Best Naruto Filler Episodes That Actually Make The Anime Better

Although some anime filler sequences are notoriously detached from the main plot, the best non-canon episodes in Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden enhance the narrative. The Naruto franchise’s anime-only arcs like the Land of Rice Fields Investigation Mission and Kakashi’s Anbu Arc are so popular that many fans wish they were canon.




Of the numerous filler arcs scattered throughout Naruto Uzumaki’s adventure, several episodes deserve to be made canon because of their impressive harmony with the surrounding source material. With the addition of a few key filler sequences, Naruto‘s plot can be further refined into an even more enjoyable experience for dedicated fans.

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1 Team 7’s Last Mission Softens the Blow of Sasuke’s Departure

Naruto — Episode 106

Naruto Filler Episode

English Episode Debut

Naruto Filler Arc

Naruto Episode 106: “The Last Leg: A Final Act of Desperation”

September 22, 2007

Land of Tea Escort Mission

The anime-only Land of Tea Escort Mission sequence is one of Naruto‘s best-placed filler arcs, seamlessly linking Tsunade’s rise as Fifth Hokage to the Sasuke Recovery Mission. Tsunade sends Team 7 on a mission without Kakashi Hatake to protect the Wasabi family’s runner in the Todoroki Shrine Race because his opponent from the rival Wagarashi family hires ninjas to interfere with the race in their favor. Naruto Uzumaki and his teammates protect Idate Morino, a former Hidden Leaf Village shinobi, from the rogue ninja Aoi Rokusho on their last mission before Sasuke Uchiha’s departure.


Before the race, Aoi manipulates Idate into stealing a weapon and a special scroll for him, reminding viewers of Naruto’s struggle against Mizuki at the beginning of the series. The Blade of the Thunder Spirit is Aoi’s stolen weapon cracked by Sasuke Uchiha using Chidori, sending him flying over the cliff edge with Sakura Haruno close behind to save him in her classic fashion. Naruto exploits the cracked sword with his Rasengan, securing Idate’s victory in the race despite a conspiracy to disqualify him. The final episode of the sequence features several staples of Naruto canon, adding to the plot without disrupting it.

2 Jiraiya Leads Naruto & Sakura in a Battle Against Orochimaru

Naruto — Episode 137

Naruto, Sakura, and Jiraiya during the Land Of Rice Fields Investigation Mission


Naruto Filler Episode

English Episode Debut

Naruto Filler Arc

Naruto Episode 137: “A Town of Outlaws, The Shadow of the Fuma Clan”

February 2, 2008

Land of Rice Fields Investigation Mission

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Naruto Uzumaki tries rescuing Sasuke Uchiha immediately after the failed recovery mission in the non-canon Land of Rice Fields Investigation Mission. Jiraiya and Sakura Haruno accompany Naruto on the mission in a sequence that emphasizes the defining features of the Hidden Leaf shinobi team and Sasuke’s corrupt mentor, Orochimaru.


The Hidden Leaf Village team discovers that Orochimaru has manipulated struggling Fuma Clan members into serving him, adding to his long list of crimes against the shinobi world. Jiraiya reminds viewers of his talent in an entertaining fight against Orochimaru’s ninja, and Sakura embodies her identity as a medic by healing one of their injured enemies. Although Sasuke ultimately slips through their grasp again, the filler sequence adds depth to the plot in a way that feels true to the canon version of the characters.

3 Naruto Gets the Rematch With Mizuki That He Deserves

Naruto — Episode 147

Iruka protects Naruto from Mizuki's shuriken.

Naruto Filler Episode

English Episode Debut

Naruto Filler Arc

Naruto Episode 147: “A Clash of Fate: You Can’t Bring Me Down!”

March 8, 2008

Mizuki Tracking Mission


The Mizuki Tracking Mission features an epic rematch between Naruto Uzumaki and one of his first enemies, Mizuki. Several other shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village support Naruto on the mission, including the Konoha 11’s Team Asuma, Iruka Umino, and Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage. Their battle against Mizuki and his allies, the Famous Idiot Brothers, gives Team 10 and Tsunade extra space to shine while giving Naruto and Iruka a chance at revenge.

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio is pushed to the limits against the Famous Idiot Brothers until Tsunade intervenes, illustrating the pronounced strength that makes her a formidable Hokage. The non-canon sequence peaks in the arc’s final episode when Naruto shields Iruka from Mizuki’s giant shuriken, mirroring the moment at the beginning of the series when Naruto’s sensei saves him the same way. Featuring Naruto’s classmates, Tsunade, and his former sensei is as refreshing as the rematch against Mizuki is satisfying.


