Naruto as a premise itself is basic, simple, straightforward, and as shounen, as you can imagine it to be. As a multi-series franchise, however, things can get really intimidating in somewhat the same manner as checking out other watch order lists of other shows.
And so, for newer audiences who are willing to dive into its intricate(-ish) lore and awesome battles, stick around. We have the ultimate quick snap guide for any busybody who wants the most convenient Naruto watch order in existence.
Just a quick reminder, this particular watch order does not have any particular emphasis on seasons, like our previous Monogatari watch order, for example, although you can check our Naruto and Naruto Shippuden filler list.
Naruto chronological watch order
- Naruto Episodes 1-105
- Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (2004)
- Naruto Episodes 106-160
- Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone Gelel (2005)
- Naruto Episodes 161-196
- Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom (2006)
- Naruto Episodes 197-220
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 1-32
- Naruto Shippuden the Movie (2007)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 33-71
- Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Bonds (2008)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 72-143
- Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire (2009)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 144-175
- Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower (2010)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 176-221
- Naruto the Movie: Blood Prison (2011)*
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 222-275
- Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie (2012)*
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 276-479
- The Last: Naruto the Movie
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 480-500
(*both movies are part of the Naruto Shippuden proper timeline)
Naruto series
Naruto – the first and main series of the franchise. Chronicles Naruto and his fellow genin’s (novice shinobi) journey towards becoming more advanced shinobi, while dealing with all sorts of troubles within Konohagakure and its surrounding countries.
Naruto TV anime seasons
- Season 1 – Episodes 1-57 (October 2002 – November 2003)
- Season 2 – Episodes 58-100 (November 2003 – September 2004)
- Season 3 – Episodes 101-141 (September 2004 – June 2005)
- Season 4 – Episodes 142-183, (June 2005 – May 2006)
- Season 5 – Episodes 184-220, (May 2006 – February 2007)
Naruto Shippuden – this series follows the aftermath of the almost three-year gap between the end of first Naruto series, to where the eponymous protagonist finally returns back to the village after the aforementioned time period. Most of Naruto’s genin pals are now chunin (or even jounin), and threats have significantly escalated, eventually to the point of erupting into a full-scale war.
Naruto Shippuden TV anime seasons
- Season 1 – Episodes 1-32, (February 2007 – October 2007)
- Season 2 – Episodes 33-53, (November 2007 – April 2008)
- Season 3 – Episodes 54-71, (April 2008 – August 2008)
- Season 4 – Episodes 72-88, (August 2008 – December 2008)
- Season 5 – Episodes 89-112, (December 2008 – June 2009)
- Season 6 – Episodes 113-143, (June 2009 – January 2010)
- Season 7 – Episodes 144-151, (January 2010 – March 2010)
- Season 8 – Episodes 152-175, (March 2010 – August 2010)
- Season 9 – Episodes 176-196, (September 2010 – January 2011)
- Season 10 – Episodes 197-221, (February 2011 – July 2011)
- Season 11 – Episodes 222-242, (July 2011 – December 2011)
- Season 12 – Episodes 243-275, (January 2012 – August 2012)
- Season 13 – Episodes 276-295, (August 2012 – January 2013)
- Season 14 – Episodes 296-320, (January 2013 – July 2013)
- Season 15 – Episodes 321-348, (July 2013 – January 2014)
- Season 16 – Episodes 349-361, (February 2014 – May 2014)
- Season 17 – Episodes 362-372, (May 2014 – August 2014)
- Season 18 – Episodes 373-393, (August 2014 – December 2014)
- Season 19 – Episodes 394-413, (January 2015 – May 2015)
- Season 20 – Episodes 414-479, (May 2015 – October 2016)
- Season 21 – Episodes 480-500, (October 2016 – March 2017)
Original TV anime episodes (versus adapted from manga)
Naruto as a very popular shounen-genre series franchise also had its fair share of filler/support/ arc epilogue episodes within the TV anime series. As these names suggest, these episodes do not have as direct of a connection compared to primary story arcs. That being said, so long as they are not complete filler, they can typically serve as supporting backstories, or additional lore material for fans of the franchise.
For those interested solely in following the storyline from the original manga itself (source material), you have the option to completely skip the following sets of episodes (divided by direct relevance to each other):
- Naruto Episodes 136-160
- Naruto Episodes 161-186
- Naruto Episodes 187-212
- Naruto Episodes 213-220
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 90-112 (Three Tail arc)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 144-151 (Six Tail arc)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 176-196 (The Past arc)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 222-242 (Sea Voyage arc)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 290-295 (Power arc)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 349-361
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 394-413
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 432-450
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 451-458
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 459-469
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 480-500 (build up, epilogue)
OVAs (Original Video Animation) and spin-offs
All Naruto OVAs, spin-offs, and specials are technically filler, even if they do highlight or heavily reference events of the source material. You can skip all of them if you want, but for those who prefer more supplemental viewing for additional Naruto lore material/entertainment, you can indulge in one of these extra/optional brief episode treats:
- Naruto: Find the Crimson Four-leaf Clover!
- Naruto: The Cross Roads
- Hidden Leaf Village Grand Sports Festival
- Naruto the Lost Story: Mission – Protect the Waterfall Village
- Naruto x UT
- Naruto Narutimate Hero 3: Tsui ni Gekitotsu! Jounin vs Genin! Musabetsu Dai-ransen Taikai Kaisai!!
- Naruto Shippuden: Sunny Side Battle
- Rock Lee and His Ninja Pals
BONUS: Boruto series
Boruto movies and shows are technically out of this list if we are referring exclusively to the Naruto franchise. But for the sake of story continuity, you may continue watching over the Naruto universe in a new light, and in a new generation of characters:
- Boruto: Naruto the Movie (2015)
- Boruto: Naruto the Movie – The Day Naruto Became the Hokage (2016, BD/DVD OVA)
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 1 to present
Take it easy, the road to become a Hokage isn’t going anywhere
Remember, when watching long-time franchises like Naruto, it is always important to watch at your own pace. Relax, don’t be pressured to eat everything in one sitting. Settle for one arc per month. Skip some filler episodes. Maybe go for a pure manga adaptation approach. Remember, shounen anime are built to last, just look at the never-ending fever pitch discussion about the best shounen anime ever made.
Before you know it, you’re already watching reading the latest Boruto episode chapter, and treading the same path as manga author Masashi Kishimoto himself has worked very hard for all these decades.
