While some anime filler sequences are notoriously detached from the main plot, the best non-canon episodes Naruto And Naruto: Shippuden improve the story. Naruto The franchise’s anime-only arcs, such as the Rice Field Investigation Mission and Kakashi’s Anbu arc, are so popular that many fans wish they were canon.

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

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

Naruto — Episode 106

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

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

2 Jiraiya leads Naruto and Sakura into battle against Orochimaru

Naruto — Episode 137

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Naruto Uzumaki attempts to rescue Sasuke Uchiha immediately after the failed retrieval 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 characteristics of the Hidden Leaf shinobi team and Sasuke’s corrupt mentor, Orochimaru.

The Hidden Leaf Village team discovers that Orochimaru has been manipulating the members of the troubled Fuma clan into serving him, adding to his long list of crimes against the shinobi world. Jiraiya reminds viewers of his skills in an entertaining fight against Orochimaru’s ninja, and Sakura embodies her medic identity by treating one of their wounded enemies. Although Sasuke eventually escapes them again, the filler sequence adds depth to the plot in a way that feels true to the canon versions of the characters.

3 Naruto Gets the Revenge Against Mizuki He Deserves

Naruto — Episode 147

The Mizuki Hunt Mission features an epic rematch between Naruto Uzumaki and one of his earliest enemies, Mizuki. Several other shinobi from the Hidden Leaf Village support Naruto in the mission, including Team Asuma of the Konoha 11, Iruka Umino, and Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage. Their fight against Mizuki and his allies, the Famous Idiot Brothers, gives Team 10 and Tsunade additional room to shine while also giving Naruto and Iruka a chance at revenge.

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

4 Naruto and Team Guy Defeat the Corrupt Kurosaki Family

Naruto — Episode 153

NarutoThe anime-exclusive Kurosaki Family Elimination Mission arc is a heartwarming addition to the plot. Team Guy and Naruto Uzumaki team up 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, prompts Lee to take a personal interest in the mission to bring the Kurosuki family to justice.

Sansho’s son Karashi and other rebel ninja aid Raiga Kurosaki Katabami Gold Mine in his singular quest for power. Rock Lee pleads with Karashi to reject Raiga’s influence in the name of his old friend Sansho, which eventually convinces him. Naruto and Team Guy discover that another character, Ranmaru, has been enhancing Raiga’s strength with his unique dojutsu techniques. The episode featuring Raiga’s sacrifice to atone for his horrific actions against the local village signals a significant change that sets up the happy ending Karashi and Ranmaru receive as students at Sansho’s Curry of Life shop.

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

Naruto — Episode 196

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NarutoThe Third Great Beast’s non-canon arc is short and meaningful enough to seamlessly add to the plot surrounding Might Guy and Rock Lee, two of the Hidden Leaf Village’s most beloved characters. The sequence highlights Rock Lee’s defining courage and gives fans a refreshing look at Might Guy in one of his wiser moments. Might Guy intends to hire a new student named Yagura, but a dangerous conspiracy unfolds when the student is identified as an imposter.

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

6 Menma’s plot twist makes him one of Naruto’s best filler characters

Naruto — Episode 215

Many filler arcs are overlooked because they lack depth or action in their shorter plots, but Menma is a captivating anime-only character who deserves a spot in NarutoFrom his introduction to his final appearance, Menma maximizes his screen time during the three-episode sequence of Menma’s memory-searching mission. The truth behind Menma’s mysterious past and inexplicable strength is revealed in a surprising twist that results in a tragic death.

Naruto Uzumaki rescues Menma after finding him in poor condition and takes him to the Hidden Leaf Village as he claims to have lost his memory. However, Naruto and Tsunade quickly become suspicious of the shinobi when he uses a musical technique similar to that of the rebel ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village who serve the villain Orochimaru. Menma makes the shocking announcement that he never lost his memory, 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 at the success of the mission.

