Naruto Watch Order

The Ultimate Guide on How To Watch Naruto In Order

The Naruto series is one of the most famous and beloved anime out there. It is also one of the longest, with a dizzying 720 episodes to its name, alongside several movies – and that’s without even including the sequel series, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, which in itself has another 293 episodes on offer! For any potential new fans of the Naruto anime, this colossal mountain of content can be overwhelming – luckily, that’s where this article comes in!

Below, you’ll find our ultimate Naruto watch guide – we’ve provided a complete breakdown of the Naruto anime, listing all of the arcs the show has to offer with a brief synopsis of each, and, of course, pointing out whether each arc is filler or not, so that you can begin your lengthy journey knowing exactly how to watch Naruto without fillers (or at least without the REALLY bad fillers).

This watch guide will also let you know exactly when in the show you can watch the numerous Naruto movies, some of which are necessary viewing to get the full story of the series. Then, if you’ve watched through all that Naruto has to offer, we’ve got another guide on the Naruto Shippuden available, and one on the sequel series, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations in the works, so you can keep your journey going! With that being said, let’s get into the guide! (P.S. the later arcs listed in this guide may spoil some earlier events in the Naruto anime, so be warned! Don’t scroll past the arc you’re currently watching! Nobody likes spoilers, especially not for an anime as exciting as this one!)

Where to Watch Naruto

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Luckily for anime fans, Crunchyroll is currently streaming all 720 Naruto episodes, including all of Naruto Shippuden. Crunchyroll also provides access to all 293 episodes of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, so as far as your Naruto (TV series) journey goes, Crunchyroll has you covered! The series is also available on Netflix and Hulu in select regions.

That being said, for those of you looking to watch Naruto’s English dub, we’ve got good and bad news. The good news first – Naruto’s English dub is one of the most loved anime dubs out there, with it being the standard for many fans who grew up with the show in English-speaking regions. Time for the bad news – while the Naruto dub was previously available to watch on Funimation, it seems to have been lost in the service’s merger with Crunchyroll. So in short, Naruto’s English dub is not available to stream in most regions. All we can hope for is that, someday, the dub shows up on Crunchyroll!

If you’re wondering where to watch Naruto movies, those are a little harder to locate, and access to them will mostly depend on your region. Depending on where you are, you may be able to stream them on Netflix or Prime Video – if not, it might be time to go searching for some old DVDs! With all of that cleared up, it’s time to get on with the guide!

Naruto Watch Guide

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Our favourite ninja’s story begins with episode 1 of the original Naruto anime, starting back in 2002. For how to watch the Naruto series in order, with a complete breakdown of the many story arcs in the anime’s original run, and when to watch the movies affiliated with original Naruto, read on!

The Land of Waves Arc (Episode 1-19)
The Chunin Exams Arc (Episode 20-67)
The Konoha Crush Arc (Episode 68-80)
The Search for Tsunade Arc (Episode 81-100)
Naruto The Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (Filler)
The Land of Tea Escort Mission Arc (Episode 102-106) (Filler)
The Sasuke Retrieval Mission Arc (Episode 107-135)
The Land of Rice Fields Investigation Mission Arc (Episode 136-141) (Filler)
The Mizuki Tracking Mission Arc (Episode 142-147) (Filler)
The Bikochu Search Mission Arc (Episode 148-151) (Filler)
The Kurosuki Family Removal Mission Arc (Episode 152-157) (Filler)
The Gosunkugi Capture Mission Arc (Episode 159-160) (Filler)
Naruto The Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel (Filler)
The Cursed Warrior Extermination Mission Arc (Episode 162-167) (Filler)
The Kaima Capture Mission Arc (Episode 169-173) (Filler)
The Buried Gold Excavation Mission Arc (Episode 175-176) (Filler)
The Star Guard Mission Arc (Episode 178-183) (Filler)
The Peddlers Escort Mission Arc (Episode 187-191) (Filler)
The Third Great Beast Arc (Episode 195-196) (Filler)
Naruto The Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom (Filler)
The Konoha Plans Recapture Mission Arc (Episode 197-201) (Filler)
The Yakumo Kurama Rescue Mission Arc (Episode 203-207) (Filler)
The Gantetsu Escort Mission Arc (Episode 209-212) (Filler)
The Menma Memory Search Mission Arc (Episode 213-215) (Filler)
The Sunagakure Support Mission Arc (Episode 216-220) (Filler)

