Embarking on the epic journey through the world of “Naruto” is an adventure filled with intense battles, deep friendships, and an array of complex characters all set in a richly woven ninja universe. Whether you’re new to the series or revisiting it, watching “Naruto” in the correct order is vital to understanding the storyline’s development and character arcs. Below, you’ll find carefully crafted guidance to help you navigate the vast array of episodes and films, ensuring you enjoy the series just as the creators intended.
Naruto Series
The “Naruto” series lays the foundation for the larger narrative and introduces you to the rich world of the Hidden Leaf Village and its intriguing inhabitants.
-
Start with “Naruto,” the original series, which consists of 220 episodes. These are split into two parts: the initial story and the subsequent filler episodes. While filler episodes aren’t essential to the main plot, they can provide additional character development and backstories.
- Begin with “Naruto” episode 1 and proceed up to episode 135.
- You can optionally watch filler episodes 136 to 220 or skip them for now.
-
Proceed to “Naruto Shippuden,” the sequel to the original series. This continuation consists of 500 episodes, including both crucial storyline arcs and additional filler content.
- Start with “Naruto Shippuden” episode 1, moving forward in sequential order.
- Consider skipping the filler episodes to maintain the story’s pace; various guides are available to help identify which episodes these are.
Summary: Watching the “Naruto” series in this order presents the narrative as it evolved. Bypassing fillers, especially in “Shippuden,” maintains the tension and development of the core story but may result in missing some character enrichments.
Naruto Movies
Supplementing the series, the “Naruto” movies offer additional narratives that take place outside the main storyline but reflect the character growth and abilities relevant to the series’ timelines.
- After watching “Naruto” through episode 135, you can watch “Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow.”
- Following “Naruto” episode 196, “Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel” fits into the story.
- “Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom” can be viewed after completing the original “Naruto” series.
Summary: The movies are enjoyable detours from the main storyline and offer a deeper look into the Naruto universe’s lore, though they are not essential for understanding the main plot. Some fans enjoy them for their additional character screen time and unique adventures.
OVAs and Specials
Occasionally, original video animations (OVAs) or specials are released, providing side stories or alternative perspectives to the main narrative.
- “Naruto: Find the Four-Leaf Red Clover!” can be watched any time after episode 20 of the original series.
- “Naruto: The Lost Story – Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village!” fits after episode 100.
- Continuing with “Naruto: Hidden Leaf Village Grand Sports Festival!” is suitable after episode 160.
Summary: OVAs and specials are short asides that feature different character dynamics and fun side stories. They rarely impact the main narrative but can be a light-hearted break from the intense main arcs.
Reading the Manga
Many fans choose to read the “Naruto” manga as it’s the original source material and offers the purest form of Masashi Kishimoto’s story.
- Begin with “Naruto” chapter 1 and read through the series to understand the storyline as first envisioned.
- After completing the “Naruto” manga series, start the “Naruto Shippuden” manga, which corresponds directly with the anime’s second installment.
Summary: Reading the manga gives you the storyline as the author intended, often with less filler material and a continuous flow. However, it lacks the anime’s dynamic action sequences and vibrant sound design.
Online Streaming Platforms
Many streaming services host “Naruto” and “Naruto Shippuden,” making it accessible anywhere and anytime.
- Subscribe to an authorized streaming service that offers “Naruto,” like Crunchyroll, Hulu, or Netflix.
- Search for “Naruto” within the platform and begin with the series’ first episode.
Summary: Streaming is convenient and usually offers high-quality video. The downside is the geographical restrictions on some platforms and potential lack of availability of all episodes or films.
DVD/Blu-ray Collections
Purchasing DVD or Blu-ray sets of “Naruto” provides a tangible collection and can include bonus features not available elsewhere.
- Choose a reputable distributor and purchase the complete “Naruto” and “Naruto Shippuden” collections.
- Use a DVD or Blu-ray player to watch the episodes in order.
Summary: Having a physical collection ensures you have the series available to watch at your leisure without worrying about streaming rights or internet availability. However, this method can be more expensive upfront.
