Here’s a detailed list of all the story arcs in the Naruto series and a list of filler episodes you can avoid.
The Naruto series is one of the biggest shonen titles in this medium, and it has garnered a massive fanbase over the years. This series, created by Masashi Kishimoto, had a massive impact on the genre. The character tropes seen in the modern era of anime stem from some of the tropes that were created in this series.
While it might not be the best anime from a technical standpoint, it certainly acted as a gateway to the wonderful medium of anime. Given the sheer length of the series, there are plenty of story arcs, each varying in importance to the overall plot. This is a guide to all the story arcs in the series. The article also contains a separate filler episode list that fans can refer to.
A Detailed List of All the Arcs in the Naruto Anime Series
Arc | Episodes | Chapters |
Prologue – Land of Waves Arc | Episodes 1–19 | 1-33 |
Chunin Exams Arc | Episodes 20–67 | 34-115 |
Konoha Crush Arc | Episodes 68–80 | 116-138 |
Search For Tsunade Arc | Episodes 81–100 | 139-171 |
Land Of Tea Escort Mission Arc | Episodes 102–106 | — |
Sasuke Recovery Mission Arc | Episodes 107–135 | 172-238 |
Land Of Rice Fields Investigation Mission Arc | Episodes 136–141 | — |
Mizuki Tracking Mission Arc | Episodes 142–147 | — |
Bikochu Search Mission Arc | Episodes 148–151 | — |
Kurosuki Family Removal Mission Arc | Episodes 152–157 | — |
Gosunkugi Capture Mission Arc | Episodes 159–160 | — |
Cursed Warrior Extermination Mission Arc | Episodes 162–167 | — |
Kaima Capture Mission Arc | Episodes 169–173 | — |
Buried Gold Excavation Mission Arc | Episodes 175–176 | — |
Star Guard Mission Arc | Episodes 178–183 | — |
Peddlers Escort Mission Arc | Episodes 187–191 | — |
Third Great Beast Arc Arc | Episodes 195–196 | — |
Konoha Plans Recapture Mission Arc | Episodes 197–201 | — |
Yakumo Kurama Rescue Mission Arc | Episodes 203–207 | — |
Gantetsu Escort Mission Arc | Episodes 209–212 | — |
Menma Memory Search Mission Arc | Episodes 213–215 | — |
Sunagakure Support Mission Arc | Episodes 216–220 | — |
A Detailed List of All the Arcs in Naruto Shippuden
Arcs | Episodes | Chapters |
Kazekage Rescue Mission Arc | Episodes 1–32 | 245-281 |
Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission Arc | Episodes 33–53 | 282-310 |
Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc | Episodes 54–71 | — |
Akatsuki Suppression Mission Arc | Episodes 72–88 | 311-342 |
Three-Tails’ Appearance Arc | Episodes 89–112 | — |
Itachi Pursuit Mission Arc | Episodes 113–118 | 343-367 |
Kakashi Gaiden | Episodes 119–120 | — |
Tale Of Jiraiya The Gallant Arc | Episodes 127–133 | 368-383 |
Fated Battle Between Brothers Arc | Episodes 134–143 | 384-412 |
Six-Tails Unleashed Arc | Episodes 144–151 | — |
Pain’s Assault Arc | Episodes 152–169 & 172–175 | 413-453 |
Past Arc: The Locus Of Konoha | Episodes 176–196 | — |
Five Kage Summit Arc | Episodes 197–214 | 454-483 |
Fourth Shinobi World War: Countdown Arc | Episodes 215–222 | 484-515 |
Paradise Life On A Boat Arc | Episodes 223–242 | — |
Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation Arc | Episodes 261–270, 272–289, 296–310, & 312–321 | 516-559 |
Power Arc | Episodes 290–295 | — |
Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax Arc | Episodes 322–348 & 362–375 | 560-639 |
Kakashi’s Anbu Arc: The Shinobi That Lives In The Darkness | Episodes 349–361 | — |
Birth Of The Ten-Tails’ Jinchuriki Arc | Episodes 378–388, 391–393, 414–421, & 424–431 | 640-677 |
Jiraiya Shinobi Handbook: The Tale Of Naruto The Hero | Episodes 432–450 | — |
Kaguya Otsutsuki Strikes Arc | Episodes 451–455, 458–468, & 470–479 | 678-699 |
Itachi Shinden Book: Light And Darkness | Episodes 453–458 | — |
Childhood Arc | Episodes 480–483 | — |
Sasuke Shinden: Book Of Sunrise | Episodes 484–488 | — |
Shikamaru Hiden: A Cloud Drifting In Silent Darkness | Episodes 489–493 | — |
Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day For A Wedding | Episodes 494–500 | — |
A Detailed List of Filler Episodes in Naruto
- Episode 26
- Episode 97
- Episodes 101-106
- Episodes 136-140
- Episodes 143-219
These are all the filler episodes in the first installation of the series. Fans can skip them as these episodes have little to no impact on the story. Furthermore, the filler episodes also have a negative impact on the pacing of the series. Therefore, we strongly urge the fanbase to avoid them.
A Detailed List of Filler Episodes in Naruto Shippuden
- Episodes 57-71
- Episodes 91-112
- Episodes 144-151
- Episodes 170-171
- Episodes 176-196
- Episodes 223-242
- Episodes 257-260
- Episode 271
- Episodes 279-281
- Episodes 284-295
- Episodes 303-320
- Episodes 347-361
- Episodes 376-377
- Episodes 388-390
- Episodes 394-413
- Episodes 416-417
- Episodes 422-423
- Episodes 427-450
- Episodes 464-468
- Episodes 480-483
These are all the filler episodes that fans can avoid should they wish to watch anime-canon episodes only. The fillers in Shippuden aren’t particularly enjoyable, and many fans have complained about its effect on the overall pacing.
What is the Best Arc in the Naruto Series
Each viewer will have their own favorite arcs based on their preferences. However, the Pain Assault arc is something that most fans absolutely love. Many loved this arc mainly because of the primary antagonist and the fight sequences. Pain is a villain who is beloved by many. His ideals, past, and circumstances that led him on his path are some of the reasons why he is loved. That, paired with the well-animated Taijutsu-focused fights, made for an entertaining viewing experience.
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