Boruto: Naruto Next Generations has been a hit-or-miss for fans. It continues the legacy of Naruto, but it’s been constantly criticized for its pacing and amount of filler episodes. There are well over 290 episodes out so far, and fans just want to stick with the main storyline without having to sit through episodes that aren’t really adding much. That’s what this guide is here for, as it breaks down what episodes are manga canon, anime canon, mixed, or filler, and most importantly, what ones you can skip without missing out on anything significant.
Table of Contents
What is Filler in Boruto?
In contrast to Naruto, Boruto is not a straight-up manga adaptation. It combines original anime storylines, content from games and light novels, and a little bit of manga-adapted material. Here’s a brief overview of how episodes are divided:
- Manga Canon: Direct adaptations of the Boruto manga.
- Anime Canon: Original content that is still important to the story, usually overseen or approved by Masashi Kishimoto himself or the studio, and considered part of the story’s continuity, but not from the manga.
- Mixed Canon/Filler: Half canon, half filler, but meaningful somehow nonetheless.
- Filler: Completely unnecessary episodes that neither affect the plot nor character development in the long term.
This is to keep you on track with what matters most in the story.
Skip These Filler Episodes Completely
These are not part of the story and can be skipped without fear of losing a vital change in either the story or character development:
| Filler Arc / Episode | Episodes | Episode Description | Watch or Skip? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Entrance Arc | 16-17 | A short arc with Sarada and Boruto that ends up being pretty forgettable. | Skip |
| Genin Mission Arc | 40-41 | Light graduation episodes with no meaningful development. | Skip |
| Byakuya Gang Arc | 48-50 | A slice-of-life filler showing the team settling into a mission, but nothing important. | Skip |
| Cho-Cho idol Arc | 67-69 | The infamous Cho-Cho idol arc adds nothing to the storyline. | Skip |
| Naruto Shinden Arc | 96-97 | Part of the Mitsuki Disappearance arc, but these episodes are totally skippable. | Skip |
| Konohamaru’s Love Arc | 112-119 | A long continuation of the Mitsuki arc that most viewers do not need | Skip |
| Time Slip Arc | 138-140 | Straight comedy fillers featuring side characters. | Skip |
| Mujina Bandits Arc | 152-156 | Slow training and unimportant mission episodes. | Skip |
| The Rusty Sword & Captain Denki’s First Mission | 231-232 | Post-Chunin Re-examination one-offs that feel like time-fillers. | Skip |
| Great Sea Battle Of Kirigakure Arc | 256-258 | Episodic stories that go nowhere. Pure filler. | Skip |
| Kawaki & Himawari Academy Arc | 261-273 | Featuring Kawaki as an undercover student at the Ninja Academy to protect a princess, Kae Yukiwar, with Himawari helping him. | Skip |
| Total Naruto Filler Episodes | 46 |
Mixed Canon/Filler Episodes (Optional)
These segments blend some story-suited content and some padding. Skip them if you’re short on time, but some of them do contain some small character or world-building details:
| Filler Arc / Episode | Episodes | Description | Watch or Skip? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boruto vs. Kawaki Tease | 1 | Starts with hype but quickly turns into unrelated filler content. | Watchable |
| Sarada’s Early Focus | 18 | Tied to Sarada’s personal story; not essential to the main plot. | Watch if you’re interested in knowing about Sarada. |
| Team 7 Introduction | 24 | Introduces the new Team 7; more setup than essential viewing. | Skip |
| Chunin Exam Build-up | 59 | Light build-up episode before the Chunin Exams. | Skip |
| Naruto Family Time Arc | 93–95 | Family bonding moments with Naruto; sweet but skippable. | Optional |
| Jiraiya Nostalgia Episode | 127 | Naruto reads Jiraiya’s books; nostalgic for old fans but not plot-relevant. | Watch if you want a nostalgic feel. |
| Kara Arc Setup | 157 | A bit of setup for the Kara storyline; mildly informative. | Optional |
| Kawaki Backstory | 192 | Reveals Kawaki’s past and emotional depth; important character development. | Watch |
| Kara Side Movement | 210–211 | Some minor developments within Kara; very slow-paced and optional. | Optional |
Manga Canon Episodes (Must-Watch)
These episodes are adapted from the manga and feature the key parts of Boruto’s core story. They are also episodes that you cannot miss:
Episodes: 19-23, 39, 53-58, 61-66, 106-111 (novel canon), 148-151, 181-189, 193-208, 212-220, 282-293
These arcs include the major plot lines, such as Sarada’s growth, the Momoshiki arc, the Kara Actuation Arc, the Vessel Arc, Kawaki becoming part of Konoha, and the new Code Arc. This is where the actual story is.
Anime Canon Episodes (Optional Watch If You Want Full Context)
Though not part of the manga, the anime staff created these episodes in cooperation with the creator and provided meaningful additions to the universe:
Episodes: 2-15, 25-38, 42-47, 51-52, 60, 70-92, 98-105, 120-126, 128-137, 141-147, 158-180, 190-191, 209, 221-230, 233-255, 259-281
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These arcs introduce characters like Sumire, develop Team 7 relationships, explore Konohamaru’s missions, and build up the tension with Kara. They are worth watching if you like world-building and character development.
What is the Best Watch Order?
If you prefer it leaner and more focused on the main plot, this is how to do it:
Start with Episode 1, only for the first Kawaki vs. Boruto tease and overall premise.
- Skip over to Episodes 19-23, 39, 53-58, and 61-66.
- Skip 106-111, and resume at 148-151.
- Begin with Episode 181 and view continuously to 220.
- Complete with Episodes 282-293, which are the Code Arc.
This method presents you with the primary plot as it happens in the manga, without the delay of filler.
If you need more background and world-building that are still relevant, try adding:
- Episodes 25-38: Focused on the early development of Team 7.
- Episodes 98-105: The Jugo arc, with some nice action mixed in.
- Episodes 158-180: The prequel to the Kara Actuation Arc.
- Episodes 190-191, 209, 221-230: Bridging episodes that tie all the loose ends.
Is It Worth Watching the Filler?
To be fair, not all the Boruto filler episodes are awful; it just adds on a little bit. If you’re a casual viewer who enjoys slice-of-life episodes or character-driven episodes, some of the filler storylines are actually pretty good. For example:
Steam Ninja Scrolls (106-111): Filler by definition, but also novel canon, showing the story after the 4th great ninja war and before Boruto. A nice breather from intense arcs.
Sarada and Mitsuki episodes: These build their characters, but they are not adding to the plot.
Family bonding episodes (93-95): Sweet moments that show Naruto’s emotional legacy.
But if you are only interested in the main battles, plot twists, and danger of Kara and the Ōtsutsuki clan, you can skip the filler without missing out.
Boruto Filler List
Boruto is not a terrible anime, it’s just uneven. It struggles from time to time on whether or not to follow the manga or take a departure. But when it remains with the actual story, especially with Kawaki, Code, and the Kara organization, it really excels. Use this guide to keep your watchlist clean and enjoy Boruto for what it does best. If you can stay on the episodes that matter, you’ll end up with a more focused and satisfying experience.