4 Naruto & Team Guy Defeat the Corrupt Kurosaki Family

Naruto — Episode 153

Ranmaru protects Rock Lee from Raiga in Naruto.

Naruto Filler Episode

English Episode Debut

Naruto Filler Arc

Naruto Episode 153: “A Lesson Learned: The Iron Fist of Love!”

March 29, 2008

Kurosuki Family Removal Mission

Naruto‘s anime-only Kurosaki Family Removal Mission arc is a heartwarming addition to the plot. Team Guy and Naruto Uzumaki unite against a threat from the Katabami Gold Mine in the Land of Rivers, and their mission quickly reveals a connection between Rock Lee and their primary target, Raiga Kurosuki. Rock Lee’s relationship with Sansho, a curry shop owner, inspires Lee to personally invest in the mission to bring the Kurosuki family to justice.


Sansho’s son, Karashi, and other rogue ninja help Raiga Kurosaki Katabami Gold Mine in the singular pursuit of power. Rock Lee pleads with Karashi to reject Raiga’s influence on behalf of his old friend Sansho, eventually winning him over. Naruto and Team Guy discover that another character, Ranmaru, has been empowering Raiga’s strength with his unique dojutsu techniques. The episode featuring Raiga’s self-sacrifice to atone for his horrible actions against the local village signals an important shift that sets up the happy ending that Karashi and Ranmaru get as pupils at Sansho’s Curry of Life shop.

5 Rock Lee Saves Might Guy in the Third Great Beast Arc

Naruto — Episode 196

Rock Lee and Might Guy sparring in the Third Great Beast Arc of Naruto.

Naruto Filler Episode

English Episode Debut

Naruto Filler Arc

Naruto Episode 196: “Hot-Blooded Confrontation: “Student vs. Sensei”

September 13, 2008

Third Great Beast Arc


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Naruto‘s non-canon Third Great Beast Arc is short and meaningful enough to add seamlessly to the plot surrounding Might Guy and Rock Lee, two of the most beloved characters from the Hidden Leaf Village. The sequence highlights Rock Lee’s defining grit and gives fans a refreshing look at Might Guy in one of his wisest moments. Might Guy intends to take on a new pupil named Yagura, but a dangerous conspiracy unfolds when the student is identified as an impostor.


Rock Lee is injured at the beginning of the two-episode arc, preventing him from accompanying Naruto Uzumaki and the rest of Team Guy on a mission to rescue Might Guy from Yagura’s imposter. Despite his limitations and Tsunade’s disapproval, Rock Lee explodes onto the scene to save Might Guy from his captors, the Three Ryudoin Brothers, who mistakenly believe that Guy murdered their father in cold blood. Guy sensei masterfully diffuses the misunderstanding by explaining the history of the competitive rivalry between himself and their father, bringing the brothers peace through closure.

6 Menma’s Plot Twist Makes Him One of Naruto’s Best Filler Characters

Naruto — Episode 215

Naruto Filler Episode

English Episode Debut

Naruto Filler Arc

Naruto Episode 215: “A Past to Be Erased”

November 15, 2009

Menma Memory Search Mission


Many filler arcs are overlooked because they lack depth or action in their shorter plots, but Menma is a captivating anime-only character that deserves a place in Naruto‘s canon. From his introduction to his final appearance, Menma maximizes his screen time during the three-episode Menma Memory Search Mission sequence. The truth behind Menma’s mysterious background and inexplicable strength is revealed in a surprising twist of events that results in a tragic death.

Naruto Uzumaki rescues Menma after finding him in bad condition and brings him to the Hidden Leaf Village because he claims his memory is lost. However, Naruto and Tsunade quickly grow suspicious of the shinobi when he uses a musical technique similar to the rogue ninja in the Hidden Sound Village who serve the villain Orochimaru. Menma makes the shocking announcement that he never lost his memories, revealing his plan to stop Orochimaru’s shinobi from flooding an innocent village by sacrificing himself in a selfless act that leaves fans devastated and relieved upon the mission’s success.


Naruto: Shippuden — Episode 70

Naruto fights Sora in Naruto Shippuden

Naruto: Shippuden Filler Episode

English Episode Debut

Naruto: Shippuden Filler Arc

Naruto: Shippuden — Episode 70: “Resonance”

March 2, 2011

Twelve Guardian Shinobi

Naruto‘s Twelve Guardian Shinobi filler arc is an excellent addition to the plot because of how naturally it flows with the canon narrative. The anime-only arc expands on Naruto Uzumaki’s struggle to control the Nine-Tailed Beast during the previous Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission, and it sets up the next conflict against the Akatsuki. Asuma Sarutobi is a major fighter in the next arc, and the Twelve Guardian Shinobi sequence capitalizes on this by delving into his past linked to the arc’s main enemy, Kazuma.