The Land of Waves Arc (Episode 1-19)

Naruto’s introductory arc is one of the most memorable in all of anime. The first 19 episodes of the show serve to introduce our titular protagonist and his fellow shinobi students in the Hidden Leaf Village, laying out each of their distinct motivations, personalities, and long-term goals.

Without giving too much away, the ‘Land of Waves arc’ also sees our protagonists undergo their first serious ninja mission, and it’s an exciting one. Two of the show’s most well-liked antagonists are introduced here, and it’s safe to say that the quality of this arc hooked many fans on the series early.

The Chunin Exams Arc (Episode 20-67)

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One of the most beloved arcs in not only the original Naruto anime, but all of the Naruto franchise, the ‘Chunin Exams arc’ takes the series’ world-building and character development to the next level. The story broadens beyond the Hidden Leaf Village shinobi that viewers had become accustomed to, and highlights a whole new generation of ninjas, competing to improve their standing in ninja society.

Featuring some of the most memorable fights in the entire series, along with the introduction of the show’s most sinister antagonist yet, this string of Naruto episodes introduces and highlights the competitive, fiery spirit that the anime has continued to be lauded for over the years. In many ways, this arc is where Naruto really hits its stride.

Note: Episode 26 is the first of our Naruto filler episodes to skip – it’s pretty much just a recap of the story so far.

The Konoha Crush Arc (Episode 68-80)

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The transition between the show’s last arc and this one is fairly seamless, so you may not notice that you’ve entered the ‘Konoha Crush arc’. The main indication will be that the stakes of the series will have suddenly gotten much higher, with Orochimaru using the Chunin Exams as his prime opportunity to launch an assault on the Hidden Leaf Village.

While the show’s previous arcs have had no shortage of intensity, this arc takes things to a new level, as the Konoha 11 fight to protect their home, as well as the future of the ninja world. The ‘Konoha Crush arc’ also hosts two of the most consequential fights of the entire series, and as such, is often remembered as one of the anime’s most important arcs, even if it’s sometimes remembered only as an extension of the ‘Chunin Exams’.

The Search for Tsunade Arc (Episode 81-100)

Following the tragic events of the ‘Konoha Crush arc’, the Hidden Leaf Village is in need of a new leader. Under the guidance of his new mentor, one of the members of the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, Naruto sets out to locate and convince Tsunade, another Sannin member, to take on the mantle of Fifth Hokage – but they’re not the only ones trying to find her…

This arc also acts as an introduction to Naruto’s most famed band of villains, the Akatsuki, as well as establishing the complicated family dynamic between Sasuke Uchiha and his brother Itachi, a relationship that holds incredible weight as the show moves forward. While it’s certainly not the most talked about arc in the show’s history, the ‘Search for Tsunade arc’ is integral to the series’ future, and contains some of Naruto’s most poignant moments of character development.

Note: Episode 97 is a filler episode where our characters visit a hot spring, and comedic antics ensue – it’s not worth watching unless you’re looking for some comic relief.

Naruto The Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (Filler)

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It’s time for the first of the Naruto movies! The story here is fairly standard, and in the grand scheme of things, Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow is filler, so this movie can be skipped if you want to keep moving through the anime’s main storyline. The story here sees Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura tasked with the protection of Yukie Fujikaze, a film star (and princess) from the Land of Snow. Her latest movie is to be filmed in her homeland, where her uncle and his henchman await, hoping to kidnap her as a continuation of their coup d’etat against her family.

If you’ve got the time, consider checking this one out – Naruto’s first adventure on the big screen is a visual treat, with some great fight sequences and cinema-level animation. This one might be worth watching just to see this universe brought to life in such a stunning way for the very first time.

