Naruto filler worth watching

By Muhammad Shakeel · Updated Nov 1, 2026

Start with episode 101. It's one short joke about Kakashi's mask, and it works without asking you to sit through a whole side story. If you want more, try Kurenai's story in episodes 203-207. The Land of Tea is a longer detour for anyone who wants another Team 7 mission.

This guide covers the original Naruto, episodes 1-220. For the later series, use our Shippuden filler worth watching guide. These are optional picks, not episodes you need for the manga plot.

The filler we'd keep

Our Naruto filler list has every label and the full skip ranges. Keep it open if you're moving between the main story and these picks.

Episode 101: Kakashi's mask

Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke want to know what Kakashi looks like under his mask. That's the whole setup. The fun comes from watching the team put its energy into something much less serious than its usual missions.

This is the easiest recommendation because it's over in one episode. You don't need to remember a new villain or start another arc. Watch it when you reach 101, then carry on with your usual route.

Choose this if you like the small moments between Team 7. Skip it if you're already eager to get back to the story. Nothing later requires it.

Episodes 203-207: Kurenai and Yakumo

Kurenai gets much less time in the main story than the other teachers. This five-episode detour gives her a former student, Yakumo, and a problem built around genjutsu rather than another straightforward fight.

It's a better fit if you want a side character to carry the story for a change. The tone is darker than the mask episode, and the setup needs a little time. Give it the full five episodes if you start it.

Stop at 207 for this pick. Episode 208 begins a different story, even though our broader arc sheet groups it near the same run. Afterward, return to your skip plan rather than assuming the rest of the late filler is part of Kurenai's story.

Episodes 102-106: the Land of Tea

This is the extra pick for viewers who miss Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke working together. Team 7 takes an escort mission tied to a race in the Land of Tea. It sits between the mask episode and the next main-story arc.

The appeal is the team itself. It gives them another job to do together, but it also delays the return to the manga plot. If you already find Naruto's pacing slow, leave this one out.

Watch 102-106 in order, then return at 107. It's a complete five-episode detour; there's no need to watch the later filler block to finish it.

Should you watch the rest of Naruto's filler?

You don't need to. A small selection is a good middle ground: one comedy episode, one side-character arc, then back to the story. Filler being optional doesn't make it bad, but it also doesn't make every detour worth your time.

Can I skip everything after episode 135?

Not quite. Our main-story route keeps 141, 142 and 220 after 135. Those episodes contain material we keep in the watch plan. See the Naruto watch-without-filler ranges for the full route, including earlier skips.

Does episode 101 show Kakashi's face?

This guide keeps the joke's ending to itself. Don't choose the episode just to tick off a piece of plot information; choose it for the team trying to solve the mystery.

What should I watch after Naruto?

Start Shippuden at episode 1. Our Naruto watch order explains the series order, where the movies fit and how to keep a no-filler route.

How these picks were chosen

The episode numbers and filler labels use the same checked dataset as our main list. The recommendations are editorial judgments: a short comedy break, a story for Kurenai, and an optional Team 7 mission. They aren't a claim that any of these episodes is required viewing.

Arc boundaries: Yakumo Kurama Rescue Mission and Land of Tea Escort Mission. See the episode sources and label checks for the underlying list.