If you are ready to dive into the world of ninjas and hidden villages you should know that there is a lot to watch. My opinion is that the journey of Naruto Uzumaki is one of the best stories ever told but it is also very long. To see the whole story you have to look at two different series. The first is just called Naruto and the second is called Naruto Shippuden.
I believe that every fan of adventure stories should give this show a try. It starts with a young boy who wants to be a leader and ends with some of the most epic battles you will ever see. In this guide I will break down exactly how many episodes you need to watch to see the full adventure from beginning to end.
Breaking Down the Two Main Series
The story of Naruto is split into two main parts. I think of the first part as the young Naruto years. This is where he learns the basics of being a ninja and joins Team 7. I believe this part is great because it shows how he makes his first friends and learns his famous clones. There are two hundred and twenty episodes in this first series.
The second part is called Naruto Shippuden. I believe this is where the story gets really serious and exciting. In this series Naruto is older and much stronger. There are five hundred episodes in Shippuden. In my opinion this part has some of the best villains and biggest secrets in all of television history.
| Series Name | What it Covers | Number of Episodes |
| Naruto | The early years as a kid | 220 Episodes |
| Naruto Shippuden | The teenage years and big wars | 500 Episodes |
| Total | The Full Main Story | 720 Episodes |
The Secret of Filler Episodes
One thing you should know is that not every episode moves the main story forward. I believe that filler episodes can be a bit frustrating for new watchers. Filler episodes are extra stories that were not in the original comic books. They are often funny or show small side missions but they do not change the ending of the show.
In my opinion you can skip most of the filler if you want to finish the story faster. For example in the first Naruto series the last eighty episodes are almost all filler. I think you should check a list online to see which episodes are part of the real story. This can save you hundreds of hours of watching while still letting you see the main plot.
- The first series has about 90 filler episodes
- Shippuden has over 200 filler episodes
- Skipping filler helps you reach the big ending much sooner
- Some filler stories are fun but they are not required to understand the ending
How Long Does it Take to Watch
If you want to watch every single second of the seven hundred and twenty episodes you are going to need a lot of snacks. I believe that watching Naruto is a marathon and not a sprint. Each episode is about twenty minutes long if you skip the songs at the start and end. If you watched for eight hours every single day it would still take you over a month to finish everything.
I think the best way to enjoy the show is to watch a few episodes every night. In my opinion the story is so deep that you need time to think about what happened. If you rush through it you might miss the small details that make the show special. It is a long road but I believe every step is fun.
What Comes After the Main Story
Once you finish the seven hundred and twenty episodes you might still want more. I believe that the story does not truly end there. There is a movie called The Last which happens right after Shippuden. There is also a new series called Boruto which is about Naruto’s son.
I think Boruto is an interesting way to see how the world changed after the big wars. In my opinion it is cool to see the characters we love as adults and parents. However I believe you should focus on the original seven hundred and twenty episodes first. That is where the heart of the story lives.
My Final Thoughts
In my opinion seven hundred and twenty episodes might seem scary but it is worth every minute of your time. I believe that Naruto is a story about never giving up and that is a message everyone can learn from. Whether you watch every filler episode or just stick to the main story you are in for an amazing ride full of heart and action.
I think the best part of the show is watching the characters grow up over time. By the time you reach episode seven hundred and twenty you will feel like Naruto is an old friend. If you are looking for a new world to get lost in I highly recommend starting the first episode today. It is a big commitment but I believe you will be happy you did it.
- There are 220 episodes in the first show
- There are 500 episodes in the second show
- You can skip filler to save yourself a lot of time
- The total main count is 720 episodes
I truly believe that Naruto is a masterpiece of storytelling. It has humor and sadness and incredible action scenes. Do not let the big number of episodes stop you from starting. Just take it one ninja mission at a time and before you know it you will be a fan for life. Happy watching and enjoy the journey of the Hidden Leaf Village.