Note: Episode 101 of the Naruto anime is also filler, but it’s a fan favorite – check it out if you’re interested in some hilarious antics involving Kakashi’s mask.

The Land of Tea Escort Mission Arc (Episode 102-106) (Filler)

We’ve now come to our first filler arc of the series – and it’s pretty average. Team 7 must help a former Leaf ninja win a race. It’s that simple. To say a few positive things about this arc, it does showcase a new land in the Naruto world, and it’s also the first time we get to see Tsunade doing her standard Hokage duties.

Outside of those elements, there’s not much to say about the ‘Land of Tea Escort Mission’. The Leaf ninja at the center of the arc, Idate Morino, never appears in the show again, and nothing particularly consequential goes down across these 5 episodes, so this one can be skipped.

The Sasuke Retrieval Mission Arc (Episode 107-135)

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After a brief dive into filler territory, we’re back to the important stuff – and there’s perhaps no arc more important to the heart of the Naruto series than the ‘Sasuke Retrieval Mission’. This part of the story sees Sasuke leave the Hidden Leaf Village to train under Orochimaru and grow stronger – fearing his turn to the dark side of the ninja world, Naruto, Neji, Kiba, Choji, and Shikamaru set out to get their friend back, fighting through Orochimaru’s forces on the way.

Featuring some of the most intense emotional climaxes of the story so far, combined with action sequences that highlight the abilities of some of the more underused Naruto characters at this point, this arc has gone down amongst fans as a classic. It is also the final canon arc of the original Naruto anime, so strap in for what is, essentially, Naruto’s finale arc – at least before Shippuden.

The Land of Rice Fields Investigation Mission Arc (Episode 136-141) (Filler)

Pretty much the entirety of Naruto from this point on is filler, so if you’re looking to skip all of that completely, you can do so. There’s a couple of key story moments that are briefly covered amongst all the filler, which we’ll highlight in a note where they happen – though even if these are missed, it won’t throw off your experience too much, so don’t fret!

This arc sees Jiraiya take Naruto and Sakura to the Land of Rice Fields, where their mission to retrieve intel on Orochimaru’s whereabouts reveals more of the villain’s influence on the greater ninja world. Team 7’s new dynamic as a duo rather than a trio makes this a notable filler arc, as does its demonstration of just how sinister Orochimaru can be – outside of that, this one can be skipped

Note: The end of Episode 141 and the start of Episode 142 sees a pretty major story moment for Sakura wedged in between filler arcs – be sure to check these out.

The Mizuki Tracking Mission Arc (Episode 142-147) (Filler)

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Who would’ve thought that the return of the very first antagonist in the Naruto anime could be this uninteresting? At the risk of sounding overly negative, Jiraiya’s fury at the start of this arc over Tsunade sending Naruto on information-gathering missions is pretty much a reflection of how fans feel at this point of the show. Let the kid train!

This arc sees Mizuki escape from prison, and after learning that he may have information about Orochimaru (keyword: may), Naruto tracks the former ninja instructor down to confront him – with the help of Iruka. Aside from being a nostalgia trip back to the events of the first episode of the anime, this arc offers little to the story, and is worth skipping.

The Bikochu Search Mission Arc (Episode 148-151) (Filler)

In this arc, Naruto decides to pursue the legendary bikochu beetle, a bug that could track anyone based on their scent alone. Of course, the plan was to provide the beetle with Sasuke’s scent, and if you’re starting to see a pattern in these filler arcs, you would be absolutely correct. Even Tsunade makes Naruto promise to stop asking for Sasuke search missions if this one fails.

The highlight of this arc is the fact that Naruto gets to squad up with Team 8 this time around, letting Shino, Hinata, Kiba, and of course, Akamaru, get some time in the spotlight. Whether this is a spotlight they want to have, however, is a different story. Will Naruto locate Sasuke using this beetle? You’ll have to watch to find out – but considering this arc can be skipped, you probably already know the answer.

