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Follow Naruto Uzumaki's journey from an outcast ninja to becoming the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village. This epic saga spans two main series and multiple movies.
Watch Naruto (NARUTO -γγ«γ-) in release order, starting with Naruto (2002, 220 episodes) and finishing with Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (2017). This guide covers 8 entries β 2 essential to the main story and 6 optional side stories, spin-offs or recaps β released across 2002 to 2017. By format that is 5 films and 3 TV series, 720 episodes in all, roughly 500 hours (canon only) of viewing, animated by Pierrot. The essential run is Naruto and Naruto Shippuden. It is a moderate watch order: a handful of entries can be taken out of sequence or skipped. 294 of those episodes (41%) are filler and can be skipped β the exact ranges are in the filler guide below. The numbered list underneath is the short version; the timeline after it gives every entry its year, episode count, essential-or-optional status and the notes that explain why. If you are working outwards from here, our One Piece, Bleach and Dragon Ball watch orders cover the neighbouring franchises.
Follow this order for the best viewing experience. Entries marked as "Essential" are required for the main story.
The original series following young Naruto's journey to become a ninja and gain recognition.
26, 97, 101-106, 136-220
Team 7 protects an actress during a mission to the Land of Snow.
Naruto encounters a mysterious warrior with powerful armor.
Naruto returns after training with Jiraiya to face the Akatsuki and bring back Sasuke.
57-71, 91-112, 144-151, 170-171, 176-196, 223-242, 257-260, 271, 279-281, 284-295, 303-320, 347-361, 376-377, 388-390, 394-413, 416-417, 422-423, 427-450, 464-468, 480-483
Canon movie bridging Shippuden and Boruto. Naruto and Hinata's love story.
Naruto's son Boruto must prove himself during the Chunin Exams.
Follow the next generation of ninjas led by Naruto's son Boruto.
Episodes 136-220 (Naruto), Most movies except The Last
Naruto 1-135, Shippuden canon episodes, The Last movie
Not recommended. Naruto (2002) introduces essential characters, jutsu, and story elements that Shippuden builds upon. At minimum, watch episodes 1-135 of the original series.
Naruto has about 90 filler episodes (41%), and Shippuden has about 204 filler episodes (41%). Combined, that's nearly 300 episodes you can skip if you want to focus on the main story.
Only "The Last: Naruto the Movie" (2014) and "Boruto: Naruto the Movie" (2015) are canon. The other movies are standalone stories that don't affect the main plot.
Boruto is optional but continues the story with the next generation. It has mixed reception but the manga-canon arcs (especially later ones) are highly rated.
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