Naruto is locked in battle with Sora, who becomes a partial Nine-Tails Jinchuriki after his father’s experimentation. Sora’s chakra forces Naruto to transform into his demon cloak form against his will, pitting both ninja against each other using the immense power of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Meanwhile, Asuma defends against Kazuma, who is revealed to be Sora’s evil father. Asuma and Kazuma share a past as members of the Twelve Guardian Shinobi charged with protecting the Land of Fire’s daimyo until they split apart into the factions of the Six Loyal Guardians and Six Rogue Guardians respectively. Naruto and his allies claim a hard-fought victory that gives more meaning to the looming battle against the Akatsuki’s Hidan and Kakuzu.

8 Kabuto’s Terrifying Nine-Tails Clone Is Unforgettable

Naruto: Shippuden — Episode 295

Naruto-Kabuto


Naruto: Shippuden Filler Episode

English Episode Debut

Naruto: Shippuden Filler Arc

Naruto: Shippuden — Episode 295: “Power – Episode Final”

May 23, 2015

Power

The Power arc marks 500 episodes of the Naruto franchise, clearly making it a non-canon sequence. Although this filler sequence delays the Fourth Great Ninja War, it includes a few elements that would add to the narrative canon. The mission to defend Tonika Village from an attack by the reincarnated shinobi is headed by the modification of Team 7 featuring Sai and Yamato.

The main conflict of the Power arc features a familiar antagonist associated with the villain Orochimaru: Kabuto. However, the debut of the new Nine-Tails power makes this arc so exciting. Naruto Uzumaki is forced to fight a haunting clone of the Nine-Tailed Fox that takes the incredible form of a hybrid Nine-Tails hydra that would continue to stun fans if Naruto could’ve added it to his battle arsenal. Kabuto’s presence in the Fourth Great Ninja War is lacking despite his involvement, making his appearance here a welcome return for fans of Orochimaru’s talented mad scientist.


9 Naruto’s Parents Have the Saddest Deaths of the Series

Naruto: Shippuden — Episode 350

Minato and Kushina protect Naruto

Naruto: Shippuden Filler Episode

English Episode Debut

Naruto: Shippuden Filler Arc

Naruto: Shippuden — Episode 350: “Minato’s Death”

October 4, 2016

Kakashi’s Anbu Arc: The Shinobi That Lives in the Darkness

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Kakashi’s Anbu Arc is based on canon lore, but the anime adaptation expands the sequence beautifully, making it one of Naruto‘s most well-regarded filler arcs of the franchise. The anime-only sequence peaks with the Nine-Tailed Fox’s devastating attack on the Hidden Leaf Village on the heels of Naruto Uzumaki’s birth. Naruto’s parents, Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze, put their lives on the line to save Naruto and the village he’s meant to call home.


After Minato Namikaze expends himself defeating Obito, disguised as Tobi, the Fourth Hokage is left with the daunting challenge of ending the Nine-Tailed Fox’s destructive rampage. Minato and Kushina combine their powers as Hokage and Jinchuriki to split the Nine-Tails chakra between newborn Naruto and his father. The leap of faith Naruto’s parents make pays off at the cost of their lives, leaving Naruto to endure a lonely life as an orphan and Jinchuriki until he begins to foster meaningful friendships with his fellow Konoha shinobi.

10 Kakashi’s Face Reveal Resolves One of Naruto’s Biggest Mysteries

Naruto: Shippuden — Episode 469

Naruto: Shippuden Filler Episode

English Episode Debut

Naruto: Shippuden Filler Arc

Naruto: Shippuden — Episode 469: “A Special Mission”

December 4, 2018

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Naruto is full of mysteries woven into its dense plot, and one of its silliest is the appearance of Kakashi Hatake’s uncovered face. Naruto Uzumaki and several fellow Hidden Leaf shinobi work together on an unofficial mission to finally discover what their sensei looks like without his trademark blindfold. Although Naruto and his allies ultimately fail, the audience is treated to the face reveal at the end of this fan-favorite standalone filler episode.

Kakashi Hatake’s face reveal is teased in the original Naruto series well before its appearance in Naruto: Shippuden and his students are more determined than ever to solve the popular mystery. Several Konoha shinobi, including the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, gather to bombard Kakashi with their respective jutsu techniques. Every attempt to remove the sensei’s mask is met with strange interruptions, ultimately revealed to be under Kakashi’s control in disguise as Sukea the entire time. The reveal happens in Kakashi’s apartment away from the prying eyes of his shinobi pupils but marks a delightful and highly-demanded filler sequence for fans.


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