The Kurosuki Family Removal Mission Arc (Episode 152-157) (Filler)

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As far as filler arcs go, the Kurosuki Family Removal Mission is fairly enjoyed by fans for a number of reasons. We get to spend some time with Team Guy, Rock Lee has a fairly iconic moment with what he deems the ‘Curry of Life’, and Raiga Kurosuki makes his presence felt as a truly unhinged villain. The plot here is simple – a terrible gang, headed by Kurosuki, is terrorizing a village, and Team Guy (and Naruto) must stop them.

This arc is made worth watching based on how hilarious Naruto’s self-insertion into this plan is alone – our protagonist pieces together that Raiga Kurosuki was a former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, as is Kisame Hoshigaki, who is currently partnered with Itachi Uchiha…so of course, Raiga may know where Sasuke is! Putting that incredibly ambitious connection aside, this arc is a fun one – if you’re looking to watch any filler, this is a good one.

Note: Episode 158 is not part of any arc, and is another filler episode centered on Naruto journeying into the mountains with Konohamaru and friends – this can be skipped.

The Gosunkugi Capture Mission Arc (Episode 159-160) (Filler)

A very brief arc, these Naruto episodes see our protagonist partner with Team 8 to capture the notorious bandit, Gosunkugi. Along the way, the Konoha shinobi come across a man named Sazanami, who had been framed for a crime he didn’t commit, and the ninja take on the task of clearing his name while tracking down Gosunkugi.

This one is short and simple, but aside from a fairly interesting learning moment at the conclusion of the arc, there’s little on offer here, and can be added to your list of Naruto filler episodes to skip.

Naruto The Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel (Filler)

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One of the more bizarre entries in the Naruto franchise, this film sees Naruto and friends dragged into a conflict involving the transplant of human souls into armored bodies and the destruction of a mysterious, powerful stone, after they become sidetracked on a mission to recover a lost pet ferret – perhaps the very definition of ‘that escalated quickly’.

Aside from some more stellar animation and a pretty interesting fantasy setting to see our ninja protagonists in, this movie can be skipped – most fans are in agreement that Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow is a better movie, so if you’ve already skipped that one, this definitely isn’t worth your time. If you’re intrigued by the somewhat horror-style premise and fantasy setting, give this one a try!

Note: Episode 161 does not belong to any arc – it’s about two men disguising themselves as Rock Lee and Might Guy to infiltrate the Hidden Leaf Village, and can be skipped.

The Cursed Warrior Extermination Mission Arc (Episode 162-167) (Filler)

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This arc sees Naruto team up with Neji and Tenten to investigate a ghostly incident in the Land of Birds. Upon arriving, the gang come across a Cursed Warrior’s ghost at night, and fight it off – only after defeating the ghost do they discover that the suit of armor was empty, and contained no ‘living presence’ according to Neji’s Byakugan.

More hijinks ensue as the shinobi aim to get to the bottom of what’s going on in the mysterious Land of Birds. While some elements of this arc may appeal to horror anime fans, and it’s always good to get more of the Konoha 11 showcased, there’s little else to see here – add this one to the lengthy list of filler to skip.

Note: Episode 168 is not part of any arc – it’s a brief exploration into what Naruto would be like if it was a cooking anime – you can skip it.

The Kaima Capture Mission Arc (Episode 169-173) (Filler)

If you were missing Naruto’s efforts to locate Sasuke, then fear not! He’s right back on track with his efforts, this time under the guidance of Anko Mitarashi, former student of Orochimaru. Teaming up with Ino and Shino because every other ninja was unavailable (ouch), this newfound squad must escort a delivery ship in the Land of the Sea, while simultaneously investigating reports of a sea monster mystery.

Some familiar faces make a return in this arc – alongside Anko getting some time to shine for the first time since the Chunin Exams, Yoroi Akado and Misumi Tsurugi also make a return here. It’s also nice to see Ino get some attention in a filler arc, as she had been fairly sidelined up to this point. If none of that interests you though, you can go ahead and skip this filler arc.

