Naruto have so much filler? If you’ve found yourself skipping random episodes or feeling like certain story arcs don’t contribute much to the main plot, you’re not alone.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into why does Naruto have so many filler episodes, how they affect the series, and whether they’re worth watching. We’ll also provide a complete filler guide to help you navigate through the show without missing important moments.
What Are Filler Episodes in Anime?
Before we get into why Naruto has so much filler, let’s first understand what filler episodes actually are.
Filler episodes are non-canon episodes in an anime. This means that these episodes were not part of the original manga (the comic book series that the anime is based on). Instead, they were created by the anime studio to extend the series.
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Canon | Episodes that follow the original manga storyline. |
| Filler | Episodes that are made up by the anime studio and don’t exist in the manga. |
In Naruto, a large portion of the anime consists of these “made-up” episodes, which sometimes introduce new characters, side quests, or backstory expansions.
Why Does Naruto Have So Much Filler?
The short answer: To avoid catching up to the manga.
Now, let’s break it down in detail:
1. The Anime Caught Up to the Manga Too Fast
The Naruto anime was being released on a weekly schedule, while the manga (written by Masashi Kishimoto) was released monthly. Since it takes much longer to write and illustrate a manga chapter than to animate an episode, the anime quickly caught up to the manga storyline.
If the anime had continued adapting only the manga story, it would have run out of material. This would mean either:
- Stopping the anime completely (which would hurt TV ratings and revenue).
- Waiting for new manga chapters (which could take months).
- Or… creating filler episodes to slow down the anime.
To keep the show running without overtaking the manga, the studio added fillers to give the manga time to get ahead again.
2. Long-Running Anime vs. Seasonal Anime
Naruto falls into a category called long-running anime. These are anime series that air continuously for years without taking seasonal breaks.
Other anime, like Attack on Titan or Demon Slayer, are released in seasons (e.g., 12-24 episodes at a time). This gives the manga time to progress before the next season is animated.
However, Naruto never took long breaks, which meant the studio had to fill the gaps with non-manga stories.
3. Studio Pierrot’s Business Strategy
The studio that animated Naruto, Studio Pierrot, is known for producing long-running shonen anime like:
- Naruto/Naruto Shippuden
- Bleach
- Black Clover
They follow a business model where they prioritize continuous airing over waiting for new manga material. This is good for business, as it keeps Naruto in the spotlight, selling more merchandise, DVDs, and attracting more TV viewers.
So, from a business perspective, adding filler was a strategic move to keep the series alive.
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How Much Filler is in Naruto?
Naruto (including Naruto Shippuden) has a LOT of filler compared to other anime. Here’s a breakdown:
Naruto (2002-2007)
- Total Episodes: 220
- Filler Episodes: 90
- Filler Percentage: 41%
Naruto Shippuden (2007-2017)
- Total Episodes: 500
- Filler Episodes: 203
- Filler Percentage: 41%
Total Filler Across Both Series: 293 episodes (40.6%)
This means that nearly half of Naruto is filler!
Here’s a simple table summarizing:
| Series | Total Episodes | Filler Episodes | Filler % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naruto (2002) | 220 | 90 | 41% |
| Naruto Shippuden | 500 | 203 | 41% |
| Total | 720 | 293 | 40.6% |
Compared to other anime, Naruto has one of the highest filler percentages.
Are Naruto Fillers Worth Watching?
This depends on what kind of viewer you are.
When You SHOULD Watch Fillers
- If you love character development and side stories.
- If you’re a die-hard Naruto fan and want 100% of the experience.
- Some filler arcs are actually fun and entertaining.
When You Should SKIP Fillers
- If you just want the main story and don’t like unnecessary detours.
- If you don’t want to waste time on non-canon content.
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Best and Worst Naruto Fillers
Not all filler episodes are bad. Some are well-written and enjoyable, while others feel unnecessary.
Best Naruto Fillers to Watch
These filler arcs are worth watching because they expand the story, explore characters, or have entertaining fights:
| Arc Name | Episodes | Worth Watching? |
|---|---|---|
| Kakashi’s ANBU Arc | 349-361 | ✅ Yes (Great Backstory) |
| Six-Tails Unleashed | 144-151 | ✅ Yes (Exciting Fights) |
| Chunin Exam Arc (Filler) | 394-413 | ✅ Yes (Extra Character Development) |
| Power Arc | 290-295 | ✅ Yes (Amazing Animation) |
Worst Naruto Fillers to Skip
These arcs are often boring, repetitive, or unnecessary:
| Arc Name | Episodes | Worth Watching? |
|---|---|---|
| Paradise Life on a Boat | 223-242 | ❌ No (Too Slow) |
| Three-Tails Appearance | 91-112 | ❌ No (Unimportant) |
| Naruto’s Wedding Filler | 494-500 | ❌ No (Dragged Out) |
How to Watch Naruto Without Fillers
If you want to skip fillers and only watch the main story, follow a Naruto Filler Guide. Websites like AnimeFillerList.com provide episode-by-episode lists of what’s canon and what’s filler.
Here’s a general approach:
- Check online filler guides.
- Skip the filler episodes (unless they seem interesting).
- Only watch canon episodes to stick to the manga’s story.
Why Naruto Has So Much Filler
To summarize:
✔ Naruto has a high filler percentage (40%) because the anime caught up to the manga.
✔ The studio used fillers to keep the series running without taking breaks.
✔ Some filler arcs are worth watching, while others are skippable.
✔ If you want a pure manga experience, use a filler guide to skip unnecessary episodes.
Naruto is an amazing anime, and whether you watch the fillers or not, it remains one of the greatest shonen series ever made!