7 Naruto and Sora share a bond with the nine-tailed fox

Naruto: Shippuden — Episode 70

NarutoThe Twelve Shinobi Guardians filler arc is a great addition to the plot because of how naturally it fits into the canon narrative. The anime-only arc expands on Naruto Uzumaki’s struggle to control the Nine-Tails Beast during the previous Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission, and it sets up the upcoming conflict against the Akatsuki. Asuma Sarutobi is a major fighter in the next arc, and the Twelve Shinobi Guardians sequence capitalizes on this by delving into his past as it relates to the arc’s main enemy, Kazuma.

Naruto is locked in combat with Sora, who becomes a partial Nine-Tails Jinchūriki after his father’s experimentation. Sora’s chakra forces Naruto to transform into his Demon Cloak form against his will, pitting the two ninja against each other using the immense power of the Nine-Tails. Meanwhile, Asuma defends himself against Kazuma, who is revealed to be Sora’s evil father. Asuma and Kazuma share a past as members of the Twelve Shinobi Guardians tasked with protecting the daimyo of the Land of Fire until they split into the Six Loyal Guardians and the Six Rebel Guardians respectively. Naruto and his allies achieve a hard-fought victory that gives more meaning to the impending battle against Hidan and Kakuzu of the Akatsuki.

8 Kabuto’s Terrifying Nine-Tails Clone Is Unforgettable

Naruto: Shippuden — Episode 295

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

The Power arc’s main conflict features a familiar antagonist associated with the villainous Orochimaru: Kabuto. However, the appearance of the Nine-Tails’ new power makes this arc so exciting. Naruto Uzumaki is forced to fight a haunting clone of the Nine-Tails Fox that takes the incredible form of a Nine-Tails hybrid hydra that would continue to amaze fans if Naruto had been able to add it to his fighting arsenal. Kabuto’s presence in the Fourth Ninja World 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 death in the series

Naruto: Shippuden — Episode 350

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Kakashi’s Anbu arc is based on canon lore, but the anime adaptation expands on the sequence beautifully, making it one of the NarutoOne of the franchise’s most beloved filler arcs, the anime-exclusive sequence culminates in the Nine-Tailed Fox’s devastating attack on the Hidden Leaf Village, just after Naruto Uzumaki is born. Naruto’s parents, Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze, risk their lives to save Naruto and the village he is supposed to call home.

After Minato Namikaze goes all out to defeat Obito, disguised as Tobi, the Fourth Hokage faces a daunting challenge: stopping the Nine-Tails’ rampage. Minato and Kushina combine their powers as Hokage and Jinchuriki to share the Nine-Tails’ chakra between the newborn Naruto and his father. Naruto’s parents’ leap of faith proves to be costly in their own lives, leaving Naruto to endure a lonely life as an orphan and Jinchuriki until he begins to form meaningful friendships with his fellow Konoha shinobi.

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

Naruto: Shippuden — Episode 469

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

Kakashi Hatake’s face is revealed 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 trio Ino-Shika-Cho, gather to bombard Kakashi with their respective jutsu techniques. Each attempt to remove the sensei’s mask is met with strange interruptions, which are ultimately revealed to be under the control of Kakashi disguised as Sukea the entire time. The reveal occurs in Kakashi’s apartment, away from the prying eyes of his shinobi students, but serves as a delightful and much-requested filler sequence by fans.

Naruto

Naruto Uzumaki, a mischievous teenage ninja, fights as he seeks recognition and dreams of becoming the Hokage, the village leader, and the strongest ninja.

Created by

Masashi Kishimoto

First film

Naruto the Movie: Ninja Battle in the Land of Snow

Latest movie

Boruto: Naruto the movie

First TV show

Naruto

First episode air date

September 21, 1999

Casting

Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Yuri Lowenthal, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Dave Wittenberg

Video game(s)

Naruto Ninja Council 3, Naruto: Rise Of A Ninja, Naruto: Path Of The Ninja, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, Naruto x Boruto: Ninja Voltage, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact

Manga Release Date

August 6, 2003

Manga volumes

72

Develop