Note: Episode 174 is not part of any arc – Naruto babysits a spoiled kid – this character never appears again, so you’re probably better off skipping this one.

The Buried Gold Excavation Mission Arc (Episode 175-176) (Filler)

Noticing their repeated failures on recent missions, Tsunade decides to send Hinata, Kiba, and Naruto on one final mission that would decide if they should be sent back to the academy for additional training or not. Their mission requires that they locate and retrieve a hidden treasure, while dealing with a ninja clan that can replicate their appearances.

There’s a surprising twist at the end of this arc, and considering how short it is, it may be worth watching this one if you’re looking to watch any filler at all. That being said, there’s nothing else of note here, and the arc can be skipped for the most part.

Note: Episode 177 is not part of any arc – this episode involves Naruto accidentally provoking a war between the Land of Fang and Claw – can be skipped.

The Star Guard Mission Arc (Episode 178-183) (Filler)

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One of the most well-known, and well-liked, fillers in original Naruto, the ‘Star Guard Mission’ is worth watching if you’re at all inclined to engage with the anime’s filler. Team Guy is sent to the Hidden Star Village to help its citizens protect the chakra-emitting star at the core of their village from thieves. Somewhat sillily, Naruto assumes Orochimaru is behind the thievery, so he gets added to the mission.

This moment aside, this arc is definitely one of the more enjoyable of Naruto’s sizable stretch of filler, featuring some pretty emotionally effective moments, and an interesting moral dilemma at the center of its storyline. This one is worth checking out for, if nothing else, an interesting look at how the smaller villages in the Naruto universe deal with proving their strength.

Note: Episode 184-186 do not belong to any arc, and are a collection of short, standalone filler episodes – they can all be skipped.

The Peddlers Escort Mission Arc (Episode 187-191) (Filler)

For this filler arc, Naruto teams up with Hinata and Choji to protect a group of merchants as they travel across the Land of Vegetables. Early on in the mission, Naruto spots smoke coming from deep within the land, and springs into action. Without giving too much away, the mission soon turns into a much more serious one, involving threats to a royal family through a coup d’etat.

Choji is back in action in this arc, which may appeal to some fans of the character, but other than that, this arc offers little in the way of development for the main storyline. There are some intriguing moments that highlight the selfless aspect of Naruto’s personality, but these are shoehorned into a mostly uninteresting plot – this one can be skipped.

Note: Episode 192-194 do not belong to any arc – these are, once again, standalone episodes, and bizarre ones at that – these can be missed.

The Third Great Beast Arc (Episode 195-196) (Filler)

Might Guy takes center stage in this filler arc, which may alone make it worth watching for fans of the character. The eccentric mentor is wrapped up in a revenge plot, as is his student, Rock Lee, which the rest of Team Guy (and Naruto) must work to save them from.

This one is yet another miniature arc – fans of the Rock Lee/Might Guy dynamic may get something out of it, so check it out if you fit that criteria. Otherwise, there’s little to get out of the mysterious Yagura’s flawed revenge plot, aside from a few amusing moments.

Naruto The Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom (Filler)

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Time for the next movie entry on our Naruto watch guide – this film sees Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, and Rock Lee journey to the Land of the Moon to protect prince Hikaru Tsuki and his father Michiru on their trip home. If you remember me mentioning a filler episode where Naruto babysits a spoiled kid earlier in this list, the story is pretty much the same here.

This is one of the lowest-rated movies in all of the Naruto franchise, and can be skipped. That being said, Naruto’s writers seem to have caught on at this point to just how enjoyable Rock Lee is as a character, so his inclusion here is a definite highlight. Much like with the ‘Third Great Beast arc’, fans of the character will get something out of this movie, if nothing else.

The Konoha Plans Recapture Mission Arc (Episode 197-201) (Filler)

One of the more action-packed arcs at this point in the anime, this series of filler episodes features the Hidden Leaf Village once again under threat of destruction. Naruto meets an old man at Ichiraku Ramen, whom he quickly bonds with, but our protagonist soon discovers that there’s more to this man than meets the eye.

If high-stakes filler is your thing, this is the arc for you. These episodes create a respectable amount of tension, and feature almost all of the Konoha 11 working together for the first time in a while. This is a worthwhile filler arc for these reasons alone, and is worth checking out for any dedicated fans.

Note: Episode 202 is not part of any arc – it is a recap of the Top 5 Ninja Battles so far in the show as a celebration of the anime’s fourth anniversary.

The Yakumo Kurama Rescue Mission Arc (Episode 203-207) (Filler)

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This filler arc starts on a dramatic note, as Kurenai Yuhi, declares her relinquishment of her position as Team 8’s leader. Naruto, wanting to reason with Kurenai, soon discovers that her retirement came as a result of a new development involving one of her old students, Yakumo Kurama. As more of Kurenai’s past with Yakumo is unearthed, Naruto realizes that he is not the only one in this world with inner demons.

Naruto’s adventures in this arc also remind him of Sasuke’s inner demons, encouraging him further to save his friend. With its central theme of overcoming darkness, and some long overdue screentime for Kurenai, there’s some interesting elements here for fans of the anime – but if these don’t interest you, this one can be skipped.

Note: Episode 208 is not part of any arc – Naruto and Kiba escort a man transporting a valuable artefact – this one can be missed.

The Gantetsu Escort Mission Arc (Episode 209-212) (Filler)

Rock Lee returns to aid Team 7 in this arc. This sequence of episodes follows another escort mission, as Lee joins Naruto and Sakura in helping a wanted criminal travel to the capital of the Land of Forests to stand trial – complications arise, our shinobi protagonists try to deal with them, and antics ensue.

Much like myself after writing about this much filler, this formula has started to run out of steam at this point, and not even Rock Lee seems to be able to make this arc very memorable. Luckily, we are nearing the end of Naruto’s massive filler stretch, and much better things are to come.

The Menma Memory Search Mission Arc (Episode 213-215) (Filler)

Naruto draws on a classic memory-loss trope for this filler arc, this time involving a mysterious boy named Menma who our titular protagonist finds floating in a river in the Hidden Leaf Village. Tsunade permits the boy to stay in the village for a while, and soon, Naruto discovers what lies within his forgotten past.

With a fairly emotional climax, as well as references to the previously visited Land of Rice Fields, this arc earns its place as one of the more memorable filler arcs in original Naruto. It’s worth a watch if you’re looking to deep dive into the worldbuilding aspect of the show, and it’s minimal episode count makes it a fairly easy watch.

The Sunagakure Support Mission Arc (Episode 216-220) (Filler)

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We’ve arrived at the very last arc in the original Naruto anime, and it’s one last filler for the road! That being said, I would recommend you watch this arc. Not only does it feature Gaara and his fellow Sand ninja in the spotlight, but it’s the last time we get to see the Konoha 11 together before the timeskip leading into Naruto Shippuden.

This arc sees a young girl, Matsuri, choose Gaara as her mentor, to which the latter is initially hesitant. Soon, however, the two bond, and so when Matsuri is kidnapped by a band of villains, Gaara must spring into action. Not only is this arc fairly enjoyable on its own, but Matsuri also shows up later on in the series in canon arcs, which makes this final arc a pretty essential watch for dedicated fans.

Conclusion

And that’s the guide! For original Naruto that is – your journey will continue with the sequel series Naruto Shippuden, following a short timeskip. In celebration of the Naruto 20th anniversary, the NARUTO Anime Production Committee have announced 4 new episodes set during the events of the original series. While an exact release date has not been announced yet, we’ll keep you updated on when we’ll be revisiting this iconic series. In the meantime, be sure to check out our Naruto Shippuden watch order article for a detailed breakdown of all the arcs and movies that it has to offer – thank you for reading, and see you over there!

Alex Doyle

I’m Alex! I’m Nerdy Nook’s resident horror, anime, and manga nerd, with a soft spot for all things geeky. When I’m not watching and talking about all of my favourite things, you can catch me over at our Nerdy Nook BlueSky and X pages!

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