Discover the complete Naruto Shippuden Filler List and learn which episodes are worth watching, which to skip, and how to enjoy the anime without missing key story moments.

If you are watching Naruto Shippuden for the first time, you may notice that the story sometimes pauses the main plot for side adventures. These episodes are known as filler. That is why many fans search for a reliable Naruto Shippuden Filler List before starting the series.

The anime has more than 500 episodes, and a large portion includes filler arcs. However, not all filler episodes are bad. In fact, some provide fun character moments and extra world-building. Therefore, knowing which ones are worth watching can improve your viewing experience.

In this guide, you will find a complete Naruto Shippuden Filler List, including episodes you can skip and those that are surprisingly enjoyable.

Table of Contents

What Is a Filler Episode in Anime?

In anime, filler episodes are stories that do not appear in the original manga. The creators usually add them to give the manga time to progress ahead of the anime adaptation.

For example, the manga of Naruto Uzumaki was written by Masashi Kishimoto. When the anime caught up to the manga storyline, the studio inserted additional episodes to avoid surpassing the source material.

However, fillers are not always useless.

They can include:

Character backstories
Side missions
Comedic moments
World-building stories

Therefore, some fans enjoy them, while others prefer to skip them to focus on the main story.

Naruto Shippuden Episode Breakdown

Before diving into the Naruto Shippuden Filler List, it helps to understand how the 500 episodes are divided.

Total Episodes: 500

Breakdown:

Canon episodes: ~295
Filler episodes: ~205

This means about 41% of the series contains filler content.

However, several filler arcs are entertaining and even emotional. Moreover, they often explore characters who receive less attention in the main storyline.

Complete Naruto Shippuden Filler List

Below is the most commonly accepted Naruto Shippuden Filler List organized by episode numbers.

Pure Filler Episodes

These episodes are not necessary for the main story.

57–71
90–112
144–151
176–196
223–242
257–260
271
279–281
284–289
303–320
347–361
376–377
388–390
394–413
416–417
422–423
427–450
464–468
480–483

If you want to follow only the manga storyline, these are the episodes you can safely skip.

Best Naruto Shippuden Filler Arcs Worth Watching

Although fillers are optional, some arcs are actually enjoyable. Therefore, many fans recommend watching them.

Here are the best filler arcs from the Naruto Shippuden Filler List.

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

This arc focuses on the mysterious Three-Tails beast.

Why it’s worth watching:

Interesting world-building
Strong battles
Expands the tailed beast lore

Moreover, the arc connects loosely with the main plot involving the Akatsuki.

2. Power Arc (Episodes 290–295)

The Power Arc was created to celebrate the anime reaching 500 episodes.

Reasons fans like it:

Higher animation quality
Darker story tone
Unique villain storyline

Therefore, it feels more cinematic than many other fillers.

3. Kakashi: Shadow of the ANBU (Episodes 349–361)

This arc explores the past of Kakashi Hatake.

Highlights include:

Kakashi’s life in the ANBU
Emotional character development
Connections to the ninja political system

Many fans consider it the best filler arc in Naruto Shippuden.

4. Itachi Shinden Arc (Episodes 451–458)

This arc tells the tragic story of Itachi Uchiha.

Why fans love it:

Deep character exploration
Emotional storytelling
Important lore about the Uchiha clan

Although technically filler, it adds meaningful depth to the series.

Filler Episodes You Can Skip

If your goal is to finish the series faster, you can skip most of the Naruto Shippuden Filler List.

The most commonly skipped arcs include:

The Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc
The Paradise Life on a Boat Arc
The Ninja Ostrich mini-story
Several dream-world episodes during the war arc

However, skipping everything might remove some fun character interactions. Therefore, many viewers choose a mixed approach.

Watching Naruto Shippuden Without Filler

If you want a faster experience, you can watch only canon episodes.

Follow these tips:

1. Use a Canon Episode Guide

Many anime sites categorize episodes into:

Canon
Mixed canon/filler
Pure filler

Therefore, you can skip unnecessary content easily.

2. Watch Recommended Filler Only

Instead of skipping everything, watch the best filler arcs mentioned earlier.

This gives you:

Extra character development
More action scenes
Additional lore

3. Try the Naruto Kai Version

Some fans created edited versions called Naruto Kai, which remove filler content completely.

However, availability may vary depending on your region.

Why Naruto Shippuden Has So Many Fillers

There are several reasons the Naruto Shippuden Filler List is so large.

1. Weekly Anime Schedule

The anime aired weekly for years. Therefore, the studio needed extra episodes to avoid catching up to the manga.

2. Expanding the Naruto Universe

Fillers allow creators to explore:

Secondary characters
Ninja villages
Historical events

In addition, they provide creative freedom outside the manga storyline.

3. Production Timing

Anime production takes months. Consequently, filler episodes help maintain a consistent broadcast schedule.

FAQs

1. How many filler episodes are in Naruto Shippuden?

There are about 205 filler episodes out of the total 500 episodes. Therefore, roughly 41% of the anime is filler content.

2. Can I skip the Naruto Shippuden filler list completely?

Yes, you can skip most filler episodes without missing the main story. However, some arcs—like the Kakashi ANBU arc—are worth watching.

3. What is the best filler arc in Naruto Shippuden?

Many fans consider Kakashi: Shadow of the ANBU and Itachi Shinden the best arcs from the Naruto Shippuden Filler List.

4. Is Naruto Shippuden worth watching with fillers?

Yes. While some fillers feel unnecessary, others add emotional depth, humor, and world-building to the series.

5. What episode should I start Naruto Shippuden?

The anime begins directly after the original Naruto series. Therefore, you should watch the original show first to understand the characters and story.

Conclusion

The Naruto Shippuden Filler List can look overwhelming at first. With more than 200 filler episodes, it may seem difficult to know what to watch and what to skip. However, understanding the structure of the anime makes the experience much easier.

If you want the fastest route, you can skip most filler episodes. On the other hand, watching selected arcs—such as the Kakashi ANBU story or the Itachi Shinden arc—adds valuable depth to the characters and the ninja world.

Ultimately, the best approach is to balance both canon and recommended filler episodes. That way, you enjoy the full adventure of Naruto Uzumaki while avoiding unnecessary detours.

Ready to start your ninja journey? Use this guide to navigate the Naruto Shippuden Filler List and experience one of the most legendary anime stories